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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2017

Registration No. 333-215288

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 2

to

Form S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

VISTRA ENERGY CORP.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   4911   36-4833255
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, Texas 75201-3411

(214) 812-4600

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Stephanie Zapata Moore

Vistra Energy Corp.

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, Texas 75201-3411

(214) 812-4600

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent of Service)

 

 

With a copy to:

 

William D. Howell
Sidley Austin LLP
2021 McKinney Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 981-3418

  

Edward F. Petrosky
Sidley Austin LLP
787 7 th Avenue

New York, New York 10019
(212) 839-5455

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer   ☒  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company  

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to Be Registered

  Amount
to Be
Registered
  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price (1)
  Amount of
Registration Fee (1)

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share

  168,779,076   $2,379,005,763   $275,726.77

 

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee for the securities pursuant to Rules 457(a) and 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The registration fee of $275,670.01 with respect to 168,748,919 shares (based on the average of the high and low price of the registrant’s common stock on December 19, 2016 ($14.095), as reported on the OTCQX U.S. market) was paid with the initial filing of this registration statement on December 23, 2016. This Amendment No. 2 registers an additional 30,157 shares with an aggregate offering price of $489,749.68, and the registrant is paying an additional registration fee of $56.76, in each case, calculated based on the average of the high and low sales prices of the registrant’s common stock ($16.240 per share) on the OTCQX U.S. Market on March 31, 2017.

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. None of the selling stockholders of our common stock may sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 5, 2017

Vistra Energy Corp.

168,779,076 Shares of Common Stock

 

 

This prospectus relates to 168,779,076 shares of Vistra Energy Corp. common stock, par value $.01 per share, which we refer to as our common stock or the Vistra Energy common stock, which may be offered for resale from time to time by the stockholders named under the heading “Principal and Selling Stockholders,” whom we refer to as the selling stockholders. The shares of our common stock offered under this prospectus may be resold by the selling stockholders at fixed prices, prevailing market prices at the times of sale, prices related to such prevailing market prices, varying prices determined at the times of sale or negotiated prices and, accordingly, we cannot determine the price or prices at which shares of our common stock may be resold. The shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement may be resold by the selling stockholders directly to investors or to or through underwriters, dealers or other agents, as described in more detail in this prospectus. For more information, see “Plan of Distribution.” We do not know if, when or in what amounts a selling stockholder may offer shares of our common stock for resale. The selling stockholders may resell all, some or none of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus in one or multiple transactions.

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the resale of the shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders, but we have agreed to pay certain registration expenses.

Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQX U.S. market under the symbol “VSTE.” On March 31, 2017, the closing sales price of our common stock as reported on the OTCQX market was $16.30 per share. We have applied to list our common stock for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, which we refer to as the NYSE, under the symbol “VST .”

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks. Before making a decision to invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider the information referred to under the heading “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 21.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state or other securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                 ,         .


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Table of Contents

 

     Page  

About This Prospectus

     iii  

Prospectus Summary

     1  

Risk Factors

     21  

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     40  

Industry and Market Information

     43  

Use of Proceeds

     44  

Market Prices and Dividend Policy

     45  

Capitalization

     46  

The Reorganization and Emergence

     47  

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information

     51  

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information

     53  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     57  

Business

     90  

Management

     112  

Executive Compensation

     117  

Principal and Selling Stockholders

     144  

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

     148  

Description of Indebtedness

     153  

Description of Capital Stock

     156  

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders

     162  

Shares Eligible for Future Sales

     166  

Plan of Distribution

     168  

Legal Matters

     171  

Experts

     171  

Where You Can Find More Information

     172  

Index To Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules

     F-1  

 

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About This Prospectus

In this prospectus, except as otherwise indicated herein, or as the context may otherwise require, all references to “Vistra Energy,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to (a) Vistra Energy Corp. and, unless the context otherwise requires, its direct and indirect subsidiaries and (b) prior to its emergence from bankruptcy (Emergence), Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and, unless the context otherwise requires, its direct and indirect subsidiaries (our Predecessor).

This prospectus is part of a resale registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission), using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the selling stockholders may offer and resell, from time to time, an aggregate of up to 168,779,076 shares of our common stock under this prospectus in one or more offerings. In some cases, the selling stockholders will also be required to provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about them and the terms on which they are offering and reselling our common stock. We may also add, update or change in a prospectus supplement information contained in this prospectus. To the extent any statement made in a future prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in this prospectus, the statements made in such prospectus supplement shall control and the statements made in this prospectus will be deemed modified or superseded by those made in such prospectus supplement. As a result, you should read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as any post-effective amendments to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, before you make any investment decision with respect to shares of our common stock.

The selling stockholders named herein acquired their shares of our common stock as part of the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (the Plan) under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the Bankruptcy Code) of Energy Future Holdings Corp. (EFH Corp.) and the substantial majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the Debtors), including Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC (EFIH), Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company LLC (EFCH) and our Predecessor, but excluding Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, Oncor). For more information see “Prospectus Summary — Reorganization and Emergence” and “The Reorganization and Emergence.”

The historical financial information and accompanying financial statements and corresponding notes contained in this prospectus for periods prior to October 3, 2016 (the Effective Date) reflect the actual historical consolidated results of operations, cash flows and financial condition of our Predecessor and do not give effect to the Plan, Emergence or the adoption of fresh-start reporting. Thus, such financial information is not representative of our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition subsequent to the Effective Date. Because our Predecessor ceased owning and operating its historical business upon Emergence and Vistra Energy continues to own and operate, directly and indirectly, substantially the same business that our Predecessor owned and operated prior to Emergence and, as of the Effective Date, Vistra Energy applied fresh-start reporting in its financial statements, references herein to “our” historical consolidated financial information (or data derived therefrom) should be read to refer to the historical consolidated financial information of our Predecessor for periods prior to Emergence and to Vistra Energy for periods subsequent to Emergence. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” for further information.

The selling stockholders may only offer to resell, and seek offers to buy, shares of our common stock in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Neither we, nor the selling stockholders, have authorized anyone to provide you with information other than that contained in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement and, if such information is provided to you, then you should not rely on it. Neither we, nor the selling stockholders, take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of, any other information that others may give you. Neither we, nor the selling stockholders, have authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information, and neither we nor the selling stockholders are making an offer to sell the shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or

 

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sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus speaks only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of shares of our common stock hereunder. Our business, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the date on the front cover of this prospectus.

 

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GLOSSARY

When the following industry terms and abbreviations appear in this prospectus, they have the meanings indicated below (unless otherwise expressly set forth or as the context otherwise indicates).

 

CCGT    Combined cycle gas turbine
CFTC    United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission
CO2    Carbon dioxide
CSAPR    Cross-State Air Pollution Rule issued by the EPA in July 2011
CTs    Combustion turbines
DOE    United States Department of Energy
EPA    United States Environmental Protection Agency
ERCOT    Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc., the independent system operator and the regional coordinator of various electricity systems within Texas
FERC    United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
fossil fuel    A natural fuel, such as coal, oil or natural gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms
GHG    Greenhouse gas
GWh    Gigawatt-hours
IPP    Independent power producer
ISO    Independent system operator
load    Demand for electricity
market heat rate    The wholesale market price of electricity divided by the market price of natural gas
MATS    Mercury and Air Toxics Standard established by the EPA
MMBtu    Million British thermal units
MW    Megawatts
MWh    Megawatt-hours
MSHA    United States Mine Safety and Health Administration
NERC    North American Electric Reliability Corporation
NO x    Nitrogen oxide
NRC    United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NYMEX    The New York Mercantile Exchange, a commodity derivatives exchange
ORDC    Operating Reserve Demand Curve, pursuant to which wholesale electricity prices in the ERCOT real-time market increase automatically as available operating reserves decrease below defined threshold levels
PPAs    Power purchase agreements
PURA    Public Utility Regulatory Act

 

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PUCT    Public Utility Commission of Texas
RCT    Railroad Commission of Texas, which among other things, has oversight of lignite mining activity in Texas
REP    Retail electric provider
SO 2    Sulfur dioxide
TCEQ    Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
TRE    Texas Reliability Entity, Inc., an independent organization that develops reliability standards for the ERCOT region and monitors and enforces compliance with NERC standards and monitors compliance with ERCOT protocols
TWh    Terawatt-hours
VOLL    Value of lost load

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all the information that may be important to you. You should carefully read the entire prospectus before making an investment decision, especially the information presented under the heading “Risk Factors.” In this prospectus, except as otherwise indicated herein, or as the context may otherwise require, all references to “Vistra Energy,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to (a) Vistra Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation, and, unless the context otherwise requires, its direct and indirect subsidiaries and (b) prior to its emergence from bankruptcy (Emergence), Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and, unless the context otherwise requires, its direct and indirect subsidiaries (our Predecessor).

Our Company

Vistra Energy is a leading energy company operating an integrated power business in Texas, which includes TXU Energy and Luminant. Through TXU Energy and Luminant, our integrated business engages in retail sales of electricity and related services to end users, wholesale electricity sales and purchases, power generation, commodity risk management, fuel production and fuel logistics management. We are committed to providing superior customer service, maintaining operational excellence, applying an integrated approach to managing risk, applying a disciplined approach to managing costs, continuing our track record of superior corporate responsibility and citizenship and effectively managing through varying business cycles in the competitive power markets. Our goal is to deliver long-term value to our stockholders by maintaining a strong balance sheet and strong liquidity profile in order to provide us with the flexibility to pursue a range of capital deployment strategies, including investing in our current business, funding attractive organic and acquisition-driven growth opportunities and returning capital to our stockholders.

We operate as an integrated company that provides complete electricity solutions to our customers and to the broader ERCOT market. Our company is comprised of:

 

    our brand name retail electricity provider business, TXU Energy™, which is the largest retailer of electricity in Texas with approximately 1.7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers as of December 31, 2016;

 

    our electricity generation business, Luminant, which is the largest generator of electricity in ERCOT, operating approximately 17,000 MW of fuel-diverse installed capacity in ERCOT as of December 31, 2016;

 

    our wholesale commodity risk management operation, which dispatches our generation fleet in response to market conditions, markets the electricity generated by our facilities to our customers (including TXU Energy) and the broader ERCOT market, procures fuel from third parties for use at our electric generating facilities and performs the risk management services for Luminant and TXU Energy that enables the delivery of cost-effective electricity to the wholesale market and retail end-users;

 

    our mining, fuel handling and logistics operations, which supply fuel to our diverse fleet of electric generating facilities; and

 

    our efficient, low-cost support organizations, which provide the necessary services to meet our compliance obligations, support our integrated electricity solutions and assist in conducting our business in an environmentally responsible and regulatory-compliant manner.

All of our operations teams (mining and fuel handling; wholesale commodity risk management, asset optimization and generation fleet dispatch; power generation; retail electricity marketing, sales and services; and

 



 

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strategic sourcing, supply chain and procurement) are integrated. The integrated nature of these operations allows us, where appropriate, to manage these operations with close alignment, which we believe provides us better market insight and a reduction of the impact of commodity price volatility as compared to our non-integrated competitors. The charts below show our market-leading position among power generators and electricity retailers in Texas. We believe the combination of these charts illustrates the unique opportunity that is created from our integrated business model.

 

LOGO    LOGO

Date: 2015

Source: SNL, a subscription service of S&P Global Market Intelligence

  

Date: 2015

Source: Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Note: Rankings do not combine a company that may own multiple brands.

 



 

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Our Integrated Business Model

We believe the key factor that distinguishes us from others in our industry is the integrated nature of our business ( i.e. , pairing Luminant’s reliable and efficient mining, generating and wholesale commodity risk management capabilities with TXU Energy’s retail platform) which, in our view, represents a unique company structure in the competitive ERCOT market and other competitive electricity markets across the country. We believe our integrated business model creates a unique opportunity because, relative to our non-integrated competitors, it reduces our exposure to commodity price movements and provides an opportunity for greater earnings stability. Consequently, our integrated business model will be at the core of our business strategy.

The chart below depicts the integrated nature of our business and summarizes the key advantages of our integrated business model.

 

 

LOGO

 



 

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To further illustrate the benefits of our integrated business model, the chart below highlights the competitive advantages we believe our integrated business model offers as compared to our non-integrated competitors ( i.e. , pure-play IPPs and non-integrated REPs).

 

                     
       

 

IPP Model –

Competitive Pressures

     

Retail Model –

Competitive Pressures

         

Vistra Energy –

Integrated Advantage

    
                 

Commodity

Exposure Related

 

LOGO

 

  Low price environment puts pressure on “long” commodity IPP model

  Lack of depth of wholesale market makes meaningful long term hedging challenging

   

  Lowprice environment encourages competitive entry

  Lackof market depth to hedge supply requirements presents risk management issue

     

  Mitigatescash flow volatility from exposure to commodity prices

  Retailchannel provides an internal offset to generation (and vice versa)

  Lowerhedging transaction and collateral costs

 

   
                                 
                 

Impact of Technology

 

LOGO

 

  Technology advancement in, and subsidization of, wind, solar, and storage

  Low load growth environment; trends toward distributed generation and efficiency

   

  Trend towards energy efficiency and “green” products

     

  Opportunity to use customer channels to expand integrated model to new technology

  Creates new ways to engage customers and promotes long term relationships

 

   
                                 
                 

New

Entrants

 

LOGO

 

  Continued new build at questionable economics leads to high reserve margins & volatility in capacity prices

   

  Very aggressive / unsustainable pricing from new entrants / competitors

     

  Retail and wholesale diversification provides earnings stability and capital efficiencies relative to pure-play new entrants

 

   
                                 
                 

Regulatory/ Political

 

LOGO

 

  Regulatoryand political focus on emissions

  Considerableoversight with numerous restrictions on market behavior

  Onerousrules regarding asset retirement

   

  ERCOT is only fully competitive retail market in North America (price-to-beat expired in 2007)

  Non ERCOT retail market faces structural challenges

-    Default provider sets effective ceiling price

-    Utilities retain most customers and the customer interface, limiting opportunities to differentiate

     

  As largest retail provider in ERCOT, the only fully deregulated retail market, TXU Energy lowers risk profile of overall portfolio compared to competitors in other markets

   
                     

While we do not believe there are any material risks specifically related to our integrated business model, see “Risk Factors” for a description of the material risks our business faces.

 



 

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Our Operations

Our primary operations consist of electricity solutions, including retail sales of electricity and related products to end users, power generation (including operations and maintenance and outage and project management) and sales of electric generating unit output in the wholesale marketplace, asset optimization and commodity risk management performed on an integrated basis for our retail and wholesale positions, and fuel logistics and management. These operations work together on an integrated basis, which allows us to realize efficiencies and alignment in all aspects of the electricity generation and sales operation.

We operate solely in the growing ERCOT electricity market, which we view as one of the most attractive power markets in the United States. As described in more detail below, ERCOT is an ISO that manages the flow of electricity to approximately 24 million Texas customers, representing approximately 90% of the state’s load, and spanning approximately 75% of its geography, as of December 31, 2016.

Texas has one of the fastest growing populations of any state in the United States and has a diverse economy, which has resulted in a significant and growing competitive retail electricity market. We provided electricity to approximately 24% and 18% of the residential and commercial customers in ERCOT, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. We believe we have differentiated ourselves by providing a distinctive customer experience predicated on delivering reliable and innovative power products and solutions to our customers, such as Free Nights and Free Weekends residential plans, MyEnergy Dashboard SM , TXU Energy’s iThermostat product and mobile solutions, the TXU Energy Rewards program, the TXU Energy Green UP SM renewable energy credit program and a diverse set of solar options, which give our customers choice, convenience and control over how and when they use electricity and related services. We competitively market our retail electricity and related services to acquire, serve and retain both retail and wholesale customers. Our wholesale customers represent a cross section of industrial users, other competitive retail electric providers, municipalities, cooperatives and other end-users of electricity. We are able to better serve our retail customers through our unique affiliation with our wholesale commodity risk management personnel who are able to structure products and contracts in a way that offers significant value compared to stand-alone retail electric providers. Additionally, our generation business protects our retail business from power price volatility, by allowing it to bypass bid-ask spread in the market (particularly for illiquid products and time periods), which results in significantly lower collateral costs for our retail business as compared to other, non-integrated retail electric providers. Moreover, our retail business reduces, to some extent, the exposure of our wholesale generation business to wholesale power price volatility. This is because the retail load requirements of our retail operations (primarily TXU Energy) provide a natural offset to the length of Luminant’s generation portfolio thereby reducing the exposure to wholesale power price volatility as compared to a non-integrated pure-play IPP.

Our power generation fleet is diverse and flexible in terms of dispatch characteristics as our fleet includes baseload, intermediate/load-following and peaking generation. Our wholesale commodity risk management business is responsible for dispatching our generation fleet in response to market needs after implementing portfolio optimization strategies, thus linking and integrating the generation fleet production with our retail customer and wholesale sales opportunities. Market demand, also known as load, faced by an electric power system such as ERCOT varies from moment to moment as a result of changes in business and residential demand, much of which is driven by weather. Unlike most other commodities, the production and consumption of electricity must remain balanced on an instantaneous basis. There is a certain baseline demand for electricity across an electric power system that occurs throughout the day, which is typically satisfied by baseload generating units with low variable operating costs. Baseload generating units can also increase output to satisfy certain incremental demand and reduce output when demand is unusually low. Intermediate/load-following generating units, which can more efficiently change their output to satisfy increases in demand, typically satisfy a large proportion of changes in intraday load as they respond to daily increases in demand or unexpected changes in supply created by reduced generation from renewable resources or other generator outages. Peak daily loads

 



 

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are typically satisfied by peaking units. Peaking units are typically the most expensive to operate, but they can quickly start up and shut down to meet brief peaks in demand. In general, baseload units, intermediate/load-following units and peaking units are dispatched into the ERCOT grid in order from lowest to highest variable cost. Price formation in ERCOT, as with other competitive power markets in the United States, is typically based on the highest variable cost unit that clears the market to satisfy system demand at a given point in time.

As of December 31, 2016, our generation fleet consisted of 50 electric generating units, all of which are wholly owned, with the fuel types, dispatch characteristics and total installed nameplate generating capacity as shown in the table below:

 

Fuel Type

  

Dispatch Type

   Installed Nameplate
Generation
Capacity (MW)
     Number of
Plant Sites
     Number of Units  

Nuclear

   Baseload      2,300        1        2  

Lignite

   Baseload      2,737        2        4  

Lignite/Coal

   Intermediate/Load-Following      5,280        3        8  

Natural Gas (CCGT)

   Intermediate/Load-Following      2,988        2        14  

Natural Gas (Steam and CTs)

   Peaking      3,455        7        22  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

        16,760        15        50  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our wholesale commodity risk management business also procures renewable energy credits from wind generation to support our electricity sales to wholesale and retail customers to satisfy the increasing demand for renewable resources from such customers.

Our generation resources, which represented approximately 17% of the generation capacity in ERCOT as of December 31, 2016, allow us to annually generate, procure and sell approximately 75-85 TWh of electricity to wholesale and retail customers from nuclear, natural gas, lignite, coal and renewable generation resources.

 



 

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The map below shows our significant footprint in Texas and further demonstrates the integrated nature of our business.

 

LOGO

 

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe we are well-positioned to execute our business strategy of delivering long-term value to our stakeholders based on, among others, the following competitive strengths:

Uniquely situated integrated energy infrastructure company . We believe the key factor that distinguishes us from others in our industry is the integrated nature of our business. We believe this is a unique company structure in the competitive ERCOT market and other competitive electricity markets across the country. It is our view that our integrated business model provides us a competitive advantage and results in more stable earnings under all market environments relative to our non-integrated competitors. In general, non-integrated electricity retailers are subject to wholesale power price and resulting cash flow volatility when demand increases or supply tightens, which can potentially result in significant losses if an electricity retailer is not appropriately hedged. However, because our integrated business model enables us to manage through various price environments, we believe our retail operations (primarily TXU Energy) are not as exposed to wholesale power price volatility as non-integrated retail power companies. Moreover, given the retail load requirements of our retail operations (primarily TXU Energy), the length of Luminant’s generation portfolio is not as exposed to wholesale power price volatility as compared to a non-integrated pure-play IPP. Additionally, our mining operations provide an alternative to other coal procurement sources and give us more flexibility in reaching the most cost-effective arrangements for our coal-fueled facilities. We believe these advantages make our business less subject to volatility risk than pure-play IPPs and non-integrated retail electric providers. Furthermore, we believe our integrated business model allows us to reduce sourcing and transaction costs and minimize credit and collateral requirements.

 



 

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Highly valued retail brand and customer-focused operations . Our retail business has been operating in the competitive retail electricity market in Texas under the TXU Energy™ brand since 2002. We believe this has created strong brand recognition throughout ERCOT, enabling us to effectively acquire, serve and retain a broad spectrum of retail electricity customers. Our TXU Energy™ brand is viewed by customers as a symbol of a trustworthy, customer-centric, innovative and dependable electricity service. By leveraging our retail marketing capabilities, commitment to product innovation and deep knowledge of the ERCOT market and its customer base, we believe that we can maintain and grow our position as the largest retailer of electricity in the highly competitive ERCOT retail market. We have an operating model that has delivered attractive margins and strong customer satisfaction that has been consistently ranked by the PUCT as having among the lowest customer complaint rates in the ERCOT market. We drive positive results in our retail electricity business by functioning as a technology driven, multi-channel marketer with advanced analytics and product development capabilities. We believe our strong customer service, innovative products and trusted brand recognition have resulted in us maintaining the highest residential customer retention rate of any Texas retail electric provider in its respective core market.

Diversified generation sources and critical energy infrastructure. We maintain operational flexibility to provide reliable and responsive power under a variety of market conditions by utilizing generation sources that are diverse and flexible in terms of fuel types (nuclear, lignite, coal, natural gas and renewables) and dispatch characteristics (baseload, intermediate/load-following, peaking and non-dispatchable). These generation sources feature the following characteristics:

 

    Except for periods of scheduled maintenance activities, our nuclear-fueled units are generally available to run at capacity.

 

    Except for periods of scheduled maintenance activities, our lignite- and coal-fueled units are available to run at capacity or seasonally, depending on market conditions ( i.e. , during periods when wholesale electricity prices are greater than the unit’s variable production costs). Certain of these units run only during the summer peak period and at times go into seasonal layup during the months with lower seasonal demand.

 

    Our CCGT units generally run during the intermediate/load-following periods of the daily supply curve.

 

    Our natural gas-fueled generation peaking units supplement the aggregate nuclear-, lignite- and coal-fueled and CCGT generation capacity in meeting demand during peak load periods because production from certain of these units, particularly combustion-turbine units, can be more quickly adjusted up or down as demand warrants. With this quick-start capability, we are able to increase generation during periods of supply or demand volatility in ERCOT and capture scarcity pricing in the wholesale electricity market. These natural gas-fueled generation peaking units also help us mitigate unit-contingent outage risk by allowing us to meet demand even if one or more of our nuclear, lignite, coal or CCGT units is taken offline for maintenance.

 

    The CCGT and natural gas-fueled generation peaking units also play a pivotal and increasing role in the ERCOT market by supplementing intermittent renewable generation through their versatile operations. We expect this versatility to increase in value over time as the ERCOT market continues to expand into renewable resources.

 

    Our long-term PPAs with various renewable energy providers deliver electricity when natural conditions make renewable resources available. These resources position us to meet the market’s increasing demand for sustainable, low-carbon power solutions.

In addition, the commodity risk management and asset optimization strategies executed by our commercial operation supplement the electricity generated by our fleet with electricity procured in market transactions to ensure that we are supplying our customers with the most cost-effective electricity options.

 



 

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Competitive scale and highly effective, low-cost support operations . As an integrated energy company with approximately 17,000 MW of generation capacity and approximately 1.7 million retail electricity customers, each as of December 31, 2016, we operate with significant scale. This scale enables us to conduct our business with certain operational synergies that are not available to smaller power generation or retail electricity businesses. The benefits of our significant scale include improved leverage of our low fixed costs, opportunities to share expertise across the portfolio of assets, enhanced procurement opportunities, development of, and the ability to offer, a wide array of products and services to our customers, diversity of cash flows and a breadth of positive relationships with regulatory and governmental authorities. We believe these advantages, combined with a strong balance sheet and strong liquidity profile, enable us to operate with more financial flexibility than our competitors, and will enable us to prudently grow our existing business and pursue attractive growth opportunities in the future.

Positioned to capture upside in the attractive ERCOT market . We believe that the location of our business, solely in ERCOT, offers attractive upside opportunities. ERCOT is the only fully deregulated electricity market in the United States in that both the wholesale and retail markets are truly competitive. In addition to having a robust wholesale market, the ERCOT residential retail market does not have regulated providers or a standard offer service, which is unique among competitive retail markets in the United States. We believe our integrated business model uniquely positions us to benefit from this attractive, robust marketplace. The ERCOT market represents approximately 90% of the load in Texas, a state that is the seventh-largest power market in the world, according to the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA), and had a population growth rate of 8.8% between July 2010 and July 2015, more than double the United States population growth rate of 3.9% during the same period, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. ERCOT has shown historically above-average load growth compared to other power markets in the United States, according to the EIA, and ERCOT can be viewed as a “power island” due to its limited import and export capacity, which we believe creates a favorable power supply and demand dynamic. Total ERCOT power demand has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 1.4% from 2005 through 2014, compared to a range of -0.6% to 0.8% in other United States markets, according to ERCOT and the EIA, respectively.

In addition, in general, Luminant’s generation portfolio (primarily the nuclear, lignite and coal generation facilities) is positioned to increase in value to the extent there is a rebound in forward natural gas prices. We cannot predict, however, whether or not forward natural gas prices will rebound or the timing of any such rebound if it were to occur in the future.

Strong balance sheet and strong liquidity profile . In connection with Emergence, a substantial amount of the debt of our Predecessor was eliminated. As a result, we believe our balance sheet is strong given our low leverage relative to the cash flows generated from our integrated business. Further, we believe our financial leverage is prudent and, together with our strong cash flow and strong liquidity profile, provides us with significant competitive advantages relative to, and sets us apart from, our competitors, especially those that have much more leverage than we do. We believe that our integrated business model further improves our liquidity profile relative to our non-integrated competitors because such integration reduces our retail operations’ exposure to wholesale electricity price volatility resulting in our retail operations having lower collateral requirements with counterparties and ERCOT. We also believe a strong balance sheet allows us to manage through periods of commodity price volatility that may require incremental liquidity and positions us well to pursue a range of capital deployment strategies, including investing in our current business, funding attractive organic and acquisition-driven growth opportunities and returning capital to our stockholders.

Proven, experienced management team . The members of our senior management team have significant industry experience, including experience operating in a competitive retail electricity environment, operating sophisticated power generation facilities, operating a safe and cost-efficient mining organization and managing

 



 

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the risks of competitive wholesale and retail electricity businesses. We believe that our management team’s history of safe and reliable operations in our industry, breadth of positive relationships with regulatory and legislative authorities and commitment to a disciplined and prudent operating cost structure and capital allocation will benefit our stakeholders. Moreover, between personal investments in our common stock and our incentive compensation arrangements, our management team has a meaningful stake in Vistra Energy, thereby closely aligning incentives between management and our stockholders.

Our Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to deliver long-term stakeholder value through a multi-faceted focus on the following areas:

Integrated business model . Our business strategy will be guided by our integrated business model because we believe it is our core competitive advantage and differentiates us from our non-integrated competitors. We believe our integrated business model creates a unique opportunity because, relative to our non-integrated competitors, it insulates us from commodity price movements and provides unique earnings stability. Consequently, our integrated business model will be at the core of our business strategy.

Superior customer service. Through TXU Energy, we serve the retail electricity needs of end-use residential, small business, commercial and industrial electricity customers through multiple sales and marketing channels. In addition to benefitting from our integrated business model, we leverage our strong brand, our commitment to a consistent and reliable product offering, the backstop of the electricity generated by our generation fleet, our industry-leading wholesale commodity risk management operations and exceptional, innovative and dependable customer service to differentiate our products and services from our competitors. We strive to be at the forefront of innovation with new offerings and customer experiences to reinforce our value proposition. We maintain a focus on solutions that give our customers choice, convenience and control over how and when they use electricity and related services. Our focus on superior customer service will guide our efforts to acquire new residential and commercial customers, serve and retain existing customers and maintain valuable sales channels for our electricity generation resources. We believe our strong customer service, innovative products and trusted brand have resulted in us maintaining the highest residential customer retention rate of any Texas retail electric provider in its respective core market.

Excellence in operations while maintaining an efficient cost structure . We believe that operating our facilities in a safe, reliable, environmentally-compliant, and cost-effective and efficient manner is a foundation for delivering long-term stakeholder value. We also believe value increases as a function of making disciplined investments that enable our generation facilities to operate not only effectively and efficiently, but also safely, reliably and in an environmentally-compliant manner. We believe that an ongoing focus on operational excellence and safety is a key component to success in a highly competitive environment and is part of the unique value proposition of our integrated model. Additionally, we are committed to optimizing our cost structure and implementing enterprise-wide process and operating improvements without compromising the safety of our communities, customers and employees. In connection with Emergence, in addition to significantly reducing our debt levels, we implemented certain cost-reduction actions in order to better align and right-size our cost structure. We believe we have a highly effective and efficient cost structure and that our cost structure supports excellence in our operations.

Integrated hedging and commercial management . Our commercial team is focused on managing risk, through opportunistic hedging, and optimizing our assets and business positions. We actively manage our exposure to wholesale electricity prices in ERCOT, on an integrated basis, through contracts for physical delivery of electricity, exchange-traded and over-the-counter financial contracts, ERCOT term, day-ahead and real-time market transactions and bilateral contracts with other wholesale market participants, including other power

 



 

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generators and end-user electricity customers. These hedging activities include short-term agreements, long-term electricity sales contracts and forward sales of natural gas through financial instruments. The historically positive correlation between natural gas prices and wholesale electricity prices in the ERCOT market has provided us an opportunity to manage our exposure to the variability of wholesale electricity prices through natural gas hedging activities. We seek to hedge near-term cash flow and optimize long-term value through hedging and forward sales contracts. We believe our integrated hedging and commercial management strategy, in combination with a strong balance sheet and strong liquidity profile, will provide a long-term advantage through cycles of higher and lower commodity prices.

Disciplined capital allocation . Like any energy-focused business, we are potentially subject to significant commodity price volatility and capital costs. Accordingly, our strategy is to maintain a balance sheet with prudent financial leverage supported by readily accessible, flexible and diverse sources of liquidity. Our ongoing capital allocation priorities primarily include making necessary capital investments to maintain the safety and reliability of our facilities. Because we believe cost discipline and strong management of our assets and commodity positions are necessary to deliver long-term value to our stakeholders, we generally make capital allocation decisions that we believe will lead to attractive cash returns on investment. We are focused on optimal deployment of capital and intend to evaluate a range of capital deployment strategies including return of capital to stockholders in the form of dividends and/or share repurchases, investments in our current business and acquisition-driven growth investments.

Growth and enhancement . Our growth strategy leverages our core capabilities of multi-channel retail marketing in a large and competitive market, operating large-scale, environmentally sensitive, and diverse assets across a variety of fuel technologies, fuel logistics and management, commodity risk management, cost control, and energy infrastructure investing. We intend to opportunistically evaluate acquisitions of high-quality energy infrastructure assets and businesses that complement these core capabilities and enable us to achieve operational or financial synergies. To that end, our primary focus will target growth opportunities that expand or enhance our business position within ERCOT and are consistent with our integrated business model (including our stable earnings profile as compared to our non-integrated competitors). While we solely operate within ERCOT currently, we intend to evaluate energy infrastructure growth opportunities outside ERCOT that offer compelling value creation opportunities, including cost and operational improvements, organic growth opportunities and attractive and stable earnings profiles featuring multiple revenue streams. We also believe that there will continue to be significant acquisition opportunities for competitive power generation assets and retail electricity businesses in power markets in the United States based on, among other things, the continuing trend of separating competitive power generation assets from regulated utility assets. While we are intent on growing our business and creating value for our stockholders, we are committed to making disciplined investments that are consistent with our focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet and strong liquidity profile. As a result, consistent with our disciplined capital allocation approval process, growth opportunities we pursue will need to have compelling economic value in addition to fitting with our business strategy.

Corporate responsibility and citizenship . We are committed to providing safe, reliable, cost-effective and environmentally-compliant electricity for the communities and customers we serve. We strive to improve the quality of life in the communities in which we operate. We are also committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities in which we conduct our operations. Our company and our employees are actively engaged in programs intended to support and strengthen the communities in which we conduct our operations. Our foremost giving initiatives, the United Way and TXU Energy Aid campaigns, have raised more than $30 million in employee and corporate contributions since 2000. Additionally, for more than 30 years, TXU Energy Aid has served as an integral resource for social service agencies that assist families in need, having helped more than 500,000 customers across Texas pay their electricity bills.

 



 

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The ERCOT Market

ERCOT is an ISO that manages the flow of electricity from approximately 78,000 MW of installed capacity to approximately 24 million Texas customers, representing approximately 90% of the state’s electric load and spanning approximately 75% of its geography, as of December 31, 2016. ERCOT is a highly competitive wholesale electricity market with historically above-average demand growth, limited import and export capacity and increasing wholesale price caps, and is the seventh-largest power market in the world, according to the EIA. Population growth in Texas is currently expanding at well above the national average rate, with a growth rate of 8.8% between July 2010 and July 2015, more than double the United States population growth rate of 3.9% during the same period, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. ERCOT accounts for approximately 32% of the competitively served retail load in the United States and residential consumers in the ERCOT market consume approximately 32% more electricity than the average United States residential consumer according to the EIA. Total ERCOT power demand has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 1.4% from 2005 through 2014, compared to a range of -0.6% to 0.8% in other United States markets, according to ERCOT and the EIA, respectively. ERCOT was formed in 1970 and became the first ISO in the United States in September 1996. The following map illustrates ERCOT by regions:

 

 

LOGO

Risk Factors

We face numerous risks related to, among other things, our business operations, our strategies, general economic conditions, competitive dynamics of the industry, commodity and fuel prices and the legal and regulatory environment in which we operate. These risks are set forth in detail under the heading “Risk Factors” and include:

 

    The impacts on our business of decreases in market prices for electricity;

 

    Our ability to effectively hedge against changes in commodity prices and market heat rates;

 

    Complex government regulations and legislation that impact our business and operations;

 

    Significant competition in retail electricity markets; and

 

    The impacts of extreme weather conditions and seasonality on our operations.

 



 

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If any of these risks should materialize, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and/or growth strategies. We encourage you to review these risk factors carefully. Furthermore, this prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. For more information regarding these risks see “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Reorganization and Emergence

On April 29, 2014 (the Petition Date), Energy Future Holdings Corp. (EFH Corp.) and the substantial majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC (EFIH), Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company LLC (EFCH) and our Predecessor, Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, but excluding Oncor Electric Holdings Company LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (Oncor), filed for bankruptcy protection (the Bankruptcy Filing or Petition) pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the Bankruptcy Code). We refer to EFH Corp. and the other entities that filed for bankruptcy collectively as the Debtors.

The Bankruptcy Filing resulted primarily from the Debtors’ (including our Predecessor’s) inability to support the significant interest payments and pending debt maturities related to the substantial debt EFH Corp. had previously incurred in connection with the leveraged buy-out of EFH Corp. in October 2007 as a result of, among other things, lower wholesale electricity prices in ERCOT driven by the sustained decline in natural gas prices since mid-2008.

On August 29, 2016, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the Bankruptcy Court) confirmed the Debtors’ Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (the Plan) solely with respect to EFCH and its subsidiaries (including our Predecessor) and certain other subsidiaries of EFH Corp. described in the Plan. We refer to these Debtors collectively as the T-Side Debtors. All of the other Debtors, which include EFH Corp. and EFIH, remain in bankruptcy and are referred to collectively as the EFH Debtors.

On October 3, 2016 (the Effective Date), the Plan with respect to the T-Side Debtors, including our Predecessor, became effective and the T-Side Debtors consummated their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and emerged from bankruptcy. Pursuant to the Plan, in connection with Emergence, among other actions, Vistra Energy was formed and became the ultimate parent holding company for the subsidiaries of our Predecessor and certain other subsidiaries of EFH Corp. identified in the Plan. In exchange for the cancellation of their allowed claims against our Predecessor, first-lien creditors of our Predecessor, including the selling stockholders named in this prospectus, received, among other things, newly issued shares of Vistra Energy common stock as well as certain rights (the TRA Rights) to receive payments from Vistra Energy of certain tax benefits, including those it realized as a result of the transactions entered into at Emergence under the terms of a tax receivable agreement (the Tax Receivable Agreement). See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Tax Receivable Agreement.”

On the Effective Date, we entered into a number of agreements, including a Registration Rights Agreement (the Registration Rights Agreement), pursuant to which we agreed, among other matters, to register for resale with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) the shares of our common stock issued to the selling stockholders in connection with Emergence transactions. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Registration Rights Agreement.”

 



 

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The following chart shows the ownership structure of Vistra Energy and certain of its key subsidiaries after giving effect to Emergence. Except for the preferred stock of Vistra Preferred Inc. (PrefCo), all subsidiaries of Vistra Energy Corp. reflected on this chart are 100% owned, directly or indirectly.

 

 

LOGO

As of April 5, 2017

 

*

100% of the common stock (1,000,000 shares) is held by Vistra Asset Company LLC. 100% of the preferred stock (70,000 shares) is held by outside investors. The holders of the preferred stock have no voting or other control rights over PrefCo, except (a) as required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, (b) in the event PrefCo fails to pay dividends payable on the preferred stock in full for 12 consecutive dividend payment dates,

 



 

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  (c) in connection with the authorization, creation or issuance of any securities of PrefCo senior to the preferred stock or (d) upon any attempt to amend, alter or repeal any provisions of PrefCo’s certificate of incorporation to materially and adversely affect the voting powers, rights or preferences of such holders.

For a more detailed discussion of the Bankruptcy Filing and Emergence see “The Reorganization and Emergence.”

Recent Developments

On December 8, 2016, the board of directors of Vistra Energy (the Board) approved the payment of a special cash dividend in the aggregate amount of approximately $992 million (the 2016 Special Dividend) to holders of record of our common stock on December 19, 2016. On December 14, 2016, Vistra Operations Company LLC (Vistra Operations) obtained (i) $1 billion aggregate principal amount of incremental term loans (the 2016 Incremental Term Loans) and (ii) $110 million of incremental revolving credit commitments under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities (as defined herein). See “Description of Indebtedness — Credit Facilities” for further information. On December 30, 2016, Vistra Energy paid the 2016 Special Dividend of approximately $992 million with the proceeds from the 2016 Incremental Term Loans.

Vistra Operations entered into an amendment to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, effective February 6, 2017, to reduce the interest rates on its Initial Term Loan B Facility, Term Loan C Facility and Revolving Credit Facility (each as defined herein). See “Description of Indebtedness—Credit Facilities—Interest Rate and Fees” for further information. No additional debt was incurred, nor any proceeds received, by Vistra Operations in connection with such amendment.

 



 

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The Offering

The selling stockholders may offer all, some or none of their shares of our common stock from time to time. Please see “Plan of Distribution.”

The following table provides information regarding our common stock. The outstanding share information shown below is based on shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 24, 2017.

 

Issuer

Vistra Energy Corp.

 

Outstanding common stock that may be offered by the selling stockholders

Up to 168,779,076 shares

 

Common stock outstanding as of March 24, 2017

427,587,401 shares (1)

 

Use of proceeds

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the resale of our common stock by the selling stockholders. See “Use of Proceeds” and “Principal and Selling Stockholders.”

 

Symbol for common stock

“VST ”

 

Determination of offering price

The selling stockholders may resell all or any part of the shares of our common stock offered hereby from time to time at fixed prices, prevailing market prices at the times of sale, prices related to such prevailing market prices, varying prices determined at the times of sale or negotiated prices.

 

Dividend policy

We have no present intention to pay cash dividends on our common stock. However, we are focused on optimal deployment of capital and intend to evaluate a range of capital deployment strategies, including the return of capital to stockholders in the form of dividends and/or share repurchases.

 

  Any determination to pay dividends to holders of our common stock or to repurchase our common stock in the future will be at the sole discretion of the Board and will depend upon many factors, including our historical and anticipated financial condition, cash flows, liquidity and results of operations, capital requirements, market conditions, our growth strategy and the availability of growth opportunities, contractual prohibitions (including, but not limited to, the Tax Matters Agreement (as defined herein)), our level of indebtedness and other restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends, applicable law and other factors that the Board deems relevant. See “Market Prices and Dividend Policy—Dividends and Dividend Policy.”

 

Risk factors

Before making a decision to invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider the information referred to under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 21.

 

(1) Unless indicated otherwise in this prospectus, the number of shares outstanding does not include:

 

    7,301,294 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options issued pursuant to our 2016 Incentive Plan (as defined herein);

 



 

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    2,135,687 shares of common stock issuable following vesting in settlement of restricted stock units outstanding under our 2016 Incentive Plan; and

 

    13,055,850 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2016 Incentive Plan.

 



 

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Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information

Summary Historical Financial Information

The following tables set forth summary historical consolidated financial information for Vistra Energy (the Successor) for periods subsequent to the Effective Date and TCEH (our Predecessor) for periods prior to the Effective Date. The financial statements of the Successor are not comparable to the financial statements of our Predecessor as those periods prior to the Effective Date do not give effect to any adjustments to the carrying values of assets or amounts of liabilities that resulted from the Plan, and the related application of fresh start reporting, which includes accounting policies implemented by Vistra Energy that may differ from our Predecessor. The summary historical consolidated financial information of the Successor as of December 31, 2016 and for the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and of our Predecessor as of December 31, 2015 and for the period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are derived from Vistra Energy’s audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary historical consolidated financial information of our Predecessor as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 have been derived from our Predecessor’s historical audited consolidated balance sheet not included in this prospectus. These tables should be read in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the consolidated financial statements as well as our unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements and, in each case, the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Successor     Predecessor  
    Period from
October 3,
2016 through
December 31,
2016
    Period from
January 1,
2016 through
October 2,
2016
    Year
Ended
December 31,
 
        2015     2014     2013  
          (in millions, except per share amounts)  

Operating revenues

  $ 1,191     $ 3,973     $ 5,370     $ 5,978     $ 5,899  

Impairment of goodwill

  $   $     $ (2,200   $ (1,600   $ (1,000

Impairment of long-lived assets

  $   $     $ (2,541   $ (4,670   $ (140

Operating income (loss)

  $ (161   $ 568     $ (4,091   $ (6,015   $ (1,113

Net income (loss) (a)

  $ (163   $ 22,851     $ (4,677   $ (6,229   $ (2,197

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ 81     $ (238   $ 237     $ 444     $ (270

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding — basic and diluted

    428                          

Net loss per weighted average share of common stock outstanding — basic and diluted

  $ (0.38                        

Dividends declared per share of common stock

  $ 2.32                          

 

    Successor     Predecessor  
    At
December 31,

2016
    At December 31,  
      2015     2014     2013  
          (in millions)  

Total assets (b)(c)

  $ 15,167     $ 15,658     $ 21,343     $ 28,822  

Property, plant & equipment — net (b)(c)

  $ 4,443     $ 9,349     $ 12,288     $ 17,649  

Goodwill and intangible assets

  $ 5,112     $ 1,331     $ 3,688     $ 5,669  

Borrowings, debt and pre-petition loans and other debt

         

Borrowings under debtor-in-possession credit facilities (d)

  $     $ 1,425     $ 1,425     $

Debt (e)

  $ 4,577   $ 3     $ 51     $ 26,146  

Pre-Petition notes, loans and other debt reported as liabilities subject to compromise (f)

  $     $ 31,668     $ 31,856     $

Borrowings under Predecessor’s credit facilities  (g)

  $   $   $   $ 2,054  

Total equity/membership interests

    6,597       (22,884     (18,209     (11,982

 



 

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(a) Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 includes net gains totaling $22.121 billion related to bankruptcy-related reorganization items including gains on extinguishing claims pursuant to the Plan.
(b) As of December 31, 2016, amount includes the Lamar and Forney natural gas generation facilities purchased in April 2016. See Note 6 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for further discussion.
(c) Reflects the impacts of impairment charges related to long-lived assets of $2.541 billion and $4.670 billion in the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively (see Note 8 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements).
(d) Borrowings under debtor-in-possession credit facilities are classified as noncurrent as of December 31, 2014 and due currently as of December 31, 2015.
(e) For all periods presented, excludes amounts with contractual maturity dates in the following twelve months.
(f) As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, includes both unsecured and under secured obligations incurred prior to the Petition Date, but excludes pre-petition obligations that were fully secured and other obligations that were allowed to be paid as ordered by the Bankruptcy Court. As of December 31, 2014, also excludes $702 million of deferred debt issuance and extension costs.
(g) Excludes borrowings under debtor-in-possession credit facilities.

 



 

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Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information

The following table sets forth summary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information, which combines the condensed consolidated financial information of our Predecessor for the period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and our Successor for the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016. The pro forma adjustments give effect to (i) the implementation of all reorganization transactions contemplated by the Plan, (ii) the application of fresh-start reporting for the emerged entity, Vistra Energy, and (iii) the incurrence of the $1 billion 2016 Incremental Term Loans. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2016 give effect to the pro forma adjustments as if each adjustment had occurred on January 1, 2016, the first day of the last fiscal year presented. The summary unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information is provided for illustrative purposes only and does not purport to represent what our actual condensed consolidated results of operations would have been had the adjustments occurred on the dates assumed, nor is it necessarily indicative of future condensed consolidated results of operations.

This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with “Risk Factors,” “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which are included elsewhere in this prospectus. Among other things, the pro forma financial statements included in “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information” provide more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for, and the adjustments and assumptions underlying, the information in the following tables.

 

     Historical              
     Predecessor           Successor              
     Period from
January 1, 2016
through
October 2, 2016
          Period from
October 3, 2016
through
December 31, 2016
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Vistra Energy
Pro Forma As
Adjusted
 

Statement of Income (Loss) Information:

             

Operating revenues

   $ 3,973          $ 1,191     $ 253     $ 5,417  

Interest expense and related charges

   $ (1,049        $ (60   $ 882     $ (227

Net income (loss) (a)

   $ 22,851          $ (163   $ (22,698   $ (10

 

(a) Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 includes net gains totaling $22.121 billion related to bankruptcy-related reorganization items including gains on extinguishing claims pursuant to the Plan.

 



 

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Risk Factors

Important factors, in addition to others specifically addressed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, liquidity, financial condition and prospects and the market prices of our common stock, which we refer to collectively as a material adverse effect on us (or comparable phrases), or could cause results or outcomes to differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statement in this prospectus, are described below. There may be further risks and uncertainties that are not currently known or that are not currently believed to be material that may adversely affect our business, results of operations, liquidity, financial condition and prospects and the market price of our common stock in the future. The realization of any of these factors could cause investors in our common stock to lose all or a substantial portion of their investment.

Market, Financial and Economic Risks

Our revenues, results of operations and operating cash flows generally are negatively impacted by decreases in market prices for electricity.

We are not guaranteed any rate of return on capital investments in our businesses. We conduct integrated power generation and retail electricity activities, focusing on power generation, wholesale electricity sales and purchases, retail sales of electricity and services to end users and commodity risk management. Our wholesale and retail businesses are to some extent countercyclical in nature, particularly for the wholesale power and ancillary services supplied to the retail business. However, we do have a wholesale power position that exceeds the overall load requirements of our retail business and is subject to wholesale power price moves. As a result, our revenues, results of operations and operating cash flows depend in large part upon wholesale market prices for electricity, natural gas, uranium, lignite, coal, fuel and transportation in our regional market and other competitive markets and upon prevailing retail electricity rates, which may be impacted by, among other things, actions of regulatory authorities. Market prices may fluctuate substantially over relatively short periods of time. Demand for electricity can fluctuate dramatically, creating periods of substantial under- or over-supply. Over-supply can also occur as a result of the construction of new power plants, as we have observed in recent years. During periods of over-supply, electricity prices might be depressed. Also, at times there may be political pressure, or pressure from regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over wholesale and retail energy commodity and transportation rates, to impose price limitations, bidding rules and other mechanisms to address volatility and other issues in these markets.

Some of the fuel for our generation facilities is purchased under short-term contracts. Fuel costs (including diesel, natural gas, lignite, coal and nuclear fuel) may be volatile, and the wholesale price for electricity may not change at the same rate as changes in fuel costs. In addition, we purchase and sell natural gas and other energy related commodities, and volatility in these markets may affect costs incurred in meeting obligations.

Volatility in market prices for fuel and electricity may result from, among other factors:

 

    volatility in natural gas prices;

 

    volatility in ERCOT market heat rates;

 

    volatility in coal and rail transportation prices;

 

    volatility in nuclear fuel and related enrichment and conversion services;

 

    severe or unexpected weather conditions, including drought and limitations on access to water;

 

    seasonality;

 

    changes in electricity and fuel usage resulting from conservation efforts, changes in technology or other factors;

 

    illiquidity in the wholesale electricity or other commodity markets;

 

    transmission or transportation disruptions, constraints, inoperability or inefficiencies;

 

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    availability of competitively-priced alternative energy sources or storage;

 

    changes in market structure and liquidity;

 

    changes in the manner in which we operate our facilities, including curtailed operation due to market pricing, environmental, safety or other factors;

 

    changes in generation efficiency;

 

    outages or otherwise reduced output from our generation facilities or those of our competitors;

 

    the addition of new electric capacity, including the construction of new power plants;

 

    our creditworthiness and liquidity and the willingness of fuel suppliers and transporters to do business with us;

 

    changes in the credit risk or payment practices of market participants;

 

    changes in production and storage levels of natural gas, lignite, coal, uranium, diesel and other refined products;

 

    natural disasters, wars, sabotage, terrorist acts, embargoes and other catastrophic events; and

 

    federal, state and local energy, environmental and other regulation and legislation.

All of our generation facilities are located in the ERCOT market, a market with limited interconnections to other markets. The price of electricity in the ERCOT market is typically set by natural gas-fueled generation facilities, with wholesale electricity prices generally tracking increases or decreases in the price of natural gas. A substantial portion of our supply volumes in 2015 and 2016 were produced by our nuclear-, lignite- and coal-fueled generation assets. Natural gas prices have generally trended downward since mid-2008 (from $11.12 per MMBtu in mid-2008 to $2.46 per MMBtu for the average settled price for the year ended December 31, 2016). Furthermore, in recent years, natural gas supply has outpaced demand primarily as a result of development and expansion of hydraulic fracturing in natural gas extraction, and the supply/demand imbalance has resulted in historically low natural gas prices. Because our baseload generating units and a substantial portion of our load following generating units are nuclear-, lignite- and coal-fueled, our results of operations and operating cash flows have been negatively impacted by the effect of low natural gas prices on wholesale electricity prices without a significant decrease in our operating cost inputs. Various industry experts expect this supply/demand imbalance to persist for a number of years, thereby depressing natural gas prices for a long-term period. As a result, the financial results from, and the value of, our generation assets could remain depressed or could materially decrease in the future unless natural gas prices rebound materially.

Wholesale electricity prices also track ERCOT market heat rates, which can be affected by a number of factors, including generation availability and the efficiency of the marginal supplier (generally natural gas-fueled generation facilities) in generating electricity. Our market heat rate exposure is impacted by changes in the availability of generating resources, such as additions and retirements of generation facilities, and the mix of generation assets in ERCOT. For example, increasing renewable (wind and solar) generation capacity generally depresses market heat rates. Additionally, construction of more efficient generation capacity also depresses market heat rates. Decreases in market heat rates decrease the value of all of our generation assets because lower market heat rates generally result in lower wholesale electricity prices. Even though market heat rates have generally increased over the past several years, wholesale electricity prices have declined due to the greater effect of falling natural gas prices. As a result, the financial results from, and the value of, our nuclear-, lignite- and coal-fueled generation assets could significantly decrease in profitability and value and our financial condition and results of operations may be negatively impacted if ERCOT market heat rates decline.

A sustained decrease in the financial results from, or the value of, our generation units ultimately could result in the retirement or idling of certain generation units. In recent years, we have operated certain of our lignite- and coal-fueled generation assets only during parts of the year that have higher electricity demand and, therefore, higher related wholesale electricity prices.

 

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Our assets or positions cannot be fully hedged against changes in commodity prices and market heat rates, and hedging transactions may not work as planned or hedge counterparties may default on their obligations.

We cannot fully hedge the risks associated with changes in commodity prices, most notably electricity and natural gas prices, because of the expected useful life of our generation assets and the size of our position relative to the duration of available markets for various hedging activities. Generally, commodity markets that we participate in to hedge our exposure to ERCOT electricity prices and heat rates have limited liquidity after two to three years. Further, our ability to hedge our revenues by utilizing cross-commodity hedging strategies with natural gas hedging instruments is generally limited to a duration of four to five years. To the extent we have unhedged positions, fluctuating commodity prices and/or market heat rates can materially impact our results of operations, cash flows, liquidity and financial condition, either favorably or unfavorably.

To manage our financial exposure related to commodity price fluctuations, we routinely enter into contracts to hedge portions of purchase and sale commitments, fuel requirements and inventories of natural gas, lignite, coal, diesel fuel, uranium and refined products, and other commodities, within established risk management guidelines. As part of this strategy, we routinely utilize fixed-price forward physical purchase and sale contracts, futures, financial swaps and option contracts traded in over-the-counter markets or on exchanges. Although we devote a considerable amount of time and effort to the establishment of risk management procedures, as well as the ongoing review of the implementation of these procedures, the procedures in place may not always function as planned and cannot eliminate all the risks associated with these activities. For example, we hedge the expected needs of our wholesale and retail customers, but unexpected changes due to weather, natural disasters, consumer behavior, market constraints or other factors could cause us to purchase electricity to meet unexpected demand in periods of high wholesale market prices or resell excess electricity into the wholesale market in periods of low prices. As a result of these and other factors, risk management decisions may have a material adverse effect on us.

Based on economic and other considerations, we may not be able to, or we may decide not to, hedge the entire exposure of our operations from commodity price risk. To the extent we do not hedge against commodity price risk and applicable commodity prices change in ways adverse to us, we could be materially and adversely affected. To the extent we do hedge against commodity price risk, those hedges may ultimately prove to be ineffective.

With the tightening of credit markets that began in 2008 and the expansion of regulatory oversight through various financial reforms, there has been a decline in the number of market participants in the wholesale energy commodities markets, resulting in less liquidity, particularly in the ERCOT electricity market. Notably, participation by financial institutions and other intermediaries (including investment banks) in such markets has declined. Extended declines in market liquidity could adversely affect our ability to hedge our financial exposure to desired levels.

To the extent we engage in hedging and risk management activities, we are exposed to the credit risk that counterparties that owe us money, energy or other commodities as a result of these activities will not perform their obligations to us. Should the counterparties to these arrangements fail to perform, we could be forced to enter into alternative hedging arrangements or honor the underlying commitment at then-current market prices. In such event, we could incur losses or forgo expected gains in addition to amounts, if any, already paid to the counterparties. ERCOT market participants are also exposed to risks that another ERCOT market participant may default on its obligations to pay ERCOT for electricity or services taken, in which case such costs, to the extent not offset by posted security and other protections available to ERCOT, may be allocated to various non-defaulting ERCOT market participants, including us.

 

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Our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected if energy market participants continue to construct additional generation facilities (i.e., new-build) in ERCOT despite relatively low power prices in ERCOT and such additional generation capacity results in a reduction in wholesale power prices.

Given the overall attractiveness of ERCOT and certain tax benefits associated with renewable energy, among other matters, energy market participants have continued to construct new generation facilities ( i.e. , new-build) in ERCOT despite relatively low wholesale power prices. If this market dynamic continues, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected if such additional generation capacity results in an over-supply of electricity in ERCOT that causes a reduction in wholesale power prices in ERCOT.

Our liquidity needs could be difficult to satisfy, particularly during times of uncertainty in the financial markets or during times of significant fluctuation in commodity prices, and we may be unable to access capital on favorable terms or at all in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on us. We currently maintain non-investment grade credit ratings which could negatively affect our ability to access capital on favorable terms or result in higher collateral requirements, particularly if our credit ratings were to be downgraded in the future.

Our businesses are capital intensive. In general, we rely on access to financial markets and credit facilities as a significant source of liquidity for our capital requirements and other obligations not satisfied by cash-on-hand or operating cash flows. The inability to raise capital or to access credit facilities, particularly on favorable terms, could adversely impact our liquidity and our ability to meet our obligations or sustain and grow our businesses and could increase capital costs and collateral requirements, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Our access to capital and the cost and other terms of acquiring capital are dependent upon, and could be adversely impacted by, various factors, including:

 

    general economic and capital markets conditions, including changes in financial markets that reduce available liquidity or the ability to obtain or renew credit facilities on favorable terms or at all;

 

    conditions and economic weakness in the ERCOT or general United States power markets;

 

    regulatory developments;

 

    changes in interest rates;

 

    a deterioration, or perceived deterioration, of our creditworthiness, enterprise value or financial or operating results;

 

    a reduction in Vistra Energy Corp.’s or its applicable subsidiaries’ credit ratings;

 

    our level of indebtedness and compliance with covenants in our debt agreements;

 

    a deterioration of the creditworthiness or bankruptcy of one or more lenders or counterparties under our credit facilities that affects the ability of such lender(s) to make loans to us;

 

    security or collateral requirements;

 

    general credit availability from banks or other lenders for us and our industry peers;

 

    investor confidence in the industry and in us and the ERCOT wholesale electricity market;

 

    volatility in commodity prices that increases credit requirements;

 

    a material breakdown in our risk management procedures;

 

    the occurrence of changes in our businesses;

 

    disruptions, constraints, or inefficiencies in the continued reliable operation of our generation facilities; and

 

    changes in or the operation of provisions of tax and regulatory laws.

 

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In addition, we currently maintain non-investment grade credit ratings. As a result, we may not be able to access capital on terms (financial or otherwise) as favorable as companies that maintain investment grade credit ratings or we may be unable to access capital at all at times when the credit markets tighten. In addition, our non-investment grade credit ratings may result in counterparties requesting collateral support (including cash or letters of credit) in order to enter into transactions with us.

A downgrade in long-term debt ratings generally causes borrowing costs to increase and the potential pool of investors to shrink, and could trigger liquidity demands pursuant to contractual arrangements. Future transactions by Vistra Energy Corp. or any of its subsidiaries, including the issuance of additional debt, could result in a temporary or permanent downgrade in our credit ratings.

The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities impose restrictions on us and any failure to comply with these restrictions could have a material adverse effect on us.

The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities contain restrictions that could adversely affect us by limiting our ability to meet our capital needs. The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities contain events of default customary for financings of this type. If we fail to comply with the covenants in the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and are unable to obtain a waiver or amendment, or a default exists and is continuing, the lenders under such agreements could give notice and declare outstanding borrowings thereunder immediately due and payable. Any such acceleration of outstanding borrowings could have a material adverse effect on us.

Certain of our obligations are required to be secured by letters of credit or cash, which increase our costs. If we are unable to provide such security, it may restrict our ability to conduct our business, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

We undertake certain hedging and commodity activities and enter into certain financing arrangements with various counterparties that require cash collateral or the posting of letters of credit which are at risk of being drawn down in the event we default on our obligations. We currently use margin deposits, prepayments and letters of credit as credit support for commodity procurement and risk management activities. Future cash collateral requirements may increase based on the extent of our involvement in standard contracts and movements in commodity prices, and also based on our credit ratings and the general perception of creditworthiness in the markets in which we operate. In the case of commodity arrangements, the amount of such credit support that must be provided typically is based on the difference between the price of the commodity in a given contract and the market price of the commodity. Significant movements in market prices can result in our being required to provide cash collateral and letters of credit in very large amounts. The effectiveness of our strategy may be dependent on the amount of collateral available to enter into or maintain these contracts, and liquidity requirements may be greater than we anticipate or will be able to meet. Without a sufficient amount of working capital to post as collateral, we may not be able to manage price volatility effectively or to implement our strategy. An increase in the amount of letters of credit or cash collateral required to be provided to our counterparties may have a material adverse effect on us.

We may not be able to complete future acquisitions or successfully integrate future acquisitions into our business, which could result in unanticipated expenses and losses.

As part of our growth strategy, we have pursued acquisitions and may continue to do so. Our ability to continue to implement this component of our growth strategy will be limited by our ability to identify appropriate acquisition or joint venture candidates and our financial resources, including available cash and access to capital. Any expense incurred in completing acquisitions or entering into joint ventures, the time it takes to integrate an acquisition or our failure to integrate acquired businesses successfully could result in unanticipated expenses and losses. Furthermore, we may not be able to fully realize the anticipated benefits from any future acquisitions or joint ventures we may pursue. In addition, the process of integrating acquired operations into our existing

 

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operations may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenses and may require significant financial resources that would otherwise be available for the execution of our business strategy.

We may be responsible for United States federal and state income tax liabilities that relate to the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale and Spin-Off.

Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, the parties thereto have agreed to take certain actions and refrain from taking certain actions in order to preserve the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off (as defined below in “The Reorganization and Emergence”) and to indemnify the other parties to the extent a breach of such covenant results in additional taxes to the other parties. If we breach such a covenant (or, in certain circumstances, if our stockholders or creditors of our Predecessor take or took certain actions that result in the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off not to be preserved), we may be required to make substantial indemnification payments to the other parties to the Tax Matters Agreement.

The Tax Matters Agreement also allocates the responsibility for taxes for periods prior to the Spin-Off between EFH Corp. and us. For periods prior to the Spin-Off, (i) Vistra Energy is generally required to reimburse EFH Corp. with respect to any taxes paid by EFH Corp. that are attributable to us and (ii) EFH Corp. is generally required to reimburse us with respect to any taxes paid by us that are attributable to EFH Corp.

We are also required to indemnify EFH Corp. against certain taxes in the event the IRS or another taxing authority successfully challenges the amount of gain relating to the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale (as defined in “The Reorganization and Emergence”) or the amount or allowance of EFH Corp.’s net operating loss deductions.

Our indemnification obligations to EFH Corp. are not limited by any maximum amount. If we are required to indemnify EFH Corp. or such other persons under the circumstances set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement, we may be subject to substantial liabilities.

We are required to pay the holders of TRA Rights for certain tax benefits, which amounts are expected to be substantial.

On the Effective Date, we entered into a tax receivable agreement (the Tax Receivable Agreement) with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as the transfer agent. Pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, we issued beneficial interests in the rights to receive payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement (the TRA Rights) to the first lien creditors of our Predecessor to be held in escrow for the benefit of the first lien creditors of our Predecessor entitled to receive such TRA Rights under the Plan. Our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus reflect a liability of $596 million as of December 31, 2016 related to these future payment obligations. This amount is based on certain assumptions as described more fully in the notes to the financial statements, including assumptions on the current corporate tax rates remaining unchanged, and the actual payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement could materially exceed this estimate.

The Tax Receivable Agreement provides for the payment by us to the holders of TRA Rights of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in United States federal, state and local income tax that we and our subsidiaries actually realize as a result of our use of (a) the tax basis step up attributable to the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale, (b) the entire tax basis of the assets acquired as a result of the purchase and sale agreement, dated as of November 25, 2015 by and between La Frontera Ventures, LLC and Luminant Holding Company LLC (Luminant), and (c) tax benefits related to imputed interest deemed to be paid by us as a result of payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. The amount and timing of any payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the amount and timing of the taxable income we generate in the future and the tax rate then applicable, our use of loss carryovers and the portion of our payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement constituting imputed interest.

 

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Although we are not aware of any issue that would cause the IRS to challenge the tax benefits that are the subject of the Tax Receivable Agreement, recipients of the payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will not be required to reimburse us for any payments previously made if such tax benefits are subsequently disallowed. As a result, in such circumstances, Vistra Energy Corp. could make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement that are greater than its actual cash tax savings and may not be able to recoup those payments, which could adversely affect our liquidity.

Because Vistra Energy Corp. is a holding company with no operations of its own, its ability to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement is dependent on the ability of its subsidiaries to make distributions to it. To the extent that Vistra Energy Corp. is unable to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement because of the inability of its subsidiaries to make distributions to us for any reason, such payments will be deferred and will accrue interest until paid, which could adversely affect our results of operations and could also affect our liquidity in periods in which such payments are made.

The payments we will be required to make under the Tax Receivable Agreement could be substantial.

We may be required to make an early termination payment to the holders of TRA Rights under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

The Tax Receivable Agreement provides that, in the event that Vistra Energy Corp. breaches any of its material obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement, or upon certain mergers, asset sales, or other forms of business combination or certain other changes of control, the transfer agent under the Tax Receivable Agreement may treat such event as an early termination of the Tax Receivable Agreement, in which case Vistra Energy Corp. would be required to make an immediate payment to the holders of the TRA Rights equal to the present value (at a discount rate equal to LIBOR plus 100 basis points) of the anticipated future tax benefits based on certain valuation assumptions.

As a result, upon any such breach or change of control, we could be required to make a lump sum payment under the Tax Receivable Agreement before we realize any actual cash tax savings and such lump sum payment could be greater than our future actual cash tax savings.

The aggregate amount of these accelerated payments could be materially more than our estimated liability for payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement set forth in our financial statements. Based on this estimation, our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement could have a substantial negative impact on our liquidity.

We are potentially liable for United States income taxes of the entire EFH Corp. consolidated group for all taxable years in which we were a member of such group.

Prior to the Spin-Off, EFH Corporate Services Company, EFH Properties Company and certain other subsidiary corporations were included in the consolidated United States federal income tax group of which EFH Corp. was the common parent (the EFH Corp. Consolidated Group). In addition, pursuant to the private letter ruling from the IRS we received in connection with the Spin-Off, Vistra Energy will be considered a member of the EFH Corp. Consolidated Group prior to the Spin-Off. Under United States federal income tax laws, any corporation that is a member of a consolidated group at any time during a taxable year is jointly and severally liable for the group’s entire federal income tax liability for the entire taxable year. In addition, entities that are disregarded for federal income tax purposes may be liable as successors under common law theories or under certain regulations to the extent corporations transferred assets to such entities or merged or otherwise consolidated into such entities, whether under state law or purely as a matter of federal income tax law. Thus, notwithstanding any contractual rights to be reimbursed or indemnified by EFH Corp. pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, to the extent EFH Corp. or other members of the EFH Corp. Consolidated Group fail to make any federal income tax payments required of them by law in respect of taxable years for which we were a

 

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member of the EFH Corp. Consolidated Group, we may be liable for the shortfall. At such time, we may not have sufficient cash on hand to satisfy such payment obligation.

Our ability to claim a portion of depreciation deductions may be limited for a period of time.

Under the Internal Revenue Code, a corporation’s ability to utilize certain tax attributes, including depreciation, may be limited following an ownership change if the corporation’s overall asset tax basis exceeds the overall fair market value of its assets (after making certain adjustments). The Spin-Off resulted in an ownership change and it is expected that the overall tax basis of our assets may have exceeded the overall fair market value of our assets at such time. As a result, there may be a limitation on our ability to claim a portion of our depreciation deductions for a five-year period. This limitation could have a material impact on our tax liabilities and on our obligations under the TRA Rights. In addition, any future ownership change of Vistra Energy following Emergence could likewise result in additional limitations on our ability to use certain tax attributes existing at the time of any such ownership change and have an impact on our tax liabilities and on our obligations with respect to the TRA Rights under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

The costs of providing postretirement benefits and related funding requirements are subject to changes in value of fund assets, benefit costs, demographics and actuarial assumptions and may have a material adverse effect on us.

To a limited extent, we provide pension benefits and certain health care and life insurance benefits to certain of our eligible employees and their eligible dependents upon the retirement of such employees. Our costs of providing such benefits and related funding requirements are dependent upon numerous factors, assumptions and estimates and are subject to changes in these factors, assumptions and estimates, including the market value of the assets funding the pension and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) plans.

The values of the investments that fund the pension and OPEB plans are subject to changes in financial market conditions. Significant decreases in the values of these investments could increase the expenses of the pension plans and the costs of the OPEB plans and related funding requirements in the future. Our costs of providing such benefits and related funding requirements are also subject to changing employee demographics (including, but not limited to age, compensation levels and years of accredited service), the level of contributions made to retiree plans, expected and actual earnings on plan assets and the discount rates used in determining the projected benefit obligation. Changes made to the provisions of the plans may also impact current and future benefit costs. Fluctuations in financial market returns as well as changes in general interest rates may result in increased or decreased benefit costs in future periods.

Regulatory and Legislative Risks

Our businesses are subject to ongoing complex governmental regulations and legislation that have impacted, and may in the future impact, our businesses, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

Our businesses operate in changing market environments influenced by various state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding the restructuring of the energy industry, including competition in power generation and sale of electricity. Although we attempt to comply with changing legislative and regulatory requirements, there is a risk that we will fail to adapt to any such changes successfully or on a timely basis.

Our businesses are subject to numerous state and federal laws (including PURA, the Federal Power Act, the Atomic Energy Act, the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, the Clean Air Act (the CAA), the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act), changing governmental policy and regulatory actions (including those of the PUCT, the NERC, the TRE, the RCT, the TCEQ, the FERC, the MSHA, the EPA, the NRC and the CFTC) and the rules, guidelines and protocols of ERCOT with respect to various matters, including, but not limited to, market structure and design, operation of nuclear generation facilities, construction and operation of other generation facilities, development, operation and

 

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reclamation of lignite mines, recovery of costs and investments, decommissioning costs, market behavior rules, present or prospective wholesale and retail competition and environmental matters. We, along with other market participants, are subject to electricity pricing constraints and market behavior and other competition-related rules and regulations under PURA that are administered by the PUCT and ERCOT. Changes in, revisions to, or reinterpretations of, existing laws and regulations may have a material adverse effect on us. Further, in the future we could expand our business, through acquisitions or otherwise, to geographic areas outside of Texas and the ERCOT market. Such expansion would subject us to additional state regulatory requirements that could have material adverse effect on us.

We are required to obtain, and to comply with, government permits and approvals.

We are required to obtain, and to comply with, numerous permits and licenses from federal, state and local governmental agencies. The process of obtaining and renewing necessary permits and licenses can be lengthy and complex and can sometimes result in the establishment of conditions that make the project or activity for which the permit or license was sought unprofitable or otherwise unattractive. In addition, such permits or licenses may be subject to denial, revocation or modification under various circumstances. Failure to obtain or comply with the conditions of permits or licenses, or failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations, may result in the delay or temporary suspension of our operations and electricity sales or the curtailment of our delivery of electricity to our customers and may subject us to penalties and other sanctions. Although various regulators routinely renew existing permits and licenses, renewal of our existing permits or licenses could be denied or jeopardized by various factors, including (a) failure to provide adequate financial assurance for closure, (b) failure to comply with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations or permit conditions, (c) local community, political or other opposition and (d) executive, legislative or regulatory action.

Our inability to procure and comply with the permits and licenses required for our operations, or the cost to us of such procurement or compliance, could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, new environmental legislation or regulations, if enacted, or changed interpretations of existing laws, may cause routine maintenance activities at our facilities to need to be changed in order to avoid violating applicable laws and regulations or elicit claims that historical routine maintenance activities at our facilities violated applicable laws and regulations. In addition to the possible imposition of fines in the case of any such violations, we may be required to undertake significant capital investments in emissions control technology and obtain additional operating permits or licenses, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Our cost of compliance with existing and new environmental laws could have a material adverse effect on us.

We are subject to extensive environmental regulation by governmental authorities, including the EPA and the TCEQ. We may incur significant additional costs beyond those currently contemplated to comply with these regulatory requirements. If we fail to comply with these regulatory requirements, we could be subject to civil or criminal liabilities and fines. Existing environmental regulations could be revised or reinterpreted, new laws and regulations could be adopted or become applicable to us or our facilities, and future changes in environmental laws and regulations could occur, including potential regulatory and enforcement developments related to air emissions, all of which could result in significant additional costs beyond those currently contemplated to comply with existing requirements. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on us.

The EPA has recently finalized or proposed several regulatory actions establishing new requirements for control of certain emissions from sources, including electricity generation facilities. In the future, the EPA may also propose and finalize additional regulatory actions that may adversely affect our existing generation facilities or our ability to cost-effectively develop new generation facilities. There is no assurance that the currently-installed emissions control equipment at our lignite, coal and/or natural gas-fueled generation facilities will satisfy the requirements under any future EPA or TCEQ regulations. Some of the recent regulatory actions and proposed actions, such as the EPA’s Regional Haze Federal Implementation Plans (FIP) for reasonable progress and best available retrofit technology (BART), could require us to install significant additional control

 

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equipment, resulting in potentially material costs of compliance for our generation units, including capital expenditures, higher operating and fuel costs and potential production curtailments if the rules take effect as proposed or finalized. These costs could have a material adverse effect on us.

We may not be able to obtain or maintain all required environmental regulatory approvals. If there is a delay in obtaining any required environmental regulatory approvals, if we fail to obtain, maintain or comply with any such approval or if an approval is retroactively disallowed or adversely modified, the operation of our generation facilities could be stopped, disrupted, curtailed or modified or become subject to additional costs. Any such stoppage, disruption, curtailment, modification or additional costs could have a material adverse effect on us.

In addition, we may be responsible for any on-site liabilities associated with the environmental condition of facilities that we have acquired, leased or developed, regardless of when the liabilities arose and whether they are now known or unknown. In connection with certain acquisitions and sales of assets, we may obtain, or be required to provide, indemnification against certain environmental liabilities. Another party could, depending on the circumstances, assert an environmental claim against us or fail to meet its indemnification obligations to us.

We could be materially and adversely affected if current regulations are implemented or if new federal or state legislation or regulations are adopted to address global climate change, or if we are subject to lawsuits for alleged damage to persons or property resulting from greenhouse gas emissions.

There is a concern nationally and internationally about global climate change and how GHG emissions, such as CO 2 , contribute to global climate change. Over the last several years, the United States Congress has considered and debated, and President Obama’s administration has discussed, several proposals intended to address climate change using different approaches, including a cap on carbon emissions with emitters allowed to trade unused emission allowances (cap-and-trade), a tax on carbon or GHG emissions, incentives for the development of low-carbon technology and federal renewable portfolio standards. The EPA has also finalized regulations under the Clean Air Act to limit CO 2 emissions from existing generating units, referred to as the Clean Power Plan. While currently the subject of a legal challenge and a recent executive order directing the EPA to reconsider the rule, if implemented as finalized, the Clean Power Plan would require the closure of a significant number of coal-fueled electric generating units nationwide and in Texas. In addition, a number of federal court cases have been filed in recent years asserting damage claims related to GHG emissions, and the results in those proceedings could establish adverse precedent that might apply to companies (including us) that produce GHG emissions. For more detailed discussion of recent global climate change legislation and regulation, see “Business — Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters.” We could be materially and adversely affected if new federal and/or state legislation or regulations are adopted to address global climate change, if the Clean Power Plan is implemented as finalized or if we are subject to lawsuits for alleged damage to persons or property resulting from GHG emissions.

The availability and cost of emission allowances could adversely impact our costs of operations.

We are required to maintain, through either allocations or purchases, sufficient emission allowances for SO 2 and NO x to support our operations in the ordinary course of operating our power generation facilities. These allowances are used to meet the obligations imposed on us by various applicable environmental laws. If our operational needs require more than our allocated allowances, we may be forced to purchase such allowances on the open market, which could be costly. If we are unable to maintain sufficient emission allowances to match our operational needs, we may have to curtail our operations so as not to exceed our available emission allowances, or install costly new emission controls. As we use the emission allowances that we have purchased on the open market, costs associated with such purchases will be recognized as operating expense. If such allowances are available for purchase, but only at significantly higher prices, the purchase of such allowances could materially increase our costs of operations in the affected markets.

 

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Luminant’s mining operations are subject to RCT oversight.

We currently own and operate through Luminant 11 surface lignite coal mines in Texas to provide fuel for our electricity generation facilities. The RCT, which exercises broad authority to regulate reclamation activity, reviews on an ongoing basis whether Luminant is compliant with RCT rules and regulations and whether it has met all of the requirements of its mining permits. Any new rules and regulations adopted by the RCT or the Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining, which also regulates mining activity nationwide, or any changes in the interpretation of existing rules and regulations, could result in higher compliance costs or otherwise adversely affect our financial condition or cause a revocation of a mining permit. Any revocation of a mining permit would mean that Luminant would no longer be allowed to mine lignite at the applicable mine to serve its generation facilities. In addition, Luminant’s mining reclamation obligations are secured by a first lien on its assets which is pari passu with the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities (but which would be paid first (up to $975 million) upon any liquidation of Vistra Operations Company LLC’s (Vistra Operations) assets). The RCT could, at any time, require that Luminant’s mining reclamation obligations be secured by cash or letters of credit in lieu of such first lien. Any failure to provide any such cash or letter of credit collateral could result in Luminant no longer being able to mine lignite. Any such event could have a material adverse effect on us.

Litigation, legal proceedings, regulatory investigations or other administrative proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and reputation damage that could have a material adverse effect on us.

We are involved in the ordinary course of business in a number of lawsuits involving, among other matters, employment, commercial and environmental issues, and other claims for injuries and damages. We evaluate litigation claims and legal proceedings to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if possible, the amount of potential losses. Based on these evaluations and estimates, when required by applicable accounting rules, we establish reserves and disclose the relevant litigation claims or legal proceedings, as appropriate. These evaluations and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant amount of judgment. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from current evaluations and estimates. The settlement or resolution of such claims or proceedings may have a material adverse effect on us. We use appropriate means to contest litigation threatened or filed against us, but the litigation environment poses a significant business risk.

We are also involved in the ordinary course of business in regulatory investigations and other administrative proceedings, and we are exposed to the risk that we may become the subject of additional regulatory investigations or administrative proceedings. While we cannot predict the outcome of any regulatory investigation or administrative proceeding, any such regulatory investigation or administrative proceeding could result in us incurring material penalties and/or other costs and have a materially adverse effect on us.

The REP certification of our retail operation is subject to PUCT review.

The PUCT may at any time initiate an investigation into whether our retail operation complies with certain PUCT rules and whether we have met all of the requirements for REP certification, including financial requirements. Any removal or revocation of an REP certification would mean that we would no longer be allowed to provide electricity service to retail customers. Such decertification could have a material adverse effect on us. Moreover, any capital or other expenditures that we are required by the PUCT to undertake in order to achieve or maintain any such compliance could also have a material adverse effect on us.

Operational Risks

Our retail operations are subject to significant competition from other REPs, which could result in a loss of existing customers and the inability to attract new customers.

We operate in a very competitive retail market and, as a result, our retail operation faces significant competition for customers. We believe our TXU Energy TM brand is viewed favorably in the retail electricity markets in which we operate, but despite our commitment to providing superior customer service and innovative products, customer sentiment toward our brand, including by comparison to our competitors’ brands, depends on

 

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certain factors beyond our control. For example, competitor REPs may offer lower electricity prices and other incentives, which, despite our long-standing relationship with many customers, may attract customers away from us. This and other competitive retail activity has resulted in retail customer churn and our total retail customer counts have declined approximately 1% during the year ended December 31, 2016. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Key Risks and Challenges — Competitive Retail Markets and Customer Retention.” If we are unable to successfully compete with competitors in the retail market it is possible our retail customer counts could continue to decline, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

As we try to grow our retail business and operate our business strategy, we compete with various other REPs that may have certain advantages over us. For example, in new markets, our principal competitor for new customers may be the incumbent REP, which has the advantage of long-standing relationships with its customers, including well-known brand recognition. In addition to competition from the incumbent REP, we may face competition from a number of other energy service providers, other energy industry participants, or nationally branded providers of consumer products and services who may develop businesses that will compete with us. Some of these competitors or potential competitors may be larger than we are or have greater resources or access to capital than we have. If there is inadequate potential margin in retail electricity markets with substantial competition to overcome the adverse effect of relatively high customer acquisition costs in such markets, it may not be profitable for us to compete in these markets.

Our retail operations rely on the infrastructure of local utilities or independent transmission system operators to provide electricity to, and to obtain information about, our customers. Any infrastructure failure could negatively impact customer satisfaction and could have a material adverse effect on us.

Our retail operations depend on transmission and distribution facilities owned and operated by unaffiliated utilities to deliver the electricity that we sell to our customers. If transmission capacity is inadequate, our ability to sell and deliver electricity may be hindered and we may have to forgo sales or buy more expensive wholesale electricity than is available in the capacity-constrained area. For example, during some periods, transmission access is constrained in some areas of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where we have a significant number of customers. The cost to provide service to these customers may exceed the cost to provide service to other customers, resulting in lower operating margins. In addition, any infrastructure failure that interrupts or impairs delivery of electricity to our customers could negatively impact customer satisfaction with our service. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on us.

We may suffer material losses, costs and liabilities due to ownership and operation of the Comanche Peak nuclear generation facility.

We own and operate a nuclear generation facility in Glen Rose, Texas (the Comanche Peak Facility). The ownership and operation of a nuclear generation facility involves certain risks. These risks include:

 

    unscheduled outages or unexpected costs due to equipment, mechanical, structural, cyber security or other problems;

 

    inadequacy or lapses in maintenance protocols;

 

    the impairment of reactor operation and safety systems due to human error or force majeure;

 

    the costs of, and liabilities relating to, storage, handling, treatment, transport, release, use and disposal of radioactive materials;

 

    the costs of procuring nuclear fuel;

 

    the costs of storing and maintaining spent nuclear fuel at our on-site dry cask storage facility;

 

    terrorist or cyber security attacks and the cost to protect against any such attack;

 

    the impact of a natural disaster;

 

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    limitations on the amounts and types of insurance coverage commercially available; and

 

    uncertainties with respect to the technological and financial aspects of modifying or decommissioning nuclear facilities at the end of their useful lives.

The prolonged unavailability of the Comanche Peak Facility could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation, cash flows, financial position and reputation. The following are among the more significant related risks:

 

    Operational Risk — Operations at any generation facility could degrade to the point where the facility would have to be shut down. If such degradations were to occur at the Comanche Peak Facility, the process of identifying and correcting the causes of the operational downgrade to return the facility to operation could require significant time and expense, resulting in both lost revenue and increased fuel and purchased power expense to meet supply commitments. Furthermore, a shut-down or failure at any other nuclear generation facility could cause regulators to require a shut-down or reduced availability at the Comanche Peak Facility.

 

    Regulatory Risk — The NRC may modify, suspend or revoke licenses and impose civil penalties for failure to comply with the Atomic Energy Act, the regulations under it or the terms of the licenses of nuclear generation facilities. Unless extended, as to which no assurance can be given, the NRC operating licenses for the two licensed operating units at the Comanche Peak Facility will expire in 2030 and 2033, respectively. Changes in regulations by the NRC, including potential regulation as a result of the NRC’s ongoing analysis and response to the effects of the natural disaster on nuclear generation facilities in Japan in 2010, as well as any extension of our operating licenses, could require a substantial increase in capital expenditures or result in increased operating or decommissioning costs.

 

    Nuclear Accident Risk — Although the safety record of the Comanche Peak Facility and other nuclear generation facilities generally has been very good, accidents and other unforeseen problems have occurred both in the United States and elsewhere. The consequences of an accident can be severe and include loss of life, injury, lasting negative health impacts and property damage. Any accident, or perceived accident, could result in significant liabilities and damage our reputation. Any such resulting liability from a nuclear accident could exceed our resources, including insurance coverage, and could ultimately result in the suspension or termination of power generation from the Comanche Peak Facility.

The operation and maintenance of power generation facilities and related mining operations involve significant risks that could adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

The operation and maintenance of power generation facilities and related mining operations involve many risks, including, as applicable, start-up risks, breakdown or failure of facilities, operator error, lack of sufficient capital to maintain the facilities, the dependence on a specific fuel source or the impact of unusual or adverse weather conditions or other natural events, or terrorist attacks, as well as the risk of performance below expected levels of output, efficiency or reliability, the occurrence of any of which could result in substantial lost revenues and/or increased expenses. A significant number of our facilities were constructed many years ago. In particular, older generating equipment, even if maintained in accordance with good engineering practices, may require significant capital expenditures to operate at peak efficiency or reliability. The risk of increased maintenance and capital expenditures arises from (a) increased starting and stopping of generation equipment due to the volatility of the competitive generation market and the prospect of continuing low wholesale electricity prices that may not justify sustained or year-round operation of all our generation facilities, (b) any unexpected failure to generate power, including failure caused by equipment breakdown or unplanned outage (whether by order of applicable governmental regulatory authorities, the impact of weather events or natural disasters or otherwise), (c) damage to facilities due to storms, natural disasters, wars, terrorist or cyber security acts and other catastrophic events and (d) the passage of time and normal wear and tear. Further, our ability to successfully and timely complete routine maintenance or other capital projects at our existing facilities is contingent upon many variables and subject to

 

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substantial risks. Should any such efforts be unsuccessful, we could be subject to additional costs or losses and write downs of our investment in the project.

We cannot be certain of the level of capital expenditures that will be required due to changing environmental and safety laws and regulations (including changes in the interpretation or enforcement thereof), needed facility repairs and unexpected events (such as natural disasters or terrorist or cyber security attacks). The unexpected requirement of large capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on us.

In addition, if any of our generation facilities experiences unplanned outages, whether because of equipment breakdown or otherwise, we may be required to procure replacement power at spot market prices in order to fulfill contractual commitments. If we do not have adequate liquidity to meet margin and collateral requirements, we may be exposed to significant losses, may miss significant opportunities and may have increased exposure to the volatility of spot markets, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Our employees, contractors, customers and the general public may be exposed to a risk of injury due to the nature of our operations.

Our employees and contractors work in, and customers and the general public may be exposed to, potentially dangerous environments at or near our operations. As a result, employees, contractors, customers and the general public are at risk for serious injury, including loss of life. Significant examples of such risks include nuclear accidents, dam failure, gas explosions, mine area collapses and other dangerous incidents.

The occurrence of any one of these events may result in us being named as a defendant in lawsuits asserting claims for substantial damages, including for environmental cleanup costs, personal injury and property damage and fines and/or penalties. We maintain an amount of insurance protection that we consider adequate, but we cannot provide any assurance that our insurance will be sufficient or effective under all circumstances and against all hazards or liabilities to which we may be subject and, even if we do have insurance coverage for a particular circumstance, we may be subject to a large deductible and maximum cap. Further, due to rising insurance costs and changes in the insurance markets, we cannot provide any assurance that our insurance coverage will continue to be available at all or at rates or on terms similar to those presently available. Any losses not covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on us.

We may be materially and adversely affected by the effects of extreme weather conditions and seasonality.

We may be materially affected by weather conditions and our businesses may fluctuate substantially on a seasonal basis as the weather changes. In addition, we could be subject to the effects of extreme weather conditions, including sustained cold or hot temperatures, hurricanes, storms or other natural disasters, which could stress our generation facilities and result in outages, destroy our assets and result in casualty losses that are not ultimately offset by insurance proceeds, and could require increased capital expenditures or maintenance costs, including supply chain costs.

Moreover, an extreme weather event could cause disruption in service to customers due to downed wires and poles or damage to other operating equipment, which could result in us foregoing sales of electricity and lost revenue. Similarly, an extreme weather event might affect the availability of generation and transmission capacity, limiting our ability to source or deliver power where it is needed or limit our ability to source fuel for our plants (including due to damage to rail or natural gas pipeline infrastructure). Additionally, extreme weather may result in unexpected increases in customer load, requiring our retail operation to procure additional electricity supplies at wholesale prices in excess of customer sales prices for electricity. These conditions, which cannot be reliably predicted, could have adverse consequences by requiring us to seek additional sources of electricity when wholesale market prices are high or to sell excess electricity when market prices are low, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

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We may be materially and adversely affected by insufficient water supplies.

Supplies of water are important for our generation facilities. Water in Texas is limited and various parties have made conflicting claims regarding the right to access and use such limited supplies of water. In addition, in the recent past Texas has experienced sustained drought conditions that illustrate the effect such conditions may have on the water supply for certain of our generation facilities if adequate rain does not fall in the watersheds that supply our electric generating units. If we are unable to access sufficient supplies of water, it could prevent, restrict or increase the cost of operations at certain of our generation facilities, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Changes in technology or increased electricity conservation efforts may reduce the value of our generation facilities and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on us.

Technological advances have improved, and are likely to continue to improve, for existing and alternative methods to produce and store power, including gas turbines, wind turbines, fuel cells, micro turbines, photovoltaic (solar) cells, batteries and concentrated solar thermal devices, along with improvements in traditional technologies. Such technological advances have reduced, and are expected to continue to reduce, the costs of power production or storage to a level that will enable these technologies to compete effectively with traditional generation facilities. Consequently, the value of our more traditional generation assets could be significantly reduced as a result of these competitive advances, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, changes in technology have altered, and are expected to continue to alter, the channels through which retail customers buy electricity ( i.e. , self-generation or distributed-generation facilities). To the extent self-generation facilities become a more cost-effective option for ERCOT customers, our financial condition, operating cash flows and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Technological advances in demand-side management and increased conservation efforts have resulted, and are expected to continue to result, in a decrease in electricity demand. A significant decrease in electricity demand in ERCOT as a result of such efforts would significantly reduce the value of our generation assets. Certain regulatory and legislative bodies have introduced or are considering requirements and/or incentives to reduce power consumption. Effective power conservation by our customers could result in reduced electricity demand or significantly slow the growth in such demand. Any such reduction in demand could have a material adverse effect on us. Furthermore, we may incur increased capital expenditures if we are required to increase investment in conservation measures.

Attacks on our infrastructure that breach cyber/data security measures could expose us to significant liabilities and reputation damage and disrupt business operations, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Much of our information technology infrastructure is connected (directly or indirectly) to the internet. There have been numerous attacks on government and industry information technology systems through the internet that have resulted in material operational, reputation and/or financial costs. While we have controls in place designed to protect our infrastructure and we are not aware of any significant breaches in the past, a breach of cyber/data security measures that impairs our information technology infrastructure could disrupt normal business operations and affect our ability to control our generation assets, access retail customer information and limit communication with third parties. Any loss of confidential or proprietary data through a breach could adversely affect our reputation, expose us to material legal or regulatory claims and impair our ability to execute our business strategy, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

As part of the continuing development of new and modified reliability standards, the FERC has approved changes to its Critical Infrastructure Protection reliability standards and has established standards for assets identified as “critical cyber assets.” Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the FERC can impose penalties (up to $1 million per day, per violation) for failure to comply with mandatory electric reliability standards, including standards to protect the power system against potential disruptions from cyber and physical security breaches.

 

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Further, our retail business requires access to sensitive customer data in the ordinary course of business. Examples of sensitive customer data are names, addresses, account information, historical electricity usage, expected patterns of use, payment history, credit bureau data, credit and debit card account numbers, drivers’ license numbers, social security numbers and bank account information. Our retail business may need to provide sensitive customer data to vendors and service providers who require access to this information in order to provide services, such as call center operations, to the retail business. If a significant breach were to occur, the reputation of our retail business may be adversely affected, customer confidence may be diminished and our retail business may be subject to substantial legal or regulatory claims, any of which may contribute to the loss of customers and have a material adverse effect on us.

The loss of the services of our key management and personnel could adversely affect our ability to successfully operate our businesses.

Our future success will depend on our ability to continue to attract and retain highly qualified personnel. We compete for such personnel with many other companies, in and outside of our industry, government entities and other organizations. We may not be successful in retaining current personnel or in hiring or retaining qualified personnel in the future. Our failure to attract highly qualified new personnel or retain highly qualified existing personnel could have an adverse effect on our ability to successfully operate our businesses.

We could be materially and adversely impacted by strikes or work stoppages by our unionized employees.

As of December 31, 2016, we had 1,786 employees covered by collective bargaining agreements, all of which expired on March 31, 2017 and are currently in the process of being renegotiated. In the event that our union employees strike, participate in a work stoppage or slowdown or engage in other forms of labor strife or disruption, we would be responsible for procuring replacement labor or we could experience reduced power generation or outages. Our ability to procure such labor is uncertain. Strikes, work stoppages or the inability to negotiate current or future collective bargaining agreements on favorable terms or at all could have a material adverse effect on us.

Risks Related to Our Structure and Ownership of our Common Stock

Vistra Energy Corp. is a holding company and its ability to obtain funds from its subsidiaries is structurally subordinated to existing and future liabilities and preferred equity of its subsidiaries.

Vistra Energy Corp. is a holding company that does not conduct any business operations of its own. As a result, Vistra Energy Corp.’s cash flows and ability to meet its obligations are largely dependent upon the operating cash flows of Vistra Energy Corp.’s subsidiaries and the payment of such operating cash flows to Vistra Energy Corp. in the form of dividends, distributions, loans or otherwise. These subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities from Vistra Energy Corp. and have no obligation (other than any existing contractual obligations) to provide Vistra Energy Corp. with funds to satisfy its obligations. Any decision by a subsidiary to provide Vistra Energy Corp. with funds to satisfy its obligations, including those under the Tax Receivable Agreement, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or otherwise, will depend on, among other things, such subsidiary’s results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, cash requirements, contractual prohibitions and other restrictions, applicable law and other factors. The deterioration of income from, or other available assets of, any such subsidiary for any reason could limit or impair its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to Vistra Energy Corp.

No prior public trading market existed for our common stock prior to October 4, 2016, and an active trading market may not develop or be sustained following the registration of our common stock on the NYSE, which may cause the market price of our common stock to decline significantly and make it difficult for investors to sell their shares in the future.

There was no public market for our common stock prior to commencing trading on the OTCQX market on October 4, 2016, and we have applied to list our common stock for trading on the NYSE under the symbol

 

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“VST.” However, listing on the NYSE does not ensure that an active trading market for our common shares will develop or be sustained. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to:

 

    the likelihood that an active trading market for our shares of common stock will develop or be sustained;

 

    the liquidity of any such market;

 

    the ability of our stockholders to sell their shares of common stock when desired; or

 

    the price that our stockholders may obtain for their shares of common stock.

The stock markets, including the NYSE, have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. As a result, the market price of our common stock may be similarly volatile, and investors in shares of our common stock may from time to time experience a decrease in the market price of their shares, including decreases unrelated to our financial performance or prospects. The market price of shares of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors, including those listed in this “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus and others such as:

 

    our historical and anticipated operating performance and the performance of other similar companies;

 

    actual or anticipated differences in our quarterly or annual operating results than expected;

 

    actual or anticipated changes in our, our customers’ or our competitors’ businesses or prospects;

 

    changes in our revenues or earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;

 

    publication of research reports about us or the power generation or electricity sales industries;

 

    the current state of the credit and capital markets, and our ability to obtain financing on favorable terms;

 

    increased competition in power generation and electricity sales in our markets;

 

    strategic decisions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions, divestments, spin-offs, joint ventures, strategic investments or changes in business growth strategy;

 

    the passage of legislation or other regulatory developments that adversely affect us or our industry;

 

    adverse speculation in the press or investment community;

 

    actions by institutional stockholders;

 

    adverse market reaction to any indebtedness we may incur or equity or equity-related securities we may issue in the future;

 

    additions of departures of key personnel;

 

    actual, potential or perceived accounting problems;

 

    changes in accounting principles;

 

    failure to comply with the rules of the Commission or the NYSE or to maintain the listing of our common stock on the NYSE;

 

    terrorist acts, natural or man-made disasters or threatened or actual armed conflicts; and

 

    general market and local, regional and national economic conditions, including factors unrelated to our operating performance and prospects.

No assurance can be given that the market price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future or that holders of shares of our common stock will be able to sell their shares when desired on favorable terms, or at all. From time to time in the past, securities class action litigation has been instituted against companies following periods of extreme volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources.

 

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We may not pay any dividends on our common stock in the future.

We have no present intention to pay cash dividends on our common stock. Any determination to pay dividends to holders of our common stock in the future will be at the sole discretion of the Board and will depend upon many factors, including our historical and anticipated financial condition, cash flows, liquidity and results of operations, capital requirements, market conditions, our growth strategy and the availability of growth opportunities, contractual prohibitions (including, but not limited to, the Tax Matters Agreement), our level of indebtedness and other restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends, applicable law and other factors that the Board deems relevant.

A small number of stockholders could be able to significantly influence our business and affairs.

The three largest groups of stockholders of Vistra Energy Corp., affiliates of Apollo Management Holdings L.P. (collectively, the Apollo Entities), affiliates of Brookfield Asset Management Private Institutional Capital Adviser (Canada), L.P. (collectively, the Brookfield Entities), and affiliates of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (collectively, the Oaktree Entities, and together with the Apollo Entities and the Brookfield Entities, the Principal Stockholders), all of which were first lien creditors of our Predecessor prior to Emergence, collectively own approximately 39% of our common stock outstanding. Large holders such as the Principal Stockholders may be able to affect matters requiring approval by Vistra Energy Corp. stockholders, including the election of directors and the approval of mergers or other business combination transactions. Furthermore, pursuant to the terms of stockholders’ agreements entered into with each of the Principal Stockholders (each, a Stockholder’s Agreement), each Principal Stockholder is entitled to designate one director to serve on the Board as a Class III director for so long as it beneficially owns, in the aggregate, at least 22,500,000 shares of our common stock. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Stockholder’s Agreements.”

Conflicts of interest may arise because some members of the Board are representatives of the Principal Stockholders.

The Principal Stockholders could invest in entities that directly or indirectly compete with us. As a result of these relationships, when conflicts arise between the interests of the Principal Stockholders or their affiliates and the interests of other stockholders, members of the Board that are representatives of the Principal Stockholders may not be disinterested. Neither the Principal Stockholders nor the representatives of the Principal Stockholders on the Board, by the terms of the Vistra Energy Corp. certificate of incorporation (the Charter), are required to offer us any transaction opportunity of which they become aware and could take any such opportunity for themselves or offer it their other affiliates, unless such opportunity is expressly offered to them solely in their capacity as members of the Board.

We are unable to take certain actions because such actions could jeopardize the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off, and such restrictions could be significant.

The Tax Matters Agreement prohibits us from taking certain actions that could reasonably be expected to undermine the intended tax treatment the Spin-Off or to jeopardize the conclusions of the private letter ruling from the IRS we received in connection with the Spin-Off or opinions of counsel received by us or EFH Corp. In particular, for two years after the Spin-Off, we may not:

 

    cease the active conduct of our business;

 

    cease to hold certain assets;

 

    voluntarily dissolve or liquidate;

 

    merge or consolidate with any other person in a transaction that does not qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code;

 

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    redeem or otherwise repurchase (directly or indirectly) any of our equity interests other than pursuant to an open market stock repurchase program that satisfies the requirements in the Tax Matters Agreement; or

 

    directly or indirectly acquire any of the PrefCo Preferred Stock.

Nevertheless, we are permitted to take any of the actions described above if (a) we obtain written consent from EFH Corp., (b) such action or transaction is described in or otherwise consistent with the facts in the private letter ruling we obtained from the IRS in connection with the Spin-Off, (c) we obtain a supplemental private letter ruling from the IRS or (d) we obtain an unqualified opinion of a nationally recognized law or accounting firm that is reasonably acceptable to EFH Corp. that the action will not affect the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off.

The covenants and other limitations with respect to the Tax Matters Agreement may limit our ability to undertake certain transactions that would otherwise be value-maximizing.

Provisions in the Charter and bylaws and the Tax Receivable Agreement might discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of Vistra Energy Corp. or changes in our management and therefore depress the market price of our common stock.

The Charter and bylaws of Vistra Energy Corp. (the Bylaws), and the Tax Receivable Agreement contain provisions that could depress the market price of our common stock by acting to discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of Vistra Energy Corp. or changes in our management that stockholders may deem advantageous. These provisions in our Charter and Bylaws:

 

    authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that the Board could issue to increase the number of outstanding shares to discourage a takeover attempt;

 

    create a classified board of directors;

 

    prohibit stockholder action by written consent, and require that all stockholder actions be taken at a meeting of stockholders;

 

    provide that the Board is expressly authorized to make, amend or repeal our Bylaws; and

 

    establish advance notice requirements for nominations for elections to the Board or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings.

In addition, the Tax Receivable Agreement provides that upon certain mergers, asset sales or other forms of business combination or certain other changes of control, the transfer agent under the Tax Receivable Agreement may treat such event as an early termination of the Tax Receivable Agreement, in which case we would be required to make a lump-sum payment under the Tax Receivable Agreement, which could be significant. This payment obligation may discourage potential buyers from acquiring Vistra Energy Corp.

 

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Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This prospectus and other presentations made by us contain “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that are included in this prospectus, or made in presentations, in response to questions or otherwise, that address activities, events or developments that may occur in the future, including such matters as activities related to our financial or operational projections, capital allocation, capital expenditures, liquidity, dividend policy, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, future acquisitions or dispositions, development or operation of power generation assets, market and industry developments and the growth of our businesses and operations (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as “intends,” “plans,” “will likely,” “unlikely,” “expected,” “anticipated,” “estimated,” “should,” “may,” “projection,” “target,” “goal,” “objective” and “outlook”), are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that in making any such forward-looking statement our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such forward-looking statement involves uncertainties and risks and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the discussion of risk factors under “Risk Factors” and the discussion under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this prospectus and the following important factors, among others, that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in or implied by such forward-looking statements:

 

    the actions and decisions of regulatory authorities;

 

    prohibitions and other restrictions on our activities due to the terms of our agreements;

 

    prevailing governmental policies and regulatory actions, including those of the Texas Legislature, the Governor of Texas, the United States Congress, the FERC, the NERC, the TRE, the PUCT, the RCT, the NRC, the EPA, the TCEQ, the United States Mine Safety and Health Administration and the CFTC, with respect to, among other things:

 

    allowed prices;

 

    industry, market and rate structure;

 

    purchased power and recovery of investments;

 

    operations of nuclear generation facilities;

 

    operations of fossil fueled generation facilities;

 

    operations of mines;

 

    acquisition and disposal of assets and facilities;

 

    development, construction and operation of facilities;

 

    decommissioning costs;

 

    present or prospective wholesale and retail competition;

 

    changes in tax laws and policies;

 

    changes in and compliance with environmental and safety laws and policies, including the CSAPR, MATS, regional haze program implementation and GHG and other climate change initiatives; and

 

    clearing over-the-counter derivatives through exchanges and posting of cash collateral therewith;

 

    legal and administrative proceedings and settlements;

 

    general industry trends;

 

    economic conditions, including the impact of an economic downturn;

 

    weather conditions, including drought and limitations on access to water, and other natural phenomena, and acts of sabotage, wars or terrorist or cyber security threats or activities;

 

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    our ability to collect trade receivables from our customers;

 

    our ability to attract and retain profitable customers;

 

    our ability to profitably serve our customers;

 

    restrictions on competitive retail pricing;

 

    changes in wholesale electricity prices or energy commodity prices, including the price of natural gas;

 

    the construction of additional generation facilities in ERCOT that results in an over-supply of electricity in ERCOT causing a reduction in wholesale power prices;

 

    changes in prices of transportation of natural gas, coal, fuel and other refined products;

 

    changes in the ability of vendors to provide or deliver commodities as needed;

 

    changes in market heat rates in the ERCOT electricity market;

 

    our ability to effectively hedge against unfavorable commodity prices, including the price of natural gas, market heat rates and interest rates;

 

    population growth or decline, or changes in market supply or demand and demographic patterns, particularly in ERCOT;

 

    access to adequate transmission facilities to meet changing demands;

 

    changes in interest rates, commodity prices, rates of inflation or foreign exchange rates;

 

    changes in operating expenses, liquidity needs and capital expenditures;

 

    commercial bank market and capital market conditions and the potential impact of disruptions in United States and international credit markets;

 

    access to capital, the attractiveness of the cost and other terms of such capital and the success of financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in the capital markets;

 

    our ability to maintain prudent financial leverage;

 

    our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to make principal and interest payments in respect of, or refinance, our debt obligations;

 

    competition for new energy development and other business opportunities;

 

    the ability of various counterparties to meet their obligations with respect to our financial instruments;

 

    changes in technology (including large scale electricity storage) used by and services offered by us;

 

    changes in electricity transmission that allow additional power generation to compete with our generation assets;

 

    our ability to attract and retain qualified employees;

 

    significant changes in our relationship with our employees, including the availability of qualified personnel, and the potential adverse effects if labor disputes or grievances were to occur;

 

    changes in assumptions used to estimate costs of providing employee benefits, including medical and dental benefits, pension and postretirement employee benefits other than pensions (OPEB), and future funding requirements related thereto, including joint and several liability exposure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA);

 

    hazards customary to the industry and the possibility that we may not have adequate insurance to cover losses resulting from such hazards;

 

    the impact of our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement; and

 

    actions by credit rating agencies.

 

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Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and except as may be required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances. New events and conditions emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict them. In addition, we may be unable to assess the impact of any such event or condition or the extent to which any such event or condition, or combination of events and conditions, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statement. As such, you should not unduly rely on such forward-looking statements.

 

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Industry and Market Information

Certain industry and market data and other statistical information used throughout this prospectus are based on independent industry publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources, including certain data published by ERCOT, the PUCT and NYMEX. We did not commission any of these publications, reports or other sources. Some data is also based on good faith estimates, which are derived from our review of internal surveys, as well as the independent sources listed above. Industry publications, reports and other sources generally state that they have obtained information from sources believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information. While we believe that each of these publications, reports and other sources is reliable, we have not independently investigated or verified the information contained or referred to therein and make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Forecasts are particularly likely to be inaccurate, especially over long periods of time, and we often do not know what assumptions were used in preparing such forecasts. Statements regarding industry and market data and other statistical information used throughout this prospectus involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the headings “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.”

 

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Use of Proceeds

This prospectus relates to shares of our common stock that may be offered for resale by the selling stockholders. We will not receive any proceeds from any resale of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus. The net proceeds from any resale of such shares will be received by the applicable selling stockholders.

 

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Market Prices and Dividend Policy

Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQX U.S. market under the symbol “VSTE” and has been trading since October 4, 2016. No established trading market existed for our common stock prior to this date. The following table sets forth the per share high and low closing prices for our common stock as reported on the OTCQX U.S. market for the periods presented.

 

     High      Low  

Fourth Quarter 2016 (beginning October 4, 2016)

   $ 25.24      $ 13.50  

First Quarter 2017

   $ 17.95      $ 15.36  

Second Quarter 2017 (through April 4, 2017)

   $ 16.50      $ 16.00  

On March 31, 2017, the closing price of our common stock as reported on the OTCQX U.S. market was $16.30 per share. As of March 24, 2017, there were 196 stockholders of record of our common stock, not including beneficial owners of shares registered in nominee or street name.

We have applied to list our common stock for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, which we refer to as the NYSE, under the symbol “VST.”

Dividends and Dividend Policy

We have not paid any dividends since our formation in October 2016 other than the 2016 Special Dividend. On December 8, 2016, the Board approved the payment of the 2016 Special Dividend in the aggregate amount of approximately $992 million to holders of record of our common stock on December 19, 2016. Proceeds from the $1 billion aggregate principal amount of incremental term loans obtained by Vistra Operations on December 14, 2016 (the 2016 Incremental Term Loans) were used to make the 2016 Special Dividend on December 30, 2016.

We have no present intention to pay cash dividends on our common stock. We are focused, however, on optimal deployment of capital and intend to evaluate a range of capital deployment strategies, including the return of capital to stockholders in the form of dividends and/or share repurchases.

Any determination to pay dividends to holders of our common stock or to repurchase shares of our common stock in the future will be at the sole discretion of the Board and will depend upon many factors and then-existing conditions, including our historical and anticipated financial condition, cash flows, liquidity and results of operations, capital requirements, market conditions, our growth strategy and the availability of growth opportunities, contractual prohibitions (including, but not limited to, the Tax Matters Agreement), our level of indebtedness, restrictions imposed by applicable law, general business conditions and other factors that the Board deems relevant. There can be no assurance we will pay any dividends to holders of our common stock in the future, or if declared, the amount of such dividends.

 

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Capitalization

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of December 31, 2016. You should read the information set forth below together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes contained elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     As of December 31,
2016
 
     (in millions)  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 843  

Deposit Letter of Credit Collateral Account

   $ 650  

Revolving Credit Facility (a)

    

Term Loan C Facility (a)

   $ 650  

Term Loan B Facility (a)

   $ 2,850  

2016 Incremental Term Loans

   $ 1,000  

Capital Leases or Other (b)

   $ 2  
  

 

 

 

Total Debt (c)

   $ 4,502  

Preferred Equity (d)

   $ 70  

Equity

   $ 6,597  
  

 

 

 

Total Capitalization

   $ 11,169  
  

 

 

 

 

(a) As defined in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Debt Activity.”
(b) Excludes debt related to office space ($36 million) as the amounts due under this lease were prepaid into an escrow account.
(c) Amount does not reflect debt issuance costs of $8 million, debt discounts of $2 million and debt premiums of $25 million.
(d) Included in Long-term Debt on our consolidated balance sheet. See our consolidated financial statements and the related notes contained elsewhere in this prospectus for further discussion.

 

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The Reorganization and Emergence

This section provides a description of the bankruptcy filing made by the Debtors (the Bankruptcy Filing), the reorganization of the Debtors pursuant to a Joint Plan of Reorganization, and Emergence.

Bankruptcy Filing

On April 29, 2014 (the Petition Date), EFH Corp. and the other Debtors, including our Predecessor, filed the Bankruptcy Filing in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the Bankruptcy Court). While in bankruptcy, the Debtors operated their businesses as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.

The Bankruptcy Filing resulted primarily from the Debtors’ (including our Predecessor’s) inability to support the significant interest payments and pending debt maturities related to the substantial debt EFH Corp. had previously incurred in connection with the leveraged buy-out of EFH Corp. in October 2007 as a result of, among other things, lower wholesale electricity prices in ERCOT driven by the sustained decline in natural gas prices since mid-2008.

The Plan

On April 14, 2015, the Debtors, including our Predecessor and its subsidiaries, filed a proposed Joint Plan of Reorganization with the Bankruptcy Court. The Plan was subsequently amended and supplemented multiple times based upon discussions with the Debtors’ creditors and other interested parties and in response to creditor claims and objections and the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code and the Bankruptcy Court. On August 29, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Plan solely as it pertains to EFCH, our Predecessor and the subsidiaries of our Predecessor that were Debtors, and certain other subsidiaries of EFH Corp. identified in the Plan (collectively, the T-Side Debtors). The Plan provided that the confirmation and effective date of the plan of reorganization with respect to the T-Side Debtors was to occur separate from, and independent of, the confirmation and effective date of the plan of reorganization with respect to EFH Corp., EFIH and their subsidiaries that are Debtors, excluding the T-Side Debtors.

On October 3, 2016, which we refer to as the Effective Date, the Plan with respect to the T-Side Debtors became effective and the T-Side Debtors, including our Predecessor, consummated their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases.

Transactions in Connection with Emergence

On the Effective Date and pursuant to the Plan, the T-Side Debtors, including our Predecessor, executed the following transactions as part of a tax-free spin-off from EFH Corp. (the Spin-Off):

 

    Pursuant to the Plan and the Separation Agreement (the Separation Agreement), (a) our Predecessor contributed all of its interests in its subsidiaries, (b) each of our Predecessor, EFH Corp. and Energy Future Competitive Holdings LLC contributed certain assets and liabilities related to the operations of our Predecessor and its subsidiaries and (c) EFH Corp. transferred sponsorship of certain employee benefit plans (including related assets), programs and policies, to a recently formed limited liability company named TEX Energy LLC, in exchange for which our Predecessor received 100% of the equity interests in TEX Energy LLC;

 

    A subsidiary of TEX Energy LLC contributed certain of the assets of our Predecessor and its subsidiaries to Vistra Preferred Inc. (PrefCo) in exchange for all of PrefCo’s authorized (a) preferred stock (the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale), consisting of 70,000 shares, par value $0.01 per share (the PrefCo Preferred Stock), and (b) common stock, consisting of 10,000,000 shares, par value $0.01 per share, and immediately thereafter the subsidiary sold all of the PrefCo Preferred Stock to certain investors in exchange for cash and distributed the cash proceeds from such sale to our Predecessor to fund recoveries under the Plan;

 

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    TEX Energy LLC converted from a Delaware limited liability company into a Delaware corporation and ultimately changed its name to Vistra Energy Corp.; and

 

    Our Predecessor (a) distributed (i) (1) 427,500,000 shares of common stock of Vistra Energy Corp. and (2) approximately $370,000,000 of cash to the former first lien creditors of our Predecessor in exchange for the cancellation of their allowed claims against our Predecessor, and (ii) the right to receive recoveries under the unsecured claim of our Predecessor against EFH Corp. allowed in the amount of $700 million (the TCEH Settlement Claim), provided, that from and after the Effective Date, Vistra Energy Corp. nominally holds the right to receive recoveries under the TCEH Settlement Claim but the former first lien creditors of our Predecessor (and their assigns) hold all legal and equitable entitlement to receive recoveries under the TCEH Settlement Claim, and (b) deposited the TRA Rights described in more detail under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Tax Receivable Agreement” into an escrow account for subsequent distribution to eligible first lien creditors of our Predecessor.

Also on the Effective Date, the debtor-in-possession credit facilities of our Predecessor converted into the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and Vistra Operations assumed all of the rights and obligations of our Predecessor thereunder. For additional information about the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, see “Description of Indebtedness.”

 

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As a result of the Spin-Off, with effect as of Emergence, the competitive businesses previously owned by our Predecessor are no longer indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of EFH Corp., and while EFH Corp. is the parent holding company of the regulated business of Oncor, it is no longer the parent holding company of the competitive businesses of TXU Energy and Luminant. Set forth below is a diagram setting forth the structure of Vistra Energy Corp. and certain of its key subsidiaries following Emergence. Except for the preferred stock of Vistra Preferred Inc., all subsidiaries of Vistra Energy Corp. reflected on this chart are 100% owned, directly or indirectly.

 

LOGO

As of April 5, 2017

 

*

100% of the common stock (1,000,000 shares) is held by Vistra Asset Company LLC. 100% of the preferred stock (70,000 shares) is held by outside investors. The holders of the preferred stock have no voting or other

 

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  control rights over PrefCo, except (a) as required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, (b) in the event PrefCo fails to pay dividends payable on the preferred stock in full for 12 consecutive dividend payment dates, (c) in connection with the authorization, creation or issuance of any securities of PrefCo senior to the preferred stock or (d) upon any attempt to amend, alter or repeal any provisions of PrefCo’s certificate of incorporation to materially and adversely affect the voting powers, rights or preferences of such holders.

 

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Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information

The following tables set forth the selected historical consolidated financial information for Vistra Energy (the Successor) for periods subsequent to the Effective Date and TCEH (our Predecessor) for periods prior to the Effective Date. The financial statements of the Successor are not comparable to the financial statements of our Predecessor as those periods prior to the Effective Date do not give effect to any adjustments to the carrying values of assets or amounts of liabilities that resulted from the Plan, and the related application of fresh start reporting, which includes accounting policies implemented by Vistra Energy that may differ from our Predecessor. The selected historical consolidated financial information of the Successor as of December 31, 2016 and for the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and of our Predecessor as of December 31, 2015 and for the period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 have been derived from the audited historical consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected historical consolidated financial information of our Predecessor as of December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 and for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 has been derived from our Predecessor’s historical audited consolidated financial statements and related notes that are not included in this prospectus. The selected historical consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as our unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements, and, in each case, related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Successor     Predecessor  
    Period from
October 3,
2016 through
December 31,
2016
    Period from
January 1,
2016 through
October 2,
2016
    Year
Ended
December 31,
 
        2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  
          (in millions, except per share amounts)  

Operating revenues

  $ 1,191     $ 3,973     $ 5,370     $ 5,978     $ 5,899     $ 5,636     $ 7,040  

Impairment of goodwill

  $   $     $ (2,200   $ (1,600   $ (1,000   $ (1,200   $

Impairment of long-lived assets

  $   $     $ (2,541   $ (4,670   $ (140   $   $ (9

Operating income (loss)

  $ (161   $ 568     $ (4,091   $ (6,015   $ (1,113   $ (961   $ 1,437  

Net income (loss) (a)

  $ (163   $ 22,851     $ (4,677   $ (6,229   $ (2,197   $ (2,948   $ (1,740

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ 81     $ (238   $ 237     $ 444     $ (270   $ (237   $ 1,240  

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding — basic and diluted

    428                                      

Net loss per weighted average share of common stock outstanding — basic and diluted

  $ (0.38                                    

Dividends declared per share of common stock

  $ 2.32                                      

 

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    Successor     Predecessor  
    At
December 31,

2016
    At December 31,  
      2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  
          (in millions)  

Balance Sheet Information:

             

Total assets (b)(c)

  $ 15,167     $ 15,658     $ 21,343     $ 28,822     $ 32,969     $ 37,335  

Property, plant & equipment — net (b)(c)

  $ 4,443     $ 9,349     $ 12,288     $ 17,649     $ 18,556     $ 19,218  

Goodwill and intangible assets

  $ 5,112     $ 1,331     $ 3,688     $ 5,669     $ 6,733     $ 7,978  

Borrowings, debt and pre-Petition notes, loans and other debt

             

Borrowings under debtor-in-possession credit facilities (d)

  $     $ 1,425     $ 1,425     $   $   $

Debt (e)

  $ 4,557   $ 3     $ 51     $ 26,146     $ 29,795     $ 29,677  

Pre-Petition notes, loans and other debt reported as liabilities subject to compromise (f)

  $     $ 31,668     $ 31,856     $   $   $

Borrowings under Predecessor’s credit facilities  (g)

  $   $   $   $ 2,054     $ 2,136     $ 774  

Total equity/membership interests

    6,597       (22,884     (18,209     (11,982     (9,683     (6,758

 

(a) Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 includes net gains totaling $22.121 billion related to bankruptcy-related reorganization items including gains on extinguishing claims pursuant to the Plan.
(b) As of December 31, 2016, amount includes the Lamar and Forney natural gas generation facilities purchased in April 2016. See Note 6 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for further discussion.
(c) Reflects impact of impairment charges for long-lived assets of $2.541 billion and $4.670 billion in the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively (see Note 8 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements).
(d) Borrowings under debtor-in-possession credit facilities are classified as noncurrent as of December 31, 2014 and due currently as of December 31, 2015.
(e) For all periods presented, excludes amounts with contractual maturity dates in the following twelve months.
(f) As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, includes both unsecured and under secured obligations incurred prior to the Petition Date, but excludes pre-petition obligations that were fully secured and other obligations that were allowed to be paid as ordered by the Bankruptcy Court. As of December 31, 2014, also excludes $702 million of deferred debt issuance and extension costs.
(g) Excludes borrowings under debtor-in-possession credit facilities.

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information

We prepared the following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of income (loss) by applying certain pro forma adjustments to the combined condensed consolidated financial statements of our Predecessor for the period of January 1, 2016 to October 2, 2016 and our Successor for the period of October 3, 2016 to December 31, 2016. The pro forma adjustments give effect to (i) the implementation of all reorganization transactions contemplated by the Plan, (ii) the application of fresh-start reporting for the emerged entity, Vistra Energy, and (iii) the incurrence of the $1 billion 2016 Incremental Term Loans.

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2016 gives effect to the pro forma adjustments as if each adjustment had occurred on January 1, 2016, the first day of the last fiscal year presented.

The pro forma adjustments include the following Plan, Emergence-related and fresh-start adjustments:

 

    the conversion of the TCEH DIP Roll Facilities into the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities on the Effective Date and the related interest rates applicable under those facilities, which includes the following:

 

    $2.85 billion senior secured term loan (the Initial Term Loan B Facility);

 

    $650 million fully-funded senior secured term loan letter of credit facility (the Term Loan C Facility); and

 

    $750 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the Initial Revolving Credit Facility), which remained undrawn as of the date of Emergence, increased to $860 million (the 2016 Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments, and together with the Initial Revolving Credit Facility, the Revolving Credit Facility) in connection with the 2016 Incremental Term Loans borrowings in December 2016 described below and remaining undrawn;

 

    the cancelation or repayment of the indebtedness of TCEH and its subsidiaries and removal of the related interest expense under those facilities;

 

    the inclusion of accretion expense related to the obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement described in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Tax Receivable Agreement” that are reflected as a liability;

 

    the inclusion of interest expense related to the $70 million of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock of PrefCo as part of the Spin-Off on the Effective Date;

 

    the impacts of related depreciation and amortization associated with the change in value for our property, plant and equipment and intangible assets under fresh-start reporting; and

 

    the removal of the prior impacts of reorganization items related to the Predecessor’s bankruptcy proceedings.

The transactions reflected in the pro forma adjustments pursuant to the Plan and Emergence are described elsewhere in this prospectus under the heading “The Reorganization and Emergence.”

The pro forma adjustments also reflect the impacts of fair value adjustments arising from the application of fresh-start reporting in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 852, Reorganizations (ASC 852) .

For purposes of determining pro forma interest expense from our Vistra Operations Credit Facilities (including the 2016 Incremental Term Loans), we have assumed an interest rate of 5.0% and 4.0%, respectively (each such rate consisting of LIBOR (subject to a floor) plus an applicable margin), per annum on borrowings thereunder. This assumed rate is based on the terms of our debt and market conditions when the debt was incurred.

 

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Additional Information

We have based the pro forma adjustments upon available information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. We describe in greater detail the assumptions underlying the pro forma adjustments in the accompanying footnotes, which should be read in conjunction with these unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements. In many cases, we based these assumptions on estimates. Accordingly, the actual adjustments that will appear in our condensed consolidated financial statements will differ from these pro forma adjustments, and those differences may be material.

In addition, we recognized certain nonrecurring expenses subsequent to Emergence that were directly related to our Chapter 11 reorganization. The pro forma statement of income does not include any adjustments to remove these expenses.

We provide the unaudited pro forma condensed statement of income for informational purposes only. This unaudited pro forma condensed statement of income does not purport to represent what our results of operations would have been had the assumed transactions actually occurred on the assumed date, nor does it purport to project our results of operations for any future period or future date. Our unaudited pro forma condensed statement of income should be read in conjunction with “Capitalization”, “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information”, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, and the historical audited and unaudited financial statements of our Predecessor, including the related notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) of Vistra Energy

(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

     Historical (a)                    
     Predecessor     Successor                    
     January 1,
2016 to
October 2,
2016
    October 3,
2016 to
December 31,
2016
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
          Vistra Energy
Pro Forma
As Adjusted
 

Operating revenues

     3,973       1,191       253       (b     5,417  

Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees

     (2,082     (720     (12     (c     (2,814

Net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities

     282             (282     (d      

Operating costs

     (664     (208     (4       (876

Depreciation and amortization

     (459     (216     1       (e     (674

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (482     (208     13         (677

Other income

     16       9       7         32  

Other deductions

     (75           (6       (81

Interest income

     3       1               4  

Interest expense and related charges

     (1,049     (60     882       (f     (227

Tax Receivable Agreement obligation

           (22     (65     (g     (87

Reorganization items

     22,121             (22,121     (h      
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     21,584       (233     (21,334       17  

Income tax benefit (expense)

     1,267       70       (1,364     (i     (27
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income (loss) income

     22,851       (163     (22,698       (10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Basic income per share available to common shareholders

       $ (0.38       $ (0.02

Basic and diluted shares outstanding

         427,560,620           427,560,620  

Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) of Vistra Energy.

Our Predecessor As Reported

 

(a) The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) is derived from the consolidated statement of income (loss) of our Predecessor for the period of January 1, 2016 to October 2, 2016 and the consolidated statement of income (loss) of our Successor for the period of October 3, 2016 to December 31, 2016.

Plan Effects and Fresh Start Adjustments

 

(b) Reflects the following:

 

    $54 million decrease in operating revenues as a result of amortization expense related to the fair value adjustment to intangible assets and liabilities related to electric supply agreements and retail contracts.

 

    $307 million increase in operating revenues as a result of reclassifying realized and unrealized derivative activity pertaining to hedging activity related to generation revenues.

 

(c) Reflects the following:

 

    $9 million decrease in amortization expense as a result of the fair value adjustment to property, plant, and equipment related to nuclear fuel.

 

    $1 million decrease in fuel expense amortization as a result of the fair value adjustment to intangible assets related to emissions credits, wholesale power purchase agreements and transportation contracts.

 

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    $2 million decrease in accretion expense as a result of the fair value adjustment to lignite mine asset retirement obligations.

 

    $24 million increase in fuel and purchased power costs as a result of reclassifying realized and unrealized derivative activity pertaining to fuel and purchased power hedges.

 

(d) Reflects the reclassification of Predecessor realized and unrealized commodity hedging activity pertaining to power sales, power purchases, and fuel purchases.

 

(e) Reflects the following:

 

    $312 million decrease in depreciation expense as a result of the fair value adjustment to property, plant, and equipment.

 

    $308 million increase in amortization expense as a result of the fair value adjustment to intangible assets related to retail customer relationships.

 

    $3 million increase in depreciation expense related to capital lease asset transferred from the EFH Shared Services Debtors as part of the Plan.

 

(f) Reflects the following:

 

    Elimination of $1.064 billion of interest expense related to interest expense and adequate protection expense on Predecessor debt with third-parties and notes with affiliates.

 

    Addition of $168 million of interest expense related to our Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.

For purposes of estimating the pro forma interest expense, we used an interest rate of 5.0% per annum for our variable interest rate, Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, which is based on the following information when the debt was incurred: (1) LIBOR (subject to a floor of 1.0%) plus a 400 basis point fixed margin; and (2) a 5.00% rate for our variable interest rate senior secured debt facilities, which is based on the following estimated terms: (a) an annualized floating interest rate of LIBOR plus a 400 basis point fixed margin, and (b) a minimum LIBOR rate floor of 1.00%. We used an annualized floating interest rate of 4.00% for our additional borrowing subsequent to Emergence, which is based on available information when the debt was incurred: (a) an annualized floating interest rate of LIBOR plus a 325 basis point fixed margin, and (b) a minimum LIBOR rate floor of 0.75%.

 

    Addition of $9 million of interest expense related to debt balances transferred from contributed entities as part of the Plan.

 

    Addition of $5 million of interest expense related to the $70 million of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock of PrefCo, recorded as a debt instrument with a fixed 10% coupon rate.

 

(g) Reflects the accretion expense related to the discounted tax receivable agreement obligation. The obligation was valued using a present value utilizing a risk-adjusted discount rate which yields the estimated accretion of the obligation.

 

(h) Reflects the elimination of our Predecessor’s bankruptcy-related reorganization items.

 

(i) Reflects the tax impact of the pro forma adjustments. Pro forma adjustments to tax expense result in an effective tax rate that is higher than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% due primarily to nondeductible Tax Receivable Agreement accretion.

 

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of

Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This section provides a discussion of our historical financial condition, cash flows and results of operations for the periods indicated as required by the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Except as otherwise indicated herein, or as the context may otherwise require, all references to “Vistra Energy,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to (i) Vistra Energy Corp. and, unless the context otherwise requires, its direct and indirect subsidiaries and (ii) prior to its emergence from bankruptcy (Emergence) on October 3, 2016 (the Effective Date), Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and, unless the context otherwise requires, its direct and indirect subsidiaries (TCEH or our Predecessor). Unless otherwise noted, any discussion in this section relating to the Predecessor or the Predecessor period does not reflect, among other things, any effects of the transactions described in “The Reorganization and Emergence,” including entry into the Tax Receivable Agreement described in more detail in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Tax Receivable Agreement,” or fresh-start reporting, and thus, is not reflective of, or comparable to, Vistra Energy’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations as of and subsequent to the Effective Date. In addition, comparisons of year-over-year results are impacted by the effects of the Bankruptcy Filing (defined under “—Significant Activities and Events and Items Influencing Future Performance” below) and the application of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 852, Reorganizations. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Information” and our audited and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, included herein, and, in each case, the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, as well as the discussion in the section of this prospectus entitled “Business.” This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of important factors, including those factors discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described or implied by such forward-looking statements. All dollar amounts in the tables in the following discussion and analysis are stated in millions of United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Basis of Presentation and Fresh-Start Reporting

As of the Effective Date, Vistra Energy applied fresh-start reporting under the applicable provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 852, Reorganizations (ASC 852). Fresh-start reporting includes (1) distinguishing the consolidated financial statements of the entity that was previously in restructuring (TCEH or our Predecessor) from the financial statements of the entity that emerges from restructuring (Vistra Energy or the Successor), (2) assigning the reorganized value of the Successor entity by measuring all assets and liabilities of the Successor entity at fair value and (3) selecting accounting policies for the Successor entity. The financial statements of Vistra Energy for periods subsequent to the Effective Date are not comparable to the financial statements of TCEH for periods prior to the Effective Date, as those previous periods do not give effect to any adjustments to the carrying values of assets or amounts of liabilities that resulted from the Plan and the related application of fresh-start reporting. The reorganization value of Vistra Energy was assigned to its assets and liabilities in conformity with the procedures specified by FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations , and the portion of the reorganization value that was not attributable to identifiable tangible or intangible assets was recognized as goodwill. See Note 3 to our annual financial statements dated December 31, 2016 (the 2016 Annual Financial Statements) for further discussion regarding fresh-start reporting.

The consolidated financial statements of our Predecessor reflect the application of ASC 852 as it applies to entities that have filed a petition for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. As a result, the consolidated financial statements of our Predecessor have been prepared as if TCEH was a going concern and contemplated the realization of assets and liabilities in the normal course of business. During the Chapter 11 Cases, the Debtors operated their businesses as debtors-in-possession under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. The guidance requires that transactions and events directly associated with the reorganization be distinguished from the ongoing operations

 

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of the business. In addition, the guidance provides for changes in the accounting and presentation of liabilities. Prior to the Effective Date, our Predecessor recorded the effects of the Plan (as defined herein) in accordance with ASC 852. See Notes 4 and 5 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for further discussion of these accounting and reporting changes.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the Unites States from time to time (U.S. GAAP). All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Subsequent events have been evaluated through March 30, 2017, the date these consolidated financial statements were issued.

Operating Segments

Subsequent to the Effective Date, Vistra Energy has two reportable segments: the Wholesale Generation segment, consisting largely of Luminant, and the Retail Electricity segment, consisting largely of TXU Energy. Prior to the Effective Date, there were no reportable business segments for TCEH. See Note 21 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for further information concerning reportable business segments.

Items Affecting Comparability

Our Predecessor’s historical results of operations, including the impacts of long-lived asset impairment charges, goodwill impairment charges and bankruptcy and restructuring activities, are provided in detail below. These items are related primarily to the bankruptcy process and activities necessitated by the Plan and our Emergence and are not the result of our current operations. Management does not believe these items are applicable subsequent to the Effective Date.

Some of the significant expenses/(gains) impacting the historical comparability of reported income from operations are noted in the table below:

 

     Predecessor  
     Period from
January 1, 2016
Through
October 2, 2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
       2015      2014  
     (in millions)  

Bankruptcy-related reorganization items

   $ (22,121   $ 101      $ 520  

Impairment of goodwill

   $     $ 2,200      $ 1,600  

Impairment of long-lived assets

   $     $ 2,541      $ 4,670  

Significant Activities and Events and Items Influencing Future Performance

Chapter 11 Cases and Emergence   — As more fully described in the section entitled “The Reorganization and Emergence,” on April 29, 2014 (the Petition Date), Energy Future Holdings Corp. (EFH Corp.) and the substantial majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, the Debtors), including Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC (EFIH), Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company LLC (EFCH) and our Predecessor, but excluding Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, Oncor), filed voluntary petitions for relief (the Bankruptcy Filing) under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the Bankruptcy Code) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the Bankruptcy Court). The cases in the Bankruptcy Court concerning the Bankruptcy Filing are collectively referred to herein as the Chapter 11 Cases.

On August 29, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of the Debtors, including TCEH and its subsidiaries (the Plan), solely as it pertains to EFCH, TCEH and the subsidiaries of TCEH that were Debtors (the TCEH Debtors) and the EFH Shared Services Debtors (as defined in the Plan and, together with the TCEH Debtors, the T-Side Debtors). The Plan allowed the confirmation and effective date of the plan of reorganization with respect to the T-Side Debtors to occur separate

 

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from, and independent of, the confirmation and effective date of the plan of reorganization with respect to EFH Corp., EFIH and their subsidiaries that are Debtors, excluding the T-Side Debtors (the EFH Debtors). On the Effective Date of October 3, 2016, the Plan with respect to the T-Side Debtors became effective and the T-Side Debtors completed their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases as subsidiaries of a newly-formed company, Vistra Energy. On the Effective Date, EFH Corp. distributed the common stock of Vistra Energy as part of a tax-free spin-off from EFH Corp. (Spin-Off). As a result, as of the Effective Date, Vistra Energy is a holding company for subsidiaries principally engaged in competitive electricity market activities including power generation, wholesale energy sales and purchases, commodity risk management and retail sales of electricity and related services to end users. See Note 2 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Chapter 11 Cases and Emergence.

For more detail, see “The Reorganization and Emergence” above.

Support Cost Reduction — In October 2016, we began executing a plan to reduce support costs across our business by focusing on organizational structures of support functions and reducing costs associated with third party service providers. As part of that plan, we reduced our workforce by approximately 500 people to better align our cost structure to current market conditions. These market conditions include persistently low wholesale power prices, environmental regulatory pressure and a highly competitive retail market. As part of these reductions, we incurred severance costs of approximately $43 million, which were primarily recorded to selling, general and administrative expenses and operating costs during the period. Additionally, in October 2016, we began renegotiating and amending certain service contracts with providers to further reduce our support costs.

Lamar and Forney Acquisition   — In April 2016, our subsidiaries that engaged in competitive market activities consisting of power generation and wholesale electricity sales and purchases as well as commodity risk management (collectively, Luminant) purchased all of the membership equity interests in La Frontera Holdings, LLC, the indirect owner of two natural gas-fueled generation facilities representing nearly 3,000 megawatts (MW) of capacity located in ERCOT, from La Frontera Ventures, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc. (the Lamar and Forney Acquisition). The facility in Forney, Texas has a capacity of 1,912 MW and the facility in Paris, Texas has a capacity of 1,076 MW. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $1.313 billion, which included the repayment of approximately $950 million of existing project financing indebtedness, plus approximately $236 million for cash and net working capital subject to final settlement. The purchase price was funded by cash-on-hand and additional borrowings under our Predecessor’s $3.375 billion debtor-in-possession financing facility at the time (the TCEH DIP Facility), totaling $1.1 billion. After completing the acquisition, our Predecessor repaid approximately $230 million of borrowings under the TCEH DIP Facility, primarily utilizing cash acquired in the transaction. See Note 6 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for further discussion of the acquisition.

Conversion of TCEH DIP Roll Facilities to Vistra Operations Credit Facilities  — In August 2016, our Predecessor entered into certain $4.250 billion debtor-in-possession and exit financing facilities (the TCEH DIP Roll Facilities). Prior to the Effective Date, the TCEH DIP Roll Facilities provided for up to $4.250 billion in senior secured, super-priority financing consisting of a revolving credit facility of up to $750 million (the TCEH DIP Roll Revolving Credit Facility), a term loan letter of credit facility of up to $650 million (the TCEH DIP Roll Term Loan Letter of Credit Facility) and a term loan facility of up to $2.850 billion (the TCEH DIP Roll Term Loan Facility). Prior to the Effective Date, approximately $3.5 billion was outstanding under the TCEH DIP Roll Facilities, approximately $2.65 billion of which was used to repay all amounts outstanding under the TCEH DIP Facility, and the balance of which was used for general business purposes. Upon the Effective Date, the TCEH DIP Roll Facilities were converted into senior secured exit facilities (the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities) of Vistra Operations Company LLC (Vistra Operations) with maturity dates of August 2021 for the revolving credit facility and August 2023 for the term loan facilities. See “Description of Indebtedness.” The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities initially consisted of up to $4.250 billion in senior secured, first lien financing consisting of a revolving credit facility of up to $750 million (the Revolving Credit Facility), a term loan facility of up to $2.850 billion (the Initial Term Loan B Facility) and a term loan letter of credit facility of up to $650 million (the Term Loan C Facility).

 

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In December 2016, we incurred approximately $1 billion of incremental term loans with a maturity date of December 2023 and $110 million of incremental revolving credit commitments under the Vistra Operations Credit Facility. Proceeds from the incremental term loan facility were used to fund the 2016 Special Dividend in the aggregate amount of approximately $992 million that was approved by Vistra Energy’s board of directors and paid in December 2016. As of December 31, 2016, approximately $4.5 billion was outstanding under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.

In February 2017, certain pricing terms for the Vistra Operations Credit Facility were amended. Any amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest based on applicable LIBOR rates plus 2.75%. Amounts borrowed under the Initial Term Loan B Facility and the Term Loan C Facility will bear interest based on applicable LIBOR rates, subject to a 0.75% floor, plus 2.75%.

See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Debt Activity” and Note 13 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for details of the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, the DIP Roll Facilities and the DIP Facility.

Environmental Matters  — See “Business — Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters — Environmental Matters” for a discussion of greenhouse gas emissions, the CSAPR, regional haze, state implementation plan and other recent EPA actions as well as related litigation.

 

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Key Risks and Challenges

Following is a discussion of key risks and challenges facing management and the initiatives currently underway to manage such challenges. These matters involve risks that could have a material effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Natural Gas Price and Market Heat Rate Exposure  — The price of power in the ERCOT market is typically set by natural gas-fueled generation facilities, with wholesale electricity prices generally tracking increases or decreases in the price of natural gas. In recent years, natural gas supply has outpaced demand primarily as a result of development and expansion of hydraulic fracturing in natural gas extraction; the supply/demand imbalance has resulted in historically low natural gas prices, and such prices have historically been volatile. The table below shows the general decline in forward natural gas prices over the last several years (amounts are prices per MMBtu).

 

LOGO

 

(a) Settled prices represent the average of NYMEX Henry Hub monthly settled prices of financial contracts for the year ending on the date presented. Forward prices represent the three-year average of NYMEX Henry Hub monthly forward prices at the date presented. Three year forward prices are presented as we believe such period is generally deemed to be a liquid period.

 

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In contrast to our natural gas-fueled generation facilities, changes in natural gas prices have no significant effect on the cost of generating power at our nuclear-, lignite- and coal-fueled facilities, which represent the substantial majority of our generation capacity. Consequently, all other factors being equal, these nuclear-, lignite- and coal-fueled generation assets increase or decrease in value as natural gas prices and market heat rates rise or fall, respectively, because of the effect on our operating margins from changes in wholesale electricity prices in ERCOT. A persistent decline in the price of natural gas, and the corresponding decline in the price of power in the ERCOT market, would likely have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, predominantly related to the production of power generation volumes in excess of the volumes utilized to service our retail customer load requirements.

The wholesale market price of electricity divided by the market price of natural gas represents the market heat rate. Market heat rate can be affected by a number of factors, including generation availability, mix of assets and the efficiency of the marginal supplier (generally, natural gas-fueled generation facilities) in generating electricity. Our market heat rate exposure is impacted by changes in the availability of generation resources, such as additions and retirements of generation facilities, and the mix of generation assets in ERCOT. For example, increasing renewable (wind and solar) generation capacity generally depresses market heat rates. Our market heat rate exposure is also impacted by the potential economic backdown of our generation assets. Decreases in market heat rates generally decrease the value of our generation assets because lower market heat rates generally result in lower wholesale electricity prices, and vice versa. However, even though market heat rates have generally increased over the past several years, wholesale electricity prices have declined due to the greater effect of falling natural gas prices.

As a result of our exposure to the variability of natural gas prices and market heat rates in ERCOT, retail sales and hedging activities are critical to our operating results and maintaining consistent cash flow levels.

Our integrated power generation and retail electricity business provides us opportunities to hedge our generation position utilizing retail electricity markets sales channels. In addition, our approach to managing electricity price risk focuses on the following:

 

    employing disciplined and liquidity-efficient hedging and risk management strategies through physical and financial energy-related contracts intended to partially hedge gross margins;

 

    continuing focus on cost management to better withstand gross margin volatility;

 

    following a retail pricing strategy that appropriately reflects the value of our product offering to customers, the magnitude and costs of commodity price, liquidity risk and retail demand variability; and

 

    improving retail customer service to attract and retain high-value customers.

We have engaged in natural gas hedging activities to mitigate the risk of lower wholesale electricity prices that have corresponded to declines in natural gas prices. While current and forward natural gas prices are currently depressed, we continue to seek opportunities to manage our wholesale electricity price exposure through hedging activities, including forward wholesale and retail power sales.

We mitigate market heat rate risk through retail and wholesale electricity sales contracts and shorter-term heat rate hedging transactions. We evaluate opportunities to mitigate heat rate risk over extended periods through longer-term electricity sales contracts where practical, considering pricing, credit, liquidity and related factors.

On an ongoing basis, we will continue monitoring our overall commodity risks and seek to balance our portfolio based on our desired level of exposure to natural gas prices and market heat rates and potential changes to our operational forecasts of overall generation and consumption in our businesses (which are also subject to volatility resulting from customer churn, weather, economic and other factors). Portfolio balancing may include the execution of incremental transactions, including heat rate hedges, the unwinding of existing transactions and

 

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the substitution of natural gas hedges with commitments for the sale of electricity at fixed prices. As a result, commodity price exposures and their effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition could materially change from time to time.

Taking together forward wholesale, retail electricity sales and other retail customer considerations and all other hedging positions, at March 1, 2017, we had effectively hedged an estimated 92% and 52% of the natural gas price exposure related to our overall business for 2017 and 2018, respectively. Additionally, taking into consideration our overall heat rate exposure and related hedging positions at March 1, 2017, we had effectively hedged 85% and 35% of the heat rate exposure to our overall business for 2017 and 2018, respectively.

The following sensitivity table provides approximate estimates of the potential impact of movements in natural gas prices and market heat rates on realized pretax earnings (in millions) on the hedge positions noted in the paragraph above for the periods presented. The estimates related to price sensitivity are based on our expected generation and retail positions, related hedges and forward prices as of March 1, 2017.

 

     Balance 2017  (a)     2018  

$0.50/MMBtu increase in natural gas price (b)(c)

   $ ~40     $ ~190  

$0.50/MMBtu decrease in natural gas price (b)(c)

   $ ~(5   $ ~(160

1.0/MMBtu/MWh increase in market heat rate (d)

   $ ~40     $ ~190  

1.0/MMBtu/MWh decrease in market heat rate (d)

   $  ~(15   $  ~(150

 

(a) Balance of 2017 is from March 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
(b) Assumes conversion of generation positions based on market heat rates and an estimate of natural gas generally being on the margin 70% to 90% of the time in the ERCOT market.
(c) Based on Houston Ship Channel natural gas prices at March 1, 2017.
(d) Based on ERCOT North Hub around-the-clock heat rates at March 1, 2017.

Competitive Retail Markets and Customer Retention

Competitive retail activity in ERCOT has resulted in retail customer churn as customers switch electricity retail providers for various reasons. Based on number of meters, our total retail customer counts declined approximately 1% in 2016, less than 1% in 2015 and 1% in 2014. Based upon 2016 results discussed below in “—Results of Operations,” a 1% decline in residential customers would result in a decline in annual revenues of approximately $27 million. In responding to the competitive landscape in the ERCOT market, we have attempted to reduce overall customer losses by focusing on the following key initiatives:

 

    Maintaining competitive pricing initiatives on residential service plans;

 

    Actively competing for new customers in areas open to competition within ERCOT, while continuing to strive to enhance the experience of our existing customers; we are focused on continuing to implement initiatives that deliver world-class customer service and improve the overall customer experience;

 

    Establishing and leveraging our TXU Energy TM brand in the sale of electricity to residential and commercial customers, as the most innovative retailer in the ERCOT market by continuing to develop tailored product offerings to meet customer needs; and

 

    Focusing market initiatives largely on programs targeted at retaining the existing highest-value customers and recapturing customers who have switched REPs, including maintaining and continuously refining a disciplined contracting and pricing approach and economic segmentation of the business market to enhance targeted sales and marketing efforts and to more effectively deploy our direct-sales force; tactical programs we have initiated include improved customer service, aided by an enhanced customer management system, new product price/service offerings and a multichannel approach for the small business market.

 

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Exposures Related to Nuclear Asset Outages

Our nuclear assets are comprised of two generation units at the Comanche Peak facility, each with an installed nameplate generation capacity of 1,150 MW. As of December 31, 2016, these units represented approximately 14% of our total generation capacity. The nuclear generation units represent our lowest marginal cost source of electricity. Assuming both nuclear generation units experienced an outage at the same time, the unfavorable impact to pretax earnings is estimated (based upon forward electricity market prices for 2017 at December 31, 2016) to be approximately $1 million per day before consideration of any costs to repair the cause of such outages or receipt of any insurance proceeds. See “Business — Nuclear Insurance” for additional information.

The inherent complexities and related regulations associated with operating nuclear generation facilities result in environmental, regulatory and financial risks. The operation of nuclear generation facilities is subject to continuing review and regulation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), including potential regulation as a result of the NRC’s ongoing analysis and response to the effects of the natural disaster on nuclear generation facilities in Fukushima, Japan in 2010, covering, among other things, operations, maintenance, emergency planning, security, and environmental and safety protection. The NRC may implement changes in regulations that result in increased capital or operating costs and may require extended outages, modify, suspend or revoke operating licenses and impose fines for failure to comply with its existing regulations and the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act. In addition, an unplanned outage at another nuclear generation facility could result in the NRC taking action to shut down our Comanche Peak units as a precautionary measure.

We participate in industry groups and with regulators to keep current on the latest developments in nuclear safety, operation and maintenance and on emerging threats and mitigation techniques. These groups include, but are not limited to, the NRC, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) and the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). We also apply the knowledge gained through our continuing investment in technology, processes and services to improve our operations and to detect, mitigate and protect our nuclear generation assets. The Comanche Peak plant has not experienced an extended unplanned outage, and management continues to focus on safe, reliable and efficient operations at the facility.

Cyber Security and Infrastructure Protection Risk

A breach of cyber/data security measures that impairs our information technology infrastructure could disrupt normal business operations and affect our ability to control our generation assets, access retail customer information and limit communication with third parties. Any loss of confidential or proprietary data through a breach could materially affect our reputation, including our TXU Energy TM brand, expose the company to legal claims or impair our ability to execute our business strategies.

We participate in industry groups and engage with regulators to remain current on emerging threats and mitigating techniques. These groups include, but are not limited to, the United States Cyber Emergency Response Team, the National Electric Sector Cyber Security Organization, the NRC and NERC.

While the company has not experienced a cyber event causing any material operational, reputational or financial impact, we recognize the growing threat within the general market place and our industry, and are proactively making strategic investments in our perimeter and internal defenses, cyber security operations center and regulatory compliance activities. We also apply the knowledge gained through industry and government organizations to continuously improve our technology, processes and services to detect, mitigate and protect our cyber assets.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

We follow U.S. GAAP. Application of these accounting policies in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reporting of assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and revenues and expenses during the periods

 

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covered. The following is a summary of certain critical accounting policies that are impacted by judgments and uncertainties and under which different amounts might be reported using different assumptions or estimation methodologies.

Accounting in Reorganization and Fresh-Start Reporting

The consolidated financial statements of our Predecessor reflect the application of ASC 852. During the Chapter 11 Cases, the Debtors, including our Predecessor and its subsidiaries, operated their businesses as debtors-in-possession under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. ASC 852 applies to entities that have filed a petition for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. The guidance requires that transactions and events directly associated with the reorganization be distinguished from the ongoing operations of the business. In addition, the guidance provides for changes in the accounting and presentation of liabilities. Expenses and income directly associated with the Chapter 11 Cases are reported separately in the statements of consolidated income (loss) as reorganization items. Reorganization items also include adjustments to reflect the carrying value of liabilities subject to compromise (LSTC) at their estimated allowed claim amounts, as such adjustments are determined. See Notes 4 and 5 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements.

As of the Effective Date, Vistra Energy applied fresh-start reporting under the applicable provisions of ASC 852. Fresh-start reporting includes (1) distinguishing the consolidated financial statements of the entity that was previously in restructuring from the consolidated financial statements of the entity that emerges from restructuring, (2) assigning the reorganized value of the successor entity by measuring all assets and liabilities of the successor entity at fair value, and (3) selecting accounting policies for the successor entity. The effects from emerging from bankruptcy, including the extinguishment of liabilities, as well as the fresh-start reporting adjustments are reported in the Predecessor’s statement of consolidated income (loss). The consolidated financial statements of Vistra Energy for periods subsequent to the Effective Date are not comparable to the financial statements of our Predecessor for periods prior to the Effective Date, as those previous periods do not give effect to any adjustments to the carrying values of assets or amounts of liabilities, nor any differences in accounting policies that were a consequence of the Plan or the related application of fresh-start reporting. See Note 3 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements.

Derivative Instruments and Mark-to-Market Accounting

We enter into contracts for the purchase and sale of energy-related commodities, and also enter into other derivative instruments such as options, swaps, futures and forwards primarily to manage commodity price and interest rate risks. Under accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities, these instruments are subject to mark-to-market accounting, and the determination of market values for these instruments is based on numerous assumptions and estimation techniques.

Mark-to-market accounting recognizes changes in the fair value of derivative instruments in the financial statements as market prices change. Such changes in fair value are accounted for as unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses in net income with an offset to derivative assets and liabilities. The availability of quoted market prices in energy markets is dependent on the type of commodity ( e.g. , natural gas, electricity, etc.), time period specified and delivery point. In computing fair value for derivatives, each forward pricing curve is separated into liquid and illiquid periods. The liquid period varies by delivery point and commodity. Generally, the liquid period is supported by exchange markets, broker quotes and frequent trading activity. For illiquid periods, fair value is estimated based on forward price curves developed using modeling techniques that take into account available market information and other inputs that might not be readily observable in the market. We estimate fair value as described in Note 16 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements.

 

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Accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities allow for normal purchase or sale elections and hedge accounting designations, which generally eliminate or defer the requirement for mark-to-market recognition in net income and thus reduce the volatility of net income that can result from fluctuations in fair values. Normal purchases and sales are contracts that provide for physical delivery of quantities expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business and are not subject to mark-to-market accounting if the election as normal is made.

We report derivative assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets without taking into consideration netting arrangements that we have with counterparties. Margin deposits that contractually offset these assets and liabilities are reported separately in our consolidated balance sheets.

See Note 17 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for further discussion regarding derivative instruments.

Accounting for Income Taxes

EFH Corp. files a United States federal income tax return that includes the results of EFCH, EFIH, Oncor Holdings and, prior to the Effective Date, TCEH. EFH Corp. is the corporate parent of the EFH Corp. consolidated group, while each of EFIH, Oncor Holdings, EFCH and, prior to the Effective Date, TCEH were classified as a disregarded entity for United States federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to applicable United States Treasury regulations and published guidance of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), corporations that are members of a consolidated group have joint and several liability for the taxes of such group. Subsequent to the Effective Date, the T-Side Debtors (and the EFH Contributed Debtors) are no longer included in the EFH Corp. consolidated group and are included in a consolidated group of which Vistra Energy is the corporate parent.

Prior to the Effective Date, EFH Corp. and certain of its subsidiaries (including EFCH, EFIH, and TCEH, but not including Oncor Holdings and Oncor) were parties to a Federal and State Income Tax Allocation Agreement, which provided, among other things, that any corporate member or disregarded entity in the EFH Corp. group is required to make payments to EFH Corp. in an amount calculated to approximate the amount of tax liability such entity would have owed if it filed a separate corporate tax return. Pursuant to the Plan, the T-Side Debtors rejected this agreement on the Effective Date. See Notes 2 and 10 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for a discussion of the Tax Matters Agreement that was entered on the Effective Date between EFH Corp. and Vistra Energy. Additionally, since the date of the Amended and Restated Settlement Agreement among the Debtors, certain investment funds that own Texas Holdings (the Sponsor Group), and certain settling creditors of TCEH, approved by the Bankruptcy Court in December 2015 (the Settlement Agreement), no further cash payments among the Debtors were made in respect of federal income taxes. EFH Corp. has elected to continue to allocate federal income taxes among the entities that are parties to the Federal and State Income Tax Allocation Agreement. The Settlement Agreement did not alter the allocation and payment for state income taxes, which continued to be settled prior to the Effective Date.

Our income tax expense and related consolidated balance sheet amounts involve significant management estimates and judgments. Amounts of deferred income tax assets and liabilities, as well as current and noncurrent accruals, involve estimates and judgments of the timing and probability of recognition of income and deductions by taxing authorities. In assessing the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets, management considers estimates of the amount and character of future taxable income. Actual income taxes could vary from estimated amounts due to the future impacts of various items, including changes in income tax laws, our forecasted financial condition and results of operations in future periods, as well as final review of filed tax returns by taxing authorities. Income tax returns are regularly subject to examination by applicable tax authorities. In management’s judgment, the liability recorded pursuant to income tax accounting guidance related to uncertain tax positions reflects future taxes that may be owed as a result of any examination. See Notes 1 and 9 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for discussion of income tax matters.

 

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Accounting for Tax Receivable Agreement

On the Effective Date, we entered into a tax receivable agreement (the Tax Receivable Agreement) with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as the transfer agent. Pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, we issued beneficial interests in the rights to receive payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement (the TRA Rights) to the first lien creditors of our Predecessor to be held in escrow for the benefit of the first lien creditors of our Predecessor entitled to receive such TRA Rights under the Plan. As part of Emergence, Vistra Energy reflected the obligation associated with TRA Rights at fair value in the amount of $574 million related to these future payment obligations. This estimate of fair value is the discounted amount of estimated payments to be made each year under the Tax Receivable Agreement, based on certain assumptions, including but not limited to:

 

    the amount of tax basis step-up resulting from the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale (which is estimated to be approximately $5.5 billion) and the allocation of such tax basis step-up among the assets subject thereto;

 

    the depreciable lives of the assets subject to such tax basis step-up, which generally is expected to be 15 years for most of such assets;

 

    a federal corporate income tax rate in all future years of 35%;

 

    the Company generally expects to generate sufficient taxable income to be able to utilize the deductions arising out of (i) the tax basis step up attributable to the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale, (ii) the entire tax basis of the assets acquired as a result of the Lamar and Forney Acquisition, and (iii) tax benefits related to imputed interest deemed to be paid by us as a result of payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement in the tax year in which such deductions arise; and

 

    a discount rate of 15%, which represents our view of the rate that a market participant would use based on the risk associated with the uncertainty in the amount and timing of the cash flows. The aggregate amount of undiscounted payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement is estimated to be approximately $2.1 billion, with more than 90% of such amount expected to be attributable to the first 15 tax years following Emergence, and the final payment expected to be made approximately 40 years following Emergence (assuming the Tax Receivable Agreement is not terminated earlier pursuant to its terms).

We expect to recognize accretion expense over the life of the TRA Rights liability as the present value of the initially established liability is accreted up over the life of the liability. This noncash accretion expense is reported in the statements of consolidated income (loss) as Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement. Further, there may be significant changes, which may be material, to the estimate of the related liability due to various reasons including changes in corporate tax law, changes in estimates of future taxable income of Vistra Energy and its subsidiaries and other items. We expect that changes in those estimates will be recognized as adjustments to the related TRA Rights liability, with offsetting impacts recorded in the statements of consolidated income (loss) as Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement.

Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate long-lived assets (including intangible assets with finite lives) for impairment, in accordance with accounting standards related to impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. For our generation assets, possible indications include an expectation of continuing long-term declines in natural gas prices and/or market heat rates or an expectation that “more likely than not” a generation asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its estimated useful life. The determination of the existence of these and other indications of impairment involves judgments that are subjective in nature and may require the use of estimates in forecasting future results and cash flows related to an asset or group of assets. Further, the unique nature of our property, plant and equipment, which includes a fleet of generation assets with a diverse fuel mix and individual generation units that have varying production or output rates, requires the use of significant judgments in determining the

 

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existence of impairment indications and the grouping of assets for impairment testing. We generally utilize an income approach measurement to derive fair values for our long-lived generation assets. The income approach involves estimates of future performance that reflect assumptions regarding, among other things, forward natural gas and electricity prices, market heat rates, the effects of environmental rules, generation plant performance, forecasted capital expenditures and forecasted fuel prices. Any significant change to one or more of these factors can have a material impact on the fair value measurement of our long-lived assets. As a result of the decrease in forecasted wholesale electricity prices and changes to our Predecessor’s operating plans in 2015 and 2014, our Predecessor evaluated the recoverability of its generation assets and potential effects from environmental regulations. See Note 8 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for a discussion of the impairment charges related to certain of those assets. Additional material impairments related to these or other of our generation facilities may occur in the future if forward wholesale electricity prices in ERCOT continue to decline or if additional environmental regulations increase the cost of producing electricity at our generation facilities.

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, such as the intangible asset related to the TXU Energy brand, are required to be tested for impairment at least annually (as of the Effective Date, we have selected October 1 as our annual test date) or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may exist, such as the indicators used to evaluate impairments to long-lived assets discussed above or declines in values of comparable public companies in our industry. Accounting guidance requires goodwill to be allocated to our reporting units, and at December 31, 2016 all goodwill was allocated to our Retail Electricity segment. Goodwill impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level. Under this goodwill impairment analysis, if at the assessment date, a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value (enterprise value), the estimated enterprise value of the reporting unit is compared to the estimated fair values of the reporting unit’s assets (including identifiable intangible assets) and liabilities at the assessment date, and the resultant implied goodwill amount is then compared to the recorded goodwill amount. Any excess of the recorded goodwill amount over the implied goodwill amount is written off as an impairment charge.

The determination of enterprise value involves a number of assumptions and estimates. We use a combination of fair value measurements to estimate enterprise values of our reporting units, including: internal discounted cash flow analyses (income approach) and comparable publicly traded company values (market approach). The income approach involves estimates of future performance that reflect assumptions regarding, among other things, forward natural gas and electricity prices, market heat rates, the effects of environmental regulations, generation plant performance, forecasted capital expenditures and retail sales volume trends, as well as determination of a terminal value. Another key variable in the income approach is the discount rate, or weighted average cost of capital, applied to the forecasted cash flows. The determination of the discount rate takes into consideration the capital structure, credit ratings and current debt yields of comparable publicly traded companies as well as an estimate of return on equity that reflects historical market returns and current market volatility for the industry. The market approach involves using trading multiples of earnings (net income) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of those selected publicly traded companies to derive appropriate multiples to apply to the EBITDA of our reporting units. Critical judgments include the selection of publicly traded comparable companies and the weighting of the value metrics in developing the best estimate of enterprise value.

See Note 7 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for additional discussion of our Predecessor’s goodwill impairment charges.

 

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Results of Operations

Vistra Energy Consolidated Financial Results — Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016

 

     Successor  
     Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016  
     Wholesale
Generation
    Retail
Electricity
    Eliminations /
Corporate and
Other
    Vistra
Energy
Consolidated
 

Operating revenues

   $ 450     $ 912     $ (171   $ 1,191  

Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees

     (376     (515     171       (720

Operating costs

     (205     (3           (208

Depreciation and amortization

     (53     (153     (10     (216

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (71     (130     (7     (208
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (255     111       (17     (161

Other income

     3       3       4       10  

Interest expense and related charges

     1             (61     (60

Impacts of Tax Receivables Agreement

                 (22     (22
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (251     114       (96     (233

Income tax benefit (expense)

         70       70  
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

       $ (26   $ (163
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated operating loss totaled $161 million for the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016. Results were driven by:

 

    Our Wholesale Generation segment had an operating loss of approximately $255 million for the period which was primarily driven by unrealized mark-to-market losses totaling approximately $273 million for the period (including $113 million of unrealized losses on positions with the Retail Electricity segment). The unrealized losses were driven by increases in forward natural gas prices during the period. Please see the discussion of Wholesale Generation below for further details.

 

    Our Retail Electricity segment had operating income of $111 million for the period which was the result of favorable profit margins, including $113 million of unrealized gains in purchased power costs on positions with the Wholesale Generation segment. Please see the discussion of Retail Electricity below for further details.

 

    Net operating expense related to Eliminations and Corporate and Other activities totaled $17 million and primarily reflected $4 million in amortization of intangible assets and $7 million in post-Emergence restructuring fees.

Interest expense and related charges totaled $60 million and reflected $47 million of interest expense incurred on the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and $11 million of unrealized mark-to-market net losses on interest rate swaps. See Note 11 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements.

See Note 10 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for discussion of the impacts of the Tax Receivable Agreement Obligation.

Income tax expense totaled $70 million. The effective tax rate was 30.0%. See Note 9 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for reconciliation of this effective rate to the U.S. federal statutory rate.

Operating Income

We evaluate our segment performance using operating income as an earnings metric. We believe operating income is useful in evaluating our core business activities and is one of the metrics used by our chief operating decision maker and leadership to evaluate segment results. Operating income excludes interest income, interest expense and related charges, impacts of the Tax Receivable Agreement and income tax expense as these activities are managed at the corporate level.

 

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Operating Statistics Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016

 

     Successor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
 

Sales volumes:

  

Retail electricity sales volumes (GWh):

  

Residential

     4,485  

Business markets

     4,430  
  

 

 

 

Total retail electricity sales volumes

     8,915  

Wholesale electricity sales volumes (a)(b)

     13,806  

Production volumes (GWh):

  

Nuclear facilities

     5,373  

Lignite and coal facilities

     13,654  

Natural gas facilities

     3,138  

Capacity factors:

  

Nuclear facilities

     105.7

Lignite and coal facilities

     77.1

CCGT facilities

     47.0

Market pricing:

  

Average ERCOT North power price ($/MWh)

   $ 26.52  

 

(a) Upon settlement, physical derivative commodity contracts that we mark-to-market in net income, such as certain electricity sales and purchase agreements and coal purchase contracts, wholesale electricity revenues and fuel and purchased power costs are reported at approximated market prices, as required by accounting rules, rather than contract price.
(b) Includes net amounts related to sales and purchases of balancing energy in the ERCOT real-time market.

Wholesale Generation Segment Financial Results Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016

Wholesale electricity revenues totaled $450 million and reflected:

 

    $274 million in third-party wholesale electricity revenues, which included $456 million in electricity sales to third parties, partially offset by $182 million in unrealized losses from hedging activities reflecting an increase in forward natural gas prices and a reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains on settled positions, and

 

    $171 million in affiliated sales to the Retail Electricity segment, which included $284 million in sales for the period, partially offset by $113 million in unrealized losses on affiliate positions due to increases in forward commodity prices.

 

     Successor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
 

Wholesale electricity sales

   $ 456  

Unrealized net losses on hedging activities

     (182

Sales to affiliates

     284  

Unrealized net losses with affiliates

     (113

Other revenues

     5  
  

 

 

 

Total wholesale electricity revenues

   $ 450  
  

 

 

 

 

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Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees totaled $376 million and reflected $398 million in fuel and purchased power costs, ancillary and other costs, including $7 million of severance expense associated with the October 2016 workforce reduction. Results also included $22 million in unrealized gains from hedging activities reflecting gains on coal and diesel hedges due to increases in forward prices.

 

     Successor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
 

Fuel for nuclear facilities

   $ 31  

Fuel for lignite and coal facilities

     229  

Fuel for natural gas facilities and purchased power costs

     97  

Unrealized gains from hedging activities

     (22

Ancillary and other costs

     41  
  

 

 

 

Total fuel and purchased power costs

   $ 376  
  

 

 

 

Operating costs totaled $205 million and reflected operations and maintenance expenses for power generation facilities and salaries and benefits for facilities personnel. Costs included $10 million of severance expense associated with the October 2016 workforce reduction.

Depreciation and amortization expenses totaled $53 million and reflected $51 million of depreciation on power generation and mining property, plant and equipment and $2 million of amortization expense related to finite-lived identifiable intangible assets. Depreciation and amortization expense for the period reflects fresh-start reporting adjustments to fair value of property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets (see Note 3 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements).

Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $71 million and reflected $52 million of functional group service costs allocated from Corporate and Other activities, $8 million of severance expense associated with the October 2016 workforce reduction, $7 million of employee compensation and benefit costs and $4 million of legal and other professional services costs.

Retail Electricity Segment Financial Results Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016

Retail electricity revenues totaled $912 million and included $907 million related to 8,915 GWh in sales volumes. Sales volumes for the period were evenly split between residential and business market customers. Revenues for the period included $36 million in amortization expense of identifiable intangible assets related to retail contracts (see Note 7 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements).

Purchased power costs, delivery fees and other costs totaled $515 million and reflected the following:

 

     Successor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
 

Purchases from affiliates

   $ 284  

Unrealized net gains with affiliates

     (113

Delivery fees

     320  

Other costs

     24  
  

 

 

 

Purchased power costs and delivery fees

   $ 515  
  

 

 

 

 

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Depreciation and amortization expenses totaled $153 million and primarily reflected amortization expense related to the retail customer relationship intangible asset (see Note 7 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements).

Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $130 million and reflected $33 million of functional group service costs allocated from Corporate and Other activities, $28 million of employee compensation and benefit costs, $23 million of marketing-related expenses, $22 million of revenue based taxes and $18 million of legal and professional services costs, franchise taxes and bad debt. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Retail Electricity segment also included $5 million of severance expense associated with the October 2016 workforce reduction.

Predecessor — Net Income (Loss)

 

     Predecessor  
     Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
     Year Ended
December 31,
 
        2015      2014  

Operating revenues

   $ 3,973      $ 5,370      $ 5,978  

Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees

     (2,082      (2,692      (2,842

Net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities

     282        334        11  

Operating costs

     (664      (834      (914

Depreciation and amortization

     (459      (852      (1,270

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (482      (676      (708

Impairment of goodwill

            (2,200      (1,600

Impairment of long-lived assets

            (2,541      (4,670
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     568        (4,091      (6,015
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other income

     16        17        16  

Other deductions

     (75      (93      (281

Interest income

     3        1         

Interest expense and related charges

     (1,049      (1,289      (1,749

Reorganization items

     22,121        (101      (520
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     21,584        (5,556      (8,549

Income tax benefit (expense)

     1,267        879        2,320  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 22,851      $ (4,677    $ (6,229
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Predecessor Operating Statistics

 

     Predecessor     % Change  
     Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
    2015
versus
2014
 
       2015     2014    

Operating revenues:

        

Retail electricity revenues

     3,154       4,449       4,413       0.8

Wholesale electricity revenues and other operating revenues (a)(b)

     819       921       1,565       (41.2 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

   $ 3,973     $ 5,370     $ 5,978       (10.2 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees:

        

Fuel for nuclear facilities

   $ 92     $ 146     $ 147       (0.7 )% 

Fuel for lignite and coal facilities

     548       736       784       (6.1 )% 

Fuel for natural gas facilities and purchased power costs (a)

     310       252       316       (20.3 )% 

Other costs

     108       166       267       (37.8 )% 

Delivery fees

     1,024       1,392       1,328       4.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $ 2,082     $ 2,692     $ 2,842       (5.3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Sales volumes:

        

Retail electricity sales volumes (GWh):

        

Residential

     16,619       21,923       21,910       0.1

Business markets

     14,354       19,289       16,601       16.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total retail electricity

     30,973       41,212       38,511       7.0

Wholesale electricity sales volumes (b)

     25,563       23,533       32,965       (28.6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total sales volumes

     56,536       64,745       71,476       (9.4 )% 

Production volumes (GWh):

        

Nuclear facilities

     15,005       19,954       18,636       7.1

Lignite and coal facilities (c)

     31,865       41,817       48,878       (14.4 )% 

Natural gas facilities

     8,539       709       816       (13.1 )% 

Capacity factors:

        

Nuclear facilities

     99.2     99.0     92.5     7.0

Lignite and coal facilities (c)

     60.5     59.5     69.6     (14.5 )% 

CCGT facilities

     65.2            

Market pricing:

          

Average ERCOT North power price ($/MWh)

   $ 20.78     $ 23.78     $ 36.44       (34.7 )% 

 

(a) Upon settlement, physical derivative commodity contracts that we mark-to-market in net income, such as certain electricity sales and purchase agreements and coal purchase contracts, wholesale electricity revenues and fuel and purchased power costs are reported at approximated market prices, as required by accounting rules, rather than contract price. The offsetting differences between contract and market prices are reported in net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities.
(b) Includes net amounts related to sales and purchases of balancing energy in the ERCOT real-time market.
(c) Includes the estimated effects of economic backdown (including seasonal operations) of lignite/coal fueled units totaling 14,420 GWh, 19,900 GWh and 15,770 GWh for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

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Predecessor Financial Results Predecessor Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016

Income before income taxes totaled $21.584 billion and included a $24.252 billion gain on reorganization adjustments and a $2.013 billion loss for the net impacts from the adoption of fresh-start reporting (see Notes 3 and 4 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements). Results also reflected the effect of declining average electricity prices on operating revenues, $977 million in adequate protection interest expense paid/accrued on pre-petition debt and $116 million in reorganization items associated with the Chapter 11 Cases.

Operating revenues totaled $3.973 billion. Retail electricity revenues totaling $3.154 billion were negatively impacted by declining average prices and reduced electricity usage reflecting milder than normal weather in 2016. Wholesale revenues totaling $649 million were positively impacted by increases in generation volumes (approximately 8,048 GWh) driven by the Lamar and Forney Acquisition in April 2016 (see Note 6 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements), partially offset by lower average wholesale electricity prices.

Following is an analysis of amounts reported as net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities. Results are primarily related to natural gas and power hedging activity.

 

     Predecessor  
     Period From
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
 

Realized net gains

   $ 320  

Unrealized net gains (losses)

     (38
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 282  
  

 

 

 

The negative impacts of declining average prices on operating revenues were partially offset by realized net gains reflecting settled gains on derivatives due to declining market prices. These gains were primarily related to natural gas positions.

Net unrealized gains (losses) were primarily impacted by reversals of previously recorded unrealized net gains on settled positions.

Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees totaled $2.082 billion and reflected the impact of declining electricity prices on purchased power costs, partially offset by incremental natural gas fuel costs associated with the Lamar and Forney Acquisition (see Note 6 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements).

Operating costs totaled $664 million and primarily reflect maintenance expense for our generation assets, including nuclear maintenance costs due to a spring nuclear refueling outage and incremental operation and maintenance costs associated with the Lamar and Forney Acquisition.

Depreciation and amortization expenses totaled $459 million and reflected the effect of noncash impairments of certain long-lived assets recorded in 2015, partially offset by incremental depreciation expense associated with the Lamar and Forney Acquisition.

Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $482 million and reflected administrative and general salaries, employee benefits, marketing costs related to retail electricity activity and other administrative costs.

Results for the period also include $32 million of severance expense, primarily reported in fuel, purchased power and delivery fees and operating costs, associated with certain actions taken to reduce costs related to mining and lignite/coal generation operations.

 

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Interest expense and related charges totaled $1.049 billion and reflected $977 million in adequate protection payments approved by the Bankruptcy Court for the benefit of TCEH secured creditors and $76 million in interest expense on debtor-in-possession financing.

Income tax benefit totaled $1.267 billion. See Note 9 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for reconciliation of this effective rate to the U.S. federal statutory rate.

Predecessor Financial Results — Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014

Loss before income taxes decreased $2.993 billion in 2015 from 2014 to a loss of $5.556 billion. The decrease primarily reflected the larger noncash impairment charges of certain long-lived assets in 2014 and the decrease in interest expense, the decrease in depreciation and amortization expense and a decrease in reorganization items expense in 2015.

Operating revenues decreased $608 million in 2015 from 2014, as a result of a decrease in wholesale electricity revenues, partially offset by an increase in retail electricity revenues. Wholesale electricity revenues decreased $587 million in 2015 from 2014 reflecting a $362 million decrease in sales volumes and a $225 million decrease due to lower average wholesale electricity prices. The decrease in wholesale electricity sales volumes was driven by lower generation volumes from increased economic backdown (including seasonal operations) at our lignite and coal generation facilities, which was driven by a 35% decline in average wholesale electricity prices, driven by lower natural gas prices. Retail electricity revenues increased $36 million in 2015 from 2014 primarily reflecting a $310 million increase due to sales volumes driven by an increase in business sales volumes, partially offset by a $274 million decrease due to lower average prices primarily for business markets customers.

Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees decreased $150 million in 2015 from 2014. Fuel for lignite and coal facilities decreased $48 million in 2015 from 2014 due to a 14% decrease in generation volumes, partially offset by higher lignite mining costs and more western coal in the fuel blend. Fuel for natural gas facilities and purchased power costs decreased $64 million in 2015 from 2014 driven by a 28% decrease in purchased power volumes, lower natural gas prices and a 13% decrease in generation volumes from natural gas generation units. Other costs decreased $101 million in 2015 from 2014, reflecting a $49 million decrease in natural gas purchases for resale and $34 million decrease in amortization of favorable purchase contracts due to impairments recorded at the end of 2014. Delivery fees increased $64 million in 2015 from 2014, primarily reflecting higher retail volumes.

Following is an analysis of amounts reported as net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities. The results are primarily related to natural gas and power hedging activity.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2015      2014      Change  
     (in millions)  

Realized net gains

   $ 217      $ 387      $ (170

Unrealized net gains (losses)

     117        (376      493  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 334      $ 11      $ 323  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Realized net gains on hedging and trading positions decreased $170 million, or 43.9%, in 2015 from 2014, reflecting lower gains due to the 2014 termination of our favorable long-term natural gas hedging program, partially offset by other realized gains from declining market prices in 2015.

 

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The $493 million favorable change in unrealized net gains in 2015 from 2014 primarily reflected the 2014 reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains related to the favorable pricing of our long-term natural gas hedging program that terminated in 2014 along with favorable unrealized gains in 2015 due to the impact of declining natural gas prices on our hedging positions.

Operating costs decreased $80 million in 2015 from 2014, driven by $55 million in lower nuclear maintenance costs, reflecting a spring refueling in 2014 that was absent in 2015, as well as lower lignite and coal facilities operating costs reflecting lower generation.

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased $418 million in 2015 from 2014, primarily reflecting reduced depreciation expense resulting from the effect of noncash impairments of certain long-lived assets recorded at the end of 2014 and during 2015.

Interest expense and related charges decreased $460 million in 2015 from 2014. The decrease reflected:

 

    $874 million in lower interest expense on pre-petition debt due to the discontinuance of interest due to the Chapter 11 Cases, and

 

    $86 million in lower amortization of pre-petition debt issuances, amendment and extension costs and discounts due to reclassification of such amounts to liabilities subject to compromise in 2014,

partially offset by

 

    $405 million in higher expense related to adequate protection payments approved by the Bankruptcy Court for the benefit of TCEH secured creditors in the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the post-petition period ended December 31, 2014;

 

    $65 million in mark-to-market net gains on interest rate swaps in 2014, and

 

    $26 million in higher interest expense on debtor-in-possession financing in the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the post-petition period ended December 31, 2014.

Income tax benefit totaled $879 million and $2.320 billion on pretax losses in 2015 and 2014, respectively. The effective tax rate was 15.8% and 27.1% in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Income tax benefit in 2015 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% largely due to nondeductible goodwill impairment charges of $2.2 billion and a valuation allowance of $210 million. Income tax benefit in 2014 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to nondeductible goodwill impairment charges of $1.6 billion and IRS audit and appeals settlements of $53 million. See Note 9 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements.

See Note 7 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for details of noncash impairments of goodwill. See Note 22 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for details of other income and deductions. See Note 8 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for details of noncash impairments of certain long lived assets. See Note 4 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for details of reorganization items.

 

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Energy-Related Commodity Contracts and Mark-to-Market Activities

The table below summarizes the changes in commodity contract assets and liabilities for the periods presented. The net change in these assets and liabilities, excluding “other activity” as described below, reflects $166 million in unrealized net losses, $38 million in unrealized net losses, $117 million in unrealized net gains and $368 million in unrealized net losses for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, arising from mark-to-market accounting for positions in the commodity contract portfolio.

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
    Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
    Year Ended December 31,  
           2015             2014      

Commodity contract net asset at beginning of period

   $ 181     $ 271     $ 180     $ 525  

Settlements/termination of positions (a)

     (95     (232     (263     (385

Changes in fair value of positions in the portfolio (b)

     (71     194       380       17  

Other activity (c)

     49       (35     (26     23  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commodity contract net asset at end of period

   $ 64     $ 198     $ 271     $ 180  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Represents reversals of previously recognized unrealized gains and losses upon settlement/termination (offsets realized gains and losses recognized in the settlement period). Includes reversal of $90 million in previously recorded unrealized gains related to Vista Energy beginning balances. Excludes changes in fair value in the month the position settled as well as amounts related to positions entered into and settled in the same month.
(b) Represents unrealized net gains (losses) recognized, reflecting the effect of changes in fair value. Excludes changes in fair value in the month the position settled as well as amounts related to positions entered into and settled in the same month.
(c) These amounts do not represent unrealized gains or losses. Includes initial values of positions involving the receipt or payment of cash or other consideration, generally related to options purchased/sold. The Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 includes fair value of acquired commodity contracts as of the date of the Lamar and Forney Acquisition.

Maturity Table   — The following presents the commodity contract net asset arising from recognition of fair values at December 31, 2016, scheduled by the source of fair value and contractual settlement dates of the underlying positions.

 

     Successor  
     Maturity dates of unrealized commodity
contract net asset at December, 2016
 

Source of fair value

   Less than
1 year
    1-3
years
     4-5
years
    Excess of
5 years
     Total  

Prices actively quoted

   $ (134   $ 1      $ (2   $  —      $ (135

Prices provided by other external sources

     108       8                     116  

Prices based on models

     48       35                     83  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 22     $ 44      $ (2   $      $ 64  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating Cash Flows

Successor Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 — Cash provided by operating activities totaled $81 million and was primarily driven by cash earnings from our business of approximately $251 million after taking into consideration depreciation and amortization and unrealized mark-to-market losses on derivatives, offset by a net use of cash of approximately $170 million in working capital primarily driven by cash utilized in margin postings related to derivative contracts.

Predecessor Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 — Cash used in operating activities totaled $238 million and was primarily driven by cash used by for margin deposit postings and other working capital utilization.

Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. Cash provided by operating activities totaled $237 million in 2015 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $444 million in 2014. The decrease of $207 million was driven by higher cash used to pay for reorganization costs and higher cash interest payments.

Financing Cash Flows

Successor Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 — Cash provided by financing activities totaled $6 million and related to the net impacts of the Incremental Term Loan B borrowings and the 2016 Special Dividend paid to shareholders.

Predecessor Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 — Cash provided by financing activities totaled $1.059 billion and primarily reflected $2.040 billion in net borrowings under the DIP Roll Facilities and the DIP Facility, including $870 million in net borrowings to fund the Lamar and Forney Acquisition (see Note 6 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements), and $69 million from the issuance of preferred stock, partially offset by $915 million in payments to extinguish claims under the Plan and $112 million in fees related to the issuance of the DIP Roll Facilities.

Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014. Cash used in financing activities totaled $30 million in 2015 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $1.111 billion in 2014. Activity in 2015 reflected the repayments of certain debt principal and fees. Activity in 2014 reflected $1.425 billion in borrowings from the TCEH DIP Facility, partially offset by $223 million in principal payments for pollution control revenue bonds and $92 million in fees associated with establishment of the TCEH DIP Facility.

See Note 13 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for further details of the TCEH DIP Facility and pre-Petition debt.

Investing Cash Flows

Successor Period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 — Cash used in investing activities totaled $45 million and was primarily driven by capital expenditures of $48 million and purchases of nuclear fuel of $41 million, partially offset by a reduction in restricted cash balances of $48 million.

Capital expenditures, including nuclear fuel, in the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 totaled $89 million and consisted of:

 

    $18 million primarily for our generation operations;

 

    $22 million for environmental expenditures related to generation units;

 

    $41 million for nuclear fuel purchases; and

 

    $8 million for information technology and other corporate investments.

 

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Predecessor Period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 — Cash used in investing activities totaled $1.420 billion. Cash used reflected payments of $1.343 billion related to the Lamar and Forney Acquisition net of cash acquired (see Note 6 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements) and capital expenditures (including nuclear fuel purchases) totaling $263 million, partially offset by a $233 million decrease in restricted cash used to backstop letters of credit.

Capital expenditures, including nuclear fuel, in the period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 totaled $263 million and consisted of:

 

    $171 million primarily for our generation operations;

 

    $40 million for environmental expenditures related to generation units;

 

    $33 million for nuclear fuel purchases; and

 

    $19 million for information technology and other corporate investments.

Predecessor Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014 . Cash used in investing activities totaled $650 million and $458 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Cash used in 2015 reflected capital expenditures (including nuclear fuel purchases) totaling $460 million and a $123 million increase in restricted cash largely for supporting letters of credit issued under the TCEH DIP Facility. Cash used in 2014 reflected capital expenditures (including nuclear fuel purchases) totaling $413 million and a $350 million increase in restricted cash supporting letters of credit issued under the TCEH DIP Facility, partially offset by $392 million in restricted cash released from an escrow account when certain letters of credit were drawn.

Capital expenditures, including nuclear fuel, in 2015 totaled $460 million and consisted of:

 

    $230 million, primarily for our generation operations;

 

    $82 million for environmental expenditures related to generation units;

 

    $123 million for nuclear fuel purchases, and

 

    $25 million for information technology and other corporate investments.

Debt Activity

In August 2016, our Predecessor entered into a $4.25 billion senior secured super-priority TCEH DIP Roll Facility consisting of (1) the TCEH DIP Roll Revolving Credit Facility with borrowing capacity of $750 million, none of which was outstanding as of the Effective Date, (2) the TCEH DIP Roll Term Loan Letter of Credit Facility with borrowing capacity of $650 million, which was fully funded as of the Effective Date and (3) the TCEH DIP Roll Term Loan Facility with a borrowing capacity of $2.85 billion, which was fully funded as of the Effective Date. The maturity date of the TCEH DIP Roll Facilities was the earlier of (a) October 31, 2017 or (b) the Effective Date. Net proceeds from the TCEH DIP Roll Facilities totaled $3.465 billion and were used to repay $2.65 billion outstanding under the TCEH DIP Facility, fund a $650 million collateral account used to backstop the issuances of letters of credit and pay $107 million of issuance costs. The remaining balance was used for general business purposes.

On the Effective Date, the TCEH DIP Roll Facilities were converted into the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities of Vistra Operations Company LLC. As of the Effective Date, the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities consisted of (i) a senior secured first lien revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $750 million, with a 5-year maturity, including both a letter of credit sub-facility and a swingline loan facility, which we refer to as the Initial Revolving Credit Facility, (ii) a senior secured term loan B facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2.85 billion, with a 7-year maturity, which we refer to as the Initial Term Loan B Facility, and (iii) a senior secured term loan C facility in an aggregate principal amount of $650 million, with a 7-year

 

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maturity, which we refer to as the Term Loan C Facility. On December 14, 2016, Vistra Operations obtained (i) $1 billion aggregate principal amount of incremental term loans, which we refer to as the 2016 Incremental Term Loans, and together with the Initial Term Loan B Facility, the Term Loan B Facility, and (ii) $110 million of incremental revolving credit commitments, which we refer to as the 2016 Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments, and together with the Initial Revolving Credit Facility, the Revolving Credit Facility. In addition, Vistra Operations increased the aggregate amount of letters of credit available under the Revolving Credit Facility from $500 million to $600 million. We refer to the Term Loan B Facility and the Term Loan C Facility as the Term Loan Facilities and to the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facilities as the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.

As of December 31, 2016, $0, $3.85 billion and $650 million of loans were outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Loan B Facility and the Term Loan C Facility, respectively. Additionally, the size of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Loan B Facility and the Term Loan C Facility can each be increased, subject to a limit set forth in the credit agreement, pursuant to an uncommitted incremental facility.

In February 2017, Vistra Operations entered into an amendment to the credit agreement to reduce the interest rates on the Initial Term Loan B Facility, Term Loan C Facility and Revolving Credit Facility. As of February 6, 2017 borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either a LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.75% or a base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.75%, and borrowings under the Initial Term Loan B Facility and the Term Loan C Facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either a LIBOR (subject to a LIBOR floor of .75%) plus an applicable margin of 2.75% or a base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.75%. The 2016 Incremental Term Loans bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either a LIBOR (subject to a LIBOR floor of .75%) plus an applicable margin of 3.25% or a base rate plus an applicable margin of 2.25%.

In December 2016, Vistra Operations executed $3 billion aggregate notional amount of pay fixed, receive floating interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of its LIBOR interest rate exposure on its outstanding term loans.

We are required to make scheduled quarterly payments on the Term Loan B Facility in annual amounts equal to 1.0% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan B Facility for six years and three quarters, with the balance paid at maturity.

In addition, we are required to prepay outstanding loans under the Term Loan Facilities, subject to certain exceptions, with:

 

    100% of the net cash proceeds of any issuance or incurrence of debt, other than proceeds from debt permitted under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities; and

 

    100% of the net cash proceeds of all non-ordinary course asset sales, other dispositions of property or certain casualty events, in each case subject to certain exceptions and provided that we may reinvest those proceeds in assets to be used in its business or in certain other permitted investments.

We may make voluntary prepayments of outstanding loans under the Term Loan B Facilities and the Revolving Credit Facility and voluntary reductions of the unutilized portion of the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility without penalty, subject to customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans.

Term loans under the Term Loan B Facility and the Term Loan C Facility are prepayable at any time without premium or penalty; provided that there will be a 1.00% prepayment premium in connection with any repricing of such term loans that reduces the interest rate prior to (i) August 6, 2017, with respect to any term loans under the Initial Term Loan B Facility or Term Loan C Facility or (ii) June 14, 2017, with respect to any 2016 Incremental Term Loans.

 

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The Revolving Credit Facility requires that we, subject to a testing threshold, comply on a quarterly basis with a maximum consolidated first lien net leverage ratio (calculated under the credit agreement as total first lien debt divided by Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement)) of 4.25 to 1.00. The testing threshold will be satisfied at any time at which the sum of outstanding revolving credit facility loans and revolving letters of credit (excluding up to $100 million of undrawn revolving letters of credit and cash collateralized or backstopped letters of credit) exceeds 30% of the outstanding commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility at such time.

The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities contain restrictive covenants that limit Vistra Operations’ ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, (i) incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares, (ii) make certain investments, loans, and advances (including acquisitions), (iii) consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its assets, (iv) pay dividends or make distributions or other restricted payments, (v) create liens on certain assets, (vi) sell assets, (vii) enter into certain transactions with affiliates, (viii) enter into sale-leaseback transactions, (ix) restrict dividends from our subsidiaries or restrict liens and (x) modify the terms of certain debt agreements. Each of these covenants is subject to customary or agreed-upon exceptions, baskets and thresholds.

The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities also contain certain other customary affirmative covenants, including requirements to provide financial and other information to agents, to not change our lines of business and events of default, including events of default resulting from non-payment of any principal, interest or fees, material breaches of representations and warranties, failure to comply with the consolidated first lien net leverage rates covenant with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, defaults under other agreements and instruments and the entry of a final judgment exceeding $300 million against Vistra Operations and its restricted subsidiaries, each subject to customary or agreed-upon exceptions, baskets and thresholds (including equity cure provisions).

We believe that we are in compliance with all of our restrictive and affirmative covenants.

Available Liquidity

The following table summarizes changes in available liquidity for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     December 31,
2016
    October 2,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 

Cash and cash equivalents (a)

   $ 843     $ 1,829     $ 1,400  

Vistra Operations Credit Facilities — Revolving Credit Facility

     860              

Vistra Operations Credit Facilities — Term Loan C Facility (b)

     131              

DIP Roll Revolving Credit Facility

           750        

DIP Revolving Credit Facility

                 1,950  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liquidity

   $ 1,834     $ 2,579     $ 3,350  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2016, October 3, 2016 and December 31, 2015 exclude $650 million, $650 million and $1.026 billion, respectively, of restricted cash held for letter of credit support (see Note 22 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements).
(b) The Term Loan C Facility is used for issuing letters of credit for general corporate purposes. Borrowings totaling $650 million under this facility were funded to collateral accounts that are reported as restricted cash in the consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2016, the restricted cash supported $519 million in letters of credit outstanding, leaving $131 million in available letter of credit capacity (see Note 13 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements).

Available liquidity totaled $1.834 billion at December 31, 2016 and reflects cash on hand, the undrawn balance of the Revolving Credit Facility, along with $110 million of incremental revolving credit commitments under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities entered into during December 2016.

 

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The decrease in available liquidity of $771 million in the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 3, 2016 was primarily driven by $2.040 billion in net borrowings under the TCEH DIP Roll Facilities and the TCEH DIP Facility, including $870 million in net borrowings to fund the Lamar and Forney Acquisition, $1.064 billion in cash interest payments (including adequate protection payments), $263 million in capital expenditures (including nuclear fuel purchases) and $104 million of cash used to pay for reorganization expenses.

Based upon our current internal financial forecasts, we believe that we will have sufficient amounts available under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, plus cash generated from operations, to fund our anticipated cash requirements through at least the next 12 months.

Capital Expenditures

Estimated capital expenditures and nuclear fuel purchases for 2017 are expected to total approximately $307 million and include:

 

    $192 million for investments in generation and mining facilities, including approximately:

 

    $161 million primarily for our generation operations and

 

    $31 million for environmental expenditures;

 

    $65 million for nuclear fuel purchases; and

 

    $50 million for information technology and other corporate investments.

Pension and OPEB Plan Funding

See Note 18 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements.

Liquidity Effects of Commodity Hedging and Trading Activities

We have entered into commodity hedging and trading transactions that require us to post collateral if the forward price of the underlying commodity moves such that the hedging or trading instrument we hold has declined in value. We use cash, letters of credit and other forms of credit support to satisfy such collateral posting obligations. See “— Debt Activity” above for discussion of the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.

Exchange cleared transactions typically require initial margin ( i.e. , the upfront cash and/or letter of credit posted to take into account the size and maturity of the positions and credit quality) in addition to variation margin ( i.e. , the daily cash margin posted to take into account changes in the value of the underlying commodity). The amount of initial margin required is generally defined by exchange rules. Clearing agents, however, typically have the right to request additional initial margin based on various factors, including market depth, volatility and credit quality, which may be in the form of cash, letters of credit, a guaranty or other forms as negotiated with the clearing agent. Cash collateral received from counterparties is either used for working capital and other business purposes, including reducing borrowings under credit facilities, or is required to be deposited in a separate account and restricted from being used for working capital and other corporate purposes. With respect to over-the-counter transactions, counterparties generally have the right to substitute letters of credit for such cash collateral. In such event, the cash collateral previously posted would be returned to such counterparties, which would reduce liquidity in the event the cash was not restricted.

At December 31, 2016, we received or posted cash and letters of credit for commodity hedging and trading activities as follows:

 

    $213 million in cash has been posted with counterparties as compared to $6 million posted at December 31, 2015;

 

    $41 million in cash has been received from counterparties as compared to $152 million received at December 31, 2015;

 

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    $363 million in letters of credit have been posted with counterparties as compared to $230 million posted at December 31, 2015; and

 

    $10 million in letters of credit have been received from counterparties as compared to $3 million received at December 31, 2015.

Income Tax Matters

See “— Application of Critical Accounting Policies — Accounting for Income Taxes” above.

EFH Corp files a U.S. federal income tax return that, prior to the Effective Date, included the results of our Predecessor, which was classified as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subsequent to the Effective Date, the TCEH Debtors and the EFH Shared Services Debtors are no longer included in the EFH Corp. consolidated group and will be included in a consolidated group of which Vistra Energy is the corporate parent. Prior to the Effective Date, EFH Corp. and certain of its subsidiaries (including EFCH and TCEH) were parties to a Federal and State Income Tax Allocation Agreement, which provided, among other things, that any corporate member or disregarded entity in the EFH Corp. group was required to make payments to EFH Corp. in an amount calculated to approximate the amount of tax liability such entity would have owed if it filed a separate corporate tax return. Pursuant to the Plan, the TCEH Debtors and the EFH Shared Services Debtors rejected this agreement on the Effective Date. Additionally, since the date of the Settlement Agreement, no further cash payments among the Debtors were made in respect of federal income taxes. EFH Corp. has elected to continue to allocate federal income taxes among the entities that are parties to the Federal and State Income Tax Allocation Agreement. The Settlement Agreement did not alter the allocation and payment for state income taxes, which continued to be settled prior to the Effective Date. See Notes 2 and 9 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for further discussion of Income Tax Matters.

The TCEH Debtors and the EFH Shared Services Debtors emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases on the Effective Date in a tax-free spin-off from EFH Corp that was part of a series of transactions that included a taxable component, which generated a taxable gain for EFH Corp. that will be offset with available net operating losses (NOLs) of EFH Corp., substantially reducing the NOLs available to EFH Corp. in the future. As a result of the use of the NOLs, the taxable portion of the transaction resulted in no regular tax liability due and approximately $14 million of alternative minimum tax, payable to the IRS by EFH Corp. Vistra Energy has an obligation to reimburse EFH Corp. 50% of the alternative minimum tax, approximately $7 million, generated from this transaction pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement.

We believe that neither Vistra Energy nor any corporate subsidiary of Vistra Energy is a U.S. real property holding corporation (USRPHC) or has been a USRPHC during the applicable period specified. We do not anticipate that either Vistra Energy or any corporate subsidiary of Vistra Energy will become a USRPHC in the foreseeable future. Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC only if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. There can be no assurance regarding the USRPHC status of Vistra Energy or the corporate subsidiaries of Vistra Energy for the current year or future years, however, because USRPHC status is based on the composition of our assets at the time and on certain rules whose application is uncertain.

Income Tax Payments — In the next twelve months, income tax payments related to Texas margin tax are expected to total approximately $19 million, and $7 million in payment of federal income taxes is expected. We received an income tax refund totaling $2 million in the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, and made income tax payments totaling $22 million, $29 million and $31 million in the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

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Capitalization

At December 31, 2016, our capitalization ratios consisted of 41% debt comprised of borrowings under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and other long-term debt (less amounts due currently) and 59% stockholders’ equity.

Financial Covenants

The agreement governing the Vistra Operation Credit Facilities includes a covenant, solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility and solely during a compliance period (which, in general, is applicable when the aggregate revolving borrowings and issued revolving letters of credit (in excess of $100 million) exceed 30% of the revolving commitments), that requires the consolidated first lien net leverage ratio (calculated under the credit agreement as total first lien debt divided by Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement)) not exceed 4.25 to 1.00. Although we had no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2016, we would have been in compliance with this financial covenant if it was required to be tested at such date.

See “Description of Indebtedness” and Note 13 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for discussion of other covenants related to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.

Collateral Support Obligations

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RCT) has rules in place to assure that parties can meet their mining reclamation obligations. In September 2016, the RCT agreed to a collateral bond of up to $975 million to support Luminant’s reclamation obligations. The collateral bond is effectively a first lien on all of Vistra Operations’ assets (which ranks pari passu with the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities) that contractually enables the RCT to be paid (up to $975 million) before the other first lien lenders in the event of a liquidation of our assets. Collateral support relates to land mined or being mined and not yet reclaimed as well as land for which permits have been obtained but mining activities have not yet begun and land already reclaimed but not released from regulatory obligations by the RCT, and includes cost contingency amounts.

The PUCT has rules in place to assure adequate creditworthiness of each REP, including the ability to return customer deposits, if necessary. Under these rules, at December 31, 2016, Vistra Energy has posted letters of credit in the amount of $55 million with the PUCT, which is subject to adjustments.

ERCOT has rules in place to assure adequate creditworthiness of parties that participate in the day-ahead, real-time and congestion revenue rights markets operated by ERCOT. Under these rules, Vistra Energy has posted collateral support, in the form of letters of credit, totaling $110 million at December 31, 2016 (which is subject to daily adjustments based on settlement activity with ERCOT).

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Material Cross Default/Acceleration Provisions

Certain of our contractual arrangements contain provisions that could result in an event of default if there were a failure under financing arrangements to meet payment terms or to observe covenants that could or does result in an acceleration of payments due. Such provisions are referred to as “cross default” or “cross acceleration” provisions.

 

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A default by Vistra Operations or any of its restricted subsidiaries in respect of certain specified indebtedness in an aggregate amount in excess of $300 million may result in a cross default under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities. Such a default would allow the lenders to accelerate the maturity of outstanding balances ($4.5 billion at December 31, 2016) under such facilities.

Each of Vistra Operations’ commodity hedging agreements and interest rate swap agreements that are secured with a lien on its assets on a pari passu basis with the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities lenders contains a cross default provision. An event of a default by Vistra Energy or any of its subsidiaries relating to indebtedness in excess of $300 million that results in the acceleration of such debt, would give each counterparty under these hedging agreements the right to terminate its hedge or interest rate swap agreement with Vistra Energy and require all outstanding obligations under such agreement to be settled.

Additionally, we enter into energy-related physical and financial contracts, the master forms of which contain provisions whereby an event of default or acceleration of settlement would occur if we were to default under an obligation in respect of borrowings in excess of thresholds, which may vary by contract.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table summarizes the amounts and related maturities of our contractual cash obligations at December 31, 2016 (see Notes 13 and 14 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for additional disclosures regarding these debts and noncancellable purchase obligations).

 

Contractual Cash Obligations:    Less Than
One Year
     One to
Three Years
     Three to
Five Years
     More Than
Five Years
     Total  

Debt — principal, including capital leases (a)

   $ 46      $ 88      $ 89      $ 4,380      $ 4,603  

Debt — interest

     223        442        433        374        1,472  

Operating leases

     25        31        21        153        230  

Obligations under commodity purchase and services agreements (b)

     637        341        248        733        1,959  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual cash obligations

   $ 931      $ 902      $ 791      $ 5,640      $ 8,264  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes $4.5 billion of borrowings under the Vistra Operations Credit Facility and $103 million principal amount of long-term debt, including mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and capital leases. Excludes unamortized premiums, discounts and debt costs.
(b) Includes a long-term service and maintenance contract related to our generation assets, capacity payments, nuclear fuel and natural gas take-or-pay contracts, coal contracts, business services and nuclear related outsourcing and other purchase commitments. Amounts presented for variable priced contracts reflect the year-end 2016 price for all periods except where contractual price adjustment or index-based prices are specified.

The following are not included in the table above:

 

    the Tax Receivable Agreement obligation (see Note 10 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements);

 

    arrangements between affiliated entities and intercompany debt (see Note 20 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements);

 

    individual contracts that have an annual cash requirement of less than $1 million (however, multiple contracts with one counterparty that are more than $1 million on an aggregated basis have been included);

 

    contracts that are cancellable without payment of a substantial cancellation penalty; and

 

    employment contracts with management.

Guarantees   — See Note 14 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for discussion of guarantees.

 

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Commitments and Contingencies

See Note 14 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for discussion of commitments and contingencies and legal proceedings.

Changes in Accounting Standards

See “—Basis of Presentation and Fresh-Start Reporting” and Note 1 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for discussion of changes in accounting standards.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market risk is the risk that in the normal course of business we may experience a loss in value as a result of changes in market conditions that affect economic factors such as commodity prices, interest rates and counterparty credit. Our exposure to market risk is affected by a number of factors, including the size, duration and composition of our energy and financial portfolio, as well as the volatility and liquidity of markets. Instruments used to manage this exposure include interest rate swaps to hedge debt costs, as well as exchange-traded, over-the-counter contracts and other contractual arrangements to hedge commodity prices.

Risk Oversight

We manage the commodity price, counterparty credit and commodity-related operational risk related to the competitive energy business within limitations established by senior management and in accordance with overall risk management policies. Interest rate risk is managed centrally by our treasury function. Market risks are monitored by risk management groups that operate independently of the wholesale commercial operations, utilizing defined practices and analytical methodologies. These techniques measure the risk of change in value of the portfolio of contracts and the hypothetical effect on this value from changes in market conditions and include, but are not limited to, position reporting and review, Value at Risk (VaR) methodologies and stress test scenarios. Key risk control activities include, but are not limited to, transaction review and approval (including credit review), operational and market risk measurement, transaction authority oversight, validation of transaction capture, market price validation and reporting, and portfolio valuation and reporting, including mark-to-market valuation, VaR and other risk measurement metrics.

Vistra Energy has a risk management organization that enforces applicable risk limits, including respective policies and procedures to ensure compliance with such limits, and evaluates the risks inherent in our businesses.

Commodity Price Risk

Our business is subject to the inherent risks of market fluctuations in the price of electricity, natural gas and other energy-related products we market or purchase. We actively manage the portfolio of generation assets, fuel supply and retail sales load to mitigate the near-term impacts of these risks on results of operations. Similar to other participants in the market, we cannot fully manage the long-term value impact of structural declines or increases in natural gas and power prices.

In managing energy price risk, we enter into a variety of market transactions, including, but not limited to, short- and long-term contracts for physical delivery, exchange-traded and over-the-counter financial contracts and bilateral contracts with customers. Activities include hedging, the structuring of long-term contractual arrangements and proprietary trading. We continuously monitor the valuation of identified risks and adjust positions based on current market conditions. We strive to use consistent assumptions regarding forward market price curves in evaluating and recording the effects of commodity price risk.

VaR Methodology   — A VaR methodology is used to measure the amount of market risk that exists within the portfolio under a variety of market conditions. The resultant VaR produces an estimate of a portfolio’s potential for loss given a specified confidence level and considers, among other things, market movements utilizing standard statistical techniques given historical and projected market prices and volatilities.

 

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A Monte Carlo simulation methodology is used to calculate VaR and is considered by management to be the most effective way to estimate changes in a portfolio’s value based on assumed market conditions for liquid markets. The use of this method requires a number of key assumptions, such as use of: (i) an assumed confidence level; (ii) an assumed holding period ( i.e. , the time necessary for management action, such as to liquidate positions); and (iii) historical estimates of volatility and correlation data. The tables below detail certain VaR measures related to various portfolios of contracts.

VaR for Energy-Related Contracts Subject to Mark-to-Market (MtM) Accounting   — This measurement estimates the potential loss in fair value, due to changes in market conditions, of all contracts marked-to-market in net income, based on a 95% confidence level and an assumed holding period of 60 days.

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     December 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 

Month-end average MtM VaR:

   $ 65     $ 68  

Month-end high MtM VaR:

   $ 119     $ 97  

Month-end low MtM VaR:

   $ 30     $ 49  

The increase in the month-end high MtM VaR risk measure reflected increased price volatility.

Interest Rate Risk

The following table provides information concerning our and our Predecessor’s financial instruments at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Debt amounts of the Successor consist of the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities. Debt amounts of the Predecessor consist of debtor-in-possession financing and pre-petition obligations that were fully secured and other obligations that were allowed to be paid as ordered by the Bankruptcy Court. Other pre-petition obligations ( i.e. , obligations incurred or accrued prior to the Bankruptcy Filing) were administered by the Bankruptcy Court and are excluded from the Predecessor debt amounts presented below due to the uncertainty related to when those obligations would mature. See Note 13 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for further discussion of these financial instruments.

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Expected Maturity Date     2016
Total
Carrying

Amount
    2016
Total
Fair

Value
    2015
Total
Carrying

Amount
    2015
Total
Fair

Value
 
     (millions of dollars, except percentages)          
     2017     2018     2019     2020     2021     There-
after
         

Long-term debt, including current maturities (a):

                      

Variable rate debt amount

   $ 39     $ 39     $ 39     $ 39     $ 39     $ 4,305     $ 4,500     $ 4,552     $ 1,425     $ 1,411  

Average interest rate (b)

     4.75     4.75     4.75     4.75     4.75     4.78     4.78         3.75  

Debt swapped to fixed (c):

                      

Notional amount

   $     $     $     $     $     $ 3,000     $ 3,000          

Average pay rate

     5.82     5.82     5.82     5.82     5.82     5.82     5.82        

Average receive rate

     4.52     4.52     4.52     4.52     4.52     4.52     4.52        

 

(a) Capital leases, mandatorily redeemable preferred stock and the effects of unamortized premiums and discounts are excluded from the table.
(b) The weighted average interest rate presented is based on the rates in effect at December 31, 2016.
(c) Successor period includes interest rate swaps that become effective in January 2017 and have maturity dates through July 2023.

 

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Credit Risk

Credit risk relates to the risk of loss associated with nonperformance by counterparties. We maintain credit risk policies with regard to our counterparties to minimize overall credit risk. These policies prescribe practices for evaluating a potential counterparty’s financial condition, credit rating and other quantitative and qualitative credit criteria and authorize specific risk mitigation tools, including, but not limited to, use of standardized master agreements that allow for netting of positive and negative exposures associated with a single counterparty. We have processes for monitoring and managing credit exposure of our businesses, including methodologies to analyze counterparties’ financial strength, measurement of current and potential future exposures and contract language that provides rights for netting and setoff. Credit enhancements such as parental guarantees, letters of credit, surety bonds, margin deposits and customer deposits are also utilized. Additionally, individual counterparties and credit portfolios are managed to assess overall credit exposure.

Credit Exposure   — Our gross exposure to credit risk associated with trade accounts receivable (retail and wholesale) and net asset positions (before collateral) arising from commodity contracts and hedging and trading activities totaled $798 million at December 31, 2016. The components of this exposure are discussed in more detail below.

Assets subject to credit risk at December 31, 2016 include $439 million in retail trade accounts receivable before taking into account cash deposits held as collateral for these receivables totaling $48 million. We believe the risk of material loss (after consideration of bad debt allowances) from nonperformance by these customers is unlikely based upon historical experience. Allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable are established for the potential loss from nonpayment by these customers based on historical experience, market or operational conditions and changes in the financial condition of large business customers.

The remaining credit exposure arises from wholesale trade receivables and amounts associated with derivative instruments related to hedging and trading activities. Counterparties to these transactions include energy companies, financial institutions, electric utilities, independent power producers, oil and gas producers, local distribution companies and energy marketing companies. At December 31, 2016, the exposure to credit risk from these counterparties totaled $359 million consisting of accounts receivable of $153 million and net asset positions related to commodity contracts of $206 million, after taking into account the netting provisions of the master agreements described above but before taking into account $50 million in collateral (cash, letters of credit and other credit support). The net exposure (after collateral) of $309 million increased $95 million in the year ended December 31, 2016.

Of this $309 million net exposure, 95% is with investment grade customers and counterparties, as determined by our internal credit evaluation process, which is based on publicly available information such as major rating agencies’ published ratings as well as internal credit methodologies and credit scoring models. We routinely monitor and manage credit exposure to these customers and counterparties based on, but not limited to, our assigned credit rating, margining and collateral management.

 

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The following table presents the distribution of credit exposure at December 31, 2016. This credit exposure largely represents wholesale trade accounts receivable and net asset positions related to commodity contracts and hedging and trading activities recognized as derivative assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, after taking into consideration netting provisions within each contract, setoff provisions in the event of default and any master netting contracts with counterparties. Credit collateral includes cash and letters of credit, but excludes other credit enhancements such as liens on assets. See Note 17 to the 2016 Annual Financial Statements for further discussion of portions of this exposure related to activities marked-to-market in the financial statements.

 

     Exposure
Before Credit
Collateral
    Credit
Collateral
     Net
Exposure
 

Investment grade

   $ 331     $ 38      $ 293  

Below investment grade or no rating

     28       12        16  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Totals

   $ 359     $ 50      $ 309  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investment grade

     92.2        94.8

Below investment grade or no rating

     7.8        5.2

In addition to the exposures in the table above, contracts classified as “normal” purchase or sale and non-derivative contractual commitments are not marked-to-market in the financial statements. Such contractual commitments may contain pricing that is favorable considering current market conditions and therefore represent economic risk if the counterparties do not perform. Nonperformance could have a material impact on future results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

Significant (10% or greater) concentration of credit exposure exists with three counterparties, which represented 26%, 18% and 15% of the $309 million net exposure. We view exposure to these counterparties to be within an acceptable level of risk tolerance due to the counterparties’ credit ratings, each of which is rated as investment grade, the counterparties’ market role and deemed creditworthiness and the importance of our business relationship with the counterparties. An event of default by one or more counterparties could subsequently result in termination-related settlement payments that reduce available liquidity if amounts such as margin deposits are owed to the counterparties or delays in receipts of expected settlements owed to us. While the potential concentration of risk with these counterparties is viewed to be within an acceptable risk tolerance, the exposure to hedge counterparties is managed through the various ongoing risk management measures described above.

 

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Business

Our Company

Vistra Energy is a leading energy company operating an integrated power business in Texas, which includes TXU Energy and Luminant. Through TXU Energy and Luminant, our integrated business engages in retail sales of electricity and related services to end users, wholesale electricity sales and purchases, power generation, commodity risk management, fuel production and fuel logistics management. We are committed to providing superior customer service, maintaining operational excellence, applying an integrated approach to managing risk, applying a disciplined approach to managing costs, continuing our track record of superior corporate responsibility and citizenship and effectively managing through varying business cycles in the competitive power markets. Our goal is to deliver long-term value to our stockholders by maintaining a strong balance sheet and strong liquidity profile in order to provide us with the flexibility to pursue a range of capital deployment strategies, including investing in our current business, funding attractive organic and acquisition-driven growth opportunities and returning capital to our stockholders.

We operate as an integrated company that provides complete electricity solutions to our customers and to the broader ERCOT market. Our company is comprised of:

 

    our brand name retail electricity provider business, TXU Energy™, which is the largest retailer of electricity in Texas with approximately 1.7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers as of December 31, 2016, and maintains the highest residential customer retention rate of any Texas retail provider in its respective core market;

 

    our electricity generation business, Luminant, which is the largest generator of electricity in ERCOT, operating approximately 17,000 MW of fuel-diverse installed capacity in ERCOT as of December 31, 2016;

 

    our wholesale commodity risk management operation, which dispatches our generation fleet in response to market conditions, markets the electricity generated by our facilities to our customers (including TXU Energy) and the broader ERCOT market, procures fuel from third parties for use at our electric generating facilities and performs the risk management services for Luminant and TXU Energy that enables the delivery of cost-effective electricity to the wholesale market and retail end-users;

 

    our mining, fuel handling and logistics operations, which supply fuel to our diverse fleet of electric generating facilities and manage our real property holdings throughout the enterprise; and

 

    our efficient, low-cost support organizations, which provide the necessary services to meet our compliance obligations, support our integrated electricity solutions and assist in conducting our business in an environmentally responsible and regulatory-compliant manner.

All of our operations teams (mining and fuel handling; wholesale commodity risk management, asset optimization and generation fleet dispatch; power generation; retail electricity marketing, sales and services; and strategic sourcing, supply chain and procurement) are integrated. The integrated nature of these operations allows us, where appropriate, to manage these operations with close alignment, which we believe provides us better market insight and a reduction of the impact of commodity price volatility as compared to our non-integrated competitors. The balance between our retail and wholesale operations creates a uniquely integrated company that is the largest power generator and retail provider of electricity in Texas. We sell retail electricity and value-added services, primarily through TXU Energy, to approximately 1.7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in Texas as of December 31, 2016. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results of Operations — Operating Statistics” for more detail. Additionally, we sell electricity and related products generated by our fleet of electric generating units, which had an aggregate of approximately 17,000 MW of generating capacity as of December 31, 2016. We also procure wholesale electricity and related commodities to fuel our generation facilities and supply our retail business. We also manage a well-established mining operation that has over 40 years of experience in supplying fuel to our

 

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fleet in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. Our generation portfolio is diverse and flexible in terms of fuel types and dispatch characteristics, which enables us to respond to changing market conditions and regulatory developments. The charts below show our market-leading position among power generators and electricity retailers in Texas. We believe the combination of these charts illustrates the unique opportunity that is created from our integrated business model.

 

LOGO

  LOGO

Date: 2015

Source: SNL, a subscription service of S&P Global Market Intelligence

 

Date: 2015

Source: EIA

Note: Rankings do not combine a company that may own multiple brands.

 

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Our Integrated Business Model

We believe the key factor that distinguishes us from others in our industry is the integrated nature of our business ( i.e. , pairing Luminant’s reliable and efficient mining, generating and wholesale commodity risk management capabilities with TXU Energy’s retail platform) which, in our view, represents a unique company structure in the competitive ERCOT market and other competitive electricity markets across the country. We believe our integrated business model creates a unique opportunity because, relative to our non-integrated competitors, it reduces our exposure to commodity price movements and provides an opportunity for greater earnings stability. Consequently, our integrated business model will be at the core of our business strategy.

The chart below depicts the integrated nature of our business and summarizes the key advantages of our integrated business model.

 

LOGO

 

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To further illustrate the benefits of our integrated business model, the chart below highlights the competitive advantages we believe our integrated business model offers as compared to our non-integrated competitors ( i.e. , pure-play IPPs and non-integrated REPs).

 

                     
       

 

IPP Model –

Competitive Pressures

     

Retail Model –

Competitive Pressures

         

Vistra Energy –

Integrated Advantage

    
                 

Commodity

Exposure Related

 

LOGO         

 

  Low price environment puts pressure on “long” commodity IPP model

  Lack of depth of wholesale market makes meaningful long term hedging challenging

   

  Lowprice environment encourages competitive entry

  Lackof market depth to hedge supply requirements presents risk management issue

     

  Mitigatescash flow volatility from exposure to commodity prices

  Retailchannel provides an internal offset to generation (and vice versa)

  Lowerhedging transaction and collateral costs

 

   
                                 
                 

Impact of Technology

 

LOGO

 

  Technology advancement in, and subsidization of, wind, solar, and storage

  Low load growth environment; trends toward distributed generation and efficiency

   

  Trend towards energy efficiency and “green” products

     

  Opportunity to use customer channels to expand integrated model to new technology

  Creates new ways to engage customers and promotes long term relationships

 

   
                                 
                 

New

Entrants

 

LOGO

 

  Continued new build at questionable economics leads to high reserve margins & volatility in capacity prices

   

  Very aggressive / unsustainable pricing from new entrants / competitors

     

  Retail and wholesale diversification provides earnings stability and capital efficiencies relative to pure-play new entrants

 

   
                                 
                 

Regulatory/ Political

  LOGO  

  Regulatoryand political focus on emissions

  Considerableoversight with numerous restrictions on market behavior

  Onerousrules regarding asset retirement

   

  ERCOT is only fully competitive retail market in North America (price-to-beat expired in 2007)

  Non ERCOT retail market faces structural challenges

-    Default provider sets effective ceiling price

-    Utilities retain most customers and the customer interface, limiting opportunities to differentiate

     

  As largest retail provider in ERCOT, the only fully deregulated retail market, TXU Energy lowers risk profile of overall portfolio compared to competitors in other markets

   
                     

While we do not believe there are any material risks specifically related to our integrated business model, see “Risk Factors” for a description of the material risks our business faces.

Our Operations

Our primary operations consist of electricity solutions, including retail sales of electricity and related products to end users, power generation (including operations and maintenance and outage and project management) and sales of electric generating unit output in the wholesale marketplace, asset optimization and commodity risk management performed on an integrated basis for our retail and wholesale positions, and fuel logistics and management. These operations work together on an integrated basis, which allows us to realize efficiencies and alignment in all aspects of the electricity generation and sales operation.

We operate solely in the growing ERCOT electricity market, which we view as one of the most attractive power markets in the United States. As described in more detail below, ERCOT is an ISO that manages the flow of electricity to approximately 24 million Texas customers, representing approximately 90% of the state’s load, and spanning approximately 75% of its geography, as of December 31, 2016.

 

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Retail

Texas has one of the fastest growing populations of any state in the United States and has a diverse economy, which has resulted in a significant and growing competitive retail electricity market. We are an active participant in the competitive ERCOT market and continue to be a market leader, which we believe is driven by, among other things, having one of the lowest customer complaint rates, according to the PUCT, having an integrated power generation operation that allows us to efficiently obtain the electricity needed to serve our customers at the lowest cost, and leveraging the experience of our wholesale commodity risk management operations to optimize our cost to procure electricity and other products on behalf of our customers. We provided electricity to approximately 24% and 18% of the residential and commercial customers in ERCOT, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. We believe we have differentiated ourselves by providing a distinctive customer experience predicated on delivering reliable and innovative power products and solutions to our customers, such as Free Nights and Free Weekends residential plans, MyEnergy Dashboard SM , TXU Energy’s iThermostat product and mobile solutions, the TXU Energy Rewards program, the TXU Energy Green UP SM renewable energy credit program and a diverse set of solar options, which give our customers choice, convenience and control over how and when they use electricity and related services. We competitively market our retail electricity and related services to acquire, serve and retain both retail and wholesale customers. Our wholesale customers represent a cross section of industrial users, other competitive retail electric providers, municipalities, cooperatives and other end-users of electricity. We believe we are able to better serve our retail customers through our unique affiliation with our wholesale commodity risk management personnel who are able to structure products and contracts in a way that offers significant value compared to stand-alone retail electric providers. Additionally, our generation business protects our retail business from power price volatility, by allowing it to bypass bid-ask spread in the market (particularly for illiquid products and time periods), which results in significantly lower collateral costs for our retail business as compared to other, non-integrated retail electric providers. Moreover, our retail business reduces, to some extent, the exposure of our wholesale generation business to wholesale power price volatility. This is because the retail load requirements of our retail operations (primarily TXU Energy) provide a natural offset to the length of Luminant’s generation portfolio thereby reducing the exposure to wholesale power price volatility as compared to a non-integrated pure-play IPP.

Generation

Our power generation fleet is diverse and flexible in terms of dispatch characteristics as our fleet includes baseload, intermediate/load-following and peaking generation. Our wholesale commodity risk management business is responsible for dispatching our generation fleet in response to market needs after implementing portfolio optimization strategies, thus linking and integrating the generation fleet production with our retail customer and wholesale sales opportunities. Market demand, also known as load, faced by an electric power system such as ERCOT varies from moment to moment as a result of changes in business and residential demand, much of which is driven by weather. Unlike most other commodities, the production and consumption of electricity must remain balanced on an instantaneous basis. There is a certain baseline demand for electricity across an electric power system that occurs throughout the day, which is typically satisfied by baseload generating units with low variable operating costs. Baseload generating units can also increase output to satisfy certain incremental demand and reduce output when demand is unusually low. Intermediate/load-following generating units, which can more efficiently change their output to satisfy increases in demand, typically satisfy a large proportion of changes in intraday load as they respond to daily increases in demand or unexpected changes in supply created by reduced generation from renewable resources or other generator outages. Peak daily loads are typically satisfied by peaking units. Peaking units are typically the most expensive to operate, but they can quickly start up and shut down to meet brief peaks in demand. In general, baseload units, intermediate/load-following units and peaking units are dispatched into the ERCOT grid in order from lowest to highest variable cost. Price formation in ERCOT, as with other competitive power markets in the United States, is typically based on the highest variable cost unit that clears the market to satisfy system demand at a given point in time.

 

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Our Fleet

Luminant’s generation fleet consists of 50 power generation units, all of which are wholly-owned and operate within the ERCOT electricity market, with the location, fuel types, dispatch characteristics and total installed nameplate generation capacity for each generation facility shown in the table below:

 

Name

 

Location (all in the
state of Texas)

 

Fuel Type

 

Dispatch Type

  Installed
Nameplate
Capacity

Generation
    Number
of Units

Comanche Peak

  Somervell County   Nuclear   Baseload     2,300     2

Oak Grove

  Robertson County   Lignite   Baseload     1,600     2

Sandow

  Milam County   Lignite   Baseload     1,137     2

Big Brown

  Freestone County   Lignite/Coal   Intermediate/Load Following     1,150     2

Martin Lake

  Rusk County   Lignite/Coal   Intermediate/Load Following     2,250     3

Monticello

  Titus County   Lignite/Coal   Intermediate/Load Following     1,880     3

Forney

  Kaufman County   Natural Gas (CCGT)   Intermediate/Load Following     1,912     8

Lamar

  Lamar County   Natural Gas (CCGT)   Intermediate/Load Following     1,076     6

Morgan Creek

  Mitchell County   Natural Gas (CT)   Peaking     390     6

Permian Basin

  Ward County   Natural Gas (CT)   Peaking     325     5

DeCordova

  Hood County   Natural Gas (CT)   Peaking     260     4

Lake Hubbard

  Dallas County   Natural Gas (Steam)   Peaking     921     2

Stryker Creek

  Cherokee County   Natural Gas (Steam)   Peaking     685     2

Graham

  Young County   Natural Gas (Steam)   Peaking     630     2

Trinidad

  Henderson County   Natural Gas (Steam)   Peaking     244     1
       

 

 

   

 

Total

          16,760     50
       

 

 

   

 

Our wholesale commodity risk management business also procures renewable energy credits from wind generation to support our electricity sales to wholesale and retail customers to satisfy the increasing demand for renewable resources from such customers. As of December 31, 2016, we had long-term PPAs to annually procure 390 MW of renewable energy. These renewable generation sources deliver electricity when conditions make them available, and, when on-line, they generally compete with baseload units. Because they cannot be relied upon to meet demand continuously due to their dependence on weather and time of day, these generation sources are categorized as non-dispatchable and create the need for intermediate/load-following resources to respond to changes in their output.

Our generation resources, which represented approximately 17% of the generation capacity in ERCOT as of December 31, 2016, allow us to annually generate, procure and sell approximately 75-85 TWh of electricity to wholesale and retail customers from nuclear, natural gas, lignite, coal and renewable generation resources. The chart below shows the diversification of our generation fleet in terms of fuel types and dispatch characteristics as of December 31, 2016.

 

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Generation

2016; % MWs

 

 

LOGO

The map below shows our significant footprint in Texas and further demonstrates the integrated nature of our business.

 

 

LOGO

 

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Fuel Supply

Nuclear

We operate two nuclear generation units at the Comanche Peak plant site, each of which is designed for a capacity of 1,150 MW. Comanche Peak Unit 1 and Unit 2 went into commercial operation in 1990 and 1993, respectively, and are generally operated at full capacity. Refueling (nuclear fuel assembly replacement) outages for each unit are scheduled to occur every eighteen months during the spring or fall off-peak demand periods. Every three years, the refueling cycle results in the refueling of both units during the same year, the latest of which occurred in 2014. We also expect to refuel both units during 2017. While one unit is undergoing a refueling outage, the remaining unit is intended to operate at full capacity. During a refueling outage, other maintenance, modification and testing activities are completed that cannot be accomplished when the unit is in operation. Over the last three years the refueling outage period per unit has ranged from 29 to 54 days. The Comanche Peak facility operated at a capacity factor of 105.7%, 99.0% and 92.5% in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

We have contracts in place for all our nuclear fuel requirements for 2017. We have contracts in place for the majority of our nuclear fuel requirements through 2018. As part of the Chapter 11 Cases, we terminated or renegotiated certain nuclear fuel contracts to provide for better economic or operational terms and conditions. We do not anticipate any significant difficulties in acquiring uranium and contracting for associated conversion, enrichment and fabrication services in the foreseeable future.

The nuclear industry has developed ways to store used nuclear fuel on site at nuclear generation facilities, primarily through the use of dry cask storage, since there are no facilities for reprocessing or disposal of used nuclear fuel currently in operation in the United States. Luminant stores its used nuclear fuel on-site in storage pools or dry cask storage facilities and believes its on-site used nuclear fuel storage capability is sufficient for the foreseeable future.

Lignite/Coal

Our lignite/coal-fueled generation fleet capacity totals 8,017 MW. Maintenance outages at these units are scheduled during the spring or fall off-peak demand periods. Over the last three years, the total annual scheduled and unscheduled outages per unit averaged approximately 33 days in duration. Our lignite/coal-fueled generation fleet operated at a capacity factor of 77.1%, 59.5% and 69.6% in 2016, 2015 and 2014 respectively. This performance reflects increased economic backdown of the units and the seasonal suspension of certain units due to the persistent low wholesale power price environment in ERCOT.

We satisfy all of our fuel requirements at the Oak Grove and Sandow generation facilities with lignite that we mine. We meet our fuel requirements for the Big Brown and Martin Lake generation units by blending lignite we mine with coal purchased from multiple suppliers under contracts of various lengths and transported from the Powder River Basin to our generation plants by railcar. All fuel requirements for our Monticello generation units are met with coal supplied from the Powder River Basin. In 2016, approximately 39% of the fuel used at the Big Brown, Monticello and Martin Lake generation facilities and 65% of the fuel used at all of our lignite/coal-fueled generation facilities was supplied from surface minable lignite reserves dedicated to our generation plants, which are located adjacent to the reserves.

As a result of projected mining development costs, current economic forecasts and regulatory uncertainty, in 2014, Luminant decided to transition the fuel plans at its Big Brown and Monticello generation facilities to be fully fueled with coal from the Powder River Basin. As a result, it plans to discontinue lignite mining operations at these sites once mining and reclamation of current mine sites is complete. The majority of reclamation activities at these facilities is expected to be completed by the end of 2020 unless economic forecasts and increased regulatory certainty justify additional mine development.

 

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Natural Gas

Our natural gas-fueled generation fleet capacity totals 6,443 MW. In April 2016, we acquired La Frontera Holdings, LLC the indirect owner of two combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) natural gas fueled generation facilities located in ERCOT. The facility in Forney, Texas (8 units) has a capacity of 1,912 MW and the facility in Paris, Texas (6 units) has a capacity of 1,076 MW. The acquisition diversified our fuel mix and increased the dispatch flexibility in our fleet.

We also operate combustion turbine (CT) facilities at Morgan Creek (6 units), Permian Basin (5 units), DeCordova (4 units), plant sites and steam facilities at Lake Hubbard (2 units), Stryker Creek (2 units), Graham (2 units) and Trinidad (1 unit) plant sites. The CT and steam plants are peaking units which provide us the ability to meet increased demand from our retail customers during high market price intervals with available generation capacity and provide other wholesale opportunities.

We satisfy our fuel requirements at these facilities through a combination of spot market and near-term purchase contracts. Additionally, we have near-term natural gas transportation agreements in place for all of our sites to ensure reliable fuel supply.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe we are well-positioned to execute our business strategy of delivering long-term value to our stakeholders based on, among others, the following competitive strengths:

Uniquely situated integrated energy company.

We believe the key factor that distinguishes us from others in our industry is the integrated nature of our business ( i.e. , pairing Luminant’s reliable and efficient mining, generating and wholesale commodity risk management capabilities with TXU Energy’s retail platform). We believe this is a unique company structure in the competitive ERCOT market and other competitive electricity markets across the country. It is our view that our integrated business model provides us a competitive advantage and results in more stable earnings under all market environments relative to our non-integrated competitors. In general, non-integrated electricity retailers are subject to wholesale power price and resulting cash flow volatility when demand increases or supply tightens, which can potentially result in significant losses if an electricity retailer is not appropriately hedged. However, because our integrated business model enables us to manage through various price environments, we believe our retail operations (primarily TXU Energy) are not as exposed to wholesale power price volatility as non-integrated retail power companies. Moreover, given the retail load requirements of our retail operations (primarily TXU Energy), the length of Luminant’s generation portfolio is not as exposed to wholesale power price volatility as compared to a non-integrated pure-play IPP. Additionally, our mining operations provide an alternative to other coal procurement sources and give us more flexibility in reaching the most cost-effective arrangements for our coal-fueled facilities. We believe these advantages make our business less subject to volatility risk than pure-play IPPs and non-integrated retail electric providers. Furthermore, we believe our integrated business model allows us to reduce sourcing and transaction costs and minimize credit and collateral requirements.

Highly valued retail brand and customer-focused operations.

Our retail business has been operating in the competitive retail electricity market in Texas under the TXU Energy TM brand since 2002. We believe this has created strong brand recognition throughout ERCOT, enabling us to effectively acquire, serve and retain a broad spectrum of retail electricity customers. Our TXU Energy™ brand is viewed by customers as a symbol of a trustworthy, customer-centric, innovative and dependable electricity service. By leveraging our retail marketing capabilities, commitment to product innovation and deep knowledge of the ERCOT market and its customer base, we believe that we can maintain and grow our position as the largest retailer of electricity in the highly competitive ERCOT retail market. We have an operating model that has delivered attractive margins and strong customer satisfaction that has been consistently ranked by the PUCT as having among the lowest customer complaint rates in the ERCOT market. We drive positive results in our retail electricity

 

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business by functioning as a technology driven, multi-channel marketer with advanced analytics and product development capabilities. We have leveraged these capabilities and the TXU Energy™ brand to deliver a wide range of innovative power products and services to our customers, including Free Nights and Weekends residential plans, MyEnergy Dashboard SM , TXU Energy’s iThermostat product and mobile solutions, the TXU Energy Rewards program, the TXU Energy Green Up SM renewable energy credit program and a diverse set of solar options, which give our customers choice, convenience and control over how and when they use electricity and related services. We believe our strong customer service, innovative products and trusted brand recognition have resulted in us maintaining the highest residential customer retention rate of any Texas retail electric provider in its respective core market.

Diversified generation sources and critical energy infrastructure.

We maintain operational flexibility to provide reliable and responsive power under a variety of market conditions by utilizing generation sources that are diverse and flexible in terms of fuel types (nuclear, lignite, coal, natural gas and renewables) and dispatch characteristics (baseload, intermediate/load-following, peaking and non-dispatchable). These generation sources feature the following characteristics:

 

    Except for periods of scheduled maintenance activities, our nuclear-fueled units are generally available to run at capacity.

 

    Except for periods of scheduled maintenance activities, our lignite- and coal-fueled units are available to run at capacity or seasonally, depending on market conditions ( i.e. , during periods when wholesale electricity prices are greater than the unit’s variable production costs). Certain of these units run only during the summer peak period and at times go into seasonal layup during the months with lower seasonal demand.

 

    Our CCGT units generally run during the intermediate/load-following periods of the daily supply curve.

 

    Our natural gas-fueled generation peaking units supplement the aggregate nuclear-, lignite- and coal-fueled and CCGT generation capacity in meeting demand during peak load periods because production from certain of these units, particularly combustion-turbine units, can be more quickly adjusted up or down as demand warrants. With this quick-start capability, we are able to increase generation during periods of supply or demand volatility in ERCOT and capture scarcity pricing in the wholesale electricity market. These natural gas-fueled generation peaking units also help us mitigate unit-contingent outage risk by allowing us to meet demand even if one or more of our nuclear, lignite, coal or CCGT units is taken offline for maintenance.

 

    The CCGT and natural gas-fueled generation peaking units also play a pivotal and increasing role in the ERCOT market by supplementing intermittent renewable generation through their versatile operations. We expect this versatility to increase in value over time as the ERCOT market continues to expand into renewable resources.

 

    Our long-term PPAs with various renewable energy providers deliver electricity when natural conditions make renewable resources available. These resources position us to meet the market’s increasing demand for sustainable, low-carbon power solutions.

In addition, the commodity risk management and asset optimization strategies executed by our commercial operation supplement the electricity generated by our fleet with electricity procured in market transactions to ensure that we are supplying our customers with the most cost-effective electricity options.

Competitive scale and highly effective, low-cost support operations.

As an integrated energy company with approximately 17,000 MW of generation capacity and approximately 1.7 million retail electricity customers, each as of December 31, 2016, we operate with significant scale. This scale enables us to conduct our business with certain operational synergies that are not available to smaller power generation or retail electricity businesses. The benefits of our significant scale include improved leverage of our

 

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low fixed costs, opportunities to share expertise across the portfolio of assets, enhanced procurement opportunities, development of, and the ability to offer, a wide array of products and services to our customers, diversity of cash flows and a breadth of positive relationships with regulatory and governmental authorities. We believe these advantages, combined with a strong balance sheet and strong liquidity profile, enable us to operate with more financial flexibility than our competitors, and will enable us to prudently grow our existing business and pursue attractive growth opportunities in the future.

Positioned to capture upside in the attractive ERCOT market.

We believe that the location of our business, solely in ERCOT, offers attractive upside opportunities. ERCOT is the only fully deregulated electricity market in the United States in that both the wholesale and retail markets are truly competitive. In addition to having a robust wholesale market, the ERCOT residential retail market does not have regulated providers or a standard offer service, which is unique among competitive retail markets in the United States. We believe our integrated business model uniquely positions us to benefit from this attractive, robust marketplace. The ERCOT market represents approximately 90% of the load in Texas, a state that is the seventh-largest power market in the world, according to the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA), and had a population growth rate of 8.8% between July 2010 and July 2015, more than double the United States population growth rate of 3.9% during the same period, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. ERCOT has shown historically above-average load growth compared to other power markets in the United States, according to the EIA, and ERCOT can be viewed as a “power island” due to its limited import and export capacity, which we believe creates a favorable power supply and demand dynamic. Total ERCOT power demand has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 1.4% from 2005 through 2014, compared to a range of -0.6% to 0.8% in other United States markets, according to ERCOT and the EIA, respectively.

We consider ERCOT to be one of the most well-developed power markets in the United States, providing a stable regulatory environment and significant price transparency, market liquidity and support to competitive generators and retail electric providers like us. The energy-only wholesale market structure in ERCOT offers a variety of potential revenue streams in addition to energy revenues such as ancillary services and the ORDC, which ERCOT implemented on June 1, 2014. A unique feature of the ERCOT energy market is the system-wide offer cap of $9,000/MWh, which is substantially higher than other markets with capacity markets. While the ERCOT market is currently oversupplied, we expect reserve margins to be forecasted to continue to compress over time due to growing demand, potential generation retirements and limited announced new-build projects, particularly of non-intermittent projects, further tightening the supply and demand balance and creating conditions that may generate increased price volatility and higher wholesale electricity prices. We believe that our existing asset base and integrated business model (including our integrated approach to risk management) will enable us to take advantage of these opportunities in a disciplined manner. See “— The ERCOT Market” below for more information about ERCOT and the ORDC.

In addition, in general, Luminant’s generation portfolio (primarily the nuclear, lignite and coal generation facilities) is positioned to increase in value to the extent there is a rebound in forward natural gas prices. We cannot predict, however, whether or not forward natural gas prices will rebound or the timing of any such rebound if it were to occur in the future.

Strong balance sheet and strong liquidity profile.

In connection with Emergence, a substantial amount of the debt of our Predecessor was eliminated. As a result, we believe our balance sheet is strong given our low leverage relative to the cash flows generated from our integrated business. Further, we believe that our financial leverage is prudent and, together with our strong cash flow and strong liquidity profile, provides us with significant competitive advantages relative to, and sets us apart from, our competitors, especially those that have much more leverage than we do. We believe that our integrated business model further improves our liquidity profile relative to our non-integrated competitors because such integration reduces our retail operations’ exposure to wholesale electricity price volatility resulting in our retail

 

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operations having lower collateral requirements with counterparties and ERCOT. We also believe a strong balance sheet allows us to manage through periods of commodity price volatility that may require incremental liquidity and positions us well to pursue a range of capital deployment strategies, including investing in our current business, funding attractive organic and acquisition-driven growth opportunities and returning capital to our stockholders. Consistent with our disciplined capital allocation approval process, we intend to pursue growth opportunities that have compelling economic value in addition to fitting with our business strategy.

Proven, experienced management team.

The members of our senior management team have significant industry experience, including experience operating in a competitive retail electricity environment, operating sophisticated power generation facilities, operating a safe and cost-efficient mining organization and managing the risks of competitive wholesale and retail electricity businesses. We believe that our management team’s history of safe and reliable operations in our industry, breadth of positive relationships with regulatory and legislative authorities and commitment to a disciplined and prudent operating cost structure and capital allocation will benefit our stakeholders. Moreover, between personal investments in our common stock and our incentive compensation arrangements, our management team has a meaningful stake in Vistra Energy, thereby closely aligning incentives between management and our stockholders.

Our Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to deliver long-term stakeholder value through a multi-faceted focus on the following areas:

Integrated business model.

Our business strategy will be guided by our integrated business model because we believe it is our core competitive advantage and differentiates us from our non-integrated competitors. We believe our integrated business model creates a unique opportunity because, relative to our non-integrated competitors, it insulates us from commodity price movements and provides unique earnings stability. Consequently, our integrated business model will be at the core of our business strategy.

Superior customer service.

Through TXU Energy, we serve the retail electricity needs of end-use residential, small business, commercial and industrial electricity customers through multiple sales and marketing channels. In addition to benefitting from our integrated business model, we leverage our strong brand, our commitment to a consistent and reliable product offering, the backstop of the electricity generated by our generation fleet, our industry-leading wholesale commodity risk management operations and exceptional, innovative and dependable customer service to differentiate our products and services from our competitors. We strive to be at the forefront of innovation with new offerings and customer experiences to reinforce our value proposition. We maintain a focus on solutions that give our customers choice, convenience and control over how and when they use electricity and related services, including Free Nights and Weekends residential plans, MyEnergy Dashboard SM , TXU Energy’s iThermostat product and mobile solutions, the TXU Energy Rewards program, the TXU Energy Green Up SM renewable energy credit program and a diverse set of solar options. Our focus on superior customer service will guide our efforts to acquire new residential and commercial customers, serve and retain existing customers and maintain valuable sales channels for our electricity generation resources. We believe our strong customer service, innovative products and trusted brand have resulted in us maintaining the highest residential customer retention rate of any Texas retail electric provider in its respective core market.

Excellence in operations while maintaining an efficient cost structure.

We believe that operating our facilities in a safe, reliable, environmentally-compliant, and cost-effective and efficient manner is a foundation for delivering long-term stakeholder value. We also believe value increases as a function of making disciplined investments that enable our generation facilities to operate not only effectively

 

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and efficiently, but also safely, reliably and in an environmentally-compliant manner. We believe that an ongoing focus on operational excellence and safety is a key component to success in a highly competitive environment and is part of the unique value proposition of our integrated model. Additionally, we are committed to optimizing our cost structure and implementing enterprise-wide process and operating improvements without compromising the safety of our communities, customers and employees. In connection with Emergence, in addition to significantly reducing our debt levels, we implemented certain cost-reduction actions in order to better align and right-size our cost structure. We believe we have a highly effective and efficient cost structure and that our cost structure supports excellence in our operations.

Integrated hedging and commercial management.

Our commercial team is focused on managing risk, through opportunistic hedging, and optimizing our assets and business positions. We actively manage our exposure to wholesale electricity prices in ERCOT, on an integrated basis, through contracts for physical delivery of electricity, exchange-traded and over-the-counter financial contracts, ERCOT term, day-ahead and real-time market transactions and bilateral contracts with other wholesale market participants, including other power generators and end-user electricity customers. These hedging activities include short-term agreements, long-term electricity sales contracts and forward sales of natural gas through financial instruments. The historically positive correlation between natural gas prices and wholesale electricity prices in ERCOT has provided us an opportunity to manage our exposure to the variability of wholesale electricity prices through natural gas hedging activities. We seek to hedge near-term cash flow and optimize long-term value through hedging and forward sales contracts. We believe our integrated hedging and commercial management strategy, in combination with a strong balance sheet and strong liquidity profile, will provide a long-term advantage through cycles of higher and lower commodity prices.

Disciplined capital allocation .

Like any energy-focused business, we are potentially subject to significant commodity price volatility and capital costs. Accordingly, our strategy is to maintain a balance sheet with prudent financial leverage supported by readily accessible, flexible and diverse sources of liquidity. Our ongoing capital allocation priorities primarily include making necessary capital investments to maintain the safety and reliability of our facilities. Because we believe cost discipline and strong management of our assets and commodity positions are necessary to deliver long-term value to our stakeholders, we generally make capital allocation decisions that we believe will lead to attractive cash returns on investment. We are focused on optimal deployment of capital and intend to evaluate a range of capital deployment strategies including return of capital to stockholders in the form of dividends and/or share repurchases, investments in our current business and acquisition-driven growth investments.

Growth and enhancement.

Our growth strategy leverages our core capabilities of multi-channel retail marketing in a large and competitive market, operating large-scale, environmentally sensitive, and diverse assets across a variety of fuel technologies, fuel logistics and management, commodity risk management, cost control, and energy infrastructure investing. We intend to opportunistically evaluate acquisitions of high-quality energy infrastructure assets and businesses that complement these core capabilities and enable us to achieve operational or financial synergies. To that end, our primary focus will target growth opportunities that expand or enhance our business position within ERCOT and are consistent with our integrated business model (including our stable earnings profile as compared to our non-integrated competitors). While we solely operate within ERCOT currently, we intend to evaluate energy infrastructure growth opportunities outside ERCOT that offer compelling value creation opportunities, including cost and operational improvements, organic growth opportunities and attractive and stable earnings profiles featuring multiple revenue streams. We also believe that there will continue to be significant acquisition opportunities for competitive power generation assets and retail electricity businesses in power markets in the United States based on, among other things, the continuing trend of separating competitive power generation assets from regulated utility assets. While we are intent on growing our business and creating value for our stockholders, we are committed to making disciplined investments that are consistent with our

 

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focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet and strong liquidity profile. As a result, consistent with our disciplined capital allocation approval process, growth opportunities we pursue will need to have compelling economic value in addition to fitting with our business strategy.

Corporate responsibility and citizenship.

We are committed to providing safe, reliable, cost-effective and environmentally-compliant electricity for the communities and customers we serve. We strive to improve the quality of life in the communities in which we operate. We are also committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities in which we conduct our operations. Our company and our employees are actively engaged in programs intended to support and strengthen the communities in which we conduct our operations. Our foremost giving initiatives, the United Way and TXU Energy Aid campaigns, have raised more than $30 million in employee and corporate contributions since 2000. Additionally, for more than 30 years, TXU Energy Aid has served as an integral resource for social service agencies that assist families in need, having helped more than 500,000 customers across Texas pay their electricity bills.

The ERCOT Market

ERCOT is an ISO that manages the flow of electricity from approximately 78,000 MW of installed capacity to approximately 24 million Texas customers, representing approximately 90% of the state’s electric load and spanning approximately 75% of its geography, as of December 31, 2016. ERCOT is a highly competitive wholesale electricity market with historically above-average demand growth, limited import and export capacity and increasing wholesale price caps, and is the seventh-largest power market in the world, according to the EIA. Population growth in Texas is currently expanding at well above the national average rate, with a growth rate of 8.8% between July 2010 and July 2015, more than double the United States population growth rate of 3.9% during the same period, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. ERCOT accounts for approximately 32% of the competitively served retail load in the United States and residential consumers in the ERCOT market consume approximately 32% more electricity than the average United States residential consumer according to the EIA. Total ERCOT power demand has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 1.4% from 2005 through 2014, compared to a range of -0.6% to 0.8% in other United States markets, according to ERCOT and the EIA, respectively. ERCOT was formed in 1970 and became the first ISO in the United States in September 1996. The following map illustrates ERCOT by regions:

 

 

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As an energy-only market, ERCOT’s market design is distinct from other competitive electricity markets in the United States. Other markets maintain a minimum reserve margin through regulated planning, resource adequacy requirements and/or capacity markets. In contrast, ERCOT’s resource adequacy is predominately dependent on free-market processes and energy-market price signals. On June 1, 2014, ERCOT implemented the ORDC, pursuant to which wholesale electricity prices in the real-time electricity market increase automatically as available operating reserves decrease below defined threshold levels, creating a price adder. When operating reserves drop to 2,000 MW or less, the ORDC automatically adjusts power prices to the established VOLL, which is set at $9,000/MWh. Because ERCOT has limited excess generation capacity to meet high demand days due to its minimal import capacity, and peaking facilities have high operating costs, the marginal price of supply rapidly increases during periods of high demand. Historically, elevated temperatures in the summer months have driven high electricity demand in ERCOT. Many generators benefit from these sporadic periods of “scarcity pricing” in which power prices may increase significantly, up to the current $9,000/MWh price cap.

Transactions in ERCOT take place in two key markets: the day-ahead market and the real-time market. The day-ahead market is a voluntary, forward electricity market conducted the day before each operating day in which generators and purchasers of electricity may bid for one or more hours of electricity supply or consumption. The real-time market is a spot market in which electricity may be sold in five-minute intervals. The day-ahead market provides market participants with visibility into where prices are expected to clear, and the prices are not impacted by subsequent events. Conversely, the real-time market exposes purchasers to the risk of transient operational events and price spikes. These two markets allow market participants to manage their risk profile by adjusting their participation in each market. In addition, ERCOT uses ancillary services to maintain system reliability, including regulation service — up, regulation service — down, responsive reserve service and non-spinning reserve service. Regulation service up and down are used to balance the grid in a near-instantaneous fashion when supply and demand fluctuate due to a variety of factors, such as weather, generation outages, renewable production intermittency and transmission outages. Responsive reserves and non-spinning reserves are used by ERCOT when the grid is at, near or recovering from a state of emergency due to inadequate generation. Because ERCOT has one of the highest concentrations of wind capacity generation among United States markets, the ERCOT market is more susceptible to fluctuations in wholesale electricity supply due to intermittent wind production, making ERCOT more vulnerable to periods of generation scarcity.

Seasonality

The demand for and market prices of electricity and natural gas are affected by weather. As a result, our operating results may fluctuate on a seasonal basis, and more severe weather conditions such as heat waves or extreme winter weather may make such fluctuations more pronounced. The pattern of this fluctuation may change depending on, among other things, the retail load served and the terms of contracts to purchase or sell electricity.

Competition

Competition in ERCOT, as in other electricity markets, is impacted by electricity and fuel prices, congestion along the power grid, subsidies provided by state and federal governments for new generation facilities, new market entrants, construction of new generating assets, technological advances in power generation, the actions of environmental and other regulatory authorities and other factors. We primarily compete with other electricity generators and retailers based on our ability to generate electric supply, and market and sell electricity, at competitive prices and to efficiently utilize transportation from third-party pipelines and transmission from electric utilities and ISOs to deliver electricity to end-users. Competitors in the generation and retail power markets in which we participate include regulated utilities, industrial companies, non-utility generators, competitive subsidiaries of regulated utilities, IPPs, REPs and other energy marketers. See “Risk Factors —Market, Financial and Economic Risks,” “Risk Factors — Operational Risks” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional information concerning the risks faced with respect to the competitive energy markets in which we operate.

 

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Brand Value

Our TXU Energy TM brand, which has been used to sell electricity to customers in the competitive retail electricity market in Texas for approximately 15 years, is registered and protected by trademark law and is the only material intellectual property asset that the Company owns. We value the TXU Energy TM brand at approximately $1.2 billion.

Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters

Proceedings against the Debtors

Substantially all liabilities of the Debtors were resolved under the Plan. Please see “The Reorganization and Emergence” for more detailed information regarding the Plan and the treatment of claims under the Plan.

Environmental Matters

Litigation Related to EPA Reviews

In June 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an initial request for information to Luminant under the EPA’s authority under Section 114 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The stated purpose of the request is to obtain information necessary to determine compliance with the CAA, including New Source Review standards and air permits issued by the TCEQ for the Big Brown, Monticello and Martin Lake generation facilities. In April 2013, Luminant received an additional information request from the EPA under Section 114 related to our Big Brown, Martin Lake and Monticello facilities as well as an initial information request related to our Sandow 4 generation facility.

In July 2012, the EPA sent Luminant a notice of violation alleging noncompliance with the CAA’s New Source Review standards and the air permits at our Martin Lake and Big Brown generation facilities. In August 2013, the US Department of Justice, acting as the attorneys for the EPA, filed a civil enforcement lawsuit against Luminant in federal district court in Dallas, alleging violations of the CAA, including its New Source Review standards, at our Big Brown and Martin Lake generation facilities. In August 2015, the district court granted Luminant’s motion to dismiss seven of the nine claims asserted by the EPA in the lawsuit. In August 2016, the EPA filed an amended complaint, eliminating one of the two remaining claims and withdrawing with prejudice a request for civil penalties in the other remaining claim. The EPA also filed a motion for entry of final judgment so that it could seek to appeal the district court’s dismissal decision. In September 2016, Luminant filed a response opposing the EPA’s motion for entry of final judgment. In October 2016, the district court denied the EPA’s motion for entry of final judgment and agreed that the remaining claim must be fully adjudicated at the district court or withdrawn with prejudice before the EPA may appeal the dismissal decision. In January 2017, the EPA dismissed its two remaining claims with prejudice and the district court entered final judgment in our favor. In March 2017, the EPA appealed the final judgment to the Fifth Circuit Court and Luminant filed a motion in the district court to recover its attorney fees and costs. We believe that we and Luminant have complied with all requirements of the CAA and intend to vigorously defend against the remaining allegations. The lawsuit requests the maximum civil penalties available under the CAA to the government of up to $32,500 to $37,500 per day for each alleged violation, depending on the date of the alleged violation, and injunctive relief, including an order requiring the installation of best available control technology at the affected units. An adverse outcome could require substantial capital expenditures that cannot be determined at this time or retirement of the plants at issue and could possibly require the payment of substantial penalties. We cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings, including the financial effects, if any.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In August 2015, the EPA finalized rules to address GHG emissions from new, modified and reconstructed and existing electricity generation units, referred to as the Clean Power Plan. The rule for existing facilities

 

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would establish state-specific emissions rate goals to reduce nationwide CO 2 emissions related to affected units by over 30% from 2012 emission levels by 2030. A number of parties, including Luminant, filed petitions for review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit Court) for the rule for new, modified and reconstructed plants. In addition, a number of petitions for review of the rule for existing plants were filed in the D.C. Circuit Court by various parties and groups, including challenges from twenty-seven different states opposed to the rule as well as petitions from, among others, certain power generating companies, various business groups and some labor unions. Luminant also filed its own petition for review. In January 2016, a coalition of states, industry (including Luminant) and other parties filed applications with the United States Supreme Court (Supreme Court) asking that the Supreme Court stay the rule while the D.C. Circuit Court reviews the legality of the rule for existing plants. In February 2016, the Supreme Court stayed the rule pending the conclusion of legal challenges on the rule before the D.C. Circuit Court and until the Supreme Court disposes of any subsequent petition for review. Oral argument on the merits of the legal challenges to the rule was heard in September 2016 before the entire D.C. Circuit Court. In March 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth (Order). The Order covers a number of matters, including the Clean Power Plan. Among other provisions, the Order directs the EPA to review the Clean Power Plan and, if appropriate, suspend, revise or rescind the rules on existing and new, modified and reconstructed generating units. In addition, the Department of Justice has filed motions seeking to abate those cases until the EPA concludes its review of the rules, including any new rulemaking that results from that review. While we cannot predict the outcome of these rulemakings and related legal proceedings, or estimate a range of reasonably probable costs, if the rules are ultimately implemented or upheld as they were issued, they could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

In August 2015, the EPA proposed model rules and federal plan requirements for states to consider as they develop state plans to comply with the rules for GHG emissions. A federal plan would then be finalized for a state if a state fails to submit a state plan by the deadlines established in the Clean Power Plan for existing plants or if the EPA disapproves a submitted state plan. Luminant filed comments on the federal plan proposal and model rules in January 2016. The Order directed the EPA to review this proposed rule for consistency with the policies in the Order and, if appropriate, to revise or withdraw the proposed rule. While we cannot predict the timing or outcome of this rulemaking and related legal proceedings, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, they could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR)

In July 2011, the EPA issued the CSAPR, compliance with which would have required significant additional reductions of SO 2 and NO x emissions from our fossil fueled generation units. In February 2012, the EPA released a final rule (Final Revisions) and a proposed rule revising certain aspects of the CSAPR, including increases in the emissions budgets for Texas and our generation assets as compared to the July 2011 version of the rule. In June 2012, the EPA finalized the proposed rule (Second Revised Rule).

The CSAPR became effective January 1, 2015. In July 2015, following a remand of the case from the Supreme Court to consider further legal challenges, the D.C. Circuit Court unanimously ruled in favor of Luminant and other petitioners, holding that the CSAPR emissions budgets over-controlled Texas and other states. The D.C. Circuit Court remanded those states’ budgets to the EPA for prompt reconsideration. While Luminant planned to participate in the EPA’s reconsideration process to develop increased budgets for the 1997 ozone standard that do not over-control Texas, the EPA instead responded to the remand by proposing a new rulemaking that created new NO X ozone season budgets for the 2008 ozone standard without addressing the over-controlling budgets for the 1997 standard. Comments on the EPA’s proposal were submitted by Luminant in February 2016. In August 2016, the EPA disapproved Texas’s 2008 ozone State Implementation Plan (SIP) submittal and imposed a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) in its place in October 2016. Texas filed a petition in the Fifth Circuit Court challenging the SIP disapproval and Luminant has intervened in support of Texas’s challenge. The State of Texas and Luminant have also both filed challenges in the D.C. Circuit Court challenging the EPA’s FIP and those cases are currently

 

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pending before that court. With respect to Texas’s SO 2 emission budgets, in June 2016, the EPA issued a memorandum describing the EPA’s proposed approach for responding to the D.C. Circuit Court’s remand for reconsideration of the CSAPR SO 2 emission budgets for Texas and three other states that had been remanded to the EPA by the D.C. Circuit Court. In the memorandum, the EPA stated that those four states could either voluntarily participate in the CSAPR by submitting a SIP revision adopting the SO 2 budgets that had been previously held invalid by the D.C. Circuit Court and the current annual NOx budgets or, if the state chooses not to participate in the CSAPR, the EPA could withdraw the CSAPR FIP by the fall of 2016 for those states and address any interstate transport and regional haze obligations on a state-by-state basis. Texas has not indicated that it intends to adopt the over-controlling budgets and in November 2016 the EPA proposed to withdraw the CSAPR FIP for Texas. Because the EPA has not finalized its proposal to remove Texas from the annual CSAPR programs, these programs will continue to apply to Texas and Texas sources. However, at this time, the EPA has not populated the allowance accounts for Texas sources with 2017 annual CSAPR program allowances. While we cannot predict the outcome of future proceedings related to the CSAPR, including the EPA’s recent actions concerning the CSAPR annual emissions budgets for affected states and participating in the CSAPR program, based upon our current operating plans we do not believe that the CSAPR itself will cause any material operational, financial or compliance issues to our business or require us to incur any material compliance costs.

Regional Haze — Reasonable Progress and Long-Term Strategies

The Regional Haze Program of the CAA establishes “as a national goal the prevention of any future, and the remedying of any existing, impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I federal areas, like national parks, which impairment results from man-made pollution.” There are two components to the Regional Haze Program. First, states must establish goals for reasonable progress for Class I federal areas within the state and establish long-term strategies to reach those goals and to assist Class I federal areas in neighboring states to achieve reasonable progress set by those states towards a goal of natural visibility by 2064. In February 2009, the TCEQ submitted a SIP concerning regional haze (Regional Haze SIP) to the EPA. In December 2011, the EPA proposed a limited disapproval of the Regional Haze SIP due to its reliance on the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) instead of the EPA’s replacement CSAPR program that the EPA proposed in July 2011. In August 2012, Luminant filed a petition for review in the Fifth Circuit Court challenging the EPA’s limited disapproval of the Regional Haze SIP on the grounds that the CAIR continued in effect pending the D.C. Circuit Court’s decision in the CSAPR litigation. In September 2012, Luminant filed a petition to intervene in a case filed by industry groups and other states and private parties in the D.C. Circuit Court challenging the EPA’s limited disapproval and issuance of a FIP regarding the regional haze best available retrofit technology (BART) program. The Fifth Circuit Court case has since been transferred to the D.C. Circuit Court and consolidated with other pending BART program regional haze appeals. Briefing in the D.C. Circuit Court was completed in March 2017.

In June 2014, the EPA issued requests for information under Section 114 of the CAA to Luminant and other generators in Texas related to the reasonable progress program. After releasing a proposed rule in November 2014 and receiving comments from a number of parties, including Luminant and the State of Texas, in April 2015, the EPA released a final rule in January 2016 approving in part and disapproving in part Texas’ SIP for Regional Haze and issuing a FIP for Regional Haze. In the rule, the EPA asserts that the Texas SIP does not show reasonable progress in improving visibility for two areas in Texas and that its long-term strategy fails to make emission reductions needed to achieve reasonable progress in improving visibility in the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma. The EPA’s proposed emission limits in the FIP assume additional control equipment for specific lignite/coal-fueled generation units across Texas, including new flue gas desulfurization systems (scrubbers) at seven electricity generating units and upgrades to existing scrubbers at seven electricity generating units. Specifically for Luminant, the EPA’s FIP is based on new scrubbers at Big Brown Units 1 and 2 and Monticello Units 1 and 2 and scrubber upgrades at Martin Lake Units 1, 2 and 3, Monticello Unit 3 and Sandow Unit 4. Luminant is continuing to evaluate the requirements and potential financial and operational impacts of the rule, but new scrubbers at the Big Brown and Monticello units necessary to achieve the emission limits required by the FIP (if those limits are possible to attain), along with the existence of low wholesale electricity prices in ERCOT, would likely challenge the long-term economic viability of those units. Under the terms of the rule, the

 

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scrubber upgrades will be required by February 2019, and the new scrubbers will be required by February 2021. In March 2016, Luminant and a number of other parties, including the State of Texas, filed petitions for review in the Fifth Circuit Court challenging the FIP’s Texas requirements. Luminant and other parties also filed motions to stay the FIP while the court reviews the legality of the EPA’s action. In July 2016, the Fifth Circuit Court denied the EPA’s motion to dismiss Luminant’s challenge to the FIP and denied the EPA’s motion to transfer the challenges Luminant, the other industry petitioners and the State of Texas filed to the D.C. Circuit Court. In addition, the Fifth Circuit Court granted the motions to stay filed by Luminant, the other industry petitioners and the State of Texas pending final review of the petitions for review. The case was abated until the end of November 2016 in order to allow the parties to pursue settlement discussions. Settlement discussions were unsuccessful and in December 2016 the EPA filed a motion seeking a voluntary remand of the rule back to EPA for further consideration of Luminant’s pending request for administrative reconsideration. Luminant and some of the other petitioners filed a response opposing the EPA’s motion to remand and filed a cross motion for vacatur of the rule in December 2016. In March 2017, the Fifth Circuit Court remanded the rule back to the EPA for reconsideration in light of the Court’s prior determination that we and the other petitioners demonstrated a substantial likelihood that the EPA exceeded its statutory authority and acted arbitrarily and capriciously, but the Court denied all of the other pending motions. The stay of the rule (and the emission control requirements) remains in effect. In addition, the Fifth Circuit Court denied the EPA’s motion to lift the stay as to parts of the rule implicated in the EPA’s subsequent BART proposal and the Court is retaining jurisdiction of the case and requiring the EPA to file status reports on its reconsideration every 15 days. While we cannot predict the outcome of the rulemaking and legal proceedings, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, the result may have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Regional Haze — Best Available Retrofit Technology

The second part of the Regional Haze Program subjects electricity generation units built between 1962 and 1977 to BART standards designed to improve visibility if such units cause or contribute to impairment of visibility in a federal class I area. BART reductions of SO 2 and NO X are required either on a unit-by-unit basis or are deemed satisfied by state participation in an EPA-approved regional trading program such as the CSAPR. In response to a lawsuit by environmental groups, the D.C. Circuit Court issued a consent decree in March 2012 that required the EPA to propose a decision on the Regional Haze SIP by May 2012 and finalize that decision by November 2012. The consent decree requires a FIP for any provisions that the EPA disapproves. The D.C. Circuit Court has amended the consent decree several times to extend the dates for the EPA to propose and finalize a decision on the Regional Haze SIP. The consent decree was modified in December 2015 to extend the deadline for the EPA to finalize action on the determination and adoption of requirements for BART for electricity generation. Under the amended consent decree, the EPA had until December 2016 to propose, and has until September 2017 to finalize, a FIP for BART for Texas electricity generation services if the EPA determines that BART requirements have not been met. The EPA issued its proposed BART FIP for Texas in December 2016. The EPA’s proposed emission limits assume additional control equipment for specific coal-fueled generation units across Texas, including new flue gas desulfurization systems (scrubbers) at 12 electric generation units and upgrades to existing scrubbers at four electric generation units. Specifically for Luminant, the EPA’s emission limitations are based on new scrubbers at Big Brown Units 1 and 2 and Monticello Units 1 and 2 and scrubber upgrades at Martin Lake Units 1, 2 and 3 and Monticello Unit 3. Luminant is continuing to evaluate the requirements and potential financial and operational impacts of the proposed rule, but new scrubbers at the Big Brown and Monticello units necessary to achieve the emission limits required by the FIP (if those limits are possible to attain), along with the existence of low wholesale power prices in ERCOT, would likely challenge the long-term economic viability of those units. Under the terms of the rule, the scrubber upgrades will be required within three years of the effective date of the final rule and the new scrubbers will be required within five years of the effective date of the final rule. We anticipate submitting comments on the proposed FIP when those are due in May 2017. While we cannot predict the outcome of the rulemaking and potential legal proceedings, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, the result may have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

 

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Intersection of the CSAPR and Regional Haze Programs

Historically, the EPA has considered compliance with a regional trading program, such as the CSAPR, as satisfying a state’s obligations under the BART portion of the Regional Haze Program. However, in the reasonable progress FIP, the EPA diverged from this approach and did not treat Texas’ compliance with the CSAPR as satisfying its obligations under the BART portion of the Regional Haze Program. The EPA concluded that it would not be appropriate to finalize that determination given the remand of the CSAPR budgets. As described above, the EPA has now proposed to remove Texas from the annual CSAPR trading programs. If Texas were in the CSAPR annual trading programs the EPA would have no basis for its BART FIP because it has made a determination for Texas and all other states that participate in the CSAPR annual trading programs that such participation satisfies their BART obligations. We do not believe that the EPA’s proposal to remove Texas from the CSAPR annual trading programs satisfies the D.C. Circuit Court’s mandate to the EPA to develop non-over-controlling budgets for Texas and we submitted comments on the EPA’s proposed rule to remove Texas from the CSAPR annual trading programs. While we cannot predict the outcome of these matters, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, the result may have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Affirmative Defenses During Malfunctions

In February 2013, in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by the Sierra Club, the EPA proposed a rule requiring certain states to replace SIP exemptions for excess emissions during malfunctions with an affirmative defense. Texas was not included in that original proposal since it already had an EPA-approved affirmative defense provision in its SIP that was found to be lawful by the Fifth Circuit Court in 2013. In 2014, as a result of a D.C. Circuit Court decision striking down an affirmative defense provision in another EPA rule, the EPA revised its 2013 proposal to extend the EPA’s proposed findings of inadequacy to states that have affirmative defense provisions, including Texas. The EPA’s revised proposal would require Texas to remove or replace its EPA-approved affirmative defense provisions for excess emissions during startup, shutdown and maintenance events. In May 2015, the EPA finalized the proposal. In June 2015, Luminant filed a petition for review in the Fifth Circuit Court challenging certain aspects of the EPA’s final rule as they apply to the Texas SIP. The State of Texas and other parties have also filed similar petitions in the Fifth Circuit Court. In August 2015, the Fifth Circuit Court transferred the petitions that Luminant and other parties filed to the D.C. Circuit Court, and in October 2015 the petitions were consolidated with the pending petitions challenging the EPA’s action in the D.C. Circuit Court. Briefing in the D.C. Circuit Court on the challenges was completed in October 2016 and oral argument is set for May 2017. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of this proceeding, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, but implementation of the rule as finalized may have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

SO 2 Designations for Texas

In February 2016, the EPA notified Texas of the EPA’s preliminary intention to designate nonattainment areas for counties surrounding our Big Brown, Monticello and Martin Lake generation plants based on modeling data submitted to the EPA by the Sierra Club. Such designation would potentially require the implementation of various controls or other requirements to demonstrate attainment. Luminant submitted comments challenging the use of modeling data rather than data from actual air quality monitoring equipment. In November 2016, the EPA finalized its proposed designations for Texas including finalizing the nonattainment designations for the areas referenced above. In doing so, the EPA ignored contradictory modeling that we submitted with our comments. The final designation mandates would be for Texas to begin the multi-year process to evaluate what potential emission controls or operational changes, if any, may be necessary to demonstrate attainment. In February 2017, the state of Texas and Luminant filed challenges to the nonassignment designations in the Fifth Circuit Court and protective petitions in the D.C. Circuit Court. In March 2017, the EPA filed a motion to transfer or dismiss our Fifth Circuit petition. In addition, Luminant has filed a request with the EPA to reconsider the rule and immediately stay its effective date. While we cannot predict the outcome of this matter, or estimate a range of

 

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reasonably possible costs, the result may have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Stream Protection Rule

In July 2015, the Office of Surface Mining (OSM) proposed a Stream Protection Rule that represents significant changes to surface mining regulations under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) program. The rule proposes to prevent or minimize impacts to surface water and groundwater from coal mining. In October 2015, we filed comments on the proposed rule. In December 2016, the OSM issued a final Stream Protection Rule that became effective in January 2017. Thereafter, the US Congress enacted a resolution under the Congressional Review Act that repealed the Stream Protection Rule and President Trump signed that resolution in February 2017.

Other Matters

We are involved in various legal and administrative proceedings in the normal course of business, the ultimate resolutions of which, in the opinion of management, are not anticipated to have a material effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Environmental Contingencies

In connection with our normal operations, we must comply with various environmental laws and regulations. We believe that we are in compliance with current environmental laws and regulations; however, the impact, if any, of changes to existing laws or regulations or the implementation of new laws or regulations is not determinable and could materially affect our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

In particular, our costs to comply with environmental regulations could be significantly affected by the following external events or conditions that are outside of our control:

 

    enactment and final implementation of state or federal statutes or regulations regarding CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions;

 

    other changes to existing state or federal regulation regarding air quality, water quality, control of toxic substances and hazardous and solid wastes, and other environmental matters, including final implementation of the rules and programs discussed under “— Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters” above; and

 

    the identification by applicable authorities of sites requiring clean-up or the filing of complaints naming us as a potential responsible party under applicable environmental laws or regulations.

Labor Contracts

We employ certain personnel who are represented by labor unions, the terms of whose employment are governed by collective bargaining agreements. During 2015, all collective bargaining agreements covering bargaining unit personnel engaged in lignite mining operations, lignite-, coal- and nuclear-fueled generation operations and some of our natural gas powered generation operations were extended to March 2017. While we are currently in the process of renegotiating these agreements and cannot predict the outcome of these or any future labor contract negotiations, we do not expect any changes in collective bargaining agreements to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Nuclear Insurance

Nuclear insurance includes nuclear liability coverage, property damage, decontamination and accidental premature decommissioning coverage and accidental outage and/or extra expense coverage. We maintain nuclear

 

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insurance that meets or exceeds requirements promulgated by Section 170 (Price-Anderson) of the Atomic Energy Act and Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and we intend to maintain insurance against nuclear risks as long as such insurance is available. We are self-insured to the extent that losses (i) are within the policy deductibles, (ii) are not covered per policy exclusions, terms and limitations, (iii) exceed the amount of insurance maintained, or (iv) are not covered due to lack of insurance availability. Any such self-insured losses could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

The Atomic Energy Act provides for financial protection for the public in the event of a significant nuclear generation plant incident. It sets the statutory limit of public liability for a single nuclear incident at $13.4 billion and requires nuclear generation plant operators to provide financial protection for this amount. However, the United States Congress could impose revenue-raising measures on the nuclear industry to pay any claims that exceed this $13.4 billion statutory limit for a single incident. As required, we insure against a possible nuclear incident at our Comanche Peak facility resulting in public nuclear related bodily injury and property damage through a combination of private insurance and an industry-wide retrospective payment plan known as the Secondary Financial Protection (SFP).

Under the SFP, in the event of any single nuclear liability loss in excess of $375 million at any nuclear generation facility in the United States, each operating licensed reactor in the United States is subject to an assessment of up to approximately $127.3 million, payable in capped annual installments. This approximately $127.3 million maximum assessment is subject to increases for inflation every five years, with the next expected adjustment scheduled to occur in September 2018. Assessments are currently limited to approximately $19 million per operating licensed reactor per year per incident. As of the date of this prospectus, our maximum potential assessment under the SFP for each incident, based on the fact that we operate two licensed reactors, would be approximately $254.6 million, payable in installments of no more than approximately $38 million in any one year. For losses after January 1, 2017, the potential assessment applies in excess of $450 million.

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requires that nuclear generation plant license-holders maintain at least $1.06 billion of nuclear decontamination and property damage insurance, and requires the proceeds thereof be used to place a plant in a safe and stable condition, to decontaminate a plant pursuant to a plan submitted to, and approved by, the NRC prior to using the proceeds for plant repair or restoration, or to provide for premature decommissioning. We maintain nuclear decontamination and property damage insurance for our Comanche Peak facility in the amount of $2.25 billion (subject to a $10 million deductible per accident), and are self-insured against any amounts exceeding such $2.25 billion coverage.

We also maintain Accidental Outage insurance to cover the additional costs of obtaining replacement electricity from another source if one or both of the units at our Comanche Peak facility are out of service for more than twenty weeks as a result of covered direct physical damage. Such coverage provides for weekly payments of up to $4.5 million for the first 52 weeks and $3.6 million for the subsequent 110 weeks for each outage, respectively, after an initial 20-week waiting period. The total maximum coverage is $328 million for non-nuclear accidents and $490 million per unit for nuclear accidents, however, the coverage amounts applicable to each unit will be reduced to 80% if both units are out of service at the same time as a result of the same accident.

 

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Management

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and directors as of the date hereof. Ages are as of April 5, 2017.

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Curtis A. Morgan

     56      President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

James A. Burke

     48      Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

J. William Holden

     56      Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Stephanie Zapata Moore

     43      Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Carrie Lee Kirby

     49      Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

Sara Graziano

     34      Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy

Gavin R. Baiera

     41      Director

Jennifer Box

     35      Director

Jeff Hunter

     51      Director

Cyrus Madon

     51      Director

Geoff Strong

     42      Director

Executive Officers

The executive officers of Vistra Energy Corp. consist of the following executives.

Curtis A. Morgan , President, Chief Executive Officer and Director , has served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Vistra Energy Corp. since the Effective Date. Prior to joining Vistra Energy Corp., he served as an Operating Partner with Energy Capital Partners, and prior to this position Mr. Morgan served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of EquiPower Resources Corp., a power generation company, since May 2010. Prior to joining EquiPower Resources Corp., he served as an Operating Partner of Energy Capital Partners from May 2009 to May 2010. Prior to joining Energy Capital partners, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of FirstLight Power Enterprises from November 2006 to April 2009. Mr. Morgan has also held various leadership roles at NRG Energy, Mirant Corporation, Reliant Energy and Amoco Corporation.

James A. Burke , Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer , has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Vistra Energy Corp. since the Effective Date. Prior to joining Vistra Energy Corp., he served as Executive Vice President of EFH Corp. since February 2013 and President and Chief Executive of TXU Energy, a subsidiary of Vistra Energy Corp., since August 2005. Previously, Mr. Burke was Senior Vice President Consumer Markets of TXU Energy. Mr. Burke started his career with Deloitte Consulting, and held a variety of roles with The Coca-Cola Company, Reliant Energy and Gexa Energy prior to TXU Energy. Mr. Burke also serves on the board of directors of Marucci Sports.

J. William Holden , Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer , has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Vistra Energy Corp. since December 5, 2016. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Holden served as an Executive Vice President and Senior Advisor at The Taffrail Group, LLC, an international strategic-advisory firm, from February 2013 until December 2016, where he advised a range of domestic and overseas clients on mergers, acquisitions and post-merger integration. From December 2010 until January 2013, Mr. Holden served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of GenOn Energy, Inc., where he was responsible for overseeing the accounting, finance, tax, risk control, human resources and information technology groups. Prior to serving in that role, he held various treasury, risk, operational, business development and international positions during his tenure at GenOn Energy, Inc./Mirant Corporation. Mr. Holden started his career with Southern Company and held various corporate finance roles over almost a decade at Southern.

 

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Stephanie Zapata Moore , Executive Vice President and General Counsel , has served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Vistra Energy Corp. since the Effective Date. Prior to joining Vistra Energy Corp., she served as Vice President and General Counsel of Luminant, since April 2012. Previously, Ms. Moore was Senior Counsel of Luminant from March 2007 to April 2012 and Counsel of a predecessor to Luminant from November 2005 to March 2007. Prior to joining Luminant, she was an attorney at Gardere Wynne Sewell where she engaged in a corporate practice.

Carrie Lee Kirby , Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer , has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Vistra Energy Corp. since the Effective Date. Prior to joining Vistra Energy Corp., she served as Executive Vice President of Human Resources of EFH Corp. since February 2013. Previously, Ms. Kirby was Senior Vice President of Human Resources from April 2012 to February 2013 and Vice President of Human Resources of TXU Energy, a subsidiary of Vistra Energy Corp., from October 2008 to April 2012.

Sara Graziano , Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy , has served as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy of Vistra Energy Corp. since the Effective Date. Prior to joining Vistra Energy Corp., she served as a Principal at Energy Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in North American energy infrastructure, where she worked since September 2011. Her experience prior to Energy Capital Partners includes leading the Strategies & Analysis group at FirstLight Power Enterprises and working as a consultant in the Energy & Environment practice at Charles River Associates.

Directors

Listed below is biographical information for each person who is currently a member of the Board, except for Mr. Morgan, whose information is listed above.

Gavin R. Baiera has served as a director since the Effective Date. Mr. Baiera is a managing director at Angelo, Gordon & Co. (Angelo) where he is the global head of the firm’s corporate credit activities and portfolio manager for its distressed funds. Mr. Baiera is also a managing director and member of the firm’s executive committee. Prior to joining Angelo in 2008, Mr. Baiera was the co-head of the strategic finance group at Morgan Stanley, which was responsible for all origination, underwriting, and distribution of restructuring transactions. Prior to that, Mr. Baiera worked at General Electric Capital Corporation concentrating on underwriting and investing in restructuring transactions. Mr. Baiera began his career at GE Capital in its financial management program. Mr. Baiera has served on numerous boards of directors including, most recently, MACH Gen, Orbitz Worldwide, and Travelport Worldwide.

Jennifer Box has served as a director since the Effective Date. Ms. Box is a managing director at Oaktree Capital Management where she is focused on investments in the shipping, power, energy, media and technology sectors. Prior to joining Oaktree in 2009, Ms. Box spent three and a half years as an investment analyst in the distressed debt group at The Blackstone Group. Prior to Blackstone, she was an associate consultant at the Boston Consulting Group. Ms. Box is a CFA charterholder. She serves on the board of Star Bulk Carriers.

Jeff Hunter has served as a director since the Effective Date. Mr. Hunter is currently Managing Director of Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners (Quinbrook) and a member of the Quinbrook Investment Committee, where he is responsible for deal origination and asset management in North America. Between 2013 and 2016, he was a managing partner of Power Capital Partners, an energy focused investment firm. Prior to this, he was executive vice president and chief financial officer of US Power Generating Company (USPowerGen). Mr. Hunter has also held leadership positions at PA Consulting Group and El Paso Merchant Energy and was a consultant for MRP Generating Company, LLC. Mr. Hunter currently serves as the non-executive director on the board of directors of Texas Transmission Holdings.

 

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Cyrus Madon has served as a director since the Effective Date. Mr. Madon is a senior managing partner and head of Brookfield’s private equity group and chief executive officer of Brookfield Business Partners. Mr. Madon joined Brookfield in 1998 as chief financial officer of Brookfield’s real estate brokerage business. During his tenure he has held a number of senior roles across the organization, including head of Brookfield’s corporate lending business. Mr. Madon began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers where he worked in corporate finance and recovery, both in Canada and the United Kingdom. Mr. Madon is on the board of the Junior Achievement of Canada Foundation.

Geoffrey Strong has served as a director since the Effective Date. Mr. Strong is a Senior Partner of Apollo Management, where he focuses on investments in the energy sector for the firm’s private equity funds. Prior to Apollo, Mr. Strong was an investor in the private equity group at Blackstone, where he also focused primarily on the energy sector. Before joining Blackstone, Mr. Strong was a vice president of Morgan Stanley Capital Partners, the private equity business within Morgan Stanley. In addition to Vistra Energy, Mr. Strong serves on the boards of directors of Apex Energy, Caelus Energy, Chisolm Oil and Gas, Double Eagle Energy I and Double Eagle Energy II.

Board Composition and Director Independence

Our certificate of incorporation (Charter) provides for three classes of directors, each of which is to be elected on a staggered basis for a term of three years. Our bylaws (Bylaws) provide that the Board shall consist of such number of directors as is determined from time to time by the vote of a majority of the total number of directors then authorized. Please see “Description of Capital Stock — Anti-takeover Effects of Provisions In Our Charter and Bylaws” for a more detailed description of our Charter and Bylaws.

Pursuant to the Plan, on the Effective Date, we entered into the Stockholder’s Agreements with affiliates of each of the Principal Stockholders. Pursuant to each Stockholder’s Agreement, subject to the proper exercise of fiduciary duties of the Board, each Principal Stockholder is entitled to designate one director for nomination for election to the Board as a Class III director for so long as it beneficially owns, in the aggregate, at least 22,500,000 shares of our common stock that it owned on the date of its respective Stockholder’s Agreement. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Stockholder’s Agreements.” The initial designees of each of the Apollo Entities, Brookfield Entities and Oaktree Entities are Geoffrey Strong, Cyrus Madon and Jennifer Box, respectively.

The Board consists of a majority of directors who are not employees or officers of Vistra Energy and satisfy the independence requirements of the Commission and the NYSE. The following are the independent directors of the Board: Gavin R. Baiera, Jennifer Box, Jeff Hunter, Cyrus Madon and Geoff Strong.

Committees of the Board of Directors

The standing committees of the Board consist of an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee.

Audit Committee

The duties and responsibilities of the audit committee (the Audit Committee) include selecting the independent auditors to be nominated for ratification by the stockholders and reviewing the independence of such auditors, approving the scope and costs of the annual audit activities of the independent auditors, reviewing the audit results with the independent auditors and reviewing and monitoring our financial reporting and accounting practices and internal controls.

The members of the Audit Committee are Jeff Hunter, who is chair of the Audit Committee, and Jennifer Box. Jeff Hunter is independent, as defined under and required by the rules and regulations of the Commission

 

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and the NYSE, including Rule 10A-3(b)(i) under the Exchange Act. In accordance with and within the time periods required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the NYSE, including Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, the Board will remove Jennifer Box from the Audit Committee and appoint a second and third member of the Audit Committee, each of whom will be “independent” as defined under and required by the rules and regulations of the Commission and the NYSE, including Rule 10A-3(b)(i) under the Exchange Act, and will designate at least one member of the Audit Committee to be an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under and required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the NYSE.

The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee that is available on our website.

Nominating and Governance Committee

The duties and responsibilities of the nominating and governance committee include identifying and recommending potential candidates qualified to become members of the Board, recommending directors for appointment to Board committees and developing and recommending corporate governance guidelines and principles to apply to the Board.

The members of the Board’s nominating and governance committee are Cyrus Madon and Geoff Strong, each of whom is independent in accordance with the rules and regulations of the NYSE and the Commission.

The Board has adopted a written charter for the nominating and governance committee that is available on our website.

Compensation Committee

The duties and responsibilities of the compensation committee (the Compensation Committee) include reviewing the performance and compensation of our chief executive officer, consulting with the chief executive officer with respect to the compensation of other of our executives and key employees and administering our incentive compensation and other employee benefit plans. The Compensation Committee will also make recommendations to the Board with respect to the compensation of non-employee directors.

The member of the Compensation Committee is Gavin Baiera, who is independent in accordance with the rules and regulations of the NYSE and the Commission.

The Board has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee that is available on our website.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of our directors who currently serve as members of the Compensation Committee is, or has at any time during the past year been, one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers will serve as a member of the board of directors or Compensation Committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Board or the Compensation Committee. Additional information concerning transactions between us and entities affiliated with members of the Compensation Committee is included in this prospectus under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Code of Conduct

The Board has adopted a code of conduct applicable to our directors, officers and employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and other senior officers, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the NYSE. Our code of conduct is available on our website as of the time of our listing on the NYSE.

 

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Policy and Procedures Governing Related Party Transactions

The Board has adopted a written policy regarding transactions with related parties. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions.”

 

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Executive Compensation

Vistra Energy Corp. is a newly formed entity created in connection with Emergence, and the executive officers of Vistra Energy Corp. were appointed to such positions with effect as of the Effective Date. As a result, there is no relevant 2015 compensation disclosure relating to the executive officers of Vistra Energy Corp. Certain information relating to the compensation of the executive officers of Vistra Energy Corp. since the Effective Date is described below.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Executive Summary

Compensation Philosophy

We have a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy, which places an emphasis on pay-at-risk; a significant portion of an executive officer’s compensation is comprised of variable compensation. Our compensation program is intended to attract and motivate top-talent executive officers as leaders and compensate executive officers appropriately for their contribution to the attainment of our financial, operational and strategic objectives. In addition, we believe it is important to retain our top tier talent and strongly align their interests with our stakeholders by emphasizing incentive based compensation. To achieve the goals of our compensation philosophy, we believe that:

 

    the overall compensation program should emphasize variable compensation elements that have a direct link to overall corporate performance and stockholder value;

 

    the overall compensation program should place an increased emphasis on pay-at-risk with increased responsibility;

 

    the overall compensation program should attract, motivate and engage top-talent executive officers to serve in key roles; and

 

    an executive officer’s individual compensation level should be based upon an evaluation of the financial and operational performance of that executive officer’s business unit or area of responsibility as well as the executive officer’s individual performance.

Foundations of Key Components of our Compensation Programs

As a newly emerged standalone company, we implemented the following elements to our compensation programs intended to facilitate transition of our compensation practices towards those of a public company and further strengthen the alignment between our executives’ interests and those of our stakeholders in accordance with our compensation philosophy.

 

Activity

  

Foundational Element

New

Compensation

Peer Group

  

•    Introduction of a compensation peer group comprised of nine energy industry competitors that are most comparable to Vistra Energy as a standalone company no longer in bankruptcy

Adoption of 2016 Executive Annual Incentive Plan   

•    Adopted the EAIP on a post-emergence basis based on annual performance goals that are critical and relevant to achieving our strategic plan and create value for our stockholders

Non-Recurring Emergence Equity Grants   

•    We awarded non-recurring emergence equity grants to our Named Executive Officers and other employees, comprised of a combination of stock options and RSUs to reinforce ownership in the new company, support retention of newly-appointed senior executives and align rewards with stockholders

 

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Performance Overview

In this section, we provide highlights of Vistra Energy’s performance in 2016, reflecting factors considered by the Compensation Committee in assessing variable pay outcomes for the Named Executive Officers.

Pay for Performance

The Compensation Committee designed the majority of our Named Executive Officers’ compensation to be linked directly to corporate, business unit (or area of responsibility) and company stock price performance. For example, each Named Executive Officer’s annual performance-based cash bonus is primarily based on the achievement of certain corporate and business unit financial and operational targets, and each Named Executive Officer’s non-recurring grants made in connection with the Emergence were awarded in the form of stock options and RSUs.

 

CEO – Annualized 2016 Targeted Pay Mix

 

Average Other Named Executive Officers – Annualized 2016 Targeted Pay Mix

LOGO   LOGO

Performance Highlights

Highlights of our 2016 performance are summarized below. These, along with other factors discussed below, resulted in the annual bonus outcomes set forth below.

 

LOGO

 

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Corporate Governance Practices

In this section, we provide details of the Corporate Governance framework, procedures and practices at Vistra Energy as they relate to Named Executive Officer compensation.

 

Compensation Committee

  

Governance Structure

Our Compensation Committee consisted of two independent directors until the resignation of Michael Liebelson effective February 1, and is currently comprised of one independent director (Gavin R. Baiera), whose primary responsibility is to:

 

•    Determine and oversee the compensation program of Vistra Energy, including making recommendations to the Board with respect to the adoption, amendment or termination of compensation and benefits plans, arrangements, policies and practices;

 

•    Evaluate the performance of Vistra Energy’s executive officers;

 

•    Approve compensation of the executive officers (other than the CEO) based on those evaluations, together with CEO recommendations; and

 

•    Recommend CEO compensation to the full Board for approval.

  

 

LOGO

 

The Compensation Committee’s charter can be found on our website.

Advisors to the Compensation Committee

During the 2016 Stub Period, Willis Towers Watson, who advised our Predecessor’s compensation committee as well, provided ongoing advisory services to Vistra Energy and its Compensation Committee on various aspects of its overall compensation and benefits practices, including, but not limited to, the development of the going forward compensation structure and the emergence equity program.

In accordance with the Compensation Committee’s charter, the Compensation Committee determined that Willis Towers Watson is sufficiently independent to appropriately advise the Compensation Committee on compensation matters and that its relationship with Willis Towers Watson does not give rise to any conflict of interest. Going forward, the Compensation Committee expects that it will continue to engage compensation consultants when and as appropriate, and will conduct an assessment of consultants’ independence prior to any such engagement.

 

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Compensation Philosophy

In this section, we provide details of the Named Executive Officer compensation framework, practices and outcomes for the 2016 Stub Period

Compensation Philosophy

Our compensation program is intended to attract and motivate top-talent executive officers as leaders and compensate executive officers appropriately for their contribution to the attainment of our financial, operational and strategic objectives. In addition, we believe it is important to retain our top tier talent and strongly align their interests with our stakeholders by emphasizing incentive based compensation. We utilize the following elements of compensation to achieve these objectives:

 

Compensation Element

  

Summary and Linkage to Philosophy

Base Salary

  

✓       A fixed element of compensation to provide a stable source of income

 

✓       Provides market competitive compensation to attract and retain talent

Annual Incentive

  

✓       A cash-based award that encourages executives to focus on specific corporate, business unit and individual performance goals

 

✓       Is earned only if threshold financial, operational and/or strategic objectives are met

Stock Options

  

✓       Rewards long-term stockholder value creation as options only provide value when the stock price appreciates

 

✓       Provides wealth-building opportunity and aligns executives with stockholder interests

Restricted Stock Units

  

✓       Rewards long-term stockholder value creation

 

✓       Enhances executive stock ownership and promotes retention

Benefits

  

✓       Keeps program competitive and provides protection for executives

Perquisites

  

✓       Perquisites are limited in amount and use

Compensation Determination Process

Use of Market Data

Vistra Energy establishes target compensation levels that are consistent with market practice and internal equity considerations (including position, responsibility and contribution) relative to base salaries, annual incentives and long-term incentives, as well as with the Compensation Committee’s assessment of the appropriate pay mix for a particular position. In order to gauge the competitiveness of its compensation programs, the Company reviews compensation practices and pay opportunities from energy industry survey data, as well as from a selection of publicly-traded peer companies. The Company attempts to position itself to attract and retain qualified senior executives in the face of competitive pressures in its relevant labor markets.

Specifically during the 2016 Stub Period, the Company used information regarding the pay practices of energy industry companies provided by our compensation consultant, regressed to Vistra Energy’s revenue size.

 

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We believe that revenue is an appropriate indicator of the size and complexity of an organization, which should be considered in determining compensation levels. The compensation data resulting from this analysis was a significant factor considered by the Compensation Committee with respect to its executive compensation decisions for our Named Executive Officers.

During the 2016 Stub Period, we also utilized a new compensation peer group as an additional reference point when determining executive compensation. This peer group consisted of a select group of companies that our Compensation Committee believes are representative of the talent market in which we compete. Our compensation peer group consisted of the following companies for the 2016 Stub Period:

 

The AES Corporation    Calpine Corporation    Dynegy Inc.
Entergy Corporation    FirstEnergy Corp.    NRG Energy, Inc.
PG&E Corporation    Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated    Talen Energy Corporation

The Compensation Committee does not target any particular level of total compensation or individual component of compensation against the peer group; rather the Compensation Committee considers the range of total compensation provided by our peers, together with information from published surveys, in determining the appropriate mix and level of total compensation for our executives.

Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer

In determining the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Compensation Committee annually follows a thorough and detailed process. At the end of each year, the Compensation Committee reviews a self-assessment prepared by the CEO regarding his performance and the performance of our businesses and meets (with and without the CEO) to evaluate and discuss his performance and the performance of our businesses.

While the Compensation Committee tries to ensure that a substantial portion of the CEO’s compensation is directly linked to his performance and the performance of our businesses, the Compensation Committee also seeks to set his compensation in a manner that is competitive with compensation for similarly performing executive officers with similar responsibilities in companies we consider our peers.

As discussed under “—Employment Agreements” below, we have entered into an employment agreement with our current CEO, Curtis A. Morgan, which addresses certain elements of his compensation and benefit package.

Compensation of Other Named Executive Officers

In determining the compensation of each of our Named Executive Officers (other than the CEO), the Compensation Committee seeks the input of the CEO. At the end of each year, the CEO reviews a self-assessment prepared by each Named Executive Officer and assesses the Named Executive Officer’s performance against business unit (or area of responsibility) and individual goals and objectives. The Compensation Committee and the CEO then review the CEO’s assessments and, in that context, the Compensation Committee approves the compensation for each Named Executive Officer.

Role of the Compensation Consultant

To add rigor in the review process and to inform the Compensation Committee of market trends, the Compensation Committee engages the services of Willis Towers Watson, an independent executive compensation consultant, to analyze our executive compensation structure and plan designs, and to assess whether the compensation program is competitive and supports the Compensation Committee’s goal to align the

 

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interests of executive officers with those of stockholders. Willis Towers Watson may also directly provide the Compensation Committee with market data, which the Compensation Committee references when determining compensation for executive officers. The Compensation Committee has authorized Willis Towers Watson to interact with the Company’s management, as needed, on behalf of the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to approve the independent compensation consultant’s fees and terms of the engagement. Thus, the Compensation Committee annually reviews its relationship with, and assesses the independence of, Willis Towers Watson to ensure executive compensation consulting independence.

Base Salary

We believe base salary should consider the scope and complexity of an executive officer’s position and the level of responsibility required to perform his or her job. We also believe that a competitive level of base salary is required to attract, motivate and retain qualified talent. We want to ensure our cash compensation is competitive and sufficient to incent executive officers to remain with us, recognizing our high performance expectations across a broad set of operational, financial, customer service and community-oriented goals and objectives.

The Compensation Committee regularly reviews base salaries and periodically uses independent compensation consultants to ensure the base salaries are market-competitive. The Compensation Committee may also review an executive officer’s base salary from time to time during a year, including if the executive officer is given a promotion or if his or her responsibilities are significantly modified.

Annual Incentive Plan

Summary

The EAIP provides an annual performance-based cash bonus for the successful attainment of certain financial and operational performance targets that are established annually by the Compensation Committee. Under the terms of the EAIP, performance against these targets, which are set at challenging levels to incentivize exceptional performance (while at the same time balancing the needs for safety and investment in our business), drives bonus funding.

Performance Framework

As a general matter, target level performance is based on Vistra Energy’s board-approved financial and operational plan (the Financial Plan) for each upcoming year. The Compensation Committee sets high expectations for our executive officers and therefore annually selects a target performance level that constitutes above average performance for the business, which the Compensation Committee expects the business to achieve during the upcoming year. Threshold and superior levels are for performance levels that are below or above Financial Plan-based expectations, respectively. Based on the level of attainment of these performance targets, an aggregate EAIP funding percentage amount for all participants is determined. The aggregate award to any participant in any given year is subject to a cap equal to 200% of such participant’s target bonus for the corresponding year.

Target Opportunity (as a % of Salary)

Performance payouts on financial metrics are equal to 100% if the target amount is achieved for a particular metric, 50% if the threshold amount is achieved and 200% if the superior amount is achieved.

 

 

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Actual performance payouts are interpolated on a linear basis, as applicable. These results are then adjusted by an individual performance modifier as described below.

 

2016 Annual Incentive Plan Target

Opportunities

  

Target

% (1)

 

Curtis A. Morgan – Chief Executive Officer

     100%  

James A. Burke – EVP & Chief Operating Officer

     90%  

J. William Holden – EVP & Chief Financial Officer

     90%  

Carrie Lee Kirby – EVP & Chief Administrative Officer

     70%  

Sara Graziano – SVP Corporate Development & Strategy

     70%  

(1)    Described as a percentage of base salary

  

Financial and Operational Performance Targets for 2016

The following table provides a summary of the weight given to the various business unit scorecards, which constitute the performance targets under the EAIP, for each of our Named Executive Officers.

 

     Weight  

Name

   Business
Services
Scorecard
Multiplier (1)
    Luminant
Scorecard
Multiplier
     TXU Energy
Scorecard
Multiplier
    Total     Performance (2)  

Curtis A. Morgan

     100     —          —         100     174

James A. Burke

     25     —          75     100     183

J. William Holden (3)

     N/A       —          —         N/A       N/A  

Carrie Lee Kirby

     100     —          —         100     174

Sara Graziano

     100     —          —         100     174

 

(1) Business Services represents an equal weighting of the Luminant and TXU Energy Scorecards.
(2) Performance for the 2016 Stub Period was based upon the combined performance of our Predecessor pre-Emergence and Vistra Energy post-Emergence.
(3) Mr. Holden was not eligible for a bonus under the EAIP plan in 2016. He did, however, receive a discretionary bonus in accordance with his employment agreement. See “Summary Compensation Table – 2016” and “—Employment Agreements—Mr. Holden’s Employment Agreement” below.

The following table provides a summary of the performance targets included in the Luminant Scorecard Multiplier for our Named Executive Officers:

 

Named Executive Officer Luminant Scorecard Metrics

   Weight     Performance     Payout  

Luminant Adjusted EBITDA

     50.0     150     75

Nuclear Available Generation (GWh)

     7.5     146     11

Coal Available Generation (GWh)

     12.5     200     25

Total Cost (O&M/SG&A/Capex) ($mm)

     30.0     166     50
  

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     100.0       161
  

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

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The following table provides a summary of the performance targets included in the TXU Energy Scorecard Multiplier for our Named Executive Officers:

 

Named Executive Officer TXU Energy Scorecard Metrics

   Weight     Performance     Payout  

TXU Energy Adjusted EBITDA ($ mm)

     40.0     200     80

TXU Energy Total Costs ($ mm)

     20.0     200     40

Contribution Margin ($/MWh)

     15.0     200     30

Residential Ending Customer Count (000’s)

     10.0     130     13

TXU Energy Customer Experience

     15.0     160     24
  

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     100.0       187
  

 

 

     

 

 

 

Individual Performance Modifier

After approving the actual performance against the applicable targets under the EAIP, and on a basis independent of such target performance calculations, the Compensation Committee and the CEO review the performance of each of our executive officers on an individual and comparative basis. Based on this review, which includes an analysis of both objective and subjective criteria, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, including the CEO’s recommendations (with respect to all executive officers other than himself), the Compensation Committee approves an individual performance modifier for each executive officer.

Under the terms of the EAIP, the individual performance modifier can range from an outstanding rating (150%) to an unacceptable rating (0%). To calculate an executive officer’s final annual cash incentive bonus, the executive officer’s corporate/business unit payout percentages are multiplied by the executive officer’s target incentive level, which is computed as a percentage of annualized base salary, and then by the executive officer’s individual performance modifier, subject to the aggregate cap of 200% of such executive officer’s annual target bonus.

Actual Awards

The following table provides a summary of the 2016 performance-based cash bonus for each Named Executive Officer under the EAIP, and the discussion below highlights the key factors used in determining the final awards, including with respect to each Named Executive Officer’s individual performance modifier.

Mr. Morgan officially took the role of CEO on October 3, 2016. Mr. Morgan was able to quickly impact the business, with an assessment of the leadership team and key business processes. Within the first 90 days of his tenure, Mr. Morgan established his team, primarily from existing talent, developed a go to market strategy, led the team to implement effective cost reductions and reorganization around the Emergence strategy and restructure the Company’s support cost functions, conducted a debt offering, produced and gained approval of the 2017 budget, put governance processes in place and began to develop a strong culture. In addition, he filled two key executive team positions, CFO and SVP of Corporate Development, both key to the future success of Vistra Energy. Given these and other significant achievements, the Compensation Committee approved an individual performance modifier that increased Mr. Morgan’s incentive award.

Mr. Burke took on a new role at Emergence, EVP and COO, leading not only the retail business, but also the wholesale generation business. Mr. Burke was able to utilize his strong credibility across the company to bring the team together to retain key employees and focus the Company on the day to day business following exit from bankruptcy and the support cost restructuring and add value. With his leadership, the team was able to focus on creating value, leading to a strong finish to 2016. Given these and other significant achievements, the Compensation Committee approved an individual performance modifier that increased Mr. Burke’s incentive award.

Ms. Kirby took a new role at Vistra Energy that includes the Human Resources, communications, community affairs, facilities and corporate security organizations. Ms. Kirby played a key role in the design and

 

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implementation of the cost initiatives and restructuring that occurred quickly after Emergence. Ms. Kirby also assisted Mr. Morgan in staffing key leadership roles on his team. Given these and other significant achievements, the Compensation Committee approved an individual performance modifier that increased Ms. Kirby’s incentive award.

Ms. Graziano joined the team immediately at Emergence. She quickly created a new high performing development organization. Ms. Graziano plays a critical role on the management team by leading analysis of a variety of business opportunities across Vistra. Given these and other significant achievements, the Compensation Committee approved an individual performance modifier that increased Ms. Graziano’s incentive award.

 

Name

   Target
(% of salary)
    Target Award
($ Value)
     Actual Award
($)
 

Curtis A. Morgan

     100     950,000        1,900,000  

James A. Burke

     90     675,000        1,228,907  

J. William Holden

     90     531,000        N/A  

Carrie Lee Kirby

     70     301,000        539,939  

Sara Graziano

     70     280,000        530,315  

Awards under the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan

Overview of Non-Recurring Emergence Equity Grants

During the 2016 Stub Period, in connection with Emergence, the Board awarded non-recurring equity grants to our Named Executive Officers with 50% of the target value of each named executive officer’s long-term incentive award in the form of stock options and 50% in the form of RSUs.

These awards were intended to serve as a retention and motivational tool and align our executive officers with the interests of our stockholders. Award sizes were determined based on an evaluation of internal pay equity, and compensation levels for comparable positions among peer companies, and the energy utility industry. Importantly, we and the Board, considered the size of the emergence equity grants, annualized over the vesting period, and in the context of total direct compensation, compared to market practice in assessing their reasonableness as well. We also reviewed and considered market data for equity practices at other emerged companies from both inside and outside the energy sector with respect to the design of the program and the grant values. In doing so, we found these type of equity programs are common practice for recently emerged companies.

 

Non-Recurring Emergence Equity Grants

   Total Grant
Value
 

Curtis A. Morgan – Chief Executive Officer

   $ 5,000,000  

James A. Burke – EVP & Chief Operating Officer

   $ 4,000,000  

J. William Holden – EVP & Chief Financial Officer

   $ 2,500,000  

Carrie Lee Kirby – EVP & Chief Administrative Officer

   $ 1,600,000  

Sara Graziano – SVP Corporate Development & Strategy

   $ 1,200,000  

 

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Awards Granted in the 2016 Stub Period

 

LOGO

Stock Options (50% of Emergence Equity Grants)

50% of the targeted non-recurring emergence equity value was granted in the form of non-qualified stock options that vest ratably over a four-year period and expire after 10 years. The exercise price of each option was the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant as reported on the OTCQX U.S. market. The number of options granted was determined by dividing the targeted stock option value for each executive by the value of each option, which was computed using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the same assumptions that we use in calculating the compensation expense attributable to such grants under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (ASC 718).

Restricted Stock Units (50% of Emergence Equity Grants)

50% of the targeted non-recurring emergence equity value was granted in the form of RSUs that vest ratably over a four year period. The number of shares of RSUs awarded to each executive was determined by dividing the targeted RSU value for each executive by the closing price of our common stock on the grant date as reported on the OTCQX U.S. market in accordance with ASC 718.

Non-Recurring Emergence Equity Awards

 

Name

   # of Stock
Options
     Stock Option
$ Value
     # of Restricted
Stock Units
     Restricted Stock
Unit Value
     Total
Value $
 

Curtis A. Morgan

     526,316      $ 2,500,000        152,905      $ 2,500,000      $ 5,000,000  

James A. Burke

     421,053      $ 2,000,000        122,324      $ 2,000,000      $ 4,000,000  

J. William Holden

     281,532      $ 1,250,000        86,505      $ 1,250,000      $ 2,500,000  

Carrie Lee Kirby

     168,421      $ 800,000        48,930      $ 800,000      $ 1,600,000  

Sara Graziano

     126,316      $ 600,000        36,697      $ 600,000      $ 1,200,000  

Future Equity Awards

In the future, the Compensation Committee may provide additional grants and forms of equity to drive certain aspects of our operating and financial performance as the Compensation Committee sees fit, and as supported by market data and the executive’s performance. The Compensation Committee believes that long-term incentive compensation is an important component of our compensation program because it has the potential for retaining and motivating executives, aligning executives’ financial interests with the interests of stockholders, and rewarding the achievement of our long-term strategic and financial goals.

Benefits and Perquisites

Benefits

Our executive officers generally have the opportunity to participate in certain of our broad-based employee compensation plans, including our Thrift (401(k)) Plan (the Thrift Plan), and health and welfare plans. Please refer to the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table below.

 

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Perquisites

We provided our executives with certain perquisites, including financial planning services, during the 2016 Stub Period.

Employment Arrangements and Termination Provisions

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers. Each of the employment agreements provides that certain payments and benefits will be paid upon the expiration or termination of the agreement under various circumstances, including termination without cause, resignation for good reason and termination of employment within a fixed period of time following a change in control of Vistra Energy.

We believe these provisions are important in order to attract, motivate and retain the caliber of executive officers that our business requires and provide incentive for our executive officers to fully consider potential changes that are in our and our stockholders’ best interest, even if such changes could result in the executive officers’ termination of employment.

For a description of the applicable provisions in the employment agreements of our Named Executive Officers and a summary of certain potential termination or change in control payments, see “—Employment Agreements” and “—Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

Other Compensation Policies

Insider Trading Policy

Under our insider trading policy, members of the Board and all of our officers and employees shall not engage in any direct or derivative transactions involving any securities of Vistra Energy, including, hedging transactions, pledges of Vistra securities as collateral or short sales thereof.

Accounting, Tax and Other Considerations

Accounting Considerations

We follow ASC 718 for our stock-based compensation awards, and the compensation that we pay to our executives is expensed in our financial statements as required by U.S. GAAP.

As one of many factors, our compensation committee considers the financial statement impact in determining the amount of, and allocation among the elements of, executive compensation.

Income Tax Considerations

Section 162(m) of the Code limits the tax deductibility by a publicly-held company of compensation in excess of $1 million paid to the CEO or any other of its three most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal financial officer. Because Vistra Energy was not subject to Section 162(m) of the Code in 2016, it was not a factor in the Company’s 2016 compensation decisions.

Risk Assessment

Our management team annually initiates Vistra Energy’s internal risk review and assessment process for our compensation policies and practices by assessing, among other things: (1) the mix of cash and equity payouts at various compensation levels; (2) the performance time horizons used by our plans; (3) the use of multiple financial and operational performance metrics that are readily monitored and reviewed; (4) the incorporation of

 

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both operational and financial goals and individual performance modifiers; (5) the inclusion of maximum caps and other plan-based mitigants on the amount of our awards; and (6) multiple levels of review and approval of awards (including approval of our Compensation Committee with respect to awards to executive officers and awards to other employees that exceed monetary thresholds). Following their assessment, our management team prepares a report, which is provided to Vistra Energy’s Compensation Committee for review. The Vistra Energy Compensation Committee reviews the report and provides it to the Audit Committee. Vistra Energy’s management and Compensation Committee have determined that the risks arising from Vistra Energy’s compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Vistra Energy.

Say on Pay Vote

Because Vistra Energy has not yet held an annual stockholders meeting, we are not yet required to hold say-on-pay votes concerning the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.

Summary Compensation Table – 2016

The following table provides information for the 2016 Stub Period regarding the aggregate compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers.

 

Name and
Principal

Position

  Year     Salary
($)
    Bonus
($) (1)
    Stock
Awards
($) (2)
    Option
Awards
($) (3)
    Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($) (4)
    Change in
Pension Value
and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
($)
    All Other
Compensation
($) (5)
    Total
($)
 
Curtis A. Morgan
President & CEO of Vistra Energy
    2016       233,846       —         2,500,000       2,500,000       1,900,000       —         17,056       7,150,902  
James A. Burke
EVP and Chief Operating Officer of Vistra Energy
    2016       184,615       1,000,000       2,000,000       2,000,000       1,228,907       —         2,529       6,416,051  
J. William Holden
EVP and Chief Financial Officer of Vistra Energy
    2016       45,385       150,000       1,250,000       1,250,000       —         —         3,166       2,698,551  
Carrie Lee Kirby
EVP and Chief Administrative Officer of Vistra Energy
    2016       105,846       200,000       800,000       800,000       539,939       —         2,529       2,448,314  
Sara Graziano
SVP, Corporate Development and Strategy of Vistra Energy
    2016       98,462       —         600,000       600,000       530,315       —         13,454       1,842,230  

 

(1) The amounts reported in this column for Mr. Burke and Ms. Kirby represent discretionary cash bonuses that the relevant executive officer earned in 2016. The amount reported in this column for Mr. Holden is an agreed upon amount pursuant to his employment agreement that was paid in lieu of EAIP for 2016.
(2) The amounts reported as “Stock Awards” represent the grant date fair value (as computed in accordance with ASC 718) of certain RSUs that were granted to our executive officers.
(3) The amounts reported as “Option Awards” represent the grant date fair value (as computed in accordance with ASC 718) of certain stock options that were granted to our executive officers.
(4) The amounts to be reported as “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” were earned by the respective executive officers in 2016 under the EAIP.

 

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(5) The amounts for the 2016 Stub Period reported as “All Other Compensation” are attributable to the Named Executive Officer’s receipt of compensation as described in the following table:

 

Name (a)

   Matching
Contribution
to Thrift
Plan (b)
     Financial
Planning (c)
     Relocation
Expenses
     Total  

Curtis A. Morgan

     6,577        —          10,479        17,056  

James A. Burke

     —          2,529        —          2,529  

J. William Holden

     —          —          3,166        3,166  

Carrie Lee Kirby

     —          2,529        —          2,529  

Sara Graziano

     308        —          13,146        13,454  

 

  (a) For purposes of preparing this table, all perquisites are valued on the basis of the actual cost to Vistra Energy.
  (b) Our Thrift Plan allows participating employees to contribute a portion of their regular salary or wages to the plan. Under the Thrift Plan, Vistra Energy matches a portion of an employee’s contributions. This matching contribution is 100% of each Named Executive Officer’s contribution up to 6% of the Named Executive Officer’s salary up to the annual IRS compensation limit. All matching contributions are invested in Thrift Plan investments as directed by the participant.
  (c) We offer to pay for our executive officers to receive financial planning services. This service is intended to support them in managing their financial affairs, which we consider especially important given the high level of time commitment and performance expectation required of our executive officers. Furthermore, we believe that such service helps ensure greater accuracy and compliance with individual tax regulations by our executive officers.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards – 2016

The following table sets forth information regarding grants of compensatory awards to our Named Executive Officers for the 2016 Stub Period.

 

            Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Awards (1)
     All other
Stock
Awards:
Numbers
of Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)
     All other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)
     Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
     Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards
 

Name

   Approval/
Grant
Date
     Threshold
($)
     Target
($)
     Maximum
($)
             

Curtis A. Morgan

     10/03/16        —          950,000        1,900,000        —          —          —           
     10/11/16        —          —          —          152,905        —          —          2,500,000  
     10/11/16        —          —          —          —          526,316        14.03        2,500,000  

James A. Burke

     10/03/16        —          675,000        1,228,907        —          —          —           
     10/11/16        —          —          —          122,324        —          —          2,000,000  
     10/11/16        —          —          —          —          421,053        14.03        2,000,000  

J. William Holden

     10/03/16        —          —          —          —          —          —           
     12/05/16        —          —          —          86,505        —          —          1,250,000  
     12/05/16        —          —          —          —          281,532        12.13        1,250,000  

Carrie Lee Kirby

     10/03/16        —          301,000        539,939        —          —          —           
     10/11/16        —          —          —          48,930        —          —          800,000  
     10/11/16        —          —          —          —          168,421        14.03        800,000  

Sara Graziano

     10/03/16        —          280,000        560,000        —          —          —           
     10/11/16        —          —          —          36,697        —          —          600,000  
     10/11/16        —          —          —          —          126,316        14.03        600,000  

 

(1) Represents the target and maximum amounts available under the EAIP for 2016 for each Named Executive Officer. Each payment is reported in the Summary Compensation Table in the year earned under the heading “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation,” and is described above under the section entitled “Annual Incentive Plan”.

For a discussion of certain material terms of the employment agreements with the Named Executive Officers, please see “—Employment Agreements” below.

 

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End – 2016

The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding equity awards to our Named Executive Officers at fiscal year-end for the 2016 Stub Period.

 

     Option Awards     Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options

(#)
     Option
Exercise
Price
($) (4)
     Option
Expiration
Date
    Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
that have
not
Vested
(#)
    Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock that
have not
Vested ($) (1)
     Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
other
Rights
that have
not
Vested
(#)
     Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
or Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
other
Rights
that have
not
Vested
($)
 

Curtis A. Morgan

     —          526,316 (2)       —          14.03        10/11/26       152,905 (2)       2,370,028        —          —    

James A. Burke

     —          421,053 (2)       —          14.03        10/11/26       122,324 (2)       1,896,022        —          —    

J. William Holden

     —          281,532 (3)       —          12.13        12/05/26       86,505 (3)       1,340,828        —          —    

Carrie Lee Kirby

     —          168,421 (2)       —          14.03        10/11/26       48,930 (2)       758,415        —          —    

Sara Graziano

     —          126,316 (2)       —          14.03        10/11/26       36,697 (2)       568,804        —          —    

 

(1) The amount listed in this column represents the product of the closing market price of the Company’s stock on December 30, 2016 ($15.50) as reported on the OTCQX U.S. market, multiplied by the number of shares of stock subject to the award.
(2) Granted on October 11, 2016 and vests ratably on the first four anniversaries of October 3, 2016.
(3) Granted on December 5, 2016 and vests ratably on the first four anniversaries of October 3, 2016.
(4) In March 2017, the Compensation Committee approved adjusting the strike price of all options by the amount of the 2016 Special Dividend pursuant to the anti-dilutive provisions in the 2016 Incentive Plan (as defined in “Executive Compensation — 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan”). The numbers in the table above include the downward adjustment.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

The following tables and narrative below describe payments to each of the Named Executive Officers (or, as applicable, enhancements to payments or benefits) in the event of his or her termination, including if such termination is voluntary, for cause, as a result of death, as a result of disability, without cause or for good reason or in connection with a change in control. Additional narrative descriptions of such employment agreements and such termination payments are included under “—Employment Agreements” below.

Contingent Payments upon Termination

As of December 31, 2016, each of Messrs. Morgan, Burke and Holden and Mses. Kirby and Graziano had employment agreements with change in control and severance provisions.

With respect to each Named Executive Officer’s employment agreement, a change in control is generally defined as (i) a transaction that results in the acquisition of 30% or more of our common stock, (ii) a change in the composition of the Board such that members of the Board during any consecutive 12-month period cease to constitute a majority of the Board, (iii) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or (iv) a transaction that results in a merger or sale of substantially all of our assets or capital stock to another person who is not an affiliate of the Company.

The following tables describe payments to which each Named Executive Officer is entitled under his or her employment agreement assuming termination of employment as of December 31, 2016. Additional narrative descriptions of such employment agreements and such termination payments is included under “—Employment Agreements” below.

 

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Potential Payments to Mr. Morgan upon Termination as of December 31, 2016 (see “—Employment Agreements—Mr. Morgan’s Employment Agreement” below)

 

Benefit

   Voluntary
($)
     For
Cause
($)
     Death ($)      Disability
($)
     Without
Cause Or
For Good
Reason ($)
     Without
Cause Or

For Good
Reason In

Connection
With

Change in
Control ($)
 

Cash Severance

     —          —          —          —          3,800,000        6,631,000  

EAIP (1)

     —          —          1,650,720        1,650,720        1,650,720        —    

Unvested RSU Awards (2)

     —          —          681,193        681,193        681,193        2,724,771  

Unvested Stock Options (3)

     —          —          193,421        193,421        193,421        773,685  

Health & Welfare:

     —          —          —          —          —          —    

- Medical/COBRA

     —          —          —          —          3,317        3,317  

- Dental/COBRA

     —          —          —          —          1,061        1,061  

- Vision/COBRA

     —          —          —          —          492        492  

Totals

     0        0        2,525,334        2,525,334        6,330,205        10,134,327  

 

(1) Calculated as target award multiplied by company performance.
(2) The value of unvested RSU awards represents the sum of (i) the closing price of our common stock on December 30, 2016 ($15.50), as reported by the OTCQX U.S. market of all shares of stock subject to RSUs that would vest upon the triggering event, and (ii) the value of the 2016 Special Dividend ($2.32 per share) attributable to all shares of stock subject to RSUs that would vest upon the triggering event.
(3) The value of unvested stock options represents the difference in the exercise price and the closing price of our stock on December 31, 2016 ($15.50) of all stock options that would vest upon the triggering event.

Potential Payments to Mr. Burke upon Termination as of December 31, 2016 (see “—Employment Agreements—Mr. Burke’s Employment Agreement” below)

 

Benefit

  Voluntary ($)     For Cause ($)     Death ($)     Disability ($)     Without
Cause Or
For Good
Reason ($)
    Without Cause Or
For Good Reason In
Connection With
Change in Control ($)
 

Cash Severance

    —         —         —         —         2,850,000       4,935,750  

EAIP (1)

    —         —         1,238,355       1,238,355       1,238,355       —    

Unvested RSU Awards (2)

    —         —         544,954       544,954       544,954       2,179,816  

Unvested Stock Options (3)

    —         —         154,737       154,737       154,737       618,948  

Health & Welfare:

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

- Medical/COBRA

    —         —         —         —         3,317       3,317  

- Dental/COBRA

    —         —         —         —         1,061       1,061  

- Vision/COBRA

    —         —         —         —         492       492  

Totals

    0       0       1,938,046       1,938,046       4,792,917       7,739,385  

 

(1) Calculated as target award multiplied by company performance.
(2) The value of unvested RSU awards represents the sum of (i) the closing price of our common stock on December 30, 2016 ($15.50), as reported by the OTCQX U.S. market of all shares of stock subject to RSUs that would vest upon the triggering event, and (ii) the value of the 2016 Special Dividend ($2.32 per share) attributable to all shares of stock subject to RSUs that would vest upon the triggering event.
(3) The value of unvested stock options represents the difference in the exercise price and the closing price of our stock on December 31, 2016 ($15.50) of all stock options that would vest upon the triggering event.

 

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Potential Payments to Mr. Holden upon Termination as of December 31, 2016 (see “—Employment Agreements—Mr. Holden’s Employment Agreement” below)

 

Benefit

  Voluntary ($)     For Cause ($)     Death ($)     Disability ($)     Without
Cause Or
For Good
Reason ($)
    Without Cause Or
For Good Reason In
Connection With
Change in Control ($)
 

Cash Severance

    —         —         —         —         2,242,000       3,882,790  

EAIP (1)

    —         —         922,666       922,666       922,666       —    

Unvested RSU Awards (2)

    —         —         385,381       385,381       385,381       1,541,522  

Unvested Stock Options (3)

    —         —         237,191       237,191       237,191       948,761  

Health & Welfare:

    —         —         —         —         —         —    

- Medical/COBRA

    —         —         —         —         3,317       3,317  

- Dental/COBRA

    —         —         —         —         1,061       1,061  

- Vision/COBRA

    —         —         —         —         492       492  

Totals

    0       0       1,545,238       1,545,238       `3,792,109       6,377,943  

 

(1) Calculated as target award multiplied by company performance.
(2) The value of unvested RSU awards represents the sum of (i) the closing price of our common stock on December 30, 2016 ($15.50), as reported by the OTCQX U.S. market of all shares of stock subject to RSUs that would vest upon the triggering event, and (ii) the value of the 2016 Special Dividend ($2.32 per share) attributable to all shares of stock subject to RSUs that would vest upon the triggering event.
(3) The value of unvested stock options represents the difference in the exercise price and the closing price of our stock on December 31, 2016 ($15.50) of all stock options that would vest upon the triggering event.

Potential Payments to Ms. Kirby upon Termination as of December 31, 2016 (see “—Employment Agreements—Ms. Kirby’s Employment Agreement” below)

 

Benefit

   Voluntary ($)      For Cause ($)      Death ($)      Disability ($)      Without
Cause Or
For Good
Reason ($)
     Without Cause Or
For Good Reason In
Connection With
Change in Control  ($)
 

Cash Severance

     —          —          —          —          1,462,000        2,486,690  

EAIP (1)

     —          —          523,018        523,018        523,018        —    

Unvested RSU Awards (2)

     —          —          217,981        217,981        217,981        871,927  

Unvested Stock Options (3)

     —          —          61,895        61,895        61,895        247,579  

Health & Welfare:

     —          —          —          —          —          —    

- Medical/COBRA

     —          —          —          —          3,317        3,317  

- Dental/COBRA

     —          —          —          —          1,061        1,061  

- Vision/COBRA

     —          —          —          —          492        492  

Totals

     0        0        802,894        802,894        2,269,765        3,611,066  

 

(1) Calculated as target award multiplied by company performance.
(2) The value of unvested RSU awards represents the sum of (i) the closing price of our common stock on December 30, 2016 ($15.50), as reported by the OTCQX U.S. market of all shares of stock subject to RSUs that would vest upon the triggering event, and (ii) the value of the 2016 Special Dividend ($2.32 per share) attributable to all shares of stock subject to RSUs that would vest upon the triggering event.
(3) The value of unvested stock options represents the difference in the exercise price and the closing price of our stock on December 31, 2016 ($15.50) of all stock options that would vest upon the triggering event.

 

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Potential Payments to Ms. Graziano upon Termination as of December 31, 2016 (see “—Employment Agreements—Ms. Graziano’s Employment Agreement” below)

 

Benefit

   Voluntary ($)      For Cause ($)      Death ($)      Disability ($)      Without
Cause Or
For Good
Reason ($)
     Without Cause Or
For Good Reason In
Connection With
Change in Control ($)
 

Cash Severance

     —          —          —          —          1,360,000        2,313,200  

EAIP (1)

     —          —          486,528        486,528        486,528        —    

Unvested RSU Awards (2)

     —          —          163,486        163,486        163,486        653,945  

Unvested Stock Options (3)

     —          —          46,421        46,421        46,421        185,685  

Health & Welfare:

     —          —          —          —          —          —    

- Medical/COBRA

     —          —          —          —          3,317        3,317  

- Dental/COBRA

     —          —          —          —          1,061        1,061  

- Vision/COBRA

     —          —          —          —          492        492  

Totals

     0        0        696,435        696,435        2,061,306        3,157,700  

 

(1) Calculated as target award multiplied by company performance.
(2) The value of unvested RSU awards represents the sum of (i) the closing price of our common stock on December 30, 2016 ($15.50), as reported by the OTCQX U.S. market of all shares of stock subject to RSUs that would vest upon the triggering event, and (ii) the value of the 2016 Special Dividend ($2.32 per share) attributable to all shares of stock subject to RSUs that would vest upon the triggering event.
(3) The value of unvested stock options represents the difference in the exercise price and the closing price of our stock on December 31, 2016 ($15.50) of all stock options that would vest upon the triggering event.

Director Compensation

Vistra Energy Corp. is a newly created entity created in connection with Emergence, and the directors of Vistra Energy Corp. were appointed to such positions with effect as of the Effective Date. As a result, there is no relevant 2015 compensation disclosure relating to the directors of Vistra Energy Corp.

The table below sets forth information regarding the aggregate compensation earned by or paid to the members of the Board during the year ended December 31, 2016. Vistra Energy reimburses directors for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with their services as directors.

 

Name

   Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
     RSU Awards
($)
    Total ($)  

Gavin R. Baiera (1)(2)(4)

     48,750              48,750  

Jennifer Box (1)(2)(4)

     48,750              48,750  

Jeff D. Hunter (2)(3)

     28,750        100,000 (6)       128,750  

Michael S. Liebelson (1)(2)(5)

     23,750        100,000 (6)       123,750  

Cyrus Madon (1)(2)(4)

     48,750              48,750  

Curtis A. Morgan

                   

Geoffrey D. Strong (1)(2)(4)

     48,750              48,750  

 

(1) Members of the Board who are not officers of Vistra Energy and not Chair of the Audit Committee receive an annual board retainer of $80,000 and an annual committee retainer of $15,000.
(2) Members of the Board who are not officers of Vistra Energy receive an annual equity award in the amount of $100,000. Certain members of the Board elected to be paid in cash in lieu of their equity award.
(3) The Chair of the Audit Committee receives an annual board retainer of $90,000 and an annual committee retainer of $25,000.
(4) Fees were directly paid to entities affiliated with the employer of such director for firm use and not redirected to individual directors.
(5)

Michael S. Liebelson resigned from the Board effective February 1, 2017, and in consideration of a General Release Agreement between the Company and Mr. Liebelson, he is entitled to a lump sum payment of

 

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  $266,250 to be paid in February 2017. In addition, the RSUs held by Mr. Liebelson were fully vested in connection with his resignation.
(6) 7,169 restricted stock units, based on a grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC 718. All such units remained outstanding as of December 31, 2016.

Employment Agreements

In addition to the right to participate in the 2016 Incentive Plan described below under “— 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan” at the discretion of the Committee, each of Mr. Morgan, Mr. Burke Ms. Kirby, Ms. Graziano and Ms. Moore entered into an employment agreement with Vistra Energy Corp., effective as of October 4, 2016 and Mr. Holden entered into an employment agreement with Vistra Energy Corp., effective as of December 5, 2016. The following is a summary of the material terms of each such employment agreement, along with certain related compensation arrangements for each such executive officer.

Each Named Executive Officer’s employment agreement includes customary non-compete and non-solicitation provisions that generally restrict the Named Executive Officer’s ability to compete with us or solicit our customers or employees for his or her own personal benefit during the term of the employment agreement and 24 months after the employment agreement expires or is terminated.

Mr. Morgan’s Employment Agreement

Mr. Morgan’s employment agreement with Vistra Energy Corp. (the Morgan Agreement) has an initial term that ends on October 4, 2019, and thereafter, the Morgan Agreement provides for automatic one-year extensions, unless either Vistra Energy Corp. or Mr. Morgan gives 60 days’ prior written notice electing not to extend the Morgan Agreement. Pursuant to the Morgan Agreement, Mr. Morgan will receive a base salary of no less than $950,000 per year, which may be increased (but not decreased) at the sole discretion of the Board. Mr. Morgan also will have the opportunity to earn an annual cash bonus (Annual Bonus) based upon the achievement of performance metrics approved by the Board and subject to the Board’s full discretion. Mr. Morgan’s target Annual Bonus opportunity is 100% of his base salary (Target Bonus), and his maximum Annual Bonus opportunity is 200% of the Target Bonus.

The Morgan Agreement also provides Mr. Morgan with equity compensation. On the Effective Date, the Board approved the grant of stock options and RSUs under the 2016 Incentive Plan to Mr. Morgan, which grant had an aggregate grant date fair value of $5,000,000. The grant consisted of 526,316 stock options and 152,905 RSUs which, on a grant date fair value basis, represented a grant of approximately 50% stock options and 50% RSUs. The exercise price for the stock options was determined by the Board in a manner compliant with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Following October 4, 2017, the Morgan Agreement provides for annual equity awards, with the amount and form of each such equity award to be determined by the Board. All of the equity awards will be subject to the terms of the 2016 Incentive Plan. In addition to providing Mr. Morgan with equity compensation, the Morgan Agreement required Mr. Morgan to make a cash equity investment in Vistra Energy Corp. common stock equal to $1,250,000, with the timing to be determined in good faith by the Board and Mr. Morgan, and such obligation has been fulfilled.

The Morgan Agreement also entitles Mr. Morgan to participate in the benefit plans and programs, and receive such perquisites, in each case, as are provided by Vistra Energy Corp. from time to time to its senior executives generally, subject to the terms of such plans and programs and commensurate with Mr. Morgan’s position. Additionally, Mr. Morgan is entitled to receive up to $15,000 per year towards his tax and financial planning.

Upon any termination of employment with Vistra Energy Corp., Mr. Morgan will be entitled to (a) his accrued but unpaid base salary and any accrued but unused vacation as of the termination date, (b) any unreimbursed business expenses incurred through the termination date, and (c) any payments and benefits to which he may be entitled under any benefit plans, programs, or arrangements (collectively, Accrued Obligations).

 

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If Mr. Morgan’s employment with Vistra Energy Corp. is terminated by Vistra Energy Corp. without Cause (as defined in the Morgan Agreement) (and other than due to his death or disability), by Mr. Morgan for Good Reason (as defined in the Morgan Agreement) or due to Vistra Energy Corp.’s non-renewal of the employment term, then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and subject to Mr. Morgan’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within the 60 days following his employment termination date, Mr. Morgan will be entitled to (a) an aggregate amount equal to two times the sum of (i) his base salary plus (ii) (x) the Target Bonus, if such termination occurs prior to October 4, 2018, or (y) the prior year’s Annual Bonus, if such termination occurs on or after October 4, 2018, with such amount payable in 24 equal installments following the termination in accordance with Vistra Energy Corp.’s normal payroll practices; (b) a pro-rated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (i) the amount of the Annual Bonus that would have been payable to him had his employment not so terminated, based on actual performance measured through the fiscal year of termination, and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in Vistra Energy Corp.’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (Pro-Rated Bonus); (c) any accrued but unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year of termination (Unpaid Annual Bonus); (d) up to 24 months of continued health insurance benefits under the terms of the applicable Vistra Energy Corp. benefit plans, subject to his payment of the employee-portion of the benefit premiums and terminable upon his eligibility for comparable coverage under another employer’s benefit plans (with Vistra Energy Corp. having the alternative to pay the employer-portion of the COBRA continuation coverage premiums instead of providing coverage under its plans under certain circumstances) (Health Benefits); and (e) accelerated vesting of the portion of Mr. Morgan’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (with fully vested options to remain exercisable for 90 days following termination or, if Mr. Morgan is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of the date of his termination, 180 days following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).

If Mr. Morgan’s employment is terminated within the 18-month period following a change of control of Vistra Energy Corp., then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and subject to his execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within the 60 days following his employment termination date, Mr. Morgan will be entitled to (a) an aggregate amount equal to 2.99 times the sum of (i) his base salary plus (ii) the Target Bonus, with such amount payable in a lump sum; (b) a pro-rated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (i) the Target Bonus and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in Vistra Energy Corp.’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year; (c) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; (d) up to 24 months of the Health Benefits; and (e) accelerated vesting of all of Mr. Morgan’s equity awards that were outstanding as of the change of control.

If Mr. Morgan’s employment with Vistra Energy Corp. is terminated due to his death or disability, then in addition to the Accrued Obligations, Mr. Morgan will be entitled to (a) the Pro-Rated Bonus; (b) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; and (c) accelerated vesting of the portion of Mr. Morgan’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (with fully vested options to remain exercisable for one year following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).

The Morgan Agreement subjects Mr. Morgan to perpetual confidentiality, assignment of inventions and non-disparagement provisions, as well as non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that apply during his employment and for the 24-month period thereafter.

Mr. Burke’s Employment Agreement

Mr. Burke’s employment agreement with Vistra Energy Corp. (the Burke Agreement) has an initial term that ends on October 4, 2019, and thereafter, the Burke Agreement provides for automatic one-year extensions, unless either Vistra Energy Corp. or Mr. Burke gives 60 days’ prior written notice electing not to extend the Burke Agreement. Pursuant to the Burke Agreement, Mr. Burke will receive a base salary of no less than

 

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$750,000 per year, which may be increased (but not decreased) at the sole discretion of the Board. Mr. Burke also will have the opportunity to earn an Annual Bonus based upon the achievement of performance metrics approved by the Board and subject to the Board’s full discretion. Mr. Burke’s target Annual Bonus opportunity is 90% of his base salary (the Burke Target Bonus), and his maximum Annual Bonus opportunity is 200% of the Burke Target Bonus.

The Burke Agreement also provides Mr. Burke with equity compensation. On the Effective Date, the Board approved the grant of stock options and RSUs under the 2016 Incentive Plan to Mr. Burke, which grant had an aggregate grant date fair value of $4,000,000. The grant consisted of 421,053 stock options and 122,324 RSUs which, on a grant date fair value basis, represented a grant of approximately 50% stock options and 50% RSUs. The exercise price for the stock options was determined by Mr. Morgan in a manner compliant with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Following October 4, 2017 , the Burke Agreement provides for annual equity awards, with the amount and form of each such equity award to be determined by the Board. All of the equity awards will be subject to the terms of the 2016 Incentive Plan.

The Burke Agreement also entitles Mr. Burke to participate in the benefit plans and programs, and receive such perquisites, in each case, as are provided by Vistra Energy Corp. from time to time to its senior executives generally, subject to the terms of such plans and programs and commensurate with Mr. Burke’s position. Additionally, Mr. Burke is entitled to receive up to $15,000 per year towards his tax and financial planning.

Upon any termination of employment with Vistra Energy Corp., Mr. Burke will be entitled to the Accrued Obligations.

If Mr. Burke’s employment with Vistra Energy Corp. is terminated by Vistra Energy Corp. without Cause (as defined in the Burke Agreement) (and other than due to his death or disability), by Mr. Burke for Good Reason (as defined in the Burke Agreement) or due to Vistra Energy Corp.’s non-renewal of the employment term, then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and subject to Mr. Burke’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within the 60 days following his employment termination date, Mr. Burke will be entitled to (a) an aggregate amount equal to two times the sum of (i) his base salary plus (ii) (x) the Burke Target Bonus, if such termination occurs prior to October 4, 2018, or (y) the prior year’s Annual Bonus, if such termination occurs on or after October 4, 2018, with such amount payable in 24 equal installments following the termination in accordance with Vistra Energy Corp.’s normal payroll practices; (b) a pro-rated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (i) the amount of the Annual Bonus that would have been payable to him had his employment not so terminated, based on actual performance measured through the fiscal year of termination, and (ii) the Pro-Rated Bonus; (c) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; (d) up to 24 months of continued the Health Benefits; and (e) accelerated vesting of the portion of Mr. Burke’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (with fully vested options to remain exercisable for 90 days following termination or, if Mr. Burke is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of the date of his termination, 180 days following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).

If Mr. Burke’s employment is terminated within the 18-month period following a change of control of Vistra Energy Corp., then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and subject to his execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within the 60 days following his employment termination date, Mr. Burke will be entitled to (a) an aggregate amount equal to 2.99 times the sum of (i) his base salary plus (ii) the Burke Target Bonus, with such amount payable in a lump sum; (b) a pro-rated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (i) the Burke Target Bonus and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in Vistra Energy Corp.’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year; (c) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; (d) up to 24 months of the Health Benefits; and (e) accelerated vesting of all of Mr. Burke’s equity awards that were outstanding as of the change of control.

 

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If Mr. Burke’s employment with Vistra Energy Corp. is terminated due to his death or disability, then in addition to the Accrued Obligations, Mr. Burke will be entitled to (a) the Pro-Rated Bonus; (b) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; and (c) accelerated vesting of the portion of Mr. Burke’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (with fully vested options to remain exercisable for one year following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).

The Burke Agreement subjects Mr. Burke to perpetual confidentiality, assignment of inventions and non-disparagement provisions, as well as non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that apply during his employment and for the 24-month period thereafter.

Mr. Holden’s Employment Agreement

Mr. Holden’s employment agreement with Vistra Energy Corp. (the Holden Agreement) has an initial term that ends on December 5, 2019, and thereafter, the Holden Agreement provides for automatic one-year extensions, unless either Vistra Energy Corp. or Mr. Holden gives 60 days’ prior written notice electing not to extend the Holden Agreement. Pursuant to the Holden Agreement, Mr. Holden will receive a base salary of no less than $590,000 per year, which may be increased (but not decreased) at the sole discretion of the Board. Mr. Holden also will have the opportunity to earn an Annual Bonus based upon the achievement of performance metrics approved by the Board and subject to the Board’s full discretion. Mr. Holden’s target Annual Bonus opportunity is 90% of his base salary (the Holden Target Bonus), and his maximum Annual Bonus opportunity is 200% of the Holden Target Bonus.

The Holden Agreement also provides Mr. Holden with equity compensation. On December 5, 2016, the Board approved the grant of stock options and RSUs under the 2016 Incentive Plan to Mr. Holden, which grant had an aggregate grant date fair value of $2,500,000. The grant consisted of 281,532 stock options and 86,505 RSUs which, on a grant date fair value basis, represented a grant of approximately 50% stock options and 50% RSUs. The exercise price for the stock options was determined by Mr. Morgan in a manner compliant with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Following December 5, 2017, the Holden Agreement provides for annual equity awards, with the amount and form of each such equity award to be determined by the Board. All of the equity awards will be subject to the terms of the 2016 Incentive Plan.

The Holden Agreement also entitles Mr. Holden to participate in the benefit plans and programs, and receive such perquisites, in each case, as are provided by Vistra Energy Corp. from time to time to its senior executives generally, subject to the terms of such plans and programs and commensurate with Mr. Holden’s position. Additionally, Mr. Holden is entitled to receive up to $15,000 per year towards his tax and financial planning.

Upon any termination of employment with Vistra Energy Corp., Mr. Holden will be entitled to the Accrued Obligations.

If Mr. Holden’s employment with Vistra Energy Corp. is terminated by Vistra Energy Corp. without Cause (as defined in the Holden Agreement) (and other than due to his death or disability), by Mr. Holden for Good Reason (as defined in the Holden Agreement) or due to Vistra Energy Corp.’s non-renewal of the employment term, then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and subject to Mr. Holden’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within the 60 days following his employment termination date, Mr. Holden will be entitled to (a) an aggregate amount equal to two times the sum of (i) his base salary plus (ii) (x) the Holden Target Bonus, if such termination occurs prior to December 5, 2018, or (y) the prior year’s Annual Bonus, if such termination occurs on or after December 5, 2018, with such amount payable in 24 equal installments following the termination in accordance with Vistra Energy Corp.’s normal payroll practices; (b) a pro-rated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (i) the amount of the Annual Bonus that would

 

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have been payable to him had his employment not so terminated, based on actual performance measured through the fiscal year of termination, and (ii) the Pro-Rated Bonus; (c) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; (d) up to 24 months of the Health Benefits; and (e) accelerated vesting of the portion of Mr. Holden’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (with fully vested options to remain exercisable for 90 days following termination or, if Mr. Holden is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of the date of his termination, 180 days following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).

If Mr. Holden’s employment is terminated within the 18-month period following a change of control of Vistra Energy Corp., then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and subject to his execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within the 60 days following his employment termination date, Mr. Holden will be entitled to (a) an aggregate amount equal to 2.99 times the sum of (i) his base salary plus (ii) the Holden Target Bonus, with such amount payable in a lump sum; (b) a pro-rated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (i) the Holden Target Bonus and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in Vistra Energy Corp.’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year; (c) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; (d) up to 24 months of the Health Benefits; and (e) accelerated vesting of all of Mr. Holden’s equity awards that were outstanding as of the change of control.

If Mr. Holden’s employment with Vistra Energy Corp. is terminated due to his death or disability, then in addition to the Accrued Obligations, Mr. Holden will be entitled to (a) the Pro-Rated Bonus; (b) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; and (c) accelerated vesting of the portion of Mr. Holden’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (with fully vested options to remain exercisable for one year following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).

The Holden Agreement subjects Mr. Holden to perpetual confidentiality, assignment of inventions and non-disparagement provisions, as well as non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that apply during his employment and for the 24-month period thereafter.

Ms. Kirby’s Employment Agreement

Ms. Kirby’s employment agreement with Vistra Energy Corp. (the Kirby Agreement) has an initial term that ends on October 4, 2019, and thereafter, the Kirby Agreement provides for automatic one-year extensions, unless either Vistra Energy Corp. or Ms. Kirby gives 60 days’ prior written notice electing not to extend the Kirby Agreement. Pursuant to the Kirby Agreement, Ms. Kirby will receive a base salary of no less than $430,000 per year, which may be increased (but not decreased) at the sole discretion of the Board. Ms. Kirby also will have the opportunity to earn an Annual Bonus based upon the achievement of performance metrics approved by the Board and subject to the Board’s full discretion. Ms. Kirby’s target Annual Bonus opportunity is 70% of her base salary (the Kirby Target Bonus), and her maximum Annual Bonus opportunity is 200% of the Kirby Target Bonus.

The Kirby Agreement also provides Ms. Kirby with equity compensation. On the Effective Date, the Board approved the grant of stock options and RSUs under the 2016 Incentive Plan to Ms. Kirby, which grant had an aggregate grant date fair value of $1,600,000. The grant consisted of 168,421 stock options and 48,930 RSUs which, on a grant date fair value basis, represented a grant of approximately 50% stock options and 50% RSUs. The exercise price for the stock options was determined by Mr. Morgan in a manner compliant with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Following October 4, 2017 , the Kirby Agreement provides for annual equity awards, with the amount and form of each such equity award to be determined by the Board. All of the equity awards will be subject to the terms of the 2016 Incentive Plan.

The Kirby Agreement also entitles Ms. Kirby to participate in the benefit plans and programs, and receive such perquisites, in each case, as are provided by Vistra Energy Corp. from time to time to its senior executives

 

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generally, subject to the terms of such plans and programs and commensurate with Ms. Kirby’s position. Additionally, Ms. Kirby is entitled to receive up to $15,000 per year towards her tax and financial planning.

Upon any termination of employment with Vistra Energy Corp., Ms. Kirby will be entitled to the Accrued Obligations.

If Ms. Kirby’s employment with Vistra Energy Corp. is terminated by Vistra Energy Corp. without Cause (as defined in the Kirby Agreement) (and other than due to her death or disability), by Ms. Kirby for Good Reason (as defined in the Kirby Agreement) or due to Vistra Energy Corp.’s non-renewal of the employment term, then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and subject to Ms. Kirby’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within the 60 days following her employment termination date, Ms. Kirby will be entitled to (a) an aggregate amount equal to two times the sum of (i) her base salary plus (ii) (x) the Kirby Target Bonus, if such termination occurs prior to October 4, 2018, or (y) the prior year’s Annual Bonus, if such termination occurs on or after October 4, 2018, with such amount payable in 24 equal installments following the termination in accordance with Vistra Energy Corp.’s normal payroll practices; (b) a pro-rated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (i) the amount of the Annual Bonus that would have been payable to her had her employment not so terminated, based on actual performance measured through the fiscal year of termination, and (ii) the Pro-Rated Bonus; (c) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; (d) up to 24 months of continued the Health Benefits; and (e) accelerated vesting of the portion of Ms. Kirby’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had she remained employed (with fully vested options to remain exercisable for 90 days following termination or, if Ms. Kirby is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of the date of her termination, 180 days following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).

If Ms. Kirby’s employment is terminated within the 18-month period following a change of control of Vistra Energy Corp., then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and subject to her execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within the 60 days following her employment termination date, Ms. Kirby will be entitled to (a) an aggregate amount equal to 2.99 times the sum of (i) her base salary plus (ii) the Kirby Target Bonus, with such amount payable in a lump sum; (b) a pro-rated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (i) the Kirby Target Bonus and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in Vistra Energy Corp.’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year; (c) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; (d) up to 24 months of the Health Benefits; and (e) accelerated vesting of all of Ms. Kirby’s equity awards that were outstanding as of the change of control.

If Ms. Kirby’s employment with Vistra Energy Corp. is terminated due to her death or disability, then in addition to the Accrued Obligations, Ms. Kirby will be entitled to (a) the Pro-Rated Bonus; (b) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; and (c) accelerated vesting of the portion of Ms. Kirby’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had she remained employed (with fully vested options to remain exercisable for one year following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).

The Kirby Agreement subjects Ms. Kirby to perpetual confidentiality, assignment of inventions and non-disparagement provisions, as well as non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that apply during her employment and for the 24-month period thereafter.

Ms. Graziano’s Employment Agreement

Ms. Graziano’s employment agreement with Vistra Energy Corp. (the Graziano Agreement) has an initial term that ends on October 4, 2019, and thereafter, the Graziano Agreement provides for automatic one-year extensions, unless either Vistra Energy Corp. or Ms. Graziano gives 60 days’ prior written notice electing not to extend the Graziano Agreement. Pursuant to the Graziano Agreement, Ms. Graziano will receive a base salary of no less than $400,000 per year, which may be increased (but not decreased) at the sole discretion of the Board.

 

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Ms. Graziano also will have the opportunity to earn an Annual Bonus based upon the achievement of performance metrics approved by the Board and subject to the Board’s full discretion. Ms. Graziano’s target Annual Bonus opportunity is 70% of her base salary (the Graziano Target Bonus), and her maximum Annual Bonus opportunity is 200% of the Graziano Target Bonus.

The Graziano Agreement also provides Ms. Graziano with equity compensation. On the Effective Date, the Board approved the grant of stock options and RSUs under the 2016 Incentive Plan to Ms. Graziano, which grant had an aggregate grant date fair value of $1,200,000. The grant consisted of 126,316 stock options and 36,697 RSUs which, on a grant date fair value basis, represented a grant of approximately 50% stock options and 50% RSUs. The exercise price for the stock options was determined by Mr. Morgan in a manner compliant with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Following October 4, 2017, the Graziano Agreement provides for annual equity awards, with the amount and form of each such equity award to be determined by the Board. All of the equity awards will be subject to the terms of the 2016 Incentive Plan.

The Graziano Agreement also entitles Ms. Graziano to participate in the benefit plans and programs, and receive such perquisites, in each case, as are provided by Vistra Energy Corp. from time to time to its senior executives generally, subject to the terms of such plans and programs and commensurate with Ms. Graziano’s position. Additionally, Ms. Graziano is entitled to receive up to $15,000 per year towards her tax and financial planning.

Upon any termination of employment with Vistra Energy Corp., Ms. Graziano will be entitled to the Accrued Obligations.

If Ms. Graziano’s employment with Vistra Energy Corp. is terminated by Vistra Energy Corp. without Cause (as defined in the Graziano Agreement) (and other than due to her death or disability), by Ms. Graziano for Good Reason (as defined in the Graziano Agreement) or due to Vistra Energy Corp.’s non-renewal of the employment term, then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and subject to Ms. Graziano’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within the 60 days following her employment termination date, Ms. Graziano will be entitled to (a) an aggregate amount equal to two times the sum of (i) her base salary plus (ii) (x) the Graziano Target Bonus, if such termination occurs prior to October 4, 2018, or (y) the prior year’s Annual Bonus, if such termination occurs on or after October 4, 2018, with such amount payable in 24 equal installments following the termination in accordance with Vistra Energy Corp.’s normal payroll practices; (b) a pro-rated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (i) the amount of the Annual Bonus that would have been payable to her had her employment not so terminated, based on actual performance measured through the fiscal year of termination, and (ii) the Pro-Rated Bonus; (c) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; (d) up to 24 months of the Health Benefits; and (e) accelerated vesting of the portion of Ms. Graziano’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (with fully vested options to remain exercisable for 90 days following termination or, if Ms. Graziano is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of the date of her termination, 180 days following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).

If Ms. Graziano’s employment is terminated within the 18-month period following a change of control of Vistra Energy Corp., then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and subject to her execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within the 60 days following her employment termination date, Ms. Graziano will be entitled to (a) an aggregate amount equal to 2.99 times the sum of (i) her base salary plus (ii) the Graziano Target Bonus, with such amount payable in a lump sum; (b) a pro-rated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (i) the Graziano Target Bonus and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in Vistra Energy Corp.’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year; (c) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; (d) up to 24 months of the Health Benefits; and (e) accelerated vesting of all of Ms. Graziano’s equity awards that were outstanding as of the change of control.

 

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If Ms. Graziano’s employment with Vistra Energy Corp. is terminated due to her death or disability, then in addition to the Accrued Obligations, Ms. Graziano will be entitled to (a) the Pro-Rated Bonus; (b) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; and (c) accelerated vesting of the portion of Ms. Graziano’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had she remained employed (with fully vested options to remain exercisable for one year following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).

The Graziano Agreement subjects Ms. Graziano to perpetual confidentiality, assignment of inventions and non-disparagement provisions, as well as non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that apply during her employment and for the 24-month period thereafter.

Ms. Moore’s Employment Agreement

Ms. Moore’s employment agreement with Vistra Energy Corp. (the Moore Agreement) has an initial term that ends on October 4, 2019, and thereafter, the Moore Agreement provides for automatic one-year extensions, unless either Vistra Energy Corp. or Ms. Moore gives 60 days’ prior written notice electing not to extend the Moore Agreement. Pursuant to the Moore Agreement, Ms. Moore will receive a base salary of no less than $415,000 per year, which may be increased (but not decreased) at the sole discretion of the Board. Ms. Moore also will have the opportunity to earn an Annual Bonus based upon the achievement of performance metrics approved by the Board and subject to the Board’s full discretion. Ms. Moore’s target Annual Bonus opportunity is 70% of her base salary (the Moore Target Bonus), and her maximum Annual Bonus opportunity is 200% of the Moore Target Bonus.

The Moore Agreement also provides Ms. Moore with equity compensation. On the Effective Date, the Board approved the grant of stock options and RSUs under the 2016 Incentive Plan to Ms. Moore, which grant had an aggregate grant date fair value of $1,200,000. The grant consisted of 126,316 stock options and 36,697 RSUs which, on a grant date fair value basis, represented a grant of approximately 50% stock options and 50% RSUs. The exercise price for the stock options was determined by Mr. Morgan in a manner compliant with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

Following October 4, 2017, the Moore Agreement provides for annual equity awards, with the amount and form of each such equity award to be determined by the Board. All of the equity awards will be subject to the terms of the 2016 Incentive Plan.

The Moore Agreement also entitles Ms. Moore to participate in the benefit plans and programs, and receive such perquisites, in each case, as are provided by Vistra Energy Corp. from time to time to its senior executives generally, subject to the terms of such plans and programs and commensurate with Ms. Moore’s position. Additionally, Ms. Moore is entitled to receive up to $15,000 per year towards her tax and financial planning.

Upon any termination of employment with Vistra Energy Corp., Ms. Moore will be entitled to the Accrued Obligations.

If Ms. Moore’s employment with Vistra Energy Corp. is terminated by Vistra Energy Corp. without Cause (as defined in the Moore Agreement) (and other than due to her death or disability), by Ms. Moore for Good Reason (as defined in the Moore Agreement) or due to Vistra Energy Corp.’s non-renewal of the employment term, then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and subject to Ms. Moore’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within the 60 days following her employment termination date, Ms. Moore will be entitled to (a) an aggregate amount equal to two times the sum of (i) her base salary plus (ii) (x) the Moore Target Bonus, if such termination occurs prior to October 4, 2018, or (y) the prior year’s Annual Bonus, if such termination occurs on or after October 4, 2018, with such amount payable in 24 equal installments following the termination in accordance with Vistra Energy Corp.’s normal payroll practices; (b) a pro-rated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (i) the amount of the Annual Bonus that would have been payable to her had her employment not so terminated, based on actual performance measured through

 

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the fiscal year of termination, and (ii) the Pro-Rated Bonus; (c) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; (d) up to 24 months of the Health Benefits; and (e) accelerated vesting of the portion of Ms. Moore’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had she remained employed (with fully vested options to remain exercisable for 90 days following termination or, if Ms. Moore is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of the date of her termination, 180 days following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).

If Ms. Moore’s employment is terminated within the 18-month period following a change of control of Vistra Energy Corp., then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and subject to her execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims within the 60 days following her employment termination date, Ms. Moore will be entitled to (a) an aggregate amount equal to 2.99 times the sum of (i) her base salary plus (ii) the Moore Target Bonus, with such amount payable in a lump sum; (b) a pro-rated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (i) the Moore Target Bonus and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in Vistra Energy Corp.’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year; (c) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; (d) up to 24 months of the Health Benefits; and (e) accelerated vesting of all of Ms. Moore’s equity awards that were outstanding as of the change of control.

If Ms. Moore’s employment with Vistra Energy Corp. is terminated due to her death or disability, then in addition to the Accrued Obligations, Ms. Moore will be entitled to (a) the Pro-Rated Bonus; (b) any Unpaid Annual Bonus; and (c) accelerated vesting of the portion of Ms. Moore’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had she remained employed (with fully vested options to remain exercisable for one year following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).

The Moore Agreement subjects Ms. Moore to perpetual confidentiality, assignment of inventions and non-disparagement provisions, as well as non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that apply during her employment and for the 24-month period thereafter.

The foregoing descriptions of the employment agreements of Messrs. Morgan, Burke and Holden and Ms. Kirby, Graziano and Moore do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreements, which have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan

The Board adopted the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the 2016 Incentive Plan), effective as of the Effective Date, under which an aggregate of 22,500,000 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance as equity-based awards to our non-employee directors, employees, and certain other persons. The Board or any committee duly authorized by the Board (the Committee) will administer the 2016 Incentive Plan and has broad authority under the 2016 Incentive Plan to, among other things: (a) select participants, (b) determine the types of awards that participants are to receive and the number of shares that are to be subject to such awards and (c) establish the terms and conditions of awards, including the price (if any) to be paid for the shares of the award. The types of awards that may be granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan include stock options, RSUs, restricted stock, performance awards and other forms of awards granted or denominated in shares of Vistra Energy Corp. common stock, as well as certain cash-based awards.

If any stock option or other stock-based award granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan expires, terminates or is canceled for any reason without having been exercised in full, the number of shares of Vistra Energy Corp. common stock underlying any unexercised award shall again be available for the purpose of awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan. If any shares of restricted stock, performance awards or other stock-based awards denominated in shares of Vistra Energy Corp. common stock awarded under the 2016 Incentive Plan are forfeited

 

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for any reason, the number of forfeited shares shall again be available for purposes of awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan. Any award under the 2016 Incentive Plan settled in cash shall not be counted against the maximum share limitation.

As is customary in incentive plans of this nature, each share limit and the number and kind of shares available under the 2016 Incentive Plan and any outstanding awards, as well as the exercise or purchase price of awards, and performance targets under certain types of performance-based awards, are subject to adjustment in the event of certain reorganizations, mergers, combinations, recapitalizations, stock splits, stock dividends or other similar events that change the number or kind of shares outstanding, and extraordinary dividends or distributions of property to the Vistra Energy Corp. stockholders.

 

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Principal and Selling Stockholders

The following table contains information about the estimated beneficial ownership of our common stock for:

 

    each stockholder known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of our common stock;

 

    each of our directors;

 

    each of the Named Executive Officers set forth above;

 

    all directors and executive officers as a group; and

 

    each of the selling stockholders.

The number of shares and percentage of ownership indicated in the following table is based on the 427,587,401 shares of Vistra Energy Corp. common stock outstanding as of March 24, 2017. Unless set forth in this section or under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” to our knowledge, none of the selling stockholders have, or within the past three years have had, any material relationship with us or with any of our predecessors or affiliates.

Information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by each director, officer, beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock and selling stockholder. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Commission. Except as indicated by footnote and subject to community property laws where applicable, to our knowledge, the persons named in the table below will have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.

 

Name and Address

   Number of Shares
of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
     Maximum
Number of Shares
of Common Stock
That May Be
Offered for
Resale by this
Prospectus
     Percentage of Shares of Common
Stock Beneficially Owned
 
         Before
Any Offering
    If Maximum
Number of Shares
Offered are Sold
 

5% Stockholders

          

Selling Stockholders

          

Apollo Funds (1)

     52,922,793        52,922,793        12.38     0

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Managed Entities (2)

     66,370,568        66,370,568        15.52     0

Opps VIIb TCEH Holdings, LLC (3)

     49,485,715        49,485,715        11.57     0

Seismic Holding LLC (4)

     22,880,381        22,880,381        5.35     0

Non-Selling 5% Stockholders

          

HBK Master Fund L.P. (5)

     26,676,615        0        6.24     6.24

Directors and Executive Officers

          

Gavin R. Baiera (6)

     18,320,311        0        4.28     4.28

Jennifer Box (7)

     0        0        0     0

Jeff Hunter (8)

     10,000        0        *       *  

Cyrus Madon (9)

     66,370,568        0        15.52     15.52

Curtis A. Morgan (10)

     80,231        0        *       *  

Geoffrey Strong (11)

     0        0        0     0

James A. Burke

     0        0        0     0

Sara Graziano

     0        0        0     0

J. William Holden

     0        0        0     0

Carrie Lee Kirby

     0        0        0     0

Stephanie Zapata Moore

     0        0        0     0

All directors and current executive officers as a group (11 persons)

     187,189,618        0        43.78     0

 

* Represents less than 1%
(1)

Represents shares of our common stock held of record by various entities (collectively, the Apollo Funds) for which affiliates of Apollo Principal Holdings III, L.P. (Principal Holdings III), APH Holdings, L.P.

 

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  (APH Holdings) and APH Holdings (DC), L.P. (APH Holdings (DC)), respectively, serve as investment advisors or portfolio managers, and in some cases as general partners, of certain of the Apollo Funds. Apollo Principal Holdings III GP, Ltd. (Principal Holdings III GP) is the general partner of Principal Holdings III and APH Holdings, and Apollo Principal Holdings IV GP, Ltd. (Principal Holdings IV GP) is the general partner of APH Holdings (DC). Also includes shares of our common stock held of record by certain of the Apollo Funds for which affiliates of Apollo Management Holdings, L.P. (Management Holdings) serve as investment managers or portfolio managers. The general partner of Management Holdings is Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC (Management Holdings GP). Leon Black, Joshua Harris and Marc Rowan are the directors of Principal Holdings III GP and Principal Holdings IV GP, and the managers, as well as executive officers, of Management Holdings GP, and as such may be deemed to have voting and dispositive control over the shares of common stock held by the Apollo Funds. The address of each of APH Holdings, APH Holdings (DC) and Principal Holdings IV GP is One Manhattanville Road, Suite 201, Purchase, New York 10577. The address of each of Principal Holdings III and Principal Holdings III GP is c/o Intertrust Corporate Services (Cayman) Limited, 190 Elgin Street, George Town, KY1-9005 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. The address of each of Management Holdings and Management Holdings GP, and Messrs. Black, Harris and Rowan, is 9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10019.

 

(2) Reflects shares of common stock held by entities affiliated with and/or with accounts managed by affiliates of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. The registered holders of shares include BCP Titan Aggregator, L.P., BCP Titan Sub Aggregator, L.P., Brookfield Titan Holdings LP, 11 co-investment limited partnership vehicles of which Titan Co-Investment GP, LLC is the general partner, Longhorn Capital GS LP and Seismic Holding LLC (collectively, the investment vehicles).

The following Brookfield entities, which do not themselves hold any shares of common stock but which are controlling entities of certain of the investment vehicles, may be deemed to constitute a “group” with the investment vehicles within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) under the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-5(b)(1) thereunder and each member of the “group” may be deemed to beneficially own all shares of common stock held by all members of the “group” set forth in the table above: Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Partners Limited, Brookfield Private Equity Inc., Brookfield US Corporation, Brookfield Private Equity Holdings LLC, Brookfield Private Equity Direct Investments Holdings LP, Titan Co-Investment GP, LLC, Brookfield Private Equity Group Holdings LP, Brookfield Capital Partners Ltd., Brookfield Holdings Canada Inc., Brookfield Private Funds Holdings Inc., Brookfield Canada Adviser and Brookfield Asset Management Private Institutional Capital Adviser (Canada), L.P. (BAMPIC).

The total number of reported shares includes the shares beneficially owned by Seismic Holding LLC. By virtue of various agreements and arrangements with Seismic Holding LLC, Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and certain of the investment vehicles share beneficial ownership of shares beneficially owned by Seismic Holding LLC. See footnote (4) to this table.

Each of the investment vehicles expressly disclaims, to the extent permitted by applicable law, beneficial ownership of any shares of common stock held by each of the other investment vehicles and the existence of a “group” involving the other investment vehicles or other Brookfield affiliates set forth in this footnote.

The numbers above include certain shares held in reserve by the Company’s transfer agent upon Emergence, pending release following the resolution of intercreditor arrangements in connection with the Plan.

The address of each Brookfield-managed entity (other than Seismic Holding LLC) is c/o BAMPIC, 250 Vesey Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10281.

 

(3)

The managing member of Opps VIIb TCEH Holdings, LLC is OCM Opportunities Fund VIIb Delaware, L.P. The general partner of OCM Opportunities Fund VIIb Delaware, L.P. is Oaktree Fund GP, LLC. The managing member of Oaktree Fund GP, LLC is Oaktree Fund GP I, L.P. The general partner of Oaktree

 

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  Fund GP I, L.P. is Oaktree Capital I, L.P. The general partner of Oaktree Capital I, L.P. is OCM Holdings I, LLC. The managing member of OCM Holdings I, LLC is Oaktree Holdings, LLC.

Includes 34,719,812 common shares of the Issuer directly held by certain funds, accounts and special purpose entities managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. or its affiliates. The general partner of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. is Oaktree Holdings, Inc. The sole shareholder of Oaktree Holdings, Inc. and the managing member of Oaktree Holdings, LLC is Oaktree Capital Group, LLC. The duly elected manager of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC is Oaktree Capital Group Holdings GP, LLC (OCGH GP). OCGH GP is managed by an executive committee consisting of Howard S. Marks, Bruce A. Karsh, Jay S. Wintrob, John B. Frank, David M. Kirchheimer and Sheldon M. Stone. The address for all of the entities and individuals identified above is 333 S. Grand Avenue, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

 

(4) Seismic Holding LLC holds 15,900,080 shares (including 107,025 shares held in reserve by the Company’s transfer agent upon Emergence, pending release following the resolution of intercreditor arrangements in connection with the Plan).

In addition, Seismic Holding may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all the shares held by entities affiliated with Brookfield Asset Management Inc. set forth in footnote (2) to this table, by virtue of various agreements and arrangements that may be deemed to grant Seismic Holding LLC voting power and/or investment power with respect to the shares held by such entities, including the shares held by Longhorn Capital GS LP, of which Seismic Holding LLC is a limited partner with powers that may be deemed to constitute voting power and/or investment power with respect to the shares held by the limited partnership.

The total number of reported shares is included in the total described in footnote (2) to this table.

Each of Seismic Holding LLC and its controlling persons expressly disclaims, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the existence of a “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) under the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-5(b)(1) thereunder) involving such Brookfield entities and beneficial ownership of any shares of common stock held by any of the Brookfield entities (including Longhorn Capital GS LP), with the exception of the 6,980,301 shares held by Longhorn Capital GS LP in which Seismic Holding LLC has an interest. Seismic Holding LLC is 100% indirectly owned by Qatar Investment Authority. The address of Seismic Holding LLC is Q-Tel Tower, 8th Floor, Diplomatic Area Street, West Bay, P.O. Box 23224, Doha, State of Qatar.

 

(5) HBK Master Fund L.P., HBK Master SOF II L.P., and HBK Loan I LLC are subject to the investment discretion of HBK Investments L.P. (and its affiliated subadvisors, including HBK Services LLC, to which it has delegated discretion to vote and dispose of investments), all of whose address is 2101 Cedar Springs Road, Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75201. The registered address for each of HBK Master Fund L.P. and HBK Master SOF II L.P. is c/o CO Services Cayman Limited, P.O. Box 10008, Willow House, Cricket Square, Grand Cayman, KY1-1001, Cayman Islands. The registered address for HBK Loan I LLC is c/o National Corporate Research, Ltd., 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19904.

The number above includes certain shares held in reserve by the Company’s transfer agent upon Emergence, pending release following the resolution of intercreditor arrangements in connection with the Plan.

 

(6) All of the shares reported are owned by Angelo, Gordon & Co. and may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Baiera as the managing director thereof.

 

(7) Excludes 49,485,715 shares held directly by Opps VIIb TCEH Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.

 

(8) All of the shares reported are common shares owned directly by Mr. Hunter and all of these shares have been pledged as security.

 

(9) All of the shares reported are beneficially owned by the Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Managed Entities as disclosed in footnote (2) to this table and may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Madon as the senior managing partner of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. To the extent Mr. Madon is deemed to be the beneficial owner of any such shares beneficially owned by the Brookfield Asset Management Inc. Managed Entities, Mr. Madon expressly disclaims beneficial ownership thereof.

 

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(10) All of the shares reported are common shares owned directly by Mr. Morgan.

 

(11) Geoffrey Strong is associated with Apollo Management, L.P. (Apollo Management) and its affiliate, Apollo Management Holdings, L.P. (Management Holdings). Affiliates of Apollo Management and Management Holdings directly or indirectly serve as investment managers, portfolio managers, investment advisors, and in some cases serve as general partners of, the Apollo Funds. As such, Management Holdings, Apollo Management and its affiliated investment managers or investment advisors may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of our common stock held by Apollo Funds. Mr. Strong disclaims beneficial ownership of all of the shares of our common stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Apollo Funds, Apollo Management, Management Holdings or any of their affiliated investment managers or advisors. The address of Mr. Strong is c/o Apollo Management, L.P., 9 West 57th Street, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10019.

 

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Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

In connection with Emergence, we entered into agreements with certain of our affiliates and with parties who received shares of our common stock and TRA Rights in exchange for their claims. We have filed copies of the agreements described in this section as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The actual terms of the agreements summarized below are more detailed than the general summary information provided below. Therefore, please carefully consider the actual provisions of these agreements in connection with your decision to invest in our common stock.

Registration Rights Agreement

Pursuant to the Plan, on the Effective Date, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the Registration Rights Agreement) with the selling stockholders named herein providing for registration of the resale of the Vistra Energy Corp. common stock held by such selling stockholders.

The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part was filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. Among other things, under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement:

 

    we will be required to use reasonable best efforts to convert the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part into a registration statement on Form S-3 as soon as reasonably practicable after we become eligible to do so and to have such Form S-3 declared effective as promptly as practicable (but in no event more than 30 days after it is filed with the Commission);

 

    if we propose to file certain types of registration statements under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, we will be required to use our reasonable best efforts to offer the other parties to the Registration Rights Agreement the opportunity to register all or part of their shares on the terms and conditions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement; and

 

    the selling stockholders received the right, subject to certain conditions and exceptions, to request that we file registration statements or amend or supplement this prospectus (in each case subject to certain limitations on the number of registration statements and the minimum number of shares covered thereby), with the Commission for an underwritten offering of all or part of their respective shares of Vistra Energy Corp. common stock (a Demand Registration), and the Company is required to cause any such registration statement or amendment or supplement hereof (a) to be filed with the Commission promptly and, in any event, on or before the date that is 45 days, in the case of a registration statement on Form S-1, or 30 days, in the case of a registration statement on Form S-3, after we receive the written request from the relevant selling stockholders to effectuate the Demand Registration and (b) to become effective as promptly as reasonably practicable and in any event no later than 120 days after it is initially filed.

All expenses of registration under the Registration Rights Agreement, including the legal fees of one counsel retained by or on behalf of the selling stockholders, will be paid by us.

In addition to the foregoing rights regarding the registration of Vistra Energy Corp. common stock, the Registration Rights Agreement provides certain rights to the holders of the TRA Rights under the Tax Receivable Agreement described below regarding the registration of such TRA Rights. The TRA Rights are not being registered by the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, but the TRA Rights may be registered at the option of certain holders.

The registration rights granted in the Registration Rights Agreement are subject to customary restrictions such as minimums, blackout periods and, if a registration is underwritten, any limitations on the number of shares to be included in the underwritten offering imposed by the managing underwriter. The Registration Rights Agreement also contains customary indemnification and contribution provisions. The Registration Rights Agreement is governed by New York law.

 

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Further details concerning the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement may be obtained by reviewing the Registration Rights Agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Stockholder’s Agreements

Pursuant to the Plan, on the Effective Date, we entered into three separate Stockholder’s Agreements with affiliates of each of Apollo Management Holdings L.P., Brookfield Asset Management Private Institutional Capital Adviser (Canada), L.P. and Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. Pursuant to each Stockholder’s Agreement, subject to the proper exercise of fiduciary duties of the Board, the applicable stockholder will, until the occurrence of a Termination Event (as defined below), be entitled to designate one person for nomination for election to the Board as a Class III director at (a) any meeting of our stockholders at which Class III directors are elected or (b) if our Charter no longer provides for the division of directors into three classes, any meeting of our stockholders at which directors are to be elected. Prior to the occurrence of a Termination Event, if a vacancy occurs because of the death, disability, disqualification, resignation or removal of the director nominee of an applicable stockholder, subject to the proper exercise of the fiduciary duties of the Board, the applicable stockholder will be entitled to designate such person’s successor.

For purposes of this section, a Termination Event means that such stockholder, together with its affiliates and investment funds, funds or accounts that are advised, managed or controlled by such stockholder or its affiliates (other than the Company or any entity that is controlled by the Company), ceases to beneficially own, in the aggregate, for a period of 20 consecutive trading days, at least 22,500,000 shares of common stock of Vistra Energy Corp. that were owned by such stockholder on the date of the applicable Stockholder’s Agreement. The rights of each stockholder under its applicable Stockholder’s Agreement will terminate automatically upon a Termination Event.

Further details concerning the terms of the Stockholder’s Agreements may be obtained by reviewing the Stockholder’s Agreements, each of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Tax Receivable Agreement

On the Effective Date, we entered into a tax receivable agreement (the Tax Receivable Agreement) with a transfer agent on behalf of certain former first lien creditors of TCEH. The Tax Receivable Agreement generally provides for the payment by us to holders of TRA Rights of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in United States federal, state and local income tax that we realize in periods after Emergence as a result of (a) certain transactions consummated pursuant to the Plan (including any step-up in tax basis in our assets resulting from the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale), (b) the tax basis of all assets acquired in connection with the Lamar and Forney Acquisition in April 2016 and (c) tax benefits related to imputed interest deemed to be paid by us as a result of payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement, plus interest accruing from the due date of the applicable tax return.

Pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, we issued the TRA Rights to our Predecessor to be held in escrow for the benefit of the first lien secured creditors of our Predecessor entitled to receive such TRA Rights under the Plan. Such TRA Rights are subject to various transfer restrictions described in the Tax Receivable Agreement and are entitled to certain registration rights more fully described in the Registration Rights Agreement. The TRA Rights are not being registered by the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Further details concerning the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement may be obtained by reviewing the Tax Receivable Agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

The amount and timing of any payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the amount and timing of the taxable income we generate in the future and the tax rate then applicable, our use of loss carryovers and the portion of our payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement constituting imputed interest.

 

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The payments we will be required to make under the Tax Receivable Agreement could be substantial. Future transactions or events could change the timing and/or amount of the actual tax benefits realized and the corresponding Tax Receivable Agreement payments from these tax attributes.

In addition, although we are not aware of any issue that would cause the IRS to challenge the tax benefits that are the subject of the Tax Receivable Agreement, recipients of the payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will not be required to reimburse us for any payments previously made if such tax benefits are subsequently disallowed. As a result, in such circumstances, Vistra Energy Corp. could make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement that are greater than its actual cash tax savings and may not be able to recoup those payments, which could adversely affect our liquidity.

In addition, because Vistra Energy Corp. is a holding company with no operations of its own, its ability to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement is dependent on the ability of its subsidiaries to make distributions to it. Vistra Energy’s future debt agreements may restrict the ability of its subsidiaries to make distributions to it, which could affect its ability to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. To the extent that Vistra Energy Corp. is unable to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement because of restriction under its debt agreements, such payments will be deferred and will accrue interest until paid, which could adversely affect our results of operations and could also affect our liquidity in periods in which such payments are made.

Finally, the Tax Receivable Agreement provides that, in the event that Vistra Energy Corp. breaches any of its material obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement, or upon certain mergers, asset sales, or other forms of business combination or certain other changes of control, the transfer agent under the Tax Receivable Agreement may treat such event as an early termination of the Tax Receivable Agreement, in which case Vistra Energy Corp. would be required to make an immediate payment to the holder of the TRA Rights equal to the present value (at a discount rate equal to LIBOR plus 100 basis points) of the anticipated future tax benefits based on certain assumptions. As a result, upon such a breach or change of control, Vistra Energy Corp. could be required to make a lump-sum payment under the Tax Receivable Agreement that is greater than the specified percentage of its actual cash tax savings and could have a substantial negative impact on our liquidity.

Tax Matters Agreement

On the Effective Date, we entered into a Tax Matters Agreement (the Tax Matters Agreement), with EFH Corp., EFIH, EFIH Finance Inc. and EFH Merger Co. LLC, whereby the parties have agreed to take certain actions and refrain from taking certain actions in order to preserve the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off and to indemnify the other parties to the extent a breach of such agreement results in additional taxes to the other parties.

Among other things, the Tax Matters Agreement allocates the responsibility for taxes for periods prior to the Spin-Off between EFH Corp. and us. For periods prior to the Spin-Off, (a) Vistra Energy is generally required to reimburse EFH Corp. with respect to any taxes paid by EFH Corp. that are attributable to us and (b) EFH Corp. is generally required to reimburse us with respect to any taxes paid by us that are attributable to EFH Corp.

We are also required to indemnify EFH Corp. against taxes, under certain circumstance, if the IRS or another taxing authority successfully challenges the amount of gain relating to the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale or the amount or allowance of EFH Corp.’s net operating loss deductions.

Subject to certain exceptions, the Tax Matters Agreement prohibits us from taking certain actions that could reasonably be expected to undermine the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off or to jeopardize the conclusions of the private letter ruling we obtained from the IRS or opinions of counsel received by us or EFH Corp., in each case, in connection with the Spin-Off. Certain of these restrictions apply for two years after the Spin-Off and are described above under “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Structure and Ownership of Our Common Stock.”

 

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Under the Tax Matters Agreement, we may engage in an otherwise restricted action if (a) we obtain written consent from EFH Corp., (b) such action or transaction is described in or otherwise consistent with the facts in the private letter ruling we obtained from the IRS in connection with the Spin-Off, (c) we obtain a supplemental private letter ruling from the IRS, or (d) we obtain an unqualified opinion of a nationally recognized law or accounting firm that is reasonably acceptable to EFH Corp. that the action will not affect the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off.

Further details concerning the terms of the Tax Matters Agreement may be obtained by reviewing the Tax Matters Agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Separation Agreement

Pursuant to the Plan, on the Effective Date, EFH Corp., Vistra Energy Corp. and Vistra Operations entered into a Separation Agreement (the Separation Agreement). Under the key terms of the Separation Agreement, on the Effective Date, EFH Corp. and certain other Debtors (including EFCH and TCEH) transferred to Vistra Energy Corp. certain assets and liabilities related to the TCEH Debtors’ operations, including certain employee benefit plans specifically identified in the Separation Agreement, which Vistra Energy Corp., in turn, transferred to Vistra Operations. Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, Vistra Operations accepted, assumed and agreed to faithfully perform, discharge and fulfill certain assumed liabilities. The Contribution was effected pursuant to the side-by-side operation of the Separation Agreement and the Plan. For additional information regarding the Contribution, see “The Reorganization and Emergence.”

Further details concerning the terms of the Separation Agreement may be obtained by reviewing the Separation Agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Transition Services Agreement

On the Effective Date and pursuant to the Plan, EFH Corp. and Vistra Operations entered into a Transition Services Agreement (the Transition Services Agreement). Pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement, among other things:

 

    Vistra Operations will provide certain services to EFH Corp., including business service administration, accounting, corporate secretary, tax, human resources, information technology, internal audit and Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance, physical facilities and corporate security, treasury and legal services, (collectively, the Transition Services) until the earlier of (a) 12 months from the effective date for tax services and 6 months from the Effective Date for all other Transition Services and (b) the termination of all Transition Services, whether by EFH Corp. upon at least 30 days’ prior written notice to Vistra Operations, mutual written consent of EFH Corp. and Vistra Operations or any other termination action permitted by the Transition Services Agreement; and

 

    EFH Corp. will pay Vistra Operations all reasonable and documented fees, costs and expenses (including employee-related, overhead and general and administrative expenses) incurred by Vistra Operations related directly to the Transition Services.

Further details concerning the terms of the Transition Services Agreement may be obtained by reviewing the Transition Services Agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Split Participant Agreement

On the Effective Date, pursuant to the Plan, and following the effectiveness of the Separation Agreement, Vistra Operations and Oncor entered into an Amended and Restated Split Participant Agreement (the Split Participant Agreement). Pursuant to the Split Participant Agreement, among other things, Oncor agreed to

 

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provide certain post-retirement welfare and life insurance benefits, and Vistra Operations agreed to provide certain pension benefits (as identified on Schedules I, II and III, as applicable, to the Split Participant Agreement) to certain current and future retirees of EFH Corp., Vistra Operations and Oncor (or one of their direct or indirect subsidiaries) whose employment included service that has been allocated to both (a) Oncor (or one of its predecessor regulated electric transmission and distribution utility businesses) and (b) EFH Corp. (or one of its direct or indirect subsidiaries that is not a regulated electric transmission and distribution utility).

Further details concerning the terms of the Split Participant Agreement may be obtained by reviewing the Split Participant Agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions

The Audit Committee will review and approve transactions with our directors, officers, holders of more than 5% of our voting securities or affiliates of any of the foregoing. Prior to approving any transaction with any such related party, the Audit Committee will consider the material facts as to the related party’s relationship with us and interest in the transaction. Related party transactions will not be approved unless the Audit Committee has approved the transaction. We did not have a formal review and approval policy for related party transactions at the time of any transaction described above.

 

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Description of Indebtedness

Credit Facilities

General

As of the Effective Date, the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities initially consisted of (i) a senior secured first lien revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $750 million, with a maturity date of August 4, 2021, including a $500 million letter of credit sub-facility, which we refer to as the Initial Revolving Credit Facility, (ii) a senior secured term loan B facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2.85 billion, with a maturity date of August 4, 2023, which we refer to as the Initial Term Loan B Facility, and (iii) a senior secured term loan C facility in an aggregate principal amount of $650 million, with a maturity date of August 4, 2023, which we refer to as the Term Loan C Facility.

On December 14, 2016, Vistra Operations obtained (i) $1 billion aggregate principal amount of incremental term loans, which we refer to as the 2016 Incremental Term Loans, and together with the Initial Term Loan B Facility, the Term Loan B Facility, and (ii) $110 million of incremental revolving credit commitments, which we refer to as the 2016 Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments, and together with the Initial Revolving Credit Facility, the Revolving Credit Facility. In addition, Vistra Operations increased the aggregate amount of letters of credit available under the Revolving Credit Facility from $500 million to $600 million. We refer to the Term Loan B Facility and the Term Loan C Facility as the Term Loan Facilities and to the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan Facilities as the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.

The 2016 Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments are part of the same class as the $750 million Initial Revolving Credit Facility and are subject to the same terms, including the maturity date. The 2016 Incremental Term Loans, which are part of a separate class from the $2.85 billion Initial Term Loan B Facility, have a maturity date of December 14, 2023 and are subject to the same terms as the Initial Term Loan B Facility, other than the interest rates and prepayment premium described below.

Proceeds from borrowings of $2.85 billion under the Initial Term Loan B Facility were used to refinance the TCEH DIP Roll Facilities and to pay certain claims and administrative expenses in connection with Emergence. Proceeds from borrowings of $650 million under the Term Loan C Facility were used to secure funded letters of credit. Proceeds from the 2016 Incremental Term Loans were used to make the 2016 Special Dividend on December 30, 2016. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are available for, without limitation, working capital, capital expenditures and general business purposes. All borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including the absence of a default and the accuracy of representations and warranties.

As of December 31, 2016, after giving effect to the borrowing of the 2016 Incremental Term Loans, $0, $3.85 billion and $650 million of loans were outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Loan B Facility and the Term Loan C Facility, respectively. In addition, Vistra Operations may request one or more incremental term loan and/or increase commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate amount of up to the sum of (1) the greater of (x) $1.0 billion and (y) an amount equal to 60.0% of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement), plus (2) certain voluntary prepayments of term loans and commitment reductions of the revolving credit facility commitments, plus (3) an unlimited amount so long as, (x) in the case of indebtedness under additional credit facilities that rank pari passu with the liens on the collateral securing the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, the pro forma consolidated first lien net leverage ratio would be no greater than 3.00 to 1.00, (y) in the case of indebtedness under additional credit facilities that rank junior to the liens on the collateral securing the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, the pro forma consolidated secured net leverage ratio would be no greater than 4.00 to 1.00, and (z) in the case of unsecured indebtedness or indebtedness secured only by liens on assets that do not constitute collateral, the pro forma consolidated total net leverage ratio would be no greater than 4.50 to 1.00, subject to certain conditions and receipt of commitments by existing or additional lenders.

 

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Interest Rate and Fees

On February 1, 2017, Vistra Operations entered into an amendment to the credit agreement, effective February 6, 2017, to reduce the interest rates on the Initial Term Loan B Facility, Term Loan C Facility and Revolving Credit Facility.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.75% or a base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.75%.

Borrowings under the Initial Term Loan B Facility and the Term Loan C Facility bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either LIBOR (subject to a LIBOR floor of .75%) plus an applicable margin of 2.75% or a base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.75%.

The 2016 Incremental Term Loans bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, either LIBOR (subject to a LIBOR floor of .75%) plus an applicable margin of 3.25% or a base rate plus an applicable margin of 2.25%.

In addition to paying interest on outstanding loans under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities, we are required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder. The applicable commitment fee under the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to a step-down based on meeting a leverage ratio. We also pay customary agency fees as well as letter of credit participation fees computed at a rate per annum equal to the applicable margin for LIBOR borrowings on the dollar equivalent of the daily stated amount of outstanding letters of credit plus such letter of credit issuer’s customary documentary and processing fees and charges and a fronting fee on the daily stated amount of each letter of credit.

Amortization and Prepayments

We are required to make scheduled quarterly payments on the Term Loan B Facility in annual amounts equal to 1.0% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan B Facility for six years and three quarters, with the balance paid at maturity.

In addition, we are required to prepay outstanding loans under the Term Loan Facilities, subject to certain exceptions, with:

 

    100% of the net cash proceeds of any issuance or incurrence of debt, other than proceeds from debt permitted under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities; and

 

    100% of the net cash proceeds of all non-ordinary course asset sales, other dispositions of property or certain casualty events, in each case subject to certain exceptions and provided that we may reinvest those proceeds in assets to be used in its business or in certain other permitted investments.

We may make voluntary prepayments of outstanding loans under the Term Loan Facilities and the Revolving Credit Facility and voluntary reductions of the unutilized portion of the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility without penalty, subject to customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans.

Term loans under the Initial Term Loan B Facility and the Term Loan C Facility are prepayable at any time without premium or penalty; provided that there will be a 1.00% prepayment premium in connection with any repricing of such term loans that reduces the interest rate prior to August 6, 2017. The 2016 Incremental Term Loans are prepayable at any time without premium or penalty, provided that there will be a 1.00% prepayment premium in connection with any repricing of such term loans that reduces the interest rate prior to June 14, 2017.

Collateral and Guarantees

Vistra Operations’ obligations under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Vistra Intermediate Company LLC and each of Vistra Operations’ existing and future

 

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direct and indirect material wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. Additionally, Vistra Operations’ obligations under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities are secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all tangible and intangible assets of Vistra Operations and each subsidiary guarantor and all of Vistra Operations’ capital stock and the capital stock of each subsidiary guarantor and 65% of the capital stock of the first-tier foreign subsidiaries that are not subsidiary guarantors (in each case subject to certain exceptions), pursuant to a collateral trust agreement, by and among Vistra Operations, the other grantors party thereto, the Railroad Commission of Texas, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch and Delaware Trust Company, as collateral trustee.

Restrictive Covenants and Other Matters

The Revolving Credit Facility requires that we, subject to a testing threshold, comply on a quarterly basis with a maximum consolidated first lien net leverage ratio of 4.25 to 1.00. The testing threshold will be satisfied at any time at which the sum of outstanding revolving credit facility loans and revolving letters of credit (excluding up to $100 million of undrawn revolving letters of credit and cash collateralized or backstopped letters of credit) exceeds 30% of the outstanding commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility at such time.

The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities contain restrictive covenants that limit Vistra Operations’ ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, (i) incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares, (ii) make certain investments, loans, and advances (including acquisitions), (iii) consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its assets, (iv) pay dividends or make distributions or other restricted payments, (v) create liens on certain assets, (vi) sell assets, (vii) enter into certain transactions with affiliates, (viii) enter into sale-leaseback transactions, (ix) restrict dividends from our subsidiaries or restrict liens, and (x) modify the terms of certain debt agreements. Each of these covenants is subject to customary or agreed-upon exceptions, baskets and thresholds.

The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities also contain certain other customary affirmative covenants, including requirements to provide financial and other information to agents and to not change our lines of business, and events of default, including events of default resulting from non-payment of any principal, interest or fees, material breaches of representations and warranties, failure to comply with the consolidated first lien net leverage ratio covenant solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, defaults under other agreements and instruments and the entry of a final judgment exceeding $300 million against Vistra Operations and its restricted subsidiaries, each subject to customary exceptions, baskets and thresholds (including equity cure provisions) set forth in the agreement.

 

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Description of Capital Stock

The following description of the material terms of the capital stock of Vistra Energy Corp. includes a summary of specified provisions included in Vistra Energy Corp.’s certificate of incorporation (Charter) and bylaws (Bylaws). This description also summarizes relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL). The terms of our Charter and Bylaws will be, and the terms of the DGCL are, more detailed than the general information provided below. Accordingly, the more general information provided below is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the actual provisions of these documents and the DGCL.

Authorized Capital Stock

We have the authority to issue a total of 1,900,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of:

 

    1,800,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $.01 per share; and

 

    100,000,000 shares of our preferred stock, par value $.01 per share.

Outstanding Capital Stock

As of March 24, 2017, 427,587,401 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and owned by 196 holders of record, and no shares of our preferred stock were issued and outstanding.

Options

The Board adopted the 2016 Incentive Plan, effective as of the Effective Date, under which an aggregate of 22,500,000 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance as equity based awards to our non-employee directors, employees and certain other persons. The types of awards that may be granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan include stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), restricted stock, performance awards and other forms of awards granted or denominated in shares of our common stock, among others. For additional information regarding the 2016 Incentive Plan, see “Executive Compensation — 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan.”

Pursuant to the 2016 Incentive Plan, in accordance with the Morgan Agreement, the Burke Agreement, the Moore Agreement, the Holden Agreement, the Kirby Agreement and the Graziano Agreement, we have issued to six of our executive officers equity awards with an aggregate grant date fair value of $15,500,000, consisting of an aggregate of 484,058 RSUs and 1,649,954 employee stock options at a weighted average exercise price of $13.70 per share after adjusting the exercise price downward to account for the 2016 Special Dividend. These options may be exercised after a four year graded vesting period and will expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date thereof. For additional information regarding these outstanding equity grants, see “Executive Compensation — Employment Agreements.”

Rights and Preferences of Vistra Energy Corp. Capital Stock

Common Stock

Voting Rights

All shares of our common stock have identical rights and privileges. The holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, including the election of directors. On all matters to be voted on by holders of shares of our common stock, the holders will be entitled to one vote for each share of our common stock held of record, and will have no cumulative voting rights.

Dividend Rights

Subject to limitations under applicable Delaware law, preferences that may apply to any outstanding shares of our preferred stock and contractual restrictions, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends

 

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or other distributions ratably, when, as and if declared by the Board. The ability of the Board to declare dividends with respect to our common stock, however, will be subject such limitations, preferences and restrictions and the availability of sufficient funds under the DGCL to pay such dividends.

Rights upon Liquidation

In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Vistra Energy Corp., after the payment in full of all amounts owed to our creditors and holders of any outstanding shares of our preferred stock, the remaining assets of Vistra Energy Corp. will be distributed ratably to the holders of shares of our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of shares of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any class or series of preferred stock which the Board may designate and issue in the future without stockholder approval.

Other Rights

Holders of shares of our common stock do not have pre-emptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights.

Blank Check Preferred Stock

Subject to limitations under applicable Delaware law, the Board is authorized to issue, from time to time and without stockholder approval, up to an aggregate of 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, if any, of the shares of each such class or series, including the dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights (including sinking fund provisions), liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series. The issuance of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights would also adversely affect the voting power of the holders of shares of our common stock, including the potential loss of voting control to others.

Stockholder Meetings

Our Charter and Bylaws provide that annual stockholder meetings will be held at a date, time and place, if any, as exclusively selected by the Board. Our Charter and Bylaws provide that, except as otherwise required by applicable law or the terms of any class or series of preferred stock issued in the future, special meetings of the stockholders may be called by (a) the Board at any time or (b) by the Chairman of the Board or the Secretary of Vistra Energy Corp. upon the written request or requests of one or more stockholders of record holding a majority of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote on the matter or matters to be brought before the proposed special meeting and complying with the notice procedures set forth in our Bylaws. Unless otherwise provided by the terms of any class or series of preferred stock issued in the future, our stockholders have no authority to act by written consent. To the extent permitted under the DGCL, we may conduct stockholder meetings by remote communications.

Stockholder Right to Designate Directors

Pursuant to each Stockholder’s Agreement, subject to the proper exercise of fiduciary duties of the Board, the applicable stockholder will, until the occurrence of a Termination Event (as defined in “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”), be entitled to designate one person for nomination for election to the Board as a Class III director at (i) any meeting of our stockholders at which Class III directors are elected or (ii) if our Charter no longer provides for the division of directors into three classes, any meeting of our stockholders at which directors are to be elected. Prior to the occurrence of a Termination Event, if a vacancy occurs because of the death, disability, disqualification, resignation or removal of the director nominee of an applicable stockholder, subject to the proper exercise of the fiduciary duties of the Board, the applicable stockholder will be entitled to designate such person’s successor.

 

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Anti-takeover Effects of Provisions In Our Charter and Bylaws

Our Charter and Bylaws contain a number of provisions which may have the effect of discouraging transactions that involve an actual or threatened change of control of Vistra Energy Corp. In addition, provisions of our Charter and Bylaws may be deemed to have anti-takeover effects and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in his, her or its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of the shares of our common stock held by our stockholders.

Staggered Board

Our Charter provides for three classes of directors, each of which is to be elected on a staggered basis for a term of three years. Our Charter and Bylaws provide that the Board consists of such number of directors as is determined from time to time by the vote of a majority of the total number of directors then authorized. Please see “Management — Directors” for a more detailed description of the composition of our initial Board.

No Written Consent of Stockholders

Any action to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting and may not be effected by written consent.

Special Meetings of Stockholders

Except as required by the DGCL or the terms of any class or series of preferred stock issued in the future, special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by (a) the Board at any time or (b) the Chairman of the Board or the Secretary of Vistra Energy Corp. upon written request of one or more stockholders of record holding a majority of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote on the matter or matters to be brought before the proposed special meeting and complying with the notice procedures set forth in our Bylaws.

Advance Notice Requirement

Stockholders must provide timely notice when seeking to:

 

    bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders;

 

    bring business before a special meeting of stockholders (if contemplated and permitted by the notice of a special meeting); or

 

    nominate candidates for election to the Board at an annual meeting of stockholders or at a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board.

To be timely, a stockholders notice generally must be received by the Secretary of Vistra Energy Corp. at our principal executive offices:

 

    in the case of an annual meeting:

 

    not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting, or

 

    if the annual meeting is called for a date that is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the annual meeting and the 10th day following the day on which the first public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is made by Vistra Energy Corp; or

 

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    in the case of a special meeting, not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the special meeting and the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and the nominees proposed by the Board.

Our Charter and Bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of the stockholder’s notice. These provisions may preclude stockholders from bringing matters before or proposing director nominees to an annual meeting or a special meeting of stockholders.

Issuance of Blank Check preferred stock

The Board is authorized to issue, without further action by the stockholders, up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock with rights and preferences designated from time to time by the Board as described above under “—Rights and Preferences of Vistra Energy Corp. Capital Stock — Blank Check Preferred Stock.” The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock may enable the Board to render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of Vistra Energy Corp. by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise.

Removal of Directors

Our Charter and Bylaws provide that directors may only be removed for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the capital stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon.

Section 203 of the DGCL

In our Charter, we have elected not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL, as permitted under and pursuant to subsection (b)(3) of Section 203. Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination, such as a merger, with a person or group owning 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Accordingly, we are currently not subject to any anti-takeover effects of Section 203, although no assurance can be given that we will not elect to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL in the future.

Amendment of Bylaws and Charter

The approval of a 66 2/3% super-majority of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote will be required to amend certain provisions of our Bylaws or to amend certain provisions of our Charter, including provisions relating to indemnification and exculpation of directors and officers and provisions relating to amendment of our Bylaws and Charter by the Board. In addition, the Charter provides certain rights to the Principal Stockholders, relating to business opportunities, which are more fully described under “— Business Opportunities” below. Until the last to occur of (a) each Principal Stockholder and its respective Affiliates ceases to own at least 5% of our outstanding common stock or (b) no director is serving on the Board pursuant to the rights of the Principal Stockholders to nominate such directors in accordance with the Bylaws and each such Principal Stockholder’s Stockholder Agreement, the approval of an 80% super-majority of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote will be required to amend the Charter in any manner inconsistent with these rights.

Business Opportunities

Our Charter provides that Apollo Management Holdings L.P., Brookfield Asset Management Private Institutional Capital Adviser (Canada), L.P. and Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. and their respective affiliates, to the fullest extend permitted by law, have no duty to refrain from engaging in the same or similar business

 

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activities or lines of business in which Vistra Energy Corp. or any of our affiliates now engage or propose to engage or otherwise competing with Vistra Energy Corp. or any of our affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we have renounced any interest or expectancy in, or the right to be offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity which may be a business opportunity of one of such stockholders. We have not, however, renounced any interest in any business opportunity offered to any director or officer of Vistra Energy Corp. if such opportunity is expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of Vistra Energy Corp.

Authorized but Unissued Shares

Delaware law does not require stockholder approval for any issuance of authorized shares. However, the listing requirements of the NYSE, which will apply so long as our common stock remains listed on the NYSE, require stockholder approval of certain issuances equal to or exceeding 20% of the then outstanding voting power or then outstanding number of shares of common stock. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public or private offerings to raise additional capital and for corporate acquisitions.

Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment

Under the DGCL, with certain exceptions, our stockholders have appraisal rights in connection with a merger or consolidation of Vistra Energy Corp. Pursuant to the DGCL, stockholders who properly request and perfect appraisal rights in connection with such merger or consolidation have the right to receive payment of the fair value of their shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery.

Stockholders’ Derivative Actions

Under the DGCL, any of our stockholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of shares of our capital stock at the time of the transaction to which the action relates or such stockholder’s stock thereafter devolved by operation of law.

Exclusive Forum

Our Charter provides that unless Vistra Energy Corp. consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and subject to applicable jurisdictional requirements, any state court located in the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) is the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including any beneficial owner) to bring any claim (a) based upon a violation of a duty by a current or former director, officer, employee or stockholder in such capacity or (b) as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of, and consented to the forum provisions in, our Charter. The enforceability of similar forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation, however, has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find these types of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of our directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions and conditions. Our Charter limits the liability of directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Such section eliminates the personal liability of a director to Vistra Energy for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to

 

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Vistra energy or our stockholders, (ii) for acts or omission not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. In addition, our Bylaws and separate indemnification agreements provide that we must indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Under our Bylaws, Vistra Energy Corp. agrees that it is the indemnitor of first resort to provide advancement of expenses or indemnification to directors and officers.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions included in our Charter and Bylaws and separate indemnification agreements may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

Listing

We have applied to list the shares of our common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “VST.”

 

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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders

The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock purchased pursuant to this offering by a non-U.S. holder. For the purpose of this discussion, a non-U.S. holder is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is an individual, corporation, estate or trust and that is not for U.S. federal income tax purposes any of the following:

 

    an individual citizen or resident of the U.S.;

 

    a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the U.S. or under the laws of the United States or any state or the District of Columbia;

 

    a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes);

 

    an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

    a trust (x) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and which has one or more U.S. persons (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) which has made a valid election under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

An individual who is not a citizen of the United States may, subject to certain restrictions and limitations contained in any applicable income tax treaties, be deemed to be a resident of the United States by reason of being present in the United States for at least 31 days in the calendar year and an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three year period ending in the current calendar year (counting for such purposes all of the days present in the current year, one-third of the days present in the immediate preceding calendar year and one sixth of the days present in the second preceding calendar year). U.S. residents are generally taxed for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the same manner as U.S. citizens.

If a partnership (or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Accordingly, if you are treated as a partner of a partnership that holds our common stock you should consult your own tax advisor as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you.

This discussion assumes that a non-U.S. holder will hold our common stock that may be resold pursuant to this prospectus as a capital asset (generally, property held for investment) within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal taxation (including alternative minimum, gift and estate tax) or any other U.S. federal tax laws, including Medicare taxes imposed on net investment income or any aspects of state, local or non-U.S. taxation. It does not consider any U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to non-U.S. holders that may be subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including, without limitation, U.S. expatriates, life insurance companies, tax-exempt or governmental organizations, dealers in securities or currency, banks or other financial institutions, investors whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, “passive foreign investment companies,” “controlled foreign corporations,” except as otherwise provided below, persons who at any time hold more than 5% of the fair market value of any class of our stock and investors that hold our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion transaction. Furthermore, the following discussion is based on current provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. We have not sought, and will not seek, any ruling from the IRS or any opinion of counsel with respect to the tax consequences discussed herein, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a position contrary to the tax consequences discussed below or that any position taken by the IRS would not be sustained.

 

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We urge each prospective investor to consult a tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of shares of our common stock.

Distributions

We do not plan to make any distributions for the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions on our common stock, those payments will constitute dividends to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distributions will first reduce a non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock (determined on a share by share basis), but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of the common stock (subject to the rules discussed below under “— Gain on Disposition of Common Stock”). Any such distributions will also be subject to the discussion below under the section entitled “—Additional Withholding Tax Relating to Foreign Accounts.” We expect to have significant amounts of earnings and profits as of the date of this prospectus.

Any dividends (out of earnings and profits) paid to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock that are not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax either at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividend or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable tax treaty. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty and the requirements for and manner of claiming the benefits of such treaty (including, without limitation, the need to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number). To receive the benefit of a reduced treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must generally provide us or our paying agent with a valid IRS Form W-8BEN-E, W-8BEN or other appropriate version of IRS Form W-8 certifying qualification for the reduced rate and otherwise comply with all other applicable legal requirements (including periodically updating such forms).

Dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder (and, if provided by an applicable treaty, that are attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of such non-U.S. holder) are exempt from such U.S. withholding tax (provided that the non-U.S. holder complies with certain certification and disclosure requirements). Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to the exemption from withholding on dividends effectively connected with such holder’s U.S. trade or business and the requirements for and manner of claiming the benefits of such exemption. To obtain this exemption, the non-U.S. holder must generally provide us or our paying agent with a valid IRS Form W-8ECI properly certifying such exemption and otherwise comply with all other applicable legal requirements (including, without limitation, periodically updating such form). Such effectively connected dividends, although not subject to withholding tax, will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the same graduated rates generally applicable to U.S. persons, subject to any applicable tax treaty providing otherwise. In addition to the income tax described above, dividends received by corporate non-U.S. holders that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the corporate non-U.S. holder may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable tax treaty).

A non-U.S. holder of our common stock may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld if the non-U.S. holder is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax and an appropriate claim for refund is timely filed with the IRS.

A non-U.S. holder that is a foreign trust is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding its status under U.S. tax law and the certification requirements applicable to it.

 

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Gain on Disposition of Common Stock

Subject to the discussion of backup withholding and of FATCA, below, a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our common stock unless:

 

    the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by such non-U.S. holder;

 

    the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met; or

 

    our common stock constitutes a “U.S. real property interest” by reason of our status as a U.S. real property holding corporation (a USRPHC) within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for our common stock.

Unless an applicable tax treaty provides otherwise, gain described in the first bullet point above will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any other property received for the common stock over the non-U.S. holder’s basis in the common stock. Such gain or loss will be generally subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the same graduated rates generally applicable to U.S. persons. In the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a foreign corporation, such gain may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable tax treaty).

Gain described in the second bullet point above (which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses, provided that the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses) will be subject to a flat 30% U.S. federal income tax (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable tax treaty).

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe we are not, and will not become for the foreseeable future, a USRPHC. If we are so classified, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition by a non-U.S. holder of our common stock will not be subject to tax if such class of stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, and such non-U.S. holder does not own, actually or constructively, more than 5% of such class of our stock at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for our common stock. We expect our common stock to be regularly traded on an established securities market. If gain on the sale or other taxable disposition of our stock were subject to taxation under the third bullet point above, the non-U.S. holder would be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain in generally the same manner as a U.S. person and would have to file a U.S. income tax return reporting such gain or loss (and a purchaser of such non-U.S. holder’s stock may be required to withhold from the proceeds payable to a non-U.S. holder from a sale or other taxable disposition of our stock).

Non-U.S. holders should consult a tax advisor regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Generally, we must report annually to the IRS the amount of dividends paid to each non-U.S. holder, the name and address of the recipient, and the amount, if any, of tax withheld with respect to those dividends. These information reporting requirements apply even if withholding was not required or was otherwise reduced or eliminated. This information also may be made available under a specific treaty or agreement with the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established. Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock within the United States or through certain U.S. financial intermediaries is also subject

 

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to information reporting, and depending on the circumstances may be subject to backup withholding unless the non-U.S. holder, certifies that it is a non-U.S. holder or furnishes an IRS Form W-8.

Payments of dividends to a non-U.S. holder may be subject to backup withholding (at the applicable rate) unless the non-U.S. holder establishes an exemption, for example, by properly certifying its non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person that is not an exempt recipient.

U.S. information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply to a payment of proceeds from a disposition of common stock where the transaction is effected outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker. However, information reporting requirements, but generally not backup withholding, generally will apply to such a payment if the broker is (i) a U.S. person; (ii) a foreign person that derives 50% or more of its gross income for certain periods from the conduct of a trade or business in the United States; (iii) a controlled foreign corporation as defined in the Code; (iv) a foreign partnership with certain U.S. connections; or (v) a U.S. branch of a foreign bank or foreign insurance company or a “territory financial institution” (as specially defined) in each case meeting certain requirements, unless the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the holder is a non-U.S. holder and certain conditions are met or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be claimed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding in their particular circumstances and the availability of, and procedures for, obtaining an exemption from backup withholding.

Additional Withholding Tax Relating to Foreign Accounts

Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code, the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and other official guidance (commonly referred to as FATCA) on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on, or gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless those entities comply with certain requirements under the Code and applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, which requirements may be modified by an “intergovernmental agreement” entered into between the United States and an applicable foreign country. Future Treasury Regulations or other official guidance may modify these requirements.

Under the applicable Treasury Regulations, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on our common stock and the IRS has announced that withholding will apply to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of such stock on or after January 1, 2019. The FATCA withholding tax will apply to all withholdable payments without regard to whether the beneficial owner of the payment would otherwise be entitled to an exemption from imposition of withholding tax pursuant to an applicable tax treaty with the United States or U.S. domestic law.

Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our common stock.

The foregoing discussion is only a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock by non-U.S. holders. You are urged to consult your own tax advisor with respect to the particular tax consequences to you of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock, including the effect of any U.S., state, local, non-U.S. or other tax laws and any applicable income tax treaty.

 

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Shares Eligible for Future Sales

Future issuances or sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such issuances or resales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock. No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, future issuances or resales of shares, or the availability of shares for future sales, will have on the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to time. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Structure and Ownership of Our Common Stock — No prior public trading market existed for our common stock prior to October 4, 2016, and an active trading market may not develop or be sustained following the registration of our common stock on the NYSE, which may cause the market price of our common stock to decline significantly and make it difficult for investors to sell their shares in the future.”

As of March 24, 2017, we have a total of 427,587,401 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. The shares that may be resold pursuant to this prospectus will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except that any shares held by our affiliates, as that term is defined under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, may be sold only in compliance with the limitations described below. The remaining outstanding shares from time to time will be deemed restricted securities under the meaning of Rule 144. Restricted securities may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration, including the exemptions pursuant to Rule 144, which is summarized below.

We plan to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock issued pursuant to our 2016 Incentive Plan. Any such Form S-8 registration statement will automatically become effective upon filing. Accordingly, subject to applicable vesting restrictions or lock-up restrictions and except for shares held by affiliates, shares to be registered under any such registration statement will be available for sale in the open market.

Issuance and Resales of Securities

We relied on Section 1145(a)(1) and (2) to exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act any future offer and resale of our common stock issued pursuant to the Plan. Section 1145(a)(1) exempts the offer and sale of securities under the Plan from registration under Section 5 of the Securities Act and state laws if certain requirements are satisfied. The shares of our common stock issued pursuant to the Plan may be resold without registration unless the seller is an “underwriter” with respect to those shares. Section 1145(b)(1) defines an “underwriter” as any person who: purchases a claim against, an interest in, or a claim for an administrative expense against the debtor, if that purchase is with a view to distributing any security received in exchange for such a claim or interest; offers to sell securities offered under the Plan for the holders of those securities; offers to buy those securities from the holders of the securities, if the offer to buy is (i) with a view to distributing those securities; and (ii) under an agreement made in connection with the Plan, the completion of the Plan, or with the offer or sale of securities under the Plan; or is an “affiliate” of the issuer. To the extent a person is deemed to be an “underwriter,” resales by such person would not be exempted by Section 1145 from registration under the Securities Act or other applicable law. Those persons would, however, be permitted to resell shares of our common stock without registration if they are able to comply with the provisions of Rule 144, as described further below.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, a person who is not deemed to be our affiliate for purposes of Rule 144 or to have been one of our affiliates at any time during the three months preceding a resale and who has beneficially owned the shares of common stock proposed to be resold for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than our affiliates, is entitled to resell those shares of common stock without complying with the manner of sale, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144, subject to compliance with the current public information requirements of Rule 144. If such a person has beneficially

 

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owned the shares of common stock proposed to be resold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than our affiliates, then that person is entitled to resell those shares of common stock without complying with any of the requirements of Rule 144. In general, after acquiring beneficial ownership, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, our affiliates or persons reselling shares of our common stock on behalf of our affiliates are entitled to sell, within any three-month period, a number of shares of our common stock that does not exceed the greater of (a) 1% of the number of shares of our common stock then outstanding and (b) the average weekly trading volume of the shares of common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to that resale. Resales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons reselling shares of our common stock on behalf of our affiliates are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

 

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Plan of Distribution

We are registering the resale of shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus by the selling stockholders from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds of any such resale of shares of our common stock. The aggregate proceeds to the selling stockholders from the resales of shares or our common stock will be the purchase price of the shares less any discounts and commissions.

The selling stockholders or their pledgees, donees, transferees, or any of their successors in interest selling shares received from a named selling stockholder as a gift, partnership distribution or other non-sale-related transfer after the date of this prospectus (some or all of whom may be selling stockholders), may sell some or all of the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus from time to time on any stock exchange or automated interdealer quotation system on which the securities are listed or quoted, in the over-the-counter market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, at fixed prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices, at prices determined at the time of sale, or at prices otherwise negotiated. The selling stockholders may sell the shares by one or more of the following methods, without limitation:

 

    one or more underwritten offerings on a firm commitment or best efforts basis;

 

    block trades in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

    crosses in which the same broker or dealer acts as an agent on both sides of the trades;

 

    purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by the broker or dealer for its own account pursuant to this prospectus;

 

    an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of any stock exchange on which the shares are listed;

 

    ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchases;

 

    privately negotiated transactions;

 

    short sales, either directly or with a broker-dealer or affiliate thereof;

 

    through the writing of options on the shares (including the issuance by the selling stockholder of derivative securities), whether or not the options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise;

 

    through loans or pledges of the shares to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof;

 

    by entering into transactions with third parties who may (or may cause others to) issue securities convertible or exchangeable into, or the return of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of, our common stock;

 

    through the distribution of the shares by any selling stockholder to its partners, members or stockholders;

 

    “at the market” to or through market makers or into an existing market for the securities;

 

    by pledge to secure debts and other obligations (including obligations associated with derivatives transactions);

 

    in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers or sales effected through agents;

 

    any combination of any of these methods of sale; and

 

    any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

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We do not know of any arrangements by the selling stockholders for the sale of any of these shares. Upon our notification by a selling stockholder that any material arrangement has been entered into with an underwriter or broker-dealer for the sale of shares through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution, secondary distribution or a purchase by an underwriter, dealer or agent, we will file a supplement to this prospectus, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, disclosing certain material information, including the number of shares being offered, the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, any public offering price, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers or agents.

For example, the selling stockholders may engage brokers and dealers, and any brokers or dealers may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate in effecting sales of the shares. These brokers, dealers or underwriters may act as principals or as agents of a selling stockholder. Broker-dealers may agree with a selling stockholder to sell a specified number of the shares at a stipulated price per security. If the broker-dealer is unable to sell shares acting as agent for a selling stockholder, it may purchase as principal any unsold shares at the stipulated price. Broker-dealers who acquire shares as principals may thereafter resell the shares from time to time in transactions on any stock exchange or automated interdealer quotation system on which the shares are then listed, at prices and on terms then prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the then-current market price, at prices determined at the time of sale, or at prices otherwise negotiated. Broker-dealers may use block transactions and sales to and through broker-dealers, including crosses and other transactions of the nature described above.

From time to time, one or more of the selling stockholders may pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares owned by them. The pledgees, secured parties or persons to whom the shares have been hypothecated will, upon foreclosure in the event of default, be deemed to be selling stockholders. As and when a selling stockholder takes such actions, the number of shares offered under this prospectus on behalf of such selling stockholder will decrease. The plan of distribution for such selling stockholder’s shares will otherwise remain unchanged.

A selling stockholder may, from time to time, sell the shares short, and, in those instances, this prospectus may be delivered in connection with the short sales and the shares offered under this prospectus may be used to cover short sales. A selling stockholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers and the broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the shares in the course of hedging the positions they assume with that selling stockholder, including, without limitation, in connection with distributions of the shares by those broker-dealers. A selling stockholder may enter into options or other transactions with broker-dealers that involve the delivery of the shares offered hereby to the broker-dealers, who may then resell or otherwise transfer those shares. A selling stockholder may also loan the shares offered hereby to a broker-dealer and the broker-dealer may sell the loaned shares pursuant to this prospectus.

A selling stockholder may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell shares not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell shares covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third-party may use shares pledged by the selling stockholder or borrowed from the selling stockholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use shares received from the selling stockholder in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third-party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part).

To the extent required under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the names of the selling stockholders, aggregate amount of selling stockholders’ shares being offered and the terms of the offering, the names of any agents, dealers or underwriters and any applicable compensation with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Any underwriters, dealers or agents

 

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participating in the distribution of the shares may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts, concessions, commissions or fees from a selling stockholder and/or purchasers of selling stockholders’ shares for whom they may act (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions). Pursuant to a FINRA requirement, the maximum commission or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer may not be greater than 8% of the gross proceeds received by the selling stockholders for the sale of any shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

The selling stockholders and any underwriters, dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of the shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts, concessions, commissions or fees received by them and any profit on the resale of the shares sold by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions.

The selling stockholders and other persons participating in the sale or distribution of the shares will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M. This regulation may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares by the selling stockholders any other person. The anti-manipulation rules under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the selling stockholders and their respective affiliates. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares to engage in market-making activities with respect to the particular shares being distributed for a period of up to five business days before the distribution. These restrictions may affect the marketability of the shares and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares.

The shares offered hereby were originally issued to the selling stockholders pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. We agreed to register resales of such shares under the Securities Act and to keep the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part effective for a specified period of time. We have agreed to pay certain expenses in connection with certain resales of the shares registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, including the fees and expenses of one counsel retained by the selling stockholders. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify in certain circumstances certain of the selling stockholders against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Certain of the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify us in certain circumstances against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We have also agreed to pay substantially all of the expenses incidental to the registration of resales of shares of our common stock, including the payment of federal securities law and state “blue sky” registration fees but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions relating to the sale of common stock. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions — Registration Rights Agreement.”

We will not receive any proceeds from resales of any shares of our common stock under this prospectus by the selling stockholders.

We cannot assure you that the selling stockholders will sell all or any portion of the shares offered hereby. Further, we cannot assure you that any such selling stockholder will not transfer, devise or gift the common stock by other means not described in this prospectus. In addition, any common stock covered by this prospectus that qualifies for sale under Rule 144 or Regulation D of the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 or Regulation D, as applicable, rather than under this prospectus. The common stock covered by this prospectus may also be sold to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act rather than under this prospectus. The common stock may be resold in some states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common stock may not be resold unless it has been registered or qualified for resale or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and complied with.

 

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Legal Matters

The validity of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Sidley Austin LLP, Dallas, Texas.

Experts

The consolidated financial statements of (a) Vistra Energy Corp. as of December 31, 2016 and for the period October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, and (b) Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, our Predecessor, as of December 31, 2015 and for the period January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2015 included in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein (which report expresses an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding emerging from bankruptcy and the non-comparability to prior periods). Such consolidated financial statements have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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Where You Can Find More Information

We have filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to resales of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which is a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information with respect to us and the common stock that may be offered under this prospectus, please see the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is subject to, and qualified in all respects by reference to, the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement may be inspected without charge at the public reference room maintained by the Commission, located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part of the registration statement may be obtained upon the payment of the fees prescribed by the Commission. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. The Commission also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The address of the website is www.sec.gov.

Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, we will be subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission.

We maintain a website at www.vistraenergy.com. You may access our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the Commission free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Commission. However, the reference to our web address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at such site.

 

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Index To Financial Statements and

Financial Statement Schedules

 

Audited Financial Statements for the three Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2016

     F-2  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-7  

Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) for each of the Three Years Ended December 31, 2016

     F-8  

Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for each of the Three Years Ended December 31, 2016

     F-9  

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for each of the Three Years Ended December 31, 2016

     F-10  

Consolidated Balance Sheets for December 31, 2016 and 2015

     F-12  

Statements of Consolidated Equity for each of the Three Years Ended December 31, 2016

     F-14  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-16  

 

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2016 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

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GLOSSARY

When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of the 2016 Annual Financial Statements, they have the meanings indicated below.

 

CCGT    combined cycle gas turbine
CFTC    US Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Chapter 11 Cases    Cases being heard in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Bankruptcy Court) concerning voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code (Bankruptcy Code) filed on April 29, 2014 by the Debtors. On the Effective Date, the TCEH Debtors (together with the Contributed EFH Debtors) emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases.
CO 2    carbon dioxide
Contributed EFH Debtors    certain EFH Debtors that became subsidiaries of Vistra Energy on the Effective Date
CSAPR    the final Cross-State Air Pollution Rule issued by the EPA in July 2011
CTs    Combustion turbines
DIP Facility    TCEH’s $3.375 billion debtor-in-possession financing facility, which was repaid in August 2016. See Note 13 to the Financial Statements.
DIP Roll Facilities    TCEH’s $4.250 billion debtor-in-possession and exit financing facilities, which was converted to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities on the Effective Date. See Note 13 to the Financial Statements.
Debtors    EFH Corp. and the majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including EFIH, EFCH and TCEH, but excluding the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities. Prior to the Effective Date, also included the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors.
D.C. Circuit Court    US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
EBITDA    earnings (net income) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization
Effective Date    October 3, 2016, the date the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors completed their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases
EFCH    Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of EFH Corp. and, prior to the Effective Date, the indirect parent of the TCEH Debtors, depending on context
EFH Corp.    Energy Future Holdings Corp. and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context, whose major subsidiaries include Oncor and, prior to the Effective Date, included the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors
EFH Debtors    EFH Corp. and its subsidiaries that are Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases, including EFIH and EFIH Finance Inc., but excluding the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors
EFIH    Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of EFH Corp. and the direct parent of Oncor Holdings

 

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Emergence    emergence of the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors from the Chapter 11 Cases as subsidiaries of a newly-formed company, Vistra Energy, on the Effective Date
EPA    US Environmental Protection Agency
ERCOT    Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc., the independent system operator and the regional coordinator of various electricity systems within Texas
Federal and State Income Tax Allocation Agreement    Prior to the Effective Date, EFH Corp. and certain of its subsidiaries (including EFCH, EFIH and TCEH, but not including Oncor Holdings and Oncor) were parties to a Federal and State Income Tax Allocation Agreement, executed in May 2012 but effective as of January 2010. The Agreement was rejected by the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors on the Effective Date. See Note 9 to the Financial Statements.
FERC    US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Fifth Circuit Court    US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
GAAP    generally accepted accounting principles
GHG    greenhouse gas
GWh    gigawatt-hours
IRS    US Internal Revenue Service
IPP    independent power producer
ISO    independent system operator
kWh    kilowatt-hours
LIBOR    London Interbank Offered Rate, an interest rate at which banks can borrow funds, in marketable size, from other banks in the London interbank market
LSTC    liabilities subject to compromise
Luminant    subsidiaries of Vistra Energy engaged in competitive market activities consisting of electricity generation and wholesale energy sales and purchases as well as commodity risk management, all largely in Texas
market heat rate    Heat rate is a measure of the efficiency of converting a fuel source to electricity. Market heat rate is the implied relationship between wholesale electricity prices and natural gas prices and is calculated by dividing the wholesale market price of electricity, which is based on the price offer of the marginal supplier in ERCOT (generally natural gas plants), by the market price of natural gas.
MATS    the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard established by the EPA
Merger    the transaction referred to in the Agreement and Plan of Merger under which Texas Holdings agreed to acquire EFH Corp., which was completed on October 10, 2007
MMBtu    million British thermal units
MSHA    US Mine Safety and Health Administration

 

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MW    megawatts
MWh    megawatt-hours
NERC    North American Electric Reliability Corporation
NO X    nitrogen oxide
NRC    US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NYMEX    the New York Mercantile Exchange, a commodity derivatives exchange
Oncor    Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a direct, majority-owned subsidiary of Oncor Holdings and an indirect subsidiary of EFH Corp., that is engaged in regulated electricity transmission and distribution activities
Oncor Holdings    Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of EFIH and the direct majority owner of Oncor, and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context
Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities    Oncor Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Oncor
Petition Date    April 29, 2014, the date the Debtors filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code
Plan of Reorganization    Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization filed by the Debtors in August 2016 and confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court in August 2016 solely with respect to the TCEH Debtors
PrefCo    Vistra Preferred Inc.
PURA    Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act
PUCT    Public Utility Commission of Texas
purchase accounting    The purchase method of accounting for a business combination as prescribed by US GAAP, whereby the cost or “purchase price” of a business combination, including the amount paid for the equity and direct transaction costs are allocated to identifiable assets and liabilities (including intangible assets) based upon their fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.
REP    retail electric provider
RCT    Railroad Commission of Texas, which among other things, has oversight of lignite mining activity in Texas
SEC    US Securities and Exchange Commission
SG&A    selling, general and administrative
Securities Act    Securities Act of 1933, as amended
Settlement Agreement    Amended and Restated Settlement Agreement among the Debtors, the Sponsor Group, settling TCEH first lien creditors, settling TCEH second lien creditors, settling TCEH unsecured creditors and the official committee of unsecured creditors of TCEH (collectively, the Settling Parties), approved by the Bankruptcy Court in December 2015. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements.
SO2    sulfur dioxide

 

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Sponsor Group    Refers, collectively, to certain investment funds affiliated with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., TPG Global, LLC (together with its affiliates, TPG) and GS Capital Partners, an affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co., that have an ownership interest in Texas Holdings
TRA    Tax Receivables Agreement, containing certain rights (TRA Rights) to receive payments from Vistra Energy related to certain tax benefits, including those it realized as a result of the transactions entered into at Emergence under the terms of a tax receivable agreement (see Note 10)
TCEH or Predecessor    Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of EFCH and, prior to the Effective Date, the parent company of the TCEH Debtors, depending on context, that were engaged in electricity generation and wholesale and retail energy market activities, and whose major subsidiaries included Luminant and TXU Energy.
TCEH Debtors    the subsidiaries of TCEH that were Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases
TCEH Finance    TCEH Finance, Inc., a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of TCEH, formed for the sole purpose of serving as co-issuer with TCEH of certain debt securities. TCEH Finance, Inc. was dissolved on the Effective Date.
TCEH Senior Secured Facilities    Refers, collectively, to the TCEH First Lien Term Loan Facilities, TCEH First Lien Revolving Credit Facility and TCEH First Lien Letter of Credit Facility with a total principal amount of $22.616 billion. The claims arising under these facilities were discharged in the Chapter 11 Cases on the Effective Date pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization.
TCEH Senior Secured Notes    TCEH’s and TCEH Finance’s $1.750 billion principal amount of 11.5% First Lien Senior Secured Notes. The claims arising under these notes were discharged in the Chapter 11 Cases on the Effective Date pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization.
TCEQ    Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Texas Holdings    Texas Energy Future Holdings Limited Partnership, a limited partnership controlled by the Sponsor Group, that owns substantially all of the common stock of EFH Corp.
TRE    Texas Reliability Entity, Inc., an independent organization that develops reliability standards for the ERCOT region and monitors and enforces compliance with NERC standards and monitors compliance with ERCOT protocols
TWh    terawatt-hours
TXU Energy    TXU Energy Retail Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra Energy that is a REP in competitive areas of ERCOT and is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers
US    United States of America
Vistra Energy or Successor    Vistra Energy Corp., formerly known as TCEH Corp., and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context. On the Effective Date, the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors emerged from Chapter 11 and became subsidiaries of Vistra Energy Corp.
Vistra Operations Credit Facilities    Vistra Energy’s $5.360 billion senior secured financing facilities. See Note 13 to the Financial Statements.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Vistra Energy Corp.

Dallas, TX

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Vistra Energy Corp. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2016 (Successor Company balance sheet) and 2015 (Predecessor Company balance sheet), and the related statements of consolidated income (loss), consolidated comprehensive income (loss), consolidated cash flows, and consolidated equity, for the period October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 (Successor Company operations), the period January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2015 (Predecessor Company operations). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, on August 29, 2016 the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the plan of reorganization which became effective on October 3, 2016. Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements have been prepared in conformity with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 852, Reorganizations , for the Successor Company as a new entity with assets, liabilities, and a capital structure having carrying values not comparable with prior periods as described in Note 1 to the financial statements.

In our opinion, the Successor Company financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Vistra Energy Corp. as of December 31, 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the period October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Further, in our opinion, the Predecessor Company financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Predecessor Company as of December 31, 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the period January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Dallas, TX

March 30, 2017

 

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Table of Contents

VISTRA ENERGY CORP.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME (LOSS)

(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

    Successor     Predecessor  
    Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
    Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
        2015     2014  

Operating revenues

  $ 1,191     $ 3,973     $ 5,370     $ 5,978  

Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees

    (720     (2,082     (2,692     (2,842

Net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities

          282       334       11  

Operating costs

    (208     (664     (834     (914

Depreciation and amortization

    (216     (459     (852     (1,270

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    (208     (482     (676     (708

Impairment of goodwill (Note 7)

                (2,200     (1,600

Impairment of long-lived assets (Note 8)

                (2,541     (4,670
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

    (161     568       (4,091     (6,015
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (Note 22)

    9       16       17       16  

Other deductions (Note 22)

          (75     (93     (281

Interest income

    1       3       1        

Interest expense and related charges (Note 11)

    (60     (1,049     (1,289     (1,749

Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement (Note 10)

    (22                  

Reorganization items (Note 4)

          22,121       (101     (520
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    (233     21,584       (5,556     (8,549

Income tax benefit (expense) (Note 9)

    70       1,267       879       2,320  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  $ (163   $ 22,851     $ (4,677   $ (6,229
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:

       

Basic

    427,560,620        

Diluted

    427,560,620        

Net loss per weighted average share of common stock outstanding:

       

Basic

  $ (0.38      

Diluted

  $ (0.38      

Dividend declared per share of common stock

  $ 2.32        

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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VISTRA ENERGY CORP.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Millions of Dollars)

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
    Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
     Year Ended
December 31,
 
          2015     2014  

Net income (loss)

   $ (163   $ 22,851      $ (4,677   $ (6,229

Effects related to pension and other retirement benefit obligations (net of tax expense of $3 million)

     6                     

Other comprehensive income, net of tax effects — cash flow hedges derivative value net loss related to hedged transactions recognized during the period (net of tax benefit of $— in all periods)

           1        2       1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (157   $ 22,852      $ (4,675   $ (6,228
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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VISTRA ENERGY CORP.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(Millions of Dollars)

 

    Successor     Predecessor  
    Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
    Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
        2015     2014  

Cash flows — operating activities:

       

Net income (loss)

  $ (163   $ 22,851     $ (4,677   $ (6,229

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

       

Depreciation and amortization

    285       532       995       1,440  

Deferred income tax benefit, net

    (76     (1,270     (883     (2,406

Impairment of goodwill (Note 7)

                2,200       1,600  

Impairment of long-lived assets (Note 8)

                2,541       4,670  

Write-off of intangible and other assets (Note 7)

          45       84       263  

Gain on extinguishment of liabilities subject to compromise (Note 4)

          (24,344            

Net loss from adopting fresh start reporting (Note 4)

          2,013              

Contract claims adjustments (Note 4)

          13       54       19  

Adjustment to asbestos liability

          11              

Noncash adjustment for estimated allowed claims related to debt (Note 4)

                896        

Adjustment to intercompany claims pursuant to Settlement Agreement (Note 4)

                (1,037      

Sponsor management agreement settlement (Note 20)

                (19      

Fees paid for Predecessor DIP Facility (reported as financing activities)

                9       92  

Unrealized net (gain) loss from mark-to-market valuations of commodity positions

    165       36       (119     370  

Unrealized net (gain) loss from mark-to-market valuations of interest rate swaps (Note 11)

    11                   (1,290

Liability adjustment arising from termination of interest rate swaps (Note 17)

                      277  

Noncash realized loss on termination of interest rate swaps (Note 11)

                      1,225  

Noncash realized gain on termination of natural gas positions (Note 17)

                      (117

Amortization of debt related costs, discounts, fair value discounts and losses on dedesignated cash flow hedges (Note 4)

                      88  

Income tax benefit due to IRS audit resolutions (Note 9)

                      53  

Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement (Note 10)

    22                    

Other, net

    7       52       67       61  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

       

Affiliate accounts receivable/payable — net

          31       (4     11  

Accounts receivable — trade

    135       (216     17       72  

Inventories

    3       71       34       (67

Accounts payable — trade

    (79     26       40       94  

Commodity and other derivative contractual assets and liabilities

    (48     29       27       (27

Margin deposits, net

    (193     (124     129       (192

Accrued interest

    32       (10     2       493  

Other — net assets

    (2     (3     (22     (67

Other — net liabilities

    (18     19       (97     11  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    81       (238     237       444  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Cash flows — financing activities:

       

Borrowings under DIP Roll Facilities and DIP Facility (Note 13)

          4,680             1,425  

DIP Roll Facilities and DIP Facility financing fees

          (112     (9     (92

Repayments/repurchases of debt (Note 13)

          (2,655     (21     (223

Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock (Note 3)

          69              

Payments to extinguish claims of TCEH first lien creditors
(Note 3)

          (486            

Payments to extinguish claims of TCEH unsecured creditors
(Note 3)

          (429            

Fees paid for credit facilities

          (8            

Incremental Term Loan B Facility (Note 13)

    1,000                    

Special Dividend (Note 15)

    (992                  

Other, net

    (2                 1  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    6       1,059       (30     1,111  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows — investing activities:

       

Notes/advances due from affiliates

          (41     (37     (34

Lamar and Forney acquisition — net of cash acquired (Note 6)

          (1,343            

Capital expenditures

    (48     (230     (337     (336

Nuclear fuel purchases

    (41     (33     (123     (77

Changes in restricted cash

    48       233       (123     42  

Proceeds from sales of nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities (Note 22)

    25       201       401       314  

Investments in nuclear decommissioning trust fund securities (Note 22)

    (30     (215     (418     (331

Other, net

    1       8       (13     (36
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used in investing activities

    (45     (1,420     (650     (458
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    42       (599     (443     1,097  

Cash and cash equivalents — beginning balance

    801       1,400       1,843       746  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents — ending balance

  $ 843     $ 801     $ 1,400     $ 1,843  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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VISTRA ENERGY CORP.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Millions of Dollars)

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     December 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 843     $ 1,400  

Restricted cash (Note 22)

     95       519  

Trade accounts receivable — net (Note 22)

     612       533  

Advances to parent and affiliates of Predecessor (Note 20)

           34  

Inventories (Note 22)

     285       428  

Commodity and other derivative contractual assets (Note 17)

     350       465  

Margin deposits related to commodity contracts

     213       6  

Other current assets

     75       65  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     2,473       3,450  

Restricted cash (Note 22)

     650       507  

Advances to parent and affiliates of Predecessor (Note 20)

           20  

Investments (Note 22)

     1,064       962  

Property, plant and equipment — net (Note 22)

     4,443       9,349  

Goodwill (Note 7)

     1,907       152  

Identifiable intangible assets — net (Note 7)

     3,205       1,179  

Commodity and other derivative contractual assets (Note 17)

     64       10  

Deferred income taxes (Note 9)

     1,122        

Other noncurrent assets

     239       29  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 15,167     $ 15,658  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Borrowings under debtor-in-possession credit facility (Note 13)

   $     $ 1,425  

Long-term debt due currently (Note 13)

     46       16  

Trade accounts payable

     479       394  

Trade accounts and other payables to affiliates of Predecessor

           120  

Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities (Note 17)

     359       203  

Margin deposits related to commodity contracts

     41       152  

Accrued income taxes payable to parent (Note 9)

           11  

Accrued taxes

     31        

Accrued taxes other than income

     128       98  

Accrued interest

     33       120  

Other current liabilities

     387       273  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     1,504       2,812  

Long-term debt, less amounts due currently (Note 13)

     4,577       3  

Liabilities subject to compromise (Note 5)

           33,734  

Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities (Note 17)

     2       1  

Deferred income taxes (Note 9)

           213  

Tax Receivable Agreement obligation (Note 10)

     596        

Asset retirement obligations (Note 22)

     1,671       764  

Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits (Note 22)

     220       1,015  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     8,570       38,542  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)

    

Equity (Note 15):

    

Common stock

     4        

Additional paid-in-capital

     7,742        

Retained deficit

     (1,155      

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     6        

Predecessor membership interests

           (22,884
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

   $ 6,597     $ (22,884
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 15,167     $ 15,658  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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VISTRA ENERGY CORP.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED EQUITY

(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

     Successor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
 

Shareholders’ equity in Successor:

  

Common stock (par value — $0.01; number of authorized shares — 1,800,000,000)

  

Shares issued upon Emergence (number of shares issued: 427,500,000)

   $ 4  

Other issuances (number of shares issued: 80,232)

      
  

 

 

 

Balance at end of period (number of shares outstanding: 427,580,232)

     4  
  

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital:

  

Amount resulting from Emergence

     7,737  

Effects of stock-based incentive compensation plans

     4  

Shares issued

     1  
  

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     7,742  
  

 

 

 

Retained deficit:

  

Balance at beginning of period

      

Net loss

     (163

Dividends declared on common stock ($2.32 per share)

     (992
  

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (1,155
  

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effects:

  

Balance at beginning of period

      

Pension and other postretirement employee benefit liability — change in funded status

     6  
  

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     6  
  

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity at end of period

   $ 6,597  
  

 

 

 

 

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VISTRA ENERGY CORP.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED EQUITY

(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

     Predecessor  
     Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
       2015     2014  

Membership interests in Predecessor:

      

Capital account:

      

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (22,851   $ (18,174   $ (11,947

Net income (loss) attributable to Predecessor

     22,851       (4,677     (6,229

Effects of stock-based incentive compensation plans

                 2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

           (22,851     (18,174
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax effects:

      

Balance at beginning of period

     (33     (35     (36

Cash flow hedges — change during period

     33       2       1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

           (33     (35
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Predecessor membership interests at end of period

           (22,884     (18,209
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries of Predecessor:

      

Balance at beginning of period

                 1  

Investment in subsidiary by noncontrolling interests

                 1  

Other

                 (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries of Predecessor at end of period

                  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total membership interests at end of period

   $     $ (22,884   $ (18,209
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

VISTRA ENERGY CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business, Bankruptcy Proceedings and Emergence

References in the 2016 Annual Financial Statements to “we,” “our,” “us” and “the Company” are to Vistra Energy and/or its subsidiaries in the Successor period, and to TCEH and/or its subsidiaries in the Predecessor periods, as apparent in the context. See Glossary for defined terms.

On April 29, 2014 (the Petition Date), EFH Corp. and the substantial majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including EFIH, EFCH and TCEH but excluding the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities (collectively, the Debtors), filed voluntary petitions for relief (the Bankruptcy Filing) under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the Bankruptcy Code) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the Bankruptcy Court).

On October 3, 2016 (the Effective Date), subsidiaries of TCEH that were Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases (the TCEH Debtors) and certain EFH Corp. subsidiaries (the Contributed EFH Debtors) completed their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases (Emergence) as subsidiaries of a newly-formed company, Vistra Energy (our Successor). On the Effective Date, Vistra Energy was spun-off from EFH Corp. in a tax-free transaction to the former first lien creditors of TCEH (Spin-Off). As a result, as of the Effective Date, Vistra Energy is a holding company for subsidiaries principally engaged in competitive electricity market activities including power generation, wholesale energy sales and purchases, commodity risk management and retail sales of electricity to end users. TCEH is the Predecessor to Vistra Energy. See Note 2 for further discussion regarding the Chapter 11 Cases.

Vistra Energy is a holding company operating an integrated power business in Texas. Through our Luminant and TXU Energy subsidiaries, we are engaged in competitive electricity market activities including power generation, wholesale energy sales and purchases, commodity risk management and retail sales of electricity to end users. Prior to the Effective Date, TCEH was a holding company for subsidiaries principally engaged in the same activities as Vistra Energy.

Subsequent to the Effective Date, Vistra Energy has two reportable segments: our Wholesale Generation segment, consisting largely of Luminant, and our Retail Electricity segment, consisting largely of TXU Energy. Prior to the Effective Date, there were no reportable business segments for our Predecessor. See Note 21 for further information concerning reportable business segments.

Basis of Presentation

As of the Effective Date, Vistra Energy applied fresh start reporting under the applicable provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 852, Reorganizations (ASC 852). Fresh start reporting includes (1) distinguishing the consolidated financial statements of the entity that was previously in restructuring (TCEH, or the Predecessor) from the financial statements of the entity that emerges from restructuring (Vistra Energy, or the Successor), (2) accounting for the effects of the Plan of Reorganization, (3) assigning the reorganized value of the Successor entity by measuring all assets and liabilities of the Successor entity at fair value, and (4) selecting accounting policies for the Successor entity. The financial statements of Vistra Energy for periods subsequent to the Effective Date are not comparable to the financial statements of TCEH for periods prior to the Effective Date, as those previous periods do not give effect to any adjustments to the carrying values of assets or amounts of liabilities that resulted from the Plan of Reorganization and the related application of fresh start reporting. The reorganization value of Vistra Energy was assigned to its assets and liabilities in conformity with the procedures specified by FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations , and the portion of the reorganization value that was not attributable to identifiable tangible or intangible assets was recognized as goodwill. See Note 3 for further discussion regarding fresh start reporting.

 

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The consolidated financial statements of the Predecessor reflect the application of ASC 852 as it applies to entities that have filed a petition for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. As a result, the consolidated financial statements of the Predecessor have been prepared as if TCEH was a going concern and contemplated the realization of assets and liabilities in the normal course of business. During the Chapter 11 Cases, the Debtors operated their businesses as debtors-in-possession under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. The guidance requires that transactions and events directly associated with the reorganization be distinguished from the ongoing operations of the business. In addition, the guidance provides for changes in the accounting and presentation of liabilities. Prior to the Effective Date, the Predecessor recorded the effects of the Plan of Reorganization in accordance with ASC 852. See Notes 4 and 5 for further discussion of these accounting and reporting changes.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. All dollar amounts in the financial statements and tables in the notes are stated in millions of US dollars unless otherwise indicated. Subsequent events have been evaluated through March 30, 2017, the date these consolidated financial statements were issued.

Use of Estimates

Preparation of financial statements requires estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reporting of assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and the reported amounts of revenue and expense, including fair value measurements, estimates of expected obligations, judgment related to the potential timing of events and other estimates. In the event estimates and/or assumptions prove to be different from actual amounts, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.

Derivative Instruments and Mark-to-Market Accounting

We enter into contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity, natural gas, coal, uranium and other commodities and also enter into other derivative instruments such as options, swaps, futures and forwards primarily to manage commodity price and interest rate risks. If the instrument meets the definition of a derivative under accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in net income as unrealized gains and losses, unless the criteria for certain exceptions are met, and an offsetting derivative asset or liability is recorded in the consolidated balance sheets. This recognition is referred to as mark-to-market accounting. The fair values of our unsettled derivative instruments under mark-to-market accounting are reported in the consolidated balance sheets as commodity and other derivative contractual assets or liabilities. We report derivative assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets without taking into consideration netting arrangements we have with counterparties. Margin deposits that contractually offset these assets and liabilities are reported separately in the consolidated balance sheets. When derivative instruments are settled and realized gains and losses are recorded, the previously recorded unrealized gains and losses and derivative assets and liabilities are reversed. See Notes 16 and 17 for additional information regarding fair value measurement and commodity and other derivative contractual assets and liabilities. Under the election criteria of accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities, we may elect the normal purchase and sale exemption. A commodity-related derivative contract may be designated as a normal purchase or sale if the commodity is to be physically received or delivered for use or sale in the normal course of business. If designated as normal, the derivative contract is accounted for under the accrual method of accounting (not marked-to-market) with no balance sheet or income statement recognition of the contract until settlement.

Because derivative instruments are frequently used as economic hedges, accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities allow for hedge accounting, which provides for the designation of such instruments as cash flow or fair value hedges if certain conditions are met. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no derivative positions accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges.

 

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Realized and unrealized gains and losses from transacting in energy-related derivative instruments are primarily reported in the statements of consolidated income (loss) in either operating revenues or fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees in the Successor period depending on the type of derivative instrument and net gain (loss) from commodity hedging and trading activities in the Predecessor period. Further, realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with interest rate swap transactions are reported in the statements of consolidated income (loss) in interest expense for both the Predecessor and Successor.

Revenue Recognition

We record revenue from electricity sales under the accrual method of accounting. Revenues are recognized when electricity is provided to customers on the basis of periodic cycle meter readings and include an estimated accrual for the revenues earned from the meter reading date to the end of the period (unbilled revenue).

In the statements of consolidated income (loss), we report physically delivered commodity sales and related hedging activity in operating revenues and physically delivered purchases and related hedging activity in fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees for the Successor period, whereas hedging activity was reported as net gain (loss) from commodity hedging and trading activities in the Predecessor period. Volumes under bilateral purchase and sales contracts, including contracts intended as hedges, are not scheduled as physical power with ERCOT. Accordingly, unless the volumes represent physical deliveries to customers or purchases from counterparties, such contracts are reported in operating revenues, for the Successor, and in net gain (loss) from commodity hedging and trading activities, for the Predecessor. If volumes delivered to our retail and wholesale customers are less than our generation volumes (as determined on a daily settlement basis), we record net bilateral activity as wholesale revenues, and if volumes delivered to our retail and wholesale customers exceed our generation volumes, we record net bilateral activity as purchased costs in the Successor period. The additional wholesale revenues or purchased power costs were offset in net gain (loss) from commodity hedging and trading activities in the Predecessor period.

Advertising Expense

We expense advertising costs as incurred and include them within selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses totaled $9 million, $35 million, $44 million and $42 million for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate long-lived assets (including intangible assets with finite lives) for impairment whenever indications of impairment exist. The carrying value of such assets is deemed to be impaired if the projected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value. If there is such impairment, a loss would be recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined primarily by discounted cash flows, supported by available market valuations, if applicable. See Note 8 for discussion of impairments of certain long-lived assets recorded by the Predecessor.

Finite-lived intangibles identified as a result of fresh start reporting are amortized over their estimated useful lives based on the expected realization of economic effects. See Note 7 for details of intangible assets with indefinite lives, including discussion of fair value determinations.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives

As part of fresh start reporting, reorganization value is generally allocated, first, to identifiable tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, then any remaining excess reorganization value is allocated to goodwill (see Note 3). We evaluate goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment at least

 

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annually, or when indications of impairment exist. As part of fresh start reporting, we have established October 1 as the date we evaluate goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment. The Predecessor’s annual evaluation date was December 1. See Note 7 for details of goodwill, including discussion of fair value determinations and our Predecessor’s goodwill impairments.

Nuclear Fuel

Nuclear fuel is capitalized and reported as a component of our property, plant and equipment in our consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of nuclear fuel is calculated on the units-of-production method and is reported as a component of fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees in our statements of consolidated income (loss).

Major Maintenance Costs

Major maintenance costs incurred by the Successor during generation plant outages are deferred and amortized into operating costs over the period between the major maintenance outages for the respective asset. Other costs of maintenance activities are charged to expense as incurred and reported as operating costs in our statements of consolidated income (loss). The Predecessor charged major and other maintenance activities to expense as incurred.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans and OPEB Plans

On the Effective Date, EFH Corp. transferred sponsorship of certain employee benefit plans (including related assets), programs and policies to a subsidiary of Vistra Energy. Certain health care and life insurance benefits are offered to eligible employees and their dependents upon the retirement of such employee from the company and also offer pension benefits to eligible employees under collective bargaining agreements based on either a traditional defined benefit formula or a cash balance formula. Effective January 1, 2017, the OPEB plan was amended to discontinue the life insurance benefits for active employees. Costs of pension and OPEB plans are dependent upon numerous factors, assumptions and estimates.

Prior to the Effective Date, our Predecessor bore a portion of the costs of the EFH Corp. sponsored pension and OPEB plans and accounted for the arrangement under multiemployer plan accounting.

See Note 18 for additional information regarding pension and OPEB plans.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation. The fair value of our non-qualified stock options is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. We recognize compensation expense for graded vesting awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. See Note 19 for additional information regarding stock-based compensation.

Sales and Excise Taxes

Sales and excise taxes are accounted for as a “pass through” item on the consolidated balance sheets with no effect on the statements of consolidated income (loss) (i.e., the tax is billed to customers and recorded as trade accounts receivable with an offsetting amount recorded as a liability to the taxing jurisdiction).

Franchise and Revenue-Based Taxes

Unlike sales and excise taxes, franchise and gross receipt taxes are not a “pass through” item. These taxes are imposed on us by state and local taxing authorities, based on revenues or kWh delivered, as a cost of doing business and are recorded as an expense. Rates we charge to customers are intended to recover our costs, including the

 

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franchise and gross receipt taxes, but we are not acting as an agent to collect the taxes from customers. We report franchise and revenue-based taxes in SG&A expense in our statements of consolidated income (loss).

Income Taxes

Subsequent to the Effective Date, Vistra Energy will file a consolidated US federal income tax return. Prior to the Effective Date, EFH Corp. filed a consolidated US federal income tax return that included the results of our Predecessor; however, our Predecessor’s income tax expense and related balance sheet amounts were recorded as if it filed separate corporate income tax returns.

Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities as required under accounting rules. See Note 9.

We report interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as current income tax expense. See Note 9.

Accounting for Contingencies

Our financial results may be affected by judgments and estimates related to loss contingencies. Accruals for loss contingencies are recorded when management determines that it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and that such economic loss can be reasonably estimated. Such determinations are subject to interpretations of current facts and circumstances, forecasts of future events and estimates of the financial impacts of such events. See Note 14 for a discussion of contingencies.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash and cash equivalents, temporary cash investments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

The terms of certain agreements require the restriction of cash for specific purposes. See Notes 13 and 22 for more details regarding restricted cash.

Property, Plant and Equipment

In connection with fresh start reporting, carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment were adjusted to estimated fair values as of the Effective Date (see Note 3). Significant improvements or additions to our property, plant and equipment that extend the life of the respective asset are capitalized at cost, while other costs are expensed when incurred. The cost of self-constructed property additions includes materials and both direct and indirect labor and applicable overhead, including payroll-related costs. Interest related to qualifying construction projects and qualifying software projects is capitalized in accordance with accounting guidance related to capitalization of interest cost. See Note 11.

Depreciation of our property, plant and equipment (except for nuclear fuel) is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated service lives of the properties. Depreciation expense is calculated on an asset-by-asset basis. Estimated depreciable lives are based on management’s estimates of the assets’ economic useful lives. See Note 22.

Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO)

A liability is initially recorded at fair value for an asset retirement obligation associated with the legal obligation associated with law, regulatory, contractual or constructive retirement requirements of tangible long-lived assets in the period in which it is incurred if a fair value is reasonably estimable. At initial recognition of an ARO obligation, an offsetting asset is also recorded for the long-lived asset that the liability corresponds with, which is subsequently depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. These liabilities primarily relate to

 

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our nuclear generation plant decommissioning, land reclamation related to lignite mining, removal of lignite/coal fueled plant ash treatment facilities and generation plant asbestos removal and disposal costs. Over time, the liability is accreted for the change in present value and the initial capitalized costs are depreciated over the remaining useful lives of the assets. Generally, changes in estimates related to ARO obligations are recorded as increases to the liability and related asset as information becomes available. See Note 22.

Inventories

Inventories consist of materials and supplies, fuel stock and natural gas in storage. Materials and supplies inventory is valued at weighted average cost and is expensed or capitalized when used for repairs/maintenance or capital projects, respectively. Fuel stock and natural gas in storage are reported at the lower of cost (on a weighted average basis) or market. We expect to recover the value of inventory costs in the normal course of business.

Investments

Investments in a nuclear decommissioning trust fund are carried at current market value in the consolidated balance sheets. Assets related to employee benefit plans represent investments held to satisfy deferred compensation liabilities and are recorded at current market value. See Note 22 for discussion of these and other investments.

Changes in Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02), Leases . The ASU amends previous GAAP to require the recognition of lease assets and liabilities for operating leases. The ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. Retrospective application to comparative periods presented will be required in the year of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our financial statements.

In May 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , which was further amended through various updates issued by the FASB thereafter. The guidance under Topic 606 provides the core principle and key steps in determining the recognition of revenue and expands disclosure requirements related to revenue recognition. We intend to adopt the new standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method and expect to elect the practical expedient available under Topic 606 for measuring progress toward complete satisfaction of a performance obligation and for disclosure requirements of remaining performance obligations. The practical expedient allows an entity to recognize revenue in the amount to which the entity has the right to invoice such that the entity has a right to the consideration in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer for performance completed to date by the entity. In 2016, we continued to assess the new standard, including the expanded disclosure requirements. We do not anticipate that the adoption of the standard will have a material effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13). The ASU provides for a new impairment model which requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for most financial assets held. The ASU is effective for public companies for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. We do not anticipate ASU 2016-13 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (ASU 2017-04). The ASU provides for the elimination of Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. If impairment charges are recognized, the amount recorded will be the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value with certain limitations. The ASU is effective for public companies for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after

 

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January 1, 2017 and the adoption should be applied prospectively. We expect to early adopt this standard in 2017. We do not currently anticipate ASU 2017-04 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

2. EMERGENCE FROM CHAPTER 11 CASES

On the Petition Date, EFH Corp. and the substantial majority of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including EFIH, EFCH and TCEH but excluding the Oncor Ring-Fenced Entities, filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. On the Effective Date, the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors completed their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases as subsidiaries of Vistra Energy.

Separation of Vistra Energy from EFH Corp. and its Subsidiaries

Upon the Effective Date, Vistra Energy separated from EFH Corp. pursuant to a tax-free spin-off transaction that was part of a series of transactions that included a taxable component. The taxable portion of the transaction generated a taxable gain that resulted in no regular tax liability due to available net operating loss carryforwards of EFH Corp. The transaction did result in an alternative minimum tax liability of approximately $14 million payable by EFH Corp. to the IRS. Vistra Energy has an obligation to reimburse EFH Corp. 50% of such alternative minimum tax, approximately $7 million, pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement. The spin-off transaction resulted in Vistra Energy, including the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors, no longer being an affiliate of EFH Corp. and its subsidiaries. In addition to the Plan of Reorganization, the separation was effectuated, in part, pursuant to the terms of a separation agreement, a transition services agreement and a tax matters agreement.

Separation Agreement

On the Effective Date, EFH Corp., Vistra Energy and a subsidiary of Vistra Energy entered into a separation agreement that provides for, among other things, the transfer of certain assets and liabilities by EFH Corp., EFCH and TCEH to Vistra Energy. Among other things, EFH Corp., EFCH and/or TCEH, as applicable, (a) transferred the TCEH Debtors and certain contracts and assets (and related liabilities) primarily related to the business of the TCEH Debtors to Vistra Energy, (b) transferred sponsorship of certain employee benefit plans (including related assets), programs and policies to a subsidiary of Vistra Energy and (c) assigned certain employment agreements from EFH Corp. and certain of the Contributed EFH Debtors to a subsidiary of Vistra Energy.

Tax Matters Agreement

On the Effective Date, Vistra Energy and EFH Corp. entered into a tax matters agreement (the Tax Matters Agreement), which provides for the allocation of certain taxes among the parties and for certain rights and obligations related to, among other things, the filing of tax returns, resolutions of tax audits and preserving the tax-free nature of the spin-off. See Note 9 for further information about the Tax Matters Agreement.

Settlement Agreement

The Debtors, the Sponsor Group, certain settling TCEH first lien creditors, certain settling TCEH second lien creditors, certain settling TCEH unsecured creditors and the official committee of unsecured creditors of the TCEH Debtors entered into a settlement agreement (the Settlement Agreement) in August 2015 (as amended in September 2015 and approved by the Bankruptcy Court in December 2015) to settle, among other things, (a) intercompany claims among the Debtors, (b) claims and causes of actions against holders of first lien claims against TCEH and the agents under the TCEH Senior Secured Facilities, (c) claims and causes of action against holders of interests in EFH Corp. and certain related entities and (d) claims and causes of action against each of the Debtors’ current and former directors, the Sponsor Group, managers and officers and other related entities.

Tax Matters

In July 2016, EFH Corp. received a private letter ruling from the IRS in connection with our emergence from bankruptcy, which provides, among other things, for certain rulings regarding the qualification of (a) the

 

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transfer of certain assets and ordinary course operating liabilities to Vistra Energy and (b) the distribution of the equity of Vistra Energy, the cash proceeds from Vistra Energy debt, the cash proceeds from the sale of preferred stock in a newly-formed subsidiary of Vistra Energy, and the right to receive payments under a tax receivables agreement, to holders of TCEH first lien claims, as a reorganization qualifying for tax-free treatment.

Pre-Petition Claims

On the Effective Date, the TCEH Debtors (together with the Contributed EFH Debtors) emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases and discharged approximately $33.8 billion in LSTC. Distributions for the settled claims related to the funded debt of the TCEH Debtors commenced subsequent to the Effective Date. With respect to remaining claims related to the TCEH Debtors, as of December 31, 2016, the TCEH Debtors have approximately $54 million in escrow to allocate among and resolve the remaining claims, which consist primarily of remaining trade payable and legal claims, including asbestos claims. The Bankruptcy code allows up to 180 days from the Effective Date to resolve these claims. These remaining claims and the related escrow balance for the claims are recorded in Vistra Energy’s consolidated balance sheet as other current liabilities and restricted cash, respectively.

3. FRESH START REPORTING

As of the Effective Date, Vistra Energy applied fresh start reporting under the applicable provisions of ASC 852. In order to apply fresh-start reporting, ASC 852 requires two criteria to be satisfied: (1) that total post-petition liabilities and allowed claims immediately before the date of confirmation of the Plan of Reorganization be in excess of reorganization value and (2) that holders of our Predecessor’s voting shares immediately before confirmation of the Plan receive less than 50% of the voting shares of the emerging entity. Vistra Energy met both criteria. Under ASC 852, application of fresh start reporting is required on the date on which a plan of reorganization is confirmed by a bankruptcy court and all material conditions to the plan of reorganization are satisfied. All material conditions to the Plan of Reorganization were satisfied on the Effective Date, including the execution of the Spin-Off.

Reorganization Value

A third-party valuation specialist submitted a report to the Bankruptcy Court in July 2016 assuming an emergence from bankruptcy as of December 31, 2016. This report provided an estimated value range for the total Vistra Energy enterprise. Management selected an enterprise value within that range of $10.5 billion. The enterprise value submitted by the valuation specialist was based upon:

 

    historical financial information of our Predecessor for recent years and interim periods;

 

    certain internal financial and operating data of our Predecessor;

 

    certain financial, tax and operational forecasts of Vistra Energy;

 

    certain publicly available financial data for comparable companies to the operating business of Vistra Energy;

 

    the Plan of Reorganization and related documents;

 

    certain economic and industry information relevant to the operating business, and

 

    other studies, analyses and inquiries.

The valuation analysis for Vistra Energy included (i) a discounted cash flow calculation and (ii) peer group company analysis. Equal weighting was assigned to the two methodologies, before adding the value of the tax basis step-up resulting from certain transactions pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, which was valued separately. The estimated future cash flows included annual forecasts through 2021. A terminal value was included in the discounted cash flow calculation using an exit multiple approach based on the cash flows of the final year of the forecast period.

 

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The valuation analysis used a discount rate of approximately 7%. The determination of the discount rate takes into consideration the capital structure, credit ratings and current debt yields of comparable publicly traded companies as well as an estimate of return on equity that reflects historical market returns and current market volatility for the industry.

Although the Company believes the assumptions and estimates used by the valuation specialist to develop the enterprise value are reasonable and appropriate, different assumption and estimates could materially impact the analysis and resulting conclusions.

Under ASC 852, reorganization value is generally allocated, first, to identifiable tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, then any remaining excess reorganization value is allocated to goodwill. Vistra Energy estimates its reorganization value of assets at approximately $15.161 billion as of October 3, 2016, which consists of the following:

 

Business enterprise value

   $ 10,500  

Cash excluded from business enterprise value

     1,594  

Deferred asset related to prepaid capital lease obligation

     38  

Current liabilities, excluding short-term portion of debt and capital leases

     1,123  

Noncurrent, non-interest bearing liabilities

     1,906  
  

 

 

 

Vistra Energy reorganization value of assets

   $ 15,161  
  

 

 

 

 

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Consolidated Balance Sheet

The adjustments to TCEH’s October 3, 2016 consolidated balance sheet below include the impacts of the Plan of Reorganization and the adoption of fresh start reporting.

 

     October 3, 2016  
     TCEH
(Predecessor) (1)
     Reorganization
Adjustments (2)
           Fresh Start
Adjustments
           Vistra Energy
(Successor)
 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,829      $ (1,028     (3)      $        $ 801  

Restricted cash

     12        131       (4)                 143  

Trade accounts receivable — net

     750        4                   754  

Advances to parents and affiliates of Predecessor

     78        (78                  

Inventories

     374                 (86     (17)        288  

Commodity and other derivative contractual assets

     255                          255  

Margin deposits related to commodity contracts

     42                          42  

Other current assets

     47        17          3          67  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total current assets

     3,387        (954        (83        2,350  

Restricted cash

     650                          650  

Advance to parent and affiliates of Predecessor

     17        (21        4           

Investments

     1,038        1          9       (18)        1,048  

Property, plant and equipment — net

     10,359        53          (5,970     (19)        4,442  

Goodwill

     152                 1,755       (27)        1,907  

Identifiable intangible assets — net

     1,148        4          2,256       (20)        3,408  

Commodity and other derivative contractual assets

     73                 (14        59  

Deferred income taxes

            320       (5)        730       (21)        1,050  

Other noncurrent assets

     51        38          158       (22)        247  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 16,875      $ (559      $ (1,155      $ 15,161  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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     October 3, 2016  
     TCEH
(Predecessor) (1)
    Reorganization
Adjustments (2)
           Fresh Start
Adjustments
           Vistra Energy
(Successor)
 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

              

Current liabilities:

              

Long-term debt due currently

   $ 4     $ 5        $ (1      $ 8  

Trade accounts payable

     402       145       (6)        3          550  

Trade accounts and other payables to affiliates of Predecessor

     152       (152     (6)                  

Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities

     125                         125  

Margin deposits related to commodity contracts

     64                         64  

Accrued income taxes

     12       12                   24  

Accrued taxes other than income

     119       4                   123  

Accrued interest

     110       (109     (7)                 1  

Other current liabilities

     243       170       (8)        5          418  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     1,231       75          7          1,313  

Long-term debt, less amounts due currently

           3,476       (9)        151       (23)        3,627  

Borrowings under debtor-in-possession credit facilities

     3,387       (3,387     (9)                  

Liabilities subject to compromise

     33,749       (33,749     (10)                  

Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities

     5                3          8  

Deferred income taxes

     256       (256     (11)                  

Tax Receivable Agreement obligation

           574       (12)                 574  

Asset retirement obligations

     809                854       (24)        1,663  

Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits

     1,018       117       (13)        (900     (25)        235  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     40,455       (33,150        115          7,420  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Equity:

              

Common stock

           4       (14)                 4  

Additional paid-in-capital

           7,737       (15)                 7,737  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (32     22          10       (26)         

Predecessor membership interests

     (23,548     24,828       (16)        (1,280     (26)         
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total equity

     (23,580     32,591          (1,270        7,741  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 16,875     $ (559      $ (1,155      $ 15,161  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents the consolidated balance sheet of TCEH as of October 3, 2016.

Reorganization adjustments

 

(2) Includes the addition of certain assets and liabilities associated with the Contributed EFH Entities. Also includes EFH Corp.‘s contribution of liabilities associated with certain employee benefit plans to Vistra Energy.

 

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(3) Net adjustments to cash, which represent distributions made or funding provided to an escrow account, classified as restricted cash, under the Plan of Reorganization, as follows:

 

Sources (uses):

  

Net proceeds from PrefCo preferred stock sale

   $ 69  

Addition of cash balances from the Contributed EFH Debtors

     22  

Payments to TCEH first lien creditors, including adequate protection

     (486

Payment to TCEH unsecured creditors (including $73 million to escrow)

     (502

Payment of administrative claims to TCEH creditors

     (53

Payment of legal fees, professional fees and other costs (including $52 million to escrow)

     (78
  

 

 

 

Net use of cash

   $ (1,028
  

 

 

 

 

(4) Increase in restricted cash primarily reflects amounts placed in escrow to satisfy certain secured claims, unsecured claims and professional fee obligations associated with the bankruptcy.

 

(5) Reflects the deferred income tax impact of the Plan of Reorganization implementation, including cancellation of debts and adjustment of tax-basis for certain assets of PrefCo that issued mandatorily redeemable preferred stock as part of the Spin-Off.

 

(6) Primarily reflects the reclassification of transmission and distribution service payables to Oncor from payables with affiliates to trade payables with third parties pursuant to the separation of Vistra Energy from EFH Corp. and payment of accrued professional fees and unsecured claimant obligations incurred in conjunction with Emergence.

 

(7) Primarily reflects the payment of accrued interest and adequate protection to the TCEH first lien creditors on the Effective Date.

 

(8) Primarily reflects the following:

 

    Reclassification of $82 million from LSTC related to secured and unsecured claims and $16 million in accrued professional fees from accounts payable to other current liabilities.

 

    Additional accruals for $23 million of change-in-control obligations and $26 million in success fees triggered by Emergence, $7 million in professional fees, and $28 million of accrued liabilities related to the Contributed EFH Entities.

 

    Payment of $12 million in professional fees.

 

(9) Reflects the conversion of the TCEH DIP Roll Facilities of $3.387 billion to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities at Emergence, the issuance and sale of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock of PrefCo for $70 million, and the obligation related to a corporate office space lease contributed to Vistra Energy pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization. See Note 13 for additional details.

 

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(10) Reflects the elimination of TCEH’s liabilities subject to compromise pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization (see Note 5). Liabilities subject to compromise were settled as follows in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization:

 

Notes, loans and other debt

   $ 31,668  

Accrued interest on notes, loans and other debt

     646  

Net liability under terminated TCEH interest rate swap and natural gas hedging agreements

     1,243  

Trade accounts payable and other expected allowed claims

     192  
  

 

 

 

Third-party liabilities subject to compromise

     33,749  

LSTC from the Contributed EFH Entities

     8  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities subject to compromise

     33,757  

Fair value of equity issued to TCEH first lien creditors

     (7,741

TRA Rights issued to TCEH first lien creditors

     (574

Cash distributed and accruals for TCEH first lien creditors

     (377

Cash distributed for TCEH unsecured claims

     (502

Cash distributed and accruals for TCEH administrative claims

     (60

Settlement of affiliate balances

     (99

Net liabilities of contributed entities and other items

     (60
  

 

 

 

Gain on extinguishment of LSTC

   $ 24,344  
  

 

 

 

 

(11) Reflects the deferred income tax impact of the Plan of Reorganization implementation, including cancellation of debts and adjustment of tax basis of certain assets of PrefCo.

 

(12) Reflects the estimated present value of the TRA obligation. See Note 10 for further discussion of the TRA obligation valuation assumptions.

 

(13) Primarily reflects the following:

 

    Addition of $122 million in liabilities primarily related to benefit plan obligations associated with a pension plan and a health and welfare plan assumed by Vistra Energy pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization. See Note 18 for further discussion of the benefit plan obligations.

 

    Payment of $7 million in settlements related to split life insurance costs with a prior affiliate entity.

 

(14) Reflects the issuance of approximately 427,500,000 shares of Vistra Energy common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, to the TCEH first lien creditors. See Note 15.

 

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(15) Reflects adjustments to present Vistra Energy equity value at approximately $7.741 billion based on a reconciliation from the $10.5 billion enterprise value described above under Reorganization Value as depicted below:

 

Enterprise value

   $ 10,500  

Vistra Operations Credit Facility — Initial Term Loan B Facility

     (2,871

Vistra Operations Credit Facility — Term Loan C Facility

     (655

Accrual for post-Emergence claims satisfaction

     (181

Tax Receivable Agreement Obligation

     (574

Preferred stock of PrefCo

     (70

Other items

     (2

Cash and cash equivalents

     801  

Restricted cash

     793  
  

 

 

 

Equity value at Emergence

   $ 7,741  
  

 

 

 

Common stock at par value

   $ 4  

Additional paid-in capital

     7,737  
  

 

 

 

Equity value

   $ 7,741  

Shares outstanding at October 3, 2016 (in millions)

     427.5  

Per share value

   $ 18.11  

 

(16) Membership Interest impact of Plan of Reorganization are shown below:

 

Gain on extinguishment of LSTC

   $ 24,344  

Elimination of accumulated other comprehensive income

     (22

Change in Control payments

     (23

Professional fees

     (33

Other items

     (14
  

 

 

 

Pretax gain on reorganization adjustments (Note 4)

     24,252  

Deferred tax impact of the Plan of Reorganization and spin-off

     576  
  

 

 

 

Total impact to membership interests

   $ 24,828  
  

 

 

 

Fresh start adjustments

 

(17) Reflects the reduction of inventory to fair value, including (1) adjustment of fuel inventory to current market prices, and (2) an adjustment to the fair value of materials and supplies inventory primarily used in our lignite/coal fueled generation assets and related mining operations.

 

(18) Reflects the $12 million increase in the fair value of certain real property assets and $3 million reduction of the fair value for other investments.

 

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(19) Reflects the change in fair value of property, plant and equipment related primarily to generation and mining assets as detailed below:

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

   Adjustment      Fair
Value
 

Generation plants and mining assets

   $ (6,057    $ 3,698  

Land

     140        490  

Nuclear Fuel

     (23      157  

Other equipment

     (30      97  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ (5,970    $ 4,442  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

We engaged a third-party valuation specialist to assist in preparing the values for our property, plant and equipment. For our generation plants and related mining assets, an income approach was utilized in valuing those assets based on discounted cash flow models that forecast the cash flows of the related assets over their respective useful lives. Significant estimates and assumptions utilized in those models include (1) long-term wholesale power price forecasts, (2) fuel cost forecasts, (3) expected generation volumes based on prevailing forecasts and expected maintenance outages, (4) operations and maintenance costs, (5) capital expenditure forecasts and (6) risk adjusted discount rates based on the cash flows produced by the specific generation asset. The fair value of the generation plants and mining assets is based upon Level 3 inputs utilized in the income approach.

The fair value estimates for land and nuclear fuel utilized the market approach, which included utilizing recent comparable sales information and current market conditions for similarly situated land. Nuclear fuel values were determined by utilizing market pricing information for uranium. The fair value of land and nuclear fuel are based upon Level 2 inputs.

 

(20) Reflects the adjustment in fair value of $2.256 billion to identifiable intangible assets, including $1.636 billion increase related to retail customer relationships, $270 million increase related to the retail trade name, $190 million increase related to an electricity supply contract, $164 million increase related to retail and wholesale contracts and $4 million decrease related to other intangible assets (see Note 7).

Also reflects the reduction of fair value of $476 million to identifiable intangible liabilities, including a reduction of $525 million related to an electricity supply contract and an increase of $49 million to wholesale contracts.

 

(21) Reflects the deferred income tax impact of fresh-start adjustments to property, plant, and equipment, inventory, intangibles and debt issuance costs.

 

(22) Primarily reflects the following:

 

    Addition of $197 million regulatory asset related to the deficiency of the nuclear decommissioning trust investment as compared to the nuclear generation plant retirement obligation. Pursuant to Texas regulatory provisions, the trust fund for decommissioning our nuclear generation facility is funded by a fee surcharge billed to REPs by Oncor, as a collection agent, and remitted monthly to Vistra Energy.

 

    Adjustment to remove $26 million of unamortized debt issuance costs to reflect the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities at fair market value.

 

(23) Reflects the increase in fair value of the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities in the amount of $151 million based on the quoted market prices of the facilities.

 

(24) Increase in fair value of asset retirement obligation related to the plant retirement, mining and reclamation retirement, and coal combustion residuals. See Note 22 for further discussion of our asset retirement obligations.

 

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(25) Reflects the following:

 

    Reduction in fair value of unfavorable contracts related to wholesale contracts and a portion of an electricity supply contract in the amount of $476 million. See footnote (20) above for further detail.

 

    Reduction of $465 million related to reduction in liability that represented excess amounts in the nuclear decommissioning trust above the carrying value of the asset retirement obligation related to our nuclear generation plant decommissioning.

 

    Increase in fair value of obligations related to leased property in the amount of $29 million.

 

    Increase in fair value of Pension and OPEB obligations in the amount of $12 million.

 

(26) Reflects the extinguishment of Predecessor membership interest and accumulated other comprehensive loss per the Plan of Reorganization.

 

(27) Reflects increase in goodwill balance to present final goodwill as the reorganization value in excess of the identifiable tangible assets, intangible assets, and liabilities at Emergence.

 

Business enterprise value

   $ 10,500  

Add: Fair value of liabilities excluded from enterprise value

     3,030  

Less: Fair value of tangible assets

     (8,215

Less: Fair value of identified intangible assets

     (3,408
  

 

 

 

Vistra Energy goodwill

   $ 1,907  
  

 

 

 

4. PREDECESSOR REORGANIZATION ITEMS

Expenses and income directly associated with the Chapter 11 Cases are reported separately in the statements of consolidated loss as reorganization items as required by ASC 852, Reorganizations . Reorganization items also included adjustments to reflect the carrying value of LSTC at their estimated allowed claim amounts, as such adjustments were determined. For the period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, reorganization items include the gain from extinguishing LSTC and the impacts of fresh start reporting. The following table presents reorganization items as reported in the statements of consolidated loss:

 

     Predecessor  
     Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
2015
    Post-Petition
Period Ended
December 31, 2014
 

Gain on reorganization adjustments (Note 3)

   $ (24,252   $     $  

Loss from the adoption of fresh start reporting

     2,013              

Expenses related to legal advisory and representation services

     55       141       65  

Expenses related to other professional consulting and advisory services

     39       69       67  

Contract claims adjustments

     13       54       19  

Noncash adjustment for estimated allowed claims related to debt

           896        

Adjustment to affiliate claims pursuant to Settlement Agreement (Note 20)

           (635      

Gain on settlement of debt held by affiliates (Note 20)

           (382      

Gain on settlement of interest on debt held by affiliates

           (20      

Sponsor management agreement settlement (Notes 2 and 20)

           (19      

Contract assumption adjustments

           (14      

Fees associated with extension/completion of the DIP Facility

           9       92  

Noncash liability adjustment arising from termination of interest rate swaps

                 277  

Other

     11       2        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total reorganization items

   $ (22,121   $ 101     $ 520  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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5. PREDECESSOR LIABILITIES SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE (LSTC)

On the Effective Date, the TCEH Debtors (together with the Contributed EFH Debtors) emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases and discharged substantially all of the $33.8 billion in LSTC, which includes approximately $8 million of claims from the Contributed EFH Entities (see Note 3).

The amounts classified as LSTC reflected the Predecessor’s estimate of pre-petition liabilities and other expected allowed claims to be addressed in the Chapter 11 Cases. Amounts classified as LSTC did not include pre-petition liabilities that were fully collateralized by letters of credit, cash deposits or other credit enhancements. The following table presents LSTC as reported in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015:

 

     Predecessor  
     December 31,
2015
 

Notes, loans and other debt per the following table

   $ 31,668  

Accrued interest on notes, loans and other debt

     646  

Net liability under terminated TCEH interest rate swap and natural gas hedging agreements (Note 17)

     1,243  

Trade accounts payable, advances and other payables to affiliates and other expected allowed claims

     177  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities subject to compromise

   $ 33,734  
  

 

 

 

 

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Pre-Petition Notes, Loans and Other Debt Reported as LSTC

Amounts presented below represent principal amounts of pre-petition notes, loans and other debt reported as LSTC at December 31, 2015.

 

     Predecessor  
     December 31,
2015
 

Senior Secured Facilities

  

TCEH Floating Rate Term Loan Facilities due October 10, 2014

   $ 3,809  

TCEH Floating Rate Letter of Credit Facility due October 10, 2014

     42  

TCEH Floating Rate Revolving Credit Facility due October 10, 2016

     2,054  

TCEH Floating Rate Term Loan Facilities due October 10, 2017

     15,691  

TCEH Floating Rate Letter of Credit Facility due October 10, 2017

     1,020  

11.5% Fixed Senior Secured Notes due October 1, 2020

     1,750  

15% Fixed Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due April 1, 2021

     336  

15% Fixed Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due April 1, 2021, Series B

     1,235  

10.25% Fixed Senior Notes due November 1, 2015

     1,833  

10.25% Fixed Senior Notes due November 1, 2015, Series B

     1,292  

10.50% /11.25% Senior Toggle Notes due November 1, 2016

     1,749  

Pollution Control Revenue Bonds

  

Brazos River Authority:

  

5.40% Fixed Series 1994A due May 1, 2029

     39  

7.70% Fixed Series 1999A due April 1, 2033

     111  

7.70% Fixed Series 1999C due March 1, 2032

     50  

8.25% Fixed Series 2001A due October 1, 2030

     71  

8.25% Fixed Series 2001D-1 due May 1, 2033

     171  

6.30% Fixed Series 2003B due July 1, 2032

     39  

6.75% Fixed Series 2003C due October 1, 2038

     52  

5.40% Fixed Series 2003D due October 1, 2029

     31  

5.00% Fixed Series 2006 due March 1, 2041

     100  

Sabine River Authority of Texas:

  

6.45% Fixed Series 2000A due June 1, 2021

     51  

5.20% Fixed Series 2001C due May 1, 2028

     70  

5.80% Fixed Series 2003A due July 1, 2022

     12  

6.15% Fixed Series 2003B due August 1, 2022

     45  

Trinity River Authority of Texas:

  

6.25% Fixed Series 2000A due May 1, 2028

     14  

Other

     1  
  

 

 

 

Total TCEH consolidated notes, loans and other debt

   $ 31,668  
  

 

 

 

TCEH Letter of Credit Facility Activity

Borrowings under the TCEH Letter of Credit Facility had been recorded by TCEH as restricted cash that supported issuances of letters of credit. At December 31, 2015, the restricted cash related to the pre-petition TCEH Letter of Credit Facility totaled $507 million, and there were no outstanding letters of credit related to the pre-petition TCEH Letter of Credit Facility. Pursuant to the confirmation of the Plan of Reorganization in August 2016 with respect to the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors, the restricted cash was released to TCEH and reclassified to cash and cash equivalents.

 

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6. LAMAR AND FORNEY ACQUISITION

In April 2016, Luminant purchased all of the membership interests in La Frontera Holdings, LLC (La Frontera), the indirect owner of two combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) natural gas fueled generation facilities representing nearly 3,000 MW of capacity located in ERCOT, from a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc. (the Lamar and Forney Acquisition). The facility in Forney, Texas has a capacity of 1,912 MW and the facility in Paris, Texas has a capacity of 1,076 MW. The acquisition diversified our fuel mix and increased the dispatch flexibility in our generation fleet. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $1.313 billion, which included the repayment of approximately $950 million of existing project financing indebtedness of La Frontera at closing, plus approximately $236 million for cash and net working capital. The purchase price was funded by cash-on-hand and additional borrowings under our Predecessor’s DIP Facility totaling $1.1 billion. After completing the acquisition, we repaid approximately $230 million of borrowings under our Predecessor’s DIP Revolving Credit Facility primarily utilizing cash acquired in the transaction. La Frontera and its subsidiaries were subsidiary guarantors under our Predecessor’s DIP Roll Facilities and, on the Effective Date, became subsidiary guarantors under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities (see Note 13).

Predecessor Purchase Accounting

The Lamar and Forney Acquisition was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations (ASC 805), with identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date.

To fair value the acquired property, plant and equipment, we used a discounted cash flow analysis, classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy levels (see Note 16). This discounted cash flow model was created for each generation facility based on its remaining useful life. The discounted cash flow model included gross margin forecasts for each power generation facility determined using forward commodity market prices obtained from long-term forecasts. We also used management’s forecasts of generation output, operations and maintenance expense, SG&A and capital expenditures. The resulting cash flows, estimated based upon the age of the assets, efficiency, location and useful life, were then discounted using plant specific discount rates of approximately 9%.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid and the allocation of the purchase price to the fair value amounts recognized for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to the Lamar and Forney Acquisition as of the acquisition date. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, the working capital adjustment included in the purchase price was finalized between the parties, and the purchase price allocation was completed.

 

Cash paid to seller at close

   $ 603  

Net working capital adjustments

     (4
  

 

 

 

Consideration paid to seller

     599  

Cash paid to repay project financing at close

     950  
  

 

 

 

Total cash paid related to acquisition

   $ 1,549  
  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 210  

Property, plant and equipment — net

     1,316  

Commodity and other derivative contractual assets

     47  

Other assets

     44  
  

 

 

 

Total assets acquired

     1,617  
  

 

 

 

Commodity and other derivative contractual liabilities

     53  

Trade accounts payable and other liabilities

     15  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities assumed

     68  
  

 

 

 

Identifiable net assets acquired

   $ 1,549  
  

 

 

 

 

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The Lamar and Forney Acquisition did not result in the recording of goodwill since the purchase price did not exceed the fair value of the net assets acquired.

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the Predecessor periods indicated assumes that the Lamar and Forney Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2015. The unaudited pro forma financial information is provided for information purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred had the Lamar and Forney Acquisition been completed on January 1, 2015, nor are they indicative of future results of operations.

 

     Predecessor  
     Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
     December 31,
2015
 

Revenues

   $ 4,116      $ 6,133  

Net income (loss)

   $ 22,835      $ (4,671

The unaudited pro forma financial information includes adjustments for incremental depreciation as a result of the fair value determination of the net assets acquired and interest expense on borrowings under our Predecessor’s DIP Roll Facilities in lieu of interest expense incurred prior to the acquisition.

7. GOODWILL AND IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

The following table provides information regarding the carrying value of goodwill. The goodwill of the Successor arose in connection with fresh start reporting that was applied at Emergence and was allocated to the Retail Electric segment (see Note 3). Of the goodwill recorded at Emergence, $1.686 billion is considered purchased goodwill and is deductible for tax purchases over 15 years on a straight-line basis. The goodwill of our Predecessor arose in connection with accounting for the Merger.

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
    Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
     Year Ended
December 31,
2015
 

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 1,907     $ 152      $ 2,352  

Noncash impairment charges

                  (2,200
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of period (a)

   $ 1,907     $ 152      $ 152  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) At December 31, 2016, all goodwill related to the Retail Electricity segment. Predecessor periods are net of accumulated impairment charges totaling $18.170 billion.

Predecessor Goodwill Impairments

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are required to be tested for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may exist.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, our Predecessor performed a goodwill impairment analysis as of its annual testing date of December 1. Further, during the fourth quarter of 2015, there were significant declines in the market values of several similarly situated peer companies with publicly traded equity, which indicated our

 

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Predecessor’s overall enterprise value should be reassessed. Our Predecessor’s testing resulted in an impairment of goodwill of $800 million at December 1, 2015.

During the first nine months of 2015, our Predecessor experienced impairment indicators related to decreases in forward wholesale electricity prices when compared to those prices reflected in its December 1, 2014 goodwill impairment testing analysis. As a result, the likelihood of goodwill impairments had increased, and our Predecessor initiated further testing of goodwill. Our Predecessor’s testing of goodwill for impairment during the first nine months of 2015 resulted in impairment charges totaling $1.4 billion.

Identifiable Intangible Assets

Identifiable intangible assets, including the impact of fresh start reporting (see Note 3), are comprised of the following:

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  

Identifiable Intangible Asset

   Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net  

Retail customer relationship

   $ 1,648      $ 152      $ 1,496     $ 463      $ 442      $ 21  

Software and other technology-related assets

     147        9        138       385        224        161  

Electricity supply contract

     190        2        188                      

Retail and wholesale contracts

     164        38        126                      

Other identifiable intangible assets (a)

     30        2        28       72        35        37  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization (b)

   $ 2,179      $ 203        1,976     $ 920      $ 701        219  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

Retail trade names (not subject to amortization)

           1,225             955  

Mineral interests (not currently subject to amortization)

           4             5  
        

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total identifiable intangible assets

         $ 3,205           $ 1,179  
        

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes favorable purchase and sales contracts, environmental allowances and credits and mining development costs. See discussion below regarding impairment charges recorded in the year ended December 31, 2015 related to other identifiable intangible assets.
(b) Amounts related to fully amortized assets that are expired, or of no economic value, have been excluded from both the gross carrying and accumulated amortization amounts.

 

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Amortization expense related to finite-lived identifiable intangible assets (including the classification in the statements of consolidated income (loss)) consisted of:

 

Identifiable Intangible

Asset

  

Statements of
Consolidated Income
(Loss) Line

   Successor     Predecessor  
      Remaining useful
lives at
December 31,
2016 (weighted
average in years)
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31,
2016
    Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
     Year Ended
December 31,
 
              2015      2014  
Retail customer relationship    Depreciation and amortization      4      $ 152     $ 9      $ 17      $ 23  
Software and other technology-related assets    Depreciation and amortization      4        9       44        60        59  
Electricity supply contract    Operating revenues      22        2                      
Retail and wholesale contracts    Operating revenues/fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees      2        38                      
Other identifiable intangible assets    Operating revenues/fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees/depreciation and amortization      5        2       6        30        88  
        

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Total amortization expense (a)          $ 203     $ 59      $ 107      $ 170  
        

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Amounts recorded in depreciation and amortization totaled $162 million, $58 million, $85 million and $116 million for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Following is a description of the separately identifiable intangible assets. In connection with fresh start reporting (see Note 3), the intangible assets were adjusted based on their estimated fair value as of the Effective Date, based on observable prices or estimates of fair value using valuation models.

 

    Retail customer relationship – Retail customer relationship intangible asset represents the fair value of our non-contracted retail customer base, including residential and business customers, and is being amortized using an accelerated method based on historical customer attrition rates and reflecting the expected pattern in which economic benefits are realized over their estimated useful life.

 

    Retail trade names – Our retail trade name intangible asset represents the fair value of the TXU Energy TM and 4Change Energy TM trade names, and was determined to be an indefinite-lived asset not subject to amortization. This intangible asset is evaluated for impairment at least annually in accordance with accounting guidance related to goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. Significant assumptions included within the development of the fair value estimate include TXU Energy’s and 4Change Energy’s estimated gross margins for future periods and implied royalty rates.

 

    Electricity supply contract – The electricity supply contract represents a long-term fixed-price supply contract for the sale of electricity from one of our generation facilities that was measured at fair value at Emergence. The value of this contract under our Predecessor was recorded as an unfavorable liability due to prevailing market prices of electricity when the contract was established at the Merger. Significant assumptions included in the fair value measurement for this contract include long-term wholesale electricity price forecasts and operating cost forecasts for the respective generation facility.

 

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    Retail and wholesale contracts – These intangible assets represent the favorable value of various retail and wholesale contracts (both purchase and sale contracts) that were measured at fair value by utilizing prevailing market prices for commodities or services compared to the fixed prices contained in these agreements. The value of these contracts is being amortized using a method that is based on the monthly value of each contract measured at Emergence.

Successor Estimated Amortization of Identifiable Intangible Assets

As of December 31, 2016, the estimated aggregate amortization expense of identifiable intangible assets for each of the next five fiscal years is as shown below.

 

Year

   Estimated Amortization Expense  

2017

   $ 523  

2018

   $ 365  

2019

   $ 267  

2020

   $ 191  

2021

   $ 143  

Predecessor Intangible Impairments

The impairments of generation facilities in 2015 (see Note 8) resulted in the impairment of the SO 2 allowances under the Clean Air Act’s acid rain cap-and-trade program that are associated with those facilities to the extent they are not projected to be used at other sites. The fair market values of the SO 2 allowances were estimated to be de minimis based on Level 3 fair value estimates (see Note 16). Our Predecessor also impaired certain of its SO 2 allowances under the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) related to the impaired generation facilities. Accordingly, in the year ended December 31, 2015, our Predecessor recorded noncash impairment charges of $55 million (before deferred income tax benefit) in other deductions (see Note 22) related to its existing environmental allowances and credits intangible asset. SO 2 emission allowances granted under the acid rain cap-and-trade program were recorded as intangible assets at fair value in connection with purchase accounting related to the Merger in 2007. Additionally, the impairments of generation and related mining facilities in September 2015 resulted in recording noncash impairment charges of $19 million (before deferred income tax benefit) in other deductions (see Note 22) related to mine development costs (included in other identifiable intangible assets in the table above) at the facilities.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, our Predecessor determined that certain intangible assets related to favorable power purchase contracts should be evaluated for impairment. That conclusion was based on further declines in wholesale electricity prices in ERCOT experienced during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The fair value measurement was based on a discounted cash flow analysis of the contracts that compared the contractual price and terms of the contract to forecasted wholesale electricity and renewable energy credit (REC) prices in ERCOT. As a result of the analysis, our Predecessor recorded a noncash impairment charge of $8 million (before deferred income tax benefit) in other deductions (see Note 22).

During the fourth quarter of 2014, our Predecessor determined that certain intangible assets related to favorable power purchase contracts should be evaluated for impairment. That conclusion was based on the combination of (1) the review of contracts for rejection as part of the Chapter 11 Cases, which could result in termination of contracts before the end of their estimated useful life and (2) declines in wholesale electricity prices. The fair value measurement was based on a discounted cash flow analysis of the contracts that compared the contractual price and terms of the contract to forecasted wholesale electricity and REC prices in ERCOT. As a result of the analysis, TCEH recorded a noncash impairment charge of $183 million (before deferred income tax benefit) in other deductions (see Note 22).

As a result of the CSAPR, which became effective on January 1, 2015, and other new or proposed EPA rules, our Predecessor projected that as of December 31, 2014 it had excess SO 2 emission allowances under the

 

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Clean Air Act’s existing acid rain cap-and-trade program. In addition, the impairments of the Monticello, Martin Lake and Sandow 5 generation facilities (see Note 8) resulted in the impairment of the SO 2 allowances associated with those facilities to the extent they are not projected to be used at other sites. The fair market values of the SO 2 allowances were estimated to be de minimis based on Level 3 fair value estimates (see Note 16). Accordingly, a noncash impairment charge of $80 million (before deferred income tax benefit) was recorded in other deductions related to its existing environmental allowances and credits intangible asset in 2014. SO 2 emission allowances previously granted were recorded as intangible assets at fair value in connection with purchase accounting related to the Merger in 2007.

8. PREDECESSOR IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

Impairment of Lignite/Coal Fueled Generation and Mining Assets

We evaluated our generation assets for impairment during 2015 as a result of impairment indicators related to the continued decline in forecasted wholesale electricity prices in ERCOT. Our evaluations concluded that impairments existed, and the carrying values at our Big Brown, Martin Lake, Monticello, Sandow 4 and Sandow 5 generation facilities and related mining facilities were reduced in total by $2.541 billion.

Our fair value measurement for these assets was determined based on an income approach that utilized probability-weighted estimates of discounted future cash flows, which were Level 3 fair value measurements (see Note 16). Key inputs into the fair value measurement for these assets included current forecasted wholesale electricity prices in ERCOT, forecasted fuel prices, capital and operating expenditure forecasts and discount rates.

9. INCOME TAXES

EFH Corp. files a US federal income tax return that includes the results of EFCH, EFIH, Oncor Holdings and, prior to the Effective Date, TCEH. Prior to the Effective Date, EFH Corp. was the corporate parent of the EFH Corp. consolidated group, while each of EFIH, Oncor Holdings, EFCH and TCEH were classified as a disregarded entity for US federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to applicable US Treasury regulations and published guidance of the IRS, corporations that are members of a consolidated group have joint and several liability for the taxes of such group. Subsequent to the Effective Date, the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors are no longer included in the consolidated federal income tax return of EFH Corp. and will be included in Vistra Energy’s consolidated federal income tax return.

Prior to the Effective Date, EFH Corp. and certain of its subsidiaries (including EFCH, EFIH, and TCEH, but not including Oncor Holdings and Oncor) were parties to a Federal and State Income Tax Allocation Agreement, which provided, among other things, that any corporate member or disregarded entity in the EFH Corp. group is required to make payments to EFH Corp. in an amount calculated to approximate the amount of tax liability such entity would have owed if it filed a separate corporate tax return. Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors rejected this agreement on the Effective Date. See Notes 2 and 10 for a discussion of the Tax Matters Agreement that was entered into on the Effective Date between EFH Corp. and Vistra Energy. Additionally, since the date of the Settlement Agreement, no further cash payments among the Debtors were made in respect of federal income taxes. The Settlement Agreement did not alter the allocation and payment for state income taxes, which continued to be settled prior to the Effective Date.

 

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Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

The components of our income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
    Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
     Year Ended
December 31,
 
          2015      2014  

Current:

          

US Federal

   $  —     $ (6    $ (17    $ 30  

State

     6       9        21        28  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current

     6       3        4        58  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred:

          

US Federal

     (75     (1,234      (811      (2,361

State

     (1     (36      (72      (17
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred

     (76     (1,270      (883      (2,378
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ (70   $ (1,267    $ (879    $ (2,320
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reconciliation of income taxes computed at the US federal statutory rate to income tax benefit recorded:

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
    Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
         2015     2014  

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ (233   $ 21,584     $ (5,556   $ (8,549
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income taxes at the US federal statutory rate of 35%

     (82     7,554       (1,945     (2,992

Nondeductible TRA accretion

     5                    

IRS audit and appeals settlements

                       53  

Nondeductible goodwill impairment

                 770       560  

Texas margin tax, net of federal benefit

     3       (21           10  

Lignite depletion allowance

                 (8     (14

Interest accrued for uncertain tax positions, net of tax

                 (2      

Nondeductible interest expense

           12       21       21  

Nondeductible debt restructuring costs

     2       38       64       42  

Valuation allowance

           (210     210        

Nontaxable gain on extinguishment of LSTC

           (8,593            

Other

     2       (47     11        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax benefit

   $ (70   $ (1,267   $ (879   $ (2,320
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

     30.0     (5.9 )%      15.8     27.1

 

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Deferred Income Tax Balances

Deferred income taxes provided for temporary differences based on tax laws in effect at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  

Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Assets

    

Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards

   $     $ 22  

Net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards

     8       440  

Unfavorable purchase and sales contracts

           193  

Commodity contracts and interest rate swaps

           125  

Property, plant and equipment

     943        

Intangible assets

     29        

Debt extinguishment gains

     52       1,109  

Employee benefit obligations

     84       51  

Other

     6       55  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     1,122       1,995  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Liabilities

    

Property, plant and equipment

           1,541  

Identifiable intangible assets

           320  

Accrued interest

           138  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

           1,999  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Valuation allowance

           209  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Deferred Income Tax (Asset) Liability

   $ (1,122   $ 213  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Successor

At December 31, 2016, we had total deferred tax assets of approximately $1.1 billion that was substantially comprised of book and tax basis differences related to our generation and mining property, plant and equipment. As of December 31, 2016, we assessed the need for a valuation allowance related to our deferred tax asset and considered both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets. In connection with that analysis, we concluded that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets would be fully utilized by future taxable income, and thus, no valuation allowance was recognized.

At December 31, 2016, we had $21 million in net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards for federal income tax purposes that will expire in 2037. At December 31, 2016, we had no alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit carryforwards available.

The income tax effects of the components included in accumulated other comprehensive income totaled a net deferred tax liability of $3 million at December 31, 2016.

Predecessor

At December 31, 2015 our Predecessor had $1.257 billion in net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards for federal income tax purposes that will expire between 2035 and 2036. Audit settlements reached in 2013 resulted in the elimination of substantially all NOL carryforwards generated through 2013 and available AMT credits. The NOL carryforwards can be used to offset future taxable income. Our Predecessor believed that it was more likely than not that the full tax benefit from the NOLs would not be realized. In recognition of this risk, our Predecessor recorded a valuation allowance of $209 million on the net deferred tax assets balance at December 31, 2015. In assessing the need for the valuation allowance, our Predecessor considered both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets. As a result of our

 

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Predecessor’s assessment, it was concluded that there was uncertainty as to whether the current deferred tax assets (other than our Predecessor’s indefinite lived deferred tax assets) would be fully utilized by future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences.

During 2015, our Predecessor’s deferred tax liabilities related to property, plant and equipment were significantly reduced due to impairment charges on certain long-lived assets recorded in those periods. See Note 8 for a discussion of impairment charges. Additionally, our deferred tax liabilities related to debt fair value discounts were eliminated due to the write-off of unamortized deferred debt issuance and extension costs, premiums and discounts previously classified as LSTC.

The income tax effects of the components included in accumulated other comprehensive income totaled a net deferred tax asset of $18 million at December 31, 2015.

Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions

Accounting guidance related to uncertain tax positions requires that all tax positions subject to uncertainty be reviewed and assessed with recognition and measurement of the tax benefit based on a “more-likely-than-not” standard with respect to the ultimate outcome, regardless of whether this assessment is favorable or unfavorable.

Successor

Vistra Energy and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in US federal and state jurisdictions and are expected to be subject to examinations by the IRS and other taxing authorities. Vistra Energy is not currently under audit for any period, and we have no uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2016.

Predecessor

EFH Corp. and its subsidiaries file or have filed income tax returns in US Federal, state and foreign jurisdictions and are subject to examinations by the IRS and other taxing authorities. Examinations of income tax returns filed by EFH Corp. and any of its subsidiaries for the years ending prior to January 1, 2015 are complete. The IRS chose not to audit the tax return filed by EFH Corp. for the 2015 tax year, and the federal income tax return for the 2016 tax year has not yet been filed. Texas franchise and margin tax return examinations have been completed.

In September 2016, EFH Corp. entered into a settlement agreement with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) whereby the Comptroller agreed to release all claims and liabilities related to the EFH Corp. consolidated group’s state taxes, including sales tax, gross receipts utility tax, franchise tax and direct pay tax, through the agreement date, in exchange for a release of all refund claims and a one-time payment of $12 million. This settlement was entered and approved by the Bankruptcy Court in September 2016. As a result of the settlement, our Predecessor reduced the liability for uncertain tax positions by $27 million.

In July 2016, EFH Corp. executed a Revenue Agent Report (RAR) with the IRS for the 2010 through 2013 tax years. As a result of the RAR, our Predecessor reduced the liability for uncertain tax positions by $1 million, resulting in a reclassification to the accumulated deferred income tax liability. Total cash payment to be assessed by the IRS for tax years 2010 through 2013, but not expected to be paid during the pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases of the EFH Debtors, is approximately $15 million, plus any interest that may be assessed.

In March 2016, EFH Corp. signed a RAR with the IRS for the 2014 tax year. No financial statement impacts resulted from the signing of the 2014 RAR.

In June 2015, EFH Corp. signed a RAR with the IRS for the 2008 and 2009 tax years. The Bankruptcy Court approved EFH Corp.’s signing of the RAR in July 2015. As a result of EFH Corp. signing this RAR, our

 

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Predecessor reduced the liability for uncertain tax positions by $22 million, resulting in a $18 million increase in noncurrent inter-company tax payable to EFH Corp., a $2 million reclassification to the accumulated deferred income tax liability and the recording of a $2 million income tax benefit. Total cash payment to be assessed by the IRS for tax years 2008 and 2009, but not paid during the pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases of the EFH Debtors, is approximately $15 million, plus any interest that may be assessed.

In 2014, the IRS filed a claim with the Bankruptcy Court for open tax years through 2013 that was consistent with the settlement EFH Corp. reached with IRS Appeals for tax years 2003-2006. Also in 2014, EFH Corp. signed a final RAR with the IRS and associated documentation for the 2007 tax year. As a result of these events, EFH Corp. effectively settled the 2003-2007 open tax years, and our Predecessor reduced the liability for uncertain tax positions related to such years by $123 million, resulting in a $119 million reclassification to the accumulated deferred income tax liability and the recording of a $4 million income tax benefit reflecting the settlement of certain positions.

In recording the 2014 impacts, our Predecessor identified approximately $85 million of income tax expense related to 2013 which was recorded in December 2014. The impact of recording this expense was not material to the financial statements in 2013 or 2014.

Our Predecessor classified interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as current income tax expense. Ongoing accruals of interest after the IRS settlements were not material in 2015 and 2014.

Noncurrent liabilities of our Predecessor included a total of $4 million in accrued interest at December 31, 2015. The federal income tax benefit on the interest accrued on uncertain tax positions was recorded as accumulated deferred income taxes.

The following table summarizes the changes to the uncertain tax positions, reported in other noncurrent liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, during the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively:

 

     Predecessor  
     Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
     Year Ended
December 31,
 
        2015      2014  

Balance at beginning of period, excluding interest and penalties

   $ 36      $ 65      $ 184  

Additions based on tax positions related to prior years

                   55  

Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years

     (1      (11      (155

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

                    

Settlements with taxing authorities

     (35      (18      (19
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of period, excluding interest and penalties

   $      $ 36      $ 65  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Tax Matters Agreement

On the Effective Date, we entered into a Tax Matters Agreement (the Tax Matters Agreement), with EFH Corp. whereby the parties have agreed to take certain actions and refrain from taking certain actions in order to preserve the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off and to indemnify the other parties to the extent a breach of such agreement results in additional taxes to the other parties.

Among other things, the Tax Matters Agreement allocates the responsibility for taxes for periods prior to the Spin-Off between EFH Corp. and us. For periods prior to the Spin-Off: (a) Vistra Energy is generally required to reimburse EFH Corp. with respect to any taxes paid by EFH Corp. that are attributable to us and (b) EFH Corp. is generally required to reimburse us with respect to any taxes paid by us that are attributable to EFH Corp.

 

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We are also required to indemnify EFH Corp. against taxes, under certain circumstance, if the IRS or another taxing authority successfully challenges the amount of gain relating to the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale or the amount or allowance of EFH Corp.’s net operating loss deductions.

Subject to certain exceptions, the Tax Matters Agreement prohibits us from taking certain actions that could reasonably be expected to undermine the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off or to jeopardize the conclusions of the private letter ruling we obtained from the IRS or opinions of counsel received by us or EFH Corp., in each case, in connection with the Spin-Off. Certain of these restrictions apply for two years after the Spin-Off.

Under the Tax Matters Agreement, we may engage in an otherwise restricted action if (a) we obtain written consent from EFH Corp., (b) such action or transaction is described in or otherwise consistent with the facts in the private letter ruling we obtained from the IRS in connection with the Spin-Off, (c) we obtain a supplemental private letter ruling from the IRS, or (d) we obtain an unqualified opinion of a nationally recognized law or accounting firm that is reasonably acceptable to EFH Corp. that the action will not affect the intended tax treatment of the Spin-Off.

10. TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT OBLIGATION

On the Effective Date, Vistra Energy entered into a tax receivable agreement (the TRA) with a transfer agent on behalf of certain former first lien creditors of TCEH. The TRA generally provides for the payment by us to holders of TRA Rights of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in United States federal and state income tax that we realize in periods after Emergence as a result of (a) certain transactions consummated pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization (including any step-up in tax basis in our assets resulting from the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale), (b) the tax basis of all assets acquired in connection with the Lamar and Forney Acquisition in April 2016 and (c) tax benefits related to imputed interest deemed to be paid by us as a result of payments under the TRA, plus interest accruing from the due date of the applicable tax return.

Pursuant to the TRA, we issued the TRA Rights for the benefit of the first lien secured creditors of our Predecessor entitled to receive such TRA Rights under the Plan. Such TRA Rights are subject to various transfer restrictions described in the TRA and are entitled to certain registration rights more fully described in the Registration Rights Agreement.

The estimate of fair value of $574 million for the Tax Receivable Agreement Obligation on the Effective Date was the discounted amount of projected payments under the TRA, based on certain assumptions, including but not limited to:

 

    the amount of tax basis step-up resulting from the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale, which is expected to be approximately $5.5 billion, and the allocation of such tax basis step-up among the assets subject thereto;

 

    the depreciable lives of the assets subject to such tax basis step-up, which generally is expected to be 15 years for most of such assets;

 

    a federal corporate income tax rate of 35%;

 

    the Company will generally generate sufficient taxable income so as to be able to utilize the deductions arising out of (i) the tax basis step-up attributable to the PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale, (ii) the entire tax basis of the assets acquired as a result of the Lamar and Forney Acquisition (as defined herein), and (iii) tax benefits related to imputed interest deemed to be paid by us as a result of payments under the TRA in the tax year in which such deductions arise, and

 

    a discount rate of 15%, which represents our view of the rate that a market participant would use based on the risk associated with the uncertainty in the amount and timing of the cash flows. The aggregate amount of undiscounted payments under the TRA is estimated to be approximately $2.1 billion, with more than 90% of such amount expected to be attributable to the first 15 tax years following Emergence, and the final payment expected to be made approximately 40 years following Emergence (assuming that the TRA is not terminated earlier pursuant to its terms).

 

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The fair value of the obligation at the Emergence Date is being accreted to the amount of the gross expected obligation using the effective interest method. Changes in the amount of this obligation resulting from changes to either the timing or amount of cash flows are recognized in the period of change and measured using the discount rate inherent in the initial fair value of the obligation. During the period from October 3, 2016 to December 31, 2016, the Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement on the statement of consolidated income (loss) was $22 million, which represents accretion expense for the period, and the balance at December 31, 2016 totaled $596 million.

Under the Internal Revenue Code, a corporation’s ability to utilize certain tax attributes, including depreciation, may be limited following an ownership change if the corporation’s overall asset tax basis exceeds the overall fair market value of its assets (after making certain adjustments). The Spin-Off resulted in an ownership change and it is expected that the overall tax basis of our assets may have exceeded the overall fair market value of our assets at such time. As a result, there may be a limitation on our ability to claim a portion of our depreciation deductions for a five-year period. This limitation could have a material impact on our tax liabilities and on our obligations under the TRA Rights. In addition, any future ownership change of Vistra Energy following Emergence could likewise result in additional limitations on our ability to use certain tax attributes existing at the time of any such ownership change and have an impact on our tax liabilities and on our obligations with respect to the TRA Rights under the TRA.

11. INTEREST EXPENSE AND RELATED CHARGES

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
    Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
         2015     2014  

Interest paid/accrued post-Emergence

   $ 51     $ —       $ —       $ —    

Interest paid/accrued on debtor-in-possession financing

     —         76       63       37  

Adequate protection amounts paid/accrued

     —         977       1,233       828  

Interest paid/accrued on pre-petition debt (a)

     —         1       4       878  

Noncash realized net loss on termination of interest rate swaps (offset in unrealized net gain) (Note 17)

     —         —         —         1,225  

Unrealized mark-to-market net (gain) loss on interest rate swaps

     11       —         —         (1,290

Amortization of debt issuance, amendment and extension costs and premiums/discounts

     (1     4       —         86  

Dividends on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock

     2       —         —         —    

Capitalized interest

     (3     (9     (11     (17

Other

     —         —         —         2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense and related charges

   $ 60     $ 1,049     $ 1,289     $ 1,749  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes amounts related to interest rate swaps totaling $193 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Of the $193 million, $127 million is included in the liability arising from the termination of TCEH interest swaps as discussed in Note 17.

Predecessor

Interest expense for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2015 and the post-petition period ended December 31, 2014 reflects interest paid and accrued on debtor-in-possession financing (see Note 13), adequate protection amounts paid and accrued, as approved by the Bankruptcy Court in June 2014 for the benefit of secured creditors of (a) $22.616 billion principal amount of outstanding borrowings from the TCEH Senior Secured Facilities, (b) $1.750 billion principal amount of outstanding TCEH Senior Secured Notes and (c) the $1.243 billion net liability related to the TCEH first lien

 

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interest rate swaps and natural gas hedging positions terminated shortly after the Bankruptcy Filing (see Note 2), in exchange for their consent to the senior secured, super-priority liens contained in the DIP Facility and any diminution in value of their interests in the pre-petition collateral from the Petition Date. The interest rates applicable to the adequate protection amounts paid/accrued was 4.95%, 4.69% and 4.65% (one-month LIBOR plus 4.50%) for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2015 and the post-petition period ended December 31, 2014, respectively. As of the Effective Date, amounts of adequate protection payments were re-characterized as payments of principal.

The Bankruptcy Code generally restricts payment of interest on pre-petition debt, subject to certain exceptions. Other than amounts ordered or approved by the Bankruptcy Court, effective on the Petition Date, our Predecessor discontinued recording interest expense on outstanding pre-petition debt classified as LSTC. The table below shows contractual interest amounts, which were amounts due under the contractual terms of the outstanding debt, including debt subject to compromise during the Chapter 11 Cases. Interest expense reported in the statements of consolidated income (loss) does not include contractual interest on pre-petition debt classified as LSTC totaling $640 million, $897 million and $604 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2015 and the post-petition period ended December 31, 2014, respectively, which had been stayed by the Bankruptcy Court effective on the Petition Date. Adequate protection paid/accrued presented below excludes interest paid/accrued on the TCEH first-lien interest rate and commodity hedge claims (see Note 17) totaling $47 million, $60 million and $40 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2015 and the post-petition period ended December 31, 2014, respectively, as such amounts are not included in contractual interest amounts below. All adequate protection payments ceased as of the Emergence Date.

 

     Predecessor  
     Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
     Year Ended
December 31, 2015
     Post-Petition Period
Ended
December 31, 2014
 

Contractual interest on debt classified as LSTC

   $ 1,570      $ 2,070      $ 1,392  

Adequate protection amounts paid/accrued

     930        1,173        788  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Contractual interest on debt classified as LSTC not paid/accrued

   $ 640      $ 897      $ 604  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

12. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method. Due to the net loss for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the application of the treasury stock method would be antidilutive and all shares of stock options and restricted stock units (see Note 19) were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss available for common stock presented below.

 

     Successor  
     Period from October 3, 2016 through
December 31, 2016
 
     Net Loss      Shares      Per Share
Amount
 

Net loss available for common stock — basic

   $ (163      427,560,620      $ (0.38
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loss available for common stock — diluted

   $ (163      427,560,620      $ (0.38
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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13. LONG-TERM DEBT

Successor

Amounts in the table below represent the categories of long-term debt obligation incurred by the Successor.

 

     Successor  
     December 31,
2016
 

Vistra Operations Credit Facilities (a)

   $ 4,515  

Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock (b)

     70  

8.82% Building Financing due semiannually through February 11, 2022 (c)

     36  

Capital lease obligations

     2  
  

 

 

 

Total long-term debt including amounts due currently

     4,623  

Less amounts due currently

     (46
  

 

 

 

Total long-term debt less amounts due currently

   $ 4,577  
  

 

 

 

 

(a) Borrowings under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities in the consolidated balance sheet include debt premiums of $25 million, debt discounts of $2 million and debt issuance costs of $8 million.
(b) Shares of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock in PrefCo issued as part of the spin-off of Vistra Energy from EFH Corp. (see Note 2). This subsidiary’s preferred stock is accounted for as a debt instrument under relevant accounting guidance.
(c) Obligation related to a corporate office space capital lease contributed to Vistra Energy pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization. This obligation will be funded by amounts held in an escrow account and reflected in other noncurrent assets on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016.

Vistra Operations Credit Facilities — As of the Effective Date, the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities initially consisted of up to $4.250 billion in senior secured, first lien financing consisting of a revolving credit facility of up to $750 million, including a $500 million letter of credit sub-facility (Initial Revolving Credit Facility), a term loan facility of up to $2.850 billion (Initial Term Loan B Facility) and a term loan letter of credit facility of up to $650 million (Term Loan C Facility).

In December 2016, we incurred $1 billion of incremental term loans (Incremental Term Loan B Facility, and together with the Initial Term Loan B Facility, the Term Loan B Facility) and $110 million of incremental revolving credit commitments (Incremental Revolving Credit Facility, and together with the Initial Revolving Credit Facility, the Revolving Credit Facility). The letter of credit sub-facility was also increased from $500 million to $600 million. Proceeds from the Incremental Term Loan B Facility were used to fund the special cash dividend in the aggregate amount of $1 billion that was approved by Vistra Energy’s board of directors and paid in December 2016 (see Note 15).

 

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The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and related available capacity at December 31, 2016 are presented below.

 

            December 31, 2016  

Vistra Operations Credit Facilities

   Maturity Date      Facility Limit      Cash
Borrowings
     Available
Credit Capacity
 

Revolving Credit Facility (a)

     August 4, 2021      $ 860      $      $ 860  

Initial Term Loan B Facility (b)

     August 4, 2023        2,850        2,850         

Incremental Term Loan B Facility (c)

     December 14, 2023        1,000        1,000         

Term Loan C Facility (d)

     August 4, 2023        650        650        131  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Vistra Operations Credit Facilities

      $ 5,360      $ 4,500      $ 991  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Facility to be used for general corporate purposes.
(b) Facility used to repay all amounts outstanding under the Predecessor’s DIP Facility and issuance costs for the DIP Roll Facilities, with the remaining balance used for general corporate purposes.
(c) Facility used to fund a special cash dividend paid in December 2016 (see Note 15).
(d) Facility used for issuing letters of credit for general corporate purposes. Borrowings under this facility were funded to collateral accounts that are reported as restricted cash in the consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2016, the restricted cash supported $519 million in letters of credit outstanding (see Note 22), leaving $131 million in available letter of credit capacity.

As of December 31, 2016, amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility would bear interest based on applicable LIBOR rates plus 3.25%, and there were no outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, amounts borrowed under the Initial Term Loan B Facility and the Term Loan C Facility bear interest based on applicable LIBOR rates, subject to a 1% floor, plus 4%, and the interest rate on outstanding borrowings was 5% at December 31, 2016. Amounts borrowed under the Incremental Term Loan B Facility bear interest based on applicable LIBOR rates, subject to a 0.75% floor, plus 3.25%, and the rate outstanding on outstanding borrowings was 4% at December 31, 2016. The Vistra Operation Credit Facilities also provides for certain additional fees payable to the agents and lenders, as well as availability fees payable with respect to any unused portions of the available Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.

In February 2017, certain pricing terms for the Vistra Operations Credit Facility were amended. Any amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest based on applicable LIBOR rates plus 2.75%. Amounts borrowed under the Initial Term Loan B Facility and the Term Loan C Facility will bear interest based on applicable LIBOR rates, subject to a 0.75% floor, plus 2.75%.

We are required to make scheduled quarterly payments on the Term Loan B Facility in annual amounts equal to 1% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan B Facility with the balance paid at maturity. The first repayment will be made on March 31, 2017.

Obligations under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities are secured by a lien covering substantially all of Vistra Energy’s consolidated assets, rights and properties, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.

The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities also permit certain hedging agreements to be secured on a pari-passu basis with the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities in the event those hedging agreements met certain criteria set forth in the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.

The Vistra Operation Credit Facilities provide for affirmative and negative covenants applicable to Vistra Energy, including affirmative covenants requiring us to provide financial and other information to the agents

 

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under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities and to not change our lines of business, and negative covenants restricting Vistra Energy’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments, dispose of assets, pay dividends, grant liens or take certain other actions, in each case except as permitted in the Vistra Operation Credit Facilities. Vistra Energy’s ability to borrow under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities is subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions precedent set forth therein.

The Vistra Operations Credit Facilities provide for certain customary events of default, including events of default resulting from non-payment of principal, interest or fees when due, material breaches of representations and warranties, material breaches of covenants in the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities or ancillary loan documents, cross-defaults under other agreements or instruments and the entry of material judgments against Vistra Energy. Solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, and solely during a compliance period (which, in general, is applicable when the aggregate revolving borrowings and issued revolving letters of credit (in excess of $100 million) exceed 30% of the revolving commitments), the agreement includes a covenant that requires the consolidated first lien net leverage ratio, which is based on the ratio of net first lien debt compared to an EBITDA calculation defined under the terms of the facilities, not exceed 4.25 to 1.00. Although we had no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2016, we would have been in compliance with this financial covenant if it were required to be tested. Upon the existence of an event of default, the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities provides that all principal, interest and other amounts due thereunder will become immediately due and payable, either automatically or at the election of specified lenders.

Maturities — Long-term debt maturities at December 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

     Successor  
     December 31,
2016
 

2017

   $ 46  

2018

     44  

2019

     44  

2020

     44  

2021

     45  

Thereafter

     4,380  

Unamortized premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs

     20  
  

 

 

 

Total long-term debt including amounts due currently

   $ 4,623  
  

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swaps — In the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, we entered into $3.0 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps to hedge our exposure to our variable rate debt. The interest rate swaps, which become effective in January 2017, expire in July 2023 and, when taking into consideration the amended pricing on the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities discussed above, effectively fix the interest rates between 4.67% and 4.91%.

The interest rate swaps are secured by a first lien secured interest on a pari-passu basis with the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities.

Predecessor

DIP Roll Facilities — In August 2016, the Predecessor entered into the DIP Roll Facilities. The facilities provided for up to $4.250 billion in senior secured, super-priority financing consisting of a revolving credit facility of up to $750 million (DIP Roll Revolving Credit Facility), a term loan letter of credit facility of up to $650 million (DIP Roll Letter of Credit Facility) and a term loan facility of up to $2.850 billion (DIP Roll Term Loan Facility). The DIP Roll Facilities were senior, secured, super-priority debtor-in-possession credit

 

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agreements by and among the TCEH Debtors, the lenders that were party thereto from time to time and an administrative and collateral agent. The maturity date of the DIP Roll Facilities was the earlier of (a) October 31, 2017 or (b) the Effective Date. On the Effective Date, the DIP Roll Facilities converted to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities discussed above.

Net proceeds from the DIP Roll Facilities totaled $3.465 billion and were used to repay $2.65 billion outstanding under the former DIP Facility, fund a $650 million collateral account used to backstop the issuances of letters of credit and pay $107 million of issuance costs. The remaining balance was used for general corporate purposes. Additionally, $800 million of cash from collateral accounts under the former DIP Facility that was used to backstop letters of credit was released to the Predecessor to be used for general corporate purposes.

DIP Facility — The DIP Facility provided for up to $3.375 billion in senior secured, super-priority financing consisting of a revolving credit facility of up to $1.950 billion (DIP Revolving Credit Facility) and a term loan facility of up to $1.425 billion (DIP Term Loan Facility). The DIP Facility was a senior, secured, super-priority credit agreement by and among the TCEH Debtors, the lenders that were party thereto and an administrative and collateral agent. At December 31, 2015, all $1.425 billion of the DIP Term Loan Facility were borrowed at an interest rate of 3.75%. Of this amount, $800 million represented amounts that supported issuances of letters of credit that were funded to a collateral account. Of the collateral account at December 31, 2015, $281 million was reported as cash and cash equivalents and $519 million was reported as restricted cash, which represented the amounts of outstanding letters of credit. At December 31, 2015, no amounts were borrowed under the DIP Revolving Credit Facility. As discussed above, in August 2016 all amounts under the DIP Facility were repaid using proceeds from the DIP Roll Facilities, and the $800 million of cash that was funded to the collateral account was released to TCEH to be used for general corporate purposes.

Other Long-Term Debt — Amounts in the Predecessor period represent pre-petition liabilities of the Predecessor that were not subject to compromise due to the debt being fully collateralized or specific orders from the Bankruptcy Court approving repayment of the debt.

 

     Predecessor  
     December 31,
2015
 

7.48% Fixed Secured Facility Bonds with amortizing payments through January 2017 (a)

   $ 13  

Capital lease and other obligations

     6  
  

 

 

 

Total

     19  

Less amounts due currently

     (16
  

 

 

 

Total long-term debt not subject to compromise

   $ 3  
  

 

 

 

 

(a) Debt issued by trust and secured by assets held by the trust.

 

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14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contractual Commitments

At December 31, 2016, we had contractual commitments under energy-related contracts, leases and other agreements as follows.

 

     Coal purchase
and

transportation
agreements
     Pipeline
transportation
and storage
reservation
fees
     Nuclear
Fuel
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
 

2017

   $ 338      $ 30      $ 72      $ 128  

2018

            21        91        55  

2019

            22        39        57  

2020

            22        43        54  

2021

            22        49        36  

Thereafter

            161        222        350  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 338      $ 278      $ 516      $ 680  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts in other contracts include certain long-term service and maintenance contracts related to our generation assets. The table above excludes TRA and pension and OPEB plan payments due to the uncertainty in the timing of those payments.

Expenditures under our coal purchase and coal transportation agreements totaled $109 million, $139 million, $218 million and $348 million for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

At December 31, 2016, future minimum lease payments under both capital leases and operating leases are as follows:

 

     Capital
Leases
     Operating
Leases (a)
 

2017

   $ 2      $ 25  

2018

            17  

2019

            14  

2020

            12  

2021

            9  

Thereafter

            153  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total future minimum lease payments

     2      $ 230  
     

 

 

 

Less amounts representing interest

         
  

 

 

    

Present value of future minimum lease payments

     2     

Less current portion

     (2   
  

 

 

    

Long-term capital lease obligation

   $     
  

 

 

    

 

(a) Includes operating leases with initial or remaining noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year.

Rent reported as operating costs, fuel costs and SG&A expenses totaled $20 million, $39 million, $55 million and $54 million for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

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Guarantees

We have entered into contracts that contain guarantees to unaffiliated parties that could require performance or payment under certain conditions. As of December 31, 2016, there are no material outstanding claims related to our guarantee obligations, and we do not anticipate we will be required to make any material payments under these guarantees.

Letters of Credit

At December 31, 2016, we had outstanding letters of credit under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities totaling $519 million as follows:

 

    $363 million to support commodity risk management and trading collateral requirements in the normal course of business, including over-the-counter and exchange-traded hedging transactions and collateral postings with ERCOT;

 

    $70 million to support executory contracts and insurance agreements;

 

    $55 million to support our REP financial requirements with the PUCT, and

 

    $31 million for other credit support requirements.

Litigation

Litigation Related to EPA Reviews — In June 2008, the EPA issued an initial request for information to Luminant under the EPA’s authority under Section 114 of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The stated purpose of the request is to obtain information necessary to determine compliance with the CAA, including New Source Review standards and air permits issued by the TCEQ for the Big Brown, Monticello and Martin Lake generation facilities. In April 2013, Luminant received an additional information request from the EPA under Section 114 related to our Big Brown, Martin Lake and Monticello facilities as well as an initial information request related to our Sandow 4 generation facility.

In July 2012, the EPA sent Luminant a notice of violation alleging noncompliance with the CAA’s New Source Review standards and the air permits at our Martin Lake and Big Brown generation facilities. In August 2013, the US Department of Justice, acting as the attorneys for the EPA, filed a civil enforcement lawsuit against Luminant in federal district court in Dallas, alleging violations of the CAA, including its New Source Review standards, at our Big Brown and Martin Lake generation facilities. In August 2015, the district court granted Luminant’s motion to dismiss seven of the nine claims asserted by the EPA in the lawsuit. In August 2016, the EPA filed an amended complaint, eliminating one of the two remaining claims and withdrawing with prejudice a request for civil penalties in the other remaining claim. The EPA also filed a motion for entry of final judgment so that it could seek to appeal the district court’s dismissal decision. In September 2016, Luminant filed a response opposing the EPA’s motion for entry of final judgment. In October 2016, the district court denied the EPA’s motion for entry of final judgment and agreed that the remaining claim must be fully adjudicated at the district court or withdrawn with prejudice before the EPA may appeal the dismissal decision. In January 2017, the EPA dismissed its two remaining claims with prejudice and the district court entered final judgment in our favor. In March 2017, the EPA appealed the final judgment to the Fifth Circuit Court and Luminant filed a motion in the district court to recover its attorney fees and costs. We believe that we and Luminant have complied with all requirements of the CAA and intend to vigorously defend against the remaining allegations. The lawsuit requests the maximum civil penalties available under the CAA to the government of up to $32,500 to $37,500 per day for each alleged violation, depending on the date of the alleged violation, and injunctive relief, including an order requiring the installation of best available control technology at the affected units. An adverse outcome could require substantial capital expenditures that cannot be determined at this time or retirement of the plants at issue and could possibly require the payment of substantial penalties. We cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings, including the financial effects, if any.

 

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Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In August 2015, the EPA finalized rules to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new, modified and reconstructed and existing electricity generation units, referred to as the Clean Power Plan. The rule for existing facilities would establish state-specific emissions rate goals to reduce nationwide CO 2 emissions related to affected units by over 30% from 2012 emission levels by 2030. A number of parties, including Luminant, filed petitions for review in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit Court) for the rule for new, modified and reconstructed plants. In addition, a number of petitions for review of the rule for existing plants were filed in the D.C. Circuit Court by various parties and groups, including challenges from twenty-seven different states opposed to the rule as well as those from, among others, certain power generating companies, various business groups and some labor unions. Luminant also filed its own petition for review. In January 2016, a coalition of states, industry (including Luminant) and other parties filed applications with the US Supreme Court (Supreme Court) asking that the Supreme Court stay the rule while the D.C. Circuit Court reviews the legality of the rule for existing plants. In February 2016, the Supreme Court stayed the rule pending the conclusion of legal challenges on the rule before the D.C. Circuit Court and until the Supreme Court disposes of any subsequent petition for review. Oral argument on the merits of the legal challenges to the rule were heard in September 2016 before the entire D.C. Circuit Court. In March 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth (Order). The Order covers a number of matters, including the Clean Power Plan. Among other provisions, the Order directs the EPA to review the Clean Power Plan and, if appropriate, suspend, revise or rescind the rules on existing and new, modified and reconstructed generating units. In addition, the Department of Justice has filed motions seeking to abate those cases until the EPA concludes its review of the rules, including any new rulemaking that results from that review. While we cannot predict the outcome of these rulemakings and related legal proceedings, or estimate a range of reasonably probable costs, if the rules are ultimately implemented or upheld as they were issued, they could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

In August 2015, the EPA proposed model rules and federal plan requirements for states to consider as they develop state plans to comply with the rules for GHG emissions. A federal plan would then be finalized for a state if a state fails to submit a state plan by the deadlines established in the Clean Power Plan for existing plants or if the EPA disapproves a submitted state plan. Luminant filed comments on the federal plan proposal and model rules in January 2016. The Executive Order issued in March 2017, directed the EPA to review this proposed rule for consistency with the policies in the Order and, if appropriate, to revise or withdraw the proposed rule. While we cannot predict the timing or outcome of this rulemaking and related legal proceedings, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, they could have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR)

In July 2011, the EPA issued the CSAPR, compliance with which would have required significant additional reductions of SO 2 and NO x emissions from our fossil fueled generation units. In February 2012, the EPA released a final rule (Final Revisions) and a proposed rule revising certain aspects of the CSAPR, including increases in the emissions budgets for Texas and our generation assets as compared to the July 2011 version of the rule. In June 2012, the EPA finalized the proposed rule (Second Revised Rule).

The CSAPR became effective January 1, 2015. In July 2015, following a remand of the case from the Supreme Court to consider further legal challenges, the D.C. Circuit Court unanimously ruled in favor of Luminant and other petitioners, holding that the CSAPR emissions budgets over-controlled Texas and other states. The D.C. Circuit Court remanded those states’ budgets to the EPA for prompt reconsideration. While Luminant planned to participate in the EPA’s reconsideration process to develop increased budgets for the 1997 ozone standard that do not over-control Texas, the EPA instead responded to the remand by proposing a new rulemaking that created new NO X ozone season budgets for the 2008 ozone standard without addressing the over-controlling budgets for the 1997 standard. Comments on the EPA’s proposal were submitted by Luminant in February 2016. In August 2016, the EPA disapproved Texas’s 2008 ozone SIP submittal and imposed a FIP in its

 

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place in October 2016. Texas filed a petition in the Fifth Circuit Court challenging the SIP disapproval and Luminant has intervened in support of Texas’s challenge. The State of Texas and Luminant have also both filed challenges in the D.C. Circuit Court challenging the EPA’s FIP and those cases are currently pending before that court. With respect to Texas’s SO 2 emission budgets, in June 2016, the EPA issued a memorandum describing the EPA’s proposed approach for responding to the D.C. Circuit Court’s remand for reconsideration of the CSAPR SO 2 emission budgets for Texas and three other states that had been remanded to the EPA by the D.C. Circuit Court. In the memorandum, the EPA stated that those four states could either voluntarily participate in the CSAPR by submitting a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision adopting the SO 2 budgets that had been previously held invalid by the D.C. Circuit Court and the current annual NOx budgets or, if the state chooses not to participate in the CSAPR, the EPA could withdraw the CSAPR Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) by the fall of 2016 for those states and address any interstate transport and regional haze obligations on a state-by-state basis. Texas has not indicated that it intends to adopt the over-controlling budgets and, in November 2016, the EPA proposed to withdraw the CSAPR FIP for Texas. Because the EPA has not finalized its proposal to remove Texas from the annual CSAPR programs, these programs will continue to apply to Texas and Texas sources. At this time, the EPA has not populated the allowance accounts for Texas sources with 2017 annual CSAPR program allowances. While we cannot predict the outcome of future proceedings related to the CSAPR, including the EPA’s recent actions concerning the CSAPR annual emissions budgets for affected states and participating in the CSAPR program, based upon our current operating plans we do not believe that the CSAPR itself will cause any material operational, financial or compliance issues to our business or require us to incur any material compliance costs.

Regional Haze — Reasonable Progress and Long-Term Strategies

The Regional Haze Program of the CAA establishes “as a national goal the prevention of any future, and the remedying of any existing, impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I federal areas, like national parks, which impairment results from manmade pollution.” There are two components to the Regional Haze Program. First, states must establish goals for reasonable progress for Class I federal areas within the state and establish long-term strategies to reach those goals and to assist Class I federal areas in neighboring states to achieve reasonable progress set by those states towards a goal of natural visibility by 2064. In February 2009, the TCEQ submitted a SIP concerning regional haze (Regional Haze SIP) to the EPA. In December 2011, the EPA proposed a limited disapproval of the Regional Haze SIP due to its reliance on the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) instead of the EPA’s replacement CSAPR program that the EPA proposed in July 2011. In August 2012, Luminant filed a petition for review in the Fifth Circuit Court challenging the EPA’s limited disapproval of the Regional Haze SIP on the grounds that the CAIR continued in effect pending the D.C. Circuit Court’s decision in the CSAPR litigation. In September 2012, Luminant filed a petition to intervene in a case filed by industry groups and other states and private parties in the D.C. Circuit Court challenging the EPA’s limited disapproval and issuance of a FIP regarding the regional haze BART program. The Fifth Circuit Court case has since been transferred to the D.C. Circuit Court and consolidated with other pending BART program regional haze appeals. Briefing in the D.C. Circuit Court was completed in March 2017.

In June 2014, the EPA issued requests for information under Section 114 of the CAA to Luminant and other generators in Texas related to the reasonable progress program. After releasing a proposed rule in November 2014 and receiving comments from a number of parties, including Luminant and the State of Texas in April 2015, the EPA released a final rule in January 2016 approving in part and disapproving in part Texas’ SIP for Regional Haze and issuing a FIP for Regional Haze. In the rule, the EPA asserts that the Texas SIP does not show reasonable progress in improving visibility for two areas in Texas and that its long-term strategy fails to make emission reductions needed to achieve reasonable progress in improving visibility in the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma. The EPA’s proposed emission limits in the FIP assume additional control equipment for specific lignite/coal-fueled generation units across Texas, including new flue gas desulfurization systems (scrubbers) at seven electricity generating units and upgrades to existing scrubbers at seven electricity generating units. Specifically, for Luminant, the EPA’s FIP is based on new scrubbers at Big Brown Units 1 and 2 and Monticello Units 1 and 2 and scrubber upgrades at Martin Lake Units 1, 2 and 3, Monticello Unit 3 and Sandow

 

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Unit 4. Luminant is continuing to evaluate the requirements and potential financial and operational impacts of the rule, but new scrubbers at the Big Brown and Monticello units necessary to achieve the emission limits required by the FIP (if those limits are possible to attain), along with the existence of low wholesale electricity prices in ERCOT, would likely challenge the long-term economic viability of those units. Under the terms of the rule, the scrubber upgrades will be required by February 2019, and the new scrubbers will be required by February 2021.

In March 2016, Luminant and a number of other parties, including the State of Texas, filed petitions for review in the US Fifth Circuit Court challenging the FIP’s Texas requirements. Luminant and other parties also filed motions to stay the FIP while the court reviews the legality of the EPA’s action. In July 2016, the Fifth Circuit Court denied the EPA’s motion to dismiss Luminant’s challenge to the FIP and denied the EPA’s motion to transfer the challenges Luminant, the other industry petitioners and the State of Texas filed to the D.C. Circuit Court. In addition, the Fifth Circuit Court granted the motions to stay filed by Luminant, the other industry petitioners and the State of Texas pending final review of the petitions for review. The case was abated until the end of November 2016 in order to allow the parties to pursue settlement discussions. Settlement discussions were unsuccessful, and in December 2016 the EPA filed a motion seeking a voluntary remand of the rule back to the EPA for further consideration of Luminant’s pending request for administrative reconsideration. Luminant and some of the other petitioners filed a response opposing the EPA’s motion to remand and filed a cross motion for vacatur of the rule in December 2016. In March 2017, the Fifth Circuit Court remanded the rule back to the EPA for reconsideration in light of the Court’s prior determination that we and the other petitioners demonstrated a substantial likelihood that the EPA exceeded its statutory authority and acted arbitrarily and capriciously, but the Court denied all of the other pending motions. The stay of the rule (and the emission control requirements) remains in effect. In addition, the Fifth Circuit Court denied the EPA’s motion to lift the stay as to parts of the rule implicated in the EPA’s subsequent BART proposal and the Court is retaining jurisdiction of the case and requiring the EPA to file status reports on its reconsideration every 15 days. While we cannot predict the outcome of the rulemaking and legal proceedings, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, the result may have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Regional Haze — Best Available Retrofit Technology

The second part of the Regional Haze Program subjects electricity generation units built between 1962 and 1977, to best available retrofit technology (BART) standards designed to improve visibility if such units cause or contribute to impairment of visibility in a federal class I area. BART reductions of SO 2 and NO X are required either on a unit-by-unit basis or are deemed satisfied by state participation in an EPA-approved regional trading program such as the CSAPR. In response to a lawsuit by environmental groups, the D.C. Circuit Court issued a consent decree in March 2012 that required the EPA to propose a decision on the Regional Haze SIP by May 2012 and finalize that decision by November 2012. The consent decree requires a FIP for any provisions that the EPA disapproves. The D.C. Circuit Court has amended the consent decree several times to extend the dates for the EPA to propose and finalize a decision on the Regional Haze SIP. The consent decree was modified in December 2015 to extend the deadline for the EPA to finalize action on the determination and adoption of requirements for BART for electricity generation. Under the amended consent decree, the EPA had until December 2016 to propose, and has until September 2017 to finalize, a FIP for BART for Texas electricity generation sources if the EPA determines that BART requirements have not been met. The EPA issued its proposed BART FIP for Texas in December 2016. The EPA’s proposed emission limits assume additional control equipment for specific lignite/coal-fueled generation units across Texas, including new flue gas desulfurization systems (scrubbers) at 12 electric generation units and upgrades to existing scrubbers at four electric generation units. Specifically, for Luminant, the EPA’s emission limitations are based on new scrubbers at Big Brown Units 1 and 2 and Monticello Units 1 and 2 and scrubber upgrades at Martin Lake Units 1, 2 and 3 and Monticello Unit 3. Luminant is continuing to evaluate the requirements and potential financial and operational impacts of the proposed rule, but new scrubbers at the Big Brown and Monticello units necessary to achieve the emission limits required by the FIP (if those limits are possible to attain), along with the existence of low wholesale power prices in ERCOT, would likely challenge the long-term economic viability of those units. Under the terms of the rule, the scrubber upgrades will be required within three years of the effective date of the

 

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final rule and the new scrubbers will be required within five years of the effective date of the final rule. We anticipate submitting comments on the proposed FIP when those are due in May 2017. While we cannot predict the outcome of the rulemaking and potential legal proceedings, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, the result may have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Intersection of the CSAPR and Regional Haze Programs

Historically the EPA has considered compliance with a regional trading program, such as the CSAPR, as satisfying a state’s obligations under the BART portion of the Regional Haze Program. However, in the reasonable progress FIP, the EPA diverged from this approach and did not treat Texas’ compliance with the CSAPR as satisfying its obligations under the BART portion of the Regional Haze Program. The EPA concluded that it would not be appropriate to finalize that determination given the remand of the CSAPR budgets. As described above, the EPA has now proposed to remove Texas from the annual CSAPR trading programs. If Texas were in the CSAPR annual trading programs, the EPA would have no basis for its BART FIP because it has made a determination for Texas and all other states that participate in the CSAPR annual trading programs that such participation satisfies their BART obligations. We do not believe that EPA’s proposal to remove Texas from the CSAPR annual trading programs satisfies the D.C. Circuit Court’s mandate to the EPA to develop non-over-controlling budgets for Texas and we submitted comments on the EPA’s proposed rule to remove Texas from the CSAPR annual trading programs. While we cannot predict the outcome of these matters, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, the result may have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Affirmative Defenses During Malfunctions

In February 2013, in response to a petition for rulemaking filed by the Sierra Club, the EPA proposed a rule requiring certain states to replace SIP exemptions for excess emissions during malfunctions with an affirmative defense. Texas was not included in that original proposal since it already had an EPA-approved affirmative defense provision in its SIP that was found to be lawful by the Fifth Circuit Court in 2013. In 2014, as a result of a D.C. Circuit Court decision striking down an affirmative defense in another EPA rule, the EPA revised its 2013 proposal to extend the EPA’s proposed findings of inadequacy to states that have affirmative defense provisions, including Texas. The EPA’s revised proposal would require Texas to remove or replace its EPA-approved affirmative defense provisions for excess emissions during startup, shutdown and maintenance events. In May 2015, the EPA finalized the proposal. In June 2015, Luminant filed a petition for review in the Fifth Circuit Court challenging certain aspects of the EPA’s final rule as they apply to the Texas SIP. The State of Texas and other parties have also filed similar petitions in the Fifth Circuit Court. In August 2015, the Fifth Circuit Court transferred the petitions that Luminant and other parties filed to the D.C. Circuit Court, and in October 2015 the petitions were consolidated with the pending petitions challenging the EPA’s action in the D.C. Circuit Court. Briefing in the D.C. Circuit Court on the challenges was completed in October 2016 and oral argument is set for May 2017. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of this proceeding, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, but implementation of the rule as finalized may have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

SO 2 Designations for Texas

In February 2016, the EPA notified Texas of the EPA’s preliminary intention to designate nonattainment areas for counties surrounding our Big Brown, Monticello and Martin Lake generation plants based on modeling data submitted to the EPA by the Sierra Club. Such designation would potentially require the implementation of various controls or other requirements to demonstrate attainment. Luminant submitted comments challenging the use of modeling data rather than data from actual air quality monitoring equipment. In November 2016, the EPA finalized its proposed designations for Texas including finalizing the nonattainment designations for the areas referenced above. In doing so, the EPA ignored contradictory modeling that we submitted with our comments. The final designation mandates would be for Texas to begin the multi-year process to evaluate what potential emission controls or operational changes, if any, may be necessary to demonstrate attainment. In February 2017,

 

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the State of Texas and Luminant filed challenges to the nonattainment designations in the Fifth Circuit Court and protective petitions in the D.C. Circuit Court. In March 2017, the EPA filed a motion to transfer or dismiss our Fifth Circuit Court petition. In addition, Luminant has filed a request with the EPA to reconsider the rule and immediately stay its effective date. While we cannot predict the outcome of this matter, or estimate a range of reasonably possible costs, the result may have a material impact on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Other Matters

We are involved in various legal and administrative proceedings in the normal course of business, the ultimate resolutions of which, in the opinion of management, are not anticipated to have a material effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Labor Contracts

We employ certain personnel who are represented by labor unions, the terms of whose employment are governed by collective bargaining agreements. During 2015, all collective bargaining agreements covering bargaining unit personnel engaged in lignite mining operations, lignite-, coal- and nuclear-fueled generation operations and some of our natural gas-fueled generation operations were extended to March 2017. While we cannot predict the outcome of labor contract negotiations, we do not expect any changes in collective bargaining agreements to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Nuclear Insurance

Nuclear insurance includes nuclear liability coverage, property damage, decontamination and accidental premature decommissioning coverage and accidental outage and/or extra expense coverage. We maintain nuclear insurance that meets or exceeds requirements promulgated by Section 170 (Price-Anderson) of the Atomic Energy Act (the Act) and Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations. We intend to maintain insurance against nuclear risks as long as such insurance is available. We are self-insured to the extent that losses (i) are within the policy deductibles, (ii) are not covered per policy exclusions, terms and limitations, (iii) exceed the amount of insurance maintained, or (iv) are not covered due to lack of insurance availability. Any such self-insured losses could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

With regard to liability coverage, the Act provides for financial protection for the public in the event of a significant nuclear generation plant incident. The Act sets the statutory limit of public liability for a single nuclear incident at $13.4 billion and requires nuclear generation plant operators to provide financial protection for this amount. However, the United States Congress could impose revenue-raising measures on the nuclear industry to pay claims that exceed the $13.4 billion limit for a single incident. As required, we insure against a possible nuclear incident at our Comanche Peak facility resulting in public nuclear-related bodily injury and property damage through a combination of private insurance and an industry-wide retrospective payment plan known as the Secondary Financial Protection (SFP).

Under the SFP, in the event of any single nuclear liability loss in excess of $375 million at any nuclear generation facility in the United States, each operating licensed reactor in the United States is subject to an annual assessment of up to $127.3 million. This approximately $127.3 million maximum assessment is subject to increases for inflation every five years, with the next expected adjustment scheduled to occur in September 2018. Assessments are currently limited to $19 million per operating licensed reactor per year per incident. As of December 31, 2016, our maximum potential assessment under the industry retrospective plan would be approximately $254.6 million per incident but no more than $37.9 million in any one year for each incident. The potential assessment is triggered by a nuclear liability loss in excess of $375 million per accident at any nuclear facility. For losses after January 1, 2017, the potential assessment applies in excess of $450 million.

 

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The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requires that nuclear generation plant license holders maintain at least $1.06 billion of nuclear decontamination and property damage insurance, and requires that the proceeds thereof be used to place a plant in a safe and stable condition, to decontaminate a plant pursuant to a plan submitted to, and approved by, the NRC prior to using the proceeds for plant repair or restoration, or to provide for premature decommissioning. We maintain nuclear decontamination and property damage insurance for our Comanche Peak facility in the amount of $2.25 billion and non-nuclear related property damage in the amount of $1.75 billion (subject to a $5 million deductible per accident except for natural hazards which are subject to a $9.5 million deductible per accident), above which we are self-insured.

We also maintain Accidental Outage insurance to cover the additional costs of obtaining replacement electricity from another source if one or both of the units at our Comanche Peak facility are out of service for more than 20 weeks as a result of covered direct physical damage. Such coverage provides for weekly payments per unit of up to $5.25 million for the first 52 weeks, up to $4.35 million for the next 35 weeks and up to $3.6 million for the remaining 36 weeks, after the initial waiting period. The total maximum coverage is $393 million for non-nuclear accidents and $555 million for nuclear accidents. The coverage amounts applicable to each unit will be reduced to 80% if both units are out of service at the same time as a result of the same accident.

15. EQUITY

Successor Shareholders’ Equity

Equity Issuances — As of December 31, 2016, 427,580,232 shares of Vistra Energy common stock were outstanding. On the Effective Date, 427,500,000 shares were issued pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization (see Note 2).

Dividends Declared — In December 2016, the board of directors of Vistra Energy approved the payment of a special cash dividend (Special Dividend) in the aggregate amount of approximately $1 billion ($2.32 per share of common stock) to holders of record of our common stock on December 19, 2016. The dividend was funded using borrowings under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities (see Note 13).

Dividend Restrictions — The agreement governing the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities generally restricts our ability to make distributions or loans to any of our parent companies or their subsidiaries unless such distributions or loans were expressly permitted under the agreement governing such facility.

Under applicable Delaware General Corporate Law, we are prohibited from paying any distribution to the extent that immediately following payment of such distribution, we would be insolvent.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income — During the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, we recorded a $6 million change in the funded status of our pension and other postretirement employee benefit liability; there were no amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income.

Predecessor Membership Interests

TCEH paid no dividends in the period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 nor the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

16. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting standards related to the determination of fair value define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between willing market

 

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participants at the measurement date. We use a mid-market valuation convention (the mid-point price between bid and ask prices) as a practical expedient to measure fair value for the majority of our assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurement on a recurring basis. We primarily use the market approach for recurring fair value measurements and use valuation techniques to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

We categorize our assets and liabilities recorded at fair value based upon the following fair value hierarchy:

 

    Level 1 valuations use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date. An active market is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Our Level 1 assets and liabilities include exchange-traded commodity contracts. For example, some of our derivatives are NYMEX or the IntercontinentalExchange (ICE, an electronic commodity derivative exchange) futures and swaps transacted through clearing brokers for which prices are actively quoted.

 

    Level 2 valuations use inputs that, in the absence of actively quoted market prices, are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include: (a) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (b) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, (c) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability such as interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals and (d) inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other mathematical means. Our Level 2 valuations utilize over-the-counter broker quotes, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities that are corroborated by correlations or other mathematical means, and other valuation inputs. For example, our Level 2 assets and liabilities include forward commodity positions at locations for which over-the-counter broker quotes are available.

 

    Level 3 valuations use unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are used to the extent observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. We use the most meaningful information available from the market combined with internally developed valuation methodologies to develop our best estimate of fair value. For example, our Level 3 assets and liabilities include certain derivatives with values derived from pricing models that utilize multiple inputs to the valuations, including inputs that are not observable or easily corroborated through other means. See further discussion below.

Our valuation policies and procedures were developed, maintained and validated by a centralized risk management group that reports to the Vistra Energy Chief Financial Officer.

We utilize several different valuation techniques to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities, relying primarily on the market approach of using prices and other market information for identical and/or comparable assets and liabilities for those items that are measured on a recurring basis. These methods include, among others, the use of broker quotes and statistical relationships between different price curves.

In utilizing broker quotes, we attempt to obtain multiple quotes from brokers (generally non-binding) that are active in the markets in which we participate (and require at least one quote from two brokers to determine a pricing input as observable); however, not all pricing inputs are quoted by brokers. The number of broker quotes received for certain pricing inputs varies depending on the depth of the trading market, each individual broker’s publication policy, recent trading volume trends and various other factors.

Probable loss from default by either us or our counterparties is considered in determining the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities. These non-performance risk adjustments take into consideration credit enhancements and the credit risks associated with our credit standing and the credit standing of our counterparties (see Note 17 for additional information regarding credit risk associated with our derivatives). We utilize credit ratings and default rate factors in calculating these fair value measurement adjustments.

 

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Certain derivatives and financial instruments are valued utilizing option pricing models that take into consideration multiple inputs including, but not limited to, commodity prices, volatility factors, discount rates and other market based factors. Additionally, when there is not a sufficient amount of observable market data, valuation models are developed that incorporate proprietary views of market factors. Significant unobservable inputs used to develop the valuation models include volatility curves, correlation curves, illiquid pricing locations and credit/non-performance risk assumptions. Those valuation models are generally used in developing long-term forward price curves for certain commodities, in particular, long-term ERCOT wholesale power prices. We believe the development of such curves is consistent with industry practice; however, the fair value measurements resulting from such curves are classified as Level 3.

The significant unobservable inputs and valuation models are developed by employees trained and experienced in market operations and fair value measurements and validated by the company’s risk management group, which also further analyzes any significant changes in Level 3 measurements. Significant changes in the unobservable inputs could result in significant upward or downward changes in the fair value measurement.

With respect to amounts presented in the following fair value hierarchy tables, the fair value measurement of an asset or liability (e.g., a contract) is required to fall in its entirety in one level, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Certain assets and liabilities would be classified in Level 2 instead of Level 3 of the hierarchy except for the effects of credit reserves and non-performance risk adjustments, respectively. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability being measured.

 

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Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following at the respective balance sheet dates shown below:

 

Successor

 

December 31, 2016

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3 (a)      Reclassification (b)      Total  

Assets:

              

Commodity contracts

   $ 167      $ 131      $ 98      $      $ 396  

Interest rate swaps

            5               13        18  

Nuclear decommissioning trust — equity securities (c)

     425                             425  

Nuclear decommissioning trust — debt securities (c)

            340                      340  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Subtotal

   $ 592      $ 476      $ 98      $ 13        1,179  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Assets measured at net asset value (d):

              

Nuclear decommissioning trust — equity securities (c)

                 247  
              

 

 

 

Total assets

               $ 1,426  
              

 

 

 

Liabilities:

              

Commodity contracts

   $ 302      $ 15      $ 15      $      $ 332  

Interest rate swaps

            16               13        29  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 302      $ 31      $ 15      $ 13      $ 361  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

 

December 31, 2015

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3 (a)      Reclassification (b)      Total  

Assets:

           

Commodity contracts

   $ 385      $ 41      $ 49      $      $ 475  

Nuclear decommissioning trust — equity securities (c)

     380                             380  

Nuclear decommissioning trust — debt securities (c)

            319                      319  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

   $ 765      $ 360      $ 49      $        1,174  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Assets measured at net asset value (d):

           

Nuclear decommissioning trust — equity securities (c)

                 219  
              

 

 

 

Total assets

               $ 1,393  
              

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Commodity contracts

   $ 128      $ 64      $ 12      $      $ 204  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 128      $ 64      $ 12      $      $ 204  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) See table below for description of Level 3 assets and liabilities.
(b) Fair values are determined on a contract basis, but certain contracts result in a current asset and a noncurrent liability, or vice versa, as presented in the consolidated balance sheets.
(c) The nuclear decommissioning trust investment is included in the investments line in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 22.

 

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(d) Certain investments measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this line are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Commodity contracts consist primarily of natural gas, electricity, fuel oil, uranium and coal agreements and include financial instruments entered into for hedging purposes as well as physical contracts that have not been designated normal purchases or sales. See Note 17 for further discussion regarding derivative instruments.

Nuclear decommissioning trust assets represent securities held for the purpose of funding the future retirement and decommissioning of our nuclear generation facility. These investments include equity, debt and other fixed-income securities consistent with investment rules established by the NRC and the PUCT.

The following tables present the fair value of the Level 3 assets and liabilities by major contract type and the significant unobservable inputs used in the valuations at December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

Successor

December 31, 2016

     Fair Value                 

Contract Type (a)

  

Assets

    

Liabilities

   

Total

    

Valuation
Technique

  

Significant Unobservable Input

  

Range (b)

Electricity purchases and sales

   $ 32      $     $ 32      Valuation
Model
   Hourly price curve shape (d)    $0 to
$35/MWh
              Illiquid delivery periods for
ERCOT hub power prices
and heat rates (e)
   $30 to
$70/MWh

Electricity congestion revenue rights

     42        (6     36      Market
Approach (f)
   Illiquid price differences
between settlement points (g)
   $0 to
$10/MWh

Other (h)

     24        (9     15           
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

          

Total

   $ 98      $ (15   $ 83           
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

Predecessor

December 31, 2015

     Fair Value                 

Contract Type (a)

  

Assets

    

Liabilities

   

Total

    

Valuation
Technique

  

Significant Unobservable Input

  

Range (b)

Electricity purchases and sales

   $ 1      $ (1   $      Valuation
Model
   Illiquid pricing locations (c)    $15 to
$35/MWh
              Hourly price curve shape (d)    $15 to
$45/MWh

Electricity congestion revenue rights

     39        (4     35      Market
Approach (f)
   Illiquid price differences
between settlement points (g)
   $0 to
$10/MWh

Other (h)

     9        (7     2           
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

          

Total

   $ 49      $ (12   $ 37           
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

(a) Electricity purchase and sales contracts include power and heat rate hedging positions in ERCOT regions. Electricity options contracts consist of physical electricity options and spread options. Electricity congestion revenue rights contracts consist of forward purchase contracts (swaps and options) used to hedge electricity price differences between settlement points within ERCOT.
(b) The range of the inputs may be influenced by factors such as time of day, delivery period, season and location.

 

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(c) Based on the historical range of forward average monthly ERCOT hub and load zone prices.
(d) Based on the historical range of forward average hourly ERCOT North Hub prices.
(e) Based on historical forward ERCOT power price and heat rate variability.
(f) While we use the market approach, there is insufficient market data to consider the valuation liquid.
(g) Based on the historical price differences between settlement points within ERCOT hubs and load zones.
(h) Other includes contracts for ancillary services, natural gas, electricity options and coal options.

There were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 or the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. See the table of changes in fair values of Level 3 assets and liabilities below for discussion of transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. During the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016, in conjunction with the Lamar and Forney Acquisition, we acquired certain electricity spread options that are classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents the changes in fair value of the Level 3 assets and liabilities for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3,
2016

through
December 31,
2016
    Period
from
January 1,
2016

through
October 2,
2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
         2015     2014  

Net asset (liability) balance at beginning of period (a)

   $ 81     $ 37     $ 35     $ (973
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total unrealized valuation gains (losses)

     31       122       27       (97

Purchases, issuances and settlements (b)

        

Purchases

     15       37       49       63  

Issuances

     (7     (20     (13     (5

Settlements

     (30     (51     (48     1,053  

Transfers into Level 3 (c)

     3       1       1        

Transfers out of Level 3 (c)

     (10     1       (14     (6

Net liabilities assumed in the Lamar and Forney Acquisition (Note 6) (d)

           (30            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change (e)

     2       60       2       1,008  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset balance at end of period

   $ 83     $ 97     $ 37     $ 35  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized valuation gains (losses) relating to instruments held at end of period

   $ 28     $ 98     $ 18     $ (5

 

(a) The beginning balance for the Successor period reflects a $16 million adjustment to the fair value of certain Level 3 assets driven by power prices utilized by the Successor for unobservable delivery periods.
(b) Settlements reflect reversals of unrealized mark-to-market valuations. Purchases and issuances reflect option premiums paid or received, respectively.
(c) Includes transfers due to changes in the observability of significant inputs. All Level 3 transfers during the periods presented are in and out of Level 2.
(d) Includes fair value of Level 3 assets and liabilities as of the purchase date and any related rolloff between the purchase date and the period ended October 2, 2016.
(e)

Activity excludes changes in fair value in the month the positions settled as well as amounts related to positions entered into and settled in the same quarter. For the Successor period, substantially all changes in

 

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  values of commodity contracts are reported in the statements of consolidated income (loss) in operating revenues or fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees. For the Predecessor period, substantially all changes in values of commodity contracts (excluding net liabilities assumed in the Lamar and Forney Acquisition) are reported in the statements of consolidated income (loss) in net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities.

17. COMMODITY AND OTHER DERIVATIVE CONTRACTUAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Strategic Use of Derivatives

We transact in derivative instruments, such as options, swaps, futures and forward contracts, to manage commodity price and interest rate risk. See Note 16 for a discussion of the fair value of derivatives.

Commodity Hedging and Trading Activity — We utilize natural gas derivatives as hedging instruments designed to reduce exposure to changes in future electricity prices due to changes in the price of natural gas, thereby hedging future revenues from electricity sales from our generation assets. In ERCOT, the wholesale price of electricity has generally moved with the price of natural gas. We also enter into derivatives, including electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, uranium, emission and coal instruments, generally for short-term fuel hedging and other purposes. Unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of hedging and trading instruments as well as realized gains and losses upon settlement of the instruments are reported in the statements of consolidated income (loss) in operating revenues and fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees in the Successor period and net gain from commodity hedging and trading activities in the Predecessor periods.

Interest Rate Swaps — Interest rate swap agreements are used to reduce exposure to interest rate changes by converting floating-rate interest rates to fixed rates, thereby hedging future interest costs and related cash flows. Unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of the swaps as well as realized gains and losses upon settlement of the swaps are reported in the statements of consolidated income (loss) in interest expense and related charges.

Termination of Predecessor’s Commodity Hedges and Interest Rate Swaps — Commodity hedges and interest rate swaps entered into prior to the Petition Date are deemed to be forward contracts under the Bankruptcy Code. The Bankruptcy Filing constituted an event of default under these arrangements, and in accordance with the contractual terms, counterparties terminated certain positions shortly after the Bankruptcy Filing. The positions terminated consisted almost entirely of natural gas hedging positions and interest rate swaps that were secured by a first-lien interest in the same assets of TCEH on a pari passu basis with the TCEH Senior Secured Facilities and the TCEH Senior Secured Notes.

Entities with a first-lien security interest included counterparties to both our Predecessor’s natural gas hedging positions and interest rate swaps, which had entered into master agreements that provided for netting and setoff of amounts related to these positions. Additionally, certain counterparties to only our Predecessor’s interest rate swaps hold the same first-lien security interest. The total net liability of $1.243 billion as of December 31, 2015 was reported in the consolidated balance sheets as a liability subject to compromise. Additionally, prior to the Effective Date, counterparties associated with the net liability were allowed, and had been receiving, adequate protection payments related to their claims as permitted by TCEH’s cash collateral order approved by the Bankruptcy Court (see Note 11).

Financial Statement Effects of Derivatives

Substantially all derivative contractual assets and liabilities are accounted for under mark-to-market accounting consistent with accounting standards related to derivative instruments and hedging activities. The following tables provide detail of derivative contractual assets and liabilities as reported in the consolidated

 

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balance sheets at December 31, 2016 and 2015. Derivative asset and liability totals represent the net value of the contract, while the balance sheet totals represent the gross value of the contract.

 

     Successor  
     December 31, 2016  
     Derivative Assets     Derivative Liabilities        
     Commodity
contracts
     Interest
rate
swaps
    Commodity
contracts
    Interest
rate
swaps
    Total  

Current assets

   $ 350      $     $     $     $ 350  

Noncurrent assets

     46        17             1       64  

Current liabilities

            (12     (330     (17     (359

Noncurrent liabilities

                  (2           (2
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets (liabilities)

   $ 396      $ 5     $ (332   $ (16   $ 53  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Predecessor  
     December 31, 2015  
     Derivative Assets      Derivative Liabilities         
     Commodity
contracts
     Interest
rate
swaps
     Commodity
contracts
    Interest
rate
swaps
     Total  

Current assets

   $ 465      $      $     $      $ 465  

Noncurrent assets

     10                            10  

Current liabilities

                   (203            (203

Noncurrent liabilities

                   (1            (1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets (liabilities)

   $ 475      $      $ (204   $      $ 271  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no derivative positions accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges.

The following table presents the pretax effect of derivatives on net income (gains (losses)), including realized and unrealized effects:

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
    Period from
January 1,
2016

through
October 2, 2016
     Year Ended
December 31,
 

Derivative (statements of consolidated income (loss) presentation)

       

2015

    

2014

 

Commodity contracts (Operating revenues) (a)

   $ (92   $      $      $  

Commodity contracts (Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees) (a)

     21                      

Commodity contracts (Net gain (loss) from commodity hedging and trading activities) (a)

           194        380        17  

Interest rate swaps (Interest expense and related charges) (b)

     (11                   (128

Interest rate swaps (Reorganization items) (Note 4)

                         (277
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net gain (loss)

   $ (82   $ 194      $ 380      $ (388
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Amount represents changes in fair value of positions in the derivative portfolio during the period, as realized amounts related to positions settled are assumed to equal reversals of previously recorded unrealized amounts.
(b) Includes unrealized mark-to-market net gain (loss) as well as the net realized effect on interest paid/accrued, both reported in Interest Expense and Related Charges (see Note 11).

 

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The pretax effect (all losses) on net income and other comprehensive income (OCI) of derivative instruments previously accounted for as cash flow hedges were immaterial in the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. There were no amounts recognized in OCI for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Accumulated other comprehensive income related to cash flow hedges at December 31, 2015 totaled $33 million in net losses (after-tax), substantially all of which related to interest rate swaps previously accounted for as cash flow hedges. In conjunction with fresh start reporting (see Note 3), the balances in accumulated other comprehensive income were eliminated from the consolidated balance sheet on the Effective Date.

Balance Sheet Presentation of Derivatives

Consistent with elections under US GAAP to present amounts on a gross basis, we report derivative assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets without taking into consideration netting arrangements we have with counterparties to those derivatives. We may enter into offsetting positions with the same counterparty, resulting in both assets and liabilities. Volatility in underlying commodity prices can result in significant changes in derivative assets and liabilities presented from period to period.

Margin deposits that contractually offset these derivative instruments are reported separately in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Margin deposits received from counterparties are either used for working capital or other general corporate purposes or, if there are restrictions on the use of cash, amounts are deposited in a separate restricted cash account. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, essentially all margin deposits held were unrestricted.

We maintain standardized master netting agreements with certain counterparties that allow for the netting of positive and negative exposures. These agreements contain credit enhancements that allow for the right to offset assets and liabilities and collateral received in order to reduce credit exposure between us and the counterparty. These agreements contain specific language related to margin requirements, monthly settlement netting, cross-commodity netting and early termination netting, which is negotiated with the contract counterparty.

 

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The following tables reconcile our derivative assets and liabilities as presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets to net amounts after taking into consideration netting arrangements with counterparties and financial collateral:

 

    Successor     Predecessor  
    December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  
    Amounts
Presented
in
Balance
Sheet
    Offsetting
Instruments (a)
    Financial
Collateral
(Received)
Pledged (b)
    Net
Amounts
    Amounts
Presented
in
Balance
Sheet
    Offsetting
Instruments (a)
    Financial
Collateral
(Received)
Pledged (b)
    Net
Amounts
 

Derivative assets:

               

Commodity contracts

  $ 396     $ (193   $ (20   $ 183     $ 475     $ (145   $ (147   $ 183  

Interest rate swaps

    5                   5                          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative assets

    401       (193     (20     188       475       (145     (147     183  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities:

               

Commodity contracts

    (332     193       136       (3     (204     145       6       (53

Interest rate swaps

    (16                 (16                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative liabilities

    (348     193       136       (19     (204     145       6       (53
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net amounts

  $ 53     $     $ 116     $ 169     $ 271     $     $ (141   $ 130  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Amounts presented exclude trade accounts receivable and payable related to settled financial instruments.
(b) Financial collateral consists entirely of cash margin deposits.

Derivative Volumes

The following table presents the gross notional amounts of derivative volumes at December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

     Successor     Predecessor       
     December 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
      

Derivative type

   Notional
Volume
    Notional
Volume
     Unit of Measure

Natural gas (a)

     1,282       1,489      Million MMBtu

Electricity

     75,322       58,022      GWh

Congestion Revenue Rights (b)

     126,573       106,260      GWh

Coal

     12       10      Million US tons

Fuel oil

     34       35      Million gallons

Uranium

     25       75      Thousand pounds

Interest rate swaps — Floating/Fixed (c)

   $ 3,000     $      Million US dollars

 

(a) Represents gross notional forward sales, purchases and options transactions, locational basis swaps and other natural gas transactions.

 

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(b) Represents gross forward purchases associated with instruments used to hedge electricity price differences between settlement points within ERCOT.
(c) Successor period includes notional amounts of interest rate swaps that become effective in January 2017 and have maturity dates through July 2023.

Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features of Derivatives

The agreements that govern our derivative instrument transactions may contain certain credit risk-related contingent features that could trigger liquidity requirements in the form of cash collateral, letters of credit or some other form of credit enhancement. Certain of these agreements require the posting of collateral if our credit rating is downgraded by one or more credit rating agencies.

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the fair value of liabilities related to derivative instruments under agreements with credit risk-related contingent features that were not fully collateralized totaled $13 million and $58 million, respectively. The liquidity exposure associated with these liabilities was reduced by cash and letter of credit postings with counterparties totaling $1 million and $31 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. If all the credit risk-related contingent features related to these derivatives had been triggered, including cross-default provisions, remaining liquidity requirements would be immaterial at both December 31, 2016 and 2015.

In addition, certain derivative agreements include cross-default provisions that could result in the settlement of such contracts if there were a failure under other financing arrangements to meet payment terms or to comply with other covenants that could result in the acceleration of such indebtedness. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the fair value of derivative liabilities subject to such cross-default provisions totaled $18 million and $1 million, respectively. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, no cash collateral or letters of credit were posted with these counterparties, and the liquidity exposure associated with these liabilities totaled $17 million and zero at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

As discussed immediately above, the aggregate fair values of liabilities under derivative agreements with credit risk-related contingent features, including cross-default provisions, totaled $31 million and $59 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These amounts are before consideration of cash and letter of credit collateral posted, net accounts receivable and derivative assets under netting arrangements and assets subject to related liens.

Some commodity derivative contracts contain credit risk-related contingent features that do not provide for specific amounts to be posted if the features are triggered. These provisions include material adverse change, performance assurance, and other clauses that generally provide counterparties with the right to request additional credit enhancements. The amounts disclosed above exclude credit risk-related contingent features that do not provide for specific amounts or exposure calculations.

Concentrations of Credit Risk Related to Derivatives

We have concentrations of credit risk with the counterparties to our derivative contracts. At December 31, 2016, total credit risk exposure to all counterparties related to derivative contracts totaled $555 million (including associated accounts receivable). The net exposure to those counterparties totaled $306 million at December 31, 2016 after taking into effect netting arrangements, setoff provisions and collateral, with the largest net exposure to a single counterparty totaling $88 million. At December 31, 2016, the credit risk exposure to the banking and financial sector represented 59% of the total credit risk exposure and 39% of the net exposure.

Exposure to banking and financial sector counterparties is considered to be within an acceptable level of risk tolerance because all of this exposure is with counterparties with investment grade credit ratings. However, this concentration increases the risk that a default by any of these counterparties would have a material effect on our

 

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financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. The transactions with these counterparties contain certain provisions that would require the counterparties to post collateral in the event of a material downgrade in their credit rating.

We maintain credit risk policies with regard to our counterparties to minimize overall credit risk. These policies authorize specific risk mitigation tools including, but not limited to, use of standardized master agreements that allow for netting of positive and negative exposures associated with a single counterparty. Credit enhancements such as parent guarantees, letters of credit, surety bonds, liens on assets and margin deposits are also utilized. Prospective material changes in the payment history or financial condition of a counterparty or downgrade of its credit quality result in the reassessment of the credit limit with that counterparty. The process can result in the subsequent reduction of the credit limit or a request for additional financial assurances. An event of default by one or more counterparties could subsequently result in termination-related settlement payments that reduce available liquidity if amounts are owed to the counterparties related to the derivative contracts or delays in receipts of expected settlements if the counterparties owe amounts to us.

18. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (OPEB) PLANS

On the Effective Date, the EFH Retirement Plan was transferred to Vistra Energy pursuant to a separation agreement between Vistra Energy and EFH Corp. As of the Effective Date, Vistra Energy is the plan sponsor of the Vistra Retirement Plan (the Retirement Plan), which provides benefits to eligible employees of its subsidiaries. Oncor is a participant in the Retirement Plan. As Vistra Energy accounts for its interests in the Retirement Plan as a multiple employer plan, only Vistra Energy’s share of the plan assets and obligations are reported in the pension benefit information presented below. After amendments in 2012, employees in the Retirement Plan now consist entirely of active and retired collective bargaining unit employees. The Retirement Plan is a qualified defined benefit pension plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code), and is subject to the provisions of ERISA. The Retirement Plan provides benefits to participants under one of two formulas: (i) a Cash Balance Formula under which participants earn monthly contribution credits based on their compensation and a combination of their age and years of service, plus monthly interest credits or (ii) a Traditional Retirement Plan Formula based on years of service and the average earnings of the three years of highest earnings. Under the Cash Balance Formula, future increases in earnings will not apply to prior service costs. It is our policy to fund the Retirement Plan assets only to the extent deductible under existing federal tax regulations.

Vistra Energy offers other postretirement employee benefits (OPEB) in the form of health care and life insurance to eligible employees of its subsidiaries and their eligible dependents upon the retirement of such employees. Vistra Energy is the sponsor of an OPEB plan that EFH Corp. participates in, and Oncor is the sponsor of an OPEB plan that Vistra Energy participates in. As Vistra Energy accounts for its interest in these OPEB plans as multiple employer plans, only Vistra Energy’s share of the plan assets and obligations are reported in postretirement benefits other than pension information presented below. For employees retiring on or after January 1, 2002, the retiree contributions required for such coverage vary based on a formula depending on the retiree’s age and years of service.

 

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Pension and OPEB Costs

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3,
2016

through
December 31,
2016
    Period
from
January 1,
2016

through
October 2,
2016
     Year Ended
December 31,
 
          2015      2014  

Pension costs

   $ 2     $ 4      $ 8      $ 7  

OPEB costs

     2              3        5  

Total benefit costs recognized as expense

   $ 4     $ 4      $ 11      $ 12  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market-Related Value of Assets Held in Postretirement Benefit Trusts

We use the calculated value method to determine the market-related value of the assets held in the trust for purposes of calculating pension costs. We include the realized and unrealized gains or losses in the market-related value of assets over a rolling four-year period. Each year, 25% of such gains and losses for the current year and for each of the preceding three years is included in the market-related value. Each year, the market-related value of assets is increased for contributions to the plan and investment income and is decreased for benefit payments and expenses for that year.

Detailed Information Regarding Pension Benefits

The following information is based on a December 31, 2016 measurement date:

 

     Successor  
     Period from
October 3,
2016

through
December 31,
2016
 

Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Pension Cost:

  

Discount rate

     3.79

Expected return on plan assets

     4.89

Expected rate of compensation increase

     3.50

Components of Net Pension Cost:

  

Service cost

   $ 2  

Interest cost

     1  

Expected return on assets

     (1
  

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 2  

Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income:

  

Net gain

   $ (4
  

 

 

 

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income

   $ (2
  

 

 

 

Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations:

  

Discount rate

     4.31

Expected rate of compensation increase

     3.50

 

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     Successor  
     Period from
October 3,
2016

through
December 31,
2016
 

Change in Pension Obligation:

  

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period

   $ 154  

Service cost

     2  

Interest cost

     1  

Actuarial gain

     (12

Benefits paid

     (1
  

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 144  
  

 

 

 

Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 136  
  

 

 

 

Change in Plan Assets:

  

Fair value of assets at beginning of period

   $ 124  

Actual loss on assets

     (6

Benefits paid

     (1
  

 

 

 

Fair value of assets at end of year

   $ 117  
  

 

 

 

Funded Status:

  

Projected pension benefit obligation

   $ (144

Fair value of assets

     117  

Funded status at end of year

   $ (27
  

 

 

 

Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Consist of:

  

Net gain

   $ 4  
  

 

 

 

The following table provides information regarding pension plans with projected benefit obligation (PBO) and accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) in excess of the fair value of plan assets.

 

     Successor  
     December 31,
2016
 

Pension Plans with PBO and ABO in Excess Of Plan Assets:

  

Projected benefit obligations

   $ 144  

Accumulated benefit obligation

   $ 136  

Plan assets

   $ 117  

Pension Plan Investment Strategy and Asset Allocations

Our investment objective for the Retirement Plan is to invest in a suitable mix of assets to meet the future benefit obligations at an acceptable level of risk, while minimizing the volatility of contributions. Fixed income securities held primarily consist of corporate bonds from a diversified range of companies, US Treasuries and agency securities and money market instruments. Equity securities are held to enhance returns by participating in a wide range of investment opportunities. International equity securities are used to further diversify the equity portfolio and may include investments in both developed and emerging markets.

 

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The target asset allocation ranges of pension plan investments by asset category are as follows:

 

Asset Category:    Target
Allocation
Ranges

Fixed income

   74% - 86%

US equities

   8% - 14%

International equities

   6% - 12%

Expected Long-Term Rate of Return on Assets Assumption

The Retirement Plan strategic asset allocation is determined in conjunction with the plan’s advisors and utilizes a comprehensive Asset-Liability modeling approach to evaluate potential long-term outcomes of various investment strategies. The study incorporates long-term rate of return assumptions for each asset class based on historical and future expected asset class returns, current market conditions, rate of inflation, current prospects for economic growth, and taking into account the diversification benefits of investing in multiple asset classes and potential benefits of employing active investment management.

 

Retirement Plan

 
Asset Class:    Expected
Long-
Term

Rate of
Return
 

US equity securities

     6.4

International equity securities

     7.0

Fixed income securities

     4.2

Weighted average

     4.9

Fair Value Measurement of Pension Plan Assets

At December 31, 2016, pension plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following:

 

     Successor  
Asset Category:    December 31,
2016
 

Level 2 valuations (see Note 16):

  

Interest-bearing cash

   $ (4

Fixed income securities:

  

Corporate bonds (a)

     54  

US Treasuries

     30  

Other (b)

     6  

Total assets categorized as Level 2

     86  

Assets measured at net asset value (c):

  

Interest-bearing cash

     2  

Equity securities:

  

US

     14  

International

     9  

Fixed income securities:

  

Corporate bonds (a)

     6  

Total assets measured at net asset value

     31  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 117  
  

 

 

 

 

(a) Substantially all corporate bonds are rated investment grade by a major ratings agency such as Moody’s.

 

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(b) Other consists primarily of municipal bonds.
(c) Certain investments measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this line are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to total Vistra Retirement Plan assets.

Detailed Information Regarding Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

The following OPEB information is based on a December 31, 2016 measurement date:

 

     Successor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
 

Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost:

  

Discount rate (Vistra Energy Plan)

     4.00

Discount rate (Oncor Plan)

     3.69

Components of Net Postretirement Benefit Cost:

  

Service cost

   $ 1  

Interest cost

     1  

Plan Amendments (a)

     (4

Net periodic OPEB cost

   $ (2
  

 

 

 

Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income:

  

Net gain

   $ (5
  

 

 

 

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income

   $ (7
  

 

 

 

Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations at Period End:

  

Discount rate (Vistra Energy Plan)

     4.11

Discount rate (Oncor Plan)

     4.18

 

(a) Curtailment gain recognized as other income in the statements of consolidated income (loss) as a result of discontinued life insurance benefits for active employees.

 

     Successor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
 

Change in Postretirement Benefit Obligation:

  

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 97  

Service cost

     1  

Interest cost

     1  

Participant contributions

     1  

Plan amendments (a)

     (4

Actuarial gain

     (5

Benefits paid

     (3
  

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 88  
  

 

 

 

Change in Plan Assets:

  

Fair value of assets at beginning of year

   $  

Employer contributions

     1  

Participant contributions

     1  

Benefits paid

     (2
  

 

 

 

Fair value of assets at end of year

   $  
  

 

 

 

 

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     Successor  
     Period from
October 3,
2016

through
December 31,
2016
 

Funded Status:

  

Benefit obligation

   $ 88  
  

 

 

 

Funded status at end of year

   $ 88  
  

 

 

 

Amounts Recognized on the Balance Sheet Consist of:

  

Other current liabilities

   $ 5  

Other noncurrent liabilities

     83  
  

 

 

 

Net liability recognized

   $ 88  
  

 

 

 

Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Consist of:

  

Net gain

   $ 5  
  

 

 

 

Net amount recognized

   $ 5  
  

 

 

 

 

(a) Curtailment gain recognized as other income in the statements of consolidated income (loss) as a result of discontinued life insurance benefits for active employees.

The following tables provide information regarding the assumed health care cost trend rates.

 

     Successor  
     December 31,
2016
 

Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates-Not Medicare Eligible:

  

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

     5.80

Rate to which the cost trend is expected to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

     5.00

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

     2024  

Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates-Medicare Eligible:

  

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

     5.70

Rate to which the cost trend is expected to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

     5.00

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

     2024  

 

     1-Percentage
Point

Increase
    1-Percentage
Point

Decrease
 

Sensitivity Analysis of Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates:

    

Effect on accumulated postretirement obligation

   $ (5   $ 4  

Effect on postretirement benefits cost

   $     $  

Fair Value Measurement of OPEB Plan Assets

At December 31, 2016, the Vistra Energy OPEB plan had no plan assets.

Significant Concentrations of Risk

The plans’ investments are exposed to risks such as interest rate, capital market and credit risks. We seek to optimize return on investment consistent with levels of liquidity and investment risk which are prudent and reasonable, given prevailing capital market conditions and other factors specific to us. While we recognize the importance of return, investments will be diversified in order to minimize the risk of large losses unless, under the circumstances, it is clearly prudent not to do so. There are also various restrictions and guidelines in place including limitations on types of investments allowed and portfolio weightings for certain investment securities to assist in the mitigation of the risk of large losses.

 

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Assumed Discount Rate

We selected the assumed discount rate using the Aon Hewitt AA Above Median yield curve, which is based on corporate bond yields and at December 31, 2016 consisted of 489 corporate bonds with an average rating of AA using Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Fitch Ratings, Ltd. ratings.

Amortization in 2017

We estimate amortization of the net actuarial gain for the defined benefit pension plan from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost will be immaterial. We estimate amortization of the net actuarial gain and prior service credit for the OPEB plan from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost will be immaterial.

Contributions

No contributions are expected to be made to the pension plan in 2017. OPEB plan funding in the period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 totaled $1 million, and funding in 2017 is expected to total $5 million.

In September 2016, a cash contribution totaling $2 million was made to the EFH Retirement Plan, all of which was contributed by our Predecessor. In December 2015, a cash contribution totaling $67 million was made to the EFH Retirement Plan assets, of which $51 million was contributed by Oncor and $16 million was contributed by our Predecessor. Each of these contributions resulted in the Retirement Plan being fully funded as calculated under the provisions of ERISA. As a result of the Bankruptcy Filing, participants in the EFH Retirement Plan who chose to retire would not be eligible for the lump sum payout option under the EFH Retirement Plan unless the EFH Retirement Plan was fully funded. OPEB plan funding in the period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 totaled $3 million.

Future Benefit Payments

Estimated future benefit payments to beneficiaries are as follows:

 

     2017      2018      2019      2020      2021      2022-26  

Pension benefits

   $ 6      $ 6      $ 7      $ 8      $ 8      $ 53  

OPEB

   $ 5      $ 5      $ 5      $ 6      $ 6      $ 32  

Thrift Plan

Our employees may participate in a qualified savings plan (the Thrift Plan). This plan is a participant-directed defined contribution plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code, and is subject to the provisions of ERISA. Under the terms of the Thrift Plan, employees who do not earn more than the IRS threshold compensation limit used to determine highly compensated employees may contribute, through pre-tax salary deferrals and/or after-tax payroll deductions, the lesser of 75% of their regular salary or wages or the maximum amount permitted under applicable law. Employees who earn more than such threshold may contribute from 1% to 20% of their regular salary or wages. Employer matching contributions are also made in an amount equal to 100% (75% for employees covered under the Traditional Retirement Plan Formula) of the first 6% of employee contributions. Employer matching contributions are made in cash and may be allocated by participants to any of the plan’s investment options.

Employer contributions to the Thrift Plan totaled $5 million, $16 million, $21 million and $21 million for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

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19. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Vistra Energy 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan

On the Effective Date, the Vistra Energy board of directors (Board) adopted the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (2016 Incentive Plan), under which an aggregate of 22,500,000 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance as equity-based awards to our non-employee directors, employees, and certain other persons. The Board or any committee duly authorized by the Board will administer the 2016 Incentive Plan and has broad authority under the 2016 Incentive Plan to, among other things: (a) select participants, (b) determine the types of awards that participants are to receive and the number of shares that are to be subject to such awards and (c) establish the terms and conditions of awards, including the price (if any) to be paid for the shares of the award. The types of awards that may be granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan include stock options, RSUs, restricted stock, performance awards and other forms of awards granted or denominated in shares of Vistra Energy common stock, as well as certain cash-based awards.

If any stock option or other stock-based award granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan expires, terminates or is canceled for any reason without having been exercised in full, the number of shares of Vistra Energy common stock underlying any unexercised award shall again be available for the purpose of awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan. If any shares of restricted stock, performance awards or other stock-based awards denominated in shares of Vistra Energy common stock awarded under the 2016 Incentive Plan are forfeited for any reason, the number of forfeited shares shall again be available for purposes of awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan. Any award under the 2016 Incentive Plan settled in cash shall not be counted against the maximum share limitation.

As is customary in incentive plans of this nature, each share limit and the number and kind of shares available under the 2016 Incentive Plan and any outstanding awards, as well as the exercise or purchase price of awards, and performance targets under certain types of performance-based awards, are required to be adjusted in the event of certain reorganizations, mergers, combinations, recapitalizations, stock splits, stock dividends or other similar events that change the number or kind of shares outstanding, and extraordinary dividends or distributions of property to the Vistra Energy stockholders.

Stock-based compensation expense is reported as SG&A in the statement of consolidated net income (loss) as follows:

 

     Successor  
     Period from
October 3,
2016

through
December 31,
2016
 

Total stock-based compensation expense

   $ 3  

Income tax benefit

     (1
  

 

 

 

Stock based-compensation expense, net of tax

   $ 2  
  

 

 

 

Stock Options

The table below summarizes information about stock options granted during the the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016. The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk-free interest rate used in the option valuation model was based on yields available on the grant dates for US Treasury Strips with maturity consistent with the expected life assumption. The expected term of the option represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding and is based on the SEC Simplified Method (midpoint of average vesting time and contractual term). Expected volatility is based on an average of the historical, daily volatility of a peer group selected by Vistra Energy over a period consistent with the expected life assumption ending on the grant date. We assumed no

 

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dividend yield in the valuation of the options. These options may be exercised over a four year graded vesting period and will expire ten years from the grant date. The 2016 Incentive Plan includes an anti-dilutive provision that requires any outstanding option awards to be adjusted for the effect of equity restructurings. In March 2017, the board of directors of Vistra Energy declared that the exercise price of each outstanding option be reduced by $2.32, the amount per share of common stock related to the Special Dividend (see Note 15). Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2016 are all held by current employees. The weighted average assumptions used to value grant options are detailed below:

 

     Stock
Options

(in
thousands)
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(Years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (in
millions)
 

Total outstanding at beginning of period

          $             $  

Granted

     7,379      $ 15.81        9.81      $  

Forfeited or expired

     (22    $ 15.58        9.81      $  
  

 

 

          

 

 

 

Total outstanding at end of period

     7,357      $ 15.81        9.81      $  

Expected to vest

     7,357      $ 15.81        9.81      $  

At December 31, 2016, $32 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.8 years.

Restricted Stock Units

We granted 2.165 million restricted stock units to employees in the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016.

 

     Restricted
Stock Units

(in thousands)
     Weighted
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(Years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in millions)
 

Total outstanding at beginning of period

          $             $  

Granted

     2,165      $ 15.79        2.3      $ 33.6  

Forfeited or expired

     (6    $ 15.58        2.3      $ (0.1
  

 

 

          

 

 

 

Total outstanding at end of period

     2,159      $ 15.79        2.3      $ 33.5  

Expected to vest

     2,159      $ 15.79        2.3      $ 33.5  

At December 31, 2016, $32 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock units granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.8 years.

20. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Successor

In connection with Emergence, we entered into agreements with certain of our affiliates and with parties who received shares of common stock and TRA Rights in exchange for their claims.

Registration Rights Agreement

Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, on the Effective Date, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the Registration Rights Agreement) with certain selling stockholders providing for registration of the resale of the Vistra Energy common stock held by such selling stockholders.

 

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In December 2016, we filed a Form S-1 registration statement with the SEC to register for resale the shares of Vistra Energy common stock held by certain significant stockholders pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. The registration statement was amended in February 2017. The registration statement has not yet been declared effective by the SEC. Among other things, under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement:

 

    we will be required to use reasonable best efforts to convert the Form S-1 registration statement into a registration statement on Form S-3 as soon as reasonably practicable after we become eligible to do so and to have such Form S-3 declared effective as promptly as practicable (but in no event more than 30 days after it is filed with the SEC);

 

    if we propose to file certain types of registration statements under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, we will be required to use our reasonable best efforts to offer the other parties to the Registration Rights Agreement the opportunity to register all or part of their shares on the terms and conditions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement; and

 

    the selling stockholders received the right, subject to certain conditions and exceptions, to request that we file registration statements or amend or supplement registration statements, with the SEC for an underwritten offering of all or part of their respective shares of Vistra Energy common stock (a Demand Registration), and the Company is required to cause any such registration statement or amendment or supplement (a) to be filed with the SEC promptly and, in any event, on or before the date that is 45 days, in the case of a registration statement on Form S-1, or 30 days, in the case of a registration statement on Form S-3, after we receive the written request from the relevant selling stockholders to effectuate the Demand Registration and (b) to become effective as promptly as reasonably practicable and in any event no later than 120 days after it is initially filed.

All expenses of registration under the Registration Rights Agreement, including the legal fees of one counsel retained by or on behalf of the selling stockholders, will be paid by us. There were no legal fee expenses paid or accrued by Vistra Energy on behalf of the selling stockholders during the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016.

Tax Receivable Agreement

On the Effective Date, Vistra Energy entered into the TRA with a transfer agent on behalf of certain former first lien creditors of TCEH. See Note 10 for discussion of the TRA.

Predecessor

See Note 2 for a discussion of certain agreements entered into on the Effective Date between EFH Corp. and Vistra Energy with respect to the separation of the entities, including a separation agreement, a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement and a settlement agreement.

The following represent our Predecessor’s significant related-party transactions. As of the Effective Date, pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Sponsor Group, EFH Corp., EFIH, Oncor Holdings and Oncor ceased being affiliates of Vistra Energy and its subsidiaries, including the TCEH Debtors and the Contributed EFH Debtors.

 

    Our retail operations (and prior to the Effective Date, our Predecessor) pay Oncor for services it provides, principally the delivery of electricity. Expenses recorded for these services, reported in fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees, totaled approximately $700 million, $955 million and $971 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015 reflected amounts due currently to Oncor totaling $118 million (included in trade accounts and other payables to affiliates) largely related to these electricity delivery fees.

 

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    Contributions to the EFH Corp. retirement plan by both Oncor and TCEH in 2014, 2015 and 2016 resulted in the EFH Corp. retirement plan being fully funded as calculated under the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). In September 2016, a cash contribution totaling $2 million was made to the EFH Corp. retirement plan, all of which was contributed by TCEH, which resulted in the EFH Retirement Plan continuing to be fully funded as calculated under the provisions of ERISA. The balance of the advance totaled $24 million at December 31, 2015, with $6 million recorded as a current asset and $18 million recorded as a noncurrent asset. On the Effective Date, the EFH Retirement Plan was transferred to Vistra Energy pursuant to a separation agreement between Vistra Energy and EFH Corp., and the advance was settled as part of fresh-start reporting.

 

    Receivables from affiliates were measured at historical cost and primarily consisted of notes receivable for cash loaned by our Predecessor to EFH Corp. for debt principal and interest payments and other general corporate purposes of EFH Corp. as discussed above. Our Predecessor reviewed economic conditions, counterparty credit scores and historical payment activity to assess the overall collectability of its affiliated receivables. There were no credit loss allowances at December 31, 2015.

 

    A former subsidiary of EFH Corp. billed our subsidiaries for information technology, financial, accounting and other administrative services at cost. These charges, which are largely settled in cash and primarily reported in SG&A expenses, totaled $157 million, $205 million and $204 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These amounts included allocated expense, which totaled $10 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, for management fees owed and paid by EFH Corp. to the Sponsor Group. Effective with the Petition Date, EFH Corp. suspended allocations of such fees to TCEH. Fees accrued as of the Petition Date were classified as LSTC and were eliminated in December 2015 as part of the Settlement Agreement.

 

    Under Texas regulatory provisions, the trust fund for decommissioning the Comanche Peak nuclear generation facility is funded by a delivery fee surcharge billed to REPs by Oncor, as collection agent, and remitted monthly to a subsidiary of Vistra Energy (and prior to the Effective Date, our Predecessor) for contribution to the trust fund with the intent that the trust fund assets, reported in investments in the consolidated balance sheets, will ultimately be sufficient to fund the future decommissioning liability, reported in noncurrent liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The delivery fee surcharges remitted to our Predecessor totaled $15 million, $17 million and $17 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Income and expenses associated with the trust fund and the decommissioning liability incurred by a subsidiary of Vistra Energy (and prior to the Effective Date, our Predecessor) are offset by a net change in a receivable/payable that ultimately will be settled through changes in Oncor’s delivery fee rates. At December 31, 2015, the excess of the trust fund balance over the decommissioning liability resulted in a payable totaling $409 million and is reported in noncurrent liabilities.

 

    EFH Corp. files consolidated federal income tax and Texas state margin tax returns that included our results prior to the Effective Date; however, under a Federal and State Income Tax Allocation Agreement, our federal income tax and Texas margin tax expense and related balance sheet amounts, including income taxes payable to or receivable from EFH Corp., were recorded as if our Predecessor filed its own corporate income tax return. As of December 31, 2015, our Predecessor had current income tax liabilities due to EFH Corp. of $11 million. Our Predecessor made tax payments to EFH Corp. of $22 million, $29 million and $31 million for the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In 2015, $609 million of income tax liability was eliminated under the terms of the Settlement Agreement. See Note 9 for discussion of cessation of payment of federal income taxes pursuant to the Settlement Agreement.

 

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    In 2007, TCEH entered into the TCEH Senior Secured Facilities with syndicates of financial institutions and other lenders. These syndicates included affiliates of GS Capital Partners, which is a member of the Sponsor Group. Affiliates of each member of the Sponsor Group have from time to time engaged in commercial banking transactions with TCEH and/or provided financial advisory services to TCEH, in each case in the normal course of business.

 

    Affiliates of GS Capital Partners were parties to certain commodity and interest rate hedging transactions with our Predecessor in the normal course of business.

 

    Affiliates of the Sponsor Group sold or acquired debt or debt securities issued by our Predecessor in open market transactions or through loan syndications.

 

    As a result of debt repurchase and exchange transactions in 2009 through 2011, EFH Corp. and EFIH held TCEH debt securities at December 31, 2014 as shown below (principal amounts). The $382 million in notes payable as of the Petition Date was classified as LSTC. The amounts of TCEH debt held by EFIH or EFH Corp. were eliminated as a result of the Settlement Agreement approved by the Bankruptcy Court in December 2015 (see Note 2). In conjunction with the Settlement Agreement approved by the Bankruptcy Court in December 2015, EFH Corp. and EFIH waived their rights to the claims associated with these debt securities resulting in a gain recorded in reorganization items (see Note 4).

 

     Principal
Amount
 

TCEH Senior Notes:

  

Held by EFH Corp.

   $ 284  

Held by EFIH

     79  

TCEH Term Loan Facilities:

  

Held by EFH Corp.

     19  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 382  
  

 

 

 

Interest expense on the notes totaled $1 million and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Contractual interest, not paid or recorded, totaled $37 million and $25 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. See Note 11.

21. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The operations of Vistra Energy are aligned into two reportable business segments: Wholesale Generation and Retail Electricity. Our chief operating decision maker reviews the results of these two segments separately and allocates resources to the respective segments as part of our strategic operations. These two business units offer different products or services and involve different risks.

The Wholesale Generation segment is engaged in electricity generation, wholesale energy sales and purchases, commodity risk management activities, fuel production and fuel logistics management, all largely in the ERCOT market. These activities are substantially all conducted by Luminant.

The Retail Electricity segment is engaged in retail sales of electricity and related services to residential, commercial and industrial customers, all largely in the ERCOT market. These activities are substantially all conducted by TXU Energy.

Corporate and Other represents the remaining non-segment operations consisting primarily of general corporate expenses, interest, taxes and other expenses related to our support functions that provide shared services to our Wholesale Generation and Retail Electricity segments.

 

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The accounting policies of the business segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1. Our chief operating decision maker uses more than one measure to assess segment performance, including reported segment operating income and segment net income (loss), which is the measure most comparable to consolidated net income (loss) prepared based on GAAP. We account for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current market prices or regulated rates. Certain shared services costs are allocated to the segments.

 

     Successor  
     Period from
October 3,
2016

through
December 31,
2016
 

Operating revenues (a)

  

Wholesale Generation

   $ 450  

Retail Electricity

     912  

Eliminations

     (171
  

 

 

 

Consolidated operating revenues

   $ 1,191  

Depreciation and amortization

  

Wholesale Generation

   $ 53  

Retail Electricity

     153  

Corporate and Other

     11  

Eliminations

     (1
  

 

 

 

Consolidated depreciation and amortization

   $ 216  
  

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

  

Wholesale Generation

   $ (255

Retail Electricity

     111  

Corporate and Other

     (17
  

 

 

 

Consolidated operating income (loss)

   $ (161
  

 

 

 

Interest expense and related charges

  

Wholesale Generation

   $ (1

Retail Electricity

      

Corporate and Other

     66  

Eliminations

     (5
  

 

 

 

Consolidated interest expense and related charges

   $ 60  
  

 

 

 

Income tax benefit (all Corporate and Other)

   $ 70  
  

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  

Wholesale Generation

   $ (251

Retail Electricity

     114  

Corporate and Other

     (26
  

 

 

 

Consolidated net income (loss)

   $ (163
  

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

  

Wholesale Generation

   $ 84  

Retail Electricity

     5  
  

 

 

 

Consolidated capital expenditures

   $ 89  
  

 

 

 

 

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(a) Includes third-party unrealized net losses from mark-to-market valuations of commodity positions of $182 million recorded to the Wholesale Generation segment and $6 million recorded to the Retail Electricity segment. In addition, an unrealized net loss with an affiliate of $113 million was recorded to the Wholesale Generation segment which is eliminated in the consolidated results.

 

     Successor  
     December 31,
2016
 

Total assets

  

Wholesale Generation

   $ 6,952  

Retail Electricity

     5,753  

Corporate and Other and Eliminations

     2,462  
  

 

 

 

Consolidated total assets

   $ 15,167  

Prior to the Effective Date, our Predecessor’s chief operating decision maker reviewed the retail electricity, wholesale generation and commodity risk management activities together. Consequently, there were no reportable business segments for TCEH.

22. SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Other Income and Deductions

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3,
2016

through
December 31,
2016
    Period
from
January 1,
2016

through
October 2,
2016
     Year Ended
December 31,
 
          2015      2014  

Other income:

          

Office space sublease rental income (a)

   $ 2     $      $      $  

Curtailment gain on employee benefit plans (a)

     4                      

Mineral rights royalty income (b)

     1       3        4        4  

Insurance settlement

           9                

All other

     2       4        13        12  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other income

   $ 9     $ 16      $ 17      $ 16  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other deductions:

          

Adjustment to asbestos liability

   $     $ 11      $      $  

Write-off of generation equipment

           45                

Fees associated with DIP Roll Facilities

           5            

Impairment of favorable purchase contracts (Note 7)

                  8        183  

Impairment of emission allowances (Note 7)

                  55        80  

Impairment of mining development costs (Note 7)

                  19         

All other

           14        11        18  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other deductions

   $     $ 75      $ 93      $ 281  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Corporate and Other nonsegment (Successor period only).
(b) Wholesale Generation segment (Successor period only).

 

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Restricted Cash

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  
     Current
Assets
     Noncurrent
Assets
    Current
Assets
     Noncurrent
Assets
 

Amounts related to the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities (Note 13)

   $      $ 650     $      $  

Amounts related to the DIP Facility (Note 13)

          519         

Amounts related to TCEH’s pre-petition Letter of Credit Facility (Note 5)

                         507  

Amounts related to restructuring escrow accounts

     90                      

Other

     5                      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total restricted cash

   $ 95      $ 650     $ 519      $ 507  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Trade Accounts Receivable

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     December 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 

Wholesale and retail trade accounts receivable

   $ 622     $ 542  

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

     (10     (9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trade accounts receivable — net

   $ 612     $ 533  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross trade accounts receivable at December 31, 2016 and 2015 included unbilled revenues of $225 million and $231 million, respectively.

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Receivable

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3,
2016

through
December 31,
2016
    Period
from
January 1,
2016

through
October 2,
2016
     Year Ended
December 31,
 
          2015      2014  

Allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable at beginning of period

   $     $ 9      $ 15      $ 14  

Increase for bad debt expense

     (10     20        34        38  

Decrease for account write-offs

           (16      (40      (37
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable at end of period

   $ (10   $ 13      $ 9      $ 15  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Inventories by Major Category

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     December 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 

Materials and supplies

   $ 173     $ 226  

Fuel stock

     88       170  

Natural gas in storage

     24       32  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total inventories

   $ 285     $ 428  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Investments

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     December 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 

Nuclear plant decommissioning trust

   $ 1,012     $ 918  

Land

     49       36  

Miscellaneous other

     3       8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 1,064     $ 962  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nuclear Decommissioning Trust — Investments in a trust that will be used to fund the costs to decommission the Comanche Peak nuclear generation plant are carried at fair value. Decommissioning costs are being recovered from Oncor’s customers as a delivery fee surcharge over the life of the plant and deposited by Vistra Energy (and prior to the Effective Date, a subsidiary of TCEH) in the trust fund. Income and expense associated with the trust fund and the decommissioning liability are offset by a corresponding change in a receivable/payable (currently a payable reported in noncurrent liabilities) that will ultimately be settled through changes in Oncor’s delivery fees rates. The nuclear decommissioning trust fund was not a debtor in the Chapter 11 Cases. A summary of investments in the fund follows:

 

     Successor  
     December 31, 2016  
     Cost (a)      Unrealized
gain
     Unrealized
loss
     Fair
market

value
 

Debt securities (b)

   $ 333      $ 10      $ (3    $ 340  

Equity securities (c)

     309        368        (5      672  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 642      $ 378      $ (8    $ 1,012  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Predecessor  
     December 31, 2015  
     Cost (a)      Unrealized
gain
     Unrealized
loss
     Fair
market

value
 

Debt securities (b)

   $ 310      $ 11      $ (2    $ 319  

Equity securities (c)

     291        315        (7      599  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 601      $ 326      $ (9    $ 918  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes realized gains and losses on securities sold.
(b) The investment objective for debt securities is to invest in a diversified tax efficient portfolio with an overall portfolio rating of AA or above as graded by S&P or Aa2 by Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. The debt securities are heavily weighted with municipal bonds. The debt securities had an average coupon rate of 3.56% and 3.68% at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and an average maturity of 9 years and 8 years at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(c) The investment objective for equity securities is to invest tax efficiently and to match the performance of the S&P 500 Index.

Debt securities held at December 31, 2016 mature as follows: $102 million in one to five years, $90 million in five to ten years and $148 million after ten years.

 

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The following table summarizes proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities and the related realized gains and losses from such sales.

 

     Successor      Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3,
2016

through
December 31,
2016
     Period
from
January 1,
2016

through
October 2,
2016
     Year Ended
December 31,
 
           2015      2014  

Realized gains

   $ 1      $ 3      $ 1      $ 11  

Realized losses

   $      $ (2    $ (1    $ (2

Proceeds from sales of securities

   $ 25      $ 201      $ 401      $ 314  

Investments in securities

   $ (30    $ (215    $ (418    $ (331

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

     Successor  
     December 31,
2016
 

Successor

  

Wholesale Generation:

  

Generation and mining

   $ 3,997  

Retail Electricity

     3  

Corporate and Other

     107  
  

 

 

 

Total

     4,107  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (54
  

 

 

 

Net of accumulated depreciation

     4,053  

Nuclear fuel (net of accumulated amortization of $31 million)

     166  

Construction work in progress:

  

Wholesale Generation

     210  

Retail Electricity

     6  

Corporate and Other

     8  
  

 

 

 

Total construction work in progress

     224  
  

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment — net

   $ 4,443  
  

 

 

 

 

     Predecessor  
     December 31,
2015
 

Predecessor

  

Generation and mining

   $ 10,886  

Other assets

     546  
  

 

 

 

Total

     11,432  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (2,654
  

 

 

 

Net of accumulated depreciation

     8,778  

Nuclear fuel (net of accumulated amortization of $1.383 billion)

     248  

Construction work in progress

     323  
  

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment — net

   $ 9,349  
  

 

 

 

 

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Depreciation expense totaled $54 million, $401 million, $767 million and $1.154 billion for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Our property, plant and equipment consists of our power generation assets, related mining assets, information system hardware, capitalized corporate office lease space and other leasehold improvements. At December 31, 2016, the capital lease for the building totaled $64 million with accumulated depreciation of less than $1 million. The estimated remaining useful lives range from 3 to 37 years for our property, plant and equipment.

Asset Retirement and Mining Reclamation Obligations (ARO)

These liabilities primarily relate to nuclear generation plant decommissioning, land reclamation related to lignite mining, removal of lignite/coal fueled plant ash treatment facilities and generation plant asbestos removal and disposal costs. There is no earnings impact with respect to changes in the nuclear plant decommissioning liability, as all costs are recoverable through the regulatory process as part of delivery fees charged by Oncor. As part of fresh start reporting, new fair values were established for all AROs for the Successor.

At December 31, 2016, the current value of our ARO related to our nuclear generation plant decommissioning totaled $1.2 billion, which exceeds the fair value of the assets contained in the nuclear decommissioning trust. Since the costs to ultimately decommission that plant are recoverable through the regulatory rate making process as part of Oncor’s delivery fees, a corresponding regulatory asset has been recorded to our consolidated balance sheet of $188 million in other noncurrent assets.

The following tables summarize the changes to these obligations, reported in other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits in the consolidated balance sheets for the Successor period ended December 31, 2016, and the Predecessor periods ended October 2, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

Successor:    Nuclear Plant
Decommissioning
     Mining
Land
Reclamation
     Other      Total  

Fair value of liability established at October 3, 2016

   $ 1,192      $ 374      $ 152      $ 1,718  

Additions:

           

Accretion — October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016

     8        5        1        14  

Reductions:

           

Payments — October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016

            (4      (2      (6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liability at December 31, 2016

     1,200        375        151        1,726  

Less amounts due currently

            (53      (2      (55
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noncurrent liability at December 31, 2016

   $ 1,200      $ 322      $ 149      $ 1,671  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Predecessor:    Nuclear Plant
Decommissioning
     Mining Land
Reclamation
     Other      Total  

Liability at January 1, 2015

   $ 413      $ 165      $ 36      $ 614  

Additions:

           

Accretion

     25        20        6        51  

Adjustment for new cost estimate (a)

     70                      70  

Incremental reclamation costs (b)

            84        69        153  

Reductions:

           

Payments

            (54      (4      (58
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liability at December 31, 2015 (c)

     508        215        107        830  

Additions:

           

Accretion — January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016

     22        16        5        43  

Adjustment for new cost estimate

                   1        1  

Incremental reclamation costs

            14        12        26  

Reductions:

           

Payments — January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016

            (37      (3      (40
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liability at October 2, 2016

     530        208        122        860  

Less amounts due currently

            (50      (1      (51
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noncurrent liability at October 2, 2016

   $ 530      $ 158      $ 121      $ 809  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) The adjustment for nuclear plant decommissioning resulted from a new cost estimate completed in 2015. Under applicable accounting standards, the liability is remeasured when significant changes in the amount or timing of cash flows occurs, and PUCT rules require a new cost estimate at least every five years. The increase in the liability was driven by increased security and fuel-handling costs.
(b) The adjustment for other asset retirement obligations resulted from the effect on our estimated retirement obligation related to coal combustion residual facilities at our lignite/coal fueled generation facilities that arose from the Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Electric Utilities rule.
(c) Includes $66 million recorded to other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet of the Predecessor.

Other Noncurrent Liabilities and Deferred Credits

The balance of other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits consists of the following:

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     December 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 

Unfavorable purchase and sales contracts

   $ 46     $ 543  

Nuclear decommissioning fund excess over asset retirement obligation (Note 20)

           409  

Uncertain tax positions, including accrued interest

           41  

Other, including retirement and other employee benefits

     174       22  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits

   $ 220     $ 1,015  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unfavorable Purchase and Sales Contracts — The amortization of unfavorable purchase and sales contracts totaled $3 million, $18 million, $23 million and $23 million for the Successor period from October 3, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the Predecessor period from January 1, 2016 through October 2, 2016 and the years

 

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ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. See Note 7 for intangible assets related to favorable purchase and sales contracts.

Fair Value of Debt

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     December 31, 2016     December 31, 2015  

Debt:

   Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
    Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 

Long-term debt under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities (Note 13)

   $ 4,515      $ 4,552     $      $  

Other long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations (Note 13)

   $ 36      $ 32     $ 14      $ 15  

Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock (Note 13)

   $ 70      $ 70     $      $  

Borrowings under debtor-in-possession or senior secured exit facilities (Note 13)

   $      $     $ 1,425      $ 1,411  

We determine fair value in accordance with accounting standards as discussed in Note 16, and at December 31, 2016, our debt fair value represents Level 2 valuations. We obtain security pricing from an independent party who uses broker quotes and third-party pricing services to determine fair values. Where relevant, these prices are validated through subscription services such as Bloomberg. The fair value estimates of Predecessor pre-petition notes, loans and other debt reported as liabilities subject to compromise have been excluded from the table above.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

     Successor     Predecessor  
     Period from
October 3, 2016

through
December 31, 2016
    Period from
January 1, 2016

through
October 2, 2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
         2015     2014  

Cash payments related to:

          

Interest paid (a)

   $ 19     $ 1,064     $ 1,298     $ 1,252  

Capitalized interest

     (3     (9     (11     (17
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest paid (net of capitalized interest) (a)

   $ 16     $ 1,055     $ 1,287     $ 1,235  

Reorganization items (b)

   $     $ 104     $ 224     $ 93  

Income taxes paid (refund)

   $ (2   $ 22     $ 29     $ 31  

Noncash investing and financing activities:

          

Construction expenditures (c)

   $ 1     $ 53     $ 75     $ 108  

Contribution to membership interests

   $     $     $     $ 2  

 

(a) This amount includes amounts paid for adequate protection. Net of amounts received under interest rate swap agreements in 2014.
(b) Represents cash payments for legal and other consulting services, including amounts paid on behalf of third parties pursuant to contractual obligations approved by the Bankruptcy Court.
(c) Represents end-of-period accruals for ongoing construction projects.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

Expenses payable by the Company in connection with the sale of the common stock being registered, other than underwriting discount and commissions, are estimated as follows. All amounts except the SEC registration fee are estimated.

 

SEC Registration Fee

   $ 275,726.77  

Legal fees and expenses

   $ 1,000,000  

Accounting fees and expenses

   $ 500,000  

Printing of registration statement, prospectus, etc.

   $ 325,000  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,100,726.77  
  

 

 

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Delaware General Corporation Law

Vistra Energy Corp. is incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware.

Section 145(a) of the DGCL authorizes a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides in relevant part that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

The DGCL also provides that indemnification under Sections 145(a) and (b) can only be made upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer or employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 145(a) and

 

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(b). Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of directors who are not a party to the action at issue (even though less than a quorum), or (2) by a majority vote of a designated committee of these directors (even though less than a quorum), or (3) if there are no such directors, or these directors authorize, by the written opinion of independent legal counsel, or (4) by the stockholders.

Section 145(c) of the DGCL provides that to the extent a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Sections 145(a) or (b), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorney’s fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

Section 145(e) of the DGCL provides that expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director of the corporation in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in Section 145 of the DGCL. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents of the corporation or by persons serving at the request of the corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.

Section 145(g) of the DGCL also empowers a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under Section 145 of the DGCL.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to provide for eliminating or limiting the personal liability of one of its directors for any monetary damages related to a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, as long as the corporation does not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for (a) a breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (b) acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) a violation of Section 174 of the DGCL (unlawful dividends) or (d) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Article XII of the Charter eliminates the personal liability of Vistra Energy’s directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Such section eliminates the personal liability of a director to Vistra Energy or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to Vistra Energy or our stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the DGCL (unlawful dividends), or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Under the Bylaws, Vistra Energy agrees that it is the indemnitor of first resort to provide advancement of expenses or indemnification to directors and officers.

Article VI of the Bylaws provides that Vistra Energy shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or was or is otherwise involved in, any action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute mechanism, inquiry, judicial, administrative or legislative hearing, investigation or other threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of Vistra Energy or otherwise, including any and all appeals, whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, investigative or other nature by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, an officer, or while a director or officer of Vistra Energy is or was serving at the request of Vistra Energy as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee

 

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of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, to the fullest extent authorized by applicable law, including, without limitation, the DGCL. Under the Bylaws, except as otherwise required by law, Vistra Energy shall indemnify an officer or director in connection with a proceeding initiated by the officer or director, only if such proceeding or part thereof was authorized or ratified by the Board.

Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our officers and directors that provide, in general, that we will indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by law in connection with their service to us or on our behalf.

Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance

We have obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which insures against certain liabilities that our directors and officers may, in such capacities, incur.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

On the Effective Date, Vistra Energy issued 427,500,000 shares of common stock in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code to holders of certain claims against our Predecessor in exchange for the cancellation of such claims. Also on the Effective Date, Vistra Energy issued 427,500,000 TRA Rights pursuant to Regulation D and Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act into an escrow account primarily for distribution to former holders of claims against our Predecessor or to settle future disputes in connection with the Plan.

On October 25, 2016, Vistra Energy sold 80,231 shares of common stock to Curtis A. Morgan at a price per share of $15.58 pursuant to a stock purchase agreement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act.

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a) Exhibit Index

See the Exhibit Index following the signature page.

(b) Financial Statement Schedule

None. Financial statement schedules have been omitted because the information is included in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this registration statement.

Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the

 

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estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Dallas, State of Texas on April 5, 2017.

 

Vistra Energy Corp. (Registrant)

By:

  /s/    Curtis A. Morgan        
  Name: Curtis A. Morgan
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Name

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    Curtis A. Morgan        

Curtis A. Morgan

  

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

April 5, 2017

*

J. William Holden

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

April 5, 2017

*

Gavin R. Baiera

   Director  

April 5, 2017

*

Jennifer Box

   Director  

April 5, 2017

*

Jeff Hunter

   Director  

April 5, 2017

*

Cyrus Madon

   Director  

April 5, 2017

*

Geoff Strong

   Director   April 5, 2017

 

* By:  

/s/    Curtis A. Morgan        

   Name:   Curtis A. Morgan
   Title:   Attorney-in-Fact


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INDEX OF EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  2.1*    Order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware Confirming the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization
  3.1*    Certificate of Incorporation of TCEH Corp. (now known as Vistra Energy Corp.), dated October 3, 2016
  3.2*    Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of TCEH Corp. (now known as Vistra Energy Corp.), dated November 2, 2016
  3.3*    Restated Bylaws of Vistra Energy Corp., dated November 4, 2016
  4.1*    Registration Rights Agreement, by and among TCEH Corp. (now known as Vistra Energy Corp.) and the Holders party thereto, dated as of October 3, 2016
  5.1*    Form of Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP
10.1*    Credit Agreement, by and among TEX Intermediate Company LLC (now known as Vistra Intermediate Company LLC), TEX Operations Company LLC (now known as Vistra Operations LLC) and its subsidiary guarantors named therein, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as administrative and collateral agent, dated as of October 3, 2016
10.2*    Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated December 14, 2016
10.3*    Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated February 1, 2017
10.4    Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated February 28, 2017
10.5    Collateral Trust Agreement, by and among TEX Operations Company LLC (now known as Vistra Operations LLC), the Grantors from time to time thereto, Railroad Commission of Texas, as first-out representative, and Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch, as senior credit agreement representative, dated as of October 3, 2016
10.6    2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan
10.7    Form of Option Award Agreement (Management) for 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan
10.8    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Management) for 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan
10.9    Vistra Energy Corp Executive Annual Incentive Plan
10.10    Stockholder’s Agreement, by and between TCEH Corp. (now known as Vistra Energy Corp.) and Apollo Management Holdings, L.P., dated as of October 3, 2016
10.11    Stockholder’s Agreement, by and between TCEH Corp. (now known as Vistra Energy Corp.) and Brookfield Asset Management Private Institutional Capital Adviser (Canada), dated as of October 3, 2016
10.12    Stockholder’s Agreement, by and between TCEH Corp. (now known as Vistra Energy Corp.) and Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. and certain of its affiliated entities, dated as of October 3, 2016
10.13    Tax Receivable Agreement, by and between TEX Energy LLC (now known as Vistra Energy Corp.) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as transfer agent, dated as of October 3, 2016
10.14    Tax Matters Agreement, by and among TEX Energy LLC (now known as Vistra Energy Corp.), Energy Future Holdings Corp., Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, EFI Finance Inc. and EFH Merger Co. LLC, dated as of October 3, 2016
10.15    Transition Services Agreement, by and between Energy Future Holdings Corp. and TEX Operations Company LLC (now known as Vistra Operations Company LLC), dated as of October 3, 2016


Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

10.16    Separation Agreement, by and between Energy Future Holdings Corp., TEX Energy LLC (now known as Vistra Energy Corp.) and TEX Operations Company LLC (now known as Vistra Operations LLC), dated as of October 3, 2016
10.17    Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2015, by and between La Frontera Ventures, LLC and Luminant Holding Company LLC
10.18    Amended and Restated Split Participant Agreement, by and between Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (f/k/a TXU Electric Delivery Company) and TEX Operations Company LLC (now known as Vistra Operations Company LLC), dated as of October 3, 2016
10.19    Employment Agreement between Curtis A. Morgan and Vistra Energy Corp., effective as of October 4, 2016
10.20    Employment Agreement between James A. Burke and Vistra Energy Corp., effective as of October 4, 2016
10.21    Employment Agreement between William Holden and Vistra Energy Corp., effective as of December 5, 2016
10.22    Employment Agreement between Stephanie Zapata Moore and Vistra Energy Corp., effective as of October 4, 2016
10.23   

Employment Agreement between Carrie Lee Kirby and Vistra Energy Corp., effective as of October 4, 2016

10.24    Employment Agreement between Sara Graziano and Vistra Energy Corp., effective as of October 4, 2016
10.25    General Release Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2017, by and between Michael Liebelson and Vistra Energy Corp.
10.26    Form of indemnification agreement with directors
10.27    Lease Agreement, dated February 14, 2002, between State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, an owner trustee of ZSF/Dallas Tower Trust, a Delaware grantor trust, as lessor and EFH Properties Company (now known as Vistra EP Properties Company), as Lessee (Energy Plaza Property)
10.28    First Amendment, dated June 1, 2007, to Lease Agreement, dated February 14, 2002
10.29    Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2016, by and between TCEH Corp. (now known as Vistra Energy Corp.) and Curtis A. Morgan
21.1*    Subsidiaries of Vistra Energy
23.1    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2*    Consent of Sidley Austin LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1*    Powers of Attorney (included in signature pages hereto)

 

* Previously filed.

Exhibit 10.4

EXECUTION VERSION

THIRD AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS THIRD AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT is dated as of February 28, 2017 (this “ Third Amendment ”), and entered into by and among Vistra Operations Company LLC (formerly known as TEX Operations Company LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), Vistra Intermediate Company LLC (formerly known as TEX Intermediate Company LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (“ Holdings ”), the Term Letter of Credit Issuers (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below) party hereto and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

RECITALS:

WHEREAS , reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the Third Amendment Effective Date referred to below, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Holdings, the Borrower, the Lenders and Letter of Credit Issuers party thereto, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the other parties named therein (capitalized terms used but not defined herein having the meaning provided in the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby));

WHEREAS , the Borrower may appoint a new Term Letter of Credit Issuer with the consent of the Administrative Agent as provided in Section 3.6(a) of the Credit Agreement; and

WHEREAS , Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement provides that the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the relevant Letter of Credit Issuer(s) and the relevant Credit Parties may amend, supplement or modify any provision of Section 3 of the Credit Agreement (or any defined term as used therein or any underlying definition thereto) to make technical, ministerial or operational changes (or any other amendments, supplements or modifications which impact such consenting Letter of Credit Issuer) without the consent of any other Lender so long as such amendments do not adversely affect the Lenders;

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

A. Provisions Related to Term Letters of Credit .

1. Additional Term Letter of Credit Issuer . The Borrower hereby appoints Natixis, New York Branch as a Term Letter of Credit Issuer as contemplated by Section 3.6(a) of the Credit Agreement (and Natixis, New York Branch hereby accepts such appointment), on the terms and subject to the conditions below. Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and Natixis, New York Branch agrees that, on and after the Third Amendment Effective Date, Natixis, New York Branch (and its Affiliates) will become a Term Letter of Credit Issuer for all purposes under the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby) and the other Credit Documents, and shall be subject to and bound by the terms thereof, and shall perform all the obligations, and shall have all the rights and powers, of a Term Letter of Credit Issuer thereunder.


2. Amendments to the Credit Agreement . On the Third Amendment Effective Date, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

(i) The definition of “ Term C Loan Collateral Account ” in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Term C Loan Collateral Account ” shall mean one or more cash collateral accounts or securities accounts established pursuant to, and subject to the terms of, Section 3.9 for the purpose of cash collateralizing the Term L/C Obligations in respect of Term Letters of Credit, including the Deutsche Bank Term C Loan Collateral Account, the Barclays Term C Loan Collateral Account, the Natixis Term C Loan Collateral Account and the Citibank Term C Loan Collateral Account.

(ii) The definition of “ Term Letter of Credit Issuer ” in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Term Letter of Credit Issuer ” shall mean (a) Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch and any of its Affiliates (in the case of such Affiliates, solely to the extent reasonably acceptable to the Borrower), (b) Barclays Bank PLC and any of its Affiliates (in the case of such Affiliates, solely to the extent reasonably acceptable to the Borrower), (c) Natixis, New York Branch and any of its Affiliates (in the case of such Affiliates, solely to the extent reasonably acceptable to the Borrower), (d) each issuer of a DIP Term Letter of Credit listed on Schedule 1.1(b) and (e) at any time such Person who shall become a Term Letter of Credit Issuer pursuant to Section 3.6 (it being understood that if any such Person ceases to be a Lender hereunder, such Person will remain a Term Letter of Credit Issuer with respect to any Term Letters of Credit issued by such Person that remained outstanding as of the date such Person ceased to be a Lender). Any Term Letter of Credit Issuer may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Term Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Term Letter of Credit Issuer reasonably acceptable to the Borrower, and in each such case the term “Term Letter of Credit Issuer” shall include any such Affiliate or Lender with respect to Term Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate or Lender. References herein and in the other Credit Documents to the Term Letter of Credit Issuer shall be deemed to refer to the Term Letter of Credit Issuer in respect of the applicable Term Letter of Credit or to all Term Letter of Credit Issuers, as the context requires.

(iii) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by adding the following definitions in appropriate alphabetical order:

Natixis Term C Loan Collateral Account ” shall mean the Term C Loan Collateral Account established with Natixis, New York Branch or any Affiliate thereof (which Affiliate is consented to by the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld)) as Depositary Bank for the purpose of cash collateralizing the Term L/C Obligations in respect of Term Letters of Credit issued by Natixis, New York Branch (or any of its Affiliates) as Term Letter of Credit Issuer.

 

2


Natixis Term Letters of Credit ” shall mean Term Letters of Credit issued by Natixis, New York Branch, any of its affiliates or replacement or successor pursuant to Section 3.6(a) .

Third Amendment ” shall mean that certain Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2017, among Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Term Letter of Credit Issuer.

Third Amendment Effective Date ” shall have the meaning provided in the Third Amendment.

(iv) The definition of “Specified Term Letter of Credit Commitment” in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the text “on the date hereof” and inserting the text “on the Third Amendment Effective Date” in lieu thereof.

(v) Section 3.9 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting said Section in its entirety and inserting the following text in lieu thereof:

“On the Closing Date or the Third Amendment Effective Date, as applicable, the Borrower established a Term C Loan Collateral Account for the benefit of each Term Letter of Credit Issuer (including the Deutsche Bank Term C Loan Collateral Account, the Barclays Term C Loan Collateral Account, the Natixis Term C Loan Collateral Account and the Citibank Term C Loan Collateral Account) for the purpose of cash collateralizing the Borrower’s obligations (including Term L/C Obligations) to such Term Letter of Credit Issuer in respect of the Term Letters of Credit issued or to be issued by such Term Letter of Credit Issuer. On the Closing Date, the proceeds of the Term C Loans, together with other funds (if any) provided by the Borrower, were deposited into the applicable Term C Loan Collateral Accounts such that the Term C Loan Collateral Account Balance of the Term C Loan Collateral Account established for the benefit of each Term Letter of Credit Issuer equaled at least the Term Letters of Credit Outstanding of such Term Letter of Credit Issuer. After the Conversion Date, the Borrower may establish additional Term C Loan Collateral Accounts for the benefit of any additional Term Letter of Credit Issuer for the purpose of cash collateralizing the Borrower’s obligations to such Term Letter of Credit Issuer in respect of the Term Letters of Credit issued or to be issued by such Term Letter of Credit Issuer, and may transfer all or any portion of the funds in any Term C Loan Collateral Account to any other Term C Loan Collateral Account (including between the Deutsche Bank Term C Loan Collateral Account, the Barclays Term C Loan Collateral Account, the Natixis Term C Loan Collateral Account and the Citibank Term C Loan Collateral Account), subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions set forth in this Section 3.9 (and each Term Letter of Credit Issuer and the Collateral Agent agrees to (or shall instruct the Collateral Trustee to) instruct the applicable Depositary Bank to transfer such funds at the

 

3


discretion of the Borrower within one Business Day after the Borrower has provided notice to make such transfer); provided that each Term Letter of Credit Issuer may require that the Depositary Bank for the Term C Loan Collateral Account corresponding to its Term L/C Obligations is such Term Letter of Credit Issuer or an Affiliate thereof. The Borrower agrees that at all times, and shall immediately cause additional funds to be deposited and held in the Term C Loan Collateral Accounts from time to time in order that (A) the Term C Loan Collateral Account Balance for all Term C Loan Collateral Accounts shall at least equal the Term Letters of Credit Outstanding with respect to all Term Letters of Credit and (B) the Term C Loan Collateral Account Balance of each Term C Loan Collateral Account established for the benefit of a Term Letter of Credit Issuer shall equal at least the Term Letters of Credit Outstanding of such Term Letter of Credit Issuer (the “ Term L/C Cash Coverage Requirement ”); provided that in the case of clause (B), such requirement shall be deemed to have been met at such time if the Borrower shall have instructed that funds held in one Term C Loan Collateral Account be transferred to the Term C Loan Collateral Account established for the benefit of another Term Letter of Credit Issuer so long as after giving effect to such transfer, the Term L/C Cash Coverage Requirement shall have been met. The Borrower hereby grants to the Collateral Representative, for the benefit of all Term Letter of Credit Issuers, a security interest in the Term C Loan Collateral Accounts and all cash and balances therein and all proceeds of the foregoing, as security for the Term L/C Obligations (including the Term Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations) (and, in addition, grants a security interest therein, for the benefit of the Secured Parties as collateral security for the RCT Reclamation Obligations and the other First Lien Obligations; provided that (v) amounts on deposit in the Citibank Term C Loan Collateral Account shall be applied, first, to repay the Term L/C Obligations (including any Term Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations) in respect of Citibank Term Letters of Credit, second, to repay the Term L/C Obligations in respect of all other Term Letters of Credit and, then, to repay the RCT Obligations and all other First Lien Obligations as provided in Section 11.12 , (w) amounts on deposit in the Deutsche Bank Term C Loan Collateral Account shall be applied, first, to repay the Term L/C Obligations in respect of Deutsche Bank Term Letters of Credit, second, to repay the Term L/C Obligations in respect of all other Term Letters of Credit and, then, to repay the RCT Obligations and all other First Lien Obligations as provided in Section 11.12 , (x) amounts on deposit in the Barclays Term C Loan Collateral Account shall be applied, first, to repay the Term L/C Obligations in respect of Barclays Term Letters of Credit, second, to repay the Term L/C Obligations in respect of all other Term Letters of Credit and, then, to repay the RCT Obligations and all other First Lien Obligations as provided in Section 11.12 , (y) amounts on deposit in the Natixis Term C Loan Collateral Account shall be applied, first, to repay the Term L/C Obligations in respect of Natixis Term Letters of Credit, second, to repay the Term L/C Obligations in respect of all other Term Letters of Credit and, then, to repay the RCT Obligations and all other First Lien Obligations as provided in Section 11.12 and (z) amounts on deposit in any other Term C Loan Collateral Account shall be applied, first, to

 

4


repay the corresponding Term L/C Obligations (including Term Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations) owing to the applicable Term Letter of Credit Issuer, second, to repay the Term L/C Obligations in respect of all other Term Letters of Credit and, then, to repay the RCT Obligations and all other First Lien Obligations as provided in Section 11.12 ). Except as expressly provided herein or in any other Credit Document, no Person shall have the right to make any withdrawal from any Term C Loan Collateral Account or to exercise any right or power with respect thereto; provided that at any time the Borrower shall fail to reimburse any Term Letter of Credit Issuer for any Unpaid Drawing in accordance with Section3.4(a) , the Borrower hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to instruct (and shall be entitled to instruct the Collateral Trustee to instruct) the applicable depositary bank (each, a “ Depositary Bank ”) of the applicable Term C Loan Collateral Account to withdraw therefrom and pay to such Term Letter of Credit Issuer amounts equal to such Unpaid Drawings. Amounts in any Term C Loan Collateral Account shall be invested by the applicable Depositary Bank in Term L/C Permitted Investments (and as reasonably agreed by the applicable Depositary Bank under the applicable depositary agreement) in the manner instructed by the Borrower (and agreed to by such Depositary Bank) (and returns shall accrue for the benefit of the Borrower); provided , however , that the applicable Depositary Bank shall determine such investments in Term L/C Permitted Investments during the existence of any Event of Default as long as made in Term L/C Permitted Investments, it being understood and agreed that neither the Borrower nor the applicable Depositary Bank nor any other Person may direct the investment of funds in any Term C Loan Collateral Account in any assets other than Term L/C Permitted Investments. The Borrower shall bear the risk of loss of principal with respect to any investment in any Term C Loan Collateral Account. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and subject to the satisfaction of the Term L/C Cash Coverage Requirement for each Term Letter of Credit Issuer after giving effect to any such release, upon at least three Business Days’ prior written notice to the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent, the Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, request release of and payment to the Borrower of (and the Collateral Agent hereby agrees to instruct (or to instruct the Collateral Trustee to instruct) the applicable Depositary Bank to release and pay to the Borrower) any amounts on deposit in the Term C Loan Collateral Accounts (as reduced by the aggregate amounts, if any, withdrawn by the Term Letter of Credit Issuers and not subsequently deposited by the Borrower) in excess of the Term Letter of Credit Commitment at such time (provided that the Collateral Agent shall have received prior confirmation of the amount of such excess from the Administrative Agent). In addition, the Collateral Agent hereby agrees to instruct (or to instruct the Collateral Trustee to instruct) the Depositary Bank to release and pay to the Borrower amounts (if any) remaining on deposit in the Term C Loan Collateral Accounts after the termination or cancellation of all Term Letters of Credit, the termination of the Term Letter of Credit Commitment and the repayment in full of all outstanding Term C Loans and Term L/C Obligations.”

 

5


(vi) The section of Schedule 1.1(a) to the Credit Agreement entitled “Specified Term Letter of Credit Commitments” is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Specified Term Letter of Credit Commitments

 

Term Letter of Credit Issuer

 

Specified Term Letter of Credit Commitment

Natixis, New York Branch

  46.153846154%

Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch

  26.923076923%

Barclays Bank PLC

  26.923076923%

TOTAL

  100%

B. Conditions Precedent . This Third Amendment shall become effective as of the first date (the “ Third Amendment Effective Date ”) when each of the conditions set forth in this Section B shall have been satisfied:

1. The Administrative Agent shall have received duly executed counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of (a) the Borrower, (b) Holdings, (c) the Administrative Agent, (d) the Collateral Agent and (e) each Term Letter of Credit Issuer.

2. The Administrative Agent shall have received a control agreement (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, Natixis, New York Branch, the Borrower and the Collateral Trustee) with respect to the Natixis Term C Loan Collateral Account, executed and delivered by (a) the Borrower, (b) the Collateral Trustee, (c) the Collateral Agent and (d) Natixis, New York Branch, as Depositary Bank with respect to the Natixis Term C Loan Collateral Account.

C. Other Terms .

1. Credit Party Certifications . By execution of this Third Amendment, each of Holdings and the Borrower hereby certifies, on behalf of itself and not in his/her individual capacity, that as of the Third Amendment Effective Date:

(i) each of Holdings and the Borrower has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to execute and deliver this Third Amendment and carry out the terms and provisions of this Third Amendment and the Credit Agreement (as modified hereby) and has taken all necessary corporate or other organizational action to authorize the execution and delivery of this Third Amendment and performance of this Third Amendment and the Credit Agreement (as modified hereby);

(ii) each of Holdings and the Borrower has duly executed and delivered this Third Amendment and each of this Third Amendment and the Credit Agreement (as modified hereby) constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or law) ( provided that , with respect to the creation and perfection of security interests with respect to Indebtedness, Stock and Stock Equivalents of Foreign Subsidiaries, only to the extent the creation and perfection of such obligation is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code);

 

6


(iii) none of the execution and delivery by Holdings or the Borrower of this Third Amendment, the performance by Holdings or the Borrower of this Third Amendment and the Credit Agreement (as modified hereby) or the compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (a) contravene any applicable provision of any material Applicable Law (including material Environmental Laws) other than any contravention which would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the property or assets of Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Liens created under the Credit Documents, Permitted Liens or Liens subject to an intercreditor agreement permitted hereby or the Collateral Trust Agreement) pursuant to the terms of any material indenture, loan agreement, lease agreement, mortgage, deed of trust or other material debt agreement or instrument to which Holdings, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound other than any such breach, default or Lien that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (c) violate any provision of the Organizational Documents of Holdings or the Borrower; and

(iv) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

2. Amendment, Modification and Waiver . This Third Amendment may not be amended, modified or waived except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed and delivered on behalf of each of the parties hereto and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.1 of the Credit Agreement.

3. Entire Agreement . This Third Amendment, the Credit Agreement (as modified hereby) and the other Credit Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and verbal, among the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof.

4. GOVERNING LAW . THIS THIRD AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

5. Severability . Any term or provision of this Third Amendment which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Third Amendment or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Third Amendment in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this Third Amendment is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as would be enforceable.

 

7


6. Counterparts . This Third Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of a counterpart to this Third Amendment by electronic means shall be as effective as delivery of an original counterpart hereof.

7. Submission to Jurisdiction . Each party hereto irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

  (i) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Third Amendment and the other Credit Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

  (ii) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

  (iii) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Person at such address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant to Section 13.2 of the Credit Agreement;

 

  (iv) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction;

 

  (v) subject to the last paragraph of Section 13.5 of the Credit Agreement, waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by Applicable Law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section C(7) any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages; and

 

  (vi) agrees that a final judgment in any action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Applicable Law.

8. Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW) TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS THIRD AMENDMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

8


9. Notice . For purposes of the Credit Agreement (as modified hereby), the initial notice address of Natixis, New York Branch in its capacity as a Term Letter of Credit Issuer shall be as set forth below its signature below.

10. Miscellaneous . This Third Amendment shall constitute a Credit Document for all purposes of the Credit Agreement (as modified hereby) and the other Credit Documents. The provisions of this Third Amendment are deemed incorporated as of the Third Amendment Effective Date into the Credit Agreement as if fully set forth therein. Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, (i) the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall remain in full force and effect and (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment shall not constitute a waiver of any provision of, or operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Agent or Lender under, the Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.

 

9


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused its duly authorized officer to execute and deliver this Third Amendment as of the date first set forth above.

 

VISTRA OPERATIONS COMPANY LLC,
as Borrower
By:   /s/ David D. Faranetta
  Name:   David D. Faranetta
  Title:   Senor Vice President and Treasurer

VISTRA INTERMEDIATE COMPANY LLC,

as Holdings

By:   /s/ David D. Faranetta
  Name:   David D. Faranetta
  Title:   Senor Vice President and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Vistra Operations Company Third Amendment to Credit Agreement]


DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and a Term Letter of Credit Issuer
By:   /s/ Marcus Tarkington
  Name:   Marcus Tarkington
  Title:   Director
By:   /s/ Anca Trifan
  Name:   Anca Trifan
  Title:   Managing Director

[Signature Page to Vistra Operations Company Third Amendment to Credit Agreement]


BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
as a Term Letter of Credit Issuer
By:   /s/ Graeme Palmer
  Name:   Graeme Palmer
  Title:   Assistant Vice President

[Signature Page to Vistra Operations Company Third Amendment to Credit Agreement]


NATIXIS, NEW YORK BRANCH,
as a Term Letter of Credit Issuer
By:   Guillaume de Parscau
  Name:   Guillaume de Parscau
  Title:   Managing Director
By:   Ronald Lee
  Name:   Ronald Lee
  Title:   Director

 

Notice Address in its capacity as a Term Letter of Credit Issuer:

 

Natixis, New York Branch

1251 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

Attention: Wilbert Velazquez

Telephone: 212-872-5051

Facsimile: 201-761-6936, 201-761-6936

Email: letter_of_credit@us.natixis.com

[Signature Page to Vistra Operations Company Third Amendment to Credit Agreement]

Exhibit 10.5

EXECUTION VERSION

COLLATERAL TRUST AGREEMENT

dated as of October 3, 2016 among

TEX OPERATIONS COMPANY LLC, as the

Company,

the Grantors from time to time party hereto,

RAILROAD COMMISSION

OF TEXAS,

as the First-Out Representative,

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,

as Senior Credit Agreement Representative,

the other Priority Lien Representatives from time to time party hereto

and

DELAWARE TRUST COMPANY,

as Collateral Trustee


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS; PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION

     2  

Section 1.1

 

Defined Terms

     2  

Section 1.2

 

Rules of Interpretation

     18  

Section 1.3

 

Impairments

     19  

ARTICLE II THE TRUST ESTATE

     20  

Section 2.1

 

Declaration of Trust

     20  

Section 2.2

 

Collateral Shared Equally and Ratably

     21  

Section 2.3

 

Discretion in Enforcement of Priority Liens

     21  

Section 2.4

 

Discretion in Enforcement of Priority Lien Obligations

     22  

Section 2.5

 

Identical Collateral and Agreements

     22  

Section 2.6

 

Insolvency Matters

     23  

Section 2.7

 

Insurance

     24  

Section 2.8

 

Refinancings

     24  

ARTICLE III OBLIGATIONS AND POWERS OF COLLATERAL TRUSTEE

     25  

Section 3.1

 

Appointment and Undertaking of the Collateral Trustee

     25  

Section 3.2

 

Release or Subordination of Liens

     26  

Section 3.3

 

Enforcement of Liens

     27  

Section 3.4

 

Application of Proceeds

     31  

Section 3.5

 

Powers of the Collateral Trustee

     35  

Section 3.6

 

Documents and Communications

     35  

Section 3.7

 

For Sole and Exclusive Benefit of Holders of Priority Lien Obligations

     35  

Section 3.8

 

Additional Secured Debt

     36  

Section 3.9

 

Priority Lien Agents

     38  

ARTICLE IV OBLIGATIONS ENFORCEABLE BY THE COMPANY AND THE OTHER GRANTORS

     38  

Section 4.1

 

Release of Liens on Collateral

     38  

Section 4.2

 

Delivery of Copies to Priority Lien Representatives

     40  

Section 4.3

 

Collateral Trustee not Required to Serve, File or Record

     40  

Section 4.4

 

Release of Liens in Respect of First-Out or First Lien Obligations

     40  

ARTICLE V IMMUNITIES OF THE COLLATERAL TRUSTEE

     41  

Section 5.1

 

No Implied Duty

     41  

Section 5.2

 

Appointment of Agents and Advisors

     41  

Section 5.3

 

Other Agreements

     41  

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT’D)

 

         Page  

Section 5.4

 

Solicitation of Instructions

     42  

Section 5.5

 

Limitation of Liability

     42  

Section 5.6

 

Documents in Satisfactory Form

     42  

Section 5.7

 

Entitled to Rely

     42  

Section 5.8

 

Priority Lien Debt Default

     43  

Section 5.9

 

Actions by Collateral Trustee

     43  

Section 5.10

 

Security or Indemnity in favor of the Collateral Trustee

     43  

Section 5.11

 

Rights of the Collateral Trustee

     43  

Section 5.12

 

Limitations on Duty of Collateral Trustee in Respect of Collateral

     44  

Section 5.13

 

Assumption of Rights, No Assumption of Duties

     45  

Section 5.14

 

No Liability for Clean Up of Hazardous Materials

     45  

Section 5.15

 

Other Relationships with the Company or Grantors

     45  

ARTICLE VI RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF THE COLLATERAL TRUSTEE

     46  

Section 6.1

 

Resignation or Removal of Collateral Trustee

     46  

Section 6.2

 

Appointment of Successor Collateral Trustee

     46  

Section 6.3

 

Succession

     47  

Section 6.4

 

Merger, Conversion or Consolidation of Collateral Trustee

     47  

Section 6.5

 

Concerning the Collateral Trustee and the Priority Lien Representatives

     47  

ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     48  

Section 7.1

 

Amendment

     48  

Section 7.2

 

Voting

     51  

Section 7.3

 

Further Assurances

     51  

Section 7.4

 

Successors and Assigns

     51  

Section 7.5

 

Delay and Waiver

     52  

Section 7.6

 

Notices

     52  

Section 7.7

 

Notice Following Payment Date

     53  

Section 7.8

 

Entire Agreement

     53  

Section 7.9

 

Compensation; Expenses

     53  

Section 7.10

 

Indemnity

     54  

Section 7.11

 

Severability

     55  

Section 7.12

 

Headings

     55  

Section 7.13

 

Obligations Secured

     55  

Section 7.14

 

Governing Law

     55  

Section 7.15

 

Consent to Jurisdiction

     56  

Section 7.16

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

     56  

Section 7.17

 

Counterparts, Electronic Signatures

     57  

Section 7.18

 

Effectiveness

     57  

Section 7.19

 

Grantors and Additional Grantors

     57  

Section 7.20

 

Continuing Nature of this Agreement

     57  

Section 7.21

 

Insolvency

     58  

Section 7.22

 

Rights and Immunities of Priority Lien Representatives

     58  

Section 7.23

 

Intercreditor Agreement

     58  

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT’D)

 

         Page  

Section 7.24

 

Force Majeure

     58  

Section 7.25

 

U.S.A. Patriot Act

     59  

Section 7.26

 

Representations and Warranties

     59  

Section 7.27

 

Statutory Requirements under the Texas Statutes.

     59  

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT’D)

 

         Page

Exhibit A

 

Form of Additional Secured Debt Designation

  

Exhibit B

 

Form of Collateral Trust Joinder - Additional Debt

  

Exhibit C

 

Form of Collateral Trust Joinder - Additional Grantor

  

Exhibit D

 

Form of Authorized Officer Notice

  

 

iv


This Collateral Trust Agreement (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with Section 7.1 hereof, this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of October 3, 2016 and is by and among TEX OPERATIONS COMPANY LLC (the “ Company ”), the other Grantors from time to time party hereto, RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS, as First-Out Representative (as defined below), DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, as Senior Credit Agreement Agent (as defined below), DELAWARE TRUST COMPANY, as collateral trustee (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Collateral Trustee ”) and any First Lien Representative of a Series of First Lien Debt that executes and delivers a Collateral Trust Joinder after the date hereof.

RECITALS

Luminant Mining Company, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“ Luminant ”), a subsidiary of the Company, has entered into that certain Exit Collateral Bond and Indemnity Agreement for Surface Mining and Reclamation Permits (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Original Collateral Bond ”) in an aggregate principal amount of $975,000,000, payable to the Railroad Commission of Texas, an administrative agency of the State of Texas responsible for, among other things, regulating surface coal mining and reclamation activities and operations in Texas, to, among other things, bond the obligations of Luminant under the Collateral Bond and pursuant to the Texas Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act, Texas Natural Resources Code, §134.001 et seq. (as amended, the “ Act ”), regulations adopted under the Act, 16 TAC § 12.1 et seq. (as amended, the “ Coal Mining Regulations ” and, together with the Act, the “ Texas Statutes ”) and the permits referenced in the Collateral Bond (as such permits are amended, renewed, revised, or replaced from time to time, the “ Permits ”; and all such obligations, the “ Reclamation Obligations ”), which Reclamations Obligations will be secured on a superpriority first-out basis (subject to the application of proceeds set forth in Section 3.4(a) of this Agreement) and constitute First-Out Obligations for purposes of this Agreement.

The Company, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders and other agents party thereto, have entered into the Senior Credit Agreement, which Indebtedness thereunder will be First Lien Debt for purposes of this Agreement.

The Company and the Grantors have secured (or intend to secure) their Obligations under this Agreement, the Original Collateral Bond, the Senior Credit Agreement, any future Priority Lien Debt and any other Priority Lien Obligations, with Liens on all present and future Collateral, in each case to the extent provided for in the applicable Security Documents.

This Agreement sets forth the terms on which each Secured Party (other than the Collateral Trustee) has appointed the Collateral Trustee to act as the collateral trustee for the present and future holders of the Priority Lien Obligations to receive, hold, maintain, administer and distribute the Collateral at any time delivered to the Collateral Trustee or the subject of the Security Documents, and to enforce the Security Documents and all interests, rights, powers and remedies of the Collateral Trustee with respect thereto or thereunder and the proceeds thereof.


Capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings assigned to them above or in Article 1 below.

AGREEMENT

In consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS; PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION

Section 1.1 Defined Terms . The following terms will have the following meanings:

Act ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Additional Collateral Bond ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Discharge of First-Out Obligations”.

Additional First Lien Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(b) .

Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date ” means the date upon which either (a) the Discharge of Senior Credit Agreement Obligations has occurred or (b) (i) a Priority Lien Debt Default under the documents governing any Additional First Lien Debt has occurred and is continuing, (ii) the Additional First Lien Debt with respect to which such Priority Lien Debt Default exists is currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the applicable documents governing such Additional First Lien Debt and (iii) the Major Additional First Lien Debt Representative for the Additional First Lien Debt with respect to which such Priority Lien Debt Default exists delivers written notice to the then First Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders, the First-Out Representative and the Collateral Trustee (in accordance herewith and specifying both the first day and the last day of the corresponding Additional First Lien Debt Standstill Period) that (A) the event described in clause (i) has occurred and is continuing, (B) there is no Priority Lien Representative then acting as Controlling Priority Lien Representative or the Priority Lien Representative who is the Controlling Priority Lien Representative pursuant to clause (a) of the definition thereof has either failed to instruct the Collateral Trustee to commence an Enforcement Action pursuant to the terms hereof or has withdrawn its request to the Collateral Trustee to pursue an Enforcement Action, unless (x) such Controlling Priority Lien Representative is stayed or otherwise precluded from issuing a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction or (y) the Collateral Trustee is precluded from commencing or continuing an Enforcement Action by law, regulation or order (including as a result of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), in which case the Additional First Lien Debt Standstill Period shall not commence or, to the extent it has already commenced, shall be tolled until such Controlling Priority Lien Representative and/or the Collateral Trustee are/is no longer stayed or otherwise precluded from taking such action and (C) the Major Additional First Lien Debt Representative wishes to commence or continue an Enforcement Action pursuant to the terms hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Trustee shall not be required to make a

 

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determination as to whether an “Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date” has occurred and shall be entitled to rely conclusively on the notice set forth in clause (b)(iii) of the preceding sentence (including clause (B)(iii)(b)(x) and (y)) as having the effect that an “Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date” has in fact occurred.

Additional First Lien Debt Standstill Period ” means the first period of 90 consecutive days (as such period may be tolled in accordance with the definition of Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date) commencing on the Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date (as such period may be extended as contemplated by the definition of “Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date”).

Additional Secured Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(b).

Additional Secured Debt Designation ” means a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit A .

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. The terms “controlling” and “controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Authorized Officer ” means the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, any Senior Vice President, with respect to certain limited liability companies or partnerships that do not have officers, any manager, managing member or general partner thereof, any other senior officer of the Company or any other Grantor designated as such in writing by the Company or such other Grantor in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit D or such other form as agreed by the Collateral Trustee in its reasonable discretion.

Back-Stopped Letter of Credit ” means a letter of credit that has been cash collateralized at a minimum of the percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount, or otherwise backstopped by another letter of credit, in any such case in a manner required for the release of Liens under the terms of the Priority Lien Documents applicable to such letter of credit.

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as heretofore and hereafter amended, and codified as 11 U.S.C. §§ 101.

Bankruptcy Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code or any similar federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership or similar law.

Business Day ” means any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any other day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized by law or other governmental actions to close.

 

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Cash Management Arrangement ” means any agreement or arrangement to provide Cash Management Services.

Cash Management Bank ” means any Person that enters into a Cash Management Arrangement or provides Cash Management Services, in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Arrangement or a provider of such Cash Management Services.

Cash Management Obligations ” means obligations owed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Cash Management Bank in connection with, or in respect of, any Cash Management Services or under any Cash Management Arrangement.

Cash Management Services ” means treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, purchase card, electronic funds transfer (including automated clearing house fund transfer services), merchant services (other than those constituting a line of credit) and other cash management services.

Coal Mining Regulations ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Collateral ” means all property pledged, mortgaged or purported to be pledged or mortgaged pursuant to the Security Documents (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, all Excluded Collateral) to secure (or to purportedly secure) any or all of the Priority Lien Obligations.

Collateral Bond ” means the Original Collateral Bond and any Additional Collateral Bond.

“Collateral Bond Guaranty ” means that certain Guaranty of Exit Collateral Bond and Indemnity Agreement for Surface Mining and Reclamation Permits (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time), executed by the Guarantors in favor of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Collateral Trust Joinder ” means (a) with respect to the provisions of this Agreement relating to any Additional Secured Debt, an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit   B and (b) with respect to the provisions of this Agreement relating to the addition of additional Grantors, an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C .

Collateral Trustee ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Collateral Trustee’s Fees and Expenses ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a) .

Commodity Hedging Agreement ” means any agreement (including each confirmation pursuant to any Master Agreement) or transaction providing for one or more swaps, caps, collars, floors, futures, options, spots, forwards, derivative, any physical or financial commodity contracts or agreements, power purchase or sale agreements, fuel purchase or sale agreements, environmental credit purchase or sale agreements, power transmission agreements, ancillary service agreements, commodity transportation agreements, fuel storage agreements, weather derivatives, netting agreements (including Netting Agreements), capacity agreements or commercial or trading agreements, each with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of (or the

 

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option to purchase, sell or exchange), transmission, transportation, storage, distribution, processing, lease or hedge of, any Covered Commodity, price or price indices for any such Covered Commodity or services or any other similar derivative agreements, and any other similar agreements.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Controlling Priority Lien Representative ” means (a) at any time prior to the Shifting Control Date, and prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders or (b) on or any time after the Shifting Control Date (and, if the Shifting Control Date has occurred as a result of the circumstances described in clause (b) of the definition of “Shifting Control Date”, after the expiration of the Standstill Period), and prior to the Discharge of First-Out Obligations, the First-Out Representative, unless the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders gives the Collateral Trustee notice, in writing, stating that (A) the Collateral Trustee has received a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction pursuant to Section 3.3(f) , (B) the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders has commenced an Enforcement Action pursuant to the terms hereof and is otherwise diligently pursuing an Enforcement Action, and (C) the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders is still the “Controlling Priority Lien Representative,” in which case the “Shifting Control Date” shall be deemed not to have occurred and the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders shall continue to be the “Controlling Priority Lien Representative” unless the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders has withdrawn, in writing, its instructions to the Collateral Trustee to pursue an Enforcement Action; provided , further , that, solely for purpose of Sections 2.6(b ) and 3.4(a)(II) , so long as the Discharge of Senior Credit Agreement Obligations has not occurred, the Controlling Priority Lien Representative shall be the Senior Credit Agreement Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Trustee shall not be required to make a determination as to whether a “Shifting Control Date” has occurred and shall be entitled to rely conclusively on any notice from a Person purporting to be an authorized representative of the First-Out Representative under Section 3.3 hereof or any written notice from the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders as contemplated by the proviso in the second sentence of Section 3.3(a) , as applicable, as having the effect that a “Shifting Control Date” has in fact occurred.

Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction ” means a direction in writing from the Controlling Priority Lien Representative delivered to the Collateral Trustee.

Covered Commodity ” shall mean any energy, electricity, generation capacity, power, heat rate, congestion, natural gas, nuclear fuel (including enrichment and conversion), diesel fuel, fuel oil, other petroleum-based liquids, coal, lignite, weather, emissions and other environmental credits, waste by-products, renewable energy credit, or any other energy related commodity or service (including ancillary services and related risks (such as location basis)).

DIP Financing ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b) .

DIP Financing Liens ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b) .

 

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DIP Lenders ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b) .

Discharge of First Lien Obligations ” means the occurrence of all of the following:

(a) termination or expiration of all commitments to extend credit that would constitute First Lien Obligations;

(b) payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest and premium (if any) on all First Lien Obligations (other than any undrawn letters of credit but including unpaid drawings in respect of letters of credit);

(c) with respect to undrawn letters of credit, any of (i) the discharge, cash collateralization or backstopping (in the amount required pursuant to the applicable First Lien Documents) of all outstanding letters of credit constituting First Lien Obligations, (ii) the deemed reissuance with the consent of the issuer of such outstanding letters of credit and any holder of the related Series of First Lien Debt that has reimbursement obligations with respect to such outstanding letters of credit under another credit facility (whether or not such credit facility constitutes a Series of First Lien Debt hereunder), provided that if such letters of credit are deemed reissued under another Series of First Lien Debt hereunder, then they will be outstanding under such other Series of First Lien Debt or (iii) the issuer of each such letter of credit has notified the Collateral Trustee in writing that alternative arrangements satisfactory to such issuer and holders of the related Series of First Lien Debt that has reimbursement obligations with respect thereto have been made;

(d) (i) payment in full in cash of all Hedging Obligations and Cash Management Obligations that are secured by a Priority Lien and the termination of all Secured Hedging Agreements relating thereto, (ii) the novation of all transactions entered into thereunder or pursuant thereto on terms and to counterparties acceptable to the counterparties under such Secured Hedging Agreements or Cash Management Arrangements, or (iii) the establishment of other arrangements with respect to such Hedging Obligations or Cash Management Obligations as may be reasonably acceptable to the counterparties thereto (and communicated to the Collateral Trustee); and

(e) payment in full in cash of all other First Lien Obligations (other than any obligations for taxes, costs, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities in respect of which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time) that are outstanding and unpaid at the time that each of the events described in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) above shall have occurred;

provided that, if, at any time after the Discharge of First Lien Obligations has occurred, the Company or any other Grantor enters into any First Lien Document evidencing a First Lien Obligation which incurrence is not prohibited by the applicable Priority Lien Documents, then such Discharge of First Lien Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes hereof with respect to such new First Lien Obligation (other than with respect to any actions previously taken as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of First Lien Obligations), and, from and after the date on which the Company designates such Indebtedness

 

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as First Lien Obligations in accordance herewith and delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Collateral Trustee and the First-Out Representative verifying such designation, the obligations under such First Lien Document shall automatically and without any further action be treated as First Lien Obligations for all purposes hereof, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Collateral set forth herein.

Discharge of First-Out Obligations ” means (i) the satisfaction of all Reclamation Obligations of the Company and Luminant to the First-Out Representative and the termination of the Collateral Bond as provided in a notice by the First-Out Representative to the Collateral Trustee and the payment in full of all other First-Out Obligations or (ii) the provision of a replacement collateral bond or other collateral support in form and substance satisfactory to the First-Out Representative in accordance with the Texas Statutes that is not secured by the Collateral and otherwise supports the full amount of the Reclamation Obligations (including the provision of cash or cash equivalents and /or one or more letters of credit collateralizing or supporting, as applicable, the full amount of the Reclamation Obligations on terms satisfactory to the First-Out Representative in accordance with the Texas Statute Code) and the payment in full of all other First-Out Obligations; provided that, if, at any time after the Discharge of First-Out Obligations has occurred, the Company or any other Grantor provides a collateral bond to the First-Out Representative secured by the Collateral (as further described in Section 3.8(d)) which secured collateral bond (the “ Additional Collateral Bond ”) is not prohibited by the applicable Priority Lien Documents, then such Discharge of First-Out Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes hereof with respect to the First-Out Obligations in respect of such Additional Collateral Bond (other than with respect to any actions previously taken as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of First-Out Obligations), and, from and after the date on which the Company designates such Additional Collateral Bond and the obligations under any other First-Out Documents as First-Out Obligations and delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Collateral Trustee verifying such designation, the obligations under such Additional Collateral Bond and First-Out Documents shall automatically and without any further action be treated as First-Out Obligations for all purposes hereof, including for purposes of the priorities and rights in respect of Collateral and the related payments set forth herein and any First Lien Obligations shall be deemed to have been at all times First Lien Obligations and at no time First-Out Obligations.

Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations ” means the occurrence of the Discharge of First-Out Obligations and the Discharge of First Lien Obligations.

Discharge of Senior Credit Agreement Obligations ” means the Discharge of the First Lien Obligations with respect to the Senior Credit Agreement; provided that the Discharge of Senior Credit Agreement Obligations shall be deemed not to have occurred in connection with a Refinancing in full of such Senior Credit Agreement Obligations with new Indebtedness in the form of a credit facility if:

(i) on or prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is designated by the Company, in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to each Priority Lien Representative and the Collateral Trustee, as “ First Lien Debt ”, “ First Lien Obligations ” and the “ Senior Credit Agreement ” for the purposes of the Priority Lien Documents;

 

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(ii) the agent under such Indebtedness shall have duly executed and delivered to the Collateral Trustee on behalf of itself and all holders of Indebtedness thereunder (A) an Additional Secured Debt Designation and (B) a Collateral Trust Joinder; and

(iii) all requirements set forth in this Agreement as to the confirmation, grant or perfection of the Collateral Trustee’s Lien to secure such Indebtedness are satisfied (and the satisfaction of such requirements and the other provisions of this proviso will be conclusively established, absent manifest error, if the Company delivers to the Collateral Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such requirements and other provisions have been satisfied and that such Indebtedness constitutes “ First Lien Debt ”, “ First Lien Obligations ” and the “ Senior Credit Agreement ”).

Enforcement Action ” means, with respect to any Series of Priority Lien Debt, (a) the taking of any action to enforce any Lien in respect of the Collateral, including (i) the institution of any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings, (ii) the noticing of any public or private sale or other disposition of the Collateral under any Bankruptcy Laws or in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (iii) otherwise objecting to, consenting to, or credit bidding in connection with any sale or other disposition of any Collateral (or any portion thereof) under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law or in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, subject to Section 3.3(h), (iv) seeking adequate protection in connection with the Collateral, or objecting or consenting to any DIP Financing (as defined herein) or use of cash collateral under the Bankruptcy Code or in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, (v) the filing of any motion for relief from the automatic stay or seeking relief from any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement in respect of the Collateral or other injunction restricting any other action described in this definition, (vi) objecting to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on lack of adequate protection with respect to the Collateral, under the Bankruptcy Code or in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise; and (vii) asserting any claim under section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code for costs or expenses of preserving or disposing any Collateral, (b) the exercise of any right or remedy provided to a secured creditor on account of a Lien under the Priority Lien Documents (including, in either case, any delivery of any notice to seek to obtain payment directly from any account debtor of the Company or any other Grantor or the taking of any action or the exercise of any right or remedy in respect of the setoff or recoupment against, collection or foreclosure on or marshalling of the Collateral or proceeds of Collateral), under applicable law, at equity, in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, including the acceptance of Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of a Lien, (c) the sale, assignment, transfer, lease, license, or other disposition as a secured creditor on account of a Lien of all or any portion of the Collateral, by private or public sale (judicial or non-judicial) or any other means, (d) the solicitation of bids from third parties to conduct the liquidation of all or a portion of Collateral as a secured creditor on account of a Lien, (e) the exercise of any other enforcement right relating to the Collateral (including the exercise of any voting rights relating to any capital stock composing a portion of the Collateral) whether under the Priority Lien Documents, under applicable law of any jurisdiction, in equity, in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, or otherwise, or (f) the appointment of a receiver, manager or interim receiver of all or any portion of the Collateral or the commencement of, or the joinder with any creditor in commencing, any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding against the Company or any other Grantor or any assets of the Company or any other Grantor; provided , however, Enforcement Action shall not include any act taken by any holder of Priority Lien Obligations to enforce the terms of this Agreement.

 

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Excess First-Out Obligations ” means First-Out Obligations in an amount in excess of $975,000,000.

Excluded Collateral ” shall have the meaning specified in the Senior Credit Agreement.

First Lien Debt ” means (a) Indebtedness incurred under the Senior Credit Agreement (including the undrawn amount of letters of credit, whether or not then available to be drawn) and any guarantees thereof, (b) Additional First Lien Debt (including any Refinancing Credit Facility constituting Additional First Lien Debt), (c) Cash Management Obligations and (d) Hedging Obligations under Secured Hedging Agreements.

First Lien Documents ” means, collectively, the documentation in respect of the Senior Credit Agreement and all documents governing any Additional First Lien Debt, each Secured Hedging Agreement and each Cash Management Arrangement pursuant to which any First Lien Debt is incurred and secured in accordance with the terms of each applicable Priority Lien Document and the Security Documents related thereto (other than any Security Documents that do not secure First Lien Obligations); provided , however , any First Lien Documents, including any modification thereto or replacement thereof, shall permit the First-Out Obligations and the First-Out Liens and shall not be more restrictive as it relates to the treatment of lien and payment priority of the First-Out Obligations and the First-Out Liens than the provisions of the Senior Credit Agreement on the date of this Agreement (except as otherwise agreed by the First-Out Representative).

First Lien Obligations ” means the First Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect thereof.

First Lien Representative ” means (a) in the case of the Senior Credit Agreement (and Hedging Obligations and Cash Management Obligations secured thereunder), the Senior Credit Agreement Agent or (b) in the case of any Additional First Lien Debt (including any Refinancing Credit Facility constituting Additional First Lien Debt), the agent or trustee who maintains the transfer register for such Additional First Lien Debt and is appointed as a representative of such First Lien Debt (for purposes related to the administration of the applicable Security Documents) pursuant to such Additional First Lien Debt and that executes and delivers an Additional Secured Debt Designation and a Collateral Trust Joinder in accordance therewith.

First Lien Secured Parties ” means each holder of a First Lien Obligation, including each First Lien Representative and the Collateral Trustee.

First-Out Documents ” means, collectively, any Collateral Bond, the Permits and any other documents, agreements, orders or instruments in respect of, or related to, any Collateral Bond.

First-Out Default ” means any failure by Luminant to satisfy its First-Out Obligations as required under the First-Out Documents or the Texas Statutes, in each case after giving effect to

 

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any applicable grace periods, which permits the First-Out Representative to call or forfeit any Collateral Bond pursuant to the First-Out Documents and the Texas Statute, including without limitation, any “Event of Default” under, and as defined in, any Collateral Bond.

First-Out Liens ” means the Priority Liens securing the First-Out Obligations, with the priority in payment set forth in Section 3.4(a).

First-Out Obligations ” means all obligations from time to time of Luminant or the Guarantors to the First-Out Representative for the performance and payment under any Collateral Bond, the Collateral Bond Guaranty, the Texas Statutes and any other First-Out Documents, including the Reclamation Obligations and First-Out Representative Fees and Expenses, and any other obligations owing to the First-Out Representative under the First-Out Documents (including this Agreement).

First-Out Representative ” means the Railroad Commission of Texas.

First-Out Representative Fees and Expenses ” means all amounts payable under this Agreement or any other First-Out Document on account of the First-Out Representative’s fees and expenses and any reasonable legal fees and expenses, out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses or other liabilities (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Reclamation Obligations) of any kind incurred by the First-Out Representative or agent thereof in connection with any Security Document or any other First-Out Document, including but not limited to indemnification payments and reimbursements.

First-Out Secured Parties ” means the First-Out Representative and the Collateral Trustee.

Governmental Authority ” means any nation, sovereign or government, any state, province, territory or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity or authority exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including a central bank, stock exchange, the Public Utility Commission of Texas or any successor thereto, the Railroad Commission of Texas or any successor thereto or the Electric Reliability Council of Texas or any other entity succeeding thereto.

Grantor ” means each of and “ Grantors ” means, collectively, the Company and the Guarantors and any other Person (if any) that at any time provides collateral security for the Priority Lien Obligations.

Guarantee ” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations (and “ Guaranteed ” and “ Guaranteeing ” shall have meanings that correspond to the foregoing).

Guarantor ” means any Person who has Guaranteed payment of any Priority Lien Obligations, and their respective successors and assigns.

 

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Hedge Bank ” means any Person (other than Holdings, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower) that either (i) is a party to a Commodity Hedging Agreement or (ii) a party to any other Hedging Agreement (other than a Commodity Hedging Agreement) and, in each case, either (x) is a signatory to this Agreement or (y) at the time it enters into a Hedging Agreement or on the Conversion Date, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in its capacity as a party to a Secured Hedging Agreement.

Hedging Agreements ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement and (c) physical or financial commodity contracts or agreements, power purchase or sale agreements, fuel purchase or sale agreements, environmental credit purchase or sale agreements, power transmission agreements, ancillary service agreements, commodity transportation agreements, fuel storage agreements, weather derivatives, netting agreements (including Netting Agreements), capacity agreements and commercial or trading agreements, each with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of (or the option to purchase, sell or exchange), transmission, transportation, storage, distribution, processing, sale, lease or hedge of, any Covered Commodity, price or price indices for any such Covered Commodity or services or any other similar derivative agreements, and any other similar agreements.

Hedging Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under Hedging Agreements.

Indebtedness ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Senior Credit Agreement or to such term or other similar term in any applicable Priority Lien Document.

Indemnified Liabilities ” means any and all liabilities (including all environmental liabilities), obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, taxes, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, performance, administration or enforcement of this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents, including any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of any Priority Lien Debt or the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any law (including environmental laws) applicable to or enforceable against the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any other Grantor or any of the Collateral and all reasonable costs and expenses, (including reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel selected by the Indemnitee limited in the case of legal counsel for each such Indemnitee (other than the Collateral Trustee) to one

 

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primary counsel for each such Indemnitee and its Related Parties (other than the Collateral Trustee) and, if necessary, one firm of regulatory counsel and/or one firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction) incurred by each such Indemnitee in connection with any claim, action, investigation or proceeding in any respect relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not suit is brought; provided , however, that such Indemnitees (other than the Collateral Trustee) may retain additional counsel as may be reasonably necessary.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.10(a) .

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” means:

(1) any case commenced by or against the Company or any other Grantor under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Company or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Company or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Company or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, reorganization, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Company or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

(3) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Company or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

Intercreditor Agreement ” means the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) and any other intercreditor agreement executed and delivered pursuant to the terms of the Senior Credit Agreement, in each case which leaves unaffected the priority of the First-Out Lien and the First-Out Obligations, and the rights and remedies of the First-Out Representative set forth in this Agreement.

Lien ” means, any mortgage, pledge, security interest, hypothecation, collateral assignment, lien (statutory or other) or similar encumbrance (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or any lease or license in the nature thereof); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to be a Lien.

Luminant ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Major Additional First Lien Debt Representative ” means the First Lien Representative of the Series of First Lien Debt that constitutes the largest outstanding principal amount of any then outstanding Series of First Lien Debt (excluding the Series of First Lien Debt under the Senior Credit Agreement).

Master Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Hedging Agreements.”

 

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Mined Land Under Permit ” means the real property within the boundaries of the Permits.

Netting Agreement ” means, in respect of Hedging Obligations, a netting agreement, master netting agreement or other similar document having the same effect as a netting agreement or master netting agreement and, as applicable, any collateral annex, security agreement or other similar document related to any master netting agreement or Permitted Contract (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement).

Obligations ” means any principal (including reimbursement obligations and obligations to provide cash collateral with respect to letters of credit, whether or not drawn), interest (including, to the extent legally permitted, all interest accrued thereon after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate even if such interest is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding), premium (if any), penalties, fees, charges, expenses, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages, guarantees, other liabilities, amounts payable, or obligations under the documentation governing any Priority Lien Debt or other obligations in respect thereof (including, for avoidance of doubt, any First-Out Obligations).

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Company or a Parent Entity, including:

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate has read such covenant or condition; and

(b) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

Original Collateral Bond ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Other Credit Support ” means (i) funds deposited for the satisfaction, discharge, redemption or defeasance of any Series of Priority Lien Debt in accordance with the terms of the applicable Priority Lien Documents, (ii) cash collateral deposited with (or pledged to) any Priority Lien Representative or Priority Lien Secured Party in accordance with the terms of the applicable Priority Lien Documents to secure obligations customarily secured by cash collateral in connection with financings (including without limitation, cash collateral in respect of letters of credit and defaulting lender obligations but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, (x) each Term Letter of Credit Cash Collateral Account and all funds on deposit therein and (y) cash collateral (1) consisting of all or substantially all cash and cash equivalents of the Grantors or (2) perfected by deposit account or security account control agreements on a material number of the deposit and security accounts of the Grantors or pursuant to a requirement that all or substantially all of the cash and cash equivalents be deposited with the agent, or other applicable secured party, of any Priority Lien Debt) and (iii) cash collateral deposited with any Priority Lien Representative or Priority Lien Secured Party in respect of any Hedging Obligations or Cash Management Obligations which are secured under the applicable Priority Lien Documents, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) to the extent not prohibited by the Priority Lien Documents.

 

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Parent Entity ” means any Person that is a direct or indirect parent company (which may be organized as a partnership) of the Company.

Permits ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Permitted Prior Liens ” means (a) in the case of the First Lien Obligations, Liens permitted by the First Lien Documents to be incurred on a senior basis to the First Lien Obligations (other than the First-Out Obligations) and (b) in the case of the First-Out Obligations, any Prior Permitted Lien (as defined in the Collateral Bond).

Person ” means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise or any Governmental Authority.

Priority Lien ” means a first priority Lien (subject in priority only to Permitted Prior Liens) granted by any Grantor in favor of the Collateral Trustee pursuant to a Security Document, at any time, upon any property of the Company or such Grantor to secure Priority Lien Obligations.

Priority Lien Debt ” means, collectively, First-Out Obligations and First Lien Debt.

Priority Lien Debt Default ” means (a) in the case of the First-Out Obligations, a First-Out Default and (b) in the case of any First Lien Debt, any “Event of Default” under any Priority Lien Document or any similar event or condition (with or without the giving of notice and whether or not notice has been given) which, under the terms of any Priority Lien Document governing any Series of Priority Lien Debt, in each case after giving effect to any applicable grace periods, (i) causes (or permits holders of Priority Lien Debt outstanding thereunder to cause) the Priority Lien Debt outstanding thereunder to become immediately due and payable, or (ii) in the case of any Hedging Obligation secured by a Priority Lien, permits the counterparty thereto to close out or terminate such Hedging Obligation.

Priority Lien Documents ” means, collectively, the First Lien Documents and the First-Out Documents.

Priority Lien Obligations ” means Priority Lien Debt, Obligations to the Collateral Trustee (including the Collateral Trustee’s Fees and Expenses), and all other Obligations in respect of any of the foregoing.

Priority Lien Representative ” means (a) in the case of any Collateral Bond, the First-Out Representative, or (b) in the case of any First Lien Debt, the applicable First Lien Representative.

Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders ” means (x) at any time prior to the Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date, and prior to the Discharge of Senior Credit Agreement Obligations, the Senior Credit Agreement Agent or (y) on or any time after the Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date (and, if the Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date has occurred as a result of the circumstances described in clause (b) of the definition of “Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date”, after the expiration of the Additional First Lien Debt Standstill Period), the Major Additional First Lien Debt

 

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Representative, unless the Collateral Trustee shall have received notice in writing from the Senior Credit Agreement Agent stating that (A) the Collateral Trustee has received a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction pursuant to Section 3.3(f) , (B) the Senior Credit Agreement Agent has commenced an Enforcement Action pursuant to the terms hereof and is otherwise diligently pursuing an Enforcement Action and (C) the Senior Credit Agreement Agent is still the “Priority Lien Representative” for the Required First Lien Debtholders, in which case the “Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date” shall be deemed not to have occurred and the Senior Credit Agreement Agent shall continue to be the “Priority Lien Representative” for the Required First Lien Debtholders unless the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders has withdrawn, in writing, its instructions to the Collateral Trustee to pursue an Enforcement Action. For the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Trustee shall not be required to make a determination as to whether an “Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date” has occurred and shall be entitled to rely conclusively on the notice set forth in clause (y) of the preceding sentence as having the effect that an “Additional First Lien Debt Enforcement Date” has in fact occurred.

Priority Lien Secured Party ” means each holder of Priority Lien Obligations (other than the Collateral Trustee) and each Priority Lien Representative.

Proceeds ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4 (a).

Reclamation Obligations ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Refinance ” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, amend, increase, modify, supplement, restructure, refund, replace or repay, or to issue other indebtedness or enter alternative financing arrangements, in exchange or replacement for such indebtedness (in whole or in part), including by adding or replacing lenders, creditors, agents, borrowers and/or guarantors, and including in each case, but not limited to, after the original instrument giving rise to such indebtedness has been terminated and including, in each case, through any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement. “ Refinanced ” and “ Refinancing ” have correlative meanings.

Refinancing Credit Facility ” means and includes any credit facility governing any Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) or Permitted Other Loans (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) incurred to Refinance a portion of the Senior Credit Agreement or any corresponding Refinancing credit facility in any successor or replacement credit facility (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that the term “Refinancing Credit Facility” shall not include any such credit facility that Refinances the Senior Credit Agreement in full and is designated as the “Senior Credit Agreement” as provided in the definition of “Discharge of Senior Credit Agreement Obligations”); provided , however , any First Lien Documents for any such Refinancing Credit Facility, including any modification thereto or replacement thereof, shall permit the First-Out Obligations and the First-Out Liens and shall not be more restrictive as it relates to the treatment of the lien and payment priority of the First-Out Obligations and the First-Out Liens than the provisions of the Senior Credit Agreement on the date of this Agreement (except as otherwise agreed by the First-Out Representative).

 

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Related Parties ” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees and advisors of such Person and any Person that possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.

Required First Lien Debtholders ” means (a) (i) at any time as there are then loans, commitments or letters of credit (other than Back-Stopped Letters of Credit) outstanding under the Senior Credit Agreement, the Required Lenders (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) and (ii) if there is any Additional First Lien Debt outstanding at such time, the requisite lenders under the documents governing the Additional First Lien Debt for purposes of consenting to general amendments of Security Documents thereunder and (b) at any other time, Hedge Banks and Cash Management Banks holding a majority of the then outstanding Hedging Obligations and Cash Management Obligations.

Secured Commodity Hedging Agreement ” means any Commodity Hedging Agreement that is entered into by and between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank.

Secured Hedging Agreement ” means any Hedging Agreement that is entered into by and between the Company or any Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank.

Security Documents ” means this Agreement, each Collateral Trust Joinder and all security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, control agreements or other grants or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Company or any other Grantor creating (or purporting to create) a Priority Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties and the Collateral Trustee, in each case, as amended, modified, renewed, restated or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with its terms and Section 7.1 .

Senior Credit Agreement ” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016, among, inter alios , the Company, the lenders and other financial institutions party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other agents party thereto, together with all Credit Documents (as defined therein), in each case as amended, amended and restated, extended, renewed, modified, supplemented or restated or replaced, refunded or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time, including by or pursuant to any agreement or instrument that extends the maturity of any Indebtedness thereunder, or increases the amount of available borrowings thereunder, or adds Subsidiaries of the Company as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder, in each case with respect to such agreement or any successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or any group of any of the foregoing; provided , however , any modification thereto or replacement of the Senior Credit Agreement or any Credit Documents contemplated by the foregoing shall permit the First-Out Obligations and the First-Out Liens and shall not be more restrictive as it relates to the treatment of the lien and payment priority of the First-Out Obligations and the First-Out Liens than the provisions of the Senior Credit Agreement on the date of this Agreement (except as otherwise agreed by the First-Out Representative).

 

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Senior Credit Agreement Agent ” means, initially, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch in its capacity as the collateral agent under the Senior Credit Agreement, and any other agent or representative of the First Lien Secured Parties then most recently designated in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Senior Credit Agreement or any applicable Intercreditor Agreement, together with its successors in such capacity, for purposes of administration of collateral matters with respect to the Senior Credit Agreement.

Series of First Lien Debt ” means, severally, the Senior Credit Agreement and each other issue or series of First Lien Debt.

Series of Priority Lien Debt ” means, severally, the Senior Credit Agreement, the Original Collateral Bond and each other issue or series of Priority Lien Debt.

Shifting Control Date ” means, subject to Section 3.3(a) and the definition of “Controlling Priority Lien Representative”, the date upon which either (a) the Discharge of First Lien Obligations has occurred or (b) (i) a Priority Lien Debt Default under the First-Out Documents has occurred and is continuing and (ii) the First-Out Representative delivers written notice to the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders and the Collateral Trustee (in accordance herewith and specifying both the first day and the last day of the corresponding Standstill Period) that (A) the event described in clause (i) has occurred and is continuing, (B) there is no Priority Lien Representative then acting as Controlling Priority Lien Representative or the Priority Lien Representative who is the Controlling Priority Lien Representative pursuant to clause (a) of the definition thereof has either failed to instruct the Collateral Trustee to commence an Enforcement Action pursuant to the terms hereof or is not then diligently pursuing such Enforcement Action, unless such Controlling Priority Lien Representative is stayed or otherwise precluded from doing so by law, regulation or order (including as a result of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), in which case the Standstill Period shall not commence or, to the extent it has already commenced shall be tolled, until such Controlling Priority Lien Representative is no longer stayed or otherwise precluded from commencing or pursuing an Enforcement Action and (C) the First-Out Representative wishes to commence or continue an Enforcement Action pursuant to the terms hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Trustee shall not be required to make a determination as to whether a “Shifting Control Date” has occurred and shall be entitled to rely conclusively on any notice from a Person purporting to be an authorized representative of the First-Out Representative under Section 3.3 hereof or any written notice from the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders as contemplated by the proviso in the second sentence of Section 3.3(a) , as applicable, as having the effect that a “Shifting Control Date” has in fact occurred.

Shifting Control Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a) .

Standstill Period ” means the first period of 120 consecutive (as such period may be tolled in accordance with the definition of Shifting Control Date) days commencing on the Shifting Control Date (as such period may be extended as contemplated by the definition of “Shifting Control Date”).

 

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Stock ” means shares of capital stock or shares in the capital, as the case may be (whether denominated as common stock or preferred stock or ordinary shares or preferred shares, as the case may be), beneficial, partnership or membership interests, participations or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or equivalent entity, whether voting or non-voting.

Stock Equivalents ” means all securities convertible into or exchangeable for Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase or subscribe for any Stock, whether or not presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable.

Subsidiary ” of any Person means and includes (a) any corporation more than 50% of whose Stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time Stock of any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries and (b) any limited liability company, partnership, association, joint venture or other entity of which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has more than a 50% equity interest at the time or is a controlling general partner. Unless otherwise expressly provided, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Company.

Texas Statutes ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Trust Estate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 .

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York or the State of Texas, as applicable, or of any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the perfection of security interests in any Collateral.

Voting Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Stock or Stock Equivalents having the right to vote for the election of directors or other governing body of such Person under ordinary circumstances.

Section 1.2 Rules of Interpretation .

(a) All capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Senior Credit Agreement, provided that any modifications to the definitions in the Senior Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof shall be subject to Section 7.1 . The Company and the Senior Credit Agreement Agent shall promptly notify the First-Out Representative and the Collateral Trustee in writing of any amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement permitted hereunder which changes any term defined by reference to the Senior Credit Agreement or pursuant to the preceding sentence or which changes any obligation of the Collateral Trustee, and shall promptly provide a copy of any such amendment to the First-Out Representative and the Collateral Trustee.

(b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to organizational documents, agreements and other Contractual Requirements shall be

 

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deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, amendment and restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto; provided , however , any modification of any Contractual Requirements relating to any First Lien Obligations shall permit the First-Out Obligations and the First-Out Liens and shall not be more restrictive as it relates to the treatment of the lien and payment priority of the First-Out Obligations and the First-Out Liens than the provisions of the Senior Credit Agreement on the date of this Agreement (unless otherwise agreed by the First-Out Representative) and (b) references to any Requirement of Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Requirement of Law. The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form.

(c) The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms. The words “herein”, “hereto”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision hereof. The term “including” is by way of example and not limitation.

(d) References to “Sections,” “clauses,” “recitals” and the “preamble” will be to Sections, clauses, recitals and the preamble, respectively, of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided. References to “Articles” will be to Articles of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided. References to “Exhibits” and “Schedules” will be to Exhibits and Schedules, respectively, to this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided.

(e) This Agreement and the other Security Documents will be construed without regard to the identity of the party who drafted it and as though the parties participated equally in drafting it. Consequently, each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that any rule of construction that a document is to be construed against the drafting party will not be applicable either to this Agreement or the other Security Documents.

Section 1.3 Impairments .

It is the intention of the Priority Lien Secured Parties of each Series that the holders of Priority Lien Obligations of such Series (and not the Priority Lien Secured Parties of any other Series) bear the risk of (i) any determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that (x) any of the Priority Lien Obligations of such Series are unenforceable under applicable law or are subordinated to any other obligations (other than another Series of Priority Lien Obligations), (y) in the case of any First Lien Obligations, any of the Priority Lien Obligations of such Series do not have an enforceable security interest in any of the Collateral securing any other Series of Priority Lien Obligations and/or (z) in the case of any First Lien Obligations, any intervening security interest exists securing any other obligations (other than another Series of Priority Lien Obligations) on a basis ranking prior to the security interest of such Series of Priority Lien Obligations but junior to the security interest of any other Series of Priority Lien Obligations or (ii) the existence of any collateral for any other Series of Priority Lien Obligations that is not Collateral, which in the case of the First-Out Obligations consists of Other Credit Support and

 

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Mined Land Under Permit only (any such condition referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) with respect to any Series of Priority Lien Obligations, an “ Impairment ” of such Series). In the event of any Impairment with respect to any Series of Priority Lien Obligations, the results of such Impairment shall be borne solely by the holders of such Series of Priority Lien Obligations, and the rights of the holders of such Series of Priority Lien Obligations (including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions in respect of such Series of Priority Lien Obligations pursuant to Section 3.4 ) set forth herein shall be modified to the extent necessary so that the effects of such Impairment are borne solely by the holders of the Series of such Priority Lien Obligations subject to such Impairment. Additionally, in the event the Priority Lien Obligations of any Series are modified pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code), any reference to such Priority Lien Obligations or the Priority Lien Documents governing such Priority Lien Obligations shall refer to such obligations or such documents as so modified.

ARTICLE II

THE TRUST ESTATE

Section 2.1 Declaration of Trust .

To secure the payment of the Priority Lien Obligations and in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements set forth herein, each of the Grantors, each Priority Lien Representative and each other Priority Lien Secured Party hereby confirms the grant of Liens in favor of the Collateral Trustee, and the Collateral Trustee hereby accepts and agrees to hold, in trust under this Agreement for the benefit of all current and future Priority Lien Secured Parties, on all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under all Collateral and on all Liens now or hereafter granted to the Collateral Trustee by each Grantor under any Security Document for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, together with all of the Collateral Trustee’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Security Documents, and all interests, rights, powers and remedies of the Collateral Trustee thereunder or in respect thereof and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof (collectively, the “ Trust Estate ”).

The Collateral Trustee and its successors and assigns under this Agreement will hold the Trust Estate in trust for the benefit solely and exclusively of all current and future Priority Lien Secured Parties and the Collateral Trustee as security for the payment of all present and future Priority Lien Obligations.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time:

(1) all Liens securing the Priority Lien Obligations have been released as provided in Section 4.1 ;

(2) the Collateral Trustee holds no property in trust that constitutes part of the Trust Estate;

(3) the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations has occurred;

 

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(4) no monetary obligation (other than unasserted contingent indemnification and other obligations and Back-Stopped Letters of Credit) is outstanding and payable under this Agreement to the Collateral Trustee or any of its co-trustees or agents (whether in an individual or representative capacity); and

(5) the Company delivers to the Collateral Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all Priority Liens of the Collateral Trustee have been released in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Priority Lien Documents and that the Grantors are not required by any Priority Lien Document to grant any Priority Lien upon any property, then the Trust Estate arising hereunder will automatically terminate (subject to any reinstatement pursuant to Section 7.20 hereof and other than with respect to contingent indemnification and other obligations unasserted on the date of termination of the Trust Estate), except that all provisions set forth in Sections 7.9 and 7.10 that are enforceable by the Collateral Trustee or any of its co-trustees or agents (whether in an individual or representative capacity) will remain enforceable in accordance with their terms.

The parties further declare and covenant that the Trust Estate will be held and distributed by the Collateral Trustee subject to the further agreements herein.

Section 2.2 Collateral Shared Equally and Ratably . The parties to this Agreement agree that the payment and satisfaction of all of the Priority Lien Obligations will be secured equally and ratably by the Priority Lien established in favor of the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties and the Collateral Trustee, notwithstanding the time of incurrence of any Priority Lien Obligations or time or method of creation or perfection of any Priority Liens securing such Priority Lien Obligations and notwithstanding any provision of the UCC or any other applicable law or any defect or deficiencies in, or failure to perfect or lapse in perfection of, or avoidance as a fraudulent conveyance or otherwise of, the Liens securing the Priority Lien Obligations or any other circumstance whatsoever, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced against the Company or any other Grantor, it is the intent of the parties that all Priority Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all Priority Liens at any time granted by the Company or any other Grantor to secure any Priority Lien Obligations, and that all such Priority Liens will be enforceable by the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of all Priority Lien Secured Parties and the Collateral Trustee equally and ratably; provided , however , that the Priority Lien Obligations shall be subject to the prior payment rights of the Collateral Trustee for the Collateral Trustee’s Fees and Expenses and the holders of the First-Out Obligations and certain other Priority Lien Obligations as provided in Section 3.4 and the requirements of Section 1.3.

Section 2.3 Discretion in Enforcement of Priority Liens.

(a) Subject to the terms of any Intercreditor Agreement and Article 5 hereof, in exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral, the Controlling Priority Lien Representative may, by a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction, instruct (or refrain from instructing) the Collateral Trustee to enforce the provisions of the Priority Lien Documents and instruct (or refrain from instructing) the Collateral Trustee to exercise remedies thereunder or any such rights and remedies, all in such order and in such manner as the Controlling Priority Lien Representative may determine in the exercise of its sole and exclusive discretion, in each case, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Priority Lien Documents, including:

(1) the exercise or forbearance from exercise of all rights and remedies in respect of the Collateral and/or the Priority Lien Obligations as to which the Controlling Party Lien Representative is the Priority Lien Representative;

 

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(2) the enforcement or forbearance from enforcement of any Priority Lien in respect of the Collateral;

(3) the exercise or forbearance from exercise of rights and powers of a holder of shares of stock included in the Trust Estate to the extent provided in the Priority Lien Documents;

(4) after the occurrence of the Discharge of First-Out Obligations (other than with respect to any Excess First-Out Obligations), the acceptance of the Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of the First Lien Obligations; and

(5) the exercise or forbearance from exercise of all rights and remedies of a secured lender under the Uniform Commercial Code or any similar law of any applicable jurisdiction or in equity.

Section 2.4 Discretion in Enforcement of Priority Lien Obligations.

(a) Without in any way limiting the generality of Section   2.3 , the holders of First-Out Obligations on the one hand and the holders of First Lien Obligations, on the other hand, and their respective Priority Lien Obligations and the Priority Lien Representatives may, at any time and from time to time, do any one or more of the following, with respect to their respective Priority Liens and Priority Lien Obligations:

(1) unless otherwise prohibited by any Priority Lien Document, change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, their respective Priority Lien Obligations, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner their respective Priority Lien Obligations, or any instrument evidencing their respective Priority Lien Obligations or any agreement under which their respective Priority Lien Obligations are outstanding;

(2) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of their respective Priority Lien Obligations;

(3) release the Priority Lien on any Collateral; and

(4) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against Company and/or any other Grantor.

Section 2.5 Identical Collateral and Agreements . The parties to this Agreement agree that it is their intention that the Priority Liens securing the separate Series of Priority Lien Debt be identical (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Liens arising in connection with Other Credit Support and Mined Land Under Permit). In furtherance of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree that there shall be one set of Security Documents creating Liens on the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of all the Priority Lien Secured Parties and the Collateral Trustee.

 

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Section 2.6 Insolvency Matters .

(a) The Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the First-Out Secured Parties) and the First-Out Representative, for itself and on behalf of the First-Out Secured Parties, and the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties) and the First Lien Representative for itself and on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties, acknowledge and agree that because of, among other things, their differing rights to payment in respect of the Collateral, the First-Out Obligations are fundamentally different from the First Lien Obligations and must be separately classified in any plan of reorganization proposed or adopted in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held by a court of competent jurisdiction that the claims of the First-Out Secured Parties and the First Lien Secured Parties in respect of the Collateral constitute only one secured claim (rather than separate classes of secured claims), then each of the parties hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that all distributions from or in respect of the Collateral hereunder shall be made as if there were separate classes of secured claims against the Grantors from or in respect of the Collateral and the First-Out Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive (subject to the provisions of Section 3.4 of this Agreement), in addition to amounts distributed to them from, or in respect of, the Collateral in respect of principal, any pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of any post-petition interest, fees, costs, expenses, premiums, and other charges, irrespective of whether a claim for such amounts is allowed or allowable in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, before any distribution from, or in respect of, any Collateral is made in respect of the claims held by the First Lien Secured Parties who are not the Collateral Trustee (other than distributions of Collateral pursuant to Sections 3.4(a)(II ) and 3.4(a)(IV )), with the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties, but not on behalf of itself) and the First Lien Secured Parties (except the Collateral Trustee) acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the First-Out Secured Parties prior to the Discharge of First-Out Obligations (other than Excess First-Out Obligations) amounts otherwise received or receivable by them to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence (excluding amounts received pursuant to Sections 3.4(a)(II) and 3.4(a)(IV) ), even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the First Lien Secured Parties who are not the Collateral Trustee. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Section 2.4(a) to the contrary, the Collateral Trustee’s Fees and Expenses shall at all times be paid in full, prior to any payments being made to any of the other First Lien Secured Parties.

(b) If the Company and/or any other Grantor shall become subject to an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and shall, as debtor(s) in possession, move for approval of a financing (each, a “ DIP Financing ”) to be provided by one or more lenders (the “ DIP Lenders ”) under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law (including on a priming basis) or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any

 

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other Bankruptcy Law, each Priority Lien Secured Party (other than the Controlling Priority Lien Representative) agrees that it will not raise, join or support any objection to any such financing or to the Liens on the Collateral securing the same (“ DIP Financing Liens ”) or to any use of cash collateral that constitutes Collateral, unless the Controlling Priority Lien Representative shall then oppose or object (or join in any objection) to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens or use of cash collateral, in each case so long as (A) the Priority Lien Secured Parties of each Series of Priority Lien Debt retain the benefit of their Liens on all such Collateral pledged to the DIP Lenders, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of such proceeding, with the same priority vis-à-vis all the other Priority Lien Secured Parties (other than any Liens of the Priority Lien Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) as existed prior to the commencement of such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (B) the Priority Lien Secured Parties of each Series of Priority Lien Debt are granted Liens on any additional collateral pledged to any Priority Lien Secured Parties as adequate protection or otherwise in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, with the same priority vis-à-vis the Priority Lien Secured Parties as set forth in this Agreement, (C) if any amount of such DIP Financing or cash collateral is applied to repay any of the Priority Lien Obligations, such amount is applied pursuant to Section 3.4 , (D) if any Priority Lien Secured Parties are granted adequate protection, including in the form of periodic payments, in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, the proceeds of such adequate protection are applied pursuant to Section 3.4 and (E) either (i) the Liens securing such DIP Financing are not senior to the Liens securing the Priority Lien Obligations, and the First-Out Obligations maintain the same priority with respect to proceeds of the Collateral as set forth in Section 3.4 (including that the First-Out Obligations will have priority ahead of the obligations owed to the DIP Lenders) or (ii) the Discharge of First-Out Obligations (other than with respect to any Excess First-Out Obligations) occurs in connection with such DIP Financing; provided that (x) the Priority Lien Secured Parties of each Series of Priority Lien Debt shall have a right to object to the grant of a Lien to secure the DIP Financing over any property or assets subject to Liens in favor of the Priority Lien Secured Parties of such Series of Priority Lien Debt that does not constitute Collateral and (y) that the Priority Lien Secured Parties receiving adequate protection shall not object to any other Priority Lien Secured Party receiving adequate protection comparable to any adequate protection granted to such Priority Lien Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing or use of cash collateral.

Section 2.7 Insurance .

As between the Priority Lien Secured Parties, the Collateral Trustee, acting at the direction of the Controlling Priority Lien Representative, shall have (to the extent provided under the applicable Priority Lien Documents) the right to adjust or settle any insurance policy or claim covering or constituting Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Collateral.

Section 2.8 Refinancings .

The Priority Lien Obligations of any Series may be Refinanced, in whole or in part, in each case, without notice to, or the consent (except to the extent a consent is otherwise required

 

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to permit the Refinancing transaction under any Priority Lien Document) of any Priority Lien Secured Party of any other Series, all without affecting the priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided that such Refinancing indebtedness shall only constitute Additional First Lien Debt or Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Agreement hereunder if the Priority Lien Representative of the holders of any such Refinancing indebtedness shall have complied with the requirements of Section 3.8 or the definition of “Discharge of Senior Credit Agreement Obligations”, if applicable.

ARTICLE III

OBLIGATIONS AND POWERS OF COLLATERAL TRUSTEE

Section 3.1 Appointment and Undertaking of the Collateral Trustee .

(a) Each Priority Lien Secured Party acting through its respective Priority Lien Representative and/or by its acceptance of the Security Documents hereby appoints the Collateral Trustee to serve as collateral trustee hereunder on the terms and conditions set forth herein. Subject to, and in accordance with, this Agreement, the Collateral Trustee will, as collateral trustee, for the benefit solely and exclusively of the present and future Priority Lien Secured Parties and itself, when properly directed by a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction and if required by the Collateral Trustee, indemnified in accordance with Section 5.4 (c) of this Agreement:

(i) accept, enter into, hold, maintain, administer and enforce all Security Documents, including all Collateral subject thereto, and all Liens created thereunder, perform its obligations hereunder and under the Security Documents and protect, exercise and enforce the interests, rights, powers and remedies granted or available to it under, pursuant to or in connection with the Security Documents (including in connection with any Enforcement Action or Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding);

(ii) take all lawful and commercially reasonable actions permitted under the Security Documents that it may deem necessary or advisable to protect or preserve its interest in the Collateral subject thereto and such interests, rights, powers and remedies;

(iii) deliver and receive notices pursuant to this Agreement and the Security Documents;

(iv) sell, assign, collect, assemble, foreclose on, institute legal proceedings with respect to, take any Enforcement Action, or otherwise exercise or enforce the rights and remedies of a secured party (including a mortgagee, trust deed beneficiary and insurance beneficiary or loss payee) with respect to the Collateral under the Security Documents and its other interests, rights, powers and remedies;

(v) remit as provided in Section 3.4 all cash proceeds received by the Collateral Trustee from an Enforcement Action under the Security Documents, any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or any of its other interests, rights, powers or remedies;

 

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(vi) execute and deliver (i) amendments and supplements to the Security Documents as from time to time authorized pursuant to Section   7.1 accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that the amendment or supplement is permitted under Section 7.1 ; provided , that the Collateral Trustee shall be entitled to rely exclusively on such Officer’s Certificate without independent inquiry and (ii) acknowledgements of Collateral Trust Joinders delivered pursuant to Section   3.8 or 7.18 hereof;

(vii) release or subordinate any Lien granted to it by any Security Document upon any Collateral if and as required by Section 3.2 , Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 ; and

(viii) enter into and perform its obligations and protect, exercise and enforce its interest, rights, powers and remedies under any Intercreditor Agreement.

(b) Each party to this Agreement acknowledges and consents to the undertaking of the Collateral Trustee set forth in Section 3.1(a) and agrees to each of the other provisions of this Agreement applicable to the Collateral Trustee.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Collateral Trustee will not commence any Enforcement Action, take any action in connection with an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise take any action or proceeding against any of the Collateral unless and until the Collateral Trustee shall have received notice in the form of a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction and then only in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Collateral Trustee shall not be required to (i) file any proofs of claim or interest on behalf of any Priority Lien Secured Party under the Bankruptcy Code or in connection with any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding; or (ii) vote on any plan of reorganization, plan of liquidation or any other plan on behalf of any Priority Lien Secured Party under the Bankruptcy Code or in connection with any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates may serve as Collateral Trustee.

Section 3.2 Release or Subordination of Liens . The Collateral Trustee will not release or subordinate any Priority Lien of the Collateral Trustee or consent to the release or subordination of any Priority Lien of the Collateral Trustee, except:

(a) pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that the release or subordination in

 

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respect of Permitted Prior Liens (i) is permitted by each applicable Priority Lien Document and in the case of any subordination, such subordination does not affect the priority of the First-Out Lien and the First-Out Obligations in relation to the First Lien Obligations as set forth in Section 3.4 , and the rights and remedies of the First-Out Representative set forth in this Agreement, and (ii) otherwise satisfies the requirements of Section 4.1(b)(i) and 4.1(b)(ii) ;

(b) to release or subordinate Liens on Collateral to the extent permitted by each applicable Priority Lien Document; provided that the Collateral Trustee receives an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that (i) the release or subordination is permitted by each applicable Priority Lien Document and otherwise satisfies the requirements of Section   4.1(b)(i) and 4.1(b)(ii) , and (ii) in the case of any subordination, such subordination does not affect the priority of the First-Out Lien and the First-Out Obligations in relation to the First Lien Obligations as set forth in Section 3.4 , and the rights and remedies of the First-Out Representative set forth in this Agreement; or

(c) as ordered pursuant to applicable law under a final and nonappealable order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 3.3 Enforcement of Liens .

(a) Each Priority Lien Secured Party acting through its respective Priority Lien Representative and/or by its acceptance of the Security Documents agrees with the Collateral Trustee that (i) the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders on the date of this Agreement is Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as identified in the Preamble to this Agreement, (ii) the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders is the Controlling Priority Lien Representative on the date of this Agreement, and (iii) whether or not a Shifting Control Date has occurred, the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders shall remain the Controlling Priority Lien Representative unless and until the date that the Collateral Trustee and the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders has received written notice (a “ Shifting Control Notice ”) from a Person purporting to be the authorized representative of the First-Out Representative, which notice shall certify that (A) the person signing the notice is an authorized representative of the First-Out Representative, (B) the Shifting Control Notice was sent to the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders and the Collateral Trustee, and (C) a Shifting Control Date occurred on the date specified in such Shifting Control Notice (it being understood and agreed that, without limiting the obligations of the First Lien Representative hereunder, upon the Collateral Trustee’s receipt of a Shifting Control Notice satisfying the foregoing requirements, the Collateral Trustee may assume without further inquiry that the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders has received such notice). After the Collateral Trustee receives a Shifting Control Notice, the First-Out Representative shall constitute the Controlling Priority Lien Representative, notwithstanding any notice, demand or claim of the First Lien Representative or any other Person to the contrary; provided , however , if the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders gives the Collateral Trustee notice, in writing, stating that (I) the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First

 

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Lien Debtholders has commenced an Enforcement Action pursuant to the terms hereof and is otherwise diligently pursuing an Enforcement Action and (II) the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders is still the “Controlling Priority Lien Representative”, then the “Shifting Control Date” shall be deemed not to have occurred and the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders shall be the “Controlling Priority Lien Representative” unless the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders has withdrawn, in writing, its instructions to the Collateral Trustee to pursue an Enforcement Action. Each Person purporting to be the authorized representative of First-Out Representative that delivers a Shifting Control Notice to the Collateral Trustee shall also deliver a Shifting Control Notice to the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders, which Shifting Control Notice shall certify that (x) the person signing the notice is an authorized representative of the First-Out Representative, (y) the Shifting Control Notice was sent to the Collateral Trustee, and (z) a Shifting Control Date occurred on the date specified in in such Shifting Control Notice.

(b) Each Priority Lien Secured Party acting through its respective Priority Lien Representative and/or by its acceptance of the Security Documents agrees with the Collateral Trustee that: (i) the Collateral Trustee may refrain from taking an Enforcement Action or from acting with respect the Collateral unless directed pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction and shall refrain from taking an Enforcement Action or from acting or taking action with respect to the Collateral only as directed pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction; (ii) the Collateral Trustee shall not follow any instructions with respect to the Collateral or any Enforcement Action from any Priority Lien Secured Party other than the Controlling Priority Lien Representative; (iii) no Priority Lien Secured Party (other than the Controlling Priority Lien Representative) shall, or shall instruct the Collateral Trustee to take any Enforcement Action, whether under any Security Document, applicable law or otherwise, and (iv) only the Collateral Trustee, acting pursuant to Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction, shall be entitled to take any Enforcement Action and in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, to credit bid (subject to clause (g) below) the amount of any Priority Lien Debt; provided that, if and to the extent that such Enforcement Action is to be conducted through receivership, a court-appointed receiver will be utilized. Unless it has been directed to the contrary by a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction, the Collateral Trustee in any event may (but will not be obligated to) take or refrain from taking any Enforcement Action as it may deem advisable and in the best interest of the holders of Priority Lien Obligations.

(c) If the Collateral Trustee at any time receives a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction stating that a Priority Lien Debt Default has occurred, the Collateral Trustee, pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction, will promptly deliver written notice thereof to each other Priority Lien Representative. No Priority Lien Secured Party will contest, protest or object to any Enforcement Action brought by the Collateral Trustee, or any action taken by the Collateral Trustee in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or any other exercise by the Collateral Trustee of any rights and remedies relating to the Collateral, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(d) Each Priority Lien Representative, on behalf of itself and the Priority Lien Secured Parties for which it is acting hereunder, agrees that it will not accept any Lien on any assets or property that constitute Collateral for the benefit of any Priority Lien Obligations (excluding Other Credit Support) other than pursuant to the Security Documents, and by executing this Agreement (or a Collateral Trust Joinder), each Priority Lien Representative and each Priority Lien Secured Party for which it is acting hereunder agree to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and the other Security Documents applicable to it.

(e) Each Priority Lien Representative, on behalf of itself and each Priority Lien Secured Party for which it is acting hereunder, agrees that (i) it will not challenge or question in any proceeding the validity, allowability or enforceability of any Priority Lien Obligations or any Priority Lien Document or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien under any Priority Lien Document or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by or other provisions of this Agreement; (ii) it will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral; (iii) it will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement; (iv) it will not object to or oppose, and shall be deemed to consent to, a sale or other disposition of any Collateral (or any portion thereof) under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law if the Collateral Trustee (acting pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction) shall have consented to such sale or disposition of such Collateral, the Priority Liens attach to the proceeds of such sale or disposition, and the proceeds of such sale or disposition are applied in accordance with Section 3.4 ; (v) it will not object to or otherwise contest (or support any other Person contesting), any motion for relief from the automatic stay or from any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement in respect of the Collateral made by the Collateral Trustee (acting pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction); (vi) it will not seek relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of any Collateral, without the prior written consent of the Collateral Trustee (acting pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction); (vii) it will not object to, or otherwise contest (or support any Person contesting), (A) any request by the Collateral Trustee (acting pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction) for adequate protection on account of the Collateral or (B) any objection by the Collateral Trustee (acting pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction) to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on the Collateral Trustee’s claimed lack of adequate protection with respect to the Collateral; (viii) it will not assert or enforce (or support any Person asserting or enforcing) any claim under section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code pari passu with or senior to any Priority Liens for costs or expenses of preserving or disposing any Collateral; and (ix) other than as otherwise provided in this Agreement, oppose or otherwise contest (or support any other Person contesting) any lawful exercise by the Collateral Trustee (acting pursuant to

 

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a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction) of the right to credit bid at any sale of Collateral (subject to Section 3.3(g)); provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Collateral Trustee or any other Priority Lien Secured Party to enforce this Agreement.

(f) Prior to the commencement of any Enforcement Action with respect to any Collateral, the Controlling Priority Lien Representative shall (i) provide a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction (which shall include an instruction to the Collateral Trustee to provide a copy of such notice to each Priority Lien Representative) of its intention to deliver a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction to the Collateral Trustee to commence an Enforcement Action to the Collateral Trustee (who shall promptly provide a copy of such notice to each Priority Lien Representative) as far in advance of such commencement as is reasonably practicable, and (ii) consult with each Priority Lien Representative on a regular basis in connection with such Enforcement Action. Each Priority Lien Representative hereby agrees, on behalf of itself and the Priority Lien Secured Parties for which it is acting hereunder, to act in a commercially reasonable manner and in a manner consistent with this Agreement in connection with any Enforcement Action. Failure by the Collateral Trustee to deliver a copy of the Enforcement Action notice to the Priority Lien Representatives shall not affect the enforceability and effectiveness of the Enforcement Action or result in any liability on the part of the Collateral Trustee or the Controlling Priority Lien Representative.

(g) Each of the Priority Lien Representatives and the other Priority Lien Secured Parties may exercise any rights (i) of termination or acceleration of any Indebtedness or other Obligations owing under their respective Priority Lien Documents, (ii) with respect to the First-Out Representative, to call or forfeit any Collateral Bond or pursue any rights and remedies under the Texas Statutes or (iii) to demand payment under the guarantee in respect thereof or take any actions and exercise all rights available to it arising out of, relating to, or in respect of, the enforcement of any Lien (other than a Priority Lien) or in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding with respect to the Company or any other Grantor, in each case in accordance with the terms of their respective Priority Lien Documents and applicable law and otherwise consistent with the order of application in Section 3.4 and the other terms of this Agreement; provided that, during the continuance of any Priority Lien Debt Default under the applicable Priority Lien Documents, the proceeds realized from the exercise of any set-off rights (other than in respect of Other Credit Support) shall be distributed in accordance with Section 3.4 .

(h) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, at any time when the Controlling Priority Lien Representative is not the First-Out Representative, each Priority Lien Representative, on behalf of itself and each Priority Lien Secured Party for which it is acting hereunder, agrees that in a sale or other disposition of any Collateral (or any portion thereof) under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or the equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code, any other Bankruptcy Law or applicable law, the Collateral Trustee is authorized to credit-bid the First Lien Obligations so long as such credit bid provides for the Discharge of First-Out Obligations (other than with respect to any Excess First-Out Obligations), and provided that the Collateral Trustee shall have received a Controlling Party Lien Representative Direction authorizing such credit bid.

 

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Section 3.4 Application of Proceeds .

(a) (I) Subject to the other provisions of this Section 3.4 , all proceeds of any collection, sale (including any sale or other disposition under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code), foreclosure or other realization upon, or any other Enforcement Action with respect to, any Collateral and all assets or amounts received on account of the Collateral or the secured claims of the Priority Lien Secured Parties under the Priority Lien Documents in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise in connection with the enforcement of remedies and the proceeds of the foregoing (whether through an Enforcement Action or during an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise in connection with the enforcement of remedies), the proceeds of any insurance policy required under any Priority Lien Document or otherwise covering the Collateral, any condemnation proceeds with respect to the Collateral, and any other amounts required to be delivered to the Collateral Trustee by any Priority Lien Secured Party or Priority Lien Representative pursuant to any other provision of this Agreement and for application in accordance with this Section 3.4(a) (collectively, “ Proceeds ”), shall be delivered by the parties hereto to the Collateral Trustee who will apply such Proceeds in the following order of application (and each Priority Lien Representative shall provide a notice to the Collateral Trustee identifying the amounts which are payable to the applicable Series of Priority Lien Debt for which it acts as Priority Lien Representative pursuant to this Section 3.4(a) and the Collateral Trustee shall be entitled to rely exclusively on such notice without independent inquiry):

FIRST, to the payment of all amounts payable under this Agreement on account of the Collateral Trustee’s fees and expenses and any reasonable legal fees and expenses, out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses or other liabilities of any kind incurred by the Collateral Trustee or any co-trustee or agent of the Collateral Trustee in connection with any Security Document, including but not limited to amounts necessary to provide for the fees and expenses of the Collateral Trustee in maintaining and disposing of the Collateral, including, but not limited to, indemnification payments and reimbursements (collectively, the “ Collateral Trustee’s Fees and Expenses ”);

SECOND, prior to the Discharge of First-Out Obligations (other than with respect to Excess First-Out Obligations), to the First-Out Representative for application to the First-Out Representative Fees and Expenses, including any reasonable legal fees and expenses, out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses or other liabilities of any kind incurred by the First-Out Representative (other than Reclamation Obligations) in connection with any First-Out Document, including, but not limited to, indemnification payments and reimbursements;

THIRD, prior to the Discharge of First-Out Obligations, to the First-Out Representative such an amount sufficient to pay or satisfy in full in cash all outstanding First-Out Obligations and otherwise provide for the Discharge of First-Out Obligations (other than any Excess First-Out Obligations;

 

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FOURTH, after the Discharge of First-Out Obligations (other than any than Excess First-Out Obligations), equally and ratably to the First Lien Representatives for application to the payment of all outstanding First Lien Debt and any other First Lien Obligations (which will include the Senior Credit Agreement) that are then due and payable in such order as may be provided in the applicable First Lien Documents in an amount sufficient to pay in full in cash all such outstanding First Lien Debt and all other First Lien Obligations that are then due and payable (including all interest accrued thereon after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate, specified in the applicable First Lien Documents, even if such interest is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding (including all interest accrued thereon after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate, specified in the First Lien Documents, even if such interest is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding, and including the discharge or cash collateralization (in an amount equal to at least the percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount required for release of Liens under the terms of the First Lien Documents) of all outstanding letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances or the backstop thereof pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the relevant issuing bank, if any, constituting First Lien Obligations and the termination, expiration or other collateral arrangements in respect of Hedging Obligations and Cash Management Obligations that are reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Hedge Bank and the applicable Cash Management Bank);

FIFTH, to the First-Out Representative for application to the payment of any Excess First-Out Obligations until the Discharge of First-Out Obligations in respect of such Excess First-Out Obligations; and

SIXTH, subject to any applicable Intercreditor Agreement, any surplus remaining after the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations will be paid to the Company or the applicable Grantor, as the case may be, its successors or assigns, or to such other Persons as may be entitled to such amounts under applicable law or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Series of Priority Lien Debt has released its Lien on any Collateral as described below in Section 4.4 , then such Series of Priority Lien Debt and any related Priority Lien Obligations of that Series of Priority Lien Debt thereafter shall not be entitled to share in the proceeds of any Collateral so released by that Series of Priority Lien Debt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Trustee shall only apply Proceeds in accordance with this Section 3.4 to the extent that such Proceeds are actually so received by the Collateral Trustee.

 

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(II) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 3.4(a)(I) , (i) if the Company shall fail to pay to any Term Letter of Credit Issuer any Term Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations as and when required under the Senior Credit Agreement (including accrued but unpaid interest thereon), then the Controlling Priority Lien Representative shall, by a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction, direct the Collateral Trustee (which direction shall include sufficient information for the Collateral Trustee to meet the requirements of this Section 3.4(a)(II) , including without limitation, the amount to be reimbursed, the name and address of the Depositary Bank and the name and address of the Term Loan Letter of Credit Issuer) to instruct the applicable Depositary Bank to promptly withdraw from the applicable Term Letter of Credit Cash Collateral Account for the benefit of such Term Letter of Credit Issuer the applicable amount in accordance with the applicable terms of the Senior Credit Agreement and, upon receipt, such Term Letter of Credit Issuer shall apply such amount to the Term Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations (and accrued and unpaid interest thereon) owed to such Term Letter of Credit Issuer in accordance with the applicable terms of the Senior Credit Agreement, and (ii) prior to the Discharge of Senior Credit Agreement Obligations in respect of all Term Letters of Credit and all Obligations in respect of such Term Letters of Credit under the Senior Credit Agreement (including all Term Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations), any Proceeds in respect of the Term Letter of Credit Cash Collateral Accounts (and the funds therein) shall be applied to the foregoing Obligations in respect of the Term Letters of Credit in accordance with the applicable terms of the Senior Credit Agreement prior to application in accordance with Section 3.4(a)(I) .

(III) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Proceeds of any Collateral shall not be applied to the First Lien Obligations owed to any applicable First Lien Secured Party entitled to Other Credit Support until such First Lien Secured Party shall have applied any Other Credit Support to the First Lien Obligations owing to it, unless such application is not then permitted under the applicable First Lien Document, the terms of any relevant Other Credit Support or applicable law.

(IV) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Proceeds of any Mined Land Under Permit shall not be applied to any Obligations payable under Section 3.4(a)(I) SECOND, THIRD or FIFTH and such proceeds shall instead by applied in accordance with Section 3.4(a)(I) without giving effect to Section 3.4(a)(I) SECOND, THIRD or FIFTH.

(b) If any portion of the proceeds of the Collateral is in the form of cash, then such cash shall be applied pursuant to the priorities set forth in this Section 3.4 before any non-cash proceeds are applied pursuant to the priorities set forth in this Section 3.4 ; provided that, irrespective of the terms of any plan of reorganization or other plan in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of any Grantor (including the confirmation of such plan of reorganization pursuant to section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or the equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Laws), each of the Priority Lien Debt Representatives hereby acknowledges and agrees to turn over to the Collateral Trustee amounts otherwise received or receivable by them under such plan to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this Section 3.4 . If any Priority Lien Secured Party collects or receives any proceeds of an Enforcement Action, proceeds of any title or other insurance, and any proceeds subject to Liens that have been avoided or otherwise

 

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invalidated that should have been applied to the payment of the Priority Lien Obligations in accordance with Section 3.4(a) above, whether prior to or after the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, such Priority Lien Secured Party will forthwith deliver the same to the Collateral Trustee, for the account of the applicable Priority Lien Secured Parties, to be applied in accordance with Section 3.4(a) . Until so delivered, such proceeds shall be segregated and will be held in trust by that Secured Party for the benefit of the applicable Secured Parties.

(c) To the extent any Priority Lien Secured Party or Priority Lien Representative receives cash, property or other assets on account of its claim in respect of any Priority Lien Obligations in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, such cash, property or other assets will be delivered to the Collateral Trustee for application in accordance with Section 3.4(a) (including all interest accrued thereon after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate, specified in the applicable Priority Lien Documents or other documentation in respect of Priority Lien Obligations, even if such interest is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding) until the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations.

(d) If, after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Priority Lien Debt Default, any Discharge of First Lien Obligations occurs by way of the exercise of any rights of set-off, banker’s liens or consolidation of accounts prior to the Discharge of First-Out Obligations (other than with respect to any Excess First-Out Obligations and other than by way of realization on Mined Land Under Permit, Other Credit Support or the Term Letter of Credit Cash Collateral Accounts), the relevant Priority Lien Secured Party shall immediately segregate and hold an amount equal to the amount so discharged in trust for application to the First-Out Obligations and forthwith deliver such amount to the Collateral Trustee as provided in this Section 3.4 .

(e) This Section 3.4 is intended for the benefit of, and will be enforceable as a third party beneficiary by, each present and future holder of Priority Lien Obligations, each present and future Priority Lien Representative, the Collateral Trustee as holder of Priority Liens, the Company and each Grantor. The Priority Lien Representative of each future Series of Priority Lien Debt will be required to deliver a Collateral Trust Joinder including an Additional Secured Debt Designation as provided in Section   3.8 at the time of incurrence of such Series of Priority Lien Debt.

(f) In connection with the application of proceeds pursuant to this Section   3.4 , except as otherwise directed by the Controlling Priority Lien Representative in a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction, the Collateral Trustee may sell any non-cash proceeds for cash prior to the application of the proceeds thereof.

(g) In making the determinations and allocations in accordance with Section   3.4(a) , the Collateral Trustee may conclusively rely upon a notice provided by the relevant Priority Lien Representative as to the amounts of unpaid principal and interest and other amounts outstanding with respect to the Series of the Priority Lien Debt for which it acts as Priority Lien Representative and the Collateral Trustee shall have no

 

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liability to any of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, the Grantors or any other Person for actions taken in reliance on such information. Promptly following the reasonable request of the Collateral Trustee, the applicable Priority Lien Representative shall deliver to the Controlling Priority Lien Representative, the Collateral Trustee and the Company a certificate setting forth the information described above (and the Collateral Trustee may rely thereon). All distributions made by the Collateral Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall be (subject to any decree of any court of competent jurisdiction) final, and the Collateral Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the application by any Priority Lien Representative in respect of any amounts distributed to such Priority Lien Representative.

Section 3.5 Powers of the Collateral Trustee .

(a) The Collateral Trustee is irrevocably authorized and empowered to enter into and perform its obligations and, to the extent provided in this Agreement and applicable law, protect, perfect, exercise and enforce its interest, rights, powers and remedies under the Security Documents (including in connection with any Enforcement Action and in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) and applicable law and in equity, to take such actions on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and to act as set forth in this Article 3 and elsewhere in this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, and the other Security Documents to which it is a party and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Collateral Trustee by the terms of this Agreement, or, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, as requested in any lawful directions given to it from time to time in respect of any matter in a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction.

(b) No Priority Lien Representative or holder of Priority Lien Obligations (other than the Collateral Trustee) will have any liability whatsoever to any other Priority Lien Representative or holder of Priority Lien Obligations for any act or omission of the Collateral Trustee, and the Collateral Trustee will have no liability whatsoever for any act or omission of any Priority Lien Representative or any holder of Priority Lien Obligations.

Section 3.6 Documents and Communications . The Collateral Trustee will permit each Priority Lien Representative upon reasonable written notice and at reasonable times from time to time to inspect and copy, at the cost and expense of the party requesting such copies, any and all Security Documents and other documents, notices, certificates, instructions or communications received by the Collateral Trustee in its capacity as such.

Section 3.7 For Sole and Exclusive Benefit of Holders of Priority Lien Obligations . The Collateral Trustee will accept, hold, administer and enforce, to the extent provided in this Agreement, all Liens on the Collateral at any time transferred or delivered to it and all other interests, rights, powers and remedies at any time granted to or enforceable by the Collateral Trustee and all other property of the Trust Estate solely and exclusively for the benefit of the present and future holders of present and future Priority Lien Obligations, and will distribute all proceeds received by it from an Enforcement Action solely and exclusively pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.4 .

 

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Section 3.8 Additional Secured Debt .

(a) The Collateral Trustee will, as collateral trustee hereunder, perform its undertakings set forth in Section 3.1(a) with respect to any First Lien Obligations constituting a Series of First Lien Debt that is issued or incurred after the date hereof or any First-Out Obligations constituting Additional Collateral Bonds and/or related obligations under First-Out Documents, as applicable, provided after the date hereof; provided that:

(i) such First Lien Obligations are identified as First Lien Debt or such First-Out Obligations are identified as an Additional Collateral Bond and/or related obligations under First-Out Documents in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.8(b) ; and

(ii) unless such debt or bond is issued under an existing Priority Lien Document for any Series of First Lien Debt whose First Lien Representative is already party to this Agreement or under an existing Collateral Bond with respect to which the First-Out Representative is already a party to this Agreement, the designated Priority, the designated First Lien Representative identified pursuant to Section 3.8(b) signs a Collateral Trust Joinder and promptly delivers the same to the Collateral Trustee.

(b) The Company will be permitted to designate as an additional holder of First Lien Debt or First-Out Obligations hereunder each Person who is, or who becomes, the registered holder of First Lien Debt or First-Out Obligations, as applicable, incurred by the Company or any other Grantor after the date of this Agreement in accordance with the terms of all applicable Priority Lien Documents. The Company may only effect such designation by delivering to the Collateral Trustee an Additional Secured Debt Designation that:

(i) states that the Company or other applicable Grantor intends to incur additional First Lien Debt (“ Additional First Lien Debt ”) or an Additional Collateral Bond and/or related obligations under First-Out Documents (any Additional First Lien Debt or Additional Collateral Bond and/or related obligations under First-Out Documents, “ Additional Secured Debt ”) that is not prohibited by each applicable Priority Lien Document to be incurred and to be secured with a Priority Lien equally and ratably with all previously existing and future Priority Lien Debt, but subject to the prior payment rights of the holders of all First-Out Obligations and certain other Priority Lien Obligations as set forth in Section   3.4(a) ;

(ii) specifies the name, address and contact information of the Priority Lien Representative for such series of Additional Secured Debt for purposes of Section 7.6 ;

(iii) states that the Company or applicable Grantor has duly authorized, executed (if applicable) and recorded (or caused to be recorded), or agreed to

 

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record (or agreed to cause to be recorded), in each appropriate governmental office all relevant filings and recordations deemed necessary by Company or the Grantors and the holder of such Additional Secured Debt, or its Priority Lien Representative, to ensure that the Additional Secured Debt will be secured by the Collateral in accordance with the Priority Lien Security Documents, in each case to the extent and as required by the Priority Lien Security Documents; and

(iv) states that the Company has caused a copy of the Additional Secured Debt Designation and the related Collateral Trust Joinder to be delivered to each then existing Priority Lien Representative and that, as applicable, such Additional First Lien Debt shall constitute First Lien Debt for the purposes of this Agreement or such Additional Collateral Bond and/or related obligations under First-Out Documents shall constitute First-Out Obligations for the purposes of this Agreement.

Although the Company shall be required to deliver a copy of each Additional Secured Debt Designation and each Collateral Trust Joinder to each then existing Priority Lien Representative, the failure to so deliver a copy of the Additional Secured Debt Designation and/or Collateral Trust Joinder to any then existing Priority Lien Representative shall not affect the status of such debt as Additional Secured Debt, if the other requirements of this Section 3.8 are complied with. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement will be construed to allow Company or any other Grantor to incur additional secured Indebtedness unless permitted by the terms of all applicable Priority Lien Documents. Liens upon the Collateral to secure Additional Secured Debt, shall be created pursuant to the Security Documents that create Liens upon the Collateral to secure the other Priority Lien Obligations; provided that, to the extent required by applicable law, such Liens upon the Collateral to secure Additional Secured Debt may be created pursuant to separate Security Documents, which shall be in substantially the same form as the applicable Security Documents creating the Liens upon the Collateral to secure the other Priority Lien Obligations. Except in respect of Mined Land Under Permit and Other Credit Support, Additional Secured Debt shall not be secured by Liens upon any property of the Grantors unless the other Priority Lien Obligations are also secured by Liens on such property. Additional Secured Debt may be guaranteed by all of the applicable Guarantors, but shall not be guaranteed by any Person that is not a Guarantor.

(c) With respect to any Priority Lien Obligations constituting Additional Secured Debt that is issued or incurred after the date hereof, the Company and each of the other Grantors agrees to take such actions (if any) as necessary and as may from time to time reasonably be requested by the Collateral Trustee, any Priority Lien Representative or any Controlling Priority Lien Representative, and enter into such technical amendments, modifications and/or supplements to the then existing Guarantees and Security Documents (or execute and deliver such additional Security Documents) as necessary and as may from time to time be reasonably requested by such Persons (including as contemplated by clause (d) below), to ensure that the Additional Secured Debt, as applicable, is secured by, and entitled to the benefits of, the Security Documents, and each Priority Lien Secured Party (by its acceptance of the benefits hereof) hereby agrees to, and authorizes the Collateral Trustee to enter into, any such technical

 

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amendments, modifications and/or supplements (and additional Security Documents). The Company and each other Grantor hereby further agrees that, if there are any recording, filing or other similar fees payable in connection with any of the actions to be taken pursuant to this Section 3.8(c) , all such amounts shall be paid by, and shall be for the account of, the Company and the respective other Grantors, on a joint and several basis.

(d) The Company shall have the right, at any time on or after the occurrence of the Discharge of First-Out Obligations, to enter into any First-Out Document evidencing replacement First-Out Obligations so long as the incurrence thereof is not prohibited by any Priority Lien Documents, and to designate such obligations as First-Out Obligations in accordance with Section 3.8(b) . At any time from and after the date of such designation pursuant to Section 3.8(b) , subject to compliance with Sections 3.8(c) , the obligations under such First-Out Document shall automatically and without further action be treated as First-Out Obligations for all purposes of this Agreement.

Section 3.9 Priority Lien Agents .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement, any Priority Lien Document or any Security Document, the parties hereto agree as follows:

(i) any reference to the Priority Lien Agent in any Intercreditor Agreement shall refer to the Collateral Trustee; and

(ii) the Collateral Trustee, as Priority Lien Agent under any Intercreditor Agreement, will not be required to take any action under any Intercreditor Agreement unless and until the Controlling Priority Lien Representative directs the Collateral Trustee in a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction, as such Priority Lien Agent, to take such action and each Intercreditor Agreement shall so provide.

(b) In the event any Intercreditor Agreement requires the delivery, or receipt, of any notice by the Priority Lien Agent, such delivery or receipt will be deemed satisfied in all respects when the Collateral Trustee makes such delivery or receives such notice.

ARTICLE IV

OBLIGATIONS ENFORCEABLE BY THE COMPANY AND THE OTHER GRANTORS

Section 4.1 Release of Liens on Collateral .

(a) The Priority Liens upon the Collateral will be automatically released in each of the following circumstances:

(i) as to all Collateral, upon the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations;

 

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(ii) as to any Collateral of the Company or any other Grantor that (A) is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by the Company or any other Grantor to a Person that is not (either before or after such sale, transfer or disposition) the Company or any other Grantor in a transaction or other circumstance that is not prohibited by the Senior Credit Agreement and the other Priority Lien Documents or (B) becomes Excluded Collateral;

(iii) as to any Collateral of a Grantor that (A) is released as a Grantor (and Guarantor) under each Priority Lien Document (including as a result of becoming an Excluded Subsidiary) and (B) is not obligated (as primary obligor or guarantor) with respect to any other Priority Lien Obligations and, in each case, so long as the respective release does not violate the terms of any Priority Lien Document which then remains in effect;

(iv) as to any other release of any of the Collateral, if (A) consent to the release of that Collateral has been given by the requisite percentage or number of holders of each Series of Priority Lien Debt at the time outstanding as provided for in the applicable Priority Lien Documents and (B) the Company has delivered an Officers’ Certificate to the Collateral Trustee certifying that all such necessary consents have been obtained; or

(v) as to any Collateral of the Company or any other Grantor that is foreclosed upon by the Collateral Trustee or against which the Collateral Trustee otherwise exercises its rights or remedies (including in connection with an Enforcement Action) (whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding is pending at the time) in each case, which results in a disposition of such Collateral.

(b) The Collateral Trustee agrees for the benefit of the Company and the other Grantors that, if the Collateral Trustee at any time receives:

(i) an Officers’ Certificate stating that (A) the signing Authorized Officer has read Article 4 of this Agreement and understands the provisions and the definitions relating hereto, (B) such Authorized Officer has made such examination or investigation and has sought legal advice as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not the conditions precedent in this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement and all other Priority Lien Documents, if any, relating to the release of the Collateral have been complied with and (C) in the opinion of such Authorized Officer, such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with; provided , that the Collateral Trustee shall be entitled to rely exclusively on such Officer’s Certificate without independent inquiry; and

(ii) the proposed instrument or instruments releasing such Lien as to such property in recordable form, if applicable;

then, promptly following receipt by the Collateral Trustee of a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction, the Collateral Trustee will execute or otherwise authorize (with such acknowledgements and/or notarizations as are required) and deliver such release to the Company or other applicable Grantor.

 

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(c) The Collateral Trustee hereby agrees that in the case of any release pursuant to Section 4.1(a)(ii) , if the terms of any such sale, transfer or other disposition require the payment of the purchase price to be contemporaneous with the delivery of the applicable release, then, at the written request of and at the expense of the Company or other applicable Grantor, the Collateral Trustee will either (A) at the expense of the Company or other applicable Grantor, have an authorized representative be present at and deliver the release at the closing of such transaction on behalf of the Collateral Trustee or (B) deliver the release under customary escrow arrangements that permit such contemporaneous payment and delivery of the release on behalf of the Collateral Trustee.

(d) Each Priority Lien Secured Party acting through its respective Priority Lien Representative and/or by its acceptance of the Security Documents hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral Trustee may, and hereby directs the Collateral Trustee to, provide the releases described in this Section 4.1.

Section 4.2 Delivery of Copies to Priority Lien Representatives . The Company will deliver to each Priority Lien Representative a copy of each Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Collateral Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1(b) , together with copies of all documents delivered to the Collateral Trustee with such Officers’ Certificate and final (executed, if applicable) versions of such documents. The Priority Lien Representatives will not be obligated to take notice thereof or to act thereon.

Section 4.3 Collateral Trustee not Required to Serve, File or Record . The Collateral Trustee is not required to serve, file, register or record any instrument releasing or subordinating its Liens on any Collateral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company or any other Grantor makes a written demand by notice to the Priority Lien Representatives and the Collateral Trustee for a termination statement under Section 9-513(c) of the UCC in the form of an Officers’ Certificate which Officers’ Certificate shall describe in reasonable detail the basis on which Company or any other Grantor has met the requirements for a termination statement under Section 9-513(c) of the UCC and shall describe the Objection Period (as defined below) and state the expiration date thereof, each Priority Lien Representative shall have twenty (20) business days from the date of the Officer’s Certificate (the “ Objection Period ”) to deliver a written objection to the Collateral Trustee. If the Collateral Trustee does not receive a written objection within the Objection Period, the Collateral Trustee shall promptly, on or after the first business day after the expiration of the Objection Period, authorize such a termination statement and comply with the requirements of Section 9-513(c) of the UCC, as determined and/or directed by the Company or other Grantor. The Collateral Trustee may conclusively rely on such Officers’ Certificate.

Section 4.4 Release of Liens in Respect of First-Out or First Lien Obligations . In addition to any release pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof, the Collateral Trustee’s Priority Liens will no longer secure:

(a) the First-Out Obligations, and the right of the First-Out Secured Parties to the benefits and proceeds of the Priority Liens on the Collateral will terminate and be discharged, upon the Discharge of First-Out Obligations; and

(b) the First Lien Obligations, and the right of the holders of such First Lien Obligations to the benefits and proceeds of the Priority Liens on the Collateral will terminate and be discharged, upon (i) the Discharge of First Lien Obligations or (ii) defeasance of the First Lien Obligations in accordance with the applicable First Lien Document if such document provides for a release of Liens on the Collateral upon such defeasance.

 

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ARTICLE V

IMMUNITIES OF THE COLLATERAL TRUSTEE

Section 5.1 No Implied Duty . The Collateral Trustee will not have any duties nor will it have responsibilities or obligations other than those expressly assumed by it in this Agreement, the other Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement. No implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement, the other Priority Lien Documents or any Intercreditor Agreement, or otherwise exist against the Collateral Trustee. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentences, the use of the term “ trustee ” in this Agreement with reference to the Collateral Trustee is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties. The Collateral Trustee will not be required to take any action that is contrary to applicable law or any provision of this Agreement, the other Security Documents or any Intercreditor Agreement. The Collateral Trustee shall have no responsibility for any information in any prospectus, offering document or other disclosure material distributed with respect to the Priority Lien Debt on the transactions described herein, and the Collateral Trustee shall have no responsibility for compliance with any state or federal securities laws in connection therewith.

Section 5.2 Appointment of Agents and Advisors . The Collateral Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys, accountants, appraisers or other experts or advisors selected by it in good faith as it may reasonably require and will not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any of them.

Section 5.3 Other Agreements . The Collateral Trustee has accepted its appointment as collateral trustee hereunder and is bound by the Security Documents executed by the Collateral Trustee as of the date of this Agreement, and, as set forth in a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction, the Collateral Trustee shall execute additional Security Documents and Intercreditor Agreements delivered to it after the date of this Agreement (including to secure Obligations arising under Additional Secured Debt to the extent such Obligations are permitted to be incurred and secured under the Priority Lien Documents); provided that such additional Security Documents do not adversely affect the rights, privileges, benefits and immunities of the Collateral Trustee or conflict with the terms of this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement to which the Collateral Trustee is a party. The Collateral Trustee

 

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will not otherwise be bound by, or be held obligated by, the provisions of any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement governing Priority Lien Debt (other than this Agreement and the other Security Documents to which it is a party).

Section 5.4 Solicitation of Instructions .

(a) The Collateral Trustee may at any time solicit written confirmatory instructions, in the form of a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction, an Officers’ Certificate or an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, as to any action that it may be requested or required to take, or that it may propose to take, in the performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or the other Security Documents, and may conclusively rely on such instructions as to such matter and such instructions shall be full warranty and protection to the Collateral Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement and the other Security Documents.

(b) No written or other direction given to the Collateral Trustee by the Controlling Priority Lien Representative, whether by a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction or otherwise, that in the sole judgment of the Collateral Trustee imposes, purports to impose or might reasonably be expected to impose upon the Collateral Trustee any obligation or liability not set forth in or arising under this Agreement and the other Security Documents will be binding upon the Collateral Trustee unless the Collateral Trustee elects, at its sole option, to accept such direction.

(c) The Collateral Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Agreement at the request, order or direction of the Controlling Priority Lien Representative, whether by a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction or otherwise, pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, unless the Priority Lien Secured Parties or the Controlling Priority Lien Representative shall have furnished to the Collateral Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it for all costs, expenses and liabilities, including, but not limited to, Collateral Trustee’s Fees and Expenses, which may be incurred therein or thereby.

Section 5.5 Limitation of Liability . The Collateral Trustee will not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it hereunder or under any other Security Document, except for its (or its Affiliates’ or relates parties’) own gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 5.6 Documents in Satisfactory Form . The Collateral Trustee will be entitled, but not obligated, to require that all agreements, certificates, opinions, instruments and other documents at any time submitted to it, including those expressly provided for in this Agreement, be delivered to it in a form reasonably satisfactory to it.

Section 5.7 Entitled to Rely . The Collateral Trustee may seek and conclusively rely upon, and shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, any judicial order or judgment, upon any advice, opinion or statement of legal counsel, independent consultants and other

 

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experts selected by it in good faith and upon any certification, instruction, notice or other writing delivered to it by the Company or any other Grantor in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement or delivered to it by any Priority Lien Representative as to the holders of Priority Lien Obligations for whom it acts, without being required to determine the authenticity thereof or the correctness of any fact stated therein or the propriety or validity of service thereof. The Collateral Trustee may act in reliance upon any instrument comporting with the provisions of this Agreement or any signature believed by it in good faith to be genuine and may assume that any Person purporting to give notice or receipt or advice or make any statement or execute any document in connection with the provisions hereof or the other Security Documents has been duly authorized to do so. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent an Officers’ Certificate or opinion of counsel is required or permitted under this Agreement to be delivered to the Collateral Trustee in respect of any matter, any such Officers’ Certificate or opinion of counsel shall be obtained at the expense of the Company or any Grantor, such opinion may be delivered by internal counsel to the Company or any Grantor, and the Collateral Trustee may rely conclusively on an Officers’ Certificate or opinion of counsel as to such matter and such Officers’ Certificate or opinion of counsel shall be full warranty and protection to the Collateral Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Security Documents.

Section 5.8 Priority Lien Debt Defaul t . The Collateral Trustee will not be required to inquire as to the occurrence or absence of any Priority Lien Debt Default and will not be affected by or required to act upon any notice or knowledge as to the occurrence of any Priority Lien Debt Default unless and until the Collateral Trustee is so directed in a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction.

Section 5.9 Actions by Collateral Trustee . As to any matter not expressly provided for by this Agreement or the other Security Documents, the Collateral Trustee will act or refrain from acting as directed in a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction by the Controlling Priority Lien Representative and will be fully protected if it does so, and any action taken, suffered or omitted pursuant to hereto or thereto shall be binding on the holders of Priority Lien Obligations. The permissive right of the Collateral Trustee to take actions permitted by this Agreement shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to take or to continue any action.

Section 5.10 Security or Indemnity in favor of the Collateral Truste e . The Collateral Trustee will not be required to advance or expend any funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers or rights hereunder unless it has been provided with security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any and all liability or expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take such action.

Section 5.11 Rights of the Collateral Trustee . In the event of any conflict between any terms and provisions set forth in this Agreement and those set forth in any other Security Document, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall supersede and control the terms and provisions of such other Security Document. In the event there is any good faith disagreement between the other parties to this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents resulting in adverse claims being made in connection with Collateral held by the Collateral Trustee and the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents do not unambiguously mandate

 

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the action the Collateral Trustee is to take or not to take in connection therewith under the circumstances then existing, or the Collateral Trustee is in doubt as to what action it is required to take or not to take hereunder or under the other Security Documents, it will be entitled to refrain from taking any action (and will incur no liability for doing so) until directed otherwise in writing by a request signed by the Company and the Controlling Priority Lien Representative or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Section 5.12 Limitations on Duty of Collateral Trustee in Respect of Collateral .

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, beyond the exercise of reasonable care in the custody of Collateral in its possession, the Collateral Trustee will have no duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any agent or bailee or any income thereon or as to preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto and the Collateral Trustee will not be responsible for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents or instruments in any public office at any time or times or otherwise perfecting or maintaining the perfection of any Liens on the Collateral; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral Trustee will authorize the filing of UCC-3 continuation statements and will execute and authorize the filing or recording of other documents and instruments to preserve, protect or perfect the security interests granted to the Collateral Trustee (subject to the priorities set forth herein) if it shall receive a specific written request to do so from any Priority Lien Representative (which written request shall include an instruction to the Collateral Trustee to provide a copy of such request to each other Priority Lien Representative), it being understood that the Priority Lien Representatives shall be responsible for all filings required in connection with any Security Document (and are hereby authorized to make such filings by the Grantors on behalf of the Collateral Trustee and the Priority Lien Secured Parties) and the continuation, maintenance and/or perfection of any such filing or the lien and security interest granted in connection therewith. The Grantors hereby irrevocably authorize the Collateral Trustee to take any action with respect to any such written request from a Priority Lien Representative and the Collateral Trustee shall be permitted to conclusively rely on any such written request. The Collateral Trustee shall deliver to each other Priority Lien Representative a copy of any such written request. The Collateral Trustee will be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment equal to that which it accords its own property, and the Collateral Trustee will not be liable or responsible for any loss or diminution in the value of any of the Collateral by reason of the act or omission of any carrier, forwarding agency or other agent or bailee selected by the Collateral Trustee in good faith.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (except as provided in paragraph 5.12(a) ), the Collateral Trustee will not be responsible for the existence, genuineness, condition or value of any of the Collateral or for the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the Liens in any of the Collateral, for the validity or sufficiency of the Collateral or any agreement or assignment contained therein, for the validity of the title of any Grantor to the Collateral, for insuring the Collateral or for the

 

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payment of taxes, charges, assessments or Liens upon the Collateral or otherwise as to the maintenance of the Collateral. The Collateral Trustee hereby disclaims any representation or warranty to the current and future holders of the Priority Lien Obligations concerning the perfection of the security interests granted to it or in the value of any Collateral. The Collateral Trustee shall not be under any obligation to any Priority Lien Representative or any holder of Priority Lien Debt to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this or any other Security Document or any Intercreditor Agreement or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Company or any other Grantor.

Section 5.13 Assumption of Rights, No Assumption of Duties . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein:

(a) each of the parties thereto will remain liable under each of the Security Documents (other than this Agreement) to the extent set forth therein to perform all of their respective duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if this Agreement had not be executed;

(b) the exercise by the Collateral Trustee of any of its rights, remedies or powers hereunder will not release such parties from any of their respective duties or obligations under the other Security Documents; and

(c) the Collateral Trustee will not be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of the Company or any Grantor.

Section 5.14 No Liability for Clean Up of Hazardous Materials . In the event that the Collateral Trustee is required to acquire title to an asset for any reason, or take any managerial action of any kind in regard thereto, in order to carry out any trust obligation for the benefit of another, which in the Collateral Trustee’s sole discretion may cause the Collateral Trustee to be considered an “ owner or operator ” under any environmental laws or otherwise cause the Collateral Trustee to incur, or be exposed to, any environmental liability or any liability under any other federal, state or local law, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the Collateral Trustee reserves the right, instead of taking such action, either to immediately resign as Collateral Trustee (which resignation shall be immediately effective) or to arrange for the transfer of the title or control of the asset to a court appointed receiver. The Collateral Trustee will not be liable to any Person for any environmental liability or any environmental claims or contribution actions under any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation by reason of the Collateral Trustee’s actions or inactions and conduct as authorized, empowered and directed hereunder or relating to any kind of discharge or release or threatened discharge or release of any hazardous materials into the environment.

Section 5.15 Other Relationships with the Company or Other Grantors . Delaware Trust Company and its Affiliates (and any successor Collateral Trustee and its Affiliates) may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting or other business with the Company or any other Grantor and its Affiliates as though it was not the Collateral Trustee hereunder and without notice to or consent of the Priority Lien Secured

 

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Parties. The Priority Lien Representatives and the holders of the Priority Lien Obligations acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, Delaware Trust Company or its Affiliates (and any successor Collateral Trustee and its Affiliates) may receive information regarding the Company or any other Grantor or its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of the Company, such Grantor or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that the Collateral Trustee shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to the Priority Lien Representatives or the holders of the Priority Lien Obligations. Nothing herein shall impose or imply any obligation on the part of Delaware Trust Company (or any successor Collateral Trustee) to advance funds. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement shall only apply to Delaware Trust Company acting in its capacity as Collateral Trustee under this Agreement, and shall not apply to Delaware Trust Company acting in another capacity unrelated to this Agreement (it being understood, however, that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse Delaware Trust Company from any obligations it may have hereunder after an Additional Secured Debt Designation in the event and to the extent it agrees in a separate writing to serve as a Priority Lien Representative or First Lien Representative for any Series of Priority Lien Debt or Series of First Lien Debt, as applicable, as a result of such Additional Secured Debt Designation).

ARTICLE VI

RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF THE COLLATERAL TRUSTEE

Section 6.1 Resignation or Removal of Collateral Trustee . Except as provided in Section 5.14 , subject to the appointment of a successor Collateral Trustee as provided in Section 6.2 and the acceptance of such appointment by the successor Collateral Trustee:

(a) the Collateral Trustee may resign at any time by giving not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of resignation to each Priority Lien Representative and the Company; and

(b) the Collateral Trustee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by giving not less than 30 days’ prior written notice to the Collateral Trustee, by the Company with the prior consent of the Controlling Priority Lien Representative or by the Controlling Priority Lien Representative with the prior consent of the Company.

Section 6.2 Appointment of Successor Collateral Trustee . Upon any such resignation or removal, a successor Collateral Trustee may be appointed by the Company with the prior consent of the Controlling Priority Lien Representative and the First-Out Representative or by the Controlling Priority Lien Representative with the prior consent of the Company and the First-Out Representative. If no successor Collateral Trustee has been so appointed and accepted such appointment within 30 days after the predecessor Collateral Trustee gave notice of resignation or was removed, the retiring Collateral Trustee may (at the expense of the Company), at its option, appoint a successor Collateral Trustee, or petition a court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a successor Collateral Trustee, which must be a bank or trust company:

(a) authorized to exercise corporate trust powers;

(b) having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000; and

(c) that is not the Company or any of its Affiliates or any Priority Lien Representative.

 

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The Collateral Trustee will fulfill its obligations hereunder until a successor Collateral Trustee meeting the requirements of this Section 6.2 has accepted its appointment as Collateral Trustee and the provisions of Section 6.3 have been satisfied.

Section 6.3 Succession . When the Person so appointed as successor Collateral Trustee accepts such appointment:

(a) such Person will succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the predecessor Collateral Trustee, and the predecessor Collateral Trustee will be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder; and

(b) the predecessor Collateral Trustee will (at the expense of the Company) promptly transfer all Liens and collateral security and other property of the Trust Estate within its possession or control to the possession or control of the successor Collateral Trustee and will execute instruments and assignments as may be necessary or desirable or reasonably requested by the successor Collateral Trustee to transfer to the successor Collateral Trustee all Liens, interests, rights, powers and remedies of the predecessor Collateral Trustee in respect of the Security Documents or the Trust Estate.

Thereafter the predecessor Collateral Trustee will remain entitled to enforce the immunities granted to it in Article 5 and the provisions of Sections 7.8 and 7.9 , and said provisions will survive termination of this Agreement for the benefit of the predecessor of the Collateral Trustee. The predecessor Collateral Trustee shall have no liability whatsoever for the actions or inactions of the successor Collateral Trustee.

Section 6.4 Merger, Conversion or Consolidation of Collateral Trustee . Any Person into which the Collateral Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Collateral Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the business of the Collateral Trustee shall be the successor of the Collateral Trustee pursuant to Section 6.3, provided that (a)   without the execution or filing of any paper with any party hereto or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, except where an instrument of transfer or assignment is required by law to effect such succession, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, such Person satisfies the eligibility requirements specified in clauses (a) through (d) of Section 6.2 and (b)   prior to any such merger, conversion or consolidation, the Collateral Trustee shall have notified the Company and each Priority Lien Representative thereof in writing.

Section 6.5 Concerning the Collateral Trustee and the Priority Lien Representatives .

(a) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, it is expressly understood and agreed by the parties hereto that this Agreement has been signed by each Priority Lien Representative not in its individual capacity or personally but solely in its capacity as trustee, representative or agent for the benefit of the related holders of the

 

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applicable Series of Priority Lien Debt in the exercise of the powers and authority conferred and vested in it under the related Priority Lien Documents, and in no event shall such Priority Lien Representative, in its individual capacity, have any liability for the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or other obligations of any other party under this Agreement, any Priority Lien Document or in any of the certificates, reports, documents, data notices or agreements delivered by such other party pursuant hereto or thereto.

(b) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, it is expressly understood and agreed by the parties hereto that this Agreement has been signed by Delaware Trust Company, not in its individual capacity or personally but in its capacity as Collateral Trustee, and in no event shall Delaware Trust Company, in its individual capacity, have any liability for the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or other obligations of any other party under this Agreement, any Priority Lien Document or in any of the certificates, reports, documents, data notices or agreements delivered by such other party pursuant hereto or thereto.

(c) In entering into this Agreement, the Collateral Trustee shall be entitled to the benefit of every provision of the Priority Lien Documents relating to the rights, exculpations or conduct of, affecting the liability of or otherwise affording protection to the “Collateral Trustee” or any Priority Lien Secured Party thereunder. In no event will the Collateral Trustee be liable for any act or omission on the part of the Grantors, any Priority Lien Secured Party or any Priority Lien Representative.

(d) Except as otherwise set forth herein, neither the Collateral Trustee nor any Priority Lien Representative shall be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) solely upon the written instructions contained in a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction as provided herein; provided that neither the Collateral Trustee nor any Priority Lien Representative shall be required to take any action that (i) it in good faith believes exposes it to personal liability unless it receives an indemnification satisfactory to it from the applicable holders of the Priority Lien Obligations with respect to such action or (ii) is contrary to this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or applicable law.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 7.1 Amendment .

(a) No amendment or supplement to the provisions of any Security Document will be effective without the approval of the Collateral Trustee (acting pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction) and the Required First Lien Debtholders, except that:

(i) any amendment or supplement that has the effect solely of:

(A) adding or maintaining Collateral, securing Additional Secured Debt that was otherwise permitted by the terms of the Priority Lien Documents to be secured by the Collateral or preserving, perfecting or establishing the Liens thereon or the rights of the Collateral Trustee or any Priority Lien Representative therein;

 

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(B) curing any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect, or inconsistency; or

(C) providing for the assumption of the Company’s or any other Grantor’s obligations under any Priority Lien Document in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company or any other Grantor to the extent permitted by the terms of the Senior Credit Agreement and the other Priority Lien Documents, as applicable;

(D) making any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of Priority Lien Debt or the Collateral Trustee or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Senior Credit Agreement or any other Priority Lien Document of any First-Out Secured Party or holder of First Lien Obligations, any other holder of Priority Lien Debt or the Collateral Trustee; or

(E) effecting any release of Collateral otherwise permitted under the Priority Lien Documents,

will become effective when executed and delivered by the Company or any other applicable Grantor party thereto and the Collateral Trustee;

(ii) no amendment, modification or supplement of this Agreement or any Security Document (including any definitions incorporated by reference to the Senior Credit Agreement) shall become effective without the consent of the First-Out Representative to the extent that it would (x) alter or effectively alter (I) the provisions of this clause (ii) , (II) the definition of “Controlling Priority Lien Representative,” “Discharge of First-Out Obligations”, “First-Out Obligations,” any other definition containing the foregoing or the words “First-Out” therein or any other defined terms to the extent referenced or implicated therein or (III) the order of application of Proceeds described in  Section 3.4 as it relates to any First-Out Obligations or (y) (I) adversely affect (A) the rights, duties or obligations of the First-Out Representative or (B) the holders of the First-Out Obligations under this Agreement or (II) disproportionately and adversely affect the First-Out Obligations or the holders thereof under any Security Document (when compared to the impact such amendment, modification or supplement has on the other Priority Lien Obligations or the holders of other Priority Lien Obligations); and

(iii) no amendment or supplement that imposes any obligation upon the Collateral Trustee or any Priority Lien Representative or directly affects the rights of the Collateral Trustee or directly and adversely affects the rights of any Priority Lien Representative, respectively, in its individual capacity as such will become effective without the consent of the Collateral Trustee or such Priority Lien Representative, respectively.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, neither Section 3.4(a)(II) nor any component defined term as used therein may be amended, waived, supplemented and/or otherwise modified without the prior written consent of the Senior Credit Agreement Agent (acting at the direction of the requisite issuing banks under the Senior Credit Agreement), if and to the extent such consent (or the consent of such issuing banks) is required under the Senior Credit Agreement.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 7.1(a) , but subject in all cases to clause (ii) thereof:

(i) any mortgage or other Security Document may be amended, modified or supplemented with the approval of the Collateral Trustee (acting pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction), unless such amendment or supplement would not be permitted under the terms of this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Priority Lien Document or Section 7.1(a)(ii) ;

(ii) any amendment, modification or waiver of, or any consent under, any provision of any Security Document that secures Priority Lien Obligations will apply automatically to any comparable provision of any comparable Security Document without the consent of or notice to any holder of Priority Lien Obligations and without any action by the Company or any other Grantor or any holder of Priority Lien Obligations; and

(iii) any mortgage or other Security Document may be amended, modified or supplemented with the approval of the Collateral Trustee (acting pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction) (but without the consent of or notice to any other holder of Priority Lien Obligations and without any action by any holder of Priority Lien Obligations) (A) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or (B) to make other changes that do not have an adverse effect on the validity of the Lien created thereby.

(d) The Collateral Trustee will not be required to enter into any amendment, modification or supplement unless it has received an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such amendment or supplement will not result in a breach of any provision or covenant contained in this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any of the Priority Lien Documents; provided , that the Collateral Trustee shall be entitled to rely exclusively on such Officer’s Certificate without independent inquiry.

 

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Section 7.2 Voting . In connection with any matter under this Agreement requiring a vote of holders of Priority Lien Debt, each Series of Priority Lien Debt will cast its votes in accordance with the Priority Lien Documents governing such Series of Priority Lien Debt. Following and in accordance with the outcome of the applicable vote under its Priority Lien Documents, the Priority Lien Representative of each Series of Priority Lien Debt will vote the total amount of Priority Lien Debt under that Series of Priority Lien Debt as a block in respect of any vote under this Agreement.

Section 7.3 Further Assurances .

(a) The Company and each of the other Grantors will do or cause to be done all acts and things that may be required, or that the Collateral Trustee (acting pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction) from time to time may reasonably request, to assure and confirm that the Collateral Trustee holds, for the benefit of the holders of Priority Lien Obligations, duly created and enforceable and perfected Liens upon the Collateral (including any property or assets that are acquired or otherwise become, or are required by any Priority Lien Document to become, Collateral after the date hereof), in each case, as contemplated by, and with the Lien priority required under, the Priority Lien Documents and in connection with any merger, consolidation or sale of assets of the Company or any other Grantor, the Collateral of the Person which is consolidated or merged with or into the Company or any other Grantor shall be treated as after-acquired property and the Company or such other Grantor shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to cause such property and assets to be made subject to the Priority Liens, in the manner and to the extent required under the Priority Lien Documents.

(b) Upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Trustee (acting pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction) or any Priority Lien Representative at any time and from time to time (in each case, subject to the terms of the applicable Priority Lien Documents), the Company and each of the other Grantors will promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver such security documents, instruments, certificates, notices and other documents, and take such other actions as may be reasonably required, or that the Collateral Trustee (acting pursuant to a Controlling Priority Lien Representative Direction) or any Priority Lien Representative may reasonably request, to create, perfect, protect, assure or enforce the Liens and benefits intended to be conferred, in each case as contemplated by the Priority Lien Documents for the benefit of holders of Priority Lien Obligations.

(c) The Collateral Trustee will have no duty whatsoever to visit or inspect any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Grantor.

Section 7.4 Successors and Assigns .

(a) Except as provided in Section 5.2 and Section 5.12(a) with respect to filing or recording, the Collateral Trustee may not, in its capacity as such, delegate any of its duties or assign any of its rights hereunder, and any attempted delegation or assignment of any such duties or rights will be null and void. All obligations of the

 

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Collateral Trustee hereunder will inure to the sole and exclusive benefit of, and be enforceable by, each Priority Lien Representative and each Priority Lien Secured Party, each of whom will be entitled to enforce this Agreement as a third-party beneficiary hereof, and all of their respective successors and assigns.

(b) Except as permitted by the Senior Credit Agreement, neither the Company nor any other Grantor may delegate any of its duties or assign any of its rights hereunder, and any attempted delegation or assignment of any such duties or rights will be null and void. All obligations of the Company and the other Grantors hereunder will inure to the sole and exclusive benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Collateral Trustee, each Priority Lien Representative and each Priority Lien Secured Party, each of whom will be entitled to enforce this Agreement as a third-party beneficiary hereof, and all of their respective successors and assigns.

Section 7.5 Delay and Waiver . No failure to exercise, no course of dealing with respect to the exercise of, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy arising under this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents will impair any such right, power or remedy or operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy will preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The remedies herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

Section 7.6 Notices . Any communications, including notices and instructions, between the parties hereto or notices provided herein to be given may be given to the following addresses:

 

If to the Collateral Trustee:   

Delaware Trust Company

2711 Centerville Road

Wilmington, DE 19808

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Email: trust@delawaretrust.com

If to the Company or any other Grantor:   

TEX Operations Company LLC

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: David D. Faranetta

Email: david.faranetta@txu.com

If to the First-Out Representative:   

Railroad Commission of Texas

1701 N. Congress

Austin, TX 78791

Attention: Office of the General Counsel

Email: alex.schoch@rrc.texas.gov

If to the Senior Credit Agreement Agent:   

Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch

60 Wall Street (NYC60 - 0266)

New York, New York 10005-2836

Attention: Marcus M. Tarkington

Email:  marcus.tarkington@db.com

 

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and if to any other Priority Lien Representative, to such address as it may specify by written notice to the parties named above.

All notices and communications will be sent via electronic mail or mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, or delivered by electronic transmission to the relevant email address, address or number set forth above or, as to holders of Priority Lien Debt, its email address or address shown on the register kept by the office or agency where the relevant Priority Lien Debt may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange. Failure to email or mail a notice or communication to a holder of Priority Lien Debt or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other holders of Priority Lien Debt.

If a notice or communication is emailed, mailed or otherwise delivered by electronic transmission in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

Section 7.7 Notice Following Payment Date . Promptly following the final payment date with respect to one or more Series of Priority Lien Debt or other Priority Lien Obligations, each Priority Lien Debt Representative with respect to each applicable Series of Priority Lien Debt or other Priority Lien Obligations that is so discharged will provide written notice of such discharge to the Collateral Trustee and to each other Priority Lien Debt Representative.

Section 7.8 Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the documents referred to herein state the complete agreement of the parties relating to the undertaking of the Collateral Trustee set forth herein and supersedes all oral negotiations and prior writings in respect of such undertaking.

Section 7.9 Compensation; Expenses . The Company and the other Grantors jointly and severally agree to pay, promptly upon written demand (all as part of the Collateral Trustee’s Fees and Expenses and the First-Out Representative Fees and Expenses, as applicable):

(a) such compensation to the Collateral Trustee and its agents including attorneys as the Company and the Collateral Trustee may agree in writing from time to time;

(b) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Collateral Trustee, the First-Out Representative and their respective agents including attorneys in the preparation, execution, delivery, filing, recordation, administration or enforcement of this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement, any other Security Document or, in the case of the First-Out Representative any other First-Out Document or any consent, amendment, waiver or other modification relating hereto or thereto;

(c) all reasonable out-of-pocket fees, expenses and disbursements of legal counsel and any auditors, accountants, consultants or appraisers or other professional

 

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advisors and agents engaged by the Collateral Trustee incurred in connection with the negotiation, administration or enforcement of this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement, the other Security Documents or, in the case of the First-Out Representative, any other First-Out Document or any consent, amendment, waiver or other modification relating hereto or thereto and any other document or matter requested by the Company or any other Grantor;

(d) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Collateral Trustee, the First-Out Representative and their respective agents in creating, perfecting, preserving, releasing or enforcing the Liens on the Collateral or, in the case of the First-Out Representative, any other Liens securing the First-Out Obligations, including filing and recording fees, expenses and taxes, stamp or documentary taxes, search fees, and title insurance premiums;

(e) all other reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Collateral Trustee, the First-Out Representative and their respective agents in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of any Intercreditor Agreement, the Security Documents or, in the case of the First-Out Representative, any other First-Out Document and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto and the transactions contemplated thereby or the exercise of rights or performance of obligations by the Collateral Trustee or the First-Out Representative, as applicable, thereunder; and

(f) after the occurrence of any Priority Lien Debt Default, all costs and expenses incurred by the Collateral Trustee and any First-Out Representative and their respective agents in connection with any Enforcement Action subject to the Security Documents or, in the case of the First-Out Representative, any other First-Out Document or any interest, right, power or remedy of the Collateral Trustee or the First-Out Representative, as applicable, or in connection with any Enforcement Action or the proof, protection, administration or resolution of any claim based upon the Priority Lien Obligations in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, including all fees and disbursements of attorneys, accountants, auditors, consultants, appraisers and other professionals engaged by the Collateral Trustee, the First-Out Representative and their respective agents. The agreements in this Section   7.9 will survive repayment of all other Priority Lien Obligations and the removal or resignation of the Collateral Trustee and termination of this Agreement.

Section 7.10 Indemnity .

(a) The Company and the other Grantors jointly and severally agree to defend, indemnify, pay and hold harmless the Collateral Trustee, the First-Out Representative and their respective Affiliates and each and all of the directors, officers, partners, trustees, employees and agents, and (in each case) their respective heirs, representatives, successors and assigns (each of the foregoing, an “ Indemnitee ”) from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided that no Indemnitee will be entitled to indemnification hereunder with respect to any Indemnified Liability to the extent such Indemnified Liability is found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee (or its Related Parties).

 

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(b) All amounts due under this Section 7.10 will be payable within 30 days upon written demand (including reasonable supporting documentation).

(c) To the extent that the undertakings to defend, indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in Section 7.10(a) may be unenforceable in whole or in part because they violate any law or public policy, each of the Company and the other Grantors will contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by Indemnitees or any of them.

(d) No Grantor will ever assert any claim against any Indemnitee, and no Indemnitee will ever assert any claim against any Grantor, on any theory of liability, for any lost profits or special, indirect or consequential damages or (to the fullest extent a claim for punitive damages may lawfully be waived) any punitive damages arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any other Priority Lien Document or any agreement or instrument or transaction contemplated hereby or relating in any respect to any Indemnified Liability, and each of the Grantors and each Indemnitee hereby forever waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any claim for any such lost profits or special, indirect, consequential or (to the fullest extent lawful) punitive damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

(e) The agreements in this Section 7.10 will survive repayment of all other Priority Lien Obligations and the removal or resignation of the Collateral Trustee and termination of this Agreement.

Section 7.11 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in all other respects and of all remaining provisions, and of such provision in all other jurisdictions, will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 7.12 Headings . Section headings herein have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Agreement and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 7.13 Obligations Secured . All obligations of the Grantors set forth in or arising under this Agreement will be Priority Lien Obligations and are secured by all Liens granted by the Security Documents.

Section 7.14 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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Section 7.15 Consent to Jurisdiction . All judicial proceedings brought against any party hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents shall be brought in any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction in the State, County and City of New York. By executing and delivering this Agreement, each party hereto irrevocably:

(a) accepts generally and unconditionally the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts;

(b) waives any defense of forum non conveniens;

(c) agrees that service of all process in any such proceeding in any such court may be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to such party at its address provided in accordance with Section   7.6;

(d) agrees that service as provided in clause (c) above is sufficient to confer personal jurisdiction over such party in any such proceeding in any such court and otherwise constitutes effective and binding service in every respect; and

(e) agrees that each party hereto retains the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to bring proceedings against any party in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

Section 7.16 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT WAIVES (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW) ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER SECURITY DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE INTENTS AND PURPOSES OF THE OTHER SECURITY DOCUMENTS. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER SECURITY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH PARTY HERETO HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THIS WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT EACH PARTY HERETO WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THIS WAIVER IN ITS RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 7.16 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER WILL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS OF OR TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE

 

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OTHER SECURITY DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING THERETO. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

Section 7.17 Counterparts, Electronic Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including by facsimile or electronically in PDF format), each of which when so executed and delivered will be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together will constitute but one and the same instrument. The parties hereto may sign this Agreement and any Collateral Trust Joinder and transmit the executed copy by electronic means, including facsimile or pdf files. The electronic copy of the executed Agreement and any Collateral Trust Joinder is and shall be deemed an original signature.

Section 7.18 Effectiveness . This Agreement will become effective upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by each of the parties hereto and receipt by each party of written notification of such execution and written or telephonic authorization of delivery thereof.

Section 7.19 Grantors and Additional Grantors . Each Grantor represents and warrants that it has duly executed and delivered this Agreement. The Company will cause each Person that hereafter becomes a Grantor or is required by any Priority Lien Document to become a party to this Agreement to become a party to this Agreement, for all purposes of this Agreement, by causing such Person to execute and deliver to the Collateral Trustee a Collateral Trust Joinder, whereupon such Person will be bound by the terms hereof to the same extent as if it had executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date hereof. The Company shall promptly provide each Priority Lien Representative with a copy of each Collateral Trust Joinder executed and delivered pursuant to this Section 7.19 (including the acknowledgement thereof by the Collateral Trustee); provided that the failure to so deliver a copy of the Collateral Trust Joinder to any then-existing Priority Lien Representative shall not affect the inclusion of such Person as a Grantor if the other requirements of this Section 7.19 are complied with.

Section 7.20 Continuing Nature of this Agreement . This Agreement, including the priority payment rights of the First-Out Secured Parties and certain issuing banks under the Senior Credit Agreement as contemplated by Section 3.4 , will be reinstated following termination hereof if at any time any payment or distribution in respect of any of the Priority Lien Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise by any Priority Lien Secured Party, Priority Lien Representative or any representative of any such party (whether by demand, settlement, litigation or otherwise). If all or any part of a payment or distribution made with respect to the First-Out Obligations is recovered from any holder of Priority Lien Obligations, any Priority Lien Representative in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, such payment or distribution received by any holder of Priority Lien Obligations or Priority Lien Representative with respect to the Priority Lien Obligations from the proceeds of any Collateral at any time after the date of the payment or distribution that is so recovered, whether pursuant to a right of subrogation or otherwise, such Priority Lien Representative or holder of a Priority Lien Obligation, as the case may be, will forthwith deliver the same to the Collateral Trustee, for the ratable account of the holders of the First-Out Secured Parties to be applied in accordance with Section 3.4 . Until so delivered, such proceeds will be held by such Priority Lien Representative or holder of Priority Lien Obligations, as the case may be, for the ratable benefit of the First-Out Secured Parties.

 

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Section 7.21 Insolvency . This Agreement will be applicable both before and after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding by or against any Grantor. The relative rights, as provided for in this Agreement, will continue after the commencement of any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding on the same basis as prior to the date of the commencement of any such case, as provided in this Agreement.

Section 7.22 Rights and Immunities of Priority Lien Representatives . The Senior Credit Agreement Agent, the First-Out Representative and the Collateral Trustee will be entitled, to the extent applicable to such entity, to all of the rights, protections, immunities and indemnities set forth in the Senior Credit Agreement or any Collateral Bond, as applicable, and any future Priority Lien Representative will be entitled to all of the rights, protections, immunities and indemnities set forth in the credit agreement, indenture, collateral bond or other agreement governing the applicable Priority Lien Debt with respect to which such Person will act as representative, in each case as if specifically set forth herein. In no event will any Priority Lien Representative be liable for any act or omission on the part of the Grantors or the Collateral Trustee hereunder.

Section 7.23 Intercreditor Agreement . Each Person that is secured hereunder, by accepting the benefits of the security provided hereby, (i) agrees (or is deemed to agree) that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of any applicable Intercreditor Agreement; provided that such provisions are not in conflict with this Agreement, and (ii) authorizes (or is deemed to authorize) and instructs (or is deemed to instruct) the Collateral Trustee on behalf of such Person to enter into, and perform under, any applicable Intercreditor Agreement on terms that do not conflict with this Agreement. At the direction of the Company pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, the Collateral Trustee agrees to enter into any Intercreditor Agreement or amendments or joinders to any Intercreditor Agreement, without the consent of any Priority Lien Secured Party, to add additional Indebtedness as Priority Lien Debt (to the extent permitted to be incurred and secured by the applicable Priority Lien Documents) and add other parties (or any authorized agent or trustee therefor) holding such Indebtedness thereto and to establish that the Lien on any Collateral securing such Indebtedness ranks equally with the Liens on such Collateral securing the other Priority Lien Debt then outstanding, subject to the terms of this Agreement, including Section 3.4 . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, to the extent that any Lien on any Collateral is perfected by the possession or control of such Collateral (including control over any account in which Collateral is held), and if such Collateral (or any such account) is in fact in the possession or under the control of an agent or bailee of the Collateral Trustee (including any Priority Lien Representative or its agents or bailees), the perfection actions and related deliverables described in this Agreement or the other Security Documents (i.e., the Security Documents other than the Security Document giving rise to such Lien, perfection and control) shall not be required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to the extent of any conflict between this Agreement and any Intercreditor Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

Section 7.24 Force Majeure . In no event shall the Collateral Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or

 

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natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Collateral Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 7.25 U.S.A. Patriot Act . The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Collateral Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Collateral Trustee. The parties to this Agreement agree that they will provide the Collateral Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Collateral Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

Section 7.26 Representations and Warranties . Each of the Company and the other Grantors hereby certify that true and complete copies of the Senior Credit Agreement, together with all Credit Documents (as defined therein), any Intercreditor Agreement, and all other Security Documents with respect to the First Lien Obligations, in each case as in effect on the date hereof have been delivered to the Collateral Trustee on or before the date hereof. Each of the Company and the other Grantors hereby certify that true and complete copies of the First-Out Documents, any Intercreditor Agreement, and all other Security Documents with respect to the First-Out Obligations, in each case as in effect on the date hereof have been delivered to the Collateral Trustee on or before the date hereof.

Section 7.27 Statutory Requirements under the Texas Statutes . Nothing contained herein shall limit or otherwise modify the rights of Texas Railroad Commission under the Texas Statutes.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Collateral Trust Agreement to be executed by their respective officers or representatives as of the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY:
TEX OPERATIONS COMPANY LLC,
By:  

/s/ David D. Faranetta

  Name:   David D. Faranetta
  Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Tex Operations Company Collateral Trust Agreement]


GRANTORS:
4CHANGE ENERGY COMPANY LLC
BIG BROWN POWER COMPANY LLC
BRIGHTEN ENERGY LLC
COMANCHE PEAK POWER COMPANY LLC
DALLAS POWER & LIGHT COMPANY, INC.
EFH CORPORATE SERVICES COMPANY
EFH PROPERTIES COMPANY
FORNEY PIPELINE, LLC
GENERATION SVC COMPANY
LA FRONTERA HOLDINGS, LLC
LONE STAR ENERGY COMPANY, INC.
LONE ST AR PIPELINE COMPANY, INC.
LUMINANT ENERGY COMPANY LLC
LUMINANT ENERGY TRADING CALIFORNIA COMPANY
LUMINANT ET SERVICES COMPANY LLC
LUMINANT GENERATION COMPANY LLC
LUMINANT MINING COMPANY LLC
NCA RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC
OAK GROVE MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC
SANDOW POWER COMPANY LLC
SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRIC SERVICE COMPANY, INC.
TEX ASSET COMPANY LLC
TEX INTERMEDIATE COMPANY LLC
TEX FINANCE CORP.
TEX PREFERRED INC.
TEXAS ELECTRIC SERVICE COMPANY, INC.
TEXAS ENERGY INDUSTRIES COMPANY, INC.
TEXAS POWER & LIGHT COMP ANY, INC.
TEXAS UTILITIES COMPANY, INC.
TEXAS UTILITIES ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
TXU ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.
TXU ENERGY RETAIL COMPANY LLC
TXU RETAIL SERVICES COMPANY
By:  

/s/ David D. Faranetta

Name:   David D. Faranetta
Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Tex Operations Company Collateral Trust Agreement]


RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

/s/ Chairman David J. Porter

Chairman David J. Porter

/s/ Commissioner Christi Craddick

Commissioner Christi Craddick

/s/ Commissioner Ryan Sitton

Commissioner Ryan Sitton

 

ATTEST:

/s/ Kathy Way

Kathy Way
Secretary
Railroad Commission of Texas
[SEAL]

[Signature Page to Tex Operations Company Collateral Trust Agreement]


DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, as Senior Credit Agreement Agent
By:  

/s/ Marcus M. Tarkington

  Name:   Marcus M. Tarkington
  Title:   Director
By:  

/s/ Peter Cucchiara

  Name:   Peter Cucchiara
  Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page to Tex Operations Company Collateral Trust Agreement]


DELAWARE TRUST COMPANY, as Collateral Trustee
By:  

/s/ Alan R. Halpern

  Name:   Alan R. Halpern
  Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page to Tex Operations Company Collateral Trust Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF

ADDITIONAL SECURED DEBT DESIGNATION

Reference is made to the Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “ Collateral Trust Agreement ”), among Tex Operations Company LLC, the “ Company ”), the other Grantors from time to time party thereto, Railroad Commission of Texas, as First-Out Representative (as defined therein), Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Senior Credit Agreement Agent (as defined therein), and Delaware Trust Company, as Collateral Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Collateral Trust Agreement. This Additional Secured Debt Designation is being executed and delivered in order to designate additional secured debt as Priority Lien Debt entitled to the benefit of the Collateral Trust Agreement.

The undersigned, the duly appointed [ specify title ] of the Company hereby certifies on behalf of [ the Company or applicable Grantor ] that:

(A) [ the Company or applicable Grantor ] intends to incur [Additional First Lien Debt][an Additional Collateral Bond and/or related obligations under First-Out Documents] (“ Additional Secured Debt ”) that is not prohibited by each applicable Priority Lien Document to be incurred and to be secured with a Priority Lien equally and ratably with all previously existing and future Priority Lien Debt, but subject to the terms of the Collateral Trust Agreement, including the prior payment rights of the holders of the First-Out Obligations [including the Additional Collateral Bond and/or related obligations under First-Out Documents] as set forth in Section   3.4(a) of the Collateral Trust Agreement;

(B) the name, address and contact information of the Priority Lien Debt Representative for the Additional Secured Debt for purposes of Section 7.6 of the Collateral Trust Agreement is:

 

 

 

Telephone:  

 

Fax:  

 

(C) [T he Company or applicable Grantor ] has duly authorized, executed (if applicable) and recorded (or caused to be recorded), or agreed

 

A-1


to record (or agreed to cause to be recorded), in each appropriate governmental office all relevant filings and recordations deemed necessary by [ the Company or applicable Grantor ] and the holder of such Additional Secured Debt, or its Priority Lien Representative, to ensure that the Additional Secured Debt will be secured by the Collateral in accordance with the Priority Lien Security Documents, in each case to the extent and as required by the Priority Lien Security Documents;

(D) the Company has caused a copy of this Additional Secured Debt Designation and the related Collateral Trust Joinder to be delivered to each then existing Priority Lien Representative, and

(E) [such Additional First Lien Debt shall constitute First Lien Debt][such Additional Collateral Bond and/or related obligations under First-Out Documents shall constitute First-Out Obligations] for purposes of the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

A-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Additional Secured Debt Designation to be duly executed by the undersigned officer as of             , 20    .

 

[        ]By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT

The undersigned, the duly appointed Collateral Trustee under the Collateral Trust Agreement, hereby acknowledges receipt of an executed copy of this Additional Secured Debt Designation.

 

[DELAWARE TRUST COMPANY], as Collateral Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

A-3


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF

COLLATERAL TRUST JOINDER – ADDITIONAL DEBT

Reference is made to the Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “ Collateral Trust Agreement ”), among Tex Operations Company LLC, the “ Company ”), the other Grantors from time to time party thereto, Railroad Commission of Texas, as First-Out Representative (as defined therein), Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Senior Credit Agreement Agent (as defined therein), and Delaware Trust Company, as Collateral Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Collateral Trust Agreement. This Collateral Trust Joinder is being executed and delivered pursuant to Section 3.8 of the Collateral Trust Agreement as a condition precedent to the debt for which the undersigned is acting as agent being entitled to the benefits of being Priority Lien Debt under the Collateral Trust Agreement.

1. Joinder . The undersigned, “ New Representative ”) as [ trustee, administrative agent ] under that certain [ described applicable indenture, credit agreement or other document governing the additional secured debt ] hereby agrees to become party as [a First Lien Representative][the First-Out Representative] under the Collateral Trust Agreement for all purposes thereof on the terms set forth therein, and to be bound by the terms of the Collateral Trust Agreement as fully as if the undersigned had executed and delivered the Collateral Trust Agreement as of the date thereof.

2. Additional Secured Debt Designation

The undersigned, on behalf of itself and each holder of Obligations in respect of [the Series of First Lien Debt][the First-Out Obligations] for which the undersigned is acting as Priority Lien Representative hereby agrees, for the enforceable benefit of all Priority Lien Secured Parties and the Collateral Trustee and each existing and future holder of Priority Liens and as a condition to being treated as Priority Lien Debt under the Collateral Trust Agreement that:

(b) subject to Section 3.4 of the Collateral Trust Agreement, all Priority Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all Priority Liens at any time granted by the Company or any other Grantor to secure any Obligations in respect of any Series of Priority Lien Debt, whether or not upon property otherwise constituting collateral for such Series of Priority Lien Debt, and that all such Priority Liens will be enforceable by the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of all holders of Priority Lien Obligations equally and ratably, but subject to the terms of the Collateral Trust Agreement, including the prior payment rights of the holders of the First-Out Obligations and certain other Priority Lien Obligations [including the Additional Collateral Bond and/or related obligations under First-Out Documents] as set forth in Section   3.4(a) of the Collateral Trust Agreement;

 

B-1


(c) the undersigned, on behalf of itself and each holder of Obligations in respect of the Series of Priority Lien Debt for which the undersigned is acting as Priority Lien Representative, hereby consents to and agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Collateral Trust Agreement and the other Security Documents, including the provisions relating to the ranking of Priority Liens and the order of application of proceeds from the enforcement of Priority Liens; and

(d) the undersigned, on behalf of itself and each holder of Obligations in respect of the Series of Priority Lien Debt for which the undersigned is acting as Priority Lien Representative, hereby appoints the Collateral Trustee to serve as collateral trustee under the Security Documents on the terms and conditions set forth therein and hereby consents to the performance by the Collateral Trustee of, and directs the Collateral Trustee to perform its obligations under the Collateral Trust Agreement, the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement.

3. Governing Law and Miscellaneous Provisions . The provisions of Article 7 of the Collateral Trust Agreement will apply with like effect to this Collateral Trust Joinder.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Collateral Trust Joinder to be executed by their respective officers or representatives as of                 , 20    .

 

[ insert name of the new representative ]
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

The Collateral Trustee hereby acknowledges receipt of this Collateral Trust Joinder and agrees to act as Collateral Trustee for the [ New Representative ][ Trustee ] and the holders of the Obligations represented thereby:

 

[DELAWARE TRUST COMPANY], as Collateral Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

B-2


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF

COLLATERAL TRUST JOINDER – ADDITIONAL GRANTOR

Reference is made to the Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “ Collateral Trust Agreement ”), among Tex Operations Company LLC, the “ Company ”), the other Grantors from time to time party thereto, Railroad Commission of Texas, as First-Out Representative (as defined therein), Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Senior Credit Agreement (as defined therein), and Delaware Trust Company, as Collateral Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Collateral Trust Agreement. This Collateral Trust Joinder is being executed and delivered pursuant to Section 7.18 of the Collateral Trust Agreement.

1. Joinder . The undersigned,                                         , a                                         (the “ Additional Grantor ”), hereby agrees to become party as a Grantor under the Collateral Trust Agreement for all purposes thereof on the terms set forth therein, and to be bound by the terms of the Collateral Trust Agreement as fully as if the undersigned had executed and delivered the Collateral Trust Agreement as of the date thereof.

2. Security Documents . The Additional Grantor has become party to all of the Security Documents that provide, for the benefit of all of the Priority Lien Secured Parties liens and security interests in such assets of the Additional Grantor as are required pursuant to the Priority Lien Documents.

2. Governing Law and Miscellaneous Provisions . The provisions of Article 7 of the Collateral Trust Agreement will apply with like effect to this Collateral Trust Joinder.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Collateral Trust Joinder to be executed by their respective officers or representatives as of             , 20    .

 

[                                                             ]
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

The Collateral Trustee hereby acknowledges receipt of this Collateral Trust Joinder and agrees to act as Collateral Trustee with respect to the Collateral pledged by the new Grantor:

 

[DELAWARE TRUST COMPANY], as Collateral Trustee
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

C-1


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF

AUTHORIZED OFFICER NOTICE

Reference is made to the Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “ Collateral Trust Agreement ”), among Tex Operations Company LLC, the “ Company ”), the other Grantors from time to time party thereto, Railroad Commission of Texas, as First-Out Representative (as defined therein), Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as First Lien Representative (as defined therein), and Delaware Trust Company, as Collateral Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Collateral Trust Agreement.

1. Authorized Officer .The undersigned hereby notifies the Collateral Trustee that the following Person shall be an “Authorized Officer” of the applicable Grantor(s) specified below for all purposes of the Security Documents and the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

Grantor:

  

 

  

Name:

  

 

  

Title:

  

 

  

2. Governing Law and Miscellaneous Provisions . The provisions of Article 7 of the Collateral Trust Agreement will apply with like effect to this notice.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantor below has caused this notice to be executed by by its officer or representative as of             , 20    .

 

[                                                             ]
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

D-1

Exhibit 10.6

As amended and restated effective January 1, 2017

VISTRA ENERGY CORP.

 

 

2016 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Vistra Energy Corp. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan is to enhance the profitability and value of the Company for the benefit of its stockholders by enabling the Company to offer Eligible Individuals cash and stock-based incentives in order to attract, retain and reward such individuals and strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and the Company’s stockholders. The Plan was effective as of the date set forth in Article XIV and is hereby amended and restated effective January 1, 2017.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

2.1      Affiliate means each of the following: (a) any Subsidiary; (b) any Parent; (c) any corporation, trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which is directly or indirectly controlled 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) by the Company or one of its Affiliates; (d) any trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which directly or indirectly controls 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) of the Company; and (e) any other entity in which the Company or any of its Affiliates has a material equity interest and which is designated as an “Affiliate” by resolution of the Committee; provided that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Common Stock subject to any Option constitutes “service recipient stock” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code or otherwise does not subject the Option to Section 409A of the Code.

2.2      Award means any award under the Plan of any Stock Option, Restricted Stock Award, Performance Award, Other Stock-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award. All Awards shall be granted by, confirmed by, and subject to the terms of, a written Award Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant.

2.3      Award Agreement means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to an Award.

2.4      Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.5      Cause means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Employment or Termination of


Consultancy, the following: (a) in the case where there is no employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award (or where there is such an agreement but it does not define “cause” (or words of like import)), termination due to a Participant’s: (i) willful and continued failure to perform Participant’s duties with the Company; (ii) willful and continued failure to follow and comply with the written policies of the Company as in effect from time to time; (iii) willful commission of an act of fraud or dishonesty resulting in economic or financial injury to the Company; (iv) willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct; (v) willful breach of any agreement with the Company or an Affiliate; or (vi) indictment for, conviction of, or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or other crime involving moral turpitude. No act or failure to act will be treated as willful if it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant in good faith and with a good faith belief that such act or omission was in the best interests of the Company; or (b) in the case where there is an employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award that defines “cause” (or words of like import), “cause” as defined under such agreement; provided, however, that with regard to any agreement under which the definition of “cause” only applies on occurrence of a change in control, such definition of “cause” shall not apply until a change in control actually takes place and then only with regard to a termination thereafter. With respect to a Participant’s Termination of Directorship, “cause” means an act or failure to act that constitutes cause for removal of a director under applicable Delaware law.

2.6      Change in Control has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

2.7      Change in Control Price has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.

2.8      Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any successor provision and any Treasury Regulation and other official guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

2.9      Committee means any committee of the Board duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan. If no committee is duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan, the term “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the Board for all purposes under the Plan.

2.10      Common Stock means the common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of the Company.

2.11      Company means Vistra Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its successors by operation of law.

2.12      Consultant means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant to the Company or its Affiliates.

2.13      Disability means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination, a permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. A Disability shall only be deemed to occur at the time of the determination by the Committee of the Disability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Awards that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, Disability shall mean that a Participant is disabled under Section 409A(a)(2)(C)(i) or (ii) of the Code.


2.14      Effective Date means the effective date of the Plan as defined in Article XIV.

2.15      Eligible Employees means each employee of the Company or an Affiliate.

2.16      Eligible Individual means an Eligible Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant who is designated by the Committee in its discretion as eligible to receive Awards subject to the conditions set forth herein.

2.17      Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.18      Fair Market Value means, for purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or as required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder, as of any date and except as provided below: (a) if the Common Stock is traded, listed or otherwise reported or quoted on a national securities exchange, the last sales price reported for the Common Stock on the applicable date on the principal national securities exchange in the United States on which it is then traded, listed or otherwise reported or quoted; or (b) if the Common Stock is not traded, listed or otherwise reported or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Committee shall determine in good faith the Fair Market Value in whatever manner it considers appropriate, taking into account the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and any other applicable laws, rules or regulations. For purposes of the grant of any Award, the applicable date shall be the trading day immediately prior to the date on which the Award is granted. For purposes of the exercise of any Award, the applicable date shall be the date a notice of exercise is received by the Committee or, if not a day on which the applicable market is open, the next day that it is open.

2.19      Family Member means “family member” as defined in Section A.1.(a)(5) of the general instructions of Form S-8 of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

2.20      Good Reason means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, the following: (a) in the case where there is no employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award (or where there is such an agreement but it does not define “good reason” (or words of like import)), the occurrence, without the Participant’s consent, of either of the following events: (i) any material diminution of the Participant’s title, duties, responsibilities or authorities; or (ii) any breach by the Company or the employing Affiliate, as applicable, of any of its material obligations to the Participant. Prior to resigning for Good Reason, the Participant shall give written notice to the Company or the employing Affiliate, as applicable, of the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for such resignation not more than sixty (60) days following the Participant’s knowledge of such facts and circumstances, and the Company or the employing Affiliate, as


applicable, shall have ten (10) business days after receipt of such notice to cure (and if so cured, the Participant shall not be permitted to resign for Good Reason in respect thereof) and the Participant shall resign within ten (10) business days following the Company’s or the employing Affiliate’s, as applicable, failure to cure; or (b) in the case where there is an employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award that defines “good reason” (or words of like import), “good reason” as defined under such agreement; provided, however, that with regard to any agreement under which the definition of “good reason” only applies on occurrence of a change in control, such definition of “good reason” shall not apply until a change in control actually takes place and then only with regard to a termination thereafter.

2.21      Incentive Stock Option means any Stock Option awarded to an Eligible Employee of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parents (if any) under the Plan intended to be and designated as an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

2.22      Lead Underwriter has the meaning set forth in Section 13.20.

2.23      Lock-Up Period has the meaning set forth in Section 13.20.

2.24      Maximum Share Amount has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b)(i).

2.25      Non-Employee Director means a director or a member of the Board of the Company or any Affiliate who is not an active employee of the Company or any Affiliate.

2.26      Non-Qualified Stock Option means any Stock Option awarded under the Plan that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.27      Other Cash-Based Award means an Award granted pursuant to Section 9.3 of the Plan and payable in cash at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

2.28      Other Stock-Based Award means an Award under Article IX of the Plan that is valued in whole or in part by reference to, or is payable in or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including, without limitation, an Award valued by reference to an Affiliate.

2.29      Parent means any parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.

2.30      Participant means an Eligible Individual to whom an Award has been granted pursuant to the Plan.

2.31      Performance Award means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article VIII hereof contingent upon achieving certain Performance Goals.

2.32      Performance Goals means goals established by the Committee as contingencies for Awards to vest and/or become exercisable or distributable based on one or more of the performance goals set forth in Exhibit A hereto.


2.33      Performance Period means the designated period during which the Performance Goals must be satisfied with respect to the Award to which the Performance Goals relate.

2.34      Plan means this Vistra Energy Corp. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

2.35      Proceeding has the meaning set forth in Section 13.9.

2.36      Reorganization has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b)(ii).

2.37      Restricted Stock means an Award of shares of Common Stock under the Plan that is subject to restrictions under Article VII.

2.38      Restriction Period has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(a) with respect to Restricted Stock.

2.39      Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act as then in effect or any successor provision.

2.40      Section 162(m) of the Code means the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code and any applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder.

2.41      Section 409A of the Code means the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code and any applicable Treasury Regulations and other official guidance thereunder.

2.42      Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Reference to a specific section of the Securities Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.43      Stock Option or Option means any option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted to Eligible Individuals granted pursuant to Article VI.

2.44      Subsidiary means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.

2.45      Ten Percent Stockholder means a person owning stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Parent.

2.46      Termination means a Termination of Consultancy, Termination of Directorship or Termination of Employment, as applicable.


2.47      Termination of Consultancy means: (a) that the Consultant is no longer acting as a consultant to the Company or any of its Affiliates; or (b) when an entity (other than the Company) which is retaining a Participant as a Consultant ceases to be an Affiliate, unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, a Consultant to the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In the event that a Consultant becomes an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of such Consultant’s consultancy, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Consultancy shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Consultant is no longer a Consultant, an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy in the Award Agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy thereafter, provided that any such change to the definition of the term “ Termination of Consultancy ” does not subject the applicable Award to Section 409A of the Code.

2.48      Termination of Directorship means: (a) that the Non-Employee Director has ceased to be a director of the Company or any of its Affiliates; or (b) when an entity (other than the Company) for which the Participant is serving as a Non-Employee Director ceases to be an Affiliate, unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, a Non-Employee Director of the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In the event that a Non-Employee Director becomes an Eligible Employee or a Consultant upon the termination of such Non-Employee Director’s directorship, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, such Non-Employee Director’s ceasing to be a director of the Company or an Affiliate shall not be treated as a Termination of Directorship, unless and until the Participant has a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, as the case may be.

2.49      Termination of Employment means: (a) a termination of employment (for reasons other than a military or personal leave of absence granted by the Company) of a Participant from the Company and all of its Affiliates; or (b) when an entity (other than the Company) which is employing a Participant ceases to be an Affiliate, unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, employed by the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In the event that an Eligible Employee becomes a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of such Eligible Employee’s employment, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Employment shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Eligible Employee is no longer an Eligible Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may otherwise define Termination of Employment in the Award Agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Employment thereafter, provided that any such change to the definition of the term “ Termination of Employment ” does not subject the applicable Award to Section 409A of the Code.

2.50      Transfer means: (a) when used as a noun, any direct or indirect transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance or other disposition (including the issuance of equity in any entity), whether for value or no value and whether voluntary or involuntary (including by operation of law), and (b) when used as a verb, to directly or indirectly transfer, sell, assign, pledge, encumber, charge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of (including the issuance of equity in any entity) whether for value or for no value and whether voluntarily or involuntarily (including by operation of law). “ Transferred ” and “ Transferable ” shall have a correlative meaning.


ARTICLE III

ADMINISTRATION

3.1      The Committee . The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee. To the extent required by applicable law, rule or regulation, it is intended that each member of the Committee shall qualify as (a) a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3, (b) an “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Code and (c) an “independent director” under the rules of any national securities exchange or national securities association, as applicable. If it is later determined that one or more members of the Committee do not so qualify, actions taken by the Committee prior to such determination shall be valid despite such failure to qualify.

3.2      Grants of Awards . The Committee shall have full authority to grant, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, to Eligible Individuals: (i) Stock Options, (ii) Restricted Stock, (iii) Performance Awards; (iv) Other Stock-Based Awards; and (v) Other Cash-Based Awards. In particular, the Committee shall have the authority:

(a)    to select the Eligible Individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder;

(b)    to determine whether and to what extent Awards, or any combination thereof, are to be granted hereunder to one or more Eligible Individuals;

(c)    to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(d)    to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder (including, but not limited to, the exercise or purchase price (if any), any restriction or limitation, any vesting schedule or acceleration thereof, or any forfeiture restrictions or waiver thereof, regarding any Award and the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion);

(e)    to determine the amount of cash to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(f)    to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances grants of Options and other Awards under the Plan are to operate on a tandem basis and/or in conjunction with or apart from other awards made by the Company outside of the Plan;

(g)    to determine whether and under what circumstances a Stock Option may be settled in cash, Common Stock and/or Restricted Stock under Section 6.4(d);

(h)    to determine whether a Stock Option is an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option;


(i)    to impose a “blackout” period during which Options may not be exercised;

(j)    to determine whether to require a Participant, as a condition of the granting of any Award, to not sell or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Award for a period of time as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, following the date of the acquisition of such Award;

(k)    to modify, extend or renew an Award, subject to Article XI and Section 6.4(l), provided, however, that such action does not subject the Award to Section 409A of the Code without the consent of the Participant; and

(l)    solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances to provide loans (which may be on a recourse basis and shall bear interest at the rate the Committee shall provide) to Participants in order to exercise Options under the Plan.

For the sake of clarity and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board or the Committee may delegate to an officer of the Company the authority to make Awards hereunder.

3.3      Guidelines . Subject to Article XI hereof, the Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and perform all acts, including the delegation of its responsibilities (to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable stock exchange rules), as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable; to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any Award Agreements relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any agreement relating thereto in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary to effectuate the purpose and intent of the Plan. The Committee may adopt special guidelines and provisions for persons who are residing in or employed in, or subject to, the taxes of, any domestic or foreign jurisdictions to comply with applicable tax and securities laws of such domestic or foreign jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no action of the Committee under this Section 3.3 shall impair the rights of any Participant without the Participant’s consent. To the extent applicable, the Plan is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3, and with respect to Awards intended to be “performance-based,” the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Plan shall be limited, construed and interpreted in a manner so as to comply therewith.

3.4      Decisions Final . Any decision, interpretation or other action made or taken in good faith by or at the direction of the Company, the Board or the Committee (or any of its members) arising out of or in connection with the Plan shall be within the absolute discretion of all and each of them, as the case may be, and shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all employees and Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.


3.5      Designation of Consultants/Liability .

(a)    The Committee may designate employees of the Company and professional advisors to assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan and (to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable exchange rules) may grant authority to officers to grant Awards and/or execute agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee.

(b)    The Committee may employ such legal counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely upon any opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses incurred by the Committee or the Board in the engagement of any such counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company. The Committee, its members and any person designated or granted authority pursuant to sub-section (a) above shall not be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, no officer or employee of the Company or its Affiliates or member or former member of the Committee or of the Board shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted under it.

ARTICLE IV

SHARE LIMITATION

4.1      Shares . (a) The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or used for reference purposes or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall not exceed 22,500,000 shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2) (the “ Share Reserve ”), which may be either authorized and unissued Common Stock or Common Stock held in or acquired for the treasury of the Company or both. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the Plan shall be equal to the Share Reserve. If any Option or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan expires, terminates or is canceled for any reason without having been exercised in full, the number of shares of Common Stock underlying any unexercised Award shall again be available for the purpose of Awards under the Plan. If any shares of Restricted Stock, Performance Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock awarded under the Plan to a Participant are forfeited for any reason, the number of forfeited shares of Restricted Stock, Performance Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock shall again be available for purposes of Awards under the Plan. Any Award under the Plan settled in cash shall not be counted against the foregoing maximum share limitations. The maximum grant date fair value of all Awards granted to any director during any calendar year shall not exceed $750,000.

(b)     Individual Participant Limitations . To the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code for Awards under the Plan to qualify as “performance-based compensation,” the following individual Participant limitations shall apply:

(i)    The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to any Award of Stock Options, or shares of Restricted Stock, or Other Stock-Based Awards for which the grant of such Award or the lapse of the relevant Restriction Period is subject to the attainment of Performance Goals in accordance with Section 7.3(a)(ii) which may be granted under the Plan during any fiscal year of the Company to any Participant shall be the number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value of $10,000,000, with Fair


Market Value measured as of the grant date (the “ Maximum Share Amount ”), per type of Award, provided that the maximum number of shares of Common Stock for all types of Awards does not exceed the Maximum Share Amount during any fiscal year of the Company.

(ii)    There are no annual individual share limitations applicable to Participants on Restricted Stock or Other Stock-Based Awards for which the grant, vesting or payment (as applicable) of any such Award is not subject to the attainment of Performance Goals.

(iii)    The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to any Performance Award which may be granted under the Plan during any fiscal year of the Company to any Participant shall be the Maximum Share Amount.

(iv)    The maximum value of a cash payment made under a Performance Award which may be granted under the Plan with respect to any fiscal year of the Company to any Participant shall be $10,000,000.

(v)    The individual Participant limitations set forth in this Section 4.1(b) (other than Section 4.1(b)(iii)) shall be cumulative; that is, to the extent that shares of Common Stock for which Awards are permitted to be granted to a Participant during a fiscal year are not covered by an Award to such Participant in a fiscal year, the number of shares of Common Stock available for Awards to such Participant shall automatically increase in the subsequent fiscal years during the term of the Plan until used.

4.2      Changes .

(a)    The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock, (iv) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (v) any sale or transfer of all or part of the assets or business of the Company or any Affiliate or (vi) any other corporate act or proceeding.

(b)    Subject to the provisions of Section 10.1:

(i)    If the Company at any time subdivides (by any split, recapitalization or otherwise) the outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, or combines (by reverse split, combination or otherwise) its outstanding Common Stock into a lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then the respective exercise prices for outstanding Awards that provide for a Participant elected exercise and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by outstanding Awards shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan.

(ii)    Excepting transactions covered by Section 4.2(b)(i), if the Company effects any merger, consolidation, statutory exchange, spin-off, reorganization, sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company’s assets or business, or other corporate transaction


or event in such a manner that the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock are converted into the right to receive (or the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive in exchange therefor), either immediately or upon liquidation of the Company, securities or other property of the Company or other entity (each, a Reorganization ), then, subject to the provisions of Section 10.1, (A) the aggregate number or kind of securities that thereafter may be issued under the Plan, (B) the number or kind of securities or other property (including cash) to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan (including as a result of the assumption of the Plan and the obligations hereunder by a successor entity, as applicable), or (C) the purchase price thereof, shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan.

(iii)    If there shall occur any change in the capital structure of the Company other than those covered by Section 4.2(b)(i) or 4.2(b)(ii), including by reason of any extraordinary dividend (whether cash or equity), any conversion, any adjustment, any issuance of any class of securities convertible or exercisable into, or exercisable for, any class of equity securities of the Company, then the Committee shall adjust any Award and make such other adjustments to the Plan to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan.

(iv)    Any such adjustment determined by the Committee pursuant to this Section 4.2(b) shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns. Any adjustment to, or assumption or substitution of, an Award under this Section 4.2(b) shall be intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation §1.424-1 (and any amendments thereto), to the extent applicable. Except as expressly provided in this Section 4.2 or in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall have no additional rights under the Plan by reason of any transaction or event described in this Section 4.2.

(v)    Fractional shares of Common Stock resulting from any adjustment in Awards pursuant to Section 4.2(a) or this Section 4.2(b) shall be aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time of exercise or payment by rounding-down for fractions less than one-half and rounding-up for fractions equal to or greater than one-half. No cash settlements shall be required with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding. Notice of any adjustment shall be given by the Committee to each Participant whose Award has been adjusted and such adjustment (whether or not such notice is given) shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.

4.3      Minimum Purchase Price . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if authorized but previously unissued shares of Common Stock are issued under the Plan, such shares shall not be issued for a consideration that is less than as permitted under applicable law.


ARTICLE V

ELIGIBILITY

5.1      General Eligibility . All current and prospective Eligible Individuals are eligible to be granted Awards. Eligibility for the grant of Awards and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.2      Incentive Stock Options . Notwithstanding the foregoing, only Eligible Employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parent (if any) are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Eligibility for the grant of an Incentive Stock Option and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.3      General Requirement . The vesting and exercise of Awards granted to a prospective Eligible Individual are conditioned upon such individual actually becoming an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director, respectively.

ARTICLE VI

STOCK OPTIONS

6.1      Options . Stock Options may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Each Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be of one of two types: (a) an Incentive Stock Option or (b) a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

6.2      Grants . The Committee shall have the authority to grant to any Eligible Employee one or more Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, or both types of Stock Options, in each case, pursuant to an Award Agreement. The Committee shall have the authority to grant any Consultant or Non-Employee Director one or more Non-Qualified Stock Options. To the extent that any Stock Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (whether because of its provisions or the time or manner of its exercise or otherwise), such Stock Option or the portion thereof which does not so qualify shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified Stock Option.

6.3      Incentive Stock Options . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, no term of the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be so exercised, so as to disqualify the Plan under Section 422 of the Code, or, without the consent of the Participants affected, to disqualify any Incentive Stock Option under such Section 422.

6.4      Terms of Options . Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable, including those set forth in an Award Agreement:

(a)     Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Stock Option shall not be less than 100% (or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, 110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant.


(b)     Stock Option Term . The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee, provided that no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the Option is granted; and provided further that the term of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall not exceed five years.

(c)     Exercisability . Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4, Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. If the Committee provides, in its discretion, that any Stock Option is exercisable subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation, that such Stock Option is exercisable only in installments or within certain time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the exercisability at any time at or after the time of grant in whole or in part (including, without limitation, waiver of the installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at which such Stock Option may be exercised), based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.

(d)     Method of Exercise . Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period provisions apply under Section 6.4(c), to the extent vested, Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the Option term, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company (or to its agent specifically designated for such purpose) specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased (which notice may be provided in an electronic form to the extent acceptable to the Committee and the Company). Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price as follows: (i) in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company; (ii) solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, if the Common Stock is traded on a national securities exchange, and the Committee authorizes, through a procedure whereby the Participant delivers irrevocable instructions to a broker reasonably acceptable to the Committee to deliver promptly to the Company shares of Common Stock with an aggregate value equal to the purchase price; (iii) by having the Company withhold shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Stock Option; or (iv) on such other terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the Committee (including, without limitation, with the consent of the Committee, by payment in full or in part in the form of Common Stock owned by the Participant, based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the payment date as determined by the Committee). No shares of Common Stock shall be issued until payment therefor, as provided herein, has been made or provided for.

(e)     Non-Transferability of Options . No Stock Option shall be Transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant or thereafter that a Non-Qualified Stock Option that is otherwise not Transferable pursuant to this Section is Transferable to a Family Member in whole or in part and in such circumstances, and under such conditions, as specified by the Committee. A Non-Qualified Stock Option that is Transferred to a Family Member pursuant to the preceding sentence (i) may not be subsequently Transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; (ii) remains subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement; and (iii) may be exercised by such Family Member. Any shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option by a permissible transferee of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or a permissible transferee pursuant to a Transfer after the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.


(f)     Termination by Death or Disability . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is by reason of death or Disability, all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant (or in the case of the Participant’s death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate) at any time within a period of one (1) year from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options; provided, however, that, in the event of a Participant’s Termination by reason of Disability, if the Participant dies within such exercise period, all unexercised Stock Options held by such Participant shall thereafter be exercisable, to the extent to which they were exercisable at the time of death, for a period of one (1) year from the date of such death, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(g)     Involuntary Termination Without Cause . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is by involuntary termination by the Company without Cause, all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(h)     Voluntary Resignation . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is voluntary (other than a voluntary termination described in Section 6.4(i)(y) hereof), all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(i)     Termination for Cause . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination (x) is for Cause or (y) is a voluntary Termination (as provided in Section 6.4(h)) after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, all Stock Options, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

(j)     Unvested Stock Options . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, Stock Options that are not vested as of the date of a Participant’s Termination for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

(k)     Incentive Stock Option Limitations . To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Eligible Employee during any


calendar year under the Plan and/or any other stock option plan of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. In addition, if an Eligible Employee does not remain employed by the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent at all times from the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted until three months prior to the date of exercise thereof (or such other period as required by applicable law), such Stock Option shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Should any provision of the Plan not be necessary in order for the Stock Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, or should any additional provisions be required, the Committee may amend the Plan accordingly, without the necessity of obtaining the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

(l)     Form, Modification, Extension and Renewal of Stock Options . Subject to the terms and conditions and within the limitations of the Plan, including those set forth in the following sentence, Stock Options shall be evidenced by such form of agreement or grant as is approved by the Committee, and the Committee may (i) modify, extend or renew outstanding Stock Options granted under the Plan ( provided that the rights of a Participant are not reduced without such Participant’s consent and provided , further , that such action does not subject the Stock Options to Section 409A of the Code without the consent of the Participant), and (ii) accept the surrender of outstanding Stock Options (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Stock Options or other Awards in substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore exercised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company in accordance with Section 4.2 (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, or exchange of shares), an outstanding Stock Option may not be modified to reduce the exercise price thereof nor may a new Stock Option at a lower price be substituted for a surrendered Stock Option, unless such action is approved by the stockholders of the Company.

(m)     Early Exercise . The Committee may provide that a Stock Option include a provision whereby the Participant may elect at any time before the Participant’s Termination to exercise the Stock Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Option prior to the full vesting of the Stock Option, and such shares shall be subject to the provisions of Article VII and be treated as Restricted Stock, which will remain subject to the original vesting schedule applicable to the predecessor Stock Option. Unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Committee determines to be appropriate.

(n)     Other Terms and Conditions . The Committee may include a provision in an Award Agreement providing for the automatic exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option on a cashless basis on the last day of the term of such Option if the Participant has failed to exercise the Non-Qualified Stock Option as of such date, with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Non-Qualified Stock Option exceeds the exercise price of such Non-Qualified Stock Option on the date of expiration of such Option, subject to Section 13.4. Stock Options may contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.    The recipient of a Stock Option under this Article VI shall not be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, dividends or dividend equivalents in respect of the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Stock Option. The Company will evidence each Participant’s ownership of Common Stock


issued upon exercise of a Stock Option pursuant to a designated system, such as book entries by the transfer agent; if a stock certificate for such shares of Common Stock is issued, it will be substantially in the form set forth in Section 7.2(c).

ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTED STOCK

7.1      Awards of Restricted Stock . Shares of Restricted Stock may be issued either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the Eligible Individuals, to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock shall be made, the number of shares to be awarded, the price (if any) to be paid by the Participant (subject to Section 7.2), the time or times within which such Awards may be subject to forfeiture, the vesting schedule and rights to acceleration thereof, and all other terms and conditions of the Awards.

The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock upon the attainment of specified performance targets (including, the Performance Goals) or such other factor as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, including to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.

7.2      Awards and Certificates . If required by the Award Agreement, Eligible Individuals selected to receive Restricted Stock shall not have any right with respect to such Award, unless and until such Participant has delivered a fully executed copy of the Award Agreement evidencing the Award to the Company, to the extent required by the Committee, and has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award. Further, such Award shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a)     Purchase Price . The purchase price of Restricted Stock shall be fixed by the Committee. Subject to Section 4.3, the purchase price for shares of Restricted Stock may be zero to the extent permitted by applicable law, and, to the extent not so permitted, such purchase price may not be less than par value.

(b)     Acceptance . Awards of Restricted Stock must be accepted within a period of 60 days (or such shorter period as the Committee may specify at grant) after the grant date, by executing a Restricted Stock Award Agreement and by paying whatever price (if any) the Committee has designated thereunder.

(c)     Legend . The Company will evidence each Participant’s ownership of Restricted Stock pursuant to a designated system, such as book entries by the transfer agent. If a stock certificate for such shares of Restricted Stock is issued, such certificate shall be registered in the name of such Participant, and shall, in addition to such legends required by applicable securities laws, bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award, substantially in the following form:

“The anticipation, alienation, attachment, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge of the shares of stock represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions (including forfeiture) of the Vistra Energy Corp. (the “ Company ”) 2016 Omnibus Incentive


Plan (the “ Plan ”) and an Agreement entered into between the registered owner and the Company dated                     . Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on file at the principal office of the Company.”

(d)     Custody . If stock certificates are issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee may require that any stock certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any grant of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have delivered a duly signed stock power or other instruments of assignment (including a power of attorney), each endorsed in blank with a guarantee of signature if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company, which would permit transfer to the Company of all or a portion of the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award in the event that such Award is forfeited in whole or part or otherwise transferred to the Company.

7.3      Restrictions and Conditions . The shares of Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

(a)     Restriction Period . (i) The Participant shall not be permitted to Transfer shares of Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan during the period or periods set by the Committee (the “ Restriction Period ”) commencing on the date of such Award, as set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement and such agreement shall set forth a vesting schedule and any event that would accelerate vesting of the shares of Restricted Stock. Within these limits, based on service, attainment of Performance Goals pursuant to Section 7.3(a)(ii) and/or such other factors or criteria as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, the Committee may condition the grant or provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments in whole or in part, or may accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award and/or waive the deferral limitations for all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award.

(ii)    If the grant of shares of Restricted Stock or the lapse of restrictions is based on the attainment of Performance Goals, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals and the applicable vesting percentage of the Restricted Stock applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable fiscal year or at such later date as otherwise determined by the Committee and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. With regard to a Restricted Stock Award that is intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent that any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect.

(b)     Rights as a Stockholder . Except as provided in Section 7.3(a) and this Section 7.3(b) or as otherwise determined by the Committee in an Award Agreement, the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends (the payment of which may be deferred until, and conditioned upon, the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period, as determined in the Committee’s sole discretion), the right to vote such shares and, subject to and conditioned upon the full vesting of shares of Restricted Stock, the right to tender such shares.


(c)     Termination . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason during the relevant Restriction Period, all Restricted Stock still subject to restriction will be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant or thereafter.

(d)     Lapse of Restrictions . If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the shares of Restricted Stock, such earned shares (and to the extent ownership of such shares is evidenced by stock certificates, the stock certificates for such shares) shall be delivered to the Participant. All legends shall be removed from said certificates at the time of delivery to the Participant, except as otherwise required by applicable law or other limitations imposed by the Committee.

ARTICLE VIII

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

8.1      Performance Awards . The Committee may grant a Performance Award to a Participant payable upon the attainment of specific Performance Goals. The Committee may grant Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, as well as Performance Awards that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. If the Performance Award is payable in shares of Restricted Stock, such shares shall be transferable to the Participant only upon attainment of the relevant Performance Goal in accordance with Article VII. If the Performance Award is payable in cash, it may be paid upon the attainment of the relevant Performance Goals either in cash or in shares of Restricted Stock (based on the then current Fair Market Value of such shares), as determined by the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion. Each Performance Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in such form that is not inconsistent with the Plan and that the Committee may from time to time approve. With respect to Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall condition the right to payment of any Performance Award upon the attainment of objective Performance Goals established pursuant to Section 8.2(c).

8.2      Terms and Conditions . Performance Awards awarded pursuant to this Article VIII shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a)     Earning of Performance Award . At the expiration of the applicable Performance Period, the Committee shall determine the extent to which the Performance Goals established pursuant to Section 8.2(c) are achieved and the percentage of each Performance Award that has been earned.

(b)     Non-Transferability . Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, Performance Awards may not be Transferred during the Performance Period.


(c)     Objective Performance Goals, Formulae or Standards . With respect to Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals for the earning of Performance Awards based on a Performance Period applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable Performance Period or at such later date as permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate, if and only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. To the extent that any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect, with respect to Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(d)     Dividends . To the extent determined by the Committee, Participants shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to the dividends paid on the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Performance Award; provided that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for either of the following at the time of grant: (i) dividends or dividend equivalents will be paid as accrued but will be subject to the same vesting terms and conditions as the underlying Performance Award; or (ii) payment of dividends or dividend equivalents shall be deferred until, and conditioned upon, settlement of the underlying Performance Award.

(e)     Payment . Following the Committee’s determination in accordance with Section 8.2(a), the Company shall settle Performance Awards, in such form (including, without limitation, in shares of Common Stock or in cash) as determined by the Committee, in an amount equal to such Participant’s earned Performance Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, award an amount less than the earned Performance Awards and/or subject the payment of all or part of any Performance Award to additional vesting, forfeiture and deferral conditions as it deems appropriate.

(f)     Termination . Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason during the Performance Period for a given Performance Award, the Performance Award in question will vest or be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant.

(g)     Accelerated Vesting . Based on service, performance and/or such other factors or criteria, if any, as the Committee may determine, the Committee may, at or after grant, accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Performance Award.

ARTICLE IX

OTHER STOCK-BASED AND CASH-BASED AWARDS

9.1      Other Stock-Based Awards . The Committee is authorized to grant to Eligible Individuals Other Stock-Based Awards that are payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to shares of Common Stock, including but not limited to, shares of Common Stock awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions,


shares of Common Stock in payment of the amounts due under an incentive or performance plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or an Affiliate, stock equivalent units, restricted stock units, and Awards valued by reference to book value of shares of Common Stock. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan.

Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have authority to determine the Eligible Individuals, to whom, and the time or times at which, such Awards shall be made, the number of shares of Common Stock to be awarded pursuant to such Awards, and all other conditions of the Awards. The Committee may also provide for the grant of Common Stock under such Awards upon the completion of a specified Performance Period.

The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Other Stock-Based Awards upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion; provided that to the extent that such Other Stock-Based Awards are intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals for the grant or vesting of such Other Stock-Based Awards based on a Performance Period applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable Performance Period or at such later date as permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate, if and only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. To the extent that any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no force or effect, with respect to Performance Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

9.2      Terms and Conditions . Other Stock-Based Awards made pursuant to this Article IX shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a)     Non-Transferability . Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, shares of Common Stock subject to Awards made under this Article IX may not be Transferred prior to the date on which the shares are issued, or, if later, the date on which any applicable restriction, performance or deferral period lapses.

(b)     Dividends . To the extent determined by the Committee, Participants shall be entitled to receive an amount equal to the dividends paid on the number of shares of Common Stock covered by Awards made under this Article IX; provided that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for either of the following at the time of grant: (i) dividends or dividend equivalents will be paid as accrued but will be subject to the same vesting terms and conditions as the underlying Award; or (ii) payment of dividends or dividend equivalents shall be deferred until, and conditioned upon, settlement of the underlying Award.

(c)     Vesting . Any Award under this Article IX and any Common Stock covered by any such Award shall vest or be forfeited to the extent so provided in the Award Agreement, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.


(d)     Price . Common Stock issued on a bonus basis under this Article IX may be issued for no cash consideration. Common Stock purchased pursuant to a purchase right awarded under this Article IX shall be priced, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

9.3      Other Cash-Based Awards . The Committee may from time to time grant Other Cash-Based Awards to Eligible Individuals in such amounts, on such terms and conditions, and for such consideration, including no consideration or such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, as it shall determine in its sole discretion. Other Cash-Based Awards may be granted subject to the satisfaction of vesting conditions or may be awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions, and if subject to vesting conditions, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of such Awards at any time in its sole discretion. The grant of an Other Cash-Based Award shall not require a segregation of any of the Company’s assets for satisfaction of the Company’s payment obligation thereunder.

ARTICLE X

CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS

10.1      Benefits . In the event of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined below), and except as otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, a Participant’s unvested Awards shall not vest automatically and a Participant’s Awards shall be treated in accordance with one or more of the following methods as determined by the Committee:

(a)    Awards, whether or not then vested, shall be continued, assumed, or have new rights substituted therefor, as determined by the Committee in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and restrictions to which shares of Restricted Stock or any other Award granted prior to the Change in Control are subject shall not lapse upon a Change in Control and the Restricted Stock or other Award shall, where appropriate in the sole discretion of the Committee, receive the same distribution as other Common Stock on such terms as determined by the Committee; provided that the Committee may decide to award additional Restricted Stock or other Awards in lieu of any cash distribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, any assumed or substituted Stock Option shall comply with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.424-1 (and any amendment thereto).

(b)    The Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for the purchase of any Awards by the Company or an Affiliate for an amount of cash equal to the excess (if any) of the Change in Control Price (as defined below) of the shares of Common Stock covered by such Awards, over the aggregate exercise price of such Awards. For purposes hereof, “ Change in Control Price ” shall mean the highest price per share of Common Stock paid in any transaction related to a Change in Control of the Company.

(c)    The Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate all outstanding and unexercised Stock Options or any Other Stock-Based Award that provides for a Participant elected exercise, effective as of the date of the Change in Control, by delivering notice of termination to each Participant at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of consummation of the Change in Control, in which case during the period from the date on which such notice of termination is delivered to the consummation of the Change in Control, each such Participant shall


have the right to exercise in full all of such Participant’s Awards that are then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on exercisability otherwise contained in the Award Agreements), but any such exercise shall be contingent on the occurrence of the Change in Control, and, provided that, if the Change in Control does not take place within a specified period after giving such notice for any reason whatsoever, the notice and exercise pursuant thereto shall be null and void.

(d)    The Committee may, in its sole discretion, make any other determination as to the treatment of Awards in connection with such Change in Control as the Committee may determine. Any escrow, holdback, earnout or similar provisions in the definitive agreement(s) relating to such transaction may apply to any payment to the holders of Awards to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to the holders of shares of Common Stock.

Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting or lapse of restrictions, of an Award at any time.

10.2      Change in Control . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement with a Participant approved by the Committee, a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur if:

(a)    any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Common Stock of the Company), becoming the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

(b)    during any period of 24 consecutive calendar months, individuals who were directors of the Company on the first day of such period (the “ Incumbent Directors ”) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board; provided , however , that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the first day of such period whose election, or nomination for election, by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors will be considered as though such individual were an Incumbent Director, but excluding, for purposes of this proviso, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened proxy contest with respect to election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a “person” (as used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), in each case, other than the Board, which individual, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be deemed to be an Incumbent Director for purposes of this Section 10.2(b), regardless of whether such individual was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors;

(c)    consummation of a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other business combination (any of the foregoing, a “ Business Combination ”) of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other corporation, in any case with respect to which the Company voting securities outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination do not, immediately following such Business Combination, continue to represent (either by


remaining outstanding or being converted into voting securities of the Company or any ultimate parent thereof) more than 50% of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company (or its successor) or any ultimate parent thereof after the Business Combination; or

(d)    a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of the sale.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award that is characterized as “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, an event shall not be considered to be a Change in Control under the Plan for purposes of payment of such Award unless such event is also a “change in ownership,” a “change in effective control” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

ARTICLE XI

TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may at any time, and from time to time, amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan (including any amendment deemed necessary to ensure that the Company may comply with any regulatory requirement referred to in Article XIII or Section 409A of the Code), or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or otherwise, and the Committee may amend the Plan to the extent such amendment is (i) ministerial or administrative in nature and does not result in a material change to the cost of the Plan or (ii) required by law. Notwithstanding anything in the preceding sentence to the contrary, unless otherwise required by law or specifically provided herein, the rights of a Participant, with respect to Awards granted prior to any amendment (whether by the Board or the Committee), suspension or termination, may not be impaired without the consent of such Participant. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board may amend the Plan or any Award Agreement at any time without a Participant’s consent to comply with applicable law, including Section 409A of the Code. The Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Article IV or as otherwise specifically provided herein, no such amendment or other action by the Committee shall impair the rights of any holder without the holder’s consent.

ARTICLE XII

UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payment as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but which are not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any right that is greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.


ARTICLE XIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

13.1      Legend . The Committee may require each person receiving shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Option or other Award under the Plan to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof. In addition to any legend required by the Plan, the certificates for such shares (if any) may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on Transfer. All certificates for shares of Common Stock (to the extent such shares are certificated) delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed or any national securities exchange system or over-the-counter market upon whose system the Common Stock is then quoted, any applicable federal or state securities law, and any applicable corporate law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

13.2      Other Plans . Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

13.3      No Right to Employment/Directorship/Consultancy . Neither the Plan nor the grant of any Option or other Award hereunder shall give any Participant or other employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director any right with respect to continuance of employment, consultancy or directorship by the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall the Plan nor the grant of any Option or other Award hereunder limit in any way the right of the Company or any Affiliate by which an employee is employed or a Consultant or Non-Employee Director is retained to terminate such employment, consultancy or directorship at any time.

13.4      Withholding of Taxes . The Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment to be made pursuant to the Plan, or to otherwise require, prior to the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock or the payment of any cash hereunder, payment by the Participant of, any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld. Upon the vesting of Restricted Stock (or other Award that is taxable upon vesting), or upon making an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, a Participant shall pay all required withholding to the Company. Any minimum statutorily required withholding obligation with regard to any Participant may be satisfied, subject to the consent of the Committee, by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable or by delivering shares of Common Stock already owned. Any fraction of a share of Common Stock required to satisfy such tax obligations shall be disregarded and the amount due in respect of such fraction of a share shall be paid instead in cash by the Participant.

13.5      No Assignment of Benefits . No Award or other benefit payable under the Plan shall, except as otherwise specifically provided by law or permitted by the Committee, be Transferable in any manner, and any attempt to Transfer any such benefit shall be void, and any such benefit shall not in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any person who shall be entitled to such benefit, nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or against such person.


13.6      Listing and Other Conditions .

(a)    Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, as long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange, system sponsored by a national securities association or recognized over-the-counter market, the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award shall be conditioned upon such shares being listed on such exchange, system or market. The Company shall have no obligation to issue such shares unless and until such shares are so listed, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award with respect to such shares shall be suspended until such listing has been effected.

(b)    If at any time counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Option or other Award is or may in the circumstances be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company under the statutes, rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities Act or otherwise, with respect to shares of Common Stock or Awards, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award shall be suspended until, in the opinion of said counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company.

(c)    Upon termination of any period of suspension under this Section 13.6, any Award affected by such suspension which shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as to all shares available before such suspension and as to shares which would otherwise have become available during the period of such suspension, but no such suspension shall extend the term of any Award.

(d)    A Participant shall be required to supply the Company with certificates, representations and information that the Company requests and otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, exemption, consent or approval the Company deems necessary or appropriate.

13.7      Other Requirements . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, as a condition to the receipt of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award under the Plan, to the extent required by the Committee, the Participant shall execute and deliver documentation that shall set forth certain restrictions on transferability of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise or purchase, and such other terms as the Committee shall from time to time establish.

13.8      Governing Law . The Plan and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable Delaware principles of conflict of laws).

13.9      Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . Any suit, action or proceeding with respect to the Plan or any Award Agreement, or any judgment entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in respect of any thereof, shall be resolved only in the courts of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and the appellate courts having


jurisdiction of appeals in such courts. In that context, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company and each Participant shall irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submit in any proceeding relating to the Plan or any Award Agreement, or for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof (a “ Proceeding ”), to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware, the court of the United States of America for the District of Delaware, and appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals from any of the foregoing, and agree that all claims in respect of any such Proceeding shall be heard and determined in such Delaware State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court, (b) consent that any such Proceeding may and shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that the Company and each Participant may now or thereafter have to the venue or jurisdiction of any such Proceeding in any such court or that such Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agree not to plead or claim the same, (c) waive all right to trial by jury in any Proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to the Plan or any Award Agreement, (d) agree that service of process in any such Proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party, in the case of a Participant, at the Participant’s address shown in the books and records of the Company or, in the case of the Company, at the Company’s principal offices, attention General Counsel, and (e) agree that nothing in the Plan shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware.

13.10      Construction . Wherever any words are used in the Plan or an Award Agreement in the masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever words are used herein in the singular form they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.

13.11      Other Benefits . No Award granted or paid out under the Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates nor affect any benefit under any other benefit plan now or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.

13.12      Costs . The Company shall bear all expenses associated with administering the Plan, including expenses of issuing Common Stock pursuant to Awards hereunder.

13.13      No Right to Same Benefits . The provisions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant, and such Awards to individual Participants need not be the same in subsequent years.

13.14      Death/Disability . The Committee may in its discretion require the transferee of a Participant to supply it with written notice of the Participant’s death or Disability and to supply it with a copy of the will (in the case of the Participant’s death) or such other evidence as the Committee deems necessary to establish the validity of the transfer of an Award. The Committee may also require that the agreement of the transferee to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

13.15      Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act . All elections and transactions under the Plan by persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act involving shares of Common Stock are


intended to comply with any applicable exemptive condition under Rule 16b-3. The Committee may establish and adopt written administrative guidelines, designed to facilitate compliance with Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as it may deem necessary or proper for the administration and operation of the Plan and the transaction of business thereunder.

13.16      Section 409A of the Code . The Plan is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, it shall be paid in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including proposed, temporary or final regulations or any other guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any provision in the Plan that is inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to be amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and to the extent such provision cannot be amended to comply therewith, such provision shall be null and void. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee or the Company and, in the event that any amount or benefit under the Plan becomes subject to penalties under Section 409A of the Code, responsibility for payment of such penalties shall rest solely with the affected Participants and not with the Company. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) that are otherwise required to be made under the Plan to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A of the Code) as a result of such employee’s separation from service (other than a payment that is not subject to Section 409A of the Code) shall be delayed for the first six (6) months following such separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the specified employee) and shall instead be paid (in a manner set forth in the Award Agreement) upon expiration of such delay period.

13.17      Successors and Assigns . The Plan and any applicable Award Agreement(s) shall be binding on all successors and permitted assigns of a Participant, including, without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or trustee of such estate.

13.18      Severability of Provisions . If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and the Plan and/or Award Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.

13.19      Payments to Minors, Etc . Any benefit payable to or for the benefit of a minor, an incompetent person or other person incapable of receipt thereof shall be deemed paid when paid to such person’s guardian or to the party providing or reasonably appearing to provide for the care of such person, and such payment shall fully discharge the Committee, the Board, the Company, its Affiliates and their officers, directors/managers, employees, agents and representatives with respect thereto.

13.20      Lock-Up Agreement . As a condition to the grant of an Award, if requested by the Company and the lead underwriter of any public offering of Common Stock (the “ Lead Underwriter ), a Participant shall irrevocably agree not to sell, contract to sell, grant any option to


purchase, transfer the economic risk of ownership in, make any short sale of, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of, any interest in any Common Stock or any securities convertible into, derivative of, or exchangeable or exercisable for, or any other rights to purchase or acquire Common Stock (except Common Stock included in such public offering or acquired on the public market after such offering) during such period of time following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act that the Lead Underwriter shall specify (the “ Lock -Up Period ”). The Participant shall further agree to sign such documents as may be requested by the Lead Underwriter to effect the foregoing and agree that the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Award until the end of such Lock-Up Period.

13.21      Headings and Captions . The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of the Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.

13.22      Section 162(m) of the Code . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the provisions of the Plan requiring compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code shall not apply to Awards granted under the Plan that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

13.23      Company Recoupment of Awards . A Participant’s rights with respect to any Award hereunder shall in all events be subject to (i) any right that the Company may have under any Company recoupment policy or other agreement or arrangement with a Participant, or (ii) any right or obligation that the Company may have regarding the clawback of “incentive-based compensation” under Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

ARTICLE XIV

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

The Plan became effective on October 3, 2016.

ARTICLE XV

TERM OF PLAN

No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the date that the Plan is adopted or the date of stockholder approval, but Awards granted prior to such tenth anniversary may extend beyond that date; provided that no Award (other than a Stock Option) that is intended to be “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be granted on or after the fifth anniversary of the stockholder approval of the Plan unless the Performance Goals are re-approved (or other designated Performance Goals are approved) by the stockholders no later than the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which stockholders approve the Performance Goals. For purposes of the Plan, approval by the bankruptcy court shall serve as stockholder approval, unless otherwise prohibited by law.


ARTICLE XVI

NAME OF PLAN

The Plan shall be known as the “Vistra Energy Corp. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan.”


EXHIBIT A

PERFORMANCE GOALS

To the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, performance goals established for purposes of Awards intended to be “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, shall be based on the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase or decrease (as applicable) in one or more of the following:

 

   

Non-GAAP performance measures included in any of the Company’s SEC filings;

 

   

Line items on the Company’s income statement, including but not limited to net interest income, total other income, total costs and expenses, income before taxes, net income and/or earnings per share;

 

   

Line items on the Company’s balance sheet, including but not limited to debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be calculated net of cash balances and/or other offsets and adjustments as may be established by the Committee in its sole discretion;

 

   

Line items on the Company’s statement of cash flows, including but not limited to net cash provided in (used by) operating activities, investing activities, and/or financing activities;

 

   

Market share;

 

   

Operational metrics, including but not limited to generation performance, customer churn, residential ending customer count, customer satisfaction, average days sales outstanding, energizing events issues/success, customer complaints/success, systems availability and downtime, contribution margin, and safety and environmental improvements;

 

   

Financial ratios, including but not limited to operating margin, return on equity, return on assets, and/or return on invested capital; or

 

   

Total shareholder return, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock, or the growth in value of an investment in the Common Stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends.

With respect to Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, also exclude, or adjust to reflect, the impact of an event or occurrence that the Committee determines should be appropriately excluded or adjusted, including:

(a)    restructurings, discontinued operations, extraordinary items or events, and other unusual or non-recurring charges as described in Accounting Standards Codification 225-20, “Extraordinary and Unusual Items,” and/or management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing or incorporated by reference in the Company’s Form 10-K for the applicable year;

(b)    an event either not directly related to the operations of the Company or not within the reasonable control of the Company’s management;


(c)    a change in tax law or accounting standards required by generally accepted accounting principles; or

(d)    a decision to accelerate or defer capital expenditures or expenses contrary to the timing reflected in the Company’s annual financial plan.

Performance goals may also be based upon individual participant performance goals, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. In addition, Awards that are not intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code may be based on the performance goals set forth herein or on such other performance goals as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion or without regard to any performance goals.

In addition, such performance goals may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of Company (or subsidiary, division, other operational unit, administrative department or product category of the Company) performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of one or more other companies or one or more groups of companies (e.g. an index). With respect to Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code, but only to the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code (including, without limitation, compliance with any requirements for stockholder approval), the Committee may also:

(a)    designate additional business criteria on which the performance goals may be based; or

(b)    adjust, modify or amend the aforementioned business criteria.

Exhibit 10.7

FINAL VERSION

Management Committee Form

NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

PURSUANT TO THE

TCEH CORP. 2016 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

* * * * *

Participant:                                         

Grant Date:                                         

Per Share Exercise Price: $        

Number of Shares subject to this Option:                 

* * * * *

THIS NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of the Grant Date specified above, is entered into by and between TCEH Corp., a corporation organized in the State of Delaware (the “ Company ”), and the Participant specified above, pursuant to the TCEH Corp. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as in effect and as amended from time to time (the “ Plan ”), which is administered by the Committee; and

WHEREAS, it has been determined under the Plan that it would be in the best interests of the Company to grant the Non-Qualified Stock Option provided herein to the Participant.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto hereby mutually covenant and agree as follows:

1. Incorporation By Reference; Plan Document Receipt . This Agreement is subject in all respects to the terms and provisions of the Plan (including, without limitation, any amendments thereto adopted at any time and from time to time unless such amendments are expressly intended not to apply to the Award provided hereunder), all of which terms and provisions are made a part of and incorporated in this Agreement as if they were each expressly set forth herein. Except as provided otherwise herein, any capitalized term not defined in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as is ascribed thereto in the Plan. The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a true copy of the Plan and that the Participant has read the Plan carefully and fully understands its content. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control. No part of the Option granted hereby is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code.

2. Grant of Option . The Company hereby grants to the Participant, as of the Grant Date specified above, a Non-Qualified Stock Option (this “ Option ”) to acquire from


the Company at the Per Share Exercise Price specified above, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock specified above (the “ Option Shares ”). Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, the Participant agrees and understands that nothing contained in this Agreement provides, or is intended to provide, the Participant with any protection against potential future dilution of the Participant’s interest in the Company for any reason. The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock covered by the Option unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such shares, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.

3. Vesting and Exercise .

(a) Vesting . Subject to the provisions of Sections 3(b) to 3(e) , the Option shall vest and become exercisable as follows, provided that the Participant has not incurred a Termination prior to each such vesting date:

 

Vesting Date

   Percentage of Option
Shares
 

First Anniversary of Emergence Date

     25

Second Anniversary of Emergence Date

     25

Third Anniversary of Emergence Date

     25

Fourth Anniversary of Emergence Date

     25

For purposes of this Agreement, “ Emergence Date ” has the same meaning as “TCEH Effective Date” (as defined in that certain Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Energy Future Holdings Corp., et al. , Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code). There shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods prior to each vesting date and all vesting shall occur only on the appropriate vesting date, subject to the Participant’s continued service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on each applicable vesting date. Upon expiration of the Option, the Option shall be cancelled and no longer exercisable.

(b) Death or Disability . In the event of the Participant’s Termination by reason of death or Disability, the portion of the Option that would have vested pursuant to Section 3(a) above in the first twelve (12) months following such Termination will vest as of the Termination.

(c) Termination Without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason; Company Non-Renewal of Term . In the event of the Participant’s Termination by the Company without Cause, by the Participant for Good Reason, or due to the Company’s non-renewal of the term of the Employment Agreement (as defined below) (each, a “ Qualifying Termination ”), subject to the Participant’s satisfaction of the Release Condition (as defined in the Employment Agreement) and continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 of the Employment Agreement, the portion of the Option that would have vested pursuant to Section 3(a) above in the first twelve (12) months following such Termination will vest as of the Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Employment Agreement ” means that certain employment agreement, by and between the Participant and the Company, dated as of [●].

 

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(d) Change in Control . The Option shall become fully vested upon the occurrence of a Qualifying Termination following a Change in Control.

(e) Committee Discretion to Accelerate Vesting . In addition to the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate vesting of the Option at any time and for any reason.

(f) Expiration . Unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan and/or this Agreement, all portions of the Option (whether vested or not vested) shall expire and shall no longer be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the Grant Date.

(g) Treatment of Unvested Options upon Termination . Subject to this Section  3 , any portion of the Option that is not vested as of the date of the Participant’s Termination for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

4. Exercise Following Termination . Subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Option, to the extent vested at the time of the Participant’s Termination, shall remain exercisable as follows:

(a) Termination Due to Death or Disability . In the event of the Participant’s Termination by reason of death or Disability, the vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) one year from the date of such Termination, and (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 3(f) hereof; provided , however , that in the case of a Termination due to Disability, if the Participant dies within such one year exercise period, any unexercised Option held by the Participant shall thereafter be exercisable by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate or the recipient of the unexercised Option by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, to the extent to which it was exercisable at the time of death, for a period of one year from the date of death, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 3(f) hereof.

(b) Termination Without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason; Company Non-Renewal of Term . In the event of a Qualifying Termination, subject to the Participant’s continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 of the Employment Agreement, the vested portion of the Option, including any portion that vests pursuant to Section 3(c) above, shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination or, if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of such Termination and (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 3(f) hereof.

(c) Resignation without Good Reason; Participant Non-Renewal of Term . In the event of the Participant’s Termination by the Participant without Good Reason or due to the Participant’s non-renewal of the Employment Agreement term, the vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days from the date of such Termination or, if the Participant is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of such Termination and (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 3(f) hereof.

(d) Termination for Cause . In the event of the Participant’s Termination for Cause, the Participant’s entire Option (whether or not vested) shall terminate and expire upon such Termination. Additionally, during the first sixty (60) days after the Participant’s Termination for any reason other than Cause, the Company shall have the right to re-characterize such Termination as a Termination for Cause; upon such re-characterization, the entire outstanding Option will be forfeited.

 

3


5. Method of Exercise and Payment . Subject to Section  8 hereof, to the extent that the Option has become vested and exercisable with respect to a number of shares of Common Stock as provided herein, the Option may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time prior to the expiration of the Option as provided herein and in accordance with Sections 6.4(c) and 6.4(d) of the Plan.

6. Non-Transferability . The Option, and any rights and interests with respect thereto, issued under this Agreement and the Plan shall not be sold, exchanged, transferred, assigned, pledged, encumbered or otherwise disposed of or hypothecated in any way by the Participant (or any beneficiary of the Participant who holds the Option as a result of a Transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution), other than by testamentary disposition by the Participant or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit the Option to be Transferred to a Family Member for no value, provided that such Transfer shall only be valid upon execution of a written instrument in form and substance acceptable to the Committee in its sole discretion evidencing such Transfer and the transferee’s acceptance thereof signed by the Participant and the transferee, and provided, further, that the Option may not be subsequently Transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or to another Family Member (as permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion) in accordance with the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, and shall remain subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement. Any attempt to sell, exchange, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of or hypothecate in any way the Option, or the levy of any execution, attachment or similar legal process upon the Option, contrary to the terms and provisions of this Agreement and/or the Plan shall be null and void and without legal force or effect.

7. Governing Law . All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the choice of law principles thereof.

8. Withholding of Tax . The Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state, local and foreign taxes of any kind (including, but not limited to, the Participant’s FICA and SDI obligations) which the Company, in its sole discretion, deems necessary to be withheld or remitted to comply with the Code and/or any other applicable law, rule or regulation with respect to the Option, and if the withholding requirement cannot be satisfied, the Company may otherwise refuse to issue or transfer any shares of Common Stock otherwise required to be issued pursuant to this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall withhold shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable to the Participant hereunder in order to pay the Participant’s income and employment taxes due upon vesting of the Option, but only to the extent permitted by applicable accounting rules so as not to affect accounting treatment.

 

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9. Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Agreement, together with the Plan, contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior agreements or prior understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties relating to such subject matter. The Committee shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to modify or amend this Agreement from time to time in accordance with and as provided in the Plan. This Agreement may also be modified or amended by a writing signed by both the Company and the Participant. The Company shall give written notice to the Participant of any such modification or amendment of this Agreement as soon as practicable after the adoption thereof.

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

11. No Right to Employment . Any questions as to whether and when there has been a Termination and the cause of such Termination shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. Nothing in this Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates to terminate the Participant’s employment or service at any time, for any reason and with or without Cause.

12. Transfer of Personal Data . The Participant authorizes, agrees and unambiguously consents to the transmission by the Company (or any Subsidiary) of any personal data information related to the Option awarded under this Agreement for legitimate business purposes (including, without limitation, the administration of the Plan). This authorization and consent is freely given by the Participant.

13. Compliance with Laws . The issuance of the Option (and the Option Shares upon exercise of the Option) pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to, and shall comply with, any applicable requirements of any foreign and U.S. federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and in each case any respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) and any other law or regulation applicable thereto. The Company shall not be obligated to issue the Option or any of the Option Shares pursuant to this Agreement if any such issuance would violate any such requirements.

14. Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Plan to the contrary, the Option is intended to be exempt from the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent.

15. Binding Agreement; Assignment . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be binding upon, and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and assigns. The Participant shall not assign (except in accordance with Section  6 hereof) any part of this Agreement without the prior express written consent of the Company.

 

5


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

17. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

18. Further Assurances . Each party hereto shall do and perform (or shall cause to be done and performed) all such further acts and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as either party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the Plan and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereunder.

19. Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

20. Acquired Rights . The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Company may terminate or amend the Plan at any time; (b) the award of the Option made under this Agreement is completely independent of any other award or grant and is made at the sole discretion of the Company; (c) no past grants or awards (including, without limitation, the Option awarded hereunder) give the Participant any right to any grants or awards in the future whatsoever; and (d) any benefits granted under this Agreement are not part of the Participant’s ordinary salary, and shall not be considered as part of such salary in the event of severance, redundancy or resignation.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

TCEH CORP.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

PARTICIPANT

 

Name:  

 

 

7

Exhibit 10.8

FINAL VERSION

Management Committee Form

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

PURSUANT TO THE

TCEH CORP. 2016 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

* * * * *

 

Participant:    
Grant Date:    

 

Number of Restricted Stock Units Granted:     

* * * * *

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of the Grant Date specified above, is entered into by and between TCEH Corp., a corporation organized in the State of Delaware (the “ Company ”), and the Participant specified above, pursuant to the TCEH Corp. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as in effect and as amended from time to time (the “ Plan ”), which is administered by the Committee; and

WHEREAS, it has been determined under the Plan that it would be in the best interests of the Company to grant the Restricted Stock Units (“ RSUs ”) provided herein to the Participant.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto hereby mutually covenant and agree as follows:

1. Incorporation By Reference; Plan Document Receipt . This Agreement is subject in all respects to the terms and provisions of the Plan (including, without limitation, any amendments thereto adopted at any time and from time to time unless such amendments are expressly intended not to apply to the Award provided hereunder), all of which terms and provisions are made a part of and incorporated in this Agreement as if they were each expressly set forth herein. Except as provided otherwise herein, any capitalized term not defined in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as is ascribed thereto in the Plan. The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a true copy of the Plan and that the Participant has read the Plan carefully and fully understands its content. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

2. Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Award . The Company hereby grants to the Participant, as of the Grant Date specified above, the number of RSUs specified above. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, the Participant agrees and understands that nothing contained in this Agreement provides, or is intended to provide, the Participant with any protection against potential future dilution of the Participant’s interest in the Company for any reason, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.


3. Vesting .

(a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 3(b)-(e) hereof, the RSUs subject to this Award shall become vested as follows, provided that the Participant has not incurred a Termination prior to each such vesting date:

 

Vesting Date

   Percentage of RSUs  

First Anniversary of Emergence Date

     25

Second Anniversary of Emergence Date

     25

Third Anniversary of Emergence Date

     25

Fourth Anniversary of Emergence Date

     25

For purposes of this Agreement, “ Emergence Date ” has the same meaning as “TCEH Effective Date” (as defined in that certain Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Energy Future Holdings Corp., et al. , Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code). There shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods prior to each vesting date and all vesting shall occur only on the appropriate vesting date, subject to the Participant’s continued service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on each applicable vesting date.

(b) Death or Disability . In the event of the Participant’s Termination by reason of death or Disability, the RSUs that would have vested pursuant to Section 3(a) above in the first twelve (12) months following such Termination will vest as of the Termination.

(c) Termination Without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason; Company Non-Renewal of Term . In the event of the Participant’s Termination by the Company without Cause, by the Participant for Good Reason, or due to the Company’s non-renewal of the term of the Employment Agreement (as defined below) (each, a “ Qualifying Termination ”), subject to the Participant’s satisfaction of the Release Condition (as defined in the Employment Agreement) and continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 of the Employment Agreement, the RSUs that would have vested pursuant to Section 3(a) above in the first twelve (12) months following such Termination will vest as of the Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Employment Agreement ” means that certain employment agreement, by and between the Participant and the Company, dated as of [●].

(d) Change in Control . All unvested RSUs shall become fully vested upon the occurrence of a Qualifying Termination following a Change in Control.

(e) Committee Discretion to Accelerate Vesting . In addition to the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate vesting of the RSUs at any time and for any reason.

(f) Forfeiture . Subject to the terms of this Section  3 , all unvested RSUs shall be immediately forfeited upon the Participant’s Termination for any reason.

 

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4. Delivery of Shares .

(a) General . Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) hereof, within thirty (30) days following the vesting of the RSUs (or, in the event of a Qualifying Termination pursuant to Section 3(c) above, within ten days of the Participant’s satisfaction of the Release Condition, if later), the Participant shall receive the number of shares of Common Stock that correspond to the number of RSUs that have become vested on the applicable vesting date, less any shares withheld by the Company pursuant to Section  8 hereof.

(b) Blackout Periods . If the Participant is subject to any Company “blackout” policy or other trading restriction imposed by the Company on the date such distribution would otherwise be made pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof, such distribution shall be instead made on the earlier of (i) the date that the Participant is not subject to any such policy or restriction and (ii) the later of (A) the end of the calendar year in which such distribution would otherwise have been made and (B) a date that is immediately prior to the expiration of two and one-half months following the date such distribution would otherwise have been made hereunder.

5. Dividends; Rights as Stockholder . Cash dividends on the number of shares of Common Stock issuable hereunder shall be credited to a dividend book entry account on behalf of the Participant with respect to each RSU granted to the Participant, provided that such cash dividends shall not be deemed to be reinvested in shares of Common Stock and shall be held uninvested and without interest and paid in cash at the same time that the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs are delivered to the Participant in accordance with the provisions hereof. Stock dividends on shares of Common Stock shall be credited to a dividend book entry account on behalf of the Participant with respect to each RSU granted to the Participant, provided that such stock dividends shall be paid in shares of Common Stock at the same time that the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs are delivered to the Participant in accordance with the provisions hereof. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock covered by any RSU unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such shares.

6. Non-Transferability . No portion of the RSUs may be sold, assigned, transferred, encumbered, hypothecated or pledged by the Participant, other than to the Company as a result of forfeiture of the RSUs as provided herein.

7. Governing Law . All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the choice of law principles thereof.

8. Withholding of Tax . The Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state, local and foreign taxes of any kind (including, but not limited to, the Participant’s FICA and SDI obligations) which the Company, in its sole discretion, deems necessary to be withheld or remitted to comply with the

 

3


Code and/or any other applicable law, rule or regulation with respect to the RSUs, and if the withholding requirement cannot be satisfied, the Company may otherwise refuse to issue or transfer any shares of Common Stock otherwise required to be issued pursuant to this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall withhold shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable to the Participant hereunder in order to pay the Participant’s income and employment taxes due upon vesting of the RSUs, but only to the extent permitted by applicable accounting rules so as not to affect accounting treatment.

9. Legend . The Company may at any time place legends referencing any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates, if any, representing shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement. The Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates, if any, representing shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to this Agreement in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this Section  9 .

10. Securities Representations . This Agreement is being entered into by the Company in reliance upon the following express representations and warranties of the Participant. The Participant hereby acknowledges, represents and warrants that:

(a) The Participant has been advised that the Participant may be an “affiliate” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in this connection the Company is relying in part on the Participant’s representations set forth in this Section  10 .

(b) If the Participant is deemed an affiliate within the meaning of Rule 144 of the Securities Act, the shares of Common Stock issuable hereunder must be held indefinitely unless an exemption from any applicable resale restrictions is available or the Company files an additional registration statement (or a “re-offer prospectus”) with regard to such shares of Common Stock and the Company is under no obligation to register such shares of Common Stock (or to file a “re-offer prospectus”).

(c) If the Participant is deemed an affiliate within the meaning of Rule 144 of the Securities Act, the Participant understands that (i) the exemption from registration under Rule 144 will not be available unless (A) a public trading market then exists for the Common Stock of the Company, (B) adequate information concerning the Company is then available to the public, and (C) other terms and conditions of Rule 144 or any exemption therefrom are complied with, and (ii) any sale of the shares of Common Stock issuable hereunder may be made only in limited amounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of Rule 144 or any exemption therefrom.

11. Entire Agreement; Amendment . This Agreement, together with the Plan, contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior agreements or prior understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties relating to such subject matter. The Committee shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to modify or amend this Agreement from time to time in accordance with and as provided in the Plan. This Agreement may also be modified or amended by a writing signed by both the Company and the Participant. The Company shall give written notice to the Participant of any such modification or amendment of this Agreement as soon as practicable after the adoption thereof.

 

4


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

13. No Right to Employment . Any questions as to whether and when there has been a Termination and the cause of such Termination shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. Nothing in this Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates to terminate the Participant’s employment or service at any time, for any reason and with or without Cause.

14. Transfer of Personal Data . The Participant authorizes, agrees and unambiguously consents to the transmission by the Company (or any Subsidiary) of any personal data information related to the RSUs awarded under this Agreement for legitimate business purposes (including, without limitation, the administration of the Plan). This authorization and consent is freely given by the Participant.

15. Compliance with Laws . The grant of RSUs and the issuance of shares of Common Stock hereunder shall be subject to, and shall comply with, any applicable requirements of any foreign and U.S. federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and in each case any respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) and any other law, rule regulation or exchange requirement applicable thereto. The Company shall not be obligated to issue the RSUs or any shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement if any such issuance would violate any such requirements. As a condition to the settlement of the RSUs, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation.

16. Binding Agreement; Assignment . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be binding upon, and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and assigns. The Participant shall not assign any part of this Agreement without the prior express written consent of the Company.

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

18. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

19. Further Assurances . Each party hereto shall do and perform (or shall cause to be done and performed) all such further acts and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as either party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the Plan and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereunder.

 

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20. Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

21. Acquired Rights . The Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Company may terminate or amend the Plan at any time; (b) the award of RSUs made under this Agreement is completely independent of any other award or grant and is made at the sole discretion of the Company; (c) no past grants or awards (including, without limitation, the RSUs awarded hereunder) give the Participant any right to any grants or awards in the future whatsoever; and (d) any benefits granted under this Agreement are not part of the Participant’s ordinary salary, and shall not be considered as part of such salary in the event of severance, redundancy or resignation.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

TCEH CORP.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

PARTICIPANT

 

Name:  

 

 

7

Exhibit 10.9

VISTRA ENERGY CORP. EXECUTIVE ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN

Plan Document

Approved as of October 3, 2016


Contents

 

 

Article I.

  Purpose.      1   

Article II.

  Definitions.      1   

Article III.

  Eligibility and Participation.      3   

Article IV.

  Establishment of Performance Goals.      3   

Article V.

  Establishment of Awards.      3   

Article VI.

  Application of Individual Performance Modifier and Determination of Individual Participant Awards.      3   

Article VII.

  Payment of Awards.      4   

Article VIII.

  Termination of Employment and Partial Awards.      4   

Article IX.

  Administrative Provisions.      5   

 

 

 

i


VISTRA ENERGY CORP. EXECUTIVE ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Article I. Purpose .

The Vistra Energy Corp. Executive Annual Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is approved effective as of October 3, 2016. The Plan, as herein amended, supersedes and replaces all other Plan documents. The Plan provides for annual bonus incentive award opportunities for eligible Participants payable in cash. This Plan, as herein amended, supersedes and replaces all other Plan documents.

The principal purposes of the Plan are to attract, motivate and retain key employees; to align the interests of Participants, Participating Employers and Company shareholders by rewarding performance that satisfies established performance goals; to motivate Participant behaviors that drive successful results at the corporate, business unit and individual levels; and to support collaboration across essential organizational interfaces.

 

Article II. Definitions .

When used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a)     “ Additional Persons ” means such other individuals who are not Executive Officers under the Plan, but who are senior officers and key employees identified by the O&C Committee, in consultation with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

(b)    “ Aggregate Incentive Pool ” means the amount equal to the Target Incentive Pool multiplied by the Weighted Funding Percentage.

(c)     “ Award ” means the amount payable to a Participant under this Plan for any Plan Year, as determined in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

(e)    “ Base Salary ” means the annualized base salary designated for the Participant in the applicable payroll records of the Participating Employer, prior to any deferrals, and excluding any overtime pay, bonuses, incentive compensation, expense reimbursements and fringe benefits of any kind for the applicable Plan Year.

(f)    “ Business Unit ” means, individually, or “Business Units” means, collectively, the “TXU Energy”, “Luminant” and “Corporate Services” business units of the Company, which are the participating Employers in this Plan.

(g)    “ Company ” means Energy Future Holdings Corp., and its successors and assigns. With respect to a particular Participant, Company means such Participant’s employer.

(h)    “ Disability” or “Disabled ” means disability as determined under the Vistra Energy Corp. Long-Term Disability Income Plan, or any successor plan covering Participants.

(i)    “ Executive Officers ” means the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other Executive Officers, as defined under the charter of the O&C Committee.

 

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(j)     “ Financial Performance Criteria ” means various measures of financial performance of the Company established by the O&C Committee for the Plan Year.

(k)    “ Financial Performance Funding Percentage ” means a percentage used to calculate the Aggregate Incentive Pool established by the O&C Committee based on the performance of the Company against the Financial Performance Criteria established for the particular Plan Year.

(l)    “ Individual Performance Modifier ” means individual Participant performance approved by the SPC or O&C Committee (with respect to Executive Officers and Additional Persons) and used in determining a Participant’s Award.

(m)    “ O&C Committee ” means the Organization and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

(n)    “ Operational Metrics ” means non-financial objectives established by each Business Unit that are critical to the function and success of the business.

(o)    “ Operational Metrics Funding Percentage ” means a percentage used to calculate Aggregate Incentive Pool established by the O&C Committee based on the accomplishment of Operational Metrics for the particular Plan Year.

(p)    “ Participant ” means an individual who is an officer of a Participating Employer having a title of vice president or above and who is employed by the Company for a period of three full months during the Plan Year.

(q)    “ Participating Employer ” means, the Company and each of the Business Units. Additional Participating Employers may be added with the approval of the O&C Committee, and participation in the Plan by any such additional Participating Employers will commence as of the effective date designated by the O&C Committee.

(r)    “ Plan ” means this Vistra Energy Corp. Executive Annual Incentive Plan.

(s)    “ Plan Year ” means the twelve (12) month period beginning January 1 and ending December 31.

(t)    “ Retirement ” means retirement from active employment with the Company upon attaining at least age 55 and completing at least 16 years of service with the Company and any of its subsidiaries or attainment of age 65.

(u)    “ SPC ” means the group of executive officers of the Company referred to internally as the Strategy & Policy Committee.

(v)    “ Target Award ” means an Award level of an individual Participant, expressed as a percentage of the Participant’s Base Salary. The Target Award shall be used in calculating an individual’s actual Award for a Plan year.

 

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(w)    “ Target Incentive Pool ” means the amount equal to the aggregate of the Target Awards for all Participants, or a selected group of Participants, as the context may require.

(x)    “ Weighted Funding Percentage ” means the percentage that is the sum of the Financial Performance Funding Percentage and the Operational Metrics Funding Percentage.

 

Article III. Eligibility and Participation .

All individuals who, as of the first day of a Plan Year, meet the definition of a Participant hereunder, shall be eligible to participate in this Plan for such Plan Year. Awards, if any, for individuals who become Participants during the Plan Year or whose participation in this Plan is terminated during the Plan Year, shall be determined under, and in accordance with, Article VIII hereof.    Participation in this Plan for any Plan Year shall not entitle an individual to future participation.

 

Article IV. Establishment of Performance Goals .

For each Plan Year, the O&C Committee establishes (i) the Financial Performance Criteria, (ii) the Operational Metrics, and (iii) the Target Incentive Pool. Such determinations by the O&C Committee shall be made at such times and shall be based on such criteria as the O&C Committee shall determine, respectively, in their sole discretion. The O&C Committee shall have full authority and discretion, for any particular Plan Year, to modify any of its determinations hereunder, with respect to all Participants or any individual Participant, including determinations which affect the calculation or amount of Awards, in order to take into consideration other benefit programs and/or extraordinary events affecting the financial results of the Company or a Business Unit. Once determined, or modified, such determinations shall be communicated to the affected Participants in such form and manner as the O&C Committee determines to be appropriate.

 

Article V. Establishment of Awards .

After the end of the Plan Year, the O&C Committee shall determine the Financial Performance Funding Percentage and the Operational Metrics Funding Percentage for each Plan Year. The O&C Committee shall further determine the Weighted Funding Percentage and the resulting Aggregate Incentive Pool for the Plan Year.

 

Article VI. Application of Individual Performance Modifier and Determination of Individual Participant Awards.

 

A. Individual Participant Awards .

The SPC shall determine each Participant’s Award, other than for Executive Officers and Additional Persons, for a Plan Year by: (i) multiplying the Participant’s Target Award by the Weighted Funding Percentage; and (ii) multiplying such amount by the applicable Individual Performance Modifier determined in accordance with Article VI.B. below.

 

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B. Application of Individual Performance Modifier .

As described in Article VI.A. above, the amount determined by applying the formula set forth in Article VI.A. shall be adjusted by applying the Individual Performance Modifier for each Participant. The SPC, in its sole discretion, shall determine a Participant’s Individual Performance Modifier, other than for Executive Officers and Additional Persons, based on the Participant’s performance, which may range from 0% to 150%.

In no event may the aggregate of all Awards determined to be payable to all Participants exceed the amount accrued for the Aggregate Incentive Pool.

 

C. Determination of Awards for Executive Officers and Additional Persons .

The O&C Committee shall determine the individual Participant Awards in accordance with Article VI.A. above, and the Individual Performance Modifier in accordance with Article VI.B. above, with respect to Executive Officers and Additional Persons who are Participants in the Plan.

 

Article VII. Payment of Awards .

All Awards will be paid in cash to Participants by March 15 of the year following the applicable Plan Year, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements.

 

Article VIII. Termination of Employment and Partial Awards .

Participation in the Plan shall cease immediately upon a Participant’s resignation or termination of employment for any reason (with or without cause), or upon the Participant’s death, Disability or Retirement. In such event, the Participant may be eligible for a partial award for such Plan Year in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this Article VIII.

 

A. Resignation or Termination .

If a Participant resigns or his/her employment with a Participating Employer is terminated (with or without cause) prior to the submission of the Award to payroll for payment for reasons other than death, Disability, Retirement, or transfer to an affiliate of the Company, such Participant shall forfeit any right to receive such Award.

 

B. Death, Disability or Retirement .

If a Participant dies, becomes Disabled or Retires during a Plan Year after having attained at least three (3) full months of participation in the Plan during such Plan Year, the Participant, or the Participant’s beneficiary in the case of the Participant’s death, may, in the sole discretion of the SPC or O&C Committee (with respect to Executive Officers and Additional Persons), be entitled to receive a partial Award, prorated for the number of days that the individual was a Participant hereunder during the Plan Year. For the Plan Year 2014 any award payable due to death, disability or retirement will be paid at the time and in the form that all other Awards are paid for such Plan Year. Beginning with Plan Year 2015any such Award shall be paid at Target and at the time of the employee’s separation from the Company. The decisions

 

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of the SPC and O&C Committee with respect to such Awards shall be final and binding on all parties. For purposes of this provision, a Participant’s beneficiary shall be his/her surviving spouse or, if he/she has no surviving spouse, his/her estate.

 

C. Transfers .

If a Participant (i) transfers from a Participating Employer to an affiliate of the Company after having attained at least three (3) full months of participation in the Plan during the Plan Year, and (ii) continues to be employed by an affiliate of the Company through the remainder of the Plan Year, such individual may, in the sole discretion of the SPC or O&C Committee (with respect to Executive Officers and Additional Persons), be entitled to receive a partial Award hereunder, prorated on the basis of the number of days such individual was employed by the Participating Employer during the Plan Year.  . Any such Award shall be paid at the time and in the form that all other Awards are paid for such Plan Year. The decisions of the SPC and O&C Committee with respect to such Awards shall be final and binding on all parties.

 

D. Participant Status Attained During Plan Year .

If an individual becomes a Participant during a Plan Year, the Participant, may, in the sole and absolute discretion of the SPC or O&C Committee (with respect to Executive Officers and Additional Persons), be eligible to receive a partial Award hereunder, prorated on the basis of the number of days such individual was a Participant during the Plan Year, provided that the Participant attained at least three (3) full months of participation in the Plan during the Plan Year. Any such Award shall be paid at the time and in the form that all other Awards are paid for such Plan Year. The decisions of the SPC and O&C with respect to such Awards shall be final and binding on all parties.

Article IX.      Administrative Provisions .

 

A. Administration .

The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Participating Employers through the individuals who have been provided authority hereunder to carry out the administration of this Plan. The O&C Committee and its members, the SPC and its members, and any other individual to whom the O&C and/or SPC has delegated their responsibilities regarding the administration of this Plan, shall have full authority, discretion and power necessary or desirable to administer and interpret this Plan. Without in any way limiting the foregoing, all such individuals shall have complete authority, discretion and power to: (i) determine the Participants for each Plan Year; (ii) determine the Individual Performance Modifier applicable to each Participant; (iii) evaluate and determine the performance of Participants; (iv) determine the amount of the Award for each Participant; (v) interpret the provisions of this Plan and any other documentation used in connection with this Plan, including documentation specifying individual Performance Goals, Award opportunities and the like; (vi) establish and interpret rules and procedures (written or by practice) for the administration of the Plan; and (vii) make all other determinations and take all other actions necessary or desirable for the administration or interpretation of this Plan. All actions, decisions and interpretations of such individuals shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties.

 

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B. No Right to Continued Employment .

Nothing in this Plan shall be deemed by implication, action or otherwise to constitute a contract of employment, or otherwise to provide a Participant with any right of continued employment or impose any limitation on any right of a Participating Employer to terminate a Participant’s employment at any time.

 

C. No Assignment .

A Participant or Participant’s beneficiary shall have no right to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge or encumber any right to receive any incentive made under the Plan, nor will any Participant or Participant’s beneficiary have any lien on any assets of any Participating Employer, or any affiliate thereof, by reason of any Award made under the Plan.

 

D. Withholding .

The Participating Employers shall have the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the applicable Participating Employer, any taxes required by law to be withheld from Awards made under this Plan.

 

E. Amendment of Plan .

The Plan may be amended, suspended or terminated at any time and from time to time, by action of the O&C Committee. In order to be effective, any amendment of this Plan or any Award must be in writing. No oral statement, representation or the like shall have the effect of amending or modifying this Plan or any Award, or otherwise have any binding effect on the Company, the O&C Committee, the SPC, or any individual who has been delegated authority by the O&C Committee or the SPC to administer this Plan.

 

F. No Obligation to Continue Plan .

The adoption of the Plan does not imply any commitment to continue to maintain the Plan, or any modified version of the Plan, or any other plan for incentive compensation for any succeeding year.

 

G. Governing Law .

The Plan shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Texas. Any disputes arising under this Plan and any action to enforce any provisions hereof, shall be maintained exclusively in the appropriate courts of Dallas County, Texas.

 

H. Severability .

In case any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or void, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Plan, but shall be fully severable, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if said illegal or invalid provisions had never been inserted herein.

 

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I. Limitation of Liability .

Except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct regarding the performance of the duties specifically assigned to them under, or their willful breach of the terms of this Plan, the Participating Employer, the O&C Committee and its members, the SPC and its members, and any other entity or individual administering any aspect of this Plan shall be held harmless by the Participants and their respective representatives, heirs, successors, and assigns, against liability or losses occurring by reason of any act or omission under the Plan.

 

J. Section 409A Compliance

To the extent applicable, the Plan is intended to comply with, or be exempt from, section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the “Code”), and shall be administered, construed, and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Payments under this Plan shall be made in a manner that will comply with, or be exempt from, section 409A of the Code, including regulations or other guidance issued with respect thereto, except as otherwise determined by the Company. The applicable provisions of section 409A of the Code are hereby incorporated by reference and shall control over any contrary provisions herein that conflict therewith.

 

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Exhibit 10.10

STOCKHOLDER’S AGREEMENT

This Stockholders’ Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of October 3, 2016 (the “ Effective Time ”), between TCEH Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Apollo Management Holdings, L.P. (the “ Stockholder ”). Unless otherwise specified herein, all of the capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section  4 hereof.

WHEREAS, the Company has issued shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”) pursuant to, and upon the terms set forth in, the plan of reorganization of Energy Future Holdings Corp., a Texas Corporation, and certain entities in which it holds an equity interest under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the “ Chapter  11 Case ”);

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to permit the Stockholder, on the date hereof, to designate one person to be nominated to serve on the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, the Company is entering into substantially identical agreements (the “ Other Stockholder’s Agreements ”) with certain other former claim holders in the Chapter 11 Case that upon consummation thereof became stockholders of the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

  Section 1. Board of Directors .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, from and after the Effective Time and until a Termination Event (as defined below) shall have occurred, the Stockholder shall have the right to designate one person to be nominated to serve on the Board (the “ Nominee ”) by giving written notice to the Company in accordance with Section  6 hereof in no event later than the deadline for receipt of a stockholder proposal to be eligible for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with respect to any meeting of the Company’s stockholders at which directors of Class III are to be elected (or, if the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation no longer provides for the division of directors into three (3) classes, any meeting of the Company’s stockholders at which directors are to be elected) (any such meeting, an “ Applicable Election ”).

(b) The Stockholder will, in connection with such nomination, (i) provide such additional information about the Nominee as reasonably requested by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board or other relevant committee of the Board that oversees nominations of members of the Board (the “ Committee ”) and (ii) cause the Nominee to be reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Committee.

(c) For so long as the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation shall provide for the division of directors into three (3) classes, the Nominee shall be designated as a Class III director. The initial Nominee shall be Geoffrey Strong, and the Company hereby confirms that such initial Nominee has been reviewed by and is acceptable to, and has been consented to by, the Committee and the Board.


(d) Subject to Section  1(m) , the Company shall take all actions reasonably necessary to ensure that (i) the Nominee is included in the Board’s slate of nominees submitted to the stockholders for election as directors at the next Applicable Election; (ii) the Nominee is included in the proxy statement prepared by management of the Company in connection with soliciting proxies for the next Applicable Election; (iii) the Board recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote in favor of the election of the Nominee; (iv) the Company supports the Nominee for election in a manner no less favorable than the manner in which the Company supports its other nominees; and (v) the Company otherwise uses commercially reasonable efforts to cause the election of the Nominee to the Board at each Applicable Election.

(e) If there is a Nominee Rejection (as defined below) pursuant to Section  1(m) hereof, then the Stockholder shall have the right to designate an alternate person to be nominated for election by the Board (the “ Alternate Nominee ”) by giving written notice to the Company in accordance with Section 6 hereof in no event later than fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice of the Nominee Rejection.

(f) The Stockholder will, in connection with such nomination, provide such additional information about the Alternate Nominee as reasonably requested by the Committee and (ii) cause the Alternate Nominee to be reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Committee.

(g) Subject to Section  1(m) , the Company shall take all actions reasonably necessary to ensure that: (i) the Alternate Nominee is included in the Board’s slate of nominees submitted to the Company’s stockholders for election as directors at the next Applicable Election; (ii) the Alternate Nominee is included in the proxy statement prepared by management of the Company in connection with soliciting proxies for the next Applicable Election; (iii) the Board recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote in favor of the election of the Alternate Nominee; (iv) the Company supports the Alternate Nominee for election in a manner no less favorable than the manner in which the Company supports its other nominees; and (v) the Company otherwise uses commercially reasonable efforts to cause the election of the Alternate Nominee to the Board at each Applicable Election.

(h) The Company shall work in good faith with the Stockholder to identify and pre-clear Nominees and Alternate Nominees, as the case may be, and take such other actions as reasonably requested by the Stockholder to assist the Stockholder in submitting Nominees or Alternate Nominees, as the case may be, that will not result in a Nominee Rejection under Section  1(m) hereof.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the rights of the Stockholder under this Agreement shall terminate automatically (the “ Termination Event ”) upon the Stockholder, together with its Related Parties, ceasing to Beneficially Own for a period of twenty (20) consecutive trading days, in the aggregate, at least Twenty-Two Million Five Hundred Thousand (22,500,000) shares of Common Stock (the “ Minimum Shares ”). The Stockholder shall notify the Company within three (3) Business Days after the occurrence of a Termination Event.

 

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(j) Prior to a Termination Event, if a vacancy occurs because of the death, disability, disqualification, resignation or removal of a Nominee or Alternate Nominee, as the case may be, as a member of the Board, the Company shall provide notice of such vacancy to the Stockholder within five (5) Business Days of such vacancy. The Stockholder shall be entitled to designate such person’s successor (the “ Vacancy Nominee ”) by giving written notice to the Company within thirty (30) days of the date the Stockholder receives notification of the vacancy from the Company. The Stockholder will provide the Company with such additional information about the Vacancy Nominee as reasonably requested by the Committee and cause the Vacancy Nominee to be reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Committee. Any successor that is appointed to fill a vacancy pursuant to this Section  1(j) shall have the right to serve until the next Applicable Election, or until his/her successor is elected and duly qualified.

(k) If there is a Nominee Rejection with respect to a Vacancy Nominee, then the Stockholder shall have the right to designate an alternative person to fill the vacancy (the “ Alternative Vacancy Nominee ”) by giving written notice to the Company in accordance with Section  6 hereof in no event later than fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice of the Nominee Rejection. The Stockholder will provide the Company with such additional information about the Alternative Vacancy Nominee as reasonably requested by the Committee and cause the Alternative Vacancy Nominee to be reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Committee.

(l) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, and for the avoidance of doubt, the Stockholder shall only have the right to nominate or designate one person at a time to serve as a member of the Board in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Section  1 , and in no event will the Company or the Board be obligated to nominate or designate a person to the Board that, upon such person’s election by the stockholders of the Company or appointment by the Board, would result in more than one nominee or designee of the Stockholder serving as a member of the Board.

(m) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to appoint to the Board, cause to be nominated for election to the Board or recommend to the stockholders the election of any person the appointment, nomination or recommendation of whom the Board or the Committee determines in good faith, after consultation with and upon the advice of outside legal counsel, would constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties (a “ Nominee Rejection ”); provided , however, that upon the occurrence of a Nominee Rejection, the Company shall promptly notify the Stockholder of the occurrence of such Nominee Rejection and permit the Stockholder to provide an alternate person in accordance with the applicable provisions hereof ( Section  1(e) for a Nominee or Alternate Nominee for election at stockholder meetings and Section  1(j) and Section  1(k) for a Vacancy Nominee or Alternative Vacancy Nominee for filling vacancies on the Board) and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to perform its obligations hereunder with respect to such alternate nominee.

 

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  Section 2. Transfers; Termination .

(a) Each Stockholder’s rights hereunder do not attach to its respective shares of Common Stock and may only be assigned pursuant to a Permitted Assignment under Section  4 hereof.

(b) Except pursuant to a Permitted Assignment under Section  4 hereof, this Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the occurrence of a Termination Event and shall be of no further force and effect, and no party hereto shall have any surviving obligations, rights, or duties hereunder after a Termination Event; provided , that the Stockholder whose rights under this Agreement have been terminated pursuant to Section  1(i) shall be obligated to comply with the terms and conditions of such Section  1(i) .

 

  Section 3. Definitions .

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person; provided that neither the Stockholder nor any Related Party thereof shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Affiliates solely by virtue of such party’s ownership of shares of Common Stock or other capital stock of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Alternate Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(e) hereof.

Alternative Vacancy Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(k) hereof.

Applicable Election ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(a) .

Beneficially Own ” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Board ” has the meaning set forth in recitals.

Committee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(a) .

Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Joinder Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4 hereof.

Minimum Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(i) hereof.

Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(a) hereof.

Other Stockholder’s Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

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Permitted Assignee ” means a Related Party of a Stockholder so long as such Related Party, together with the Stockholder and the other Related Parties of the Stockholder, Beneficially Own, in the aggregate, at least the Minimum Shares.

Permitted Assignment ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4 hereof.

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that is an Affiliate of such Person, or investment fund, fund or account that is advised, managed or controlled by, such Person or its Affiliates (other than the Company and any entity that is controlled by the Company).

Stockholder ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Termination Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(i) hereof.

Transfer ” means any sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition of (whether with or without consideration and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law) of Common Stock.

Vacancy Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(j) hereof.

 

  Section 4. Assignment; Benefit of Parties; Transfer .

No party may assign this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder and any assignment hereof will be null and void except that (a) each Stockholder may assign, in whole, but not in part, this Agreement to a Permitted Assignee (a “ Permitted Assignment ”); provided , that in each case the Permitted Assignee executes a joinder agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A , pursuant to which such Permitted Assignee agrees to be bound by the terms hereof as the Stockholder hereunder (a “ Joinder Agreement ”). The Stockholder shall notify the Company immediately upon any such Permitted Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, legal representatives and Permitted Assignees for the uses and purposes set forth and referred to herein. In the event of a Transfer by a Stockholder, the transferee shall not have the rights and powers of a Stockholder hereunder unless (i) the transferee is a Permitted Assignee of the Stockholder prior to and following the Transfer and (ii) the Stockholder and such transferee comply with the terms of this Agreement, including without limitation the obligation under this Section  4 for the Transferee to execute a Joinder Agreement. Nothing herein contained shall confer or is intended to confer on any third party or entity that is not a party to this Agreement any rights under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a Permitted Assignment, the Permitted Assignee shall be deemed to be the applicable Stockholder for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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  Section 5. Remedies .

The Company and each Stockholder shall be entitled to enforce their rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in their favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that a breach of this Agreement would cause irreparable harm and money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach and that, in addition to other rights and remedies hereunder, the Company and each Stockholder shall be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief (without posting a bond or other security) from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce or prevent any violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

  Section 6. Notices .

All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when (i) delivered personally to the recipient, (ii) telecopied or sent by email to the recipient, or (iii) one (1) Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the Stockholder or the Company at the address set forth below, or at such address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

Stockholder’s address is:

Apollo Management Holdings, L.P.

9 West 57th St, 43rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Laurie D. Medley

Email: lmedley@apollolp.com

with copies to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019-6064

Attention: Alan W. Kornberg

Email: akornberg@paulweiss.com

The Company’s address is:

1601 Bryan Street, 43rd Floor

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: General Counsel

 

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with copies to:

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2100 McKinney Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Robert B. Little

Email: RLittle@gibsondunn.com

 

  Section 7. Adjustments .

If, and as often as, there are any changes in the Common Stock by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or sale, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment shall be made to the definition of Minimum Shares and in any other applicable terms or provisions of this Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to the Common Stock as so changed.

 

  Section 8. Descriptive Headings, Interpretation, No Strict Construction .

The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns, pronouns, and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. Reference to any agreement, document, or instrument means such agreement, document, or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and, if applicable, hereof. The words “include,” “includes” or “including” in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” The use of the words “or,” “either” or “any” shall not be exclusive. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. All references to laws, rules, regulations and forms in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such laws, rules, regulations and forms, as amended from time to time or, to the extent replaced, the comparable successor thereto in effect at the time. All references to agencies, self-regulatory organizations or governmental entities in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to the comparable successors thereto from time to time.

 

  Section 9. No Third-Party Beneficiaries .

Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed to confer upon, or give to, any person or entity other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns any remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or any terms, covenants or conditions hereof, and all of the terms, covenants, conditions, promises and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

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  Section 10. Further Assurances .

Each of the parties hereby agrees that it will hereafter execute and deliver any further document, agreement, instruments of assignment, transfer or conveyance as may be necessary or desirable to effectuate the purposes hereof.

 

  Section 11. Counterparts .

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and may be delivered by means of facsimile or electronic transmission in portable document format, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding upon the party who executed the same, but all of such counterparts shall constitute the same agreement.

 

  Section 12. Delivery by Facsimile and Electronic Means .

This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or other electronic means, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

  Section 13. Arm’s Length Agreement .

Each of the parties to this Agreement agrees and acknowledges that this Agreement has been negotiated in good faith, at arm’s length, and not by any means prohibited by law.

 

  Section 14. Sophisticated Parties; Advice of Counsel .

Each of the parties to this Agreement specifically acknowledges that (i) it is a knowledgeable, informed, sophisticated Person capable of understanding and evaluating the provisions set forth in this Agreement and (ii) it has been fully advised and represented by legal counsel of its own independent selection and has relied wholly upon its independent judgment and the advice of such counsel in negotiating and entering into this Agreement.

 

  Section 15. Governing Law .

This Agreement and any dispute arising hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) to the extent such rules or provisions would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

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  Section 16. Submission to Jurisdiction .

Any action, suit or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby must be brought in the United States District Court located in the State of Delaware or any Delaware state court, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such action, suit or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such, action, suit or proceeding in any such court or that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

  Section 17. Waiver of Jury Trial .

Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby agrees to waive its respective rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action based upon or arising out of this Agreement. The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this Agreement, including contract claims, tort claims and all other common law and statutory claims. Each party hereto acknowledges that this waiver is a material inducement to enter into this Agreement, that each has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement, and that each will continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings. Each party hereto further warrants and represents that it has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel and that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation with legal counsel. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

 

  Section 18. Complete Agreement .

This Agreement and any Joinder Agreements hereto represent the complete agreement between the parties hereto as to all matters covered hereby, and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings between the parties.

 

  Section 19. Severability .

In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

9


  Section 20. Amendment and Waiver .

Except as otherwise provided herein, no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against the Company or the Stockholder unless such modification is approved in writing by the Company and the Stockholder; provided, however that in the event of any modification to any Other Stockholder’s Agreement, the Company shall promptly offer to modify this Agreement, at no cost to the Stockholder, on an equivalent basis. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY :
TCEH Corp.
By:  

/s/ David D. Faranetta

Name:   David D. Faranetta
Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]


STOCKHOLDER:

Apollo Management Holdings, L.P.
By: Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC, its general partner

/s/ Laurie D. Medley

Name:   Laurie D. Medley
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF

JOINDER AGREEMENT

The undersigned is executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement pursuant to that certain Stockholder’s Agreement, dated as of [            ,         ] (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Stockholders’ Agreement ”) by and between [Reorganized TCEH], a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [            ] (the “ Stockholder ”), and any other Persons thereto or who become a party thereto in accordance with the terms thereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Stockholder’s Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement to the Stockholder’s Agreement, the undersigned hereby adopts and approves the Stockholder’s Agreement and agrees, effective commencing on the date hereof and as a condition to the undersigned becoming a party thereto as a Permitted Assignee, to be bound by and comply with the provisions of the Stockholder’s Agreement applicable to the Permitted Assignee in the same manner as if the undersigned were the Stockholder under the Stockholder’s Agreement.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Sections  4 through 20 of the Stockholder’s Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis .

Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder Agreement as of the      day of             ,         .

 

 

(Signature of Permitted Assignee)

 

(Print Name of Permitted Assignee)
Address:  

 

 

 

Telephone:  

 

Email:  

 


AGREED AND ACCEPTED

as of the      day of             ,         .

[REORGANIZED TCEH]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to Joinder to Stockholder’s Agreement]

Exhibit 10.11

STOCKHOLDER’S AGREEMENT

This Stockholders’ Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of October 3, 2016 (the “ Effective Time ”), between TCEH Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Brookfield Asset Management Private Institutional Capital Adviser (Canada), L.P. (the “ Stockholder ”). Unless otherwise specified herein, all of the capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section  4 hereof.

WHEREAS, the Company has issued shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”) pursuant to, and upon the terms set forth in, the plan of reorganization of Energy Future Holdings Corp., a Texas Corporation, and certain entities in which it holds an equity interest under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the “ Chapter  11 Case ”);

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to permit the Stockholder, on the date hereof, to designate one person to be nominated to serve on the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, the Company is entering into substantially identical agreements (the “ Other Stockholder’s Agreements ”) with certain other former claim holders in the Chapter 11 Case that upon consummation thereof became stockholders of the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

  Section 1. Board of Directors .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, from and after the Effective Time and until a Termination Event (as defined below) shall have occurred, the Stockholder shall have the right to designate one person to be nominated to serve on the Board (the “ Nominee ”) by giving written notice to the Company in accordance with Section 6 hereof in no event later than the deadline for receipt of a stockholder proposal to be eligible for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with respect to any meeting of the Company’s stockholders at which directors of Class III are to be elected (or, if the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation no longer provides for the division of directors into three (3) classes, any meeting of the Company’s stockholders at which directors are to be elected) (any such meeting, an “ Applicable Election ”).

(b) The Stockholder will, in connection with such nomination, (i) provide such additional information about the Nominee as reasonably requested by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board or other relevant committee of the Board that oversees nominations of members of the Board (the “ Committee ”) and (ii) cause the Nominee to be reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Committee.


(c) For so long as the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation shall provide for the division of directors into three (3) classes, the Nominee shall be designated as a Class III director. The initial Nominee shall be Cyrus Madon, and the Company hereby confirms that such initial Nominee has been reviewed by and is acceptable to, and has been consented to by, the Committee and the Board.

(d) Subject to Section 1(m), the Company shall take all actions reasonably necessary to ensure that (i) the Nominee is included in the Board’s slate of nominees submitted to the stockholders for election as directors at the next Applicable Election; (ii) the Nominee is included in the proxy statement prepared by management of the Company in connection with soliciting proxies for the next Applicable Election; (iii) the Board recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote in favor of the election of the Nominee; (iv) the Company supports the Nominee for election in a manner no less favorable than the manner in which the Company supports its other nominees; and (v) the Company otherwise uses commercially reasonable efforts to cause the election of the Nominee to the Board at each Applicable Election.

(e) If there is a Nominee Rejection (as defined below) pursuant to Section 1(m) hereof, then the Stockholder shall have the right to designate an alternate person to be nominated for election by the Board (the “ Alternate Nominee ”) by giving written notice to the Company in accordance with Section 6 hereof in no event later than fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice of the Nominee Rejection.

(f) The Stockholder will, in connection with such nomination, (i) provide such additional information about the Alternate Nominee as reasonably requested by the Committee and (ii) cause the Alternate Nominee to be reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Committee.

(g) Subject to Section 1(m), the Company shall take all actions reasonably necessary to ensure that: (i) the Alternate Nominee is included in the Board’s slate of nominees submitted to the Company’s stockholders for election as directors at the next Applicable Election; (ii) the Alternate Nominee is included in the proxy statement prepared by management of the Company in connection with soliciting proxies for the next Applicable Election; (iii) the Board recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote in favor of the election of the Alternate Nominee; (iv) the Company supports the Alternate Nominee for election in a manner no less favorable than the manner in which the Company supports its other nominees; and (v) the Company otherwise uses commercially reasonable efforts to cause the election of the Alternate Nominee to the Board at each Applicable Election.

(h) The Company shall work in good faith with the Stockholder to identify and pre-clear Nominees and Alternate Nominees, as the case may be, and take such other actions as reasonably requested by the Stockholder to assist the Stockholder in submitting Nominees or Alternate Nominees, as the case may be, that will not result in a Nominee Rejection under Section  1(m) hereof.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the rights of the Stockholder under this Agreement shall terminate automatically (the “ Termination Event ”) upon the Stockholder, together with its Related Parties, ceasing to Beneficially Own for

 

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a period of twenty (20) consecutive trading days, in the aggregate, at least Twenty-Two Million Five Hundred Thousand (22,500,000) shares of Common Stock (the “ Minimum Shares ”). The Stockholder shall notify the Company within three (3) Business Days after the occurrence of a Termination Event.

(j) Prior to a Termination Event, if a vacancy occurs because of the death, disability, disqualification, resignation or removal of a Nominee or Alternate Nominee, as the case may be, as a member of the Board, the Company shall provide notice of such vacancy to the Stockholder within five (5) Business Days of such vacancy. The Stockholder shall be entitled to designate such person’s successor (the “ Vacancy Nominee ”) by giving written notice to the Company within thirty (30) days of the date the Stockholder receives notification of the vacancy from the Company. The Stockholder will provide the Company with such additional information about the Vacancy Nominee as reasonably requested by the Committee and cause the Vacancy Nominee to be reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Committee. Any successor that is appointed to fill a vacancy pursuant to this Section  1(j) shall have the right to serve until the next Applicable Election, or until his/her successor is elected and duly qualified.

(k) If there is a Nominee Rejection with respect to a Vacancy Nominee, then the Stockholder shall have the right to designate an alternative person to fill the vacancy (the “ Alternative Vacancy Nominee ”) by giving written notice to the Company in accordance with Section 6 hereof in no event later than fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice of the Nominee Rejection. The Stockholder will provide the Company with such additional information about the Alternative Vacancy Nominee as reasonably requested by the Committee and cause the Alternative Vacancy Nominee to be reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Committee.

(l) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, and for the avoidance of doubt, the Stockholder shall only have the right to nominate or designate one person at a time to serve as a member of the Board in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Section 1, and in no event will the Company or the Board be obligated to nominate or designate a person to the Board that, upon such person’s election by the stockholders of the Company or appointment by the Board, would result in more than one nominee or designee of the Stockholder serving as a member of the Board.

(m) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to appoint to the Board, cause to be nominated for election to the Board or recommend to the stockholders the election of any person the appointment, nomination or recommendation of whom the Board or the Committee determines in good faith, after consultation with and upon the advice of outside legal counsel, would constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties (a “ Nominee Rejection ”); provided , however, that upon the occurrence of a Nominee Rejection, the Company shall promptly notify the Stockholder of the occurrence of such Nominee Rejection and permit the Stockholder to provide an alternate person in accordance with the applicable provisions hereof ( Section  1(e) for a Nominee or Alternate Nominee for election at stockholder meetings and Section  1(j) and Section  1(k) for a Vacancy Nominee or Alternative Vacancy Nominee for filling vacancies on the Board) and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to perform its obligations hereunder with respect to such alternate nominee.

 

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  Section 2. Transfers; Termination .

(a) Each Stockholder’s rights hereunder do not attach to its respective shares of Common Stock and may only be assigned pursuant to a Permitted Assignment under Section 4 hereof.

(b) Except pursuant to a Permitted Assignment under Section  4 hereof, this Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the occurrence of a Termination Event and shall be of no further force and effect, and no party hereto shall have any surviving obligations, rights, or duties hereunder after a Termination Event; provided , that the Stockholder whose rights under this Agreement have been terminated pursuant to Section  1(i) shall be obligated to comply with the terms and conditions of such Section  1(i) .

 

  Section 3. Definitions .

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person; provided that neither the Stockholder nor any Related Party thereof shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Affiliates solely by virtue of such party’s ownership of shares of Common Stock or other capital stock of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Alternate Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(e) hereof.

Alternative Vacancy Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(k) hereof.

Applicable Election ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1(a).

Beneficially Own ” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Board ” has the meaning set forth in recitals.

Committee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(a) .

Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Joinder Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4 hereof.

Minimum Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(i) hereof.

Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(a) hereof.

Other Stockholder’s Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

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Permitted Assignee ” means a Related Party of a Stockholder so long as such Related Party, together with the Stockholder and the other Related Parties of the Stockholder, Beneficially Own, in the aggregate, at least the Minimum Shares.

Permitted Assignment ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4 hereof.

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that is an Affiliate of such Person, or investment fund, fund or account that is advised, managed or controlled by, such Person or its Affiliates (other than the Company and any entity that is controlled by the Company).

Stockholder ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Termination Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(i) hereof.

Transfer ” means any sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition of (whether with or without consideration and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law) of Common Stock.

Vacancy Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(j) hereof.

 

  Section 4. Assignment; Benefit of Parties; Transfer .

No party may assign this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder and any assignment hereof will be null and void except that (a) each Stockholder may assign, in whole, but not in part, this Agreement to a Permitted Assignee (a “ Permitted Assignment ”); provided , that in each case the Permitted Assignee executes a joinder agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A , pursuant to which such Permitted Assignee agrees to be bound by the terms hereof as the Stockholder hereunder (a “ Joinder Agreement ”). The Stockholder shall notify the Company immediately upon any such Permitted Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, legal representatives and Permitted Assignees for the uses and purposes set forth and referred to herein. In the event of a Transfer by a Stockholder, the transferee shall not have the rights and powers of a Stockholder hereunder unless (i) the transferee is a Permitted Assignee of the Stockholder prior to and following the Transfer and (ii) the Stockholder and such transferee comply with the terms of this Agreement, including without limitation the obligation under this Section  4 for the Transferee to execute a Joinder Agreement. Nothing herein contained shall confer or is intended to confer on any third party or entity that is not a party to this Agreement any rights under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a Permitted Assignment, the Permitted Assignee shall be deemed to be the applicable Stockholder for purposes of this Agreement.

 

5


  Section 5. Remedies .

The Company and each Stockholder shall be entitled to enforce their rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in their favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that a breach of this Agreement would cause irreparable harm and money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach and that, in addition to other rights and remedies hereunder, the Company and each Stockholder shall be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief (without posting a bond or other security) from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce or prevent any violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

  Section 6. Notices.

All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when (i) delivered personally to the recipient, (ii) telecopied or sent by email to the recipient, or (iii) one (1) Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the Stockholder or the Company at the address set forth below, or at such address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

Stockholder’s address is:

181 Bay Street, Suite 300

Brookfield Place

Toronto, ON M5J 2T3

Attention: Dean Abramsohn

Facsimile: 416-365-9642

with copies to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019-6064

Attention: Alan W. Kornberg

Email: akornberg@paulweiss.com

The Company’s address is:

1601 Bryan Street, 43rd Floor

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: General Counsel

Email: stephanie.moore@luminant.com

 

6


with copies to:

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2100 McKinney Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Robert B. Little

Email: RLittle@gibsondunn.com

 

  Section 7. Adjustments .

If, and as often as, there are any changes in the Common Stock by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or sale, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment shall be made to the definition of Minimum Shares and in any other applicable terms or provisions of this Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to the Common Stock as so changed.

 

  Section 8. Descriptive Headings, Interpretation, No Strict Construction .

The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns, pronouns, and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. Reference to any agreement, document, or instrument means such agreement, document, or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and, if applicable, hereof. The words “include,” “includes” or “including” in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” The use of the words “or,” “either” or “any” shall not be exclusive. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. All references to laws, rules, regulations and forms in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such laws, rules, regulations and forms, as amended from time to time or, to the extent replaced, the comparable successor thereto in effect at the time. All references to agencies, self-regulatory organizations or governmental entities in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to the comparable successors thereto from time to time.

 

  Section 9. No Third-Party Beneficiaries .

Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed to confer upon, or give to, any person or entity other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns any remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or any terms, covenants or conditions hereof, and all of the terms, covenants, conditions, promises and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

7


  Section 10. Further Assurances .

Each of the parties hereby agrees that it will hereafter execute and deliver any further document, agreement, instruments of assignment, transfer or conveyance as may be necessary or desirable to effectuate the purposes hereof.

 

  Section 11. Counterparts .

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and may be delivered by means of facsimile or electronic transmission in portable document format, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding upon the party who executed the same, but all of such counterparts shall constitute the same agreement.

 

  Section 12. Delivery by Facsimile and Electronic Means .

This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or other electronic means, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

  Section 13. Arm’s Length Agreement .

Each of the parties to this Agreement agrees and acknowledges that this Agreement has been negotiated in good faith, at arm’s length, and not by any means prohibited by law.

 

  Section 14. Sophisticated Parties; Advice of Counsel .

Each of the parties to this Agreement specifically acknowledges that (i) it is a knowledgeable, informed, sophisticated Person capable of understanding and evaluating the provisions set forth in this Agreement and (ii) it has been fully advised and represented by legal counsel of its own independent selection and has relied wholly upon its independent judgment and the advice of such counsel in negotiating and entering into this Agreement.

 

  Section 15. Governing Law .

This Agreement and any dispute arising hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) to the extent such rules or provisions would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

8


  Section 16. Submission to Jurisdiction .

Any action, suit or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby must be brought in the United States District Court located in the State of Delaware or any Delaware state court, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such action, suit or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such, action, suit or proceeding in any such court or that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

  Section 17. Waiver of Jury Trial .

Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby agrees to waive its respective rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action based upon or arising out of this Agreement. The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this Agreement, including contract claims, tort claims and all other common law and statutory claims. Each party hereto acknowledges that this waiver is a material inducement to enter into this Agreement, that each has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement, and that each will continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings. Each party hereto further warrants and represents that it has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel and that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation with legal counsel. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

 

  Section 18. Complete Agreement .

This Agreement and any Joinder Agreements hereto represent the complete agreement between the parties hereto as to all matters covered hereby, and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings between the parties.

 

  Section 19. Severability .

In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

9


  Section 20. Amendment and Waiver .

Except as otherwise provided herein, no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against the Company or the Stockholder unless such modification is approved in writing by the Company and the Stockholder; provided, however that in the event of any modification to any Other Stockholder’s Agreement, the Company shall promptly offer to modify this Agreement, at no cost to the Stockholder, on an equivalent basis. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

10


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY :

TCEH Corp.
By:  

/s/ David D. Faranetta

Name:   David D. Faranetta
Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]


STOCKHOLDER :
Brookfield Asset Management Private Institutional Capital Adviser (Canada), L.P.
On behalf of its general partner, Brookfield Private Funds Holdings Inc.
By:  

/s/ Joseph Freedman

  Name:   Joseph Freedman
  Title:   Senior Managing Partner

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF

JOINDER AGREEMENT

The undersigned is executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement pursuant to that certain Stockholder’s Agreement, dated as of [                 ,         ] (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Stockholders’ Agreement ”) by and between [Reorganized TCEH], a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [                    ] (the “ Stockholder ”), and any other Persons thereto or who become a party thereto in accordance with the terms thereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Stockholder’s Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement to the Stockholder’s Agreement, the undersigned hereby adopts and approves the Stockholder’s Agreement and agrees, effective commencing on the date hereof and as a condition to the undersigned becoming a party thereto as a Permitted Assignee, to be bound by and comply with the provisions of the Stockholder’s Agreement applicable to the Permitted Assignee in the same manner as if the undersigned were the Stockholder under the Stockholder’s Agreement.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Sections  4 through 20 of the Stockholder’s Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis .

Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder Agreement as of the      day of             ,         .

 

 

(Signature of Permitted Assignee)

 

(Print Name of Permitted Assignee)
Address:  

 

 

 

Telephone:  

 

Email:  

 


AGREED AND ACCEPTED

as of the      day of             ,         .

[REORGANIZED TCEH]
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]

Exhibit 10.12

STOCKHOLDER’S AGREEMENT

This Stockholders’ Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of October 3, 2016 (the “ Effective Time ”), between TCEH Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and the entities signing under the heading “Stockholder” on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “ Stockholder ”). Unless otherwise specified herein, all of the capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section  4 hereof.

WHEREAS, the Company has issued shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”) pursuant to, and upon the terms set forth in, the plan of reorganization of Energy Future Holdings Corp., a Texas Corporation, and certain entities in which it holds an equity interest under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (the “ Chapter  11 Case ”);

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to permit the Stockholder, on the date hereof, to designate one person to be nominated to serve on the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, the Company is entering into substantially identical agreements (the “ Other Stockholder’s Agreements ”) with certain other former claim holders in the Chapter 11 Case that upon consummation thereof became stockholders of the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

  Section 1. Board of Directors .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, from and after the Effective Time and until a Termination Event (as defined below) shall have occurred, the Stockholder shall have the right to designate one person to be nominated to serve on the Board (the “ Nominee ”) by giving written notice to the Company in accordance with Section 6 hereof in no event later than the deadline for receipt of a stockholder proposal to be eligible for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with respect to any meeting of the Company’s stockholders at which directors of Class III are to be elected (or, if the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation no longer provides for the division of directors into three (3) classes, any meeting of the Company’s stockholders at which directors are to be elected) (any such meeting, an “ Applicable Election ”).

(b) The Stockholder will, in connection with such nomination, (i) provide such additional information about the Nominee as reasonably requested by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board or other relevant committee of the Board that oversees nominations of members of the Board (the “ Committee ”) and (ii) cause the Nominee to be reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Committee.

(c) For so long as the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation shall provide for the division of directors into three (3) classes, the Nominee shall be designated as a Class III


director. The initial Nominee shall be Jennifer Box, and the Company hereby confirms that such initial Nominee has been reviewed by and is acceptable to, and has been consented to by, the Committee and the Board.

(d) Subject to Section  1(m) , the Company shall take all actions reasonably necessary to ensure that (i) the Nominee is included in the Board’s slate of nominees submitted to the stockholders for election as directors at the next Applicable Election; (ii) the Nominee is included in the proxy statement prepared by management of the Company in connection with soliciting proxies for the next Applicable Election; (iii) the Board recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote in favor of the election of the Nominee; (iv) the Company supports the Nominee for election in a manner no less favorable than the manner in which the Company supports its other nominees; and (v) the Company otherwise uses commercially reasonable efforts to cause the election of the Nominee to the Board at each Applicable Election.

(e) If there is a Nominee Rejection (as defined below) pursuant to Section  1(m) hereof, then the Stockholder shall have the right to designate an alternate person to be nominated for election by the Board (the “ Alternate Nominee ”) by giving written notice to the Company in accordance with Section 6 hereof in no event later than fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice of the Nominee Rejection.

(f) The Stockholder will, in connection with such nomination, (i) provide such additional information about the Alternate Nominee as reasonably requested by the Committee and (ii) cause the Alternate Nominee to be reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Committee.

(g) Subject to Section  1(m) , the Company shall take all actions reasonably necessary to ensure that: (i) the Alternate Nominee is included in the Board’s slate of nominees submitted to the Company’s stockholders for election as directors at the next Applicable Election; (ii) the Alternate Nominee is included in the proxy statement prepared by management of the Company in connection with soliciting proxies for the next Applicable Election; (iii) the Board recommends that the Company’s stockholders vote in favor of the election of the Alternate Nominee; (iv) the Company supports the Alternate Nominee for election in a manner no less favorable than the manner in which the Company supports its other nominees; and (v) the Company otherwise uses commercially reasonable efforts to cause the election of the Alternate Nominee to the Board at each Applicable Election.

(h) The Company shall work in good faith with the Stockholder to identify and pre-clear Nominees and Alternate Nominees, as the case may be, and take such other actions as reasonably requested by the Stockholder to assist the Stockholder in submitting Nominees or Alternate Nominees, as the case may be, that will not result in a Nominee Rejection under Section  1(m ) hereof.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the rights of the Stockholder under this Agreement shall terminate automatically (the “ Termination Event ”) upon the Stockholder, together with its Related Parties, ceasing to Beneficially Own for a period of twenty (20) consecutive trading days, in the aggregate, at least Twenty-Two Million Five Hundred Thousand (22,500,000) shares of Common Stock (the “ Minimum Shares ”). The Stockholder shall notify the Company within three (3) Business Days after the occurrence of a Termination Event.

 

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(j) Prior to a Termination Event, if a vacancy occurs because of the death, disability, disqualification, resignation or removal of a Nominee or Alternate Nominee, as the case may be, as a member of the Board, the Company shall provide notice of such vacancy to the Stockholder within five (5) Business Days of such vacancy. The Stockholder shall be entitled to designate such person’s successor (the “ Vacancy Nominee ”) by giving written notice to the Company within thirty (30) days of the date the Stockholder receives notification of the vacancy from the Company. The Stockholder will provide the Company with such additional information about the Vacancy Nominee as reasonably requested by the Committee and cause the Vacancy Nominee to be reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Committee. Any successor that is appointed to fill a vacancy pursuant to this Section  1(j ) shall have the right to serve until the next Applicable Election, or until his/her successor is elected and duly qualified.

(k) If there is a Nominee Rejection with respect to a Vacancy Nominee, then the Stockholder shall have the right to designate an alternative person to fill the vacancy (the “ Alternative Vacancy Nominee ”) by giving written notice to the Company in accordance with Section  6 hereof in no event later than fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice of the Nominee Rejection. The Stockholder will provide the Company with such additional information about the Alternative Vacancy Nominee as reasonably requested by the Committee and cause the Alternative Vacancy Nominee to be reasonably available for interviews and discussions with the Committee.

(l) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, and for the avoidance of doubt, the Stockholder shall only have the right to nominate or designate one person at a time to serve as a member of the Board in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Section  1 , and in no event will the Company or the Board be obligated to nominate or designate a person to the Board that, upon such person’s election by the stockholders of the Company or appointment by the Board, would result in more than one nominee or designee of the Stockholder serving as a member of the Board.

(m) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not be obligated to appoint to the Board, cause to be nominated for election to the Board or recommend to the stockholders the election of any person the appointment, nomination or recommendation of whom the Board or the Committee determines in good faith, after consultation with and upon the advice of outside legal counsel, would constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties (a “ Nominee Rejection ”); provided , however, that upon the occurrence of a Nominee Rejection, the Company shall promptly notify the Stockholder of the occurrence of such Nominee Rejection and permit the Stockholder to provide an alternate person in accordance with the applicable provisions hereof ( Section  1(e) for a Nominee or Alternate Nominee for election at stockholder meetings and Section  1(j) and Section  1(k) for a Vacancy Nominee or Alternative Vacancy Nominee for filling vacancies on the Board) and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to perform its obligations hereunder with respect to such alternate nominee.

 

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  Section 2. Transfers; Termination .

(a) Each Stockholder’s rights hereunder do not attach to its respective shares of Common Stock and may only be assigned pursuant to a Permitted Assignment under Section  4 hereof.

(b) Except pursuant to a Permitted Assignment under Section  4 hereof, this Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the occurrence of a Termination Event and shall be of no further force and effect, and no party hereto shall have any surviving obligations, rights, or duties hereunder after a Termination Event; provided , that the Stockholder whose rights under this Agreement have been terminated pursuant to Section  1(i) shall be obligated to comply with the terms and conditions of such Section  1(i) .

 

  Section 3. Definitions .

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person; provided that neither the Stockholder nor any Related Party thereof shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Affiliates solely by virtue of such party’s ownership of shares of Common Stock or other capital stock of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Alternate Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(e) hereof.

Alternative Vacancy Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(k) hereof.

Applicable Election ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(a) .

Beneficially Own ” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Board ” has the meaning set forth in recitals.

Committee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(a) .

Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Joinder Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4 hereof.

Minimum Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(i) hereof.

Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(a) hereof.

Other Stockholder’s Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

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Permitted Assignee ” means a Related Party of a Stockholder so long as such Related Party, together with the Stockholder and the other Related Parties of the Stockholder, Beneficially Own, in the aggregate, at least the Minimum Shares.

Permitted Assignment ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4 hereof.

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that is an Affiliate of such Person, or investment fund, fund or account that is advised, managed or controlled by, such Person or its Affiliates (other than the Company and any entity that is controlled by the Company).

Stockholder ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Termination Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(i) hereof.

Transfer ” means any sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition of (whether with or without consideration and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law) of Common Stock.

Vacancy Nominee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1(j) hereof.

 

  Section 4. Assignment; Benefit of Parties; Transfer .

No party may assign this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder and any assignment hereof will be null and void except that (a) each Stockholder may assign, in whole, but not in part, this Agreement to a Permitted Assignee (a “ Permitted Assignment ”); provided , that in each case the Permitted Assignee executes a joinder agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A , pursuant to which such Permitted Assignee agrees to be bound by the terms hereof as the Stockholder hereunder (a “ Joinder Agreement ”). The Stockholder shall notify the Company immediately upon any such Permitted Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, legal representatives and Permitted Assignees for the uses and purposes set forth and referred to herein. In the event of a Transfer by a Stockholder, the transferee shall not have the rights and powers of a Stockholder hereunder unless (i) the transferee is a Permitted Assignee of the Stockholder prior to and following the Transfer and (ii) the Stockholder and such transferee comply with the terms of this Agreement, including without limitation the obligation under this Section  4 for the Transferee to execute a Joinder Agreement. Nothing herein contained shall confer or is intended to confer on any third party or entity that is not a party to this Agreement any rights under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a Permitted Assignment, the Permitted Assignee shall be deemed to be the applicable Stockholder for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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  Section 5. Remedies .

The Company and each Stockholder shall be entitled to enforce their rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in their favor. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that a breach of this Agreement would cause irreparable harm and money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach and that, in addition to other rights and remedies hereunder, the Company and each Stockholder shall be entitled to specific performance and/or injunctive or other equitable relief (without posting a bond or other security) from any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction in order to enforce or prevent any violation of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

  Section 6. Notices .

All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when (i) delivered personally to the recipient, (ii) telecopied or sent by email to the recipient, or (iii) one (1) Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid). Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the Stockholder or the Company at the address set forth below, or at such address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

Stockholder’s address is:

Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.

333 South Grand Avenue, 28th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90731

Attn: General Counsel

tmolz@oaktreecapital.com

with copies to:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019-6064

Attention: Alan W. Kornberg

Email: akornberg@paulweiss.com

The Company’s address is:

1601 Bryan Street, 43rd Floor

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: General Counsel

Email: stephanie.moore@luminant.com

 

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with copies to:

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2100 McKinney Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Robert B. Little

Email: RLittle@gibsondunn.com

 

  Section 7. Adjustments .

If, and as often as, there are any changes in the Common Stock by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or sale, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment shall be made to the definition of Minimum Shares and in any other applicable terms or provisions of this Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to the Common Stock as so changed.

 

  Section 8. Descriptive Headings, Interpretation, No Strict Construction .

The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a substantive part of this Agreement. Whenever required by the context, any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular forms of nouns, pronouns, and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa. Reference to any agreement, document, or instrument means such agreement, document, or instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and, if applicable, hereof. The words “include,” “includes” or “including” in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” The use of the words “or,” “either” or “any” shall not be exclusive. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. All references to laws, rules, regulations and forms in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such laws, rules, regulations and forms, as amended from time to time or, to the extent replaced, the comparable successor thereto in effect at the time. All references to agencies, self-regulatory organizations or governmental entities in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to the comparable successors thereto from time to time.

 

  Section 9. No Third-Party Beneficiaries .

Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed to confer upon, or give to, any person or entity other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns any remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or any terms, covenants or conditions hereof, and all of the terms, covenants, conditions, promises and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

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  Section 10. Further Assurances .

Each of the parties hereby agrees that it will hereafter execute and deliver any further document, agreement, instruments of assignment, transfer or conveyance as may be necessary or desirable to effectuate the purposes hereof.

 

  Section 11. Counterparts .

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and may be delivered by means of facsimile or electronic transmission in portable document format, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and shall be binding upon the party who executed the same, but all of such counterparts shall constitute the same agreement.

 

  Section 12. Delivery by Facsimile and Electronic Means .

This Agreement, the agreements referred to herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or other electronic means, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or other electronic means as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

  Section 13. Arm’s Length Agreement .

Each of the parties to this Agreement agrees and acknowledges that this Agreement has been negotiated in good faith, at arm’s length, and not by any means prohibited by law.

 

  Section 14. Sophisticated Parties; Advice of Counsel .

Each of the parties to this Agreement specifically acknowledges that (i) it is a knowledgeable, informed, sophisticated Person capable of understanding and evaluating the provisions set forth in this Agreement and (ii) it has been fully advised and represented by legal counsel of its own independent selection and has relied wholly upon its independent judgment and the advice of such counsel in negotiating and entering into this Agreement.

 

  Section 15. Governing Law .

This Agreement and any dispute arising hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) to the extent such rules or provisions would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

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  Section 16. Submission to Jurisdiction .

Any action, suit or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby must be brought in the United States District Court located in the State of Delaware or any Delaware state court, and each party consents to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such action, suit or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such, action, suit or proceeding in any such court or that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

  Section 17. Waiver of Jury Trial .

Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby agrees to waive its respective rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action based upon or arising out of this Agreement. The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this Agreement, including contract claims, tort claims and all other common law and statutory claims. Each party hereto acknowledges that this waiver is a material inducement to enter into this Agreement, that each has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement, and that each will continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings. Each party hereto further warrants and represents that it has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel and that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation with legal counsel. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

 

  Section 18. Complete Agreement .

This Agreement and any Joinder Agreements hereto represent the complete agreement between the parties hereto as to all matters covered hereby, and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings between the parties.

 

  Section 19. Severability .

In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

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  Section 20. Amendment and Waiver .

Except as otherwise provided herein, no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against the Company or the Stockholder unless such modification is approved in writing by the Company and the Stockholder; provided, however that in the event of any modification to any Other Stockholder’s Agreement, the Company shall promptly offer to modify this Agreement, at no cost to the Stockholder, on an equivalent basis. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY :

TCEH Corp.
By:  

/s/ David D. Faranetta

Name:   David D. Faranetta
Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]


STOCKHOLDER:

 

Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIIIb, L.P.     Oaktree Opportunities Fund IX (Parallel), L.P.
Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIIIb (Parallel) L.P.     Oaktree Opportunities Fund IX (Parallel 2), L.P.
By:   Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIIIb GP, L.P.     By:   Oaktree Opportunities Fund IX GP, L.P.
Its:   General Partner     Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIIIb GP, Ltd.     By:   Oaktree Opportunities Fund IX GP, Ltd
Its:   General Partner     Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.     By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Its:   Director     Its:   Director
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

    By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary     Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Managing Director     Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Rajath Shourie

    By:  

/s/ Rajath Shourie

Name:   Rajath Shourie     Name:   Rajath Shourie
Title:   Managing Director     Title:   Managing Director
Oaktree Value Opportunities Fund, L.P.     Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund, L.P.
By:   Oaktree Value Opportunities Fund GP, L.P.     By:   Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund GP, L.P.
Its:   General Partner     Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Value Opportunities Fund GP, L.P.     By:   Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund GP, Ltd.
Its:   General Partner     Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.     By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Its:   Director     Its:   Director
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

    By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary     Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Managing Director     Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Rajath Shourie

    By:  

/s/ Rajath Shourie

Name:   Rajath Shourie     Name:   Rajath Shourie
Title:   Managing Director     Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]


OCM Opportunities Fund VI, L.P.     OCM Opportunities Fund VII, L.P.
By:   OCM Opportunities Fund VI GP, L.P.     By:   OCM Opportunities Fund VII GP, L.P.
Its:   General Partner     Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Fund GP I, L.P.     By:   OCM Opportunities Fund VII GP, L.P
Its:   General Partner     Its:   General Partner
      By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
      Its:   Director
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

    By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary     Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Managing Director     Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Rajath Shourie

    By:  

/s/ Rajath Shourie

Name:   Rajath Shourie     Name:   Rajath Shourie
Title:   Managing Director     Title:   Managing Director
OCM Opportunities Fund VIIb. L.P.     Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIII, L.P.
    Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIII (Parallel 2), L.P.
By:   OCM Opportunities Fund VIIb. GP L.P.     By:   Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIII GP, L.P.
Its:   General Partner     Its:   General Partner
By:   OCM Opportunities Fund VIIb GP, Ltd.     By:   Oaktree Opportunities Fund VIII GP Ltd.
Its:   General Partner     Its:   General Partner
By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.     By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Its:   Director     Its:   Director
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

    By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

Name:   Robert O’Leary     Name:   Robert O’Leary
Title:   Managing Director     Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Rajath Shourie

    By:  

/s/ Rajath Shourie

Name:   Rajath Shourie     Name:   Rajath Shourie
Title:   Managing Director     Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]


Oaktree FF Investment Fund, L.P.     Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. , as agent on
    behalf of certain managed high yield trusts and accounts
By:   Oaktree FF Investments Fund GP, L.P.     By:  

/s/ David Rosenberg

Its:   General Partner     Name:   David Rosenberg
      Title:   Managing Director
By:   Oaktree FF Investments Fund GP, Ltd.     By:  

/s/ Alan Adler

Its:   General Partner     Name:   Alan Adler
      Title:   Managing Director
By:   Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.      
Its:   Director      
By:  

/s/ Robert O’Leary

     
Name:   Robert O’Leary      
Title:   Managing Director      
By:  

/s/ Rajath Shourie

     
Name:   Rajath Shourie      
Title:   Managing Director      

 

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF

JOINDER AGREEMENT

The undersigned is executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement pursuant to that certain Stockholder’s Agreement, dated as of [                 ,     ] (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof, the “ Stockholders’ Agreement ”) by and between [Reorganized TCEH], a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and [            ] (the “ Stockholder ”), and any other Persons thereto or who become a party thereto in accordance with the terms thereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Stockholder’s Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement to the Stockholder’s Agreement, the undersigned hereby adopts and approves the Stockholder’s Agreement and agrees, effective commencing on the date hereof and as a condition to the undersigned becoming a party thereto as a Permitted Assignee, to be bound by and comply with the provisions of the Stockholder’s Agreement applicable to the Permitted Assignee in the same manner as if the undersigned were the Stockholder under the Stockholder’s Agreement.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Sections  4 through 20 of the Stockholder’s Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis .

Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder Agreement as of the      day of             ,     .

 

 

(Signature of Permitted Assignee)

 

(Print Name of Permitted Assignee)
Address:  

 

 

 

Telephone:  

 

Email:  

 


AGREED AND ACCEPTED

as of the      day of             ,     .

 

[REORGANIZED TCEH]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Joinder to Stockholder’s Agreement]

Exhibit 10.13

TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

by and between

TEX Energy LLC

and

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Transfer Agent

dated as of October 3, 2016


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS      3   
  Section 1.1   

Definitions

     3   
  Section 1.2   

Interpretive Provisions

     18   
  Section 1.3   

Times of Day

     19   
  Section 1.4   

Timing of Payment or Performance

     19   
  Section 1.5   

Certifications

     19   
ARTICLE II PAYMENTS      20   
  Section 2.1   

Annual Tax Payments

     20   
  Section 2.2   

Additional Tax Payments

     21   
  Section 2.3   

Termination Payment

     22   
  Section 2.4   

Applicable Principles

     22   
  Section 2.5   

Method of Payment

     23   
  Section 2.6   

No Return of TRA Payments

     23   
  Section 2.7   

Stock and Stockholders of the Company

     23   
  Section 2.8   

Interest Amount Limitation

     23   
  Section 2.9   

Day Count Convention

     24   
  Section 2.10   

Reduction of TRA Payments on Account of Treasury TRA Rights

     24   
ARTICLE III TERMINATION      24   
  Section 3.1   

Termination in General

     24   
  Section 3.2   

Optional Termination

     24   
  Section 3.3   

Change of Control

     24   
ARTICLE IV LATE PAYMENTS, ETC.      25   
  Section 4.1   

Late Payments by the Company

     25   
  Section 4.2   

Payment Deferral

     25   
ARTICLE V COVENANTS      26   
  Section 5.1   

Tax Returns and Audits

     26   
  Section 5.2   

Accountant

     26   
  Section 5.3   

Consistency

     27   
  Section 5.4   

Reporting

     27   
  Section 5.5   

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     28   
  Section 5.6   

Annual Notice

     29   
  Section 5.7   

LIBOR Schedule

     29   
  Section 5.8   

Future Indebtedness and Other Obligations

     29   

 

i


ARTICLE VI THE TRA RIGHTS      29   
  Section 6.1   

Title and Terms

     29   
  Section 6.2   

Form Generally; Registered Form only

     30   
  Section 6.3   

Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     33   
  Section 6.4   

Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange

     34   
  Section 6.5   

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen TRA Rights

     44   
  Section 6.6   

Persons Deemed Owners

     45   
  Section 6.7   

Cancellation

     45   
  Section 6.8   

CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc

     46   
  Section 6.9   

Escrow Agreements

     46   
ARTICLE VII THE TRANSFER AGENT      46   
  Section 7.1   

Certain Duties and Responsibilities

     46   
  Section 7.2   

Certain Rights of the Transfer Agent

     47   
  Section 7.3   

Not Responsible for Recitals

     49   
  Section 7.4   

May Hold TRA Rights

     49   
  Section 7.5   

Money Held in Trust

     49   
  Section 7.6   

Compensation and Reimbursement

     49   
  Section 7.7   

Corporate Transfer Agent Required; Eligibility

     50   
  Section 7.8   

Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     50   
  Section 7.9   

Acceptance of Appointment of Successor

     51   
  Section 7.10   

Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

     51   

ARTICLE VIII REMEDIES OF THE TRANSFER AGENT AND HOLDERS ON OCCURRENCE OF A MATERIAL BREACH

     52   
  Section 8.1   

Material Breach Defined

     52   
  Section 8.2   

Notice

     53   
  Section 8.3   

Cure Period

     54   
  Section 8.4   

Waiver of Past Breaches

     54   
  Section 8.5   

Collection by the Transfer Agent

     54   
  Section 8.6   

Application of Proceeds

     56   
  Section 8.7   

Suits for Enforcement

     56   
  Section 8.8   

Restoration of Rights

     57   
  Section 8.9   

Limitations on Suits by Holders

     57   
  Section 8.10   

Unconditional Right of Holders

     57   
  Section 8.11   

Powers and Remedies

     57   
  Section 8.12   

Control by Holders

     58   
  Section 8.13   

Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs

     58   

 

ii


ARTICLE IX SUBORDINATION OF THE TRA RIGHTS      59   
  Section 9.1   

Agreement to Subordinate in Right of Payment

     59   
  Section 9.2   

Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy

     59   
  Section 9.3   

Default on Senior Indebtedness

     59   
  Section 9.4   

Notice of Termination Payment

     60   
  Section 9.5   

When Distribution Must be Paid Over

     60   
  Section 9.6   

Subrogation

     60   
  Section 9.7   

Relative Rights

     60   
  Section 9.8   

Company May Not Impair Subordination

     60   
  Section 9.9   

Waiver

     60   
  Section 9.10   

In Furtherance of Subordination

     60   
  Section 9.11   

Obligations Hereunder Not Affected

     62   
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS      63   
  Section 10.1   

Notices

     63   
  Section 10.2   

Counterparts

     63   
  Section 10.3   

Entire Agreement

     63   
  Section 10.4   

Governing Law

     64   
  Section 10.5   

Severability

     64   
  Section 10.6   

Amendments; Waivers

     64   
  Section 10.7   

Successors; Assignment

     67   
  Section 10.8   

Titles and Subtitles

     68   
  Section 10.9   

Withholding

     68   
  Section 10.10   

Affiliated Corporations; Admission of the Company into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets

     68   
  Section 10.11   

Interpretation

     68   
  Section 10.12   

Compliance and Opinions

     69   
  Section 10.13   

Form of Documents Delivered to Transfer Agent

     69   
  Section 10.14   

Acts of Holders

     69   
  Section 10.15   

Notice to Holders; Waiver

     70   
  Section 10.16   

No Recourse Against Others

     71   
  Section 10.17   

Certain Purchases and Sales

     71   
  Section 10.18   

No Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     71   
  Section 10.19   

Effective Time

     71   

 

iii


Exhibit A     Form of Global Security
Exhibit B     Certificate to be delivered upon exchange or registration of transfer of TRA Rights
Exhibit C     Form of Transferee Letter of Representation
Exhibit D     Certificate to be delivered upon exchange or registration of transfer of TRA Rights during the Initial Holder Restricted Period
Exhibit E     Form of Accountant Attestation
Exhibit F     Form of Deferral Attestation

 

iv


TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT

This TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October 3, 2016 (the “ TCEH Effective Date ”), is hereby entered into by and between TEX Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited liability trust company, as transfer agent (the “ Transfer Agent ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, on April 29, 2014, Energy Future Holdings Corp. (“ EFH ”) and certain entities in which it held an equity interest (collectively, the “ Debtors ”) commenced chapter 11 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “ Bankruptcy Court ”) by filing voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101–1532 (the “ Bankruptcy Code ”), which chapter 11 cases are being jointly administered and are captioned In re Energy Future Holdings Corp., et al ., Case No. 14-10979 (CSS);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Energy Future Holdings Corp., et al., Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code D.I. [9374] (the “ Plan ”), at the request of certain former first lien secured creditors of TCEH (as defined below) (the “ TCEH Supporting First Lien Creditors ”), the Company would enter into a tax receivable agreement or similar arrangement, the form of which is set forth in the Plan Supplement (as defined below);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Order Confirming the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Energy Future Holdings Corp., et al., Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code [D.I. 9421] (the “ Confirmation Order ”), the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan and approved the Plan Supplement;

WHEREAS, the TCEH Supporting First Lien Creditors have requested that the Company enter into this Agreement;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, before the TCEH Effective Date, Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a Debtor (“ TCEH ”) formed (i) the Company, (ii) TEX Asset Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ AssetCo ”) and (iii) TEX Preferred LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Preferred Stock Entity ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, on the TCEH Effective Date, the Preferred Stock Entity will convert from a Delaware limited liability company into a Delaware corporation (the “ Preferred Stock Entity Conversion ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, on the TCEH Effective Date, immediately after the Preferred Stock Entity Conversion: (i) AssetCo will contribute certain assets to the Preferred Stock Entity in exchange for all of the Preferred Stock Entity’s common stock and preferred stock; (ii) immediately thereafter, and pursuant to that certain Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (the “ Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement ”), dated September 26, 2016, by and

 

1


between AssetCo and the investors listed therein (collectively, the “ Investors ”), AssetCo will sell all of the Preferred Stock Entity’s preferred stock to the Investors; and (iii) AssetCo will distribute the cash proceeds of such sale to its direct and indirect parent entities and ultimately to TCEH to fund recoveries under the Plan (together, the “ Preferred Stock Sale ”);

WHEREAS, this Agreement shall become effective on the TCEH Effective Date immediately following the Preferred Stock Sale (the “ Effective Time ”) and, immediately thereafter, the Company will issue the beneficial interests in the rights to receive payments under (and otherwise share in the benefits of) this Agreement (the “ TRA Rights ”) to TCEH to be held in escrow for the benefit of the first lien secured creditors of TCEH entitled to receipt of the TRA Rights under the Plan (the “ TRA Rights Issuance ”);

WHEREAS, TCEH shall enter into an escrow agreement (the “ Initial Distribution Escrow Agreement ”) with the Transfer Agent to place the TRA Rights into an escrow account to be held until the date of distribution of the TRA Rights to the first lien secured creditors of TCEH entitled to receipt of the TRA Rights under the Plan;

WHEREAS, TCEH shall enter into an escrow agreement (the “ Allocation Dispute Reserve Escrow Agreement ” and, together with the Initial Distribution Escrow Agreement, the “ Escrow Agreements ”) with Citibank, N.A., as escrow agent, to place TRA Rights into an escrow account to serve as a reserve on account of the TCEH First Lien Creditor Plan Distribution Allocation Dispute;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, immediately following the TRA Rights Issuance, the Company will convert from a Delaware limited liability company into a Delaware corporation (the “ Conversion ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, the Plan Supplement and the Confirmation Order, following the Conversion, TCEH will distribute the TRA Rights to certain first lien secured creditors of TCEH entitled to the TRA Rights in accordance with the Plan;

WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the contribution described in clause (i)  of the definition of the Preferred Stock Sale is intended to be treated as a taxable sale of the assets of the Preferred Stock Entity pursuant to Section 1001 of the Code (as defined below);

WHEREAS, following the TCEH Effective Date, the income, gain, loss, deduction and other tax items of the Company may be affected by the Basis Adjustment and the Additional Deductions (each as defined below);

WHEREAS, the Company desires to make certain payments to the Holders (as defined below) in respect of the cumulative tax benefits of the Basis Adjustments and the Additional Deductions in accordance with this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Plan provides that the TRA Rights shall be issued by the Company pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act.

 

2


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective covenants and agreements set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth in this Article I shall have the following meanings.

Accountant ” means Deloitte & Touche LLP or any other certified public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing selected by the Company (which, for the avoidance of doubt, may be the auditors of the Company’s financial statements).

Accountant Attestation ” means a signed attestation from the Accountant stating that the Accountant, in accordance with the attestation standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, has examined the Company’s assertion (included within the Management Report) that the calculation of the applicable TRA Payment has been properly computed in accordance with this Agreement, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit E .

Acting Holders ” means Holders with an aggregate Ownership Percentage of twenty-five percent (25%) or more.

Additional Deductions ” means (i) any deductible interest paid or imputed under Sections 483, 1272 or 1274 or other provision of the Code and any similar provision of U.S. state or local tax law with respect to the Company’s payment obligations under this Agreement and (ii) any other Tax deductions available to the Company attributable to payments under this Agreement; provided , that absent an intervening change of applicable Tax law or a Determination, the Company will not treat TRA Payments, other than payments attributable to imputed interest expense, as resulting in Additional Deductions.

Additional Interest Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(d) .

Additional Tax Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(d) .

Additional Tax Payment Interest Period I ” means, with respect to an Additional Tax Payment for a Subject Taxable Year, the period from the Company Tax Return Due Date Without Extensions with respect to such Subject Taxable Year until the Payment Accrual Date for the Annual Tax Payment for such Subject Taxable Year.

Additional Tax Payment Interest Period II ” means, with respect to an Additional Tax Payment for a Subject Taxable Year, the period from the Payment Accrual Date for the Annual Tax Payment for such Subject Taxable Year until the Payment Accrual Date for such Additional Tax Payment (without taking into account any deferral under Section 4.2(b) ).

 

3


Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person.

Agreed Rate ” means LIBOR, reset at the beginning of each calendar quarter, plus three percent (3%)  per annum .

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

AI ” means an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act, which is not also a QIB or an IAI.

Allocation Dispute Reserve Escrow Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Announcement Date ” means the date on which notice of a TRA Payment is provided to the Holders pursuant to Section 2.1(a) , Section 2.2(a) , or Section 2.3(a) .

Annual Interest Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d) .

Annual Tax Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d) .

Annual Tax Payment Interest Period ” means, with respect to an Annual Tax Payment for a Subject Taxable Year, the period from the Company Tax Return Due Date Without Extensions with respect to such Subject Taxable Year until the Payment Accrual Date for such Annual Tax Payment.

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Security, the rules and procedures of the Depositary that apply to such transfer or exchange.

Bankruptcy Code ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Bankruptcy Court ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Basis Adjustment ” means (i) the excess, if any, of (x) the Tax basis of any Reference Asset immediately after and as a result of the Preferred Stock Sale over (y) the basis of such asset immediately prior to the Preferred Stock Sale and (ii) the entire Tax basis of the assets acquired as a result of the La Frontera Agreement as of immediately after consummation of such acquisition.

Board ” means (i) the board of directors of the Company, (ii) any duly authorized committee of such board, (iii) any committee of officers of the Company, or (iv) any officer of the Company acting, in the case of clause (iii)  above or this clause (iv) , pursuant to authority granted by the board of directors of the Company or any committee of such board.

 

4


Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution (i) certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and (ii) delivered to the Transfer Agent.

Business Day ” means any day ending at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banks are required or authorized to close in New York, New York.

Capital Stock ” means:

(a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;

(b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

A “ Change of Control ” means and shall be deemed to have occurred (a) if any person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person, entity or “group” and its subsidiaries and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), other than any holding company parent of the Company whose only significant asset is (directly or indirectly) Capital Stock of the Company, shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of voting power of the outstanding Capital Stock of the Company having more than a majority of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the Company or (b) upon the consummation of any merger, consolidation or other similar transaction involving the Company (or a parent company of the Company) where, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the beneficial owners of the Capital Stock of the Company having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the Company immediately prior to such transaction beneficially own less than a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the Person that is the survivor (or the equivalent) of the transaction. For purposes of this definition, a Person shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement until the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Company Request ” or “ Company Order ” means a written request or order signed, in the name of the Company, by an Officer of the Company and delivered to the Transfer Agent.

 

5


Company Tax Return ” means the U.S. federal, state or local Tax Return, as applicable, of the Company filed with respect to Taxes of any Taxable Year.

Company Tax Return Due Date With Extensions ” means the due date (taking into account all automatic extensions) of the Company’s U.S. federal income Tax Return.

Company Tax Return Due Date Without Extensions ” means the due date (without taking into account any extensions) of the Company’s U.S. federal income Tax Return.

Confirmation Order ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Control ” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Conversion ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Covered Commodity ” means any energy, electricity, generation capacity, power, heat rate, congestion, natural gas, nuclear fuel (including enrichment and conversion), diesel fuel, fuel oil, other petroleum-based liquids, coal, lignite, weather, emissions and other environmental credits, waste by-products, renewable energy credit, or any other energy related commodity or service (including ancillary services and related risks (such as location basis)).

Cumulative Realized Tax Benefit ” means, for a Taxable Year, the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Benefits for all Taxable Years of the Company, up to and including such Taxable Year, net of the cumulative amount of Realized Tax Detriments for the same period. The Realized Tax Benefit and Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year shall be determined based on the most recent Management Report in accordance with this Agreement (taking into account any Additional Tax Payments).

Debtors ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Default Rate ” means LIBOR, reset at the beginning of each calendar quarter, plus five percent (5%)  per annum .

Deferral Attestation ” means a signed attestation from an Officer of the Company, and delivered to the Transfer Agent stating (a) that the Company is not permitted, pursuant to the terms of its outstanding Indebtedness, to make all or a specified portion of a TRA Payment and/or (b) (i) the Company does not have the cash on hand to make all or a specified portion of a TRA Payment, and (ii) the Company is not able to obtain cash from its Subsidiaries to fund such TRA Payment because (A) the applicable Subsidiary is not permitted, pursuant to the terms of its outstanding Indebtedness, to pay dividends, make loans or otherwise make payments to the Company to allow it to make such TRA Payment, (B) the applicable Subsidiary is not permitted, pursuant to applicable law, to pay dividends, make loans or otherwise make payments to the Company to allow it to make such TRA Payment or (C) the applicable Subsidiary does not have the cash on hand to make the payment described in clause (A)  or the dividend described in clause (B)  above and is not permitted to borrow cash to fund such payment under the terms of its outstanding Indebtedness, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit F .

 

6


Depositary ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2 .

Determination ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1313(a) of the Code or similar provision of U.S. state or local tax law, as applicable, or any other event (including the execution of a Form 870-AD) that finally and conclusively establishes the amount of any liability for Tax.

Determination Date ” means the second (2nd) London Banking Day preceding the first day of each calendar quarter (or, in the case of the calendar quarter containing the TCEH Effective Date, the second (2nd) London Banking Day preceding the TCEH Effective Date).

Direct Registration Securities ” means TRA Rights, the ownership of which is recorded on the Direct Registration System. The terms “deliver,” “execute,” “issue,” “register,” “surrender,” “transfer” or “cancel,” when used with respect to Direct Registration Securities, shall refer to an entry or entries or an electronic transfer or transfers in the Direct Registration System.

Direct Registration System ” means the system for the uncertificated registration of ownership of securities established by the Security Registrar and utilized by the Security Registrar pursuant to which the Security Registrar may record the ownership of TRA Rights without the issuance of a certificate, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the Security Registrar to the Holders entitled thereto.

Discharge of Senior Indebtedness ” means, subject to Section 9.10(e) , (a) payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest, fees, expenses (including interest, fees, and expenses accruing on or after the commencement of any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company at the rate provided for in the applicable documents governing all Senior Indebtedness, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in any such any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company) and premium, if any, on all Senior Indebtedness (other than contingent indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted) and (b) termination of all other commitments under such Senior Indebtedness; provided , that the Discharge of Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to have occurred if (i) at any time after the Discharge of Senior Indebtedness has occurred, the Company thereafter incurs any additional Senior Indebtedness, then such Discharge of Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of ARTICLE IX , and such additional Senior Indebtedness shall automatically be treated as Senior Indebtedness for all purposes of this Agreement and (ii) if any holder of Senior Indebtedness is required in any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding or otherwise to turn over or otherwise pay to the estate of the Company or any other Person any amount because the payment of such amount was declared to be fraudulent or preferential in any respect or for any other reason (a “ Recovery ”), then the Senior Indebtedness shall be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and the such holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to a reinstatement of Senior Indebtedness with respect to all such recovered amounts.

 

7


Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

EFH ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Escrow Accounts ” means the escrow accounts established by the Escrow Agreements.

Escrow Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Global Securities Legend ” means the legend set forth under that caption in the applicable Exhibit to this Agreement.

Global Securities ” means global securities in registered form, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A .

guarantee ” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness.

Hedging Agreements ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement and (c) physical or financial commodity contracts or agreements, power purchase or sale agreements, fuel purchase or sale agreements, environmental credit purchase or sale agreements, power transmission agreements, ancillary service agreements, commodity transportation agreements, fuel storage agreements, weather derivatives, netting agreements, capacity agreements and commercial or trading agreements, each with respect to the purchase, sale or exchange of (or the option to purchase, sell or exchange), transmission, transportation, storage, distribution, processing, sale, lease or hedge of, any Covered Commodity, price or price indices for any such Covered Commodity or services or any other similar derivative agreements, and any other similar agreements.

Hedging Obligations ” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under Hedging Agreements.

 

8


Holder ” means a Person in whose name a TRA Right is registered in the Security Register at the applicable time, in its capacity as a holder of such TRA Right.

Hypothetical Tax Liability ” means, with respect to any Taxable Year, the liability for Taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries, calculated using the same methods, elections, conventions and similar practices used in calculating the actual liability for Taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries on the relevant Company Tax Return, but (w) using the Unadjusted Tax Basis, (x) excluding any deduction attributable to Additional Deductions for the Taxable Year, (y) using the Section 382 Assumptions, and (z) without taking into account the carryover or carryback of any Tax item (or portions thereof) that is attributable to or (without duplication) available for use because of the prior use of any depreciation or amortization arising from the Basis Adjustment or any Additional Deductions.

IAI ” means an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, which is not also a QIB.

IAI Global Securities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(d) .

Incur ” means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided , however , that any Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other obligation of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person:

(a) the principal and premium (if any) of any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, (i) in respect of borrowed money, (ii) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof) or (iii) Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States;

(b) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the Indebtedness of another Person described in clause (a)  above (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business); and

(c) to the extent not otherwise included, Indebtedness of another Person described in clause (a)  above secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person); provided , however , that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of: (i) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination, and (ii) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person;

provided , however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (1) contingent obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in respect

 

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of borrowed money; (2) deferred or prepaid revenues; (3) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller; (4) any liability for Taxes owed or owing by the Company; (5) obligations under or in respect of receivables facilities and securitization facilities; (6) any earn-out obligation until such obligation, within 60 days of becoming due and payable, has not been paid and such obligation is reflected as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP; (7) customary obligations under employment agreements and deferred compensation; and (8) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities). For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries, shall exclude all intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 365 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business.

Indirect Participant ” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Security through a Participant.

Initial Distribution Escrow Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Initial Holder ” means any Holder who receives TRA Rights pursuant to the Plan on or after the Issue Date (other than TCEH) and any Person deemed to be an Initial Holder pursuant to Section 6.2(e)(iii).

Initial Holder Restricted Period ” means the period commencing on the Issue Date and ending on the earlier of (i) April 3, 2018 the 18th month anniversary of the Issue Date, (ii) the date that any or all TRA Rights are registered for resale under the Securities Act or (iii) the date that the board of directors of the Company (or any duly authorized committee thereof) determines (which shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution delivered to the Transfer Agent).

Initial Holder Restricted Period Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 6.4(f) .

Investors ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Issue Date ” means the date the TRA Rights were initially issued to one or more Holders.

La Frontera Agreement ” means that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2015, by and between La Frontera Ventures, LLC and Luminant Holding Company LLC.

LIBOR ” means, with respect to each calendar quarter, the rate (expressed as a percentage per annum ) for deposits in U.S. dollars for a three-month period beginning on the second (2nd) London Banking Day after the applicable Determination Date that appears on Reuters Page LIBOR 01 as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on such Determination Date. If Reuters Page LIBOR 01 does not include such a rate or is unavailable on such Determination Date, the Company will request the principal London office of each of four major banks in the London interbank market, as selected by the Company, to provide such bank’s offered quotation (expressed as a percentage per annum ), as of approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such

 

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Determination Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market for deposits in a Representative Amount in U.S. dollars for a three-month period beginning on the second (2nd) London Banking Day after such Determination Date. If at least two such offered quotations are so provided, the rate for the three-month period will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations. If fewer than two such quotations are so provided, the Company will request each of three major banks in New York City, as selected by the Company, to provide such bank’s rate (expressed as a percentage per annum ), as of approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such Determination Date, for loans in a Representative Amount in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a three-month period beginning on the second (2nd) London Banking Day after such Determination Date. If at least two such rates are so provided, the rate for the three-month period will be the arithmetic mean of such rates. If fewer than two such rates are so provided, then the rate for the three-month period will be the rate in effect with respect to the immediately preceding calendar quarter. All percentages resulting from any calculation of LIBOR shall be rounded to the nearest thousandth of a percentage point (0.001%), with five ten-thousandths of a percentage point (0.0005%) rounded upward (e.g., 5.8765% would be rounded to 5.877%). If, for any calendar quarter, the Company is unable to determine LIBOR, then LIBOR for such calendar quarter shall be the rate as LIBOR for the prior calendar quarter.

LIBOR Schedule ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7 .

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the New York Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction); provided , that in no event shall an operating lease or license to use intellectual property be deemed to constitute a Lien.

London Banking Day ” is any day on which dealings in U.S. dollars are transacted or, with respect to any future date, are expected to be transacted in the London interbank market.

Majority of the Holders ” means Holders with an aggregate Ownership Percentage of more than fifty percent (50%).

Management Report ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b) .

Master Agreement ” has the meaning provided in the definition of the term “Hedging Agreement”.

Material Breach ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(a) .

Maximum Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8 .

Net Tax Benefit ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d) .

 

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Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the chief executive officer, the president or any vice president, the chief financial officer, the controller or any assistant controller, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer, or the secretary or any assistant secretary of such Person.

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by an Officer of the Company, in his or her capacity as such an Officer, and delivered to the Transfer Agent.

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of counsel with experience as to the subject matter of the opinion, who may be internal counsel for the Company.

Outstanding ” when used with respect to TRA Rights means, as of the date of determination, all TRA Rights theretofore authenticated, as applicable, and delivered under this Agreement, except: (i) TRA Rights theretofore cancelled by the Transfer Agent or delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancellation, (ii) TRA Rights in exchange for or in lieu of which other TRA Rights have been authenticated, as applicable, and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, other than any such TRA Rights in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Transfer Agent proof satisfactory to it that such TRA Rights are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands the TRA Rights are valid obligations of the Company, (iii) TRA Rights held by the Company as of such date or (iv) any TRA Rights held by the Company or any Subsidiary that were released to the Company pursuant to the Escrow Agreements that have not yet been cancelled in accordance with the second paragraph of Section 6.7 ; provided , however , that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite Outstanding TRA Rights have given any request, demand, direction, consent or waiver hereunder, TRA Rights owned by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company as of such date, whether held as treasury securities or otherwise, shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding.

Ownership Percentage ” means, with respect to a Holder, the fraction, expressed as a percentage, (i) the numerator of which is the number of Outstanding TRA Rights owned by such Holder, and (ii) the denominator of which is the total number of Outstanding TRA Rights.

Pari Passu Indebtedness ” means, with respect to the Company, any Indebtedness of the Company which by its terms explicitly provides that it ranks pari passu in right of payment to the TRA Rights.

Participant ” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary.

Payment Accrual Date ” means, with respect to any TRA Payment, the Payment Date for such TRA Payment determined without regard to the proviso in the definition of “Payment Date”.

Payment Date ” means, with respect to any TRA Payment, the fifth (5th) day following the Record Date for such TRA Payment; provided , that if such day is not a Business Day, “Payment Date” shall be the first (1st) Business Day following such day.

Permitted Initial Holder Transferee ” means, with respect to any Initial Holder, (i) an Affiliate of such Initial Holder or any investment fund, fund or account that is advised,

 

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managed or controlled by such Initial Holder or its Affiliates, (ii) any successor entity to such Initial Holder, (iii) another Initial Holder, (iv) any third party lender (or an agent thereof) that is granted a security interest in such Initial Holder’s TRA Rights pursuant to any bona fide loan or other financing or that acquires such TRA Rights upon the foreclosure (or other satisfaction) of any such security interest, (v) the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, (vi) if such Initial Holder is an individual, any immediate family member of such Initial Holder or any trust, limited liability company, partnership or corporation for the direct or indirect benefit of such Initial Holder or the immediate family of such Initial Holder, (vii) if such Initial Holder is an individual, the estate of the Initial Holder, any beneficiary of such estate or a beneficiary of such Initial Holder pursuant to a trust, will or other testamentary document or applicable laws of descent, or (viii) any other Person approved in writing by the Company (which approval may be for a specific transaction or more generally).

Person ” means any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, business association, organization, governmental entity or other entity.

Plan ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Plan Supplement ” means the Plan Supplement for the Plan.

Preferred Stock Entity ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Preferred Stock Entity Conversion ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Preferred Stock Sale ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

QIB ” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

Realized Tax Benefit ” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess (if any) of (i) the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such Taxable Year over (ii) the actual liability for Taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such Taxable Year. If all or a portion of the actual liability for such Taxes for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Benefit unless and until there has been a Determination.

Realized Tax Detriment ” means, for a Taxable Year, the excess (if any) of (i) the actual liability for Taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such Taxable Year over (ii) the Hypothetical Tax Liability for such Taxable Year. If all or a portion of the actual liability for such Taxes for the Taxable Year arises as a result of an audit by a Taxing Authority of any Taxable Year, such liability shall not be included in determining the Realized Tax Detriment unless and until there has been a Determination.

Record Date ” means, with respect to any TRA Payment, the tenth (10th) day following the Announcement Date for such TRA Payment; provided , that if such day is not a Business Day, “Record Date” shall be the first (1st) Business Day following such day.

 

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Recovery ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Discharge of Senior Indebtedness”.

Reference Asset ” means (i) an asset that is held by the Preferred Stock Entity at the Effective Time, (ii) without duplication, each asset that was directly or indirectly acquired by Luminant Holding Company LLC in connection with the La Frontera Agreement and (iii) any asset that is “substituted basis property” under Section 7701(a)(42) of the Code with respect to an asset described in (A)  clause (i)  above or (B)  clause (ii)  above.

Regulation S ” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Direct Registration Security ” shall mean a Direct Registration Security issued in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Regulation S under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Global Securities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(d).

Representative Amount ” means a principal amount of not less than $1,000,000 for a single Transaction in the relevant market at the relevant time.

Responsible Officer ” means any Officer of the Transfer Agent to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Restricted Period ,” with respect to any TRA Rights, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the Issue Date.

Restricted Securities Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 6.4(f) .

Reuters Page LIBOR 01 ” means the display page so designated on the Reuters service or equivalent information reporting service or any successor service (or such successor display page, other published source, information vendor or provider).

Rule 144A ” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A Global Securities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(d) .

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor agency or governmental authority.

Section 382 Assumptions ” means that, with respect to the calculation of the Hypothetical Tax Liability, any depreciation or amortization deduction would be claimed without limitation to the extent of the Company’s “net unrealized built-in gain,” with such “net unrealized built-in gain” to be calculated without giving effect to the Preferred Stock Sale.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Security Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(e).

 

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Security Registrar ” means the custodian of the Security Register, who registers TRA Rights and transfers of TRA Rights as provided in ARTICLE VI , who initially is the Transfer Agent.

Senior Indebtedness ” means, with respect to the Company, all Indebtedness of the Company, including interest thereon (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company at the rate specified in the documentation with respect thereto whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding) and other amounts (including fees, expenses, reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, and indemnities) owing in respect thereof or otherwise secured pursuant to the terms of such other Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the Effective Time or thereafter Incurred; provided , however , that Senior Indebtedness shall not include, as applicable:

(a) any obligation of the Company to any Subsidiary of the Company,

(b) any Pari Passu Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company,

(c) any obligations with respect to any Capital Stock; or

(d) any Indebtedness Incurred in violation of this Agreement.

If any Senior Indebtedness is disallowed, avoided or subordinated pursuant to the provisions of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable state fraudulent conveyance law, such Senior Indebtedness nevertheless will constitute Senior Indebtedness.

Significant Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision).

Subject Taxable Year ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) .

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means, with respect to the Company, any Indebtedness of the Company which by its terms explicitly provides that it is subordinate in right of payment to the TRA Rights.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, as of any date of determination, any other Person as to which such Person, owns, directly or indirectly, or otherwise controls more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power or other similar interests or the sole general partner interest or managing member or similar interest of such Person.

Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, report or similar statement filed or required to be filed with respect to Taxes (including any attached schedules), including any information return, claim for refund, amended return and declaration of estimated Tax.

Taxable Year ” means a taxable year as defined in Section 441(b) of the Code or comparable provision of U.S. state or local Tax law, as applicable, (and, therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, may include a period of less than twelve (12) months for which a Tax Return is made) ending after the TCEH Effective Date.

 

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Taxes ” means any and all U.S. federal, state and local taxes, assessments or similar charges measured with respect to net income or profits (including the Texas Margin Tax) and any interest related to such Tax.

Taxing Authority ” means any domestic, federal, national, state, parish, county or municipal or other local government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any quasi-governmental body exercising any taxing authority or any other authority exercising Tax regulatory authority.

TCEH ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

TCEH Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

TCEH Supporting First Lien Creditors ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Termination Date ” means the Payment Date for the Termination Payment.

Termination Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(d) .

Termination Rate ” means LIBOR, as in effect for the calendar quarter in which the Announcement Date (or, in the case of a distribution under Section 8.6(b) , the applicable record date established by the Board of the Company) for the applicable Termination Payment occurs, plus one percent (1%)  per annum .

Texas Margin Tax ” means the tax imposed by Section 171.001 of the Texas Tax Code.

TRA Payment ” means any Annual Tax Payment, Additional Tax Payment or Termination Payment.

TRA Rights ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

TRA Rights Issuance ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

TRA Term Sheet ” means the Reorganized TCEH Tax Receivable Agreement Summary of Material Terms and Conditions, which was filed as Exhibit S to the Plan Supplement.

Transaction ” means any transaction; provided , that if such transaction is part of a series of related transactions, “Transaction” refers to such related transactions as a whole.

Transfer Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities ” means Direct Registration Securities that bear or are required to bear or are subject to the Restricted Securities Legend.

 

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Transfer Restricted Global Securities ” means Global Securities that bear or are required to bear or are subject to the Restricted Securities Legend.

Transfer Restricted Securities ” means the Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities and Transfer Restricted Global Securities.

Treasury TRA Rights ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10 .

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time.

Unadjusted Tax Basis ” means at any time (a) with respect to any Reference Asset described in clauses (ii)  or (iii)(B) of the definition thereof, zero, and (b) with respect to any other Reference Asset, the Tax basis that such asset would have had at such time if no Basis Adjustment had been made.

Unrestricted Direct Registration Securities ” means Direct Registration Securities that are not required to bear, or are not subject to, the Restricted Securities Legend.

Unrestricted Global Securities ” means Global Securities that are not required to bear, or are not subject to, the Restricted Securities Legend.

Valuation Assumptions ” means, as of the Termination Date, the assumptions that (i) in each Taxable Year ending on or after such Termination Date (or with respect to which an Annual Tax Payment has not been determined and (subject to Sections 2.8 and 4.2 ) paid), the Company will have an amount of taxable income sufficient to fully utilize the deduction attributable to the Basis Adjustments and Additional Deductions during such Taxable Year or future Taxable Years in which such deductions would become available, (ii) for purposes of determining the amount of Additional Deductions and the discounted value of Annual Tax Payments and the Additional Tax Payment (if assumed to occur pursuant clause (vi)  below), (A) the Company will make (x) Annual Tax Payments on the thirtieth (30th) day after each applicable Company Tax Return Due Date With Extensions and (y) an Additional Tax Payment (if so assumed to occur pursuant to clause (vi)  below) on the date that is ninety (90) days after the Termination Date and (B) the Agreed Rate and the Default Rate shall be determined by using the same value for LIBOR as is used in the determination of “Termination Rate”, (iii) the U.S. federal, state and local income tax rates that will be in effect for each such Taxable Year will be those specified for each such Taxable Year by the Code or other law as in effect on the Termination Date (but taking into account for the applicable Taxable Years adjustments to the tax rates that have been enacted as of the Termination Date with a delayed effective date) (or, with respect to any Taxable Year for which such U.S. federal, state and local income tax rates are not specified by the Code or other law as in effect on the Termination Date, such U.S. federal, state and local income tax rates that are in effect on the Termination Date with respect to the Taxable Year that includes the Termination Date, (iv) any loss carryovers generated by deductions arising from the Basis Adjustments or Additional Deductions that are available as of such Termination Date will be utilized by the Company in the Taxable Year in which the Termination Date occurs (and to the extent such loss carryovers are limited and not available under applicable law (such as Section 382 of the Code), such loss carryovers will be utilized in

 

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the first Taxable Year in which such limitation is no longer applicable), (v) any non-depreciable or non-amortizable Reference Asset will be disposed of on the later of (x) the fifteenth anniversary of the applicable Basis Adjustment or (y) the Termination Date, for an amount realized equal to such Reference Asset’s fair market value as of the Termination Date and (vi) any ongoing audits of the Company or its Subsidiaries by a Taxing Authority as of the Termination Date will result in a Determination on the Termination Date in which the positions of the Taxing Authority or the Company (as the case may be) are upheld in a way that maximizes the amount of the Termination Payment.

Section 1.2 Interpretive Provisions . Unless the express context of this Agreement otherwise requires:

(a) the words “hereof,” “herein,” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement;

(b) the terms defined in the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa;

(c) references herein to the Preamble, the Recitals or a specific Article, Section, Subsection, Exhibit, Schedule or Annex shall refer, respectively, to the Preamble, Recitals, Articles, Sections, Subsections, Exhibits, Schedules or Annexes of this Agreement;

(d) wherever the word “include,” “includes” or “including” is used in this Agreement, it shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(e) references herein to any gender (or the gender neutral form) includes each other gender and the gender neutral form;

(f) the word “or” shall be inclusive and not exclusive (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”), unless used in conjunction with “either” or the like;

(g) “shall,” “will,” or “agrees” are mandatory, and “may” is permissive;

(h) each reference to “days” shall be to calendar days;

(i) each reference to any agreement, contract, document, filing or court order shall be to such agreement or filing as amended, supplemented, waived, modified, restated, replaced, refinanced, extended or restructured from time to time, subject to the limitations on such amendments, modifications, waivers, or restatements set forth herein;

(j) each reference to a law, statute, regulation or other government rule is to it as amended, consolidated, replaced, supplemented, or interpreted from time to time and, as applicable, is to corresponding provisions of successor laws, statutes, regulations or other government rules;

 

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(k) “dollars” or “$” means United States dollars;

(l) “writing,” “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form;

(m) references herein to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person; references to “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form;

(n) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights;

(o) all references to “in the ordinary course of business” of the Company thereof means (i) in the ordinary course of business of, or in furtherance of an objective that is in the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, (ii) customary and usual in the industry or industries of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, or (iii) generally consistent with the past or current practice of the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, or any similarly situated businesses in the United States or any other jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary does business, as applicable;

(p) references to the Company or the Preferred Stock Entity shall include any entities that are disregarded from the Company or the Preferred Stock Entity (as applicable) for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and

(q) references herein from or through any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including, respectively, and the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”.

Section 1.3 Times of Day . Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight saving or standard, as applicable).

Section 1.4 Timing of Payment or Performance . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, when the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty, or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on (or before) a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

Section 1.5 Certifications . All certifications to be made hereunder by an officer or representative of the Company shall be made by such a Person in his or her capacity solely as an officer or a representative of the Company, on the Company’s behalf and not in such Person’s individual capacity.

 

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ARTICLE II

PAYMENTS

Section 2.1 Annual Tax Payments .

(a) No later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the Company Tax Return Due Date With Extensions for each U.S. federal income Taxable Year (each such U.S. federal income Taxable Year together with the U.S. state or local Taxable Years ending at the end of or during such U.S. federal income Taxable Year, a “ Subject Taxable Year ”), the Company shall notify the Holders, in accordance with Section 10.15 , (i) whether an Annual Tax Payment will be made, (ii) the Subject Taxable Year to which such Annual Tax Payment relates, (iii) the amount of such Annual Tax Payment, (iv) the estimated value of each TRA Right on the TCEH Effective Date and the sum total of prior payments on each TRA Right, and (v) the Record Date and Payment Date for such Annual Tax Payment (if any). No later than the open of business on the Business Day immediately following delivery of such notice, the Company shall issue a press release for publication on a broadly disseminated news or press release service selected by the Company or file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC containing the information described in clauses (i)  through (v)  of this Section 2.1(a) .

(b) The Company shall, on or before the Announcement Date for an Annual Tax Payment, deliver to the Transfer Agent a copy of the Management Report and accompanying Accountant Attestation for such Annual Tax Payment.

(c) Except as provided in Sections 2.8 and 4.2 , and subject to Sections 2.10 and 10.9 , the Company shall, on the Payment Date for an Annual Tax Payment, deliver such Annual Tax Payment to the Transfer Agent for payment to the Holders in accordance with Section 2.5 .

For the avoidance of doubt, no Annual Tax Payment shall be made, nor Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment determined, in respect of estimated tax payments, including estimated U.S. federal income tax payments.

(d) An “ Annual Tax Payment ” for a Subject Taxable Year means an amount, not less than zero, equal to the sum of the Net Tax Benefit for such Subject Taxable Year and the Annual Interest Amount for such Subject Taxable Year. The “ Net Tax Benefit ” for a Subject Taxable Year shall be an amount equal to the excess (if any) of (i) 85% of the Company’s Cumulative Realized Tax Benefit, if any, as of the end of such Subject Taxable Year over (ii) the sum of the total amount of (1) Annual Tax Payments previously made under this Section 2.1 and (2) Additional Tax Payments previously made under Section 2.2 (in the case of this clause (ii) , only to the extent such payments are attributable to Net Tax Benefits and not Annual Interest Amounts or Additional Interest Amounts). The “ Annual Interest Amount ” for a Subject Taxable Year shall equal the interest on the Net Tax Benefit for such Subject Taxable Year, calculated at the Agreed Rate for the Annual Tax Payment Interest Period for such Annual Tax Payment, compounded at the end of each calendar quarter.

(e) The Company shall notify the Transfer Agent and the Holders as to the Company’s U.S. federal income Taxable Year (if it is not the calendar year).

 

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Section 2.2 Additional Tax Payments .

(a) Within (x) ninety (90) days after (1) a Determination or (2) the Company receives any refund of Taxes (whether as a result of a carryback of any Tax item or otherwise) and (y) five (5) days after the Company’s receipt of a revised Accountant Attestation pursuant to Section 5.2(c) , in each case that results in the Company having an increased Cumulative Realized Tax Benefit, the Company shall notify the Holders, in accordance with Section 10.15 , (i) that an Additional Tax Payment will be made, (ii) the Subject Taxable Year(s) to which such Additional Tax Payment relates, (iii) the amount of such Additional Tax Payment, (iv) the estimated value of each TRA Right on the TCEH Effective Date and the sum total of prior payments on each TRA Right, and (v) the Record Date and Payment Date for such Additional Tax Payment. No later than the open of business on the Business Day immediately following delivery of such notice, the Company shall issue a press release for publication on a broadly disseminated news or press release service selected by the Company or file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC containing the information described in clauses (i)  through (v)  of this Section 2.2(a) .

(b) The Company shall, on or before the Announcement Date for an Additional Tax Payment, deliver to the Transfer Agent a copy of the Management Report and accompanying Accountant Attestation for such Additional Tax Payment.

(c) Except as provided in Sections 2.8 and 4.2 , and subject to Sections 2.10 and 10.9 , the Company shall, on the Payment Date for an Additional Tax Payment, deliver such Additional Tax Payment to the Transfer Agent for payment to the Holders in accordance with Section 2.5 .

(d) An “ Additional Tax Payment ” means an amount, not less than zero, equal to the sum of (x) 85% of the increase in the Company’s Cumulative Realized Tax Benefit attributable to adjustments and other items described in Section 2.2(a) and (y) the Additional Interest Amount in respect of such adjustments and other items. Subject to Section 4.2(b) , the “ Additional Interest Amount ” in respect of the adjustments and other items described in Section 2.2(a) shall equal the interest on 85% of the increase in the Cumulative Realized Tax Benefit, calculated at (x) the Agreed Rate for the Additional Tax Payment Interest Period I, compounded at the end of each calendar quarter, and (y) the Default Rate for the Additional Tax Payment Interest Period II, compounded at the end of each calendar quarter; provided, that the Agreed Rate shall be used for the Additional Tax Payment Interest Period II to the extent the Additional Tax Payment relates to a refund of Taxes resulting from a carryback of any Tax item. For any Determination or other item that applies just to a single year, the Subject Taxable Year for a related Additional Tax Payment shall be the year for which an adjustment or other item is made pursuant to the Determination or other item. For any Determination or other item that applies to multiple years, the Company shall determine, based on the adjustments made pursuant to the Determination or other item, an apportionment among Subject Taxable Years for such Additional Tax Payment.

 

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Section 2.3 Termination Payment .

(a) If (x) (A) the Company terminates this Agreement in accordance with Section 3.2 or (B) there is a Change of Control as described in Section 3.3 and (y) in the case of a Change of Control, the Transfer Agent has not waived the Change of Control in accordance with Section 3.3(a)(ii) , then the Company shall promptly (but in any event no later than five (5) Business Days following such event) notify the Holders, in accordance with Section 10.15 , (i) that a Termination Payment will be made, (ii) the amount of such Termination Payment, (iii) the estimated value of each TRA Right on the TCEH Effective Date and the sum total of prior payments on each TRA Right, and (iv) the Record Date and Payment Date for such Termination Payment. No later than the open of business on the Business Day immediately following delivery of such notice, the Company shall issue a press release for publication on a broadly disseminated news or press release service selected by the Company or file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC containing the information described in clauses (i)  through (iv)  of this Section 2.3(a) .

(b) The Company shall, on or before the Announcement Date for a Termination Payment, deliver to the Transfer Agent a copy of the Management Report and accompanying Accountant Attestation for such Termination Payment.

(c) Except as provided in Sections 2.8 and 4.2 , and subject to Sections 2.10 and 10.9 , the Company shall, on the Payment Date for a Termination Payment, deliver such Termination Payment to the Transfer Agent for payment to the Holders in accordance with Section 2.5.

(d) The “ Termination Payment ” shall equal the present value as of the Termination Date, discounted at the Termination Rate, of all Annual Tax Payments and (if assumed to occur pursuant clause (vi)  of the definition of “Valuation Assumptions”) the Additional Tax Payment that would be required to be paid by the Company to the Transfer Agent beginning from the Termination Date assuming the Valuation Assumptions are applied.

(e) If the Company is in Material Breach as described in Section 8.1(a) and such Material Breach has not been cured pursuant to Section 8.3 (if applicable) or waived pursuant to Section 8.4 , then the Termination Payment shall be immediately due and payable on all TRA Rights following the procedures in Section 8.6 , notwithstanding Section 4.2 , but subject to Sections 2.8 , 2.10 and 10.9 .

Section 2.4 Applicable Principles . The Realized Tax Benefit or Realized Tax Detriment for each Taxable Year is intended to measure the decrease or increase in the actual liability for Taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such Taxable Year attributable to the Basis Adjustment and Additional Deductions, determined using a cumulative “with and without” methodology, after accounting for any limitations under Section 382 of the Code that would not otherwise apply if the Preferred Stock Sale did not occur, and after making provisions for the reduction of future TRA Payments to the extent of an overpayment in a prior period. For the avoidance of doubt, if applicable, the actual liability for Taxes will take into account the deduction of the portion of the TRA Payment that must be accounted for as interest under the Code based upon the characterization of TRA Payments as additional consideration received by certain first lien secured creditors of TCEH First Lien Secured Claims; provided , that absent an intervening change of applicable Tax law or a Determination, the Company will

 

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not treat TRA Payments, other than payments attributable to imputed interest expense, as resulting in Additional Deductions. Carryovers or carrybacks of any Tax item attributable to the Basis Adjustment or Additional Deductions shall be considered to be subject to the rules of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or the appropriate provisions of U.S. state or local tax law, as applicable, governing the use, limitation and expiration of carryovers or carrybacks of the relevant type. If a carryover or carryback of any Tax item includes a portion that is attributable to the Basis Adjustment or Additional Deductions and another portion that is not, such portions shall be considered to be used in accordance with the “with and without” methodology. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not result in the duplicative payment of any amount that may be required under this Agreement, and the provisions of this Agreement shall be consistently interpreted and applied in accordance with that intent. For the avoidance of doubt, interest shall not accrue under more than one provision of this Agreement for any specific period of time; provided , however , that in the event the rate applicable for determining imputed interest is higher than the rate that would apply for determining other interest owed under this Agreement for any particular period of time, the rate applicable for determining imputed interest shall control.

Section 2.5 Method of Payment . In connection with each TRA Payment, the Transfer Agent shall advise the Company of the number of valid TRA Rights Outstanding as of the applicable Record Date. The Company shall deposit on the Payment Date each TRA Payment with the Transfer Agent by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account of the Transfer Agent previously designated in writing by the Transfer Agent to the Company. The Transfer Agent shall thereafter promptly distribute such TRA Payment to each Holder (including the Depositary) based on such Holder’s Ownership Percentage as of the applicable Record Date. The Transfer Agent will coordinate with the Depositary to facilitate the credit of each TRA Payment in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures.

Section 2.6 No Return of TRA Payments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither the Transfer Agent nor the Holders shall be required to return any previously made TRA Payment or any other payment made hereunder.

Section 2.7 Stock and Stockholders of the Company . TRA Payments are not conditioned on any Holder holding any stock of the Company (or any successor thereto). No Holder of TRA Rights shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of common stock or any other securities of the Company, nor shall anything contained herein be construed to confer upon the Holders, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to the stockholders of the Company at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold any consent to any corporate action of the Company, or to receive notice of meetings of the Company or other actions affecting stockholders of the Company (except as expressly provided herein), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, in each case from the Company.

Section 2.8 Interest Amount Limitation . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the applicable Agreed Rate or Default Rate (including pursuant to clause (ii)(B) in the definition of “Valuation Assumptions”) shall exceed the maximum lawful interest rate that may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved in accordance with applicable law (the “ Maximum Rate ”), the Agreed Rate and Default Rate (as

 

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applicable) shall be limited to the Maximum Rate; provided , that any amounts unpaid as a result of such limitation (other than with respect to a Termination Payment) shall be paid (together with interest calculated at the Default Rate with respect to the period such amounts remained unpaid) on subsequent payment dates to the extent not exceeding the legal limitation.

Section 2.9 Day Count Convention . All computations using the Agreed Rate, Default Rate or Termination Rate shall use the “Actual/360” day count convention.

Section 2.10 Reduction of TRA Payments on Account of Treasury TRA Rights . In the event that any TRA Rights are held by the Company as of the record date for a given TRA Payment (other than any TRA Rights required to be cancelled pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 6.7 ) (“ Treasury TRA Rights ”), such TRA Payment shall be calculated as if the Treasury TRA Rights were Outstanding, and then reduced by the amount that would have been paid in respect of such Treasury TRA Rights, such that each Holder of an Outstanding TRA Right will receive an amount equal to the amount such Holder would have received if the Treasury TRA Rights were still Outstanding.

ARTICLE III

TERMINATION

Section 3.1 Termination in General . Unless terminated earlier pursuant to the following provisions of this ARTICLE III , this Agreement will terminate when the Company delivers to the Transfer Agent a certification from the Accountant certifying that there is no further potential for an Annual Tax Payment to be made pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Company under Section 7.6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Section 3.2 Optional Termination . At any time, the Company may terminate this Agreement (without penalty or premium) by complying with the notification, certification and payment obligations set forth in Section 2.3 .

Section 3.3 Change of Control .

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, unless (i) the Company shall have, no later than sixty (60) days prior to such event giving rise to a Change of Control, (x) notified the Transfer Agent in writing of such potential Change of Control and (y) delivered to the Transfer Agent a copy of the Accountant Attestation for the Termination Payment (prepared on an estimated basis based on a good faith estimate of the timing of the Change of Control) and (ii) a Majority of the Holders shall have directed the Transfer Agent to waive the Change of Control no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice and Accountant Attestation by the Transfer Agent, (1) the Company shall comply with the notification, certification and payment obligations set forth in Section 2.3 , and (2) subject to the obligations described in clause (1) above, this Agreement (other than ARTICLE VIII ) shall be terminated.

(b) If the Transfer Agent waives a Change of Control pursuant to Section 3.3(a)(ii) , for each Taxable Year ending on or after the date of the Change of Control, all TRA Payments shall be calculated by applying clauses (i)  and (iv)  of the definition of “Valuation Assumptions,” substituting in each case the term “the date of the Change of Control” for “the Termination Date”.

 

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ARTICLE IV

LATE PAYMENTS, ETC.

Section 4.1 Late Payments by the Company . The amount of all or any portion of any TRA Payment not made to the Transfer Agent when due and payable under the terms of this Agreement (taking into account any deferral under Section 4.2 ), including any nonpayment pursuant to Section 9.3 , shall be payable together with any interest thereon, computed at the Default Rate and commencing from the date on which such TRA Payment was so due and payable, compounded at the end of each calendar quarter.

Section 4.2 Payment Deferral .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein, to the extent that, at the time any TRA Payment becomes due and payable hereunder, (i) the Company is not permitted, pursuant to the terms of its outstanding Indebtedness to make such TRA Payment, or if, after making such TRA Payment, the Company would be in breach or default under the terms of its outstanding Indebtedness, or (ii) (1) the Company does not have the cash on hand to make such TRA Payment and is not permitted to borrow cash to fund such TRA Payment under the terms of its outstanding Indebtedness, and (2) the Company is not able to obtain cash from its Subsidiaries to fund such TRA Payment because (A) the applicable Subsidiary is not permitted, pursuant to the terms of its outstanding Indebtedness, to pay dividends, make loans or otherwise make payments to the Company to allow it to make such TRA Payment, or if, after making such TRA Payment, the applicable Subsidiary would be in breach or default under the terms of its outstanding Indebtedness, (B) the applicable Subsidiary is not permitted, pursuant to applicable law, to pay dividends, make loans or otherwise make payments to the Company to allow it to make such TRA Payment, or (C) the applicable Subsidiary does not have the cash on hand to make the payment or dividend described in clauses (A) or (B)  above and is not permitted to borrow cash to fund such payment under the terms of its outstanding Indebtedness, then, in each case, the Company shall, by delivering a Deferral Attestation to the Transfer Agent along with a copy of the Accountant Attestation for such TRA Payment, by the date such TRA Payment becomes due and payable hereunder (assuming for purposes of determining such date that the Announcement Date with respect to such TRA Payment is the thirtieth (30th) day after the Company Tax Return Due Date With Extensions for the applicable Subject Taxable Year), be permitted to defer such TRA Payment until the condition described in clauses (i)  or (ii)  above is no longer applicable.

(b) If the Company defers any TRA Payment (or portion thereof) pursuant to Section 4.2(a) , such deferred amount shall accrue interest at the Agreed Rate, from the date that such amounts originally became due and owing pursuant to the terms hereof (assuming for purposes of determining such date that the Announcement Date with respect to such TRA Payment is the thirtieth (30th) day after the Company Tax Return Due Date With Extensions for the applicable Subject Taxable Year) to the Payment Date, compounded at the end of each calendar quarter.

 

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(c) If the Transfer Agent receives a Deferral Attestation from the Company pursuant to Section 4.2(a) , the Transfer Agent shall promptly deliver a copy of such Deferral Attestation to the Holders. No later than the open of business on the Business Day immediately following delivery of such Deferral Attestation to the Transfer Agent, the Company shall issue a press release for publication on a broadly disseminated news or press release service selected by the Company or file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC disclosing the applicable payment deferral.

(d)

(i) Within ten (10) Business Days of the condition described in clauses (i)  or (ii)  of Section 4.2(a) no longer being applicable, the Company shall notify the Holders, in accordance with Section 10.15 , (1) that an Additional Tax Payment will be made, (2) the Subject Taxable Year(s) to which such Additional Tax Payment relates, (3) the amount of such Additional Tax Payment, (4) the estimated value of each TRA Right on the TCEH Effective Date and the sum total of prior payments on each TRA Right, and (5) the Record Date and Payment Date for such Additional Tax Payment. No later than the open of business on the Business Day immediately following delivery of such notice, the Company shall issue a press release for publication on a broadly disseminated news or press release service selected by the Company or file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC containing the information described in clauses (1)  through (5)  of this Section 4.2(d)(i) .

(ii) The Company shall, on or before the Announcement Date for an Additional Tax Payment described in Section 4.2(d)(i) , deliver to the Transfer Agent a copy of the Accountant Attestation for such Additional Tax Payment (amended to reflect interest accrual pursuant to the deferral as described in Section 4.2(b) ).

(iii) Except as provided in Section 2.8 , and subject to Sections 2.10 and 10.9 , the Company shall, on the Payment Date for an Additional Tax Payment described in Section 4.2(d)(i) , deliver such Additional Tax Payment to the Transfer Agent for payment to the Holders in accordance with Section 2.5 .

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS

Section 5.1 Tax Returns and Audits . The Company shall have full responsibility for, and sole discretion over, all Tax matters concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries, including the preparation, filing or amending of any Tax Return and defending, contesting or settling any issue pertaining to Taxes.

Section 5.2 Accountant .

(a) At its sole expense, the Company shall retain the Accountant to prepare the Accountant Attestations (and to conduct any related diligence, as described in this Section 5.2 ) for each TRA Payment (including any revisions pursuant to Section 5.2(c) ).

(b) With respect to any TRA Payment to be made hereunder, the Company shall provide the Accountant with a schedule showing, in reasonable detail, the

 

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calculation of such TRA Payment, together with such other information (including the LIBOR Schedule and any materials relating to the Company’s determination of LIBOR for each relevant calendar quarter, work papers and valuation reports) reasonably necessary to support the calculation of such TRA Payment and an assertion that the calculation of the payment complies with this Agreement (the “ Management Report ”). In addition, the Company shall provide the Accountant with any other documentation or information reasonably requested by the Accountant (and shall otherwise reasonably cooperate with the Accountant, including allowing the Accountant reasonable access to the appropriate representatives of the Company) in connection with its services hereunder. The Company shall provide the Accountant with the information and documentation described in this Section 5.2(b) (including the Management Report) in a timely fashion so as to allow the Accountant sufficient time to review and comment on such information and documentation and to timely prepare the Accountant Attestation. The Management Report shall be signed by an authorized officer of the Company.

(c) If the Company becomes aware that any material information it has supplied to the Accountant is incorrect or incomplete in any material respect, or upon any Determination or refund with respect to a Subject Taxable Year, the Company shall promptly notify the Accountant and shall request that the Accountant prepare a revised Accountant Attestation. If the Accountant notifies the Company that the Accountant believes that any previously issued Accountant Attestation is no longer able to be relied upon, the Accountant will request that the Company provide the Accountant with an adjusted Management Report in accordance with Section 5.2(b) in order to prepare a revised Accountant Attestation.

Section 5.3 Consistency . Except as otherwise required pursuant to a Determination, the Company shall (and the Company shall cause its Subsidiaries to) take the position on all Tax Returns and in any audits or other proceedings before the IRS or any other Taxing Authority that (a) all TRA Payments represent, first, a return of the Tax basis in the TRA Rights that the initial Holders had at the Effective Time, and thereafter, an item of ordinary income that is described in Section 871(a)(1)(A) and 881(a)(1) of the Code and (b) the TRA Rights do not constitute stock or “securities” of a party to the tax-free spin-off of the Company.

Section 5.4 Reporting .

(a) During such periods as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the Transfer Agent, within 15 days after the Company files with the SEC, 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 SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

(b) During such periods as the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall provide the Holders with copies of, without cost to each Holder:

(i) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, annual reports for such fiscal year containing the information that would have been required to be

 

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contained in an annual report on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) if the Company had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act, except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC;

(ii) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, quarterly reports for such fiscal quarter containing the information that would have been required to be contained in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) if the Company had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act, except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC; and

(iii) within the time periods specified for filing Current Reports on Form 8-K after the occurrence of each event that would have been required to be reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act if the Company had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act, current reports containing substantially all of the information that would have been required to be contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act if the Company had been a reporting company under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that such reports will not be required to contain information required by Items 3.01, 5.02(e), 5.04, 5.05, 5.06, 5.08, 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.04, 6.05, 7.01, and 8.01 of Form 8-K.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 5.4(a) and (b) , (i) the Company shall be deemed to have furnished the reports and other information referred to above to the Holders if such reports and other information shall have been filed with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system or such reports are publicly available on the website of the Company, (ii) unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Company shall not be required to deliver or furnish any information, certificates or reports required by Section 302 or Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or related Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K or financial information required by Rule 3-09, Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X, (iii) to the extent not otherwise filed with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system or publicly available on the website of the Company, the Company shall make the reports and other information referred to above available to prospective investors upon request, and (iv) during any period when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will not be required to provide any exhibits that would have been required to be filed pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K or any certification required by Form 10-K or Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable forms) or related rules under Regulation S-K.

Section 5.5 Maintenance of Office or Agency . As long as any of the TRA Rights remain Outstanding, the Company shall maintain, through the Transfer Agent, in the Borough of Brooklyn, City of New York, an office or agency (i) where TRA Rights may be presented or surrendered for payment, (ii) where TRA Rights may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and (iii) where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the TRA Rights and this Agreement may be served. The office or agency of the Transfer Agent at the address set forth in Section 10.1 shall be such office or agency of the Company, unless the Company, through the Transfer Agent, shall designate and maintain some other office or agency for one or more of such purposes. The Company may from time to time, through the Transfer Agent, designate one or more other offices or agencies (in or outside of the City of New York) where the TRA Rights may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes, and

 

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may from time to time rescind such designation; provided , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain, through the Transfer Agent, an office or agency in the Borough of Brooklyn, City of New York, for such purposes.

Section 5.6 Annual Notice . The Company shall deliver to the Transfer Agent, within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate stating that in the course of the performance of the signer’s duties as an Officer of the Company he or she would normally have knowledge of any Material Breach and whether or not, to the best knowledge of the signer, there has occurred a Material Breach (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in Material Breach, specifying all such Material Breaches, the nature and status thereof and what action(s) the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 5.7 LIBOR Schedule . The Company shall determine LIBOR for each calendar quarter, beginning with the calendar quarter that includes the TCEH Effective Date and ending with the calendar quarter that includes the Termination Date. The Company shall maintain a schedule (the “ LIBOR Schedule ”) that includes LIBOR for each calendar quarter for which the Company determines LIBOR. After the determination of LIBOR for each calendar quarter, the Company shall promptly provide the LIBOR Schedule and the materials relating to the Company’s determination of LIBOR for such calendar quarter to the Accountant.

Section 5.8 Future Indebtedness and Other Obligations . If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries Incurs any Indebtedness or other obligations after the TCEH Effective Date, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, and shall cause each Subsidiary of the Company to use commercially reasonable efforts to, ensure that such Indebtedness or other obligation does not prohibit: (a) in the case of the Company, TRA Payments from being made in full by the Company when due, and (b) in the case of any such Subsidiary, payments from being made directly or indirectly to the Company to enable the Company to make TRA Payments in full when due (in each case, without regard to any deferral under Section 4.2 ); provided that, the Company shall be deemed to have complied with this covenant so long as the aggregate restrictions on the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole under such Indebtedness or other obligations would not reasonably be expected to materially impede the ability of the Company to make the TRA Payments in full when due (without regard to any deferral under Section 4.2 ) as determined by the Company in good faith.

ARTICLE VI

THE TRA RIGHTS

Section 6.1 Title and Terms .

(a) The aggregate number of TRA Rights initially issued will be 427,500,000. From and after the TCEH Effective Date, the Company shall not be permitted to issue any additional TRA Rights.

(b) The Holders, by acceptance of the TRA Rights, agree that no joint venture, partnership or other fiduciary relationship is created hereby or by the TRA Rights.

 

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(c) The rights of the Holders, in their capacities as holders of TRA Rights, shall be limited to those contractual rights expressly set forth in this Agreement.

(d) Neither the Company nor or any of its Affiliates shall have any right to set off any amounts owed or claimed to be owed by any Holder to any of them against such Holder’s TRA Rights or other amount payable to such Holder in respect of such TRA Rights.

(e) The Company shall cause to be kept at the office of the Transfer Agent a register (such register, the “ Security Register ”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of TRA Rights and of transfers of TRA Rights. The Transfer Agent is hereby appointed the Security Registrar.

Section 6.2 Form Generally; Registered Form only .

(a) In accordance with the Plan, the TRA Rights shall be privately placed by the Company only to (1) QIBs, in accordance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, (2) IAIs in accordance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, (3) AIs in accordance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (4) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S.

(b) The TRA Rights shall be issuable only in registered form as described below and the TRA Rights (and beneficial interests therein) shall be transferable only in compliance with Article VI .

(c) The TRA Rights shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, deposited with the Transfer Agent, as the custodian for the Depository Trust Company, its nominees and successors (the “ Depositary ”), and one or more Direct Registration Securities. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the TRA Rights, the TRA Rights shall initially be issued on the Issue Date in the form of one or more Direct Registration Securities and, during the Initial Holder Restricted Period, such Direct Registration Securities may only be transferred or exchanged for other Direct Registration Securities.

(d) Global Securities

(i) The Global Securities and the Transfer Agent’s certificate of authentication thereof shall be in substantially the forms set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Agreement and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may be required by applicable law or any rule or regulation pursuant thereto, all as may be determined by the Officers executing such Global Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Global Securities. Any portion of the text of any Global Security may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Global Security.

 

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(ii) Each Global Security will represent such of the TRA Rights as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate number of TRA Rights from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate number of TRA Rights represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges thereof.

(iii) Except as provided in clause (d) of Section 6.4 below:

(1) TRA Rights issued to QIBs in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act may be represented by one or more Global Securities in definitive, fully registered, global form (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Securities”) or by Direct Registration Securities;

(2) TRA Rights issued to IAIs in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act may be represented by one or more Global Securities in definitive, fully registered, global form (collectively, the “IAI Global Securities”) or by Direct Registration Securities;

(3) TRA Rights issued to AIs in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act on the Issue Date shall only be represented by Direct Registration Securities; and

(4) TRA Rights issued to Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S may be represented by one or more Global Securities in fully registered, global form (the “Regulation S Global Security” and, collectively with the Rule 144A Global Securities and the IAI Global Securities, the “Global Securities”), which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system (“Euroclear”) or Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme (“Clearstream”), or by Direct Registration Securities.

(iv) The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Security that are held by participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

(v) The Global Securities shall bear the Global Securities Legend. The Global Securities initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of such Depositary, in each case for credit to an account of an Agent Member (as defined below), (ii) be delivered to the Transfer Agent as custodian for such Depositary and (iii) bear the Restricted Securities Legend.

(vi) Members of, or direct or indirect participants in, the Depositary (collectively, the “Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Agreement with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Transfer Agent as its custodian, or under the Global Securities. The Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Transfer Agent and any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent as the absolute owner of the

 

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Global Securities for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Transfer Agent or any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary, or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any TRA Right.

(vii) A Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Securities may be transferred or exchanged for Direct Registration Securities only in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary and the provisions of this Section 6.2(d)(vii) or Section 6.4 . In addition, a Global Security shall be exchangeable for Direct Registration Securities if (x) the Depositary (1) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for such Global Security and the Company thereupon fails to appoint a successor depository or (2) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act or (y) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Material Breach and a request has been made for such exchange; provided that in no event shall the Regulation S Temporary Global Security be exchanged by the Company for Direct Registration Securities prior to (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (y) the receipt by the Security Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act. In all cases, Direct Registration Securities delivered in exchange for any Global Security or beneficial interests therein shall be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary in accordance with its customary procedures.

(viii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, through the Restricted Period, Regulation S Direct Registration Securities (and interests therein) may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of to a U.S. Person (as defined in Regulation S) or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (as defined in Regulation S) unless such sale, transfer or other disposition is made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 6.4 .

(ix) The Holder of any Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Agreement or the TRA Rights.

(e) Direct Registration Securities

(i) The Direct Registration Securities shall be uncertificated and shall be evidenced by the Direct Registration System maintained by the Security Registrar.

(ii) Any Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.4 , be deemed to bear the Restricted Securities Legend.

(iii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement and TRA Rights, but subject to Section 6.9 , in addition to the other transfer restrictions set forth in this Article VI, each Holder agrees by its acceptance of its TRA Rights that, during the Initial

 

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Holder Restricted Period, such Holder shall not directly or indirectly (i) offer, sell contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise transfer or dispose of TRA Rights (or any interest therein) or any security that is substantially similar to TRA Rights to any Person or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the TRA Rights (or any interest therein), whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of TRA Rights or other securities or cash (each such transaction in clauses (i) and (ii) is referred to as a “ transfer ”), except, in each case, to a Permitted Initial Holder Transferee. Any transfer in violation of this subparagraph (iii) shall be deemed void ab initio and the Company and the Transfer Agent shall not recognize such transfer. Upon the completion of any transfer to a Permitted Initial Holder Transferee, such Permitted Initial Holder Transferee shall be deemed to be an Initial Holder for purposes of this Agreement.

(iv) During the Initial Holder Restricted Period, Direct Registration Securities shall be deemed to bear the Initial Holder Restricted Period Legend.

Section 6.3 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating .

(a) The Global Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any Person duly authorized to act on behalf of the Company for such purpose, but need not be attested or notarized. The signature of any such Person may be manual or facsimile.

(b) Global Securities executed by any individual who was, at the time of execution, duly authorized to act on behalf of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individual may have ceased to be so authorized prior to the authentication and delivery of such Global Securities or did not have such authorization at the date of such Global Securities.

(c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company may deliver a Company Order for the authentication, as applicable, and delivery of TRA Rights, and the Transfer Agent, in accordance with such Company Order, shall authenticate, as applicable, and deliver such TRA Rights, as provided in this Agreement and not otherwise, and shall also deliver written confirmation of such authentication and delivery to the Company. In the case of Global Securities, such Company Order shall be accompanied by Global Securities executed by the Company and delivered to the Transfer Agent for authentication in accordance with such Company Order.

(d) Each Global Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

(e) No Global Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Global Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided in Exhibit A duly executed by the Transfer Agent, by manual or facsimile signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon any Global Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Global Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Agreement.

(f) Direct Registration Securities need not be authenticated, and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes and shall entitle each Holder thereof to all benefits of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.4 Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange .

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Securities . A Global Security may not be transferred as a whole except as set forth in Section 6.2(d)(vii) . Global Securities will not be exchanged by the Company for Direct Registration Securities except under the circumstances described in Section 6.2(d)(vii) or Section 6.4(c) . Global Securities also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 6.6 of this Agreement. Beneficial interests in a Global Security may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 6.4(b) or Section 6.4(c) .

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Securities . The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Securities for beneficial interests in the same Global Security or another Global Security shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. Beneficial interests in Transfer Restricted Global Securities shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers and exchanges for beneficial interests in the Global Securities or another Global Security also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Security . Beneficial interests in any Transfer Restricted Global Security may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Transfer Restricted Global Security in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Restricted Securities Legend; provided , however , that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Security may not be made within the United States or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person. A beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Security Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 6.4(b)(i) .

(ii) Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Different Global Securities . In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in any Global Security that is not subject to Section 6.4(b)(i) , the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Security Registrar (in addition to the deliverables set forth in Sections 6.4(b)(iii) or (b)(iv) , as applicable): (1) a written order from an Agent Member given to the Depositary in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Security in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary containing information regarding the Agent Member account to be credited with such increase. Upon

 

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satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Securities contained in this Agreement and the TRA Rights or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Transfer Agent shall adjust the aggregate number of TRA Rights represented by the relevant Global Security pursuant to Section 6.4(g) .

(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Security . A beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Security may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Transfer Restricted Global Security if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 6.4(b)(ii)  above and the Security Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Security, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

(2) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in an IAI Global Security, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto; and

(3) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Security, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Transfer Restricted Global Security for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Security . Following the registration of the resale of any of the TRA Rights under the Securities Act, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Security may be exchanged by any Holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 6.4(b)(ii) above and the Security Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Security proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto; or

(2) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Security proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto,

and, in each such case, if the Company or the Security Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Security Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Securities Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph

 

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(iv) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Security has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an written order of the Company in the form of an Officer’s Certificate in accordance with Section 2.01 , the Transfer Agent shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Securities in an aggregate number of TRA Rights equal to the beneficial interests aggregate number of TRA Rights transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (iv).

(v) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Security for Beneficial Interests in a Transfer Restricted Global Security . Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Security cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Security.

(c) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Securities for Direct Registration Securities . Transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in Global Securities for Direct Registration Securities shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) below, as applicable:

(i) Transfer Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Securities to Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities . If any Holder of a Transfer Restricted Global Security proposes to exchange beneficial interests in such Transfer Restricted Global Security for a Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security or to transfer beneficial interests in such Transfer Restricted Global Security to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security, then, upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of the following documentation:

(1) if the Holder of such Transfer Restricted Global Security proposes to exchange the beneficial interests in such Transfer Restricted Global Security for a Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

(2) if the beneficial interest in such Transfer Restricted Global Security is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

(3) if the beneficial interest in such Transfer Restricted Global Security is being transferred to an IAI in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (2), (4) and (5) herein, a certificate from such holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel, if applicable;

(4) if the beneficial interest in such Transfer Restricted Global Security is being transferred to a Non U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

(5) following registration of the resale of any of the TRA Rights under the Securities Act, if the beneficial interest in such Transfer Restricted Global Security is being transferred pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto; or

(6) if the beneficial interest in such Transfer Restricted Global Security is being transferred to the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

 

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and upon satisfaction of all of the requirements otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Transfer Agent shall adjust the aggregate number of TRA Rights represented by the relevant Global Security pursuant to Section 6.4(g) and the Transfer Agent shall register the exchange or transfer of the Direct Registration Security.

(ii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Securities to Unrestricted Direct Registration Securities . Following the registration of the resale of any of the TRA Rights under the Securities Act, a Holder of a Transfer Restricted Global Security may exchange beneficial interests in such Transfer Restricted Global Security for Unrestricted Direct Registration Security or transfer such Transfer Restricted Global Security to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security only if the Security Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Transfer Restricted Global Security proposes to exchange beneficial interests in such Transfer Restricted Global Security for an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto; or

(2) if the Holder of such Transfer Restricted Global Securities proposes to transfer beneficial interests in such Transfer Restricted Global Security to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto,

and, in each such case, if the Company or the Security Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Security Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Securities Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Securities contained in this Agreement and the TRA Rights or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Transfer Agent shall adjust the aggregate number of TRA Rights represented by the relevant Global Security pursuant to Section 6.4(g) and the Transfer Agent shall register the exchange or transfer of the Direct Registration Security.

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Securities to Unrestricted Direct Registration Securities . A Holder of an Unrestricted Global Security may exchange beneficial interests in such Unrestricted Global Security for an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security or transfer beneficial interests in such Unrestricted Global Security to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Transfer Agent shall

 

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adjust the aggregate number of TRA Rights represented by the relevant Global Security pursuant to Section 6.4(g) and the Transfer Agent shall register the exchange or transfer of the Direct Registration Security.

(iv) Unrestricted Global Securities to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities . An Unrestricted Global Security cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Direct Registration Securities for Beneficial Interests in Global Securities . Transfers and exchanges of Direct Registration Securities for beneficial interests in the Global Securities shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) below, as applicable:

(i) Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Securities . If any Holder of a Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security for a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Security or to transfer such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Security, then, upon receipt by the Security Registrar of the following documentation:

(1) if the Holder of such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security for a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Security, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

(2) if such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

(3) if such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security is being transferred to a Non U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

(4) following the registration of the resale of any of the TRA Rights under the Securities Act, if such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security is being transferred pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

(5) if such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security is being transferred to an IAI in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (2) through (4) above, a certificate from such holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel, if applicable; or

(6) if such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security is being transferred to the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

 

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the Transfer Agent shall cancel the Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security, and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate number of TRA Rights represented by the appropriate Transfer Restricted Global Security.

(ii) Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Securities . Following the registration of the resale of any of the TRA Rights under the Securities Act, a Holder of a Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security may exchange such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security or transfer such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security only if the Security Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto; or

(2) if the Holder of such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities proposes to transfer such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto,

and, in each such case, if the Company or the Security Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Security Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Securities Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this subparagraph (ii), the Transfer Agent shall cancel the Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate number of TRA Rights represented by the Unrestricted Global Security. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (ii) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Security has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an written order of the Company in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, the Transfer Agent shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Securities in an aggregate number equal to the aggregate number of Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (ii).

(iii) Unrestricted Direct Registration Securities to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Securities . A Holder of an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security may exchange such Unrestricted Direct Registration Security for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security or transfer such Unrestricted Direct Registration Security to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Transfer

 

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Agent shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Direct Registration Security and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate number of TRA Rights represented by one of the Unrestricted Global Securities. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iii) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Security has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an written order of the Company in the form of an Officer’s Certificate, the Transfer Agent shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Securities in an aggregate number of TRA Rights equal to the aggregate number of Unrestricted Direct Registration Securities transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (iii).

(iv) Unrestricted Direct Registration Securities to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Securities . An Unrestricted Direct Registration Security cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Security.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Direct Registration Securities for Direct Registration Securities . Upon request by a Holder of Direct Registration Securities and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 6.4(e) , the Security Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Direct Registration Securities. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present to the Security Registrar a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Security Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 6.4(e) .

(i) Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities to Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities . A Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security may be transferred to and registered in the name of a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security if the Security Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

(2) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

(3) following registration of the resale of any of the TRA Rights under the Securities Act, if the transfer will be made pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto;

(4) if the transfer will be made to an IAI in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (1) through (3) above, a certificate in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel, if applicable;

 

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(5) if such transfer will be made to the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto; and

(6) if such transfer will be made during the Initial Holder Restricted Period, the transferor and, if applicable, the transferee must deliver a certificate in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto.

(ii) Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities to Unrestricted Direct Registration Securities . Following the registration of the resale of any of the TRA Rights under the Securities Act, any Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security if the Security Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security for an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto; or

(2) if the Holder of such Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security proposes to transfer such TRA Rights to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security, a certificate from such Holder in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto,

and, in each such case, if the Company or the Security Registrar so request, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Security Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Securities Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii) Unrestricted Direct Registration Securities to Unrestricted Direct Registration Securities . A Holder of an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security may transfer such Unrestricted Direct Registration Security to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security at any time. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Security Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Direct Registration Securities pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(iv) Unrestricted Direct Registration Securities to Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Securities . An Unrestricted Direct Registration Security cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security.

 

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(f) Legend . Each Transfer Restricted Global Security shall bear, and each Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security shall be deemed to bear, a legend in substantially the following form (each defined term in the legend being defined as such for purposes of the legend only) (the “ Restricted Securities Legend ”):

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT: (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), (B) IT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT) (OR, WITH RESPECT TO ANY HOLDER WHO ACQUIRES THIS SECURITY OR AN INTEREST THEREIN FROM AN INITIAL HOLDER (AS DEFINED IN THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT), AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF THE SECURITIES ACT)), OR (C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF THE SECURITIES ACT) WHO DELIVERS A CERTIFICATE TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT IN THE FORM ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT C TO THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) FOLLOWING THE REGISTRATION OF THE RESALE OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE SECURITY REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

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Each Regulation S Global Security shall bear, and each Regulation S Direct Registration Security shall be deemed to bear, the following additional legend:

“BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON, AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

Each Direct Registration Security shall be deemed to bear a legend (the “Initial Holder Restricted Period Legend”) in substantially the following form during the Initial Holder Restricted Period:

THE TRA RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS SECURITY ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS IN THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN TEX ENERGY LLC (THE “COMPANY”) AND AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, AS TRANSFER AGENT. THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT RESTRICTS THE TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE TRA RIGHTS (AND ANY INTEREST THEREIN) DURING THE INITIAL HOLDER RESTRICTED PERIOD (AS DEFINED IN THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT), SUBJECT TO THE SPECIFIED EXCEPTIONS IN THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS IN THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT DURING THE INITIAL HOLDER RESTRICTED PERIOD. ANY TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE TRA RIGHTS (OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN) IN VIOLATION OF SUCH RESTRICTIONS SHALL BE DEEMED VOID AB INITIO AND THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT SHALL NOT RECOGNIZE ANY SUCH TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION.

(g) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Security . At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Security have been exchanged for Direct Registration Securities or a particular Global Security has been repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, such Global Security will be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Security Registrar in accordance with Section 6.7 . At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Security is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Security or for Direct Registration Securities, the aggregate number of TRA Rights represented by such Global Security will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Security by the Security Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Security Registrar to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Security, such other Global Security will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Security by the Security Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Security Registrar to reflect such increase.

 

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(i) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of TRA Rights .

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate Global Securities upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with Section 6.4 or at the Security Registrar’s request.

(ii) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Security or to a Holder of a Direct Registration Security for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 10.7(b) .

(v) All Global Securities and Direct Registration Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Securities or Direct Registration Securities will be the valid securities of the Company, evidencing the same rights, and entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement, as the Global Securities or Direct Registration Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(vi) The Transfer Agent will authenticate Global Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.3 .

(vii) The Transfer Agent shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Security, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the TRA Rights or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such TRA Rights. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to the Holders under the TRA Rights shall be given or made only to the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Security). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Transfer Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners. The Transfer Agent shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Agreement or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any TRA Right (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Agreement, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

Section 6.5 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen TRA Rights.

(a) If (i) any mutilated Global Security is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, or (ii) the Company and the Transfer Agent receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Global Security, and there is delivered to the Company and the

 

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Transfer Agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Transfer Agent that such Global Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and, upon delivery of a Company Order, the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for any such mutilated Global Security or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Global Security, a new TRA Right, in the form of either a Global Security or a Direct Registration Security, of like tenor and amount of TRA Rights, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

(b) Every new TRA Right issued pursuant to this Section 6.5 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Global Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Global Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all benefits of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all other TRA Rights duly issued hereunder.

(c) The provisions of this Section 6.5 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Global Securities.

Section 6.6 Persons Deemed Owners . Prior to the time of due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company, the Transfer Agent and any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent may treat the Person in whose name any TRA Right is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such TRA Right for the purpose of receiving payment on such TRA Right and for all other purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company, the Transfer Agent nor any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

Section 6.7 Cancellation . All TRA Rights surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered by a Holder to the Company, be delivered to the Transfer Agent and shall be promptly cancelled by it. In addition, the Company may at any time deliver to the Transfer Agent for cancellation any Global Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Global Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Transfer Agent. No TRA Rights shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any TRA Rights cancelled as provided in this Section 6.7 , except as expressly permitted by this Agreement. All cancelled Global Securities held by the Transfer Agent shall be destroyed and a certificate of destruction shall be issued by the Transfer Agent to the Company, unless otherwise directed by a Company Order.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the TRA Rights, if the Company receives any TRA Rights pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreements, the Company shall deliver such TRA Rights to the Transfer Agent for cancellation as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter and shall not be entitled to any TRA Payment in respect of such TRA Rights. Any cash returned to the Transfer Agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreements in respect of such cancelled TRA Rights shall be distributed to the Holders pro rata on the date that the next TRA Payment is made.

 

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Section 6.8 CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc . The Company in issuing the TRA Rights may use CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers (if then generally in use), and, in such case, the Transfer Agent shall use CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers in notices to the Holders as a convenience to the Holders; provided , that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the TRA Rights or as contained in any notices and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the TRA Rights, and any such notice shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Transfer Agent of any change in any applicable CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers.

Section 6.9 Escrow Agreements . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or the TRA Rights, (i) the Company may issue the TRA Rights to TCEH on the Issue Date, (ii) TCEH shall be deemed to be in compliance with the deemed representation in clause (1) of the Restricted Securities Legend and (iii) the TRA Rights may be placed into the Escrow Accounts and distributed in accordance with the Escrow Agreements without compliance with Section 6.2(e)(iii) or the Initial Holder Restricted Period Legend included on the TRA Rights.

ARTICLE VII

THE TRANSFER AGENT

Section 7.1 Certain Duties and Responsibilities .

(a) With respect to the Holders, the Transfer Agent, prior to the occurrence of Material Breach and after the curing or waiving of any Material Breach which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and no implied covenants shall be read into this Agreement against the Transfer Agent. In case a Material Breach of this Agreement has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Transfer Agent shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Agreement, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(b) In the absence of bad faith on its part, prior to the occurrence of a Material Breach and after the curing or waiving of any Material Breach which may have occurred, the Transfer Agent may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon attestations, reports, certificates or opinions furnished to the Transfer Agent which conform to the requirements of this Agreement; but in the case of any such attestations, reports, certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Transfer Agent, the Transfer Agent shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Agreement.

(c) No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to relieve the Transfer Agent from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that (i) this Section 7.1(c)  shall not be construed to limit the effect of Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) ; (ii) the Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any error

 

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of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Transfer Agent was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and (iii) the Transfer Agent 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 or exercising any power conferred upon the Transfer Agent, under this Agreement.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Agreement relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Transfer Agent shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.1 .

Section 7.2 Certain Rights of the Transfer Agent . Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1 , including the duty of care that the Transfer Agent is required to exercise upon the occurrence of a Material Breach:

(a) the Transfer Agent may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, attestation, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, approval, appraisal or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties and the Transfer Agent need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document;

(b) any request or direction or order of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution, and the Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith reliance thereon;

(c) whenever in the administration of this Agreement the Transfer Agent shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Transfer Agent (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate, and the Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith reliance thereupon or upon an Opinion of Counsel;

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

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

(f) the Transfer Agent shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, attestation, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, appraisal or other paper or document, but the Transfer Agent in its discretion may make such further inquiry or investigation into such

 

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facts or matters as it may see fit, and if the Transfer Agent shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, as necessary for such inquiry or investigation at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation other than as a result of Transfer Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct;

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

(h) the Transfer Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered 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 Agreement;

(i) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Transfer Agent, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

(j) in no event shall the Transfer Agent be responsible or liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Transfer Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;

(k) the Transfer Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of any breach of this Agreement or Material Breach unless a Responsible Officer of the Transfer Agent has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice thereof has been received by such Responsible Officer at the offices of the Transfer Agent and such notice references the TRA Rights and this Agreement and the fact that such notice constitutes notification of a breach of this Agreement or Material Breach. In the absence of such notice, the Transfer Agent may conclusively assume there is no Material Breach except as aforesaid;

(l) the Transfer Agent shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder;

(m) the permissive rights of the Transfer Agent enumerated in this Agreement shall not be construed as duties hereunder; and

(n) in no event shall the Transfer Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities or communications services; it being understood that the Transfer Agent shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

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Section 7.3 Not Responsible for Recitals . The Recitals contained herein and in any Global Securities or other certificates representing the TRA Rights, except the Transfer Agent’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Transfer Agent assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Transfer Agent makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Agreement or of the TRA Rights.

Section 7.4  May Hold TRA Rights . The Transfer Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of TRA Rights, and may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Transfer Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

Section 7.5 Money Held in Trust . Money held by the Transfer Agent in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by applicable law. The Transfer Agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder.

Section 7.6 Compensation and Reimbursement . The Company agrees:

(a) to pay to the Transfer Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in such amount as the Company and the Transfer Agent shall agree from time to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law or regulation in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Transfer Agent upon its request for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Transfer Agent in accordance with any provision of this Agreement (including the reasonable and documented compensation and the reasonable and documented expenses and disbursements of its third-party agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to the Transfer Agent’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct; and

(c) to indemnify the Transfer Agent and each of its agents, officers, directors and employees for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense (including reasonable and documented attorney’s fees and expenses) incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

The Company’s obligations pursuant to this Section 7.6 shall survive the termination of this Agreement. When the Transfer Agent incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Material Breach specified in Section 8.1(a)(iv) or 8.1(a)(v) with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under bankruptcy laws.

 

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Section 7.7 Corporate Transfer Agent Required; Eligibility . There shall at all times be a Transfer Agent hereunder which has a combined capital and surplus of at least fifty million dollars ($50,000,000). If the Transfer Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to applicable law or the requirements of a supervising or examining authority, then for purposes of this Section 7.7 , the combined capital and surplus of the Transfer Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Transfer 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 hereinafter specified in this ARTICLE VII .

Section 7.8 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor .

(a) No resignation or removal of the Transfer Agent and no appointment of a successor Transfer Agent pursuant to this ARTICLE VII shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Transfer Agent under Section 7.9 .

(b) The Transfer Agent, or any transfer agent or transfer agents hereafter appointed, may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Transfer Agent shall not have been delivered to the Transfer Agent within thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Transfer Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Transfer Agent.

(c) The Transfer Agent may be removed at any time by written notice of a Majority of the Holders delivered to the Transfer Agent and to the Company.

(d) If at any time:

(i) the Transfer Agent shall cease to be eligible under Section 7.7 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder, or

(ii) the Transfer Agent shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Transfer Agent or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Transfer Agent or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (x) the Company, by a Board Resolution, may remove the Transfer Agent, or (y) any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder for at least six (6) months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Transfer Agent and the appointment of a successor Transfer Agent.

(e) If the Transfer Agent shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Transfer Agent for any cause, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Transfer Agent. If, within one year after any removal by a Majority of the Holders, a successor Transfer Agent shall be appointed by act of a Majority of the Holders delivered to the Company and the retiring Transfer Agent, the successor Transfer Agent so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such

 

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appointment in accordance with Section 7.10 , become the successor Transfer Agent and supersede the successor Transfer Agent appointed by the Company. If no successor Transfer Agent shall have been so appointed by the Company or a Majority of the Holders and accepted appointment within sixty (60) days after the retiring Transfer Agent tenders its resignation or is removed, the retiring Transfer Agent may (at the expense of the Company), or, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder for at least six (6) months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Transfer Agent. If any Transfer Agent is removed with or without cause, all fees and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of such Transfer Agent incurred in performing its duties hereunder) shall be paid to such Transfer Agent.

(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Transfer Agent and each appointment of a successor Transfer Agent to the Holders as set forth in Section 10.15 . Each notice shall include the name and address of the successor Transfer Agent. If the Company fails to send such notice within ten (10) days after acceptance of appointment by a successor Transfer Agent, it shall not be a breach under this Agreement but the successor Transfer Agent shall cause the notice to be delivered at the expense of the Company.

Section 7.9 Acceptance of Appointment of Successor .

(a) Every successor Transfer Agent appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Transfer Agent an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Transfer Agent shall become effective and such successor Transfer Agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Transfer Agent; but, upon request of the Company or the successor Transfer Agent, such retiring Transfer Agent shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Transfer Agent all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Transfer Agent, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Transfer Agent all property and money held by such retiring Transfer Agent pursuant to this Agreement. Upon request of any such successor Transfer Agent, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Transfer Agent all such rights, powers and duties.

(b) No successor Transfer Agent shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Transfer Agent shall be qualified and eligible under this ARTICLE VII .

Section 7.10 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business . Any corporation into which the Transfer Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Transfer Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the transfer agent business of the Transfer Agent, by sale or otherwise shall be the successor of the Transfer Agent hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this ARTICLE VII , without the execution or filing of any paper or

 

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any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any TRA Rights shall have been authenticated, but not delivered by the Transfer Agent then in office, any successor by merger, conversion, sale or consolidation to such authenticating Transfer Agent may adopt such authentication and deliver the TRA Rights so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Transfer Agent had itself authenticated such TRA Rights; and such certificate of authentication shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the TRA Rights or in this Agreement provided that a certificate of authentication of the Transfer Agent shall have; provided , that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Transfer Agent shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

ARTICLE VIII

REMEDIES OF THE TRANSFER AGENT AND HOLDERS

ON OCCURRENCE OF A MATERIAL BREACH

Section 8.1 Material Breach Defined .

(a) “ Material Breach ” with respect to the TRA Rights means each one of the following events which shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Material Breach and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(i) failure by the Company to make any TRA Payment within thirty (30) days of the date that such payment is required to be made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (taking into account Section 4.2 );

(ii) material default in the performance, or breach in any material respect, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in respect of the TRA Rights (other than a covenant or warranty in respect of the TRA Rights, a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 8.1 specifically dealt with);

(iii) failure by the Company for one hundred twenty (120) days, after written notice given by the Transfer Agent or the Acting Holders (with a copy to the Transfer Agent) to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements under Section 5.4 ;

(iv) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (1) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or all or substantially all of their property or assets, under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or (2) the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, conservator, trustee, sequestrator, or similar official for the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially all of their property or assets and, in any such case, such proceeding, petition, or appointment shall continue undismissed or stayed for sixty (60) consecutive days or an order for relief approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(v) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the institution of, or fail to contest, any proceeding or petition described in Section 8.1(a)(iv) , or apply for or consent to the appointment of, or taking possession by, a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, conservator, trustee, sequestrator or similar official for the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for a substantial part of their property or assets, or file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, or make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors.

 

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(b) In the case of a Material Breach pursuant to Sections 8.1(a)(iv) or (v) , all amounts payable under the TRA Rights, including the Termination Payment in accordance with Section 2.3(e) , shall automatically become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other notice of any kind, all of which are waived by the Company and its Substantial Subsidiaries.

(c) If a Material Breach occurs and is continuing, and is not cured by the Company pursuant to Section 8.3 (if applicable) or waived by the Holders as described in Section 8.4 , then, and in each and every such case, either the Transfer Agent or the Transfer Agent at the direction of the Acting Holders shall bring suit to protect the rights of the Holders, including to obtain payment for any amounts then due and payable, which amounts shall bear interest at the Default Rate as described in Section 4.1 until payment is made to the Transfer Agent.

Section 8.2 Notice of Breach .

(a) The Transfer Agent shall transmit to the Holders notice in accordance with Section 10.15 of all breaches which have occurred and are known to the Transfer Agent (including any breach the Transfer Agent is notified of by the Company pursuant to Section 8.2(b) ), such notice to be transmitted promptly after the occurrence thereof, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term “breach” for the purposes of this Section 8.2 being hereby defined to mean any event or condition which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would become, a Material Breach); provided , that except in the case of default in the payment of the any TRA Payment pursuant to Section 8.1(a)(i) , the Transfer Agent shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, and/or Responsible Officers of the Transfer Agent in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

(b) The Company shall promptly notify the Transfer Agent of all Material Breaches which have occurred and are known to the Company, unless such Material Breaches shall have been cured before the giving of such notice.

(c) The Transfer Agent shall promptly notify the Company of all breaches which have occurred and are known to the Transfer Agent (including any breach the Transfer Agent is notified of by the Acting Holders pursuant to Section 8.2(d) , but excluding any breach the Transfer Agent is notified of by the Company pursuant to Section 8.2(b) ), unless, to

 

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the Transfer Agent’s knowledge, such breaches shall have been cured before the giving of such notice; provided , that except in the case of default in the payment of the any TRA Payment pursuant to Section 8.1(a)(i) , the Transfer Agent shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, and/or Responsible Officers of the Transfer Agent in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

(d) The Acting Holders may notify the Transfer Agent of breaches which have occurred and are known to such Acting Holders.

Section 8.3 Cure Period . If a Material Breach (other than a Material Breach pursuant to Sections 8.1(a)(i) , (iv)  or (v) ) is cured by the Company within ninety (90) days of (i) receiving written notice of such breach from the Transfer Agent pursuant to Section 8.2(c) or (ii) providing notice of such breach to the Transfer Agent pursuant to Section 8.2(b) , then the Company, the Transfer Agent and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder as if such Material Breach did not occur.

Section 8.4 Waiver of Past Breaches . In the case of a Material Breach, the Majority of the Holders by written notice to the Transfer Agent and the Company may waive any such Material Breach and its consequences. In the case of any such waiver, such Material Breach shall be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred, and the Company, the Transfer Agent and the Holders shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Material Breach or impair any right consequent therefrom.

Section 8.5 Collection by the Transfer Agent .

(a) The Company covenants that in case a Material Breach occurs and is continuing, and is not cured pursuant to Section 8.3 (if applicable) or waived pursuant to Section 8.4 , the Company will pay to the Transfer Agent for the benefit of the Holders the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all TRA Rights (with interest at the Default Rate as described in Section 4.1 , including the Termination Payment in accordance with Section 2.3(e)); and in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation to the Transfer Agent and each predecessor Transfer Agent, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and any expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Transfer Agent and each predecessor Transfer Agent, except as a result of its (or its respective agents, attorneys and counsel) gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

(b) The Transfer Agent may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Transfer Agent shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Agreement or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other remedy; provided , that the Transfer Agent shall seek specific performance of this Agreement (instead of recovery of amounts due and owing hereunder) only at the direction of a Majority of the Holders.

 

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

(d) In any judicial proceedings relative to the Company upon the TRA Rights, irrespective of whether any amount is then due and payable with respect to the TRA Rights, the Transfer Agent is authorized:

(i) to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount owing and unpaid in respect of the TRA Rights, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Transfer Agent (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Transfer Agent and each predecessor Transfer Agent, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Transfer Agent and each predecessor Transfer Agent, except as a result of gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct) and of the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company upon the TRA Rights, or to their respective property;

(ii) unless prohibited by and only to the extent required by applicable law, to vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or Person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings; and

(iii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of the Holders and of the Transfer Agent on their behalf; and any trustee, receiver, or liquidator, custodian or other similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make payments to the Transfer Agent, and, in the event that the Transfer Agent shall consent to the making of payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Transfer Agent such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Transfer Agent, each predecessor Transfer Agent and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Transfer Agent and each predecessor Transfer Agent, except as a result of its bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct, and all other amounts due to the Transfer Agent or any predecessor Transfer Agent pursuant to Section 7.6 . To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements, advances and other amounts out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied 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, monies, securities and other property which the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.

(iv) Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Transfer Agent to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the TRA Rights, or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Transfer Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding except, as aforesaid, to vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar Person.

 

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(e) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Agreement, or under any of the TRA Rights, may be enforced by the Transfer Agent without the possession of any of the TRA Rights or the production thereof and any trial or other proceedings instituted by the Transfer Agent shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment, subject to the payment of the expenses, disbursements and compensation of the Transfer Agent, each predecessor Transfer Agent and their respective agents and attorneys, shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders.

(f) In any proceedings brought by the Transfer Agent (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement to which the Transfer Agent shall be a party) the Transfer Agent shall be held to represent all the Holders, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders parties to any such proceedings.

Section 8.6 Application of Proceeds . Any monies collected by the Transfer Agent pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII in respect of any TRA Rights shall be applied in the following order at the date or dates fixed by the Transfer Agent:

(a) FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses in respect of which monies have been collected, including reasonable compensation to the Transfer Agent and each predecessor Transfer Agent and their respective agents and attorneys and of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Transfer Agent and each predecessor Transfer Agent, except as a result of its bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct, and all other amounts due to the Transfer Agent or any predecessor Transfer Agent pursuant to Section 7.6 ;

(b) SECOND: To the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the TRA Rights, with interest at the Default Rate on all such amounts as described in Section 4.1 (which shall be distributed by the Transfer Agent to each Holder based on such Holder’s Ownership Percentage at the time of such payment (or on an applicable record date established by the Board of the Company)) and in case such monies shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the TRA Rights, then to the payment of such amounts without preference or priority of any TRA Right over any other TRA Rights, ratably to the aggregate of such amounts due and payable; and

(c) THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto.

Section 8.7 Suits for Enforcement . In case a Material Breach occurs and is continuing, and is not cured pursuant to Section 8.3 (if applicable) or waived pursuant to Section 8.4 , the Transfer Agent may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Agreement by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Transfer

 

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Agent shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Transfer Agent by this Agreement or by law; provided , that the Transfer Agent shall seek specific performance of this Agreement (instead of recovery of amounts due and owing hereunder) only at the direction of a Majority of the Holders.

Section 8.8  Restoration of Rights . In case the Transfer Agent or any Holder shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Agreement and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined adversely to the Transfer Agent or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company and the Transfer Agent and the Holders shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Transfer Agent and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.

Section 8.9 Limitations on Suits by Holders . No Holder shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Agreement to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise upon or under or with respect to this Agreement, or for the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Transfer Agent a written notice specifying a Material Breach, and of the continuance thereof, and unless also the Acting Holders shall have made written request upon the Transfer Agent to institute such action or proceedings in its own name as trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Transfer Agent such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Transfer Agent for fifteen (15) days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action or proceeding and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Transfer Agent pursuant to Section 8.12 . For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 8.9 , each and every Holder and the Transfer Agent shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

Section 8.10 Unconditional Right of Holders . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement and any provision of any TRA Right, the right of any Holder to receive payment of the amounts payable in respect of its TRA Right on or after the respective due dates expressed in such TRA Right, 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.

Section 8.11 Powers and Remedies .

(a) Except as provided in Section 8.9 , no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Transfer Agent or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

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(b) No delay or omission of the Transfer Agent or of any Holder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Material Breach occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Material Breach or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to Section 8.9 , every power and remedy given by this Agreement or by law to the Transfer Agent or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Transfer Agent or by the Holders.

Section 8.12 Control by Holders .

(a) The Acting Holders (or, if there are multiple groups of Acting Holders, the group of Acting Holders whose members have the largest aggregate Ownership Percentage) shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Transfer Agent, or exercising any power conferred on the Transfer Agent with respect to the TRA Rights by this Agreement; provided , that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Agreement; provided , further , that subject to the provisions of Section 7.1 , the Transfer Agent shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Transfer Agent, being advised by counsel, shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Transfer Agent in good faith by its board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Transfer Agent shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Transfer Agent in personal liability or if the Transfer Agent in good faith shall so determine that the actions or forbearances specified in or pursuant to such direction would be unduly prejudicial to the interests of Holders not joining in the giving of said direction.

(b) Nothing in this Agreement shall impair the right of the Transfer Agent in its discretion to take any action deemed proper by the Transfer Agent and which is not inconsistent with such direction or directions by Holders.

Section 8.13 Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs . All parties hereto agree, and each Holder by its acceptance of its TRA Rights 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 Agreement or in any suit against the Transfer Agent for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as the Transfer Agent, 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 attorney’s fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 8.13 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Transfer Agent, to any suit instituted by the Acting Holders or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of any TRA Payment on or after the Payment Date of such TRA Payment.

 

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ARTICLE IX

SUBORDINATION OF THE TRA RIGHTS

Section 9.1 Agreement to Subordinate in Right of Payment . The Company agrees, and each Holder by accepting a TRA Right agrees, that the obligation evidenced by the TRA Rights is and shall be subordinated and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this ARTICLE IX , to the prior payment in full in cash of all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. The TRA Rights shall rank (a) pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future Pari Passu Indebtedness of the Company and all other obligations of the Company that do not constitute Indebtedness of the Company and (b) senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company, and only Indebtedness of the Company that is Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall rank senior to the TRA Rights in accordance with the provisions set forth herein. For purposes of this Agreement, the Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to have been paid in full until the Discharge of Senior Indebtedness shall have occurred.

Section 9.2 Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy . Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property:

(a) holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of such Senior Indebtedness (including interest accruing after, or which would accrue but for, the commencement of any such proceeding at the rate specified in the applicable Senior Indebtedness, whether or not a claim for such interest would be allowed) before Holders of the TRA Rights shall be entitled to receive any payment on the TRA Rights; and

(b) until the Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full in cash, any payment or distribution to which the Holders would be entitled but for this ARTICLE IX shall be made to holders of such Senior Indebtedness as their interests may appear.

Section 9.3 Default on Senior Indebtedness . The Company shall not pay any amounts payable under the TRA Rights for so long as:

(a) a payment default on Senior Indebtedness of the Company occurs and is continuing;

(b) the maturity of any series of Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been accelerated due to the occurrence of an event of default in accordance with its terms; or

(c) any other default occurs and is continuing on any series of Senior Indebtedness of the Company that permits holders of that series of Senior Indebtedness to accelerate its maturity and the Transfer Agent receives a notice of such default from a representative of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

 

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Section 9.4 Notice of Termination Payment . If a Termination Payment becomes due as a result of a Material Breach pursuant to Section 2.3(e) , the Company shall, to the extent not otherwise filed with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system or otherwise publicly announced, promptly notify the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the Company (or their representative) in accordance with the applicable agreements evidencing such Senior Indebtedness.

Section 9.5 When Distribution Must be Paid Over . If a distribution is made to the Holders that because of this ARTICLE IX should not have been made to them, the Holders who receive the distribution shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

Section 9.6 Subrogation . Each Holder agrees that no payment or distribution to any holder of Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall entitle such Holder to exercise any right of subrogation in respect thereof until the Discharge of Senior Indebtedness. A distribution made under this ARTICLE IX to holders of such Senior Indebtedness that otherwise would have been made to the Holders is not, as between the Company and the Holders, a payment by the Company on such Senior Indebtedness.

Section 9.7 Relative Rights . This ARTICLE IX defines the relative rights of the Holders and holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company. Nothing in this Agreement shall:

(a) impair, as between the Company and the Holders, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the Holders all amounts owed under this Agreement in accordance with its terms; or

(b) prevent the Transfer Agent or any Holder from exercising its available remedies upon a Material Breach, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to receive distributions otherwise payable to the Holders.

Section 9.8 Company May Not Impair Subordination . No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to enforce the payment subordination of amounts owed to Holders shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by the Company or any Holder or by the failure of the Company or any Holder to comply with this Agreement.

Section 9.9 Waiver . Each Holder hereby waives promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the TRA Rights and this and any requirement that any holder of Senior Indebtedness protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or lien or any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against the Company or any other person or entity or any collateral.

Section 9.10 In Furtherance of Subordination . The Holders agree as follows:

(a) If any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property is commenced, (i) the holders of Senior Indebtedness are hereby irrevocably authorized and empowered (in their own names or in

 

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the name of each Holder or otherwise), but shall have no obligation, to demand, sue for, collect and receive every payment or distribution with respect to the TRA Rights and give acquittance therefor and to file claims and proofs of claim and take such other action (including voting the TRA Rights or enforcing any security interest or other lien securing payment of the TRA Rights) as they may deem necessary or advisable for the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights or interests of any such Holder of Senior Indebtedness; and (ii) each Holder shall duly and promptly take such action as the holders of Senior Indebtedness may request (A) to collect the TRA Rights for the account of the holders of Senior Indebtedness and to file appropriate claims or proofs or claim in respect of the TRA Rights, (B) to execute and deliver to the holders of Senior Indebtedness such powers of attorney, assignments, or other instruments as the holders of Senior Indebtedness may request in order to enable the holders of Senior Indebtedness to enforce any and all claims with respect to, and any security interests and other liens securing payment of, the TRA Rights, and (C) to collect and receive any and all payments or distributions which may be payable or deliverable upon or with respect to the TRA Rights.

(b) All payments or distributions upon or with respect to the TRA Rights which are received by any Holder contrary to the provisions of this ARTICLE IX shall be received for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness, shall be segregated from other funds and property held by such Holder and shall be forthwith paid over to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in the same form as so received (with any necessary indorsement) to be applied (in the case of cash) to, or held as collateral (in the case of non-cash property or securities) for, the payment or prepayment of the Senior Indebtedness.

(c) The holders of Senior Indebtedness are hereby authorized to demand specific performance of the provisions of this ARTICLE IX , at any time when any Holder shall have failed to comply with any of the provisions of this ARTICLE IX applicable to it. Each Holder hereby irrevocably waives any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law, which might be asserted as a bar to such remedy of specific performance.

(d) In any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall have the exclusive right to exercise any voting rights in respect of the claims of any Holder against the Company with respect to the TRA Rights.

(e) If, at any time, all or part of any payment with respect to any of the Senior Indebtedness theretofore made (whether by the Company or any other Person or enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise) is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any of the holders of Senior Indebtedness for any reason whatsoever (including the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or such other Persons), the subordination provisions set forth in this ARTICLE IX shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, all as though such payment had not been made.

(f) None of the Holders shall object to any claim or motion for relief from the automatic stay filed by any holder of Senior Indebtedness or to the entry of any order or orders approving any cash collateral stipulations, adequate protection stipulations, debtor-in-possession financing arrangement, credit bid, sale or similar stipulations or agreement executed by (or consented to by) the holders of Senior Indebtedness in any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property.

 

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Section 9.11 Obligations Hereunder Not Affected . All rights and interests of the holders of Senior Indebtedness, and all agreements and obligations of each Holder under this ARTICLE IX , shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

(a) any amendment, extension, renewal, compromise, discharge, acceleration or other change in the time for payment or the terms of the Senior Indebtedness or any part thereof;

(b) any taking, holding, exchange, enforcement, waiver, release, failure to perfect, sell or otherwise dispose of any security for payment of any Senior Indebtedness or any guarantee thereof;

(c) the application of security and directing the order or manner of sale thereof as the holders of any Senior Indebtedness in their sole discretion may determine;

(d) the release or substitution of one or more of any endorsers or other guarantors of any of any Senior Indebtedness;

(e) the taking of, or failure to take any action which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of the Company or which, but for this Section 9.11 might operate as a discharge of the Company;

(f) any right to proceed against the Company, proceed against or exhaust any security for any Senior Indebtedness, or pursue any other remedy in the power of any holder or Senior Indebtedness, whatsoever;

(g) any benefit of and any right to participate in any security now or hereafter held by any holder of Senior Indebtedness, and

(h) to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all other defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by applicable law limiting the liability of or exonerating guarantors or sureties.

This ARTICLE IX shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Senior Indebtedness is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any holder of Senior Indebtedness upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

 

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ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.1 Notices . All notices hereunder shall be deemed given if in writing and delivered, if sent by electronic mail, courier, or registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the following addresses (or at such other addresses as shall be specified by like notice):

If to the Company, to:

TEX Energy LLC

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Andrew M. Wright

Email: awright@energyfutureholdings.com

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2100 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1100

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Robert B. Little, Esq.

Email: RLittle@gibsondunn.com

If to the Transfer Agent, to:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

6201 15 th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

Attention: Corporate Trust Department

Email:

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

48 Wall Street, 22 nd Floor

New York, New York 10005

Attn: Legal Department

Email: legalteamAST@amstock.com

Any party hereto may notify any other party hereto of any changes to the address or any of the other details specified in this paragraph; provided , that such notification shall only be effective on the date specified in such notice or five (5) Business Days after the notice is given, whichever is later. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because of changed address of which no notice was given shall be deemed to be receipt of the notice as of the date of such rejection, refusal or inability to deliver.

Section 10.2 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or portable document format (PDF) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of any such Agreement.

Section 10.3 Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the Exhibits hereto constitute the entire agreement and supersedes the TRA Term Sheet and all other prior

 

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agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, in the case of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any other agreement or the TRA Term Sheet, the terms of this Agreement shall control. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person, other than the parties hereto and the Holders, any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 10.4 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof that would mandate the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

Section 10.5 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be declared judicially to be invalid, unenforceable or void, such decision shall not have the effect of invalidating or voiding the remainder of this Agreement, it being the intent and agreement of the parties hereto that this Agreement shall be deemed amended by modifying such provision to the extent necessary to render it valid, legal, and enforceable to the maximum extent permitted while preserving its intent or, if such modification is not possible, by substituting therefor another provision that is valid, legal, and enforceable and that achieves the original intent of the parties hereto.

Section 10.6 Amendments; Waivers .

(a) Amendments Without Consent of Holders .

(i) Without the consent of any Holders or the Transfer Agent, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more amendments hereto or to the TRA Rights, to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein as provided in Section 10.7 .

(ii) Without the consent of any Holders, the Company and the Transfer Agent, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more amendments hereto or to the TRA Rights, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the TRA Rights;

(2) to add to the covenants of Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as its Board of Directors and the Transfer Agent shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a breach of any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Material Breach permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Agreement as herein set forth; provided , that in respect of any such

 

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additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such amendment may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such a Material Breach or may limit the remedies available to the Transfer Agent upon such a Material Breach or may limit the right of the Acting Holders to waive such a Material Breach;

(3) to cure any ambiguity, or to correct or supplement any provision herein or in the TRA Rights which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein; provided , that such amendment shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect;

(4) to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement; provided , that such amendment shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect;

(5) (x) if required under applicable law or regulation, including to make any changes necessary to conform to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 or (y) following the registration of the resale of any of the TRA Rights under the Securities Act to remove any of the transfer restrictions described in Article VI or the TRA Rights as determined by the Company to be no longer necessary to maintain compliance with the Securities Act; or

(6) to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of the Holders.

Promptly following any amendment of this Agreement or the TRA Rights in accordance with this Section 10.6 , the Transfer Agent shall notify the Holders of such amendment; provided , that any failure so to notify the Holders shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

(b) Amendments with Consent of Holders . With the consent of the Majority of the Holders, such consent delivered to the Company or the Transfer Agent, the Company (when authorized by a Board Resolution), at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more amendments hereto or to the TRA Rights for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Agreement or the TRA Rights or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under this Agreement or the TRA Rights (including Section 3.3 and the definitions used therein (prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control) and Section 5.8 and the definitions used therein); provided , however , that no such amendment shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding TRA Right affected thereby:

(i) modify in a manner adverse to the Holders (A) any provision contained herein with respect to the termination of this Agreement or the TRA Rights, or (B) the amount of any payment to be made to the Holders pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise extend (or have the effect of extending) the time for payment of the amounts payable in respect of the TRA Rights or reduce (or have the effect of reducing) the amounts payable in respect of the TRA Rights (except as provided above with respect to Section 3.3 , Section 5.8 and the definitions used therein);

 

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(ii) reduce the number of TRA Rights, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such amendment; or

(iii) modify any of the provisions of this Section 10.6 , except to increase the percentage of Holders from whom consent is required or to provide that certain other provisions of this Agreement cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each TRA Right affected thereby.

It shall not be necessary for any act of Holders under this Section 10.6 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such act shall approve the substance thereof.

(c) Execution of Amendments . In executing any amendment permitted by this Section 10.6 , the Transfer Agent (subject to Section 7.1 ) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Agreement. The Transfer Agent shall execute any amendment authorized pursuant to this Section 10.6 if the amendment does not adversely affect the Transfer Agent’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Agreement or otherwise. Otherwise, the Transfer Agent may, but need not, execute such amendment.

(d) Effect of Amendments; Notice to Holders .

(i) Upon the execution of any amendment under this Section 10.6 , this Agreement and the TRA Rights shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such amendment shall form a part of this Agreement and the TRA Rights for all purposes; and every Holder of TRA Rights theretofore or thereafter authenticated, as applicable, and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

(ii) Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Transfer Agent of any amendment pursuant to the provisions of this Section 10.6 , the Company shall notify the Transfer Agent of the general terms of such amendment. Any failure of the Company to notify the Transfer Agent, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment. Upon the execution of any amendment under this Section 10.6 , this Agreement and the TRA Rights shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such amendment shall form a part of this Agreement and the TRA Rights for all purposes; and every Holder of TRA Rights theretofore or thereafter authenticated, as applicable, and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

(e) Reference in TRA Rights to Amendments . If an amendment changes the terms of a TRA Right, the Transfer Agent may require the Holder of the TRA Right to deliver any certificate representing such TRA Right to the Transfer Agent. Global Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment pursuant to this Section 10.6 may, and shall if required by the Transfer Agent, bear a notation in form approved by the Transfer Agent as to any matter provided for in such amendment. If the Company shall so determine, new certificates representing the TRA Rights so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Transfer Agent and the Board of Directors, to any such amendment may be prepared and executed by Company, as applicable, and authenticated, as applicable, and

 

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delivered by the Transfer Agent in exchange for Outstanding TRA Rights. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new TRA Right shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

(f) No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective.

Section 10.7 Successors; Assignment.

(a) All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. The Company may assign this Agreement only with the prior written consent of the Transfer Agent and the Majority of the Holders; provided , that such consent shall not be necessary if (i) the assignee is a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) the Company remains subject to its obligations and covenants hereunder (including its obligation to make the TRA Payments).

(b) The Company covenants that it will not merge or consolidate with or into any other Person or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, unless, (i) the Company shall be the continuing Person, or the successor Person or the Person which acquires by sale or conveyance substantially all the assets of the Company (including the shares of the Company) shall be a Person organized under the laws of the U.S. or any state thereof and shall expressly assume by an instrument supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Transfer Agent, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Transfer Agent, the due and punctual payment of the TRA Rights, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Agreement to be performed or observed by the Company, and (ii) the Company, or such successor Person, as the case may be, shall not, immediately after such merger or consolidation, or such sale or conveyance, be in default in the performance of any such covenant or condition. The Transfer Agent shall receive an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, and any such assumption, and any such liquidation or dissolution, complies with the applicable provisions of this Agreement. Upon the sale or conveyance of substantially all the assets of the Company in accordance with this Section 10.7(b), the successor Person or Persons into which the Company is merged or to which such sale or conveyance is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Agreement with the same effect as if such Person had been named as the Company herein, and the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Agreement and the TRA Rights and may be liquidated and dissolved.

If an amendment changes the terms of a TRA Right, the Transfer Agent may require the Holder of such TRA Right to deliver it to the Transfer Agent. Global Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment pursuant to this Section 10.6 may, and shall if required by the Transfer Agent, bear a notation in form approved by the Transfer Agent as to any matter provided for in such amendment. If the Company shall so determine, new TRA Rights so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Transfer Agent and the Board, to any such amendment may be prepared and executed by Company, as applicable, and authenticated, as

 

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applicable, and delivered by the Transfer Agent in exchange for TRA Rights. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new TRA Right shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

Section 10.8 Titles and Subtitles . The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.

Section 10.9 Withholding . The Transfer Agent shall not deduct or withhold from any payment payable pursuant to this Agreement. The Company (by itself or through the Transfer Agent) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as the Company is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or any provision of state or local tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority by the Company, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Holders. The Company (through the Transfer Agent) shall provide evidence of such payment to the Holders to the extent that such evidence is available.

Section 10.10 Affiliated Corporations; Admission of the Company into a Consolidated Group; Transfers of Corporate Assets .

(a) If the Company is or becomes a member of an affiliated or consolidated group of corporations that files a consolidated income tax return pursuant to Sections 1501 et seq. of the Code (other than if the Company becomes a member of such a group as a result of a Change of Control, in which case the provisions of Section 3.3 shall control), then: (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall be applied with respect to the group as a whole; and (ii) TRA Payments shall be computed with reference to the consolidated taxable income of the group as a whole.

(b) If any entity that is obligated to make a TRA Payment hereunder transfers one or more assets to a corporation (or a Person taxable as a corporation for U.S. income tax purposes) with which such entity does not file a consolidated tax return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code or any corresponding provisions of state or local law, such entity, for purposes of calculating the amount of any TRA Payment (e.g., calculating the gross income of the entity and determining the Realized Tax Benefit of such entity) due hereunder, shall be treated as having disposed of such asset in a fully taxable transaction on the date of such transfer. The consideration deemed to be received by such entity shall be equal to the fair market value of the contributed asset. For purposes of this Section 10.10 , a transfer of a partnership interest shall be treated as a transfer of the transferring partner’s share of each of the assets and liabilities of that partnership.

Section 10.11 Interpretation . The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement, and in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

 

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Section 10.12 Compliance and Opinions .

(a) Upon any application or request by the Company to the Transfer Agent to take any action under any provision of this Agreement, the Company shall furnish to the Transfer Agent an Officer’s Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signor, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Agreement relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating, subject to customary exceptions, that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that, in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Agreement relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

(b) Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Agreement shall include: (i) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 10.13 Form of Documents Delivered to Transfer Agent .

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

(b) Any certificate or opinion of an Officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an Officer or Officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company.

(c) Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Agreement, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 10.14 Acts of Holders .

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Agreement to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by

 

69


such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Transfer Agent and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Agreement and (subject to Section 7.1 ) conclusive in favor of the Transfer Agent and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 10.14 . The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted under this Agreement, which date shall be, and shall be announced, no greater than sixty (60) and no less than ten (10) days prior to the date of such vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted under this Agreement.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Transfer Agent deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of TRA Rights shall be proved by the Transfer Agent. The Company shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

(d) At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Transfer Agent, as provided in this Section 10.14 , of the taking of any action by the Holders specified in this Agreement in connection with such action, any Holder of a TRA Right the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included among the serial numbers of the TRA Rights the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the office of the Transfer Agent and upon proof of holding as provided in this Section 10.14 , revoke such action so far as concerns such TRA Right. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any TRA Right shall bind every future Holder of the same TRA Right or the Holder of every TRA Right issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of anything done, suffered or omitted to be done by the Transfer Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such TRA Right.

Section 10.15 Notice to Holders; Waiver . Where this Agreement provides for notice to Holders, such notice shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register or delivered to the Transfer Agent who will promptly transmit such notice to the Depositary in accordance with its procedures, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Agreement provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Transfer Agent, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver

 

70


Section 10.16 No Recourse Against Others . A director, officer or employee, as such, of the Company or the Transfer Agent shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Transfer Agent under the TRA Rights or this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a TRA Right each Holder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the TRA Rights.

Section 10.17 Certain Purchases and Sales . Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates from acquiring TRA Rights in open market transactions, private transactions or otherwise; provided , that the Company shall disclose the number of TRA Rights it has acquired during any quarterly or annual period in the applicable quarterly or annual report for such period provided pursuant to Section 5.4 .

Section 10.18 No Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act . This Agreement is not qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and the Trust Indenture Act shall not apply to or in any way govern the terms of this Agreement. As a result, no provisions of the Trust Indenture Act are incorporated into this Agreement unless expressly incorporated pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 10.19 Effective Time . This Agreement shall become effective at the Effective Time.

[Signature page follows]

 

71


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Transfer Agent have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

TEX ENERGY LLC
By:  

/s/ David D. Faranetta

Name:   David D. Faranetta
Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as Transfer Agent
By:  

/s/ Michael A. Nespoli

Name:   Michael A. Nespoli
Title:   Executive Director

[Signature Page to Tax Receivable Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF GLOBAL SECURITY]

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT (THE “ AGREEMENT ”) HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY OR A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF. THIS SECURITY IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE AGREEMENT, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE AGREEMENT.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR DIRECT REGISTRATION SECURITIES, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“ DTC ”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

[Restricted TRA Rights Legend]

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT: (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT), (B) IT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT) (OR, WITH RESPECT TO ANY HOLDER WHO ACQUIRES THIS SECURITY OR AN INTEREST THEREIN FROM AN INITIAL

 

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HOLDER (AS DEFINED IN THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT), AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF THE SECURITIES ACT)), OR (C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF THE SECURITIES ACT) WHO DELIVERS A CERTIFICATE TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT IN THE FORM ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT C TO THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT FOLLOWING THE REGISTRATION OF THE RESALE OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE SECURITY REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

[Restricted Securities Legend for TRA Rights Offered in Reliance on Regulation S]

“BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON, AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

[Restricted Legend for Direct Registration Securities during the

Initial Holder Restricted Period]

THE TRA RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS SECURITY ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS IN THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN TEX ENERGY LLC (THE “COMPANY”) AND AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC, AS TRANSFER AGENT. THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT RESTRICTS THE TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE TRA RIGHTS (AND ANY INTEREST THEREIN) DURING THE INITIAL HOLDER RESTRICTED PERIOD (AS DEFINED IN THE TAX RECEIVABLE

 

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AGREEMENT), SUBJECT TO THE SPECIFIED EXCEPTIONS IN THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER AGREES THAT IT WILL COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS IN THE TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT DURING THE INITIAL HOLDER RESTRICTED PERIOD. ANY TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF THE TRA RIGHTS ( OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN) IN VIOLATION OF SUCH RESTRICTIONS SHALL BE DEEMED VOID AB INITIO AND THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT SHALL NOT RECOGNIZE ANY SUCH TRANSFER, SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION.

TEX Energy LLC

 

No.

  

Certificate for

  

TRA Rights

CUSIP    872261 110   

This certifies that Cede & Co., or registered assigns (the “ Holder ”), is the registered holder of the number of TRA Rights (“ TRA Rights ”) set forth above. Each TRA Right entitles the Holder, subject to the provisions contained herein and in the Agreement referred to on the reverse hereof, to payments from TEX Energy LLC, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in amounts and in the forms determined pursuant to the provisions set forth on the reverse hereof and as more fully described in the Agreement referred to on the reverse hereof.

Payment of any amounts pursuant to this TRA Right certificate shall be made only to the registered Holder (as defined in the Agreement) of this TRA Right certificate. Such payment shall be made in [    ], or at any other office or agency maintained by the Company, through the Transfer Agent referred to on the reverse hereof for such purpose, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts; provided , however , that the Company may pay such amounts by wire transfer or check payable in such money.

No Holder of this TRA Right certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of common stock or any other securities of the Company, nor shall anything contained in the Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the Holders hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to the stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold any consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this TRA Right set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been duly executed by the Transfer Agent referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this TRA Right certificate shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Agreement, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

A-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated:  
TEX Energy LLC
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

A-4


[Form of Reverse of TRA Right certificate]

 

1. Incorporated Terms . This TRA Right certificate is issued under and in accordance with the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016 (the “ Agreement ”), between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited liability trust company, as Transfer Agent (the “ Transfer Agent ,” which term includes any successor Transfer Agent under the Agreement), and is subject to the terms and provisions contained in the Agreement, to all of which terms and provisions the Holder of this TRA Right certificate consents by acceptance hereof. The Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. Reference is hereby made to the Agreement for a full statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties, obligations and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Transfer Agent and the Holders. All capitalized terms used in this TRA Right certificate without definition shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement. Copies of the Agreement can be obtained by contacting the Transfer Agent. By acceptance of the TRA Right certificate, the Holder consents to all the terms and provisions hereof including the terms and provisions of the Agreement incorporated by reference herein.

 

2. Payment . The Company (which shall include any successor thereto in accordance with the Agreement) promises to pay to the Holder hereof, for each TRA Right represented hereby, its proportionate share of each TRA Payment at the times and in the manner set forth in the Agreement.

 

3. Method of Payment . The Company shall deposit each TRA Payment with the Transfer Agent by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account of the Transfer Agent previously designated by the Transfer Agent to the Company. The Transfer Agent shall thereafter promptly forward a proportionate amount of such TRA Payment to each record Holder (including the Depositary, as applicable) entitled to receive such pursuant to this Agreement.

 

4. Conflicts . In the event of any conflict between this TRA Right certificate and the Agreement, the Agreement shall govern and prevail.

 

5. Currency of Payment . The TRA Payments, if any, and interest thereon, if any, shall be payable by the Company in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts; provided , however , that the Company may pay such amounts by its check or wire transfer payable in such money.

 

6. Obligation to Pay Unconditional . No reference herein to the Agreement and no provision of this TRA Right certificate or of the Agreement shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay any amounts determined pursuant to the terms hereof and of the Agreement at the times, place and amount, and in the manner, herein prescribed.

 

7.

Transfer Agent Office . As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of the TRA Rights represented by this TRA Right certificate is

 

A-5


  registrable on the Security Register, upon surrender of this TRA Right certificate for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company maintained, through the Transfer Agent, for such purpose in New York, New York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new TRA Right certificates or Direct Registration Securities, for the same amount of TRA Rights, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. The Company hereby initially designates the office of the Transfer Agent at New York, New York as the office for registration of transfer of this TRA Right certificate.

 

8. Transfer and Exchange . As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, this TRA Right certificate is exchangeable for one or more TRA certificates or Direct Registration Securities representing the same number of TRA Rights as represented by this TRA Right certificate as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

 

9. Service Charge . No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of TRA Rights, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes or other governmental charges payable in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 10.7(b) of the Agreement.

 

10. Registered Holder Deemed Owner . Prior to the time of due presentment of this TRA Right certificate for registration of transfer, the Company, the Transfer Agent and any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent may treat the Person in whose name this TRA Right certificate is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and neither the Company, the Transfer Agent nor any agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

11. Amendment, Supplement, Waiver . The Company and the Transfer Agent may, without the consent of the Holder, amend, waive or supplement the Agreement or this certificate for certain specified purposes as set forth in the Agreement, including among other things the curing of ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies, or making any other changes that does not adversely affect the interests of the Holders. In addition, as set forth in the Agreement, certain other amendments may be made with the consent of the Majority of the Holders.

 

12. Successors . When a successor assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Agreement and the TRA Rights in compliance with Section 10.7 of the Agreement, the predecessor Company will be released from such obligations.

 

13. Defaults and Remedies . A Material Breach is defined in the Agreement. Holders may not enforce the TRA Rights or the Agreement except as provided in the Agreement. The Transfer Agent may require reasonable indemnity to it before it enforces the TRA Rights or the Agreement.

 

14. Governing Law . The Agreement and this TRA Rights certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York.

 

15. Other . Neither the Company nor the Transfer Agent has any duty or obligation to the holder of this TRA Right certificate, except as expressly set forth herein or in the Agreement.

 

A-6


TRANSFER AGENT’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Global Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Agreement.

 

    AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC
Dated:     By  

 

      Authorized Signatory

 

A-7


[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITY]

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

The initial number of TRA Rights represented by this Global Security is                     . The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

   Amount of decrease in
aggregate number of
TRA Rights represented
by this Global Security
     Amount of increase in
aggregate number of
TRA Rights represented
by this Global Security
     Number following such
decrease or increase
     Signature of authorized
signatory of Transfer

Agent
 
           
           
           
           
           

 

A-8


EXHIBIT B

CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR

REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF TRA RIGHTS

This certificate relates to                      TRA Rights (check applicable space)                      held in the Direct Registration System or                      held in a Global Security by the undersigned.

 

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer or exchange:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

  (a) ☐    a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) ☐    Rule 144A Global Security that is a Transfer Restricted Global Security (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (ii) ☐    IAI Global Security that is a Transfer Restricted Global Security (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (iii) ☐    Regulation S Global Security that is a Transfer Restricted Global Security (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (b) ☐    a Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security.

2. The Transferor, by written order, has requested the Transfer Agent deliver the following, which the Transferee will hold after such transfer or exchange:

 

  (a) ☐    a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) ☐    Rule 144A Global Security that is a Transfer Restricted (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (ii) ☐    IAI Global Security that is a Transfer Restricted (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (iii) ☐    Regulation S Global Security that is a Transfer Restricted (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (iv) ☐    an Unrestricted Global Security (CUSIP             ), or

 

  (b) ☐    a Transfer Restricted Direct Registration Security, or

 

  (c) ☐    an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security,

in accordance with the terms of the TRA.

 

B-1


In connection with any transfer or exchange of any of the TRA Rights evidenced by this certificate, the undersigned confirms that such TRA Rights are being transferred or exchanged in accordance with its terms:

1. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Security or a Direct Registration Security Pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Direct Registration Security is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Direct Registration Security for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A (a “ QIB ”) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the TRA, the transferred beneficial interest or Direct Registration Security will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restricted Securities Legend applicable to the Rule 144A Global Security and/or the Direct Registration Security and in the TRA and the Securities Act.

2. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Security or a Direct Registration Security pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (y) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (z) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed Transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the Transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person (as such is defined in Regulation S) or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an initial purchaser of the Securities). Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the TRA, the transferred beneficial interest or Direct Registration Security will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restricted Securities Legend applicable to the Regulation S Global Security and/or the Direct Registration Security and in the TRA and the Securities Act.

3. Check if Transferee is an institutional accredited investor who will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Security or a Direct Registration Security in their capacity as an IAI. The Transfer is being effected inside the United States pursuant to and in accordance Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act to an “institutional accredited investor” (within

 

B-2


the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) of the Securities Act) that is not also a qualified institutional buyer, that purchases for its own account or for the account of an institutional accredited investors to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and that has furnished to the Company and the Transfer Agent a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements in the form of Exhibit C to the Tax Receivable Agreement. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the TRA, the transferred beneficial interest or Direct Registration Security will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restricted Securities Legend applicable to the IAI Global Security and/or the Direct Registration Security and in the TRA and the Securities Act.

4. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security or of an Unrestricted Direct Registration Security in circumstances other than those set forth above.

(a) Check if Transfer is to the Company or a Subsidiary thereof. Such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof.

(b) Check if Transfer is pursuant to an Effective Registration Statement. Such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

(c) Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144 and following registration under the Securities Act. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at a time after registration of any of the TRA Rights under the Securities Act, and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the TRA and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the TRA and the Restricted Securities Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the TRA, the transferred beneficial interest or Direct Registration Security will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restricted Securities Legend applicable to the Restricted Global Securities, on Restricted Direct Registration Securities and in the TRA and the Securities Act.

(d) Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the TRA and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the TRA and the Restricted Securities Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the TRA, the transferred beneficial interest or Direct Registration Security will no longer be subject to the restrictions on

 

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transfer enumerated in the Restricted Securities Legend applicable to the Restricted Global Securities, on Restricted Direct Registration Securities and in the TRA and the Securities Act.

(e) Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the TRA and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the TRA and the Restricted Securities Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the TRA, the transferred beneficial interest or Direct Registration Security will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restricted Securities Legend applicable to the Restricted Global Securities or Restricted Direct Registration Securities and in the TRA.

5. Check if the undersigned is transferring to the Security Registrar for registration in the name of the holder or beneficial owner of an interest in a Global Holder, without transfer.

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Transfer Agent will refuse to register any of the TRA Rights evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered holder thereof; provided , however , that to the extent set forth in the TRA, the Company or the Transfer Agent may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the TRA Rights, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company or the Transfer Agent have reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

Date:   

 

   Your Signature:   

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this TRA Right.

Signature Guarantee:

 

Date:   

 

    

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Transfer Agent      Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

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TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (1) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this TRA Right for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “ qualified institutional buyer ” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Date:  

 

   

 

NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

[FORM OF TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION]

TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION

[TEX ENERGY LLC]

[c/o [    ]

Attention: [    ]]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of [            ] rights (the “ TRA Rights ”) under the Tax Receivable Agreement entered into by and between TEX Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively with its successors and assigns, the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited liability trust company, as transfer agent.

Upon transfer, the TRA Rights would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:

 

Name:    
Address:  

 

Taxpayer ID Number:  

 

The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

1. We are an institutional “ accredited investor ” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”)), who is not also a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act), purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “ accredited investor ” TRA Rights with a purchase price of at least $100,000, and we are acquiring the TRA Rights not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the TRA Rights, and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the TRA Rights in the normal course of our business. We, and any accounts for which we are acting, are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

2. We understand that the TRA Rights have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing TRA Rights to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such TRA Rights only (a) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (b) in the United States to a person whom we reasonably believe is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144(A), (c) in the United States to a person who is

 

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an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) in reliance upon an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, (d) outside the United States in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (e) pursuant to the exemption from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144 thereunder (if applicable) following the registration of the resale of any of the TRA Rights under the Securities Act, or (f) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each of cases (a) through (f) in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. In addition, we will, and each subsequent holder is required to, notify any purchaser of the TRA Right evidenced hereby of the resale restrictions set forth above. If any resale or other transfer of the TRA Rights is proposed to be made to an institutional “ accredited investor ”, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Company and the Transfer Agent, which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “ accredited investor ” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act and that it is acquiring such TRA Rights for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act. Each purchaser acknowledges that the Company and the Transfer Agent reserve the right prior to the offer, sale or other transfer pursuant to clause 2(c), 2(d) and (e) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications or other information satisfactory to the Company and the Transfer Agent.

 

Dated:  

 

     
      TRANSFEREE:                                                                                ,
      By:  

 

 

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EXHIBIT D

CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR

REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF TRA RIGHTS DURING THE INITIAL HOLDER

RESTRICTED PERIOD

This certificate relates to the transfer of [            ] 1 TRA Rights held in the Direct Registration System by the [            ] (the “Transferor”) to [            ] (the “Transferee”).

In connection with such transfer, the Transferor confirms that such TRA Rights are being transferred or exchanged in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”) by and between TEX Energy LLC and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (including Section 6.2(e)(iii) thereof).

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

The Transferee is:

 

(1)      An Affiliate of the Transferor or any investment fund, fund or account that is advised, managed or controlled by the Transferor or its Affiliates;
(2)      The successor entity to the Transferor;
(3)      Another Initial Holder;
(4)      A third party lender (or an agent thereof) that acquires the TRA Rights upon the foreclosure of a security interest granted to secure a bona fide loan or other financing;
(5)      The Company or a subsidiary thereof;
(6)      If the Transferor is an individual, an immediate family member of the Transferor or a trust, limited liability company, partnership or corporation for the direct or indirect benefit of the Transferor or the immediate family of the Transferor;
(7)      If the Transferor is an individual, the estate of such Transferor, a beneficiary of such estate or a beneficiary of such Transferor pursuant to a trust, will or other testamentary document or applicable laws of descent; or
(8)      Any other Person that the Company has approved of in writing

 

1   Insert amount of TRA Rights to be transferred.

 

D-1


Transferor:

 

Name:  

 

     
Date:  

 

    Your Signature:  

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this TRA Right.

 

Signature Guarantee (of Transferor):

 

Date:  

 

   

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Transfer Agent     Signature of Signature Guarantee

If the Transferee is not an Initial Holder, it must provide the information set forth below and sign and deliver this certificate to the Company and the Transfer Agent.

By its execution of this certificate, the Transferee hereby agrees to be bound by all of the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement and the TRA Rights applicable to Holders and Initial Holders (including Section 6.2.(e)(iii) of the Tax Receivable Agreement).

Transferee:

 

Name:  

 

     
Date:  

 

    Your Signature:  

 

 

Signature Guarantee (of Transferee):

 

Date:  

 

   

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Transfer Agent     Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

D-2


EXHIBIT E

[FORM OF ACCOUNTANT ATTESTATION]

[Letterhead of Accountant]

[Payment Date]

TEX Energy LLC

ATTN: Chief Financial Officer

[Address]

Dear Chief Financial Officer:

Reference is made to the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016, entered into by and between TEX Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited liability trust company, as Transfer Agent (the “ Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

We have examined the Company’s assertion, included in the accompanying Management Report, that the Company properly computed the [Annual Tax Payment for the [    ] Subject Taxable Year in accordance with Section 2.1 of the Agreement] / [Additional Tax Payment for the [    ] Subject Taxable Year in accordance with Section 2.2] of the Agreement] / [Termination Payment in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Agreement] / [Termination Payment in respect of a Material Breach in accordance with Section 2.3 of the Agreement] / [Termination Payment in respect of a Change of Control in accordance with Section 3.3 of the Agreement]. The Company is responsible for its assertion. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s assertion based on our examination.

Our examination was conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and, accordingly, included examining, on a test basis, evidence about the Company’s calculation and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our examination provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Our examination does not provide a legal determination on the Company’s compliance with the Agreement.

In our opinion, the Company’s assertion that it calculated such TRA Payment in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement is fairly stated, in all material respects.

 

 

 

E-1


EXHIBIT F

[FORM OF DEFERRAL ATTESTATION]

[Letterhead of TEX Energy LLC]

[Payment Date]

[Transfer Agent]

[Address]

Dear Sir or Madam:

Reference is made to the Tax Receivable Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016, entered into by and between TEX Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited liability trust company, as Transfer Agent (the “ Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

The [Annual Tax Payment for the [    ] Subject Taxable Year] / [Additional Tax Payment for the [    ] Subject Taxable Year] / [Termination Payment in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Agreement] / [Termination Payment in respect of a Material Breach] / [Termination Payment in respect of a Change of Control] of $[        ] is otherwise due and owing on the date hereof.

I hereby attest that [state specific facts that prevent payment].

In light of such facts, pursuant to Section 4.2(a) of the Agreement, the Company is deferring [all of] / [$[        ] of] such TRA Payment.

 

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:   [Authorized officer]

 

F-1

Exhibit 10.14

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

BY AND AMONG

ENERGY FUTURE HOLDINGS CORP.,

ENERGY FUTURE INTERMEDIATE HOLDING COMPANY LLC,

EFIH FINANCE INC.,

EFH MERGER CO., LLC

AND

TEX ENERGY LLC

DATED AS OF OCTOBER 3, 2016


Table of Contents

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I Definitions

     3   

Section 1.01

  

General

     3   

Section 1.02

  

Construction

     11   

Section 1.03

  

References to Time

     11   

ARTICLE II Preparation, Filing, and Payment of Taxes Shown Due on Tax Returns

     11   

Section 2.01

  

Tax Returns

     11   

Section 2.02

  

Tax Return Procedures

     11   

Section 2.03

  

Straddle Period Tax Allocation

     13   

Section 2.04

  

Allocation of Taxes

     13   

Section 2.05

  

Allocation of Separation-Related Taxes

     15   

Section 2.06

  

Audits/Redeterminations

     15   

Section 2.07

  

Expenses

     16   

Section 2.08

  

Timing of Payments

     16   

ARTICLE III Indemnification

     16   

Section 3.01

  

Indemnification by the Reorganized EFH Entities

     16   

Section 3.02

  

Indemnification by the Reorganized TCEH Entities

     16   

Section 3.03

  

Characterization of and Adjustments to Payments

     16   

Section 3.04

  

Timing of Indemnification Payments

     17   

Section 3.05

  

Exclusive Remedy

     17   

Section 3.06

  

No Duplicative Payment

     17   

ARTICLE IV Refunds, Timing Differences, and Tax Attributes

     17   

Section 4.01

  

Refunds

     17   

Section 4.02

  

Timing Differences

     18   

ARTICLE V Tax Proceedings

     18   

Section 5.01

  

Notification of Tax Proceedings

     18   

Section 5.02

  

Tax Proceeding Procedures

     18   

Section 5.03

  

Consistency

     19   

ARTICLE VI Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment

     19   

Section 6.01

  

Restrictions Relating to the Distribution

     19   

ARTICLE VII Cooperation

     22   

Section 7.01

  

General Cooperation

     22   

Section 7.02

  

Retention of Records

     22   

Section 7.03

  

Failure to Perform

     23   

ARTICLE VIII Provisions of EFH Plan; Enforcement

     23   

Section 8.01

  

Provisions of EFH Plan

     23   

Section 8.02

  

Enforcement

     23   

 

i


ARTICLE IX Miscellaneous

     24   

Section 9.01

  

Governing law

     24   

Section 9.02

  

Dispute Resolution

     24   

Section 9.03

  

Tax Sharing Agreements

     25   

Section 9.04

  

Interest on Late Payments

     25   

Section 9.05

  

Survival of Covenants

     25   

Section 9.06

  

Severability

     25   

Section 9.07

  

Entire Agreement

     25   

Section 9.08

  

Assignment

     25   

Section 9.09

  

No Third Party Beneficiaries

     25   

Section 9.10

  

Performance

     26   

Section 9.11

  

Amendments; Waivers

     26   

Section 9.12

  

Interpretation

     26   

Section 9.13

  

Counterparts

     26   

Section 9.14

  

Confidentiality

     26   

Section 9.15

  

Waiver of Jury Trial

     26   

Section 9.16

  

Jurisdiction; Service of Process

     27   

Section 9.17

  

Notices

     27   

Section 9.18

  

Headings

     30   

Section 9.19

  

Effectiveness

     30   

Section 9.20

  

Further Assurances

     30   

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

 

ii


TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

This TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October 3, 2016 (the “ TCEH Effective Date ”), is entered into by and among Energy Future Holdings Corp., a Texas Corporation (“ EFH ”), Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (“ EFIH ”), EFIH Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ EFIH Finance ”), and TEX Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company that is either (a) an indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of EFH in the Spin-Off (as defined below) or (b) an entity newly formed by a designee of the TCEH Supporting First Lien Creditors in the Taxable Separation (as defined below) (“ Reorganized TCEH ”), and EFH Merger Co., LLC (“ Merger Sub ”), a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned Subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc., a Florida corporation (“ Parent ”) (Merger Sub, together with EFH, EFIH, and EFIH Finance, the “ EFH Parties ”, and the EFH Parties, together with Reorganized TCEH, the “ Parties ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS , on April 29, 2014 EFH and certain entities in which it holds an equity interest (collectively, the “ Debtors ”) commenced chapter 11 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “ Bankruptcy Court ”) by filing voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101-1532 (the “ Bankruptcy Code ”), which chapter 11 cases are being jointly administered and are captioned In re Energy Future Holdings Corp., et al., Case No. 14-10979 (CSS) (the “ Chapter 11 Cases ”);

WHEREAS , the Bankruptcy Court has approved the restructuring of the Debtors pursuant to the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Energy Future Holdings Corp., et al. , Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code [D.I. 9199] (as amended, the “ Plan ”);

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan, Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC (“ TCEH ”), a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of EFH, and its direct and indirect subsidiaries will be restructured pursuant to (a) certain transactions required to achieve and preserve the Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment (as defined below), including the Contribution, the Reorganized TCEH Conversion, the Distribution, and the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale (each, as defined below, and collectively, the “ Spin-Off ”) or (b) certain transactions required to achieve and preserve the Taxable Separation Intended Tax Treatment (as defined below) (the “ Taxable Separation ”);

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan, in the event the Spin-Off occurs, TCEH (a) formed Reorganized TCEH as a new subsidiary of TCEH before the TCEH Effective Date and (b) formed TEX Preferred LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Preferred Stock Entity ”) as a new subsidiary of TCEH before the TCEH Effective Date;

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan, in the event the Spin-Off occurs, on the TCEH Effective Date, except for liabilities assumed by Reorganized TCEH pursuant to the Plan, all other Claims against the TCEH Debtors will be canceled in connection with the Distribution (as defined below);

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan, in the event the Spin-Off occurs, pursuant to the Separation Agreement, (a) TCEH will transfer all of TCEH’s interests in its subsidiaries (excluding the stock of TCEH Finance, Inc. (“ TCEH Finance ”)) to Reorganized TCEH; and (b) the EFH Debtors will transfer (i) the equity interests in the Reorganized EFH Shared Services Debtors (or with the consent of TCEH and the TCEH Supporting First Lien Creditors, the assets and liabilities of the Reorganized EFH Shared Services Debtors related to the TCEH Debtors’ operations) and (ii) with the consent of TCEH and the TCEH Supporting First

 

1


Lien Creditors, certain other assets, liabilities, and equity interests related to the TCEH Debtors’ operations (including the equity interests of non-Debtor EFH Properties Company or the lease for the Debtors’ corporate headquarters at “Energy Plaza” held by EFH Properties Company (but not including any cash on hand at EFH Properties Company, which shall be transferred to EFH)), in exchange for which TCEH shall receive (i) 100% of the Reorganized TCEH membership interests and (ii) the net Cash proceeds of the New Reorganized TCEH Debt (or at the TCEH Supporting First Lien Creditors’ election, all or a portion of such New Reorganized TCEH Debt) (together, the “ Contribution ”);

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan, in the event the Spin-Off occurs, immediately following the Contribution but before the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale (as defined below), the Preferred Stock Entity will convert from a Delaware limited liability company to a Delaware corporation (the “ Preferred Stock Entity Conversion ”);

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan, in the event the Spin-Off occurs, immediately following the Preferred Stock Entity Conversion but before the Reorganized TCEH Conversion (as defined below), and consistent with the procedures in Exhibit G of the Original Plan Support Agreement, as modified in certain respects with respect to determination and consent rights: (a) Reorganized TCEH will contribute the equity in the Contributed TCEH Debtors, or, potentially, certain assets or joint interests in certain assets, to the Preferred Stock Entity (such contribution to the Preferred Stock Entity of such equity and, potentially such assets, in an amount that is expected to result in the Basis Step-Up) in exchange for (i) the Preferred Stock Entity’s common stock and (ii) the Reorganized TCEH Sub Preferred Stock; (b) immediately thereafter, and pursuant to a prearranged and binding agreement, Reorganized TCEH will sell all of the Reorganized TCEH Sub Preferred Stock to one or more third party investors in exchange for Cash; provided, however, that Holders of TCEH First Lien Claims shall not be permitted to purchase the Reorganized TCEH Sub Preferred Stock; and (c) Reorganized TCEH will distribute such Cash to TCEH to fund recoveries under the Plan (together, the “ Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale ”);

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan, in the event the Spin-Off occurs, immediately following the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale, Reorganized TCEH shall convert from a Delaware limited liability company into a Delaware corporation (the “ Reorganized TCEH Conversion ”);

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan, in the event the Spin-Off occurs, immediately following the Reorganized TCEH Conversion, TCEH will make a Pro Rata distribution of the Reorganized TCEH Common Stock and the net Cash proceeds, if any, of the New Reorganized TCEH Debt and the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale received in the Contribution to Holders of Allowed TCEH First Lien Claims (the “ Distribution ”);

WHEREAS , each of EFCH, TCEH, TCEH Finance, and certain other entities, including certain of EFH’s direct and indirect Subsidiaries will be dissolved and liquidated in accordance with and to the extent provided in the Plan (including, if applicable, the Taxable Separation Memorandum) and applicable law and EFH’s direct and indirect equity interests in certain of its other Subsidiaries (other than EFIH and the Oncor Entities (as defined below)) will either be (a) cancelled or abandoned or (b) reinstated, in either case pursuant to and in accordance with the Plan;

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan and the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 29, 2016, by and among EFH, EFIH, Parent and Merger Sub (as amended on September 18, 2016, and from time to time, the “ Merger Agreement ”), EFH will merge with and into Merger Sub following the Distribution (and other interim transactions) (the “ Merger ”), with Merger Sub surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent;

WHEREAS , it is intended that, if the Spin-Off occurs, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (a) the Contribution, the Reorganized TCEH Conversion and the Distribution will qualify as a “reorganization”

 

2


within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(G), 355, and 356 of the Code, (b) the contribution described in clause (a) of the definition of the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale will be treated as a taxable sale of the assets of the Preferred Stock Entity pursuant to Section 1001 of the Code resulting in the Basis Step-Up (together with clause (a), the “ Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment ” and, together with the Taxable Separation Intended Tax Treatment (as defined below), the “ Intended Tax Treatment ”), and (c) the Merger is intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and is not intended to cause the Spin-Off to fail to qualify for the Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment;

WHEREAS , if the Taxable Separation occurs, such Taxable Separation shall occur pursuant to the Taxable Separation Memorandum, such Taxable Separation is intended to include the transactions required or advisable to cause the TCEH Debtors to directly or indirectly transfer all of their assets to Reorganized TCEH (or one or more of its subsidiaries) in a transaction that is intended to be treated as a taxable sale or exchange pursuant to Section 1001 of the Code and not (in whole or in part) as a tax-free transaction (under Section 368 of the Code or otherwise) (the “ Taxable Separation Intended Tax Treatment ”);

WHEREAS , the Parties wish to (a) provide for the payment of Tax liabilities and entitlement to refunds thereof, allocate responsibility for, and cooperation in, the filing and defense of Tax Returns, and provide for certain other matters relating to Taxes and (b) set forth certain covenants and indemnities relating to the preservation of the Intended Tax Treatment;

WHEREAS , Reorganized TCEH is entering into this Agreement, in part, because Holders of the TCEH First Lien Claims, including, significantly, the TCEH First Lien Ad Hoc Committee, will not agree to support the Plan without the protections provided for and represented by this Agreement; and

WHEREAS , this Agreement has been approved by the Bankruptcy Court and will be effective upon the Distribution. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall govern.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of these premises, and of the representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

Section 1.01 General . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings.

Accounting Firm ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02 .

Additional Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale Tax ” means (i) an amount (but not less than zero) equal to fifty percent (50%) of U.S. federal alternative minimum tax liability (including any adjustments pursuant to a Final Determination), if any, that results from the limitation on the utilization of the net operating losses to offset gain recognized from the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale under Section 56(d)(1)(A) of the Code, plus (ii) an amount (but not less than zero) equal to the regular Income Tax liability (and any corollary state and local Tax liability) (excluding any alternative minimum Tax) of the EFH Group in its taxable year in which the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale is consummated and attributable to the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale, calculated by determining the excess of (a) the EFH Group tax liability (determined, for the avoidance of doubt, by taking into account the gain on the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale (including any adjustments pursuant to a Final Determination)) over (b) the EFH Group tax liability (including any adjustments pursuant

 

3


to a Final Determination), assuming the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale did not occur and the Spin-Off was consummated without the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale; provided , that for purposes of such calculation, it shall be assumed that (w) in the event of a Tax-Free Transaction Failure described in Section 2.05(a) or Section 2.05(b) , such Tax-Free Transaction Failure shall be ignored, and therefore (1) the Contribution, the Reorganized TCEH Conversion and Distribution shall be treated as qualifying for clause (a) of the definition of the Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment, and (2) the EFH Group shall be treated as recognizing no gain because of the application of Sections 355(d) or 355(e) of the Code to the Distribution, (x) the “consolidated year” (within the meaning of Section 1503(e)(2)(B) of the Code) ended on the Distribution Date, (y) the EFH Group recognized no income, gain, loss or deduction as a result of transactions occurring outside the ordinary course of business in the taxable year that contains the Distribution Date (other than (1) Specified Tax Items (if any) attributable to any Historical TCEH Entity and (2) items directly resulting from other transactions expressly contemplated by the Plan, solely to the extent the Plan relates to the Reorganized TCEH Entities and to EFH Properties Company and EFH Shared Services Debtors to the extent that assets thereof (rather than equity interests therein) are transferred), and (z) the Agreed Tax Attributes shall be as reported on the EFH Group’s Tax Return as originally filed, but adjusted to take into account any adjustments pursuant to any Final Determination, (1) any disallowances or increases of such Agreed Tax Attributes (or the component items of loss or deduction thereof) and (2) any utilization of such Agreed Tax Attributes arising out of items of income or gain allocable to any Historical TCEH Entity (other than any such utilization attributable to a Tax-Free Transaction Failure (other than as a result of a Reorganized TCEH Breach)); provided, further, that in the event of a Tax-Free Transaction Failure described in Section 2.05(a) , the amount described in this clause (ii) shall not exceed such amount determined as if clause (w) above did not apply.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person; provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Affiliates of EFH shall be deemed to exclude the Reorganized TCEH Entities following the Distribution.

Agreed Tax Attributes ” means 100% of the aggregate amount of net losses, net operating losses, and net capital losses (but only to the extent such net capital losses are deductible under applicable tax law against gain recognized on the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale) (in each case, including carryovers), available to the EFH Group as of the Distribution Date (determined (a) as if the “consolidated year” (within the meaning of Section 1503(e)(2)(B) of the Code) of the EFH Group ended on the Distribution Date and (b) without regard to any income, gain, loss or deduction generated as a result of the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale or transactions occurring outside the ordinary course of business on the Distribution Date after the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale (other than (x) Specified Tax Items (if any) attributable to any Historical TCEH Entity and (y) items directly resulting from the Spin-Off or the Taxable Separation (as applicable)), such amount to be reasonably determined by the TCEH Supporting First Lien Creditors in consultation with EFH.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Bankruptcy Code ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Bankruptcy Court ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Basis Step-Up ” means the increase in the U.S. federal income tax basis in the assets transferred or deemed transferred to the Preferred Stock Entity pursuant to the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale.

Chapter 11 Cases ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Cash ” means cash and cash equivalents, including bank deposits, checks, and other similar items.

 

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Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Contribution ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Covered Transaction ” means the Contribution, the Reorganized TCEH Conversion and Distribution, the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale, and any other transaction contemplated by the Plan or the Transaction Agreements.

Debtors ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Deferred Intercompany and ELA Items ” means intercompany items (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-13(b)(2)) and excess loss account (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-19(a)) that are accelerated into income as a result of the Distribution pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-13(d) or Section 1.1502-19 and any corollary state and local items and amounts.

Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Distribution Date ” means the date the Distribution occurs.

Due Date ” means (a) with respect to a Tax Return, the date (taking into account all valid extensions) on which such Tax Return is required to be filed under applicable law and (b) with respect to a payment of Taxes, the date on which such payment is required to be made to avoid the incurrence of interest, penalties, and/or additions to Tax.

EFH ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble, and, for the avoidance of doubt, all references to EFH shall include Merger Sub following the Merger.

EFH Breach ” means (a) a breach of one or more covenants in Article VI by any Reorganized EFH Entity or any of its Affiliates or (b) an EFH Notified Action.

EFH Consolidated Corporation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(a)(i) .

EFH Group ” means the “affiliated group” (within the meaning of Section 1504(a)(1) of the Code), and any consolidated, combined, aggregate, or unitary group under state or local law, of which EFH is the common parent.

EFH Notified Action ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(c) .

EFH Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

EFH Plan ” means a bankruptcy plan of reorganization of any EFH Debtor or EFIH Debtor.

EFH Shared Services Debtors ” means, collectively: (a) EFH Corporate Services Company; (b) Dallas Power and Light Company, Inc.; (c) EFH CG Holdings Company LP; (d) EFH CG Management Company LLC; (e) Lone Star Energy Company, Inc.; (f) Lone Star Pipeline Company, Inc.; (g) Southwestern Electric Service Company, Inc.; (h) Texas Electric Service Company, Inc.; (i) Texas Energy Industries Company, Inc.; (j) Texas Power and Light Company, Inc.; (k) Texas Utilities Company, Inc.; (l) Texas Utilities Electric Company, Inc.; and (m) TXU Electric Company, Inc.

 

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EFH Taxes ” means (a) any Taxes of the EFH Group (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Taxes arising from any adjustment to any interest expense, discharge of indebtedness income or gain under Section 1001 of the Code with respect to indebtedness of any of such entities) for periods (and portion of a Straddle Period) ending on or before the Distribution Date that are not specifically included within the definition of Reorganized TCEH Taxes, including, for the avoidance of doubt, without duplication, (i) any Taxes attributable to or arising from the ownership or operation of any business retained by any Reorganized EFH Entity, in each case, as determined pursuant to Section 2.03 and Section 2.04 , (ii) if the Spin-Off occurs, Income Taxes imposed on a Reorganized TCEH Entity attributable to a Tax-Free Transaction Failure and allocated to the EFH Parties pursuant to Section 2.05(a) or Section 2.05(b) , (iii) if the Spin-Off occurs, the alternative minimum tax allocated to the EFH Parties pursuant to Section 2.04(d)(iii) , (iv) Transfer Taxes allocated to the EFH Parties pursuant to Section 2.04(d)(i) , and (v) Taxes resulting from any action by any Reorganized EFH Entity outside of the ordinary course of business on the Distribution Date; (b) any Taxes imposed on any Reorganized EFH Entity for periods (or portion of a Straddle Period) beginning after the Distribution Date; and (c) any other Taxes allocated to the EFH Parties pursuant to Section 2.04 .

EFIH ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

EFIH Finance ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Final Determination ” means the final resolution of liability for any Tax for any taxable period, by or as a result of (a) a final decision, judgment, decree or other order by any court of competent jurisdiction that can no longer be appealed, (b) a final settlement with the IRS, a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Sections 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the laws of other jurisdictions, (c) any allowance of a Refund in respect of an overpayment of Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such Refund may be recovered by the jurisdiction imposing the Tax or (d) any other final resolution, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. “ Finally Determined ” has a correlative meaning.

Historical EFH Entity ” means the EFH Parties and any entity that was a Subsidiary of EFH prior to the Distribution (including for this purpose, any restructuring transactions done in preparation for the Distribution), other than any Historical TCEH Entity.

Historical TCEH Entity ” means TCEH and any entity that was a Subsidiary of TCEH prior to the Distribution (including for this purpose, any restructuring transactions done in preparation for the Distribution). For the avoidance of doubt, the EFH Shared Services Debtors and EFH Properties Company are not Historical TCEH Entities.

Income Taxes ” means any Taxes in whole or in part based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to net income or profits, net worth or net receipts (including any alternative minimum Tax and the Texas Margin Tax). For the avoidance of doubt, Income Taxes do not include sales, use, real or personal property, or transfer or similar Taxes.

Indemnified Party ” means, with respect to a matter, a Person that is entitled to seek indemnification under this Agreement with respect to such matter.

Indemnifying Party ” means, with respect to a matter, a Person that is obligated to provide indemnification under this Agreement with respect to such matter.

Intended Tax Treatment ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

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IRS ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or any successor thereto, including its agents, representatives, and attorneys acting in their official capacity.

IRS Submissions ” means all submissions to the IRS in connection with requests for the Private Letter Ruling.

Non-Income Taxes ” means any Taxes other than Income Taxes.

Notified Action ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(c) .

Oncor Entities ” means Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC and its Subsidiaries (including Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC).

Opinion ” means an opinion (including an Unqualified Tax Opinion) received by a Party with respect to certain Tax aspects of the Covered Transactions.

Original Plan Support Agreement ” means that certain amended and restated plan support agreement, dated as of September 11, 2015, by and among the Debtors and the other parties thereto.

Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Person ” or “ person ” means a natural person, corporation, company, joint venture, individual business trust, trust association, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, association, unincorporated organization or other entity, including a governmental authority.

Plan ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Post-Distribution Period ” means any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Distribution Date, including for the avoidance of doubt, the portion of any Straddle Period beginning after the Distribution Date.

Preferred Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Preferred Stock Entity ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Preferred Stock Entity Conversion ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Private Letter Ruling ” means a private letter ruling issued by the IRS addressing the qualification of the Contribution, the Reorganized TCEH Conversion, and the Distribution as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(G), 355 and 356 of the Code and certain other matters, together with any amendments or supplements thereto (including any supplemental ruling obtained by a Party pursuant to Section 6.01(c) ).

Refund ” means any refund (or credit in lieu thereof) of Taxes (including any overpayment of Taxes that can be refunded or, alternatively, applied to other Taxes payable), including any interest paid on or with respect to such refund of Taxes.

Reorganized EFH Entity ” means the EFH Parties and any entity that is a Subsidiary of EFH immediately after the Distribution (including, for the avoidance of doubt, EFCH, TCEH and TCEH Finance).

 

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Reorganized EFH Shared Services Debtors ” means the EFH Shared Services Debtors as reorganized pursuant to and under the Plan, or any successor thereto, by merger, consolidation, or otherwise, on or after the Distribution Date.

Reorganized TCEH ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble and, for the avoidance of doubt, all references to Reorganized TCEH shall include Reorganized TCEH following the Contribution.

Reorganized TCEH Breach ” means (a) a breach of one or more covenants in Article VI by any Reorganized TCEH Entity or any of its Affiliates or (b) a Reorganized TCEH Notified Action.

Reorganized TCEH Consolidated Corporation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(a)(i) .

Reorganized TCEH Entity ” means Reorganized TCEH or any entity that is a Subsidiary of Reorganized TCEH immediately after the Distribution (which shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, the Reorganized EFH Shared Services Debtors and EFH Properties Company, to the extent the equity interests in such entities are transferred pursuant to the Contribution).

Reorganized TCEH Notified Action ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(c) .

Reorganized TCEH Taxes ” means (a) if the Spin-Off occurs, any Income Taxes imposed on EFH and its Subsidiaries attributable to a Tax-Free Transaction Failure and allocated to Reorganized TCEH pursuant to Section 2.05(c) and Section 2.05(d) , (b) for periods (and the portion of any Straddle Period) ending on or before the Distribution Date, as determined pursuant to Section 2.03 and Section 2.04 , (i) any Taxes, including any Specified Tax Items, attributable to any Historical TCEH Entity and (ii) any Taxes attributable to or arising from the ownership or operation of any business or assets contributed to or held on the Distribution Date by any Historical TCEH Entity (in each case in this clause (b), (x) including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Taxes resulting from any adjustments to any interest expense, discharge of indebtedness income or gain under Section 1001 of the Code and tax benefit income with respect to indebtedness of any of such entities (regardless whether such indebtedness is treated as indebtedness of any such entity for federal income tax purposes) and (y) such Taxes determined on a standalone basis and without regard to any contractual, successor, transferee liability or any liability under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 or similar provisions of state or local tax law), other than, if the Spin-Off occurs, (A) any Taxes resulting from a Tax-Free Transaction Failure, other than Taxes allocated to the Reorganized TCEH Entities pursuant to Section 2.05(c) and Section 2.05(d) , (B) any Taxes resulting from the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale, other than Taxes allocated to the Reorganized TCEH Entities pursuant to Section 2.04(d)(iv) and (C) any Taxes allocated to the EFH Parties pursuant to Section 2.04(d)(v) , (c) any Taxes imposed on any Reorganized TCEH Entity for periods (or portion of a Straddle Period) beginning after the Distribution Date, (d) any Transfer Taxes allocated to Reorganized TCEH pursuant to Section 2.04(d)(i) , (e) the Additional Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale Tax, and (f) any Taxes resulting from any action by any Reorganized TCEH Entity outside of the ordinary course of business on the Distribution Date, except as a result of any action that is expressly contemplated by the Plan or the Transaction Agreements.

Restriction Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(b) .

Section 108(i) Items ” means items of income or gain or other Tax items resulting from the acceleration of all discharge of indebtedness income of the EFH Group that was previously deferred under Section 108(i) of the Code.

Specified Tax Items ” means Section 108(i) Items and Deferred Intercompany and ELA Items (if any) and corollary state and local items and amounts.

 

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Spin-Off ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Stepped-Up TCEH Asset ” means, any asset of the TCEH Debtors whose U.S. federal income tax basis immediately after the transactions contemplated by the Plan is determined by reference to its fair market value on the Distribution Date in accordance with the Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment or the Taxable Separation Intended Tax Treatment, as applicable.

Straddle Period ” means any taxable period that begins on or before and ends after the Distribution Date.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which at least a majority of the securities or other ownership interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person and/or by one or more of its Subsidiaries.

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any and all U.S. federal, state or local, or foreign, income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever (including any assessment, duty, fee or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any such tax) and any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not.

Taxable Separation ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Taxable Separation Intended Tax Treatment ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Tax Attributes ” means net operating losses, capital losses, alternative minimum tax credits, investment tax credit carryovers, earnings and profits, foreign tax credit carryovers, overall foreign losses, previously taxed income, separate limitation losses, and any other losses, deductions, credits or other comparable items that could reduce a Tax liability for a past or future taxable period.

Tax Benefit ” means any decrease in Tax payments actually required to be made to a Taxing Authority (or any increase in any Refund otherwise receivable from any Taxing Authority) including any decrease in Tax payments (or increase in any Refund) that actually results from an increase in Tax Attributes (computed on a “with” or “without” basis).

Tax Cost ” means any increase in Tax payments actually required to be made to a Taxing Authority (or any reduction in any Refund otherwise receivable from any Taxing Authority), including any increase in Tax payments (or reduction in any Refund) that actually results from a reduction in Tax Attributes (computed on a “with or without” basis).

Tax-Free Transaction Failure ” means, if the Spin-Off occurs, (a) the failure of the Contribution, the Reorganized TCEH Conversion and Distribution to qualify for clause (a) of the definition of the Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment, and (b) the recognition of any gain by the EFH Group because of the application of Sections 355(d) or 355(e) of the Code to the Distribution.

 

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Tax Item ” means any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit, recapture of credit or any other item which increases, decreases or otherwise impacts Taxes paid or payable.

Tax Materials ” means (a) the Private Letter Ruling, (b) any Opinion, (c) the IRS Submissions, (d) any representation letter from a Party or any Affiliate thereof supporting an Opinion, and (e) any other materials delivered or deliverable by a Party or any Affiliate thereof in connection with the rendering of an Opinion or the issuance by the IRS of the Private Letter Ruling.

Tax Matter ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01 .

Tax Proceeding ” means any audit, assessment of Taxes, pre-filing agreement, other examination by any Taxing Authority, proceeding, appeal of a proceeding or litigation relating to Taxes, whether administrative or judicial, including proceedings relating to competent authority determinations.

Tax Return ” means any return, report, certificate, form or similar statement or document (including any related or supporting information or schedule attached thereto and any information return or declaration of estimated Tax) supplied to, filed with or required to be supplied to or filed with a Taxing Authority in connection with the payment, determination, assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration of any laws relating to any Tax, and any amended Tax return or claim for Refund.

Taxing Authority ” means any governmental authority or any subdivision, agency, commission or entity thereof or any quasi-governmental or private body having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or imposition of any Tax (including the IRS and the Office of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts).

TCEH ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

TCEH Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

TCEH Finance ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Texas Margin Tax ” means any tax payable pursuant to Section 171.001 et seq . of the Texas Tax Code, as amended.

Transfer Taxes ” means any transfer, stamp, documentary, sale, use, registration, value-added or other similar Taxes imposed with respect to the Spin-Off, the Taxable Separation, or any other transaction contemplated by the Plan (including any restructuring of the EFH Parties or a direct or indirect acquisition of an interest in the Oncor Entities).

Treasury Regulations ” means the proposed, final, and temporary income Tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).

Unqualified Tax Opinion ” means a “will” opinion, without substantive qualifications, of a nationally recognized law or accounting firm, which firm is reasonably acceptable to the EFH Parties, Parent, and Reorganized TCEH, to the effect that a transaction or action will not (i) affect the Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment and (ii) negate any of the other rulings provided in the Private Letter Ruling. Each of the EFH Parties and Reorganized TCEH acknowledges that Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Chadbourne & Parke LLP, and KPMG LLP are reasonably acceptable to such entity.

 

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Section 1.02 Construction . When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, a Section, an Exhibit, the Preamble or the Recitals, such reference shall be to an Article, a Section, an Exhibit, the Preamble or the Recitals of this Agreement, respectively, unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “herein,” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meaning assigned to them in the Plan. All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined herein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such terms. Unless otherwise specified, any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes, and including all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein. References to a person are also to its permitted successors and assigns.

Section 1.03 References to Time . All references in this Agreement to times of the day shall be to New York City time.

ARTICLE II

Preparation, Filing, and Payment of Taxes Shown Due on Tax Returns

Section 2.01 Tax Returns .

(a) Tax Returns Prepared by EFH . EFH shall prepare and file (or cause to be prepared and filed) each Tax Return required to be filed by a Reorganized EFH Entity (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the U.S. federal income Tax Return of the EFH Group and all state income and franchise Tax Returns including members of the EFH Group for all periods ending on or before the Distribution Date) and shall pay, or cause such Reorganized EFH Entity to pay, all Taxes shown to be due and payable on each such Tax Return; provided, that the Reorganized TCEH Entities shall jointly and severally reimburse EFH for any such Taxes that are Reorganized TCEH Taxes, and EFH shall prepare and provide to Reorganized TCEH for filing each Tax Return, if any, including EFH Taxes required to be filed by a Reorganized TCEH Entity after the Distribution Date; provided, however, that for any periods following the Distribution Date but prior to the emergence of EFH from chapter 11 proceedings, obligations with respect to the preparation and filing of Tax Returns shall be governed by the Transition Services Agreement.

(b) Reorganized TCEH Entity Tax Returns . Reorganized TCEH shall prepare (other than as specified in Section 2.01(a) ) and file (or cause to be prepared and filed) each Tax Return required to be filed by a Reorganized TCEH Entity after the Distribution Date and shall pay, or cause be paid, all Taxes shown to be due and payable on such Tax Return; provided, that the EFH Parties shall jointly and severally reimburse Reorganized TCEH for any such Taxes that are EFH Taxes.

Section 2.02 Tax Return Procedures .

(a) Manner of Tax Return Preparation . Subject to Section 5.03 , unless otherwise required by a Taxing Authority or by applicable law, the Parties shall prepare and file all Tax Returns, and take all other actions, in a manner consistent with this Agreement, including the applicable Intended Tax Treatment, the Tax Materials, and (to the extent not in conflict with this Agreement, the applicable Intended

 

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Tax Treatment and the Tax Materials) commercial practice. All Tax Returns shall be filed on a timely basis (taking into account applicable extensions) by the Party responsible for filing such Tax Returns under this Agreement.

(b) Right to Review Certain Returns Prepared by EFH . In the case of any Tax Return described in Section 2.01(a) , (i) the portion (if any) of such Tax Return that relates to Reorganized TCEH Taxes or would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Tax position of any Reorganized TCEH Entity shall (to the extent permitted by law) be prepared in a manner described in Section 2.02(a) and (ii) EFH shall provide a draft of such Tax Return to Reorganized TCEH for its review and comment at least thirty (30) days prior to the Due Date for such Tax Return or, in the case of any such Tax Return filed on a monthly basis or property Tax Return, ten (10) days. EFH shall consider in good faith any reasonable comment received from Reorganized TCEH at least three (3) days prior to the Due Date for such Tax Return. In the event that neither the Intended Tax Treatment, the Tax Materials nor commercial practice are applicable to a particular item or matter, EFH shall determine the reporting of such item or matter in good faith in consultation with Reorganized TCEH. The Parties shall negotiate in good faith to resolve all disputed issues. Any disputes that the Parties are unable to resolve shall be resolved by the Accounting Firm pursuant to Section 9.02 . In the event that any dispute is not resolved (whether pursuant to good faith negotiations among the Parties or by the Accounting Firm) prior to the Due Date for the filing of any Tax Return, such Tax Return shall be timely filed as prepared by EFH and such Tax Return shall be amended as necessary to reflect the resolution of such dispute in a manner consistent with such resolution. For the avoidance of doubt, the EFH Parties shall be jointly and severally responsible for any interest, penalties or additions to Tax resulting from the late filing of any Tax Return EFH is required to file under Section 2.01(a) , except to the extent that such late filing is primarily caused by the failure of any Reorganized TCEH Entity to provide relevant information necessary for the preparation and filing of such Tax Return.

(c) Right to Review Certain Returns Prepared by Reorganized TCEH . In the case of any Tax Return described in Section 2.01(b) that relates to EFH Taxes or that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Tax position of any Reorganized EFH Entity, (i) such Tax Return shall (to the extent permitted by law) be prepared in a manner described in Section 2.02(a) and (ii) Reorganized TCEH shall provide a draft of such Tax Return to EFH for its review and comment at least thirty (30) days prior to the Due Date for such Tax Return, or in the case of any such Tax Return filed on a monthly basis or property Tax Return, ten (10) days. Reorganized TCEH shall consider in good faith any reasonable comment received from EFH at least three (3) days prior to the Due Date for such Tax Return. In the event that neither the Intended Tax Treatment, the Tax Materials nor commercial practice are applicable to a particular item or matter, Reorganized TCEH shall determine the reporting of such item or matter in good faith in consultation with EFH. The Parties shall negotiate in good faith to resolve all disputed issues. Any disputes that the Parties are unable to resolve shall be resolved by the Accounting Firm pursuant to Section 9.02 . In the event that any dispute is not resolved (whether pursuant to good faith negotiations among the Parties or by the Accounting Firm) prior to the Due Date for the filing of any Tax Return, such Tax Return shall be timely filed as prepared by Reorganized TCEH and such Tax Return shall be amended as necessary to reflect the resolution of such dispute in a manner consistent with such resolution. For the avoidance of doubt, each Reorganized TCEH Entity shall be jointly and severally responsible for any interest, penalties or additions to Tax resulting from the late filing of any Tax Return Reorganized TCEH is required to file under Section 2.01(b) except to the extent that such late filing is primarily caused by the failure of any Reorganized EFH Entity to provide relevant information necessary for the preparation and filing of such Tax Return.

(d) Tax Reporting . Unless otherwise required by law, if the Spin-Off occurs, EFH and Reorganized TCEH, as applicable, shall file the appropriate information and statements, as required by Treasury Regulations Sections 1.355-5(a) and 1.368-3, with the IRS, and shall retain the appropriate information relating to the Contribution, the Reorganized TCEH Conversion and the Distribution as described in Treasury Regulations Sections 1.355-5(d) and 1.368-3(d).

(e) Amendments . Any amendment of any Tax Return described in Section 2.01 of any Reorganized TCEH Entity shall be subject to the same procedures required for the preparation of such type of Tax Return of such Reorganized TCEH Entity pursuant to this Section 2.02 . Any amendment of any Tax Return described in Section 2.01 of any Reorganized EFH Entity shall be subject to the same procedures required for the preparation of such type of Tax Return of such Reorganized EFH Entity pursuant to this Section 2.02 .

 

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Section 2.03 Straddle Period Tax Allocation . To the extent permitted by law, EFH and Reorganized TCEH shall elect, or cause an election to be made, to close the taxable year of each Reorganized TCEH Entity as of the close of the Distribution Date. In the case of any Straddle Period, the amount of any Income Taxes attributable to the portion of the Straddle Period ending on, or beginning after, the Distribution Date shall be made by means of a closing of the books and records of such Reorganized TCEH Entity as of the close of the Distribution Date; provided, that in the case of Non-Income Taxes that are periodic Taxes (e.g., property Taxes) and exemptions, allowances, and deductions that are calculated on an annual basis (such as depreciation deductions), such Taxes, exemptions, allowances, and deductions shall be allocated between the portion of the Straddle Period ending at the end of the Distribution Date and the portion beginning after the Distribution Date based upon the ratio of (a) the number of days in the relevant portion of the Straddle Period to (b) the number of days in the entire Straddle Period; provided, however, that in allocating any such exemptions, allowances, or deductions (or increase in such amounts) between the two periods that comprise a Straddle Period, any such items that relate to an asset or property that was sold, acquired or improved during the Straddle Period shall be allocated on a daily basis solely among the days in the Straddle Period during which such asset was owned or such improvement existed; provided, further, that Taxes that are properly allocable (based on, among other relevant factors, factors set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76(b)(1)(ii)(B)) to a portion of the Distribution Date following the Distribution, shall be allocable to the portion of the Straddle Period beginning after the Distribution Date.

Section 2.04 Allocation of Taxes .

(a) Income Taxes . Income Taxes (other than Income Taxes allocated pursuant to Section 2.04(b) , Section 2.04(d) , and Section 2.05 ) shall be allocated in an appropriate manner, consistent with commercial practice, and as follows:

(i) In the case of U.S. federal regular Income Taxes, in proportion to the separate taxable income (calculated in a manner consistent with Treasury Regulations Section 1.1552-1(a)(1) and determined without regard to any items the Income Taxes for which are allocated pursuant to Section 2.04(b) , Section 2.04(d) , and Section 2.05 ) attributable to (x) any Reorganized EFH Entity (treated as if all of the assets and liabilities of such entities were combined into a single corporation) (such single corporation, the “ EFH Consolidated Corporation ”), including any business or assets retained by such entities following the Distribution Date, on the one hand, and (y) any Reorganized TCEH Entity (treated as if all of the assets and liabilities of such entities were combined into a single corporation) (such single corporation, the “ Reorganized TCEH Consolidated Corporation ”), including any business or assets contributed to or otherwise held by such entities following the Distribution Date, on the other hand.

(ii) In the case of Texas Margin Tax, the methodology specified in Section 2.04(a)(i) shall be applied, and Texas Margin Tax shall be allocated, based on the separate taxable margins of the EFH Consolidated Corporation, on the one hand, and the Reorganized TCEH Consolidated Corporation, on the other hand.

 

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(b) Alternative Minimum Taxes . Alternative minimum Taxes (other than alternative minimum Taxes allocated pursuant to Section 2.04(d) and Section 2.05 ) shall be allocated in proportion to the respective separate amounts of alternative minimum tax of the EFH Consolidated Corporation, on the one hand, and the Reorganized TCEH Consolidated Corporation, on the other hand.

(c) Non-Income Taxes . Except as provided in Section 2.04(d)(i) , Non-Income Taxes shall be allocated between the EFH Parties, on the one hand, and Reorganized TCEH, on the other hand, based on the applicable items attributable to or arising from any business retained by any Reorganized EFH Entity, on the one hand, and any business contributed to (or otherwise held on the Effective Date by) any Reorganized TCEH Entity, on the other hand, that contribute to such Taxes (e.g., sales Taxes and value added Taxes shall be allocated to the EFH Parties to the extent arising from taxable sales made by any business retained by any Reorganized EFH Entity). In the event that any Non-Income Tax is not attributable to (and does not arise from) any items relating to any business (e.g., capital Taxes imposed based on the authorized stock), such Non-Income Taxes shall be allocated between the EFH Parties, on the one hand, and Reorganized TCEH, on the other hand, in proportion to the gross income of any business retained by any Reorganized EFH Entity, on the one hand, and any business contributed to (or otherwise held on the Effective Date by) any Reorganized TCEH Entity, on the other hand.

(d) Other Taxes .

(i) Transfer Taxes, if any, related to or arising as a result of the Spin-Off or the Taxable Separation shall be allocated one hundred percent (100%) to the TCEH Parties. Transfer Taxes, if any, arising as a result of restructuring of the EFH Parties or a direct or indirect acquisition of an interest in the Oncor Entities shall be allocated one hundred percent (100%) to the EFH Parties. Other Transfer Taxes, if any, will be allocated to the EFH Parties if they constitute items attributable to the EFH Consolidated Corporation and to Reorganized TCEH if they constitute items attributable to the Reorganized TCEH Consolidated Corporation.

(ii) If the Spin-Off occurs, Income Taxes attributable to a Tax-Free Transaction Failure shall be allocated as set forth in Section 2.05 .

(iii) If the Spin-Off occurs, an amount (but not less than zero) equal to fifty percent (50%) of U.S. federal alternative minimum tax liability (including any adjustments pursuant to a Final Determination), if any, that results from the limitation on the utilization of the net operating losses to offset gain recognized from the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale under Section 56(d)(1)(A) of the Code shall be allocated to the EFH Parties.

(iv) If the Spin-Off occurs, the Additional Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale Tax shall be allocated to Reorganized TCEH.

(v) If the Spin-Off occurs and there has been no Tax-Free Transaction Failure, any discharge of indebtedness income or gain under Section 1001 of the Code arising from any discharge of indebtedness shall be allocated to the EFH Parties.

(e) Allocation of Tax Attributes . Tax Attributes, if any, remaining after the Distribution (other than net operating losses) shall be allocated in accordance with the Private Letter Ruling or, if not addressed in the Private Letter Ruling, between the Reorganized EFH Entities, on the one hand, and the

 

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Reorganized TCEH Entities, on the other hand, in accordance with the Code and Treasury Regulations, including Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76 (and any applicable state, local and foreign Laws) and, with respect to earnings and profits, as initially requested in the IRS Submissions. The allocation of such Tax Attributes shall be determined by treating the Reorganized TCEH Entities as one consolidated group and the Reorganized EFH Entities as a separate and distinct consolidated group. Any disputes shall be resolved by the Accounting Firm in accordance with Section 9.02 . The EFH Parties and Reorganized TCEH hereby agree to compute all Taxes consistently with the determination of the allocation of Tax Attributes pursuant to this Section 2.04(e) unless otherwise required by a Final Determination. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event the Taxable Separation occurs, no Tax Attributes (other than tax basis) shall be allocated to the Reorganized TCEH Entities unless otherwise required by a Final Determination.

Section 2.05 Allocation of Separation-Related Taxes . If the Spin-Off occurs:

(a) No-Fault . Income Taxes attributable to a Tax-Free Transaction Failure, to the extent not allocated pursuant to Sections 2.05(b) , (c) or (d) , shall be allocated to the EFH Parties.

(b) EFH Breach . Income Taxes principally attributable to a Tax-Free Transaction Failure as a result of an EFH Breach shall be allocated to the EFH Parties.

(c) Reorganized TCEH Breach . Incomes Taxes principally attributable to a Tax-Free Transaction Failure as a result of Reorganized TCEH Breach shall be allocated to the Reorganized TCEH Entities.

(d) Certain Actions by TCEH First Lien Creditors and Holders of Reorganized TCEH Stock . Income Taxes principally attributable to a Tax-Free Transaction Failure resulting from any action (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any exchange pursuant to a merger, consolidation, liquidation or similar transaction) taken by holders of TCEH First Lien Claims or by holders of stock in Reorganized TCEH with respect to their respective interests (other than (1) any transfers pursuant to and in accordance with open market stock repurchase programs described in clause (v) of Section 6.01(b); (2) any action occurring prior to or contemporaneously with the Spin-Off that is expressly described in the Private Letter Ruling or the EFH – Legal Entity Simplification Steps Chart dated September 23, 2016 and attached to this Agreement as Exhibit C; (3) the receipt and distribution of the proceeds of the TCEH Settlement Claim (including any assignment or turning over of the TCEH Settlement Claim Turnover Distributions) described in Articles III.B.5(c)(ii), III.B.8(b)(ii), III.B.9(b)(ii), III.B.12 or III.B.29(c)(i)(D) of the Plan; (4) voting to approve the Plan; and (5) the mere act of voting by the holders of stock in Reorganized TCEH except for voting in favor of transactions described in this Section 2.05(d)) that (i) causes the Distribution not to satisfy the continuity of interest requirement set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-1(e) or 1.355-2(c)(1), (ii) results in the imposition of any Income Taxes under Section 355(d) or Section 355(e) of the Code with respect to the Distribution, or (iii) results in the Distribution failing to satisfy the device test set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-2(d), shall be allocated to Reorganized TCEH.

For the avoidance of doubt, Income Taxes principally attributable to a Tax-Free Transaction Failure resulting from some combination of a Reorganized TCEH breach under Section 2.05(c) and an action under Section 2.05(d) shall be allocated to the Reorganized TCEH Entities.

Section 2.06 Audits/Redeterminations . Any redetermined Taxes or Tax Attributes resulting from an audit shall be allocated between the EFH Parties, on the one hand, and Reorganized TCEH, on the other hand, in the same manner as they would have been allocated had the redetermined amounts been known at the time the original Tax liability was computed.

 

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Section 2.07 Expenses . Except as provided in Section 9.02 in respect of the Accounting Firm, each Party shall bear its own expenses incurred in connection with this Article II .

Section 2.08 Timing of Payments . Any reimbursement of Taxes under Section 2.01 shall be made upon the later of (a) two (2) business days before the Due Date of such payment of such Taxes and (b) ten (10) business days after the party required to make such reimbursement has received notice from the party entitled to such reimbursement. For the avoidance of doubt, a party may provide notice of reimbursement of Taxes prior to the time such Taxes were paid, and such notice may represent a reasonable estimate (provided, that the amount of reimbursement shall be based on the actual Tax liability and not on such reasonable estimate).

ARTICLE III

Indemnification

Section 3.01 Indemnification by the Reorganized EFH Entities . The Reorganized EFH Entities, on a joint and several basis, shall pay (or cause to be paid), and shall indemnify and hold each Reorganized TCEH Entity harmless from and against, without duplication, all EFH Taxes and all losses or damages arising out of, resulting from or relating to any breach by any Reorganized EFH Entity of any EFH representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in this Agreement (including, in the case of a Tax-Free Transaction Failure pursuant to Section 2.05(b) , any reduced depreciation, amortization or similar deduction or any reduced loss or increased gain, in each case resulting from a reduction in the income tax basis of any asset of any Reorganized TCEH Entity resulting from such Tax-Free Transaction Failure pursuant to Section 2.05(b) , such loss or damage determined (a) without regard to any tax receivable agreement or similar arrangement with respect to any Reorganized TCEH Entity and (b) taking into account any Final Determinations relating to the income tax basis of any asset immediately after the Spin-Off); provided , that for the avoidance of doubt, for so long as the Oncor Entities have not executed a joinder to this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.20 , the Oncor Entities shall have no obligation under this Section 3.01 .

Section 3.02 Indemnification by the Reorganized TCEH Entities . The Reorganized TCEH Entities, on a joint and several basis, shall pay (or cause to be paid), and shall indemnify and hold each Reorganized EFH Entity harmless from and against, without duplication, all Reorganized TCEH Taxes and all losses or damages arising out of, resulting from or relating to any breach by any Reorganized TCEH Entity of any Reorganized TCEH representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in this Agreement.

Section 3.03 Characterization of and Adjustments to Payments .

(a) In the absence of a Final Determination to the contrary, for all Tax purposes, EFH and Reorganized TCEH shall treat or cause to be treated any payment required by this Agreement (other than any payment treated for Tax purposes as interest) as either a contribution by EFH to Reorganized TCEH or a distribution by Reorganized TCEH to EFH, as the case may be, occurring immediately prior to the Distribution.

(b) Any indemnity payment pursuant to this Agreement shall be (A) increased to include (i) all reasonable accounting, legal, and other professional fees and court costs and damages incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with such indemnity payment and (ii) any Tax Cost to such Indemnified Party or its Affiliates resulting from the receipt of (or entitlement to) such indemnity payment and (B) decreased to account for any Tax Benefit that the Indemnified Party or its Affiliates actually realizes by way of a Refund or a decrease in Taxes reported on a filed Tax Return (in or with respect to a taxable year that ends on or before December 31, 2021) in connection with the incurrence or the payment by the Indemnified

 

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Party of such fees or costs or indemnifiable amounts determined using a “with and without” methodology (treating any deductions attributable to such fees or costs or indemnifiable amounts as the last items claimed for any taxable year, including after the utilization of any available net operating loss carryovers). In the event that any Tax Cost or Tax Benefit is not actually realized at the time of the indemnity payment by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party, the payment related to such Tax Cost or Tax Benefit shall be paid at the time the Tax Cost or Tax Benefit is actually realized.

Section 3.04 Timing of Indemnification Payments . Indemnification payments in respect of any liabilities for which an Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article III shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party within ten (10) days after written notification thereof by the Indemnified Party, including reasonably satisfactory documentation setting forth the basis for, and calculation of, the amount of such indemnification payment. If an indemnification obligation is attributable to a Tax which the Indemnified Party pays, but for which no Final Determination has been made (such as a payment in response to an asserted adjustment in audit, which adjustment remains subject to further challenge), then the Indemnifying Party shall pay such amounts to the Indemnified Party within ten (10) days after written notification thereof by the Indemnified Party, including reasonably satisfactory documentation setting forth the basis for, and calculation of, the amount of such indemnification payment, provided, that, in the event that such amounts are returned or refunded to Indemnified Party, the Indemnified Party shall pay such amounts to the Indemnifying Party within (10) days of receipt thereof plus interest at a rate equal to the rate provided in Section 9.04 .

Section 3.05 Exclusive Remedy . Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, but in all events subject to Article VIII , the EFH Parties and the Reorganized TCEH Entities hereby agree that the sole and exclusive monetary remedy of a party for any breach or inaccuracy of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in Section 6.01 shall be the indemnification rights set forth in this Article III .

Section 3.06 No Duplicative Payment . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, it is intended that the provisions of this Agreement will not result in a duplicative payment of any amount required to be paid under any other Transaction Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed accordingly.

ARTICLE IV

Refunds, Timing Differences, and Tax Attributes

Section 4.01 Refunds .

(a) Except as provided in Section 4.02 , EFH shall be entitled to all Refunds of Taxes for which a Reorganized EFH Entity or its Affiliates is responsible pursuant to Article III , and Reorganized TCEH shall be entitled to all Refunds of Taxes for which Reorganized TCEH or its Affiliates is responsible pursuant to Article III . A Party receiving a Refund to which the other Party is entitled pursuant to this Agreement shall pay the amount to which such other Party is entitled (less any Tax or other reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred by the first Party in receiving such Refund within ten (10) days after the receipt of the Refund.

(b) To the extent that the amount of any Refund under this Section 4.01 is later reduced by a Taxing Authority or in a Tax Proceeding, such reduction shall be allocated to the Party to which such Refund was allocated pursuant to this Section 4.01 and an appropriate adjusting payment shall be made.

 

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Section 4.02 Timing Differences . If pursuant to a Final Determination any Tax Attribute (including those allocated pursuant to Section 2.04(e) ) is made allowable to a Reorganized TCEH Entity as a result of an adjustment to any Taxes for which an EFH Party is responsible hereunder (other than Taxes attributable to a Tax-Free Transaction Failure described in Section 2.05(a) or Section 2.05(b) ) and such Tax Attribute would not have arisen or been allowable but for such adjustment, or if pursuant to a Final Determination any Tax Attribute is made allowable to a Reorganized EFH Entity as a result of an adjustment to any Taxes for which Reorganized TCEH is responsible hereunder (other than Taxes attributable to a Tax-Free Transaction Failure described in Section 2.05(c) or 2.05(d) ) and such Tax Attribute would not have arisen or been allowable but for such adjustment, the Reorganized TCEH Entities (on a joint and several basis) or the Reorganized EFH Entities (on a joint and several basis), as the case may be, shall make a payment to either EFH or Reorganized TCEH, as appropriate, within thirty (30) days after such Party (or its Affiliates) actually realizes a Tax benefit by way of a Refund or a decrease in Taxes reported on a filed Tax Return (in or with respect to a taxable year that ends on or before December 31, 2021) that is attributable to such Tax Attribute, determined using a “with and without” methodology (treating any deductions or amortization attributable to such Tax Attributes as the last items claimed for any taxable year, including after the utilization of any available net operating loss carryovers); provided, that no payment shall be made under this Section unless Reorganized TCEH or EFH, as the case may be, has previously paid the Tax adjustment or indemnified the other Party for such Tax adjustment. In the event of any overlap between Section 3.03 and this Section 4.02 , this Section 4.02 shall apply and Section 3.03 shall not apply.

ARTICLE V

Tax Proceedings

Section 5.01 Notification of Tax Proceedings . Within ten (10) days after an Indemnified Party becomes aware of the commencement of a Tax Proceeding that may give rise to an indemnity payment pursuant to Article III , such Indemnified Party shall notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of such Tax Proceeding, and thereafter shall promptly forward or make available to the Indemnifying Party copies of notices and communications relating to such Tax Proceeding. The failure of the Indemnified Party to notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of the commencement of any such Tax Proceeding within such ten (10) day period or promptly forward any further notices or communications shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnified Party under this Agreement except to the extent (and only to the extent) that the Indemnifying Party is actually materially prejudiced by such failure.

Section 5.02 Tax Proceeding Procedures .

(a) EFH . EFH shall be entitled to contest, compromise, and settle any adjustment that is proposed, asserted or assessed pursuant to any Tax Proceeding with respect to any Tax Return it is responsible for preparing pursuant to Article II ; provided, that to the extent that such Tax Proceeding relates to Reorganized TCEH Taxes or would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the Tax position of any Reorganized TCEH Entity for any Post-Distribution Period, EFH shall (i) keep Reorganized TCEH informed in a timely manner of the material actions proposed to be taken by EFH with respect to such Tax Proceeding, (ii) permit Reorganized TCEH at its own expense to participate in the aspects of such Tax Proceeding that relate to Reorganized TCEH Taxes, and (iii) not settle any aspect of such Tax Proceeding that relates to Reorganized TCEH Taxes without the prior written consent of Reorganized TCEH, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Reorganized TCEH shall have the right (at its own incremental expense) to jointly control any Tax Proceeding that relates primarily to Taxes for which Reorganized TCEH has an indemnification obligation pursuant to Section 3.02 .

 

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(b) Reorganized TCEH . Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.02(a) , Reorganized TCEH shall be entitled to contest, compromise, and settle any adjustment that is proposed, asserted or assessed pursuant to any Tax Proceeding with respect to any Tax Return it is responsible for preparing pursuant to Article II ; provided, that to the extent that such Tax Proceeding relates to EFH Taxes or would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the Tax position of any Reorganized EFH Entity, Reorganized TCEH shall (i) keep EFH informed in a timely manner of the material actions proposed to be taken by Reorganized TCEH with respect to such Tax Proceeding, (ii) permit EFH at its own expense to participate in the aspects of such Tax Proceeding that relate to EFH Taxes, and (iii) not settle any aspect of such Tax Proceeding that relates to EFH Taxes without the prior written consent of EFH, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the EFH Parties shall have the right (at their own incremental expense) to jointly control any Tax Proceeding that relates primarily to Taxes for which EFH Parties have an indemnification obligation pursuant to Section 3.01 .

Section 5.03 Consistency . The Parties shall (and shall cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to) take the position on all Tax Returns and in all Tax Proceedings (including in supplemental ruling request submissions to the IRS), unless otherwise required by a Final Determination, that (a) the transactions contemplated by the Plan qualify for the Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment (in the case of the Spin-Off) or the Taxable Separation Intended Tax Treatment (in the case of the Taxable Separation), and (b) the fair market value of each Stepped-Up TCEH Asset on the Distribution Date is equal to the value of such asset that has been reasonably agreed to by the TCEH Supporting First Lien Creditors and the Debtors.

ARTICLE VI

Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment

Section 6.01 Restrictions Relating to the Distribution .

(a) General . If the Spin-Off occurs, following the Distribution, (i) EFH will not (and will cause each other Reorganized EFH Entity and its Affiliates not to) take any action (or refrain from taking any action) which is inconsistent with the facts presented and the representations made prior to the Distribution Date in the Tax Materials and (ii) Reorganized TCEH will not (and will cause each other Reorganized TCEH Entity and its Affiliates not to) take any action (or refrain from taking any action) which is inconsistent with the facts presented and the representations made prior to the Distribution Date in the Tax Materials. If the Taxable Separation occurs, following the Taxable Separation, (y) EFH will not (and will cause each other Reorganized EFH Entity and its Affiliates not to) take any action (or refrain from taking any action) which is inconsistent with the facts presented and the representations made prior to the Distribution Date with respect to any Tax Materials submitted specifically with respect to obtaining a ruling or opinion with respect to the treatment of the cancellation of the TCEH debt, and solely to the extent such action or representation specifically relates to, and is relevant to, any ruling obtained with respect to the treatment of the cancellation of the TCEH debt and (z) Reorganized TCEH will not (and will cause each other Reorganized TCEH Entity and its Affiliates not to) take any action (or refrain from taking any action) which is inconsistent with such facts presented and the representations made prior to the Distribution Date with respect to any Tax Materials submitted specifically with respect to obtaining a ruling or opinion with respect to the treatment of the cancellation of the TCEH debt, and solely to the extent such action or representation specifically relates to, and is relevant to, any ruling obtained with respect to the treatment of the cancellation of the TCEH debt.

(b) Restrictions . Without derogating from the generality of Section 6.01(a) , following the Distribution and prior to the first day following the second anniversary of the Distribution Date (the “ Restriction Period ”), each EFH Party and Reorganized TCEH shall, and except with respect to clause (iii) and (v) of this Section 6.01(b) , shall cause each of its respective Subsidiaries set forth on Exhibit A to:

(i) continue the active conduct of each trade or business (for purposes of Section 355(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder) (A) that it was engaged in immediately prior to the Distribution (taking into account Section 355(b)(3) of the Code), (B) that was being relied upon for purposes of satisfying the requirements of Section 355(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder and (C) the substantial assets of which are identified on Exhibit B;

 

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(ii) continue to hold and operate certain assets identified on Exhibit B and held at the time of the Distribution;

(iii) not dissolve or liquidate or take any action that is a liquidation for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

(iv) not merge or consolidate with any other Person with such other Person surviving the merger or consolidation in a transaction that does not qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code;

(v) not redeem or otherwise repurchase (directly or indirectly through an Affiliate) any of its equity other than pursuant to open market stock repurchase programs meeting the requirements of Section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30 (as in effect prior to the amendment of such Revenue Procedure by Revenue Procedure 2003-48);

(vi) not directly or indirectly acquire any of the Preferred Stock; and

(vii) not take any action in furtherance of a shareholder action described in Section 2.05(d) that would result in a Tax-Free Transaction Failure described in clauses (i)–(iii) of Section 2.05(d).

(c) Certain Exceptions . Notwithstanding the restrictions imposed by Section 6.01(b) , during the Restriction Period, the EFH Parties and Reorganized TCEH may proceed with any of the actions or transactions described therein, if:

(i) such action or transaction is described in (or is otherwise consistent with) the facts in the Private Letter Ruling;

(ii) a supplemental private letter ruling is received from the IRS in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to EFH and Reorganized TCEH to the effect that such action or transaction will not affect the Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment of any applicable transaction;

(iii) EFH or Reorganized TCEH, as the case may be, obtains an Unqualified Tax Opinion with respect to such action or transaction that is reasonably acceptable to the other Party at least thirty (30) days prior to effecting such action or transaction;

(iv) such action is the issuing of stock or options to employees under a compensation plan adopted after the Distribution; or

(v) such action by the EFH Parties and/or their Affiliates is approved in writing by Reorganized TCEH and such action by Reorganized TCEH and/or its Affiliates is approved in writing by EFH.

 

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If the EFH Parties, on the one hand, or Reorganized TCEH, on the other, takes or desires to take one of the actions described in Section 6.01(b) (if taken by the EFH Parties, an “ EFH Notified Action ,” if taken by Reorganized TCEH, a “ Reorganized TCEH Notified Action ” and, generically, a “ Notified Action ”), the Party taking the action shall notify the other Party and the EFH Parties and Reorganized TCEH shall cooperate in obtaining a supplemental private letter ruling from the IRS or Unqualified Tax Opinions for the purpose of permitting the EFH Parties or Reorganized TCEH to take the Notified Action.

(d) EFH Party Covenants . Each EFH Party shall not and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries not to:

(i) propose or support an EFH Plan or any other transaction (A) pursuant to which EFH or EFIH, directly or indirectly, transfers their indirect economic interest in the Oncor Entities, the consummation of which would breach this Agreement or (B) which would reasonably be expected to create a material risk of (x) a Tax-Free Transaction Failure or (y) a breach by the EFH Parties of any term or condition of this Agreement; and

(ii) take any action without the consent of Reorganized TCEH outside the ordinary course of business that, in the reasonable determination of Reorganized TCEH, would give rise to $250 million or more of net taxable income recognized by the EFH Group (when combined with any other net taxable income of the EFH Group, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, (x) the net taxable income arising in connection with the transactions constituting the Spin-Off and (y) any Agreed Tax Attributes) in the same taxable year as the TCEH Effective Date; provided, however, that in the event an EFH Party seeks to take any action outside the ordinary course of business that, in the reasonable determination of Reorganized TCEH, would give rise to $250 million or more of net taxable income recognized by the EFH Group (when combined with any other net taxable income of the EFH Group, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, (x) the net taxable income arising in connection with the Spin-Off Preferred Stock Sale and (y) any Agreed Tax Attributes) in the same taxable year as the TCEH Effective Date, Reorganized TCEH shall consent to such transaction if it concludes in its sole discretion that such transaction will not give rise to a material risk of nonpayment of an amount owed (whether due to such transaction or otherwise) under this Agreement or to an applicable taxing authority.

(e) Additional Covenants .

(i) If the Plan is consummated without receiving the Private Letter Ruling (or any Fundamental Ruling), then EFH shall continue to pursue the Private Letter Ruling (or a supplemental Private Letter Ruling, if applicable) until a determination is made by EFH and Reorganized TCEH (each making their determination under a reasonable exercise of discretion) that the Private Letter Ruling or supplemental Private Letter Ruling cannot be obtained. Parent and Reorganized TCEH shall have the right to participate in any submissions related to the Private Letter Ruling, including by (i) commenting on written submissions, (ii) having participation in in-person conferences, (iii) having participation in scheduled, substantive telephone conferences with the IRS, and (iv) being updated promptly regarding any unscheduled communications with the IRS or any other communications with respect to which Parent or Reorganized TCEH does not participate; provided, however, that Parent and Reorganized TCEH shall work in good faith with counsel for EFH to determine the appropriate level of participation by any other persons in any particular meeting or conference.

(ii) If the Plan is consummated after the receipt of the Private Letter Ruling, supplemental submissions with respect to the Private Letter Ruling shall be made to reflect any material developments with respect to the EFH Plan to the extent such developments may implicate the Spin-Off Intended Tax Treatment. Parent and Reorganized TCEH shall have the right to participate in such supplemental submissions, including by (A) commenting on written submissions, (B) having participation in in-person conferences, (C) having participation in scheduled, substantive telephone conferences with the IRS, and (D) being updated promptly regarding any unscheduled communications with the IRS or any other communications with respect to which Parent or Reorganized TCEH does not participate; provided, however, that Parent and Reorganized TCEH shall work in good faith with counsel for the EFH Parties to determine the appropriate level of participation by any other persons in any particular meeting or conference.

 

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ARTICLE VII

Cooperation

Section 7.01 General Cooperation . The Parties shall each cooperate fully (and each shall cause its respective Subsidiaries to cooperate fully) with all reasonable requests in writing or via e-mail from another Party, or from an agent, representative or advisor to such Party, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, claims for Refunds, Tax Proceedings, Tax ruling requests, and calculations of amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, related or attributable to or arising in connection with Taxes of any of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries covered by this Agreement and the establishment of any reserve required in connection with any financial reporting (a “ Tax Matter ”). Such cooperation shall include the provision of any information reasonably necessary or helpful in connection with a Tax Matter and shall include at each Party’s own cost:

(i) the provision, in hard copy and electronic forms, of any Tax Returns (or proforma returns) of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, books, records (including information regarding ownership and Tax basis of property), documentation, and other information relating to such Tax Returns (or proforma returns), including accompanying schedules, related work papers, and documents relating to rulings or other determinations by Taxing Authorities;

(ii) the execution of any document (including any power of attorney) reasonably requested by another Party in connection with any Tax Proceedings of any of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries, or the filing of a Tax Return or a Refund claim of the Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries; and

(iii) the use of the Party’s reasonable best efforts to obtain any documentation in connection with a Tax Matter.

Each Party shall make its employees, advisors, and facilities available, without charge, on a reasonable and mutually convenient basis in connection with the foregoing matters in a manner that does not interfere with the ordinary business operations of such Party.

Section 7.02 Retention of Records . The EFH Parties and Reorganized TCEH shall retain or cause to be retained all Tax Returns, schedules, and work papers, and all material records or other documents relating thereto in their possession, including all such electronic records, and shall maintain all hardware

 

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necessary to retrieve such electronic records, in all cases until sixty (60) days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (including any waivers or extensions thereof) of the taxable periods to which such Tax Returns and other documents relate or until the expiration of any additional period that any Party reasonably requests, in writing, with respect to specific material records and documents. A Party intending to destroy any material records or documents shall provide the other Party with reasonable advance notice and the opportunity to copy or take possession of such records and documents. The Parties will notify each other in writing of any waivers or extensions of the applicable statute of limitations that may affect the period for which the foregoing records or other documents must be retained.

Section 7.03 Failure to Perform . If a Party materially fails to comply with any of its obligations set forth in Sections 7.01 or 7.02 upon reasonable request and notice by the other Party, and such failure results in the imposition of additional Taxes, the non-performing Party shall be liable in full for such additional Taxes notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

Provisions of EFH Plan; Enforcement

Section 8.01 Provisions of EFH Plan .

(a) Each Party agrees not to attempt to seek or to argue that an EFH Plan, or any other transaction (including a sale pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code) for any of the EFH Parties, can or should be confirmed or approved by the Bankruptcy Court if (x) the consummation of such an EFH Plan, or any other transaction (including a sale pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code) for any of the EFH Parties would reasonably be expected to create a material risk of (A) a Tax-Free Transaction Failure or (B) causing a breach by the EFH Parties of any term or condition of this Agreement or (y) it provides that any claim (A) arising from a breach by any of the EFH Parties of any term or condition of this Agreement or (B) for indemnification under Section 3.01 is released or deemed discharged under an EFH Plan.

(b) Each Party shall object to and oppose any proposed EFH Plan, or any other transaction (including a sale pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code) for any of the EFH Parties that (x) would reasonably be expected to create a material risk of (A) a Tax-Free Transaction Failure or (B) causing a breach by the Parties of any term or condition of this Agreement or (y) provides that any claim (A) arising from a breach by any of the EFH Parties of any term or condition of this Agreement or (B) for indemnification under Section 3.01 , is released or deemed discharged under an EFH Plan.

Section 8.02 Enforcement .

(a) Until the substantial consummation of an EFH Plan that is consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement:

(i) The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by the EFH Parties in accordance with their specific terms and that monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy therefor. It is accordingly agreed that with respect to each EFH Party, this Agreement shall be enforceable as against such EFH Party by specific performance or other injunctive relief, without proof of actual damages (and each EFH Party hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy), in addition to any other remedy available against such EFH Party at law or equity. Each EFH Party knowingly, voluntarily and unconditionally (i) waives its rights to revoke, terminate, avoid, disaffirm or reject this Agreement, or any portion

 

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thereof, pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable law, including Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code and (ii) agrees that it shall not support, directly or indirectly, and shall oppose, any request by any other party-in-interest to compel, require or otherwise request that this Agreement or any portion thereof be revoked, avoided, disaffirmed, terminated or rejected for any reason.

(ii) Without limiting in any manner the right to obtain specific performance or other injunctive relief pursuant to Section 8.02(a)(i), if a Party elects to seek monetary damages, any claim against an EFH Party under this Agreement shall be non-dischargeable under any EFH Plan and entitled to superpriority administrative claim status, junior only to (i) the EFIH First Lien DIP Facility or a future EFIH Second Lien DIP Facility (if any) to the extent the proceeds thereof are used solely to repay the EFIH Second Lien Note Claims (as defined in the Plan) and for fees and expenses related to such repayment, (ii) the Carve-Out (as defined in the EFIH First Lien DIP Order), and (iii) any of the following fees owed by EFH (subject to the same caps applicable to the Carve-Out): (A) all fees required to be paid to the Clerk of the Court and to the Office of the United States Trustee under Section 1930(a) of title 28 of the United States Code plus interest at the statutory rate; (B) reasonable fees and expenses incurred by a trustee under Section 726(b) of the Bankruptcy Code; and (C) to the extent allowed at any time, whether by interim order, procedural order, or otherwise, all unpaid fees and expenses incurred by persons or firms retained by (1) the EFH Debtors, pursuant to Section 327, 328, or 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, and (2) the EFH/EFIH Committee.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

Section 9.01 Governing law . This Agreement and all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement, and interpretation of this Agreement (and all Schedules and Exhibits) shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. In furtherance of the foregoing, the internal laws of the State of Delaware shall control the interpretation and construction of this Agreement (and all Schedules and Exhibits), even though under that jurisdiction’s choice of law or conflict of law analysis, the substantive law of some other jurisdiction would ordinarily apply.

Section 9.02 Dispute Resolution . In the event of any dispute among the Parties as to any matter covered by Sections 2.02 , 2.03 or 2.04 , the Parties shall appoint a nationally recognized independent public accounting firm (the “ Accounting Firm ”) to resolve such dispute. In this regard, the Accounting Firm shall make determinations with respect to the disputed items based solely on representations made by the EFH Parties and Reorganized TCEH and their respective representatives, and not by independent review, and shall function only as an expert and not as an arbitrator and shall be required to make a determination in favor of one Party only. The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to resolve all disputes no later than thirty (30) days after the submission of such dispute to the Accounting Firm and agree that all decisions by the Accounting Firm with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive and binding on the Parties. The Accounting Firm shall resolve all disputes in a manner consistent with this Agreement. The Parties shall require the Accounting Firm to render all determinations in writing and to set forth, in reasonable detail, the basis for such determination. The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne equally by the Parties. For the avoidance of doubt, any dispute among the Parties as to any matter not covered by Sections 2.02 , 2.03 or 2.04 shall be governed by the provisions set forth in Section 9.16 .

 

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Section 9.03 Tax Sharing Agreements . All Tax sharing, indemnification, and similar agreements, written or unwritten, as between a Reorganized EFH Entity, on the one hand, and a Reorganized TCEH Entity, on the other (other than this Agreement and any other agreement for which Taxes is not the principal subject matter), shall be or shall have been terminated (and, to the extent provided under the Plan, settled) no later than the TCEH Effective Date and, after the TCEH Effective Date, no Reorganized EFH Entity or Reorganized TCEH Entity shall have any further rights or obligations under any such Tax sharing, indemnification or similar agreement, except as provided in the Plan.

Section 9.04 Interest on Late Payments . With respect to any payment among the Parties pursuant to this Agreement not made by the due date set forth in this Agreement for such payment, the outstanding amount will accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate in effect for underpayments under Section 6621 of the Code from such due date to and including the payment date.

Section 9.05 Survival of Covenants . Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, the covenants and agreements contained herein to be performed following the Distribution shall survive the Distribution in accordance with their respective terms.

Section 9.06 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance shall be declared judicially to be invalid, unenforceable or void, such decision shall not have the effect of invalidating or voiding the remainder of this Agreement, it being the intent and agreement of the Parties that this Agreement shall be deemed amended by modifying such provision to the extent necessary to render it valid, legal, and enforceable to the maximum extent permitted while preserving its intent or, if such modification is not possible, by substituting therefor another provision that is valid, legal, and enforceable and that achieves the original intent of the Parties.

Section 9.07 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Exhibits, the other Transaction Agreements, the Plan and the other documents referred to herein shall constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments, and writings with respect to such subject matter. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, in the case of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any other agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

Section 9.08 Assignment . This Agreement shall not be assigned or delegated by a Party (in each case, whether (x) by merger, consolidation or dissolution of a Party, (y) by contract, operation of law or (z) otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other Parties, and any purported assignment or delegation in violation of this Agreement shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties hereby acknowledge that the surviving entity of any merger involving any Party shall be entitled and subject to all of the rights, benefits and obligations of the Company pursuant to this Agreement. For purposes of this Section 9.08 , the term “merger” refers to any merger in which a Party is a constituent entity, regardless of whether it is the surviving or merged entity. As a condition to, and prior to the consummation of, any direct or indirect transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets (whether in a single transaction or a series of related or unrelated transactions) the Party engaging in such transfer or other disposition shall require the transferee to assume all of such Party’s obligations hereunder.

Section 9.09 No Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any Person (other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns) any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement, and, except as provided in Article III relating to certain indemnitees, no Person shall be deemed a third party beneficiary under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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Section 9.10 Performance . Each EFH Party shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements, and obligations set forth herein to be performed by an Affiliate of such EFH Party, and each Reorganized TCEH Entity shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements, and obligations set forth herein to be performed by an Affiliate of Reorganized TCEH.

Section 9.11 Amendments; Waivers . This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed by each of the Parties. No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right hereunder. Any agreement on the part of any Party to any such waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such Party.

Section 9.12 Interpretation . The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement, and in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

Section 9.13 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or portable document format (PDF) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of any such Agreement.

Section 9.14 Confidentiality . Each Party shall hold and cause its directors, officers, employees, advisors, and consultants to hold in strict confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process or, in the opinion of its counsel, by other requirements of law, all information (other than any such information relating solely to the business or affairs of such party) concerning the other Party furnished it by such other Party or its representatives pursuant to this Agreement (except to the extent that such information can be shown to have been (a) in the public domain through no fault of such Party or (b) later lawfully acquired from other sources not under a duty of confidentiality by the party to which it was furnished), and no Party shall release or disclose such information to any other Person, except its directors, officers, employees, auditors, attorneys, financial advisors, bankers or other consultants who shall be advised of and agree to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.14 . Each Party shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligation to hold confidential information concerning or supplied by the other Party if it exercises the same care as it takes to preserve confidentiality for its own similar information. Except as required by law or with the prior written consent of the other Party, all Tax Returns, documents, schedules, work papers and similar items and all information contained therein, and any other information that is obtained by a Party or any of its Affiliates pursuant to this Agreement, shall be kept confidential by such Party and its Affiliates and representatives, shall not be disclosed to any other Person, and shall be used only for the purposes provided herein. If a Party or any of its Affiliates is required by law to disclose any such information, such Party shall give written notice to the other Party prior to making such disclosure.

Section 9.15 Waiver of Jury Trial . AS A SPECIFICALLY BARGAINED INDUCEMENT FOR EACH PARTY TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT (WITH EACH PARTY HAVING HAD OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT COUNSEL), EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF WHICH PARTY INITIATES SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING, AND ANY ACTION OR

 

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PROCEEDING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE TRIED IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY.

Section 9.16 Jurisdiction; Service of Process . Any action with respect to this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder brought by a Party or its successors or assigns, in each case, shall be brought and determined exclusively in the Bankruptcy Court (or, if the Bankruptcy Court declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, then the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware, and if the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware declines jurisdiction, then any state or federal court sitting in Delaware). Each Party hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any Action with respect to this Agreement (a) any claim that is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above named courts for any reason other than the failure to serve in accordance with this Section 9.16 , (b) any claim that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise), and (c) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claim that (i) the Action in such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such Action is improper or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts. Each Party further agrees that no Party to this Agreement shall be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this Section 9.16 and each Party waives any objection to the imposition of such relief or any right it may have to require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or similar instrument. The Parties hereby agree that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided in Section 9.17 , or in such other manner as may be permitted by law, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof and hereby waive any objections to service accomplished in the manner herein provided. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS SECTION 9.15 , ANY DISPUTE REGARDING SECTIONS 2.02 , 2.03 OR 2.04 SHALL BE RESOLVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 9.02 ; PROVIDED, THAT THE TERMS OF SECTION 9.02 MAY BE ENFORCED BY EITHER PARTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THIS SECTION 9.16 .

Section 9.17 Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands, and other communications to be given or delivered under or by the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given only (a) when delivered personally to the recipient, (b) one (1) Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid), provided that confirmation of delivery is received, (c) upon machine-generated acknowledgment of receipt after transmittal by facsimile or (d) five (5) days after being mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested and postage prepaid). Such notices, demands, and other communications shall be sent to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such address for a Party as will be specified by like notice):

If to any EFH Party :

Energy Future Holdings Corp., et al.

Energy Plaza

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: President

 

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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to, until the EFH Effective Date:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 North LaSalle

Chicago, IL 60654

Attention:   James Sprayregen
  Marc Kieselstein
  Chad Husnick
  Steven Serajeddini
E-mail:   jsprayregen@kirkland.com
  mkieselstein@kirkland.com
  chusnick@kirkland.com
  steven.serajedinni@kirkland.com

and

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention:   Edward Sassower
  Stephen Hessler
  Brian Schartz
E-mail:   edward.sassower@kirkland.com
  stephen.hessler@kirkland.com
  bschartz@kirkland.com

If to Reorganized TCEH, after the Distribution :

TCEH Corp.

Energy Plaza

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

600 Travis St., Suite 3300

Houston, TX 77002

Attention:

 

Andrew T. Calder, P.C.

  Kevin L. Morris
  John D. Pitts
Email:   andrew.calder@kirkland.com
  kevin.morris@kirkland.com
  john.pitts@kirkland.com

and

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2100 McKinney Avenue

Dallas, TX 75201-6912

Attention: Robert Little

Email: RLittle@gibsondunn.com

 

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and

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Attention:   Alan W. Kornberg
  Brian S. Hermann
  Jacob A. Adlerstein
E-mail:   akornberg@paulweiss.com
  bhermann@paulweiss.com
  jadlerstein@paulweiss.com

If to Merger Sub :

NextEra Energy, Inc.

700 Universe Blvd.

Juno Beach, FL 33408

Attention: Mark Hickson

Email: mark.hickson@nexteraenergy.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

NextEra Energy, Inc.

700 Universe Blvd.

Juno Beach, FL 33408

Attention: Charles E. Sieving

Email: charles.sieving@nexteraenergy.com

and

Chadbourne & Parke LLP

1301 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

Attention:   Howard Seife
  David LeMay
  William Greason
E-mail:   hseife@chadbourne.com
  dlemay@chadbourne.com
  wgreason@chadbourne.com

Any Party to this Agreement may notify any other Party of any changes to the address or any of the other details specified in this paragraph; provided, that such notification shall only be effective on the date specified in such notice or five (5) Business Days after the notice is given, whichever is later. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because of changed address of which no notice was given shall be deemed to be receipt of the notice as of the date of such rejection, refusal or inability to deliver. Any notice to any EFH Party will be deemed notice to all the Reorganized EFH Entities, and any notice to Reorganized TCEH will be deemed notice to all the Reorganized TCEH Entities.

 

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Section 9.18 Headings . The headings and captions of the Articles and Sections used in this Agreement and the table of contents to this Agreement are for reference and convenience purposes of the Parties only, and will be given no substantive or interpretive effect whatsoever.

Section 9.19 Effectiveness .

(a) Subject to Sections 9.19(b) and (c) , this Agreement shall become effective upon the Distribution or the consummation of the Taxable Separation, as appropriate.

(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement shall be null, void, and of no force or effect, without any action required by any Party, (i) in the event of a Taxable Separation, unless EFH has received a private letter ruling (or a legally binding agreement with the IRS, including a closing agreement) that income realized upon the cancellation of the TCEH First Lien Claims will be excluded from EFH’s gross income pursuant to Section 108(a)(1)(A); and (ii) in the event of a Spin-Off, unless EFH has received a private letter ruling (or a legally binding agreement with the IRS, including a closing agreement), that (A) subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 9.19(b) , income realized upon the cancellation of the TCEH First Lien Claims will be excluded from EFH’s gross income pursuant to Section 108(a)(1)(A); or that (B) (x) assuming the Distribution satisfies the requirements of Section 368(a)(1)(G) and Section 355, EFH will recognize no income or gain from the cancellation of the TCEH First Lien Claims; and (y) no amount of the TCEH debt will be treated as having been (1) assumed by Reorganized TCEH pursuant to Section 357(c) and Section 357(d) or (2) treated as an amount realized in connection with the Preferred Stock Sale. In the event that this Agreement becomes null, void and of no force or effect pursuant to the foregoing sentence, the holders of TCEH First Lien Claims reserve all rights to seek Bankruptcy Court approval of a Taxable Separation or a Spin-Off that includes the Preferred Stock Sale, and EFH and EFIH reserve all rights to object to such transactions. In the event the IRS informs the Parties that a ruling or rulings required by this Section 9.19(b) are not provided on the basis that such ruling does not present a significant issue, the requirement to obtain such rulings can be satisfied by the provision of a “will” opinion to EFH, in form and substance satisfactory to the EFH Parties and Reorganized TCEH, without substantive qualifications, of a nationally recognized law or accounting firm, which firm is reasonably acceptable to the EFH Parties and Reorganized TCEH, addressing the matter covered by such rulings. For the purposes of such opinion, each of the EFH Parties and Reorganized TCEH acknowledges that Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and KPMG LLP are reasonably acceptable to such entity.

(c) This Agreement shall not become effective with respect to Merger Sub or Parent until the Merger is consummated. In addition, this Agreement shall terminate with respect to Merger Sub and Parent upon the termination of the Merger Agreement without consummation of the Merger.

Section 9.20 Further Assurances . The EFH Parties shall cause each other Person that is or becomes a Subsidiary of EFH (other than any such Person or Subsidiary that is “ring fenced,” including the Oncor Entities) to execute a joinder to this Agreement (a) to become an EFH Party (effective as of the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary of EFH or ceases to be “ring fenced”) and (b) to be bound by the obligations of the EFH Parties under this Agreement on a joint and several basis. Reorganized TCEH shall cause each Reorganized TCEH Entity on the date of this Agreement (y) to execute a joinder to this Agreement to become a Reorganized TCEH Entity (effective as of the date of this Agreement) and (z) to be bound by the obligations of the Reorganized TCEH Entities under this Agreement on a joint and several basis.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

ENERGY FUTURE HOLDINGS CORP.
By:  

/s/ Anthony R. Horton

Name:   Anthony R. Horton
Title:   Treasurer
ENERGY FUTURE INTERMEDIATE HOLDING COMPANY LLC
By:  

/s/ Anthony R. Horton

Name:   Anthony R. Horton
Title:   Treasurer
EFIH FINANCE INC.
By:  

/s/ Anthony R. Horton

Name:   Anthony R. Horton
Title:   Treasurer
TEX ENERGY LLC
By:  

/s/ Anthony R. Horton

Name:   Anthony R. Horton
Title:   Treasurer
EFH MERGER CO., LLC
By:  

/s/ Mark Hickson

Name:   Mark Hickson
Title:   Senior Vice President


Exhibit A

With respect to Reorganized TCEH, each Subsidiary of Reorganized TCEH at the time of the Distribution.

With respect to the EFH Parties, each Subsidiary of the EFH Parties and (without duplication) the Oncor Entities.

 

Exhibit A


Exhibit B

The Applicable Percentage (by value, determined as of the Distribution Date) of the Applicable Assets; provided, that for purposes of determining whether the Applicable Percentage is met, any Applicable Asset (i) whose function in furtherance of the trade or business in which it was used at the time of the Distribution is materially reduced as a result of casualty, theft, labor strike or other similar action, breakdown, wear-and-tear, obsolescence, material change in applicable legal or regulatory rules, or other similar event or occurrence, (ii) that is taken out of production, shut down or sold and whose possible shutdown was disclosed in any IRS Submission and addressed in the Private Letter Ruling, (iii) that is operated for at least six months after the Distribution and subsequently disposed of pursuant to a decision of a majority of the board of directors of the relevant entity made after the expiration of such six-month period following the Distribution or (iv) that is taken out of production or shut down pursuant to a decision of a majority of the board of directors of the relevant entity, provided such Applicable Asset is maintained in a state of readiness in which it can resume production, in each case after the Distribution, shall be ignored (i.e., excluded from the numerator and the denominator of the calculation).

As used in this Exhibit, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Applicable Assets ” means (i) with respect to Reorganized TCEH, the assets held by any Reorganized TCEH Entity (other than any asset (or portion thereof) directly or indirectly held by the Preferred Stock Entity) and (ii) with respect to the EFH Parties, the assets held by any Reorganized EFH Entity.

Applicable Percentage ” means (i) with respect to Reorganized TCEH, 95% and (ii) with respect to the EFH Parties, 67%.

 

Exhibit B


Exhibit C

EFH – Legal Entity Simplification Steps Chart dated September 23, 2016

[Omitted.]

 

Exhibit C

Exhibit 10.15

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

This TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT (as hereinafter amended, restated or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into, as of this 3rd day of October, 2016 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Energy Future Holdings Corp., a Texas corporation (and any entity successor thereto, including, upon consummation of the E-Side Transaction (as defined below), the successor thereof (if any), (the “ Company ”)), and TEX Operations Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ OpCo ”). Each of the Company and OpCo is referred to herein as a “ Party ” and are collectively referred to herein as the “ Parties .” All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meaning set forth in Annex A attached hereto.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS , on April 29, 2014 (the “ Petition Date ”), the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Debtors ”), and Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC (“ TCEH ”), a Delaware limited liability company and subsidiary of the Company, commenced voluntary cases under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq. in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “ Bankruptcy Court ”), which cases are jointly administered for procedural purposes only under Case No. 14-10979, and any proceedings relating thereto (collectively, the “ Chapter 11 Cases ”);

WHEREAS , prior to the Effective Date, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving and confirming the restructuring of the TCEH Debtors pursuant to the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (the “ Plan of Reorganization ”);

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization: (a) TCEH formed TEX Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ SpinCo ”); (b) TCEH transferred all of TCEH’s interests in its Subsidiaries (excluding the stock of TCEH Finance, Inc., a Delaware corporation) to SpinCo in exchange for (i) 100% of the newly-issued equity interests of SpinCo and (ii) the cash proceeds of new SpinCo debt (such transfer, the “ TCEH Contribution ”), as well as the assumption by SpinCo of certain liabilities; (c) immediately following the TCEH Contribution, SpinCo transferred certain of its assets to an entity formed before the Effective Date that will elect to be treated as a corporation immediately following the TCEH Contribution (“ New Holdco ”) in exchange for 100% of New Holdco’s equity; (d) immediately following the transfer described in clause (c), SpinCo completed the sale of all of the preferred stock of New Holdco authorized to be issued by New Holdco to one or more third party investors in exchange for cash, and Reorganized TCEH will thereafter distribute the cash consideration attributable thereto to TCEH (the “ Preferred Stock Sale ”); and (e) immediately following the TCEH Contribution and the Preferred Stock Sale, SpinCo converted into a Delaware corporation pursuant to applicable Law;

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Company contributed the equity interests of (i) EFH Corporate Services Company, a Texas corporation (“ EFH Corporate Services ”), (ii) EFH Properties Company (but not including any cash or cash equivalents on hand at EFH Properties Company), and (iii) the respective Subsidiaries of EFH Corporate Services and EFH Properties Company to OpCo, as well as certain other assets, liabilities and equity interests related to the TCEH Debtors’ operations, all as provided in the Plan of Reorganization (the “ EFH Contribution ”);

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization and as a result of the EFH Contribution, the employees of EFH Corporate Services became employees of OpCo or one or more of its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date;


WHEREAS , pursuant to further amendment to the Plan of Reorganization the Company and/or its Subsidiaries may consummate a sale, merger or other similar transaction (the “ E-Side Transaction ”) to effectuate their reorganization and emergence from bankruptcy;

WHEREAS , the Company and its Subsidiaries wish to receive the Transition Services (as defined below) from OpCo and/or its Subsidiaries during the Term (as defined below); and

WHEREAS , OpCo is willing to provide, and to cause its Subsidiaries to provide, the Transition Services to the Company and its Subsidiaries upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

NOW , THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises, the covenants and agreements set forth herein, the mutual benefits to be gained by the performance thereof and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1 - SERVICES

1.1 Transition Services .

(a) During the Term, OpCo hereby agrees to provide, or cause to be provided (whether through one or more of its Subsidiaries or as permitted pursuant to Section 1.2 ), to the Company and its Subsidiaries upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement (i) as requested in writing (which may be by e-mail) by or on behalf of a Project Manager of the Company, one or more of the services described on Annex B attached hereto (the “ Service Schedule ”), (ii) as reasonably requested by the Company, any other service historically provided to the Company and/or its Subsidiaries during the period from April 29, 2014 through the date hereof by EFH Corporate Services, OpCo and/or their respective Subsidiaries, or (iii) if applicable, other services that may be agreed upon by the Parties (which, in the case of the Company, shall be a Project Manager of the Company or someone acting on such Project Manager’s behalf) in writing (which may be by e-mail) after the date hereof (“ Additional Services ” and, together with the services in clauses (i) and (ii), the “ Transition Services ”). In the event that the Parties identify and agree upon Additional Services to be provided under this Agreement, the Parties shall execute an amendment to this Agreement that provides for the substitution of the relevant Service Schedule, or additions or supplements to the relevant Service Schedule, in order to describe such Additional Services and other specific terms and conditions applicable thereto.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Term, the Parties agree, subject to Article 6 hereof, that the Transition Services include, to the extent applicable, the transitioning of information of the Company and its Subsidiaries to the Company and its Subsidiaries that such Company and/or Subsidiary reasonably require to operate their businesses (including historical books and records and electronic and other data related to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries).

(c) In no event shall OpCo or its Affiliates be required to (i) lend any funds to the Company or its Affiliates or (ii) make any payments or disbursements on behalf of the Company, except to the extent the Company has previously delivered to OpCo sufficient funds to make any such payment or disbursement.

(d) Unless otherwise expressly required under the terms of any relevant Service Schedule hereto, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Separation Agreement, the Split Participant Agreement, or as otherwise agreed to by the Parties in writing, in providing the Transition Services, OpCo or its Affiliates shall not be obligated to: (i) expend funds and other resources beyond levels that would be customary and reasonable for any other nationally recognized service provider to perform services that

 

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are similar to the relevant Transition Services; (ii) maintain the employment of any specific employee or subcontractor; (iii) purchase, lease or license any additional (measured as of the date hereof) equipment or materials (expressly excluding any renewal or extension of any leases or licenses required for OpCo to perform the relevant Transition Services during the Term; provided , that such extension or renewal shall be subject to Section 3.1 in all respects); or (iv) pay any of the Company’s costs related to its or any of its Affiliates’ receipt of the Transition Services.

(e) The Parties acknowledge the transitional nature of the Transition Services. In this regard, the Company acknowledges and agrees that it has the responsibility for the daily and strategic management of the Company (including, without limitation, oversight and management of its continuing Chapter 11 Cases) and that the intent of this Agreement and the extent of the Transition Services to be provided hereunder are for OpCo solely to provide, during the Term, the back-office and administrative services necessary to support the on-going daily operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries in a reasonably prudent manner and the Transition Services expressly exclude any such management and oversight of the Company’s businesses.

(f) Given the transitional nature of the Transition Services, the Company acknowledges and agrees that OpCo may make changes from time-to-time in the personnel performing the Transition Services.

(g) Nothing in Section 1.1(d) or Section 1.1(f) shall alter the obligation of OpCo to provide the Transition Services during the Term in accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement, including with regard to type, skill, care, quantity, scope, timeliness and diligence as provided in Section 1.4 .

1.2 Personnel; Third-Party Providers .

(a) OpCo hereby agrees, except as otherwise provided in this Section 1.2 , it will not delegate its responsibilities under this Agreement to any unaffiliated third Person (a “ Third-Party Provider ”) without the Company’s express prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, it being understood that it would be reasonable for the Company not to consent to any delegation that would adversely change in any material respect the obligations of the Company under this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties acknowledge and agree that the Transition Services that have historically been provided and supported by Third-Party Providers may be provided and supported without the consent of the Company; provided that such Third-Party Provider provision and support does not alter the obligations of OpCo to provide the Transition Services during the Term in accordance with this Agreement, including with regard to type, skill, care, quantity, scope, timeliness and diligence as provided in Section 1.4(a) ; provided , further , that, without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent may be withheld, conditioned or delayed in the Company’s sole discretion), in no event shall OpCo enter into any arrangement or contract with a Third-Party Provider (1) in the name of the Company (or any of its affiliates) on its behalf or (2) that would reasonably be expected to result in the Company (or any of its affiliates) being required to make, directly or indirectly, any payments to such Third-Party Provider (or to OpCo for services provided by any Third-Party Provider) following completion of the Transition Services (except, for the avoidance of doubt, any payments to OpCo for Transition Services performed in accordance with this Agreement prior to the completion of the Transition Services which may not have been paid but are otherwise due and payable in accordance with this Agreement).

(b) In the event OpCo or a Third-Party Provider requires incremental credit support in connection with the provision of Transition Services, OpCo may request that the Company provide reasonable credit support to OpCo or such Third Party Provider with respect thereto. In the event that the

 

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Company elects not to provide such requested credit support (which it may do in its sole discretion), the Company agrees that the fees to be charged hereunder shall include any reasonable and documented incremental cost and expense that OpCo or such Third Party Provider incurs in connection with providing OpCo or such Third-Party Provider the required credit support for the applicable Transition Services.

(c) OpCo shall perform its obligations under this Agreement as an independent contractor. No employees or representatives of OpCo or a Third-Party Provider shall be deemed to be employees or representatives of the Company. In performing the Transition Services, such employees and representatives of OpCo or a Third-Party Provider shall be under the direction, control and supervision of OpCo or the Third-Party Provider, as applicable, and, subject to compliance with the requirements set forth in the Service Schedule. OpCo or the Third-Party Provider, as applicable, shall be solely responsible for exercising all authority with respect to, and shall bear all liabilities arising from, the employment (including termination of employment), assignment and compensation of such employees or representatives (including the payment of all salary and benefits and all premiums and remittances with respect to employees used to provide any Transition Services hereunder).

(d) If a Third-Party Provider provides Transition Services in accordance with this Agreement, such Third-Party Provider shall be a subcontractor engaged by OpCo. OpCo shall cause each such Third Party Provider to be subject to service standards and confidentiality provisions at least equivalent to those set forth herein. OpCo shall remain responsible for the performance by it of all of its obligations hereunder with respect to the Transition Services provided by such Third-Party Provider.

1.3 Third Party Consents .

(a) The Parties acknowledge and agree that it may be necessary to obtain from third parties certain consents, waivers, permits, licenses or sublicenses (“ Consents ”) in order for (i) OpCo to use third-party applications, Intellectual Property, systems, networks and similar services and functions in the provision of Transition Services and/or (ii) the Company to receive Transition Services.

(b) The Parties will cooperate and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the Consents; provided, however , that the failure to obtain any such Consent shall not relieve OpCo of its obligation to provide the relevant Transition Service unless (A) the provision of such Transition Service is prohibited by applicable Law or (B) such Consent cannot be obtained in a timely manner after using commercially reasonable efforts (it being understood that the cost of any such Consent shall be the responsibility of the Company and may be included as part of the Fees charged hereunder). In either case of clauses (A) or (B) in the preceding sentence, OpCo shall promptly notify the Company thereof and the Parties will use their commercially reasonable efforts to implement an alternative means of continuing the provision of the applicable Transition Service for which the Consent is required, in accordance with the service standards described in Section 1.4 . Each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate the effects (including the cost) of such alternative means.

1.4 Level of Service and Limitations .

(a) During the Term, OpCo shall perform, or cause to be performed, the Transition Services (i) in a professional and workmanlike manner at a quality substantially equivalent (including with regard to type, skill, care, quantity, scope, timeliness and diligence) as provided by EFH Corporate Services and/or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business during the twelve (12) month period prior to the Petition Date (or, to the extent new services commenced following the Petition Date, during the twelve (12) month period prior to the Effective Date) and (ii) in compliance with all applicable Laws, in all material respects.

 

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(b) During the Term, the Company shall allow representatives of OpCo reasonable access to its facilities, assets, advisors, systems and information as reasonably requested by OpCo for purposes of rendering the Transition Services under this Agreement; provided , that no such access shall unreasonably interfere with the ongoing operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and provided , further , that the Company may exclude any OpCo personnel at its sole discretion from access to any of its employees, facilities, assets, advisors, systems and/or information due to a material violation by OpCo personnel of the Company’s reasonable health, safety, data security, conduct or other policies.

(c) In connection with its provision of the Transition Services under this Agreement, OpCo shall be permitted to rely on any written information or data provided by the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Representatives, to OpCo, except to the extent that OpCo has actual knowledge that such information or data is inaccurate.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, OpCo shall not be obligated to (and shall not be obligated to cause any Third Party Provider to) provide any Transition Services if the provision of such Transition Services would (i) violate any Law or, subject to Section 1.3(b) , any agreement or license to which the Parties are subject, or (ii) with respect to legal, accounting or similar professional services, violate or be in contravention of any rules, regulations or standards of practice promulgated by any organization or authority governing such professional service; provided, however , in each case, that the Parties shall work diligently together in good faith to obtain or cause to be obtained such Transition Services (including, if applicable, professional services) from another provider on a commercially reasonable basis.

(e) During the Term, each Party agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the other Party in all matters relating to the provision and receipt of the Transition Services and to effect an orderly transition of the Transition Services. This Agreement is a purely commercial transaction between the Parties and nothing stated in this Agreement shall operate to create any partnership, or special or fiduciary duty between the Parties.

1.5 Project Managers . OpCo and the Company shall each appoint one or more individuals to act as project managers (each, a “ Project Manager ”) to (i) serve as the primary contact for any issues arising out of the performance of this Agreement or any portion of the Transition Services, (ii) be primarily responsible for administering the orderly provision or receipt, as applicable, of the Transition Services (or applicable portion thereof) on its behalf, and (iii) with respect to the Company’s Project Manager, request that OpCo provide (or cease to provide) the Company a particular Transition Service. The initial Project Managers, as well as their respective addresses for notices and other communications, are set forth in the Service Schedule. Each Party agrees to provide reasonable access (in person, by telephone or electronically via e-mail) during normal business hours to its Project Manager for problem resolution. Either Party may replace its Project Manager at any time by providing notice in accordance with Section 7.5 , such replacement to be effective as of the date of the other Party’s receipt of such notice.

1.6 No Service Warranty . Except to the extent provided in Section 1.2(d) and Section 1.4(a) , OpCo makes no warranties or representations relating to the Transition Services or the results of the Transition Services hereunder and hereby disclaims all representations or warranties, whether express, implied or statutory, with respect to its performance under this Agreement, including without limitation any warranty of adequacy, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

1.7 No Conflicts . OpCo hereby represents and warrants to the Company that, except as set forth on Annex C attached hereto, to the knowledge of OpCo (after reasonable inquiry) (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by OpCo and (ii) the performance by OpCo of its obligations under this Agreement do not violate, in any material respect, applicable law.

 

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ARTICLE 2 - TERM AND TERMINATION

2.1 Term . The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall end on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2017 or (ii) the closing date of the E-Side Transaction (the “ Term ”). At the end of the Term all rights and obligations under this Agreement shall cease, except (a) the rights and obligations that are expressly stated to survive termination pursuant to Section 2.4 and (b) rights and obligations that have accrued prior to such termination.

2.2 Discontinuation of Services . During the Term, the Company may terminate any particular Transition Service (whether provided directly or indirectly by OpCo and/or any of its Affiliates or by any Third-Party Provider) and eliminate it from the scope of the Transition Services provided under this Agreement upon at least thirty (30) days’ (or such other amount of time as mutually agreed in writing between the Parties) prior written notice to OpCo, and following such termination the Company shall only be liable to OpCo for the Fees (as defined below) owed to OpCo in connection with, and attributable to, the provision of such discontinued Transition Services to the extent attributable to the period on and before such discontinuation. During the Term, the Parties shall cooperate as reasonably required to effectuate an orderly and systematic transfer to the Company, or any such Person at the request of the Company, of all of the duties and obligations previously performed by OpCo (whether provided directly or indirectly by OpCo and/or any of its Affiliates or by any Third-Party Provider) under this Agreement that the Company desires to continue following the Term.

2.3 Early Termination .

(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement or any particular Transition Service may be terminated prior to the expiration of the Term as follows:

 

  (i) with respect to any particular Transition Service, by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2 ;

 

  (ii) by mutual written consent of the Company and OpCo; or

 

  (iii) by the Company, on the one hand, or OpCo, on the other hand, if the other Party is in material breach of any of its covenants or obligations set forth in this Agreement and fails to cure such breach as promptly as reasonably practicable but in any event within twenty (20) Business Days (or ten (10) Business Days with respect to any failure to make a required payment under this Agreement that is not subject to a good faith dispute pursuant to Section 3.3 ) after receipt of written notice thereof from the other Party (which notice must specify, in reasonable detail, the nature of such breach).

2.4 Survival . The termination of this Agreement with respect to any particular Transition Service pursuant to Section 2.2 or Section 2.3 shall not affect the provisions of this Agreement and the Service Schedule with respect to a Transition Service not terminated. Neither the termination of this Agreement with respect to any particular Transition Service pursuant to Section 2.2 or Section 2.3 nor the expiration of the Term shall affect (i) the liability of a Party for a breach of this Agreement prior to the termination or expiration hereof, (ii) the Parties’ obligations set forth in this Section 2.4 , Article 5 , Article 6 and Article 7 , which shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement and (iii) any

 

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rights or obligations arising out of or in connection with this Agreement that have vested, matured or accrued prior to such termination or expiration, including, the right of OpCo to receive any and all amounts owed to OpCo hereunder to the extent attributable to the period on and before such termination or expiration.

ARTICLE 3 - COMPENSATION

3.1 Fees . In consideration for the provision of the Transition Services, the Company shall pay to OpCo all reasonable and documented fees, costs, and expenses (including employee-related, overhead, general and administrative expenses incurred by OpCo related directly to the Transition Services provided during the Term (all such fees, costs and expenses, collectively, the “ Fees ”)).

3.2 Invoices . Within ten (10) Business Days after the end of each calendar month, OpCo (on behalf of itself and each of its Subsidiaries providing Transition Services) shall submit an invoice (each, an “ Invoice ”) to the Company setting forth (i) a reasonably detailed description of the Transition Services provided by OpCo and its Subsidiaries during such calendar month and (ii) reasonable documentation and supporting detail of the Fees owing for such Transition Services (including any third-party invoices related thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in Section 3.3 below, in connection with the final termination of this Agreement, the Parties will work together in good faith to prepare a final invoice with all accrued and unpaid Fees and other amounts due hereunder and such final invoice shall be paid by the Company to OpCo on the termination date with the intent that all Fees and other amounts due hereunder would be paid upon the termination of this Agreement and that no amounts would be due as of such termination.

3.3 Time of Payment; Disputes; Interest; No Deductions .

(a) The Company shall pay, or cause to be paid, all undisputed amounts due under this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt of the applicable Invoice. Such payment shall be made in immediately available funds by bank wire transfer to an account designated by OpCo.

(b) The Company shall promptly (and in no event later than thirty (30) days following receipt of any Invoice) notify OpCo of any good faith objection of the Company with regard to such Invoice and the failure to so object shall be definitive evidence of the acceptance of such Invoice. If requested by the Company, OpCo shall promptly furnish reasonable documentation to substantiate the amounts invoiced, including listing the date(s), time(s) and amount(s) of the Transition Services in question. Following any good faith invoice objection, the Company and OpCo shall cooperate in good faith and use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve any remaining dispute expeditiously, without prejudice to either Party’s rights under Section 7.3 or Section 7.8 . The Company shall pay all disputed amounts in accordance with the resolution of such disputed amount within five (5) Business Days after such resolution.

(c) If the Company has not paid any undisputed amounts within thirty (30) days after receipt of the applicable Invoice with respect thereto, such undisputed amounts shall accrue interest at the lesser of (i) the maximum rate allowed by applicable Law, and (ii) the prime rate published in The Wall Street Journal plus 4% per annum, and the Company shall pay OpCo such accrued interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of the Company to pay any material undisputed amounts within thirty (30) days after receipt of the applicable Invoice with respect thereto shall also constitute a material breach of this Agreement.

 

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3.4 Taxes .

(a) All Fees shall be exclusive of any goods and services taxes, value added taxes or similar taxes on the performance or delivery of Transition Services (collectively “ Sales Taxes ”).

(b) To the extent that OpCo is obligated to collect and remit any Sales Tax in respect of the Transition Services herein provided, the Company shall pay the amount of such Sales Taxes to OpCo in addition to the Fees otherwise payable hereunder. Any amount required to be paid under this Section 3.4(b) and not paid by the due date for payment shall be subject to the late charges specified in Section 3.3(c) .

(c) Subject to Section 3.4(b) , OpCo shall be responsible for and shall pay all taxes, assessments or other charges against it in connection with the Transition Services, including taxes on OpCo’s income or profits thereon and all taxes imposed on or assessed or levied against or on account of salaries or other compensation or other benefits or amounts paid or provided to OpCo’s employees or subcontractors. OpCo accepts full and exclusive liability for and shall indemnify, defend and hold the Company harmless from and against any and all claims arising out of income or payroll taxes or withholding taxes assessed or levied in respect of the provision of Transition Services hereunder by any Governmental Entity.

(d) OpCo shall not be reimbursed for any (i) real or personal property taxes on property it owns or leases, (ii) franchise, margin, privilege or similar taxes on its business, (iii) payroll or employment taxes of its employees (including income tax, social security taxes, unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation tax, other employment taxes or withholdings), (iv) taxes based on its income or gross receipts or (v) withholding taxes. Should there be any withholding tax required for payment made hereunder, the Company shall have the right to withhold such amount from money due to OpCo under this Agreement for payment of taxes, assessment or other charges. Such payment by the Company shall relieve the Company of further obligation with respect to any amount withheld and OpCo shall assist the Company by submitting the necessary documents to support the application for the Company to recover such amount later, if applicable.

(e) Within thirty (30) days after receiving notification of the commencement of any Sales Tax, VAT or other similar tax audit by a tax authority which involves the provision of any Transition Services or access to any facilities provided hereunder, the Party receiving such notice shall notify the other Party of such audit. Thereafter, the Party receiving such notice shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such Sales Tax or VAT or other similar tax audit and shall take reasonable steps to keep the other Party informed of the progress of any such audit; provided, however , that where the other Party is liable to pay an amount in respect of such Sales Tax, VAT or other similar tax pursuant to this Section 3.4 , the controlling Party shall not settle or otherwise compromise such audit without the other Party’s consent. The other Party shall have the right (but not the duty) to participate in any proceeding to contest Sales Tax, VAT or other similar liability, and shall have the right to retain tax advisers or counsel at its own expense.

(f) Subject to applicable Law, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with each other in connection with obtaining any available reduction of, or exemption from, any taxes due in respect of the provision of Transition Services to the extent possible.

 

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ARTICLE 4 - FORCE MAJEURE

4.1 Force Majeure .

(a) If any Party is rendered unable, wholly or in part, by Force Majeure (as defined below) to carry out its obligations under this Agreement, other than obligations to make monetary payments, that Party shall give the non-affected Party prompt written notice of the cause and extent of the Force Majeure, the date of commencement thereof and the means proposed to be adopted to remedy or abate such Force Majeure, following which the affected Party shall be excused from performance of its obligations under this Agreement solely to the extent, and for the period, that such performance is prevented by such Force Majeure. The affected Party shall use commercially reasonable diligence to remove or remediate the Force Majeure as quickly as possible and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to develop a mutually satisfactory solution to such Force Majeure with the non-affected Party. If any Transition Service is interrupted or suspended due to an event of Force Majeure, (i) the Company shall be entitled to an equitable reduction of Fees payable for the affected Transition Services and (ii) the Company shall have the right to immediately terminate the affected Transition Service and/or any Transition Service linked to the affected Transition Service.

(b) The term “ Force Majeure ” shall mean any act of God, industry wide strikes directly impacting the Transition Services, act of the public enemy, war, blockade, terrorism, public riot, lightning, fire, storm, flood, explosion, governmental action, or other circumstance that is beyond the reasonable control of the affected Party and which did not arise from the fraud, bad faith, intentional or willful misconduct or gross negligence of the affected Party.

ARTICLE 5 - INDEMNIFICATION AND DISCLAIMER

5.1 The Company’s Indemnity . SUBJECT TO SECTION 5.4 , THE COMPANY HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS AND DEFEND OPCO AND OPCO’S SUBSIDIARIES AND ITS AND THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY, THE “ OPCO GROUP ”) FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM ANY THIRD-PARTY ACTION IN RESPECT OF (I) THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TRANSITION SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR (II) FRAUD, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR INTENTIONAL OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE COMPANY, THE COMPANY’S AFFILIATES OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES (COLLECTIVELY, THE “ COMPANY GROUP ”) IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSITION SERVICES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY, OR ARISING OUT OF THE FRAUD, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR INTENTIONAL OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF, OR MATERIAL BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT BY, ANY MEMBER OF THE OPCO GROUP OR ANY THIRD PARTY PROVIDER.

5.2 OpCo’s Indemnity . SUBJECT TO SECTION 5.3 AND SECTION 5.4 , OPCO HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS AND DEFEND THE COMPANY GROUP FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM ANY THIRD-PARTY ACTION IN RESPECT OF THE FRAUD, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR INTENTIONAL OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF ANY MEMBER OF THE OPCO GROUP IN PROVIDING THE TRANSITION SERVICES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY OR ARISING OUT OF THE FRAUD, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR INTENTIONAL OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF, OR MATERIAL BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT BY, ANY MEMBER OF THE COMPANY GROUP OR ANY THIRD PARTY PROVIDER. SUBJECT TO SECTION 5.4 , OPCO HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS AND DEFEND THE COMPANY

 

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GROUP FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES TO THE EXTENT ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM ANY ACTION OR CLAIM AGAINST THE COMPANY GROUP BY ANY THIRD PARTY PROVIDER RELATED TO (X) THE PROVISION OF THE TRANSITION SERVICES HEREUNDER OR (Y) ANY DISPUTE BY AND BETWEEN OPCO OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES AND SUCH THIRD PARTY PROVIDER OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES (WHETHER OR NOT SUCH DISPUTE RELATES TO THE PROVISION OF THE TRANSITION SERVICES HEREUNDER BUT SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDING ANY SUCH LOSSES CAUSED BY OR ARISING OUT OF THE FRAUD, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR INTENTIONAL OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF, OR MATERIAL BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT BY, ANY MEMBER OF THE COMPANY GROUP). FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, THE INDEMNITY IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE SHALL NOT AFFECT THE OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY TO PAY FEES IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE III .

5.3 Limited Liability of the OpCo Group . NO MEMBER OF THE OPCO GROUP SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY MEMBER OF THE COMPANY GROUP, IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, FOR OR IN CONNECTION WITH (A) ANY TRANSITION SERVICES PROVIDED OR TO BE PROVIDED OR ANY ACCESS TO ANY FACILITIES PROVIDED OR TO BE PROVIDED BY OPCO PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR (B) ANY ACTIONS OR INACTIONS OF ANY COMPANY GROUP MEMBER IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH SERVICES OR ACCESS TO ANY SUCH FACILITIES REFERRED TO IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING CLAUSE (A), IN EACH CASE, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY MEMBER OF THE COMPANY GROUP SUFFERS A LOSS THAT RESULTS FROM SUCH OPCO GROUP MEMBER’S MATERIAL BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT, FRAUD, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR INTENTIONAL OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH SERVICES OR ACCESS TO ANY SUCH FACILITIES.

5.4 Enforceability . NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, IF SECTION 5.1 , SECTION 5.2 OR ANY OTHER PROVISION HEREIN MODIFYING SECTION 5.1 OR SECTION 5.2 CONTAINS AN INDEMNITY OBLIGATION THAT IS UNENFORCEABLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, THEN THIS ARTICLE 5 WILL BE MODIFIED, READ, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND ANY OBLIGATION THAT IS ENFORCEABLE WILL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AND BE BINDING ON THE PARTIES.

5.5 Determination of Losses; Limitation of Losses .

(a) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY BE LIABLE FOR, AND “LOSSES” SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO INCLUDE, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, LOSS OF PRODUCTION, DIMINUTION IN VALUE OR OTHER DAMAGES ATTRIBUTABLE TO BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) ARISING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSITION SERVICES, EXCEPT, IN EACH CASE, TO THE EXTENT SUCH DAMAGES ARE PAYABLE TO A THIRD PARTY.

(b) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE TERM “LOSSES” MEANS ACTIONS, CHARGES, DAMAGES, FINES, PENALTIES, DEFICIENCIES, JUDGMENTS, INJUNCTIONS, ORDERS, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, AMOUNTS PAID IN SETTLEMENT, OBLIGATIONS, LIENS, COSTS AND REASONABLE EXPENSES (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND EXPENSES, INTEREST, COURT COSTS AND OTHER COSTS OF SUIT, LITIGATION OR OTHER PROCEEDINGS OF ANY KIND OR OF ANY CLAIM, DEFAULT OR ASSESSMENT).

 

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(c) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE PARTIES AGREE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF THE OPCO GROUP FOR ANY CLAIMS MADE IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT EXCEED FOR ANY REASON, IN THE AGGREGATE, AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) OF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF FEES ACTUALLY PAID UNDER THIS AGREEMENT (THE “ CAP ”), EXCEPT THAT THE CAP SHALL NOT APPLY TO (1) ANY INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATION OF OPCO UNDER SECTION 5.2 OR (2) ANY LOSSES INCURRED BY ANY MEMBER OF THE COMPANY GROUP CAUSED BY OR ARISING OUT OF THE FRAUD, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR INTENTIONAL OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF, ANY MEMBER OF THE OPCO GROUP OR ANY THIRD PARTY PROVIDER.

(d) NEITHER PARTY SHALL CONSENT TO THE ENTRY OF ANY JUDGMENT OR ENTER INTO ANY SETTLEMENT OF ANY CLAIM TO THE EXTENT INDEMNIFIABLE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE OTHER PARTY, WHICH CONSENT SHALL NOT BE UNREASONABLY WITHHELD, CONDITIONED OR DELAYED.

5.6 Acknowledgement of the Parties; Conspicuousness . Each Party agrees that it shall not contest the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement on the basis that the Party had no notice or knowledge of such provisions or that such provisions are not “conspicuous.” The Parties acknowledge and agree that the provisions contained in this Agreement that are set out in “ALL CAPS” satisfy the “express negligence rule” (to the extent applicable) and any other requirement at law or in equity that provisions contained in a contract be conspicuously marked or highlighted.

ARTICLE 6 - CONFIDENTIALITY

6.1 Confidential Information .

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Business Information ” means all confidential or proprietary business, financial or technical data, documents, plans, intellectual property and other information, in whatever form, relating to the operations, businesses or assets of a Party or its Affiliates (the “ Discloser ”) that is disclosed to, or received by, the other Party (the “ Recipient ”) in connection with the services or arrangements contemplated by this Agreement. Each Recipient shall, and shall cause its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and contractors and its and their Representatives to, hold the Business Information of the Discloser in confidence and not to use or disclose such Business Information, except as reasonably required for the purposes of this Agreement or otherwise expressly permitted hereunder. Each Party (as the Recipient) shall use no less than the same degree of care that it uses to protect its own confidential information of similar sensitivity to protect the Business Information of the other Party, but in no event less than a commercially reasonable degree of care. The restrictions of this Article 6 shall not apply to Business Information that:

 

  (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a violation of this Section 6.1 by the Recipient or its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, or contractors or its or their Representatives;

 

  (ii) is developed by the Recipient or its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, or contractors or its or their Representatives without the use of or reference to any of the Discloser’s Business Information;

 

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  (iii) is rightfully obtained by the Recipient or its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, or contractors or its or their Representatives from a third-party source which such Person reasonably believes was not subject to any legal, contractual or fiduciary duty to the Discloser; or

 

  (iv) is identified in writing by the Discloser as no longer proprietary or confidential.

(b) Nothing herein shall prevent a Recipient or its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, or contractors or its or their Representatives from disclosing Business Information (i) as required by applicable Law or upon the order of any court or administrative agency, (ii) upon the request or demand of, or pursuant to any regulation of, any regulatory agency or authority (including any self-regulatory agency, stock exchange or quotation system), (iii) to the extent reasonably required in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder in connection with the conduct or defense of any civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits, complaints, enforcement actions, penalty assessments, claims, hearings, arbitrations, investigations, inquiries, audits or other proceedings (formal or informal, public or non-public) (each, an “ Action ”), (iv) to its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, or contractors or its or their Representatives as necessary to perform the Transition Services pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, provided that such Persons are informed of the confidential nature of the Business Information, and the Recipient shall be liable to the Discloser for the use or disclosure thereof by such Person in violation of the terms hereof; provided , further , that if Recipient or its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, or contractors or its or their Representatives is requested or required pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) to disclose any Business Information of the Discloser, such Recipient shall notify the Discloser promptly in writing, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, of such requirement so that the Discloser may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with this Article 6 , and the Recipient or its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, or contractors or its or their Representatives (as applicable) shall disclose only that portion of such Business Information which it believes in its reasonable judgment is legally required to be disclosed and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment shall be accorded such Business Information.

6.2 Length of Confidentiality Obligation . Each Party agrees to maintain and protect the confidentiality of the Business Information of the other Party as set forth in this Article 6 during the Term and for two (2) years after the expiration of the Term.

ARTICLE 7 - MISCELLANEOUS

7.1 Waiver of Compliance . Any failure of OpCo, on the one hand, or the Company, on the other hand, to comply with an obligation, covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Agreement may be expressly waived in writing by the non-failing Party, but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.

7.2 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY

 

12


OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (iv) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7.2 .

7.3 Governing Law and Venue . THIS AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH ANY CLAIM, DISPUTE, REMEDY OR LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY RELIEF OR REMEDIES SOUGHT BY THE PARTIES, AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER, SHALL BE CONSTRUED, PERFORMED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ITS PRINCIPLES OR RULES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT SUCH PRINCIPLES OR RULES WOULD REQUIRE OR PERMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. Each of the Parties (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court (or, if the Bankruptcy Court declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, then the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware, and if the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware declines jurisdiction, then any state or federal court sitting in Delaware) in any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, (ii) agrees that all claims in respect of such Action may be heard and determined in any such court and (iii) agrees not to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement (whether on the basis of a claim sounding in contract, tort or otherwise) in any other court. Each of the Parties agrees that a final judgment in any such Action shall be conclusive (subject to any appeals therefrom) and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any Delaware or federal court in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.3 . Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such Action in any such court. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 7.5 . Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any Party to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.

7.4 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including by electronic means), each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts taken together constituting one and the same agreement.

7.5 Notices . Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any party to the others shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, by email or overnight courier:

If to the Company:

Energy Future Holdings Corp.

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: President

 

13


with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to :

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 North LaSalle

Chicago, IL 60654

  Attention: James Sprayregen
Marc Kieselstein
Chad Husnick
  Email: jsprayregen@kirkland.com
mkieselstein@kirkland.com
chusnick@kirkland.com

and

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

600 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

  Attention: Edward Sassower
  Email: edward.sassower@kirkland.com

If to OpCo:

TEX Energy LLC

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

  Attention: General Counsel

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

600 Travis St., Suite 3300

Houston, TX 77002

  Attention: Andrew T. Calder, P.C.
Kevin L. Morris
John D. Pitts
  Email: andrew.calder@kirkland.com
kevin.morris@kirkland.com
john.pitts@kirkland.com

and

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2100 McKinney Avenue

Dallas, TX 75201-6912

  Attention: Robert Little
  Email: RLittle@gibsondunn.com

or to such other persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice as provided above. Any notice, request, instruction or other document given as provided above shall be deemed given to the receiving party upon actual receipt, if delivered personally;

 

14


three (3) Business Days after deposit in the mail, if sent by registered or certified mail; upon receipt if sent by email and received by 5:00 pm (Eastern Time), on a Business Day (otherwise the next Business Day) ( provided that if given by email such notice, request, instruction or other document shall be followed up within one (1) Business Day by dispatch pursuant to one of the other methods described herein); or on the next Business Day after deposit with an overnight courier, if sent by an overnight courier.

7.6 Modification or Amendment . Subject to the provisions of applicable Law, the Parties may only modify or amend this Agreement by written agreement executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of the respective Parties.

7.7 No Third Party Beneficiaries . Except for the indemnification of members of the Company Group (other than the Company) or members of the OpCo Group (other than OpCo) set forth in Article V , the Parties hereby agree that their respective covenants and agreements set forth herein are solely for the benefit of the other Parties and their permitted successors and assigns, in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement, and this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, confer upon any Person other than the Parties and their permitted successors and assigns any rights or remedies hereunder, including the right to rely upon the representations and warranties set forth herein.

7.8 Specific Performance . The Parties agree that irreparable damage may occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 7.8 , each of the Parties shall be entitled to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement and to obtain an injunction, injunctions or any form of equitable relief to prevent or remedy breaches of this Agreement. Each Party hereby waives any requirement for the security or posting of any bond in connection with any such equitable remedy.

7.9 No Transfer . The Parties acknowledge and agree that nothing in this Agreement is intended to transfer any right, title, or interest in and to any tangible, intangible, real or personal property (including any and all intellectual property rights). Notwithstanding any materials, deliverables, or other products that may be created or developed by OpCo or its Affiliates from the date hereof through the expiration or termination of the Term with respect to Transition Services, OpCo does not hereby convey, nor does the Company or any of its Affiliates hereby obtain, any right, title, or interest in or to any of OpCo’s or any of its Affiliates’ equipment, materials, deliverables, products, or any other rights or property used to provide the Transition Services. All data, files, property or other materials and information that are supplied by the Company or any of its Affiliates in connection with this Agreement shall remain the Company’s or such Affiliate’s property, respectively, and OpCo shall not have any rights or interests with respect thereto.

7.10 Intellectual Property Rights.

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 7.10 , each of OpCo and the Company and their respective Affiliates shall retain all right, title and interest in and to their respective intellectual property and any and all improvements, modifications and derivative works thereof. No license or right, express or implied, is granted under this Agreement by OpCo, the Company or their respective Affiliates in, or to, their respective intellectual property, except that, solely to the extent required for the provision or receipt of the Transition Services in accordance with this Agreement, each of OpCo and the Company, for itself and on behalf of their respective Affiliates, hereby grants to the other (and their respective Affiliates) a non-exclusive, revocable, non-transferable license during the Term to such intellectual property that is provided by the granting party to the other party (“ Licensee ”) in connection with this Agreement, but only to the extent and for the duration necessary for the Licensee to provide or receive the applicable

 

15


Transition Services as permitted by this Agreement. Upon the expiration of such time, or the earlier termination of such Transition Service in accordance with this Agreement, the license to the relevant intellectual property will terminate; provided , however , that all licenses granted hereunder shall terminate immediately upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof. The foregoing license is subject to any licenses granted by others with respect to intellectual property not owned by OpCo, the Company or their respective Affiliates.

(b) Subject to the limited license granted in Section 7.10(a) , in the event that any intellectual property is created by OpCo (or a Third-Party Provider, if applicable) in the performance of the Transition Services or provision of access to the facilities, all right, title and interest throughout the world in and to all such intellectual property shall vest solely in OpCo (or such Third-Party Provider, if applicable) unconditionally and immediately upon such intellectual property having been developed, written or produced.

(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, none of OpCo (or its Affiliates) and the Company (or its Affiliates) shall have any rights or licenses with respect to any intellectual property (including software), hardware or facility of the other Party. All rights and licenses not expressly granted in this Agreement, the Separation Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement or the Split Participant Agreement (such other agreements, collectively, the “ Separation Documents ”) are expressly reserved by the relevant Party. Each of OpCo and the Company shall from time to time execute any documents and take any other actions reasonably requested by the other Party to effectuate the intent of this Section 7.10 .

7.11 No Assumption; Other Agreements . Nothing herein shall be deemed to (a) constitute the assumption by OpCo or any of its Affiliates, or the agreement to assume, any duties, obligations or liabilities of the Company or its Affiliates whatsoever; or (b) alter, amend or otherwise modify any obligation of the Parties or their Affiliates under the Separation Documents.

7.12 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any Person or any circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.

 

16


7.13 Interpretation; Construction .

(a) Headings herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof. Where a reference in this Agreement is made to an article, section or annex, such reference shall be to an article, section or annex to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Such annexes and schedules are an integral part of this Agreement and shall be treated as if fully set forth herein. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not any particular provision of this Agreement.

(b) The Parties have participated jointly in negotiating and drafting this Agreement. In the event that an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

7.14 Assignment; Delegation . This Agreement shall not be assigned or delegated by a Party (in each case, whether (x) by merger, consolidation or dissolution of a Party, (y) by contract, operation of law or (z) otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other Parties, and any purported assignment or delegation in violation of this Agreement shall be null and void. For purposes of this Section 7.14 , the term “merger” refers to any merger in which a Party is a constituent entity, regardless of whether it is the surviving or merged entity. As a condition to, and prior to the consummation of, any direct or indirect transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets (whether in a single transaction or a series of related or unrelated transactions) the Party engaging in such transfer or other disposition shall require the transferee to assume all of such Party’s obligations hereunder.

7.15 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (which includes the Service Schedule), together with the Separation Documents, constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties both written and oral, between the Parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

17


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized representatives as of the date and year first set forth above.

 

TEX OPERATIONS COMPANY LLC
By:   /s/ David D. Faranetta
Name:   David D. Faranetta
Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer
ENERGY FUTURE HOLDINGS CORP.
By:   /s/ Anthony R. Horton
Name:   Anthony R. Horton
Title:   Treasurer

 

Signature Page to the Stand-Alone Transition Services Agreement


Annex A

Defined Terms

Section 1.1 Definitions . Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, or unless the context otherwise requires, whenever used in this Agreement (including any Annexes hereto), the following terms shall have the respective meanings specified below.

Affiliates ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such Person; provided that , notwithstanding the foregoing, Affiliates of the Company shall be deemed to include Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC and its Subsidiaries (including Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC) (collectively, the “ Oncor Entities ”).

Business Days ” means any day ending at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) other than a Saturday or Sunday, or a day on which banks are required or authorized to close in New York, New York.

Governmental Entity ” means any federal, state or local, domestic or foreign governmental or regulatory authority, agency, commission, body, arbitrator, court, regional reliability entity (including the Texas Reliability Entity, Inc.), the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc., or any other legislative, executive or judicial governmental entity, excluding in each case, the Bankruptcy Court.

Intellectual Property ” means all intellectual property and industrial property recognized under applicable Law, including trademarks, service marks Internet domain names, logos, trade dress, trade names and all goodwill associated therewith and symbolized thereby, inventions, discoveries, patents, trade secrets, copyrights and copyrightable works, software, databases, data (including customer, employee, technical, research and development and manufacturing data) and related items and (if applicable) any registrations, issuances and applications for registration or issuance of any of the foregoing.

Law ” means any federal, state, local or foreign law, statute or ordinance, common law or any rule, regulation, legally binding standard, judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree, arbitration award, agency requirement or License of the Bankruptcy Court or any Governmental Entity.

Licenses ” means permits, certifications, approvals, registrations, clearances, consents, authorizations, franchises, variances, exemptions and orders issued or granted by the Bankruptcy Court or a Governmental Entity.

Person ” means any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, Governmental Entity or other entity of any kind or nature.

Representatives ” means the directors, officers, employees, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other advisors, agents or representatives of a Person.

Separation Agreement ” means that certain Separation Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, by and among OpCo, SpinCo and the Company.

Split Participant Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Split Participant Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, by and between Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC and OpCo.

 

Annex A - 1


Subsidiaries ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which at least a majority of the securities or other ownership interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions, is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person and/or by one or more of its Subsidiaries ( provided that , notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subsidiaries of the Company shall be deemed to include the Oncor Entities).

Tax Matters Agreement ” means that certain Tax Matters Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, by and among the Company, Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, EFIH Finance Inc., EFH Merger Co., LLC and TEX Energy LLC.

Section 1.2 Additional Defined Terms . In addition to the terms defined above, additional defined terms used herein shall have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Sections indicated in the table below.

 

Defined Term

  

Section

Action

  

6.1(b)

Additional Services

  

1.1(a)

Agreement

  

Preamble

Bankruptcy Court

  

Recitals

Business Information

  

6.1(a)

Chapter 11 Cases

  

Recitals

Company

  

Preamble

Company Group

  

5.1

Consents

  

1.3(a)

Debtors

  

Recitals

Discloser

  

6.1(a)

Effective Date

  

Preamble

EFH Contribution

  

Recitals

EFH Corporate Services

  

Recitals

E-Side Transaction

  

Recitals

Fees

  

3.1

Force Majeure

  

4.1(b)

Invoice

  

3.2

Licensee

  

7.10(a)

New HoldCo

  

Recitals

OpCo

  

Preamble

OpCo Group

  

5.1

Part(ies)

  

Preamble

Petition Date

  

Recitals

Plan of Reorganization

  

Recitals

Project Manager

  

1.5

Recipient

  

6.1(a)

Sales Taxes

  

3.4(a)

Separation Documents

  

7.10(c)

Service Schedule

  

1.1(a)

SpinCo

  

Recitals

 

Annex A - 2


Defined Term

  

Section

TCEH

  

Recitals

TCEH Contribution

  

Recitals

Term

  

2.1

Third Party Provider

  

1.2(a)

Transition Services

  

1.1(a)

 

Annex A - 3


Annex B

Service Schedule

 

Service Category

  

Description

Business Services Administration    The administration, maintenance, reporting, analysis, and other activities relating to benefits, payroll, taxes, and other general business functions.
Corporate Controller    The administration, maintenance, reporting, analysis, and other activities relating to the tasks of a corporate controller, including external auditing, outsourced accounting services, and other accounting-related functions.
Corporate Secretary    The administration, maintenance, reporting, analysis, and other activities relating to historical corporate records, and other general administrative functions.
Tax (covering all types of income and non-income taxes; e.g. , federal, state, property, sales/use)   

The administration, maintenance, reporting, analysis, consulting, and other activities relating to tax returns, external audits, tax payments, and other tax-related accounting functions. Includes, but is not limited to:

 

•    Filing any extensions

 

•    Preparation and filing of the final federal short period income tax return for the EFH group

 

•    Preparation and filing of all state income and franchise tax returns for the EFH group, whether relating to pre-close or post-close periods

 

•    Preparation and filing of property tax returns for the EFH group

 

•    Preparation and filing of sales/use tax returns for the EFH group

 

•    Assistance, as requested, with tax examinations, including appeals of any property tax valuations or assessments

 

Tax-related systems integration and assistance with transitioning responsibility for the EFH group Tax function to Parent

Human Resources    The administration, maintenance, reporting, analysis, and other activities relating to benefits, records, compliance, and other HR-related functions.
Information Technology    The administration, maintenance, reporting, analysis, and other activities relating to Company information technology systems, including general oversight, facilities, application and infrastructure services, and other functions, including the migrating of data and information as described in Section 1.1(b) .
Internal Audit and SOX Compliance    The administration, maintenance, reporting, analysis, and other activities relating to internal audits and SOX compliance, including administration of a key control system, management of officer certifications, and other internal compliance functions.
Physical Facilities and Corporate Security    Services related to the assessment and mitigation of risks to physical security (protecting personnel, property and equipment) and operational security (controlling and protecting the integrity and performance of a facility).
Treasury    Planning and budgetary services and the administration, maintenance, reporting, analysis, and other activities relating to treasury operations, liquidity management, risk management relating to insurance, trust and pension funds and other treasury-related functions.
Legal Services    The administration, maintenance, reporting, analysis, and other activities relating to non-privileged assistance or historical information.

 

Annex B - 1


Project Managers

For the Company

Anthony R. Horton

Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Email: Tony.Horton@energyfutureholdings.com

For OpCo

David Faranetta

Title: SVP and Treasurer

Email: David.Faranetta@txu.com

 

Annex B - 2


Annex C

Conflicts

None.

 

Annex C - 1

Exhibit 10.16

SEPARATION AGREEMENT

THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT (as hereinafter amended, restated or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “ Agreement ”), is made and entered into as of October 3, 2016, by and between Energy Future Holdings Corp., a Texas corporation (the “ Company ”), TEX Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ SpinCo ”), and TEX Operations Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ OpCo ,” and together with the Company and SpinCo, the “ Parties ” and each individually, a “ Party ”). Section 1.1 contains the defined terms set forth herein; and capitalized terms used but not defined herein are set forth in the Plan of Reorganization (as defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, on April 29, 2014, the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Debtors ”), including Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC (“ TCEH ”), a Delaware limited liability company, commenced voluntary cases under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq. (as amended, the “ Bankruptcy Code ”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “ Bankruptcy Court ”), which cases are jointly administered for procedural purposes only under Case No. 14-10979 (collectively, together with any proceedings relating thereto, the “ Chapter 11 Cases ”);

WHEREAS, the Debtors continue to operate their respective businesses as debtors-in-possession under Sections 1107(a) and 1108 of the Bankruptcy Code;

WHEREAS, on July 29, 2016, the Company, Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ EFIH ”), NextEra Energy, Inc., a Florida corporation (“ Parent ”), and EFH Merger Co., LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“ Merger Sub ”), entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended, the “ Merger Agreement ”), which provides for, among other things, the merger of the Company with and into Merger Sub (the “ Merger ”), with Merger Sub being the surviving company and the successor to the Company;

WHEREAS, the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization filed by the Debtors with the Bankruptcy Court on July 29, 2016 (as amended as of the date hereof, the “ Plan of Reorganization ”) provides that the confirmation and effective date of the Plan of Reorganization with respect to the TCEH Debtors may occur separate from, and independent of, the confirmation and effective date of the Plan of Reorganization with respect to the EFH Debtors.

WHEREAS, on August 29, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order approving and confirming, among other things, the restructuring of the TCEH Debtors pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization;

WHEREAS, the Plan of Reorganization provides for the Parties to enter into this Agreement as part of the means for implementing the Restructuring Transactions under Article IV.B.2 of the Plan of Reorganization;


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, agreements, representations, warranties and covenants contained herein, the mutual benefits to be gained by the performance thereof and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, each of the Parties hereby agrees as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions . Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, or unless the context otherwise requires, whenever used in this Agreement (including any Schedules hereto), the following terms shall have the respective meanings specified therefor below.

Acquired TCEH Assets ” means the Assets set forth in Schedule 1 . For the avoidance of doubt, the Acquired TCEH Assets specifically exclude any third-party professional advisor engagement letters.

Action ” means civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits, complaints, enforcement actions, penalty assessments, claims, hearings, arbitrations, investigations, inquiries, audits or other proceedings (formal or informal, public or non-public).

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person, directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including the correlative terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Approvals and Notifications ” means any consents, waivers, approvals, permits or authorizations to be obtained from, notices, registrations or reports to be submitted to, or other filings to be made with, any third Person, including any Governmental Entity.

Assets ” means all rights, properties or other assets, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, of any kind, nature and description, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and wherever situated and whether or not carried or reflected, or required to be carried or reflected, on the books of any Person.

Assignment and Assumption Agreement ” means (i) any Assignment and Assumption Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A , executed to transfer the Acquired TCEH Assets as provided in Section 2.1(b)(i), and (ii) any Assignment and Assumption Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B , executed to transfer the Contributed Plans as provided in Section 2.1(b)(ii) , in each case, individually or collectively as the context requires.

Assumed Liabilities ” means, subject to Section 5.11 , all Liabilities set forth on Schedule 4 and all Liabilities of the Company, EFCH and TCEH, under, resulting from, or arising out of, as applicable, the Acquired TCEH Assets, in each case arising out of facts, circumstances, events or conditions in existence before, on or after the TCEH Effective Date.

Assumed Plan ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Merger Agreement.

Benefit Plans ” means all material benefit and compensation plans, programs, policies or arrangements (as amended through the date hereof) covering current or former employees, officers, managers, members and directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including “employee benefit plans” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and employment, deferred compensation, change in control, non-competition, retention, termination, severance, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation rights, stock based, incentive and bonus plans, agreements, programs, policies or arrangements sponsored, contributed to, or entered into by the Company or its Subsidiaries.

Company Group ” means the Company, each Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company, and each other Person that is controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company, in each case, immediately after the Distribution Effective Time; provided , however , that no Representative of any of the foregoing who is a natural person shall be deemed a member of the Company Group.

 

2


Company Disclosure Letter ” means the Company Disclosure Letter to the Merger Agreement.

Contributed Plans ” means each Benefit Plan that will be transferred by the Company or its Subsidiaries as an active plan to SpinCo or one of its Subsidiaries as set forth in Section 5.1(h)(i)(B) of the Company Disclosure Letter.

Contribution Effective Time ” means the time on the TCEH Effective Date, immediately following the cancellation of Claims against the TCEH Debtors when the transfers and other transactions referred to in Section 2.1 have been completed, determined without taking into account any Acquired TCEH Assets or Assumed Liabilities that may be retained in accordance with Section 2.2(b) or Section 2.2(c) .

Distribution Effective Time ” means the effective time of the Distribution.

EFH Non-Qualified Benefit Plans ” means the following benefit plans sponsored by the Company and/or its Affiliates: (1) Retirement Income Restoration Plan of Enserch Corporation and Participating Subsidiaries; (2) ENSERCH Supplemental Payment Plan for Retired Employees; (3) EFH Salary Deferral Program, as amended; and (4) EFH Second Supplemental Retirement Plan, effective as of October 10, 2007, as amended.

EFH/TCEH Guarantees ” means the guarantees, indemnification obligations, surety bonds or other credit support agreements, arrangements or understandings or other commitments of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with or in support of TCEH, any TCEH Company or the TCEH Assets, including those set forth on Schedule 2 .

Excluded Liabilities ” means, other than the Assumed Liabilities (which for the avoidance of doubt are being assumed by SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group pursuant to Section 2.1 ) and the TCEH Company Liabilities (which for the avoidance of doubt are and shall remain Liabilities of the TCEH Companies), (i) the DiscOp OPEB Liabilities (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and (ii) all Liabilities of each of the Persons listed on Schedule 6 that are not discharged, released, finally settled or otherwise disposed of under the Plan of Reorganization, in each case, arising out of facts, circumstances, conditions or events in existence before, on or after the TCEH Effective Date.

Governmental Entity ” means any federal, state or local, domestic or foreign governmental or regulatory authority, agency, commission, body, arbitrator, court, regional reliability entity (including the TRE), ERCOT, or any other legislative, executive or judicial governmental entity.

Group ” means the Company Group or the SpinCo Group, as the context requires.

Information ” means information, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, stored in any medium, including studies, reports, records, books, contracts, instruments, surveys, discoveries, ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, designs, specifications, drawings, blueprints, diagrams, models, prototypes, samples, flow charts, data, computer data, disks, diskettes, tapes, computer programs or other software, marketing plans, customer names, and other technical, financial, employee or business information or data.

Insurance Proceeds ” means those monies (i) received by an insured from an insurance carrier, (ii) paid by an insurance carrier on behalf of the insured or (iii) received (including by way of set off) from any third Person (which, for greater clarity, shall not include any controlled Affiliate of the Company Group or SpinCo Group) in the nature of insurance, contribution or indemnification in respect of any Liability; in any such case net of any applicable retrospective premium adjustments (including reserves and retrospectively rated premium adjustments) and net of any costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof.

 

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Interim Transition Services Agreement ” means that certain Transition Services Agreement to be entered into on or prior to the TCEH Effective Date by and between the Company and TEX Operations Company LLC.

Law ” means any federal, state, local or foreign law, statute or ordinance, common law or any rule, regulation, legally binding standard, judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree, arbitration award, agency requirement or License of any Governmental Entity.

Liabilities ” means any and all debts, guarantees, liabilities, costs, expenses, interest and obligations, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, reserved or unreserved, or determined or determinable (now or in the future), including those arising under any Law, claim (including any third Person product liability claim), demand, Action, whether asserted or unasserted, or order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Entity and those arising under any contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment or undertaking, or any fines, damages or equitable relief that is imposed, in each case, including all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, Liabilities shall specifically exclude (i) all Taxes, which are solely the subject of the Tax Matters Agreement and (ii) all matters subject to and governed by the Split Participant Agreement or the Interim Transition Services Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement (whichever is in effect at the applicable time).

Oncor Agreements ” means collectively, (i) the Oncor Holdings Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of November 5, 2008, (ii) the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, dated as of November 5, 2008, as amended, and (iii) the Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2008.

Organizational Documents ” means, with respect to any Person, the articles or certificate of incorporation or organization and by-laws, the limited partnership agreement, the partnership agreement or the limited liability company agreement, trust agreement, or other organizational documents of such Person, including (i) any shareholder, voting trust or similar contract and (ii) any that are required to be registered or kept in the place of incorporation, organization or formation of such Person and which establish the legal personality or governance of such Person.

Permits ” means all licenses, permits, certificates of authority, authorizations, approvals, registrations, franchises and similar consents and orders issued or granted by a Governmental Entity.

Person ” means any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, Governmental Entity or other entity of any kind or nature.

Refund ” means any refund (or credit in lieu thereof) of Taxes (including any overpayment of Taxes that can be refunded or, alternatively, applied to other Taxes payable), including any interest paid on or with respect to such refund of Taxes.

Related to the TCEH Business ” means assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that are owned, leased, licensed, held or used primarily for or in connection with the business of the TCEH Companies.

Representatives ” means, with respect to any Person, its members, partners, directors, officers, managers, employees, advisors, agents or other representatives.

Specified Approvals ” means those Approvals and Notifications set forth in Schedule 3 .

 

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SpinCo Group ” means SpinCo, each Subsidiary of SpinCo and each other Person that is controlled directly or indirectly by SpinCo, in each case, immediately after the Distribution, including the TCEH Companies; provided , however , that no Representative of any of the foregoing who is a natural person shall be deemed a member of the SpinCo Group.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which at least a majority of the securities or other ownership interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions, is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person and/or by one or more of its Subsidiaries ( provided that , notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subsidiaries of the Company shall be deemed to include Oncor).

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any and all U.S. federal, state or local, or foreign, income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other tax of any kind whatsoever (including any assessment, duty, fee or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any such tax) and any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, whether disputed or not.

Tax Benefit ” means any decrease in Tax payments actually required to be made to a Governmental Entity (or any increase in any Refund otherwise receivable from any Governmental Entity) including any decrease in Tax payments (or increase in any Refund) that actually results from an increase in net operating losses, deductions or other Tax attributes (computed on a “with” or “without” basis).

Tax Cost ” means any increase in Tax payments actually required to be made to a Governmental Entity (or any decrease in any Refund otherwise receivable from any Governmental Entity) including any increase in Tax payments (or decrease in any Refund) that actually results from a decrease in net operating losses, deductions or other Tax attributes (computed on a “with” or “without” basis).

Tax Return ” means any return, report, certificate, form or similar statement or document (including any related or supporting information or schedule attached thereto and any information return or declaration of estimated Tax) supplied to, filed with or required to be supplied to or filed with a Governmental Entity in connection with the payment, determination, assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration of any laws relating to any Tax, and any amended Tax return or claim for Refund.

TCEH Assets ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan of Reorganization.

TCEH Companies ” means each of the Persons listed in Schedule 5 , individually or collectively as the context requires.

TCEH Company Liabilities ” means, subject to Section 5.11 , (i) all Liabilities of the TCEH Companies, including all Liabilities under the Organizational Documents of the TCEH Companies to provide indemnification to any Person acting as a manager, member, partner, agent, attorney-in-fact, or other Representative of any TCEH Company, in each case arising out of facts, circumstances, events or conditions in existence before, on or after the TCEH Effective Date, and (ii) all Liabilities of the Company arising out of or resulting from owning, holding or voting, directly or indirectly, any equity securities of, or having “control” (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of, any of the TCEH Companies, other than any such Liabilities arising out of or resulting from Taxes (which shall be governed solely by the Tax Matters Agreement) or any Assumed Plan.

TCEH Effective Date ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan of Reorganization.

Transaction Agreements ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan of Reorganization.

 

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Transition Services Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Merger Agreement.

Section 1.2 Additional Defined Terms . In addition to the terms defined in Section 1.1 , additional defined terms used herein shall have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Sections indicated in the table below.

 

Defined Term

   Section
Agreement    Preamble
Bankruptcy Code    Recitals
Bankruptcy Court    Recitals
Beneficiaries    Section 7.4(g)
Chapter 11 Cases    Recitals
Company    Preamble
Company Change in Control    Section 7.4(b)
Company Indemnified Parties    Section 5.2
Company Policy Liabilities    Section 7.19(a)
Contribution    Recitals
Debtors    Recitals
Distribution    Recitals
EFH D&O Policies    Section 7.4(a)
EFIH    Recitals
E-Side Letters of Credit    Section 7.19(c)
Indemnified Party    Section 5.6
Indemnifying Party    Section 5.6
Indemnity Payment    Section 5.6
Merger    Recitals
Merger Agreement    Recitals
Parent    Recitals
Party    Preamble
Pre-Spin Group    Section 7.4(a)
PUCT    Section 7.3
PUCT Filing    Section 7.3
Run-Off Coverage    Section 7.4(b)
Spin-Off    Recitals
SpinCo    Preamble
SpinCo Conversion    Recitals
SpinCo Policy Liabilities    Section 7.19(a)
Split Letters of Credit    Section 7.19(a)
TCEH    Recitals
Third Party Claims    Section 5.7(a)
Wrongful Acts    Section 7.4(a)

Section 1.3 Construction . In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules are references to the articles and sections or subsections of, and the exhibits and schedules attached to, this Agreement;

(b) the descriptive headings of the Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement;

 

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(c) references in this Agreement to “writing” or comparable expressions include a reference to a written document transmitted by means of electronic mail in portable document format (.pdf), facsimile transmission or comparable means of communication;

(d) words expressed in the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa; words expressed in the masculine shall include the feminine and neuter gender and vice versa;

(e) the words “hereof”, “herein”, “hereto” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole, including all Schedules attached to this Agreement, and not to any provision of this Agreement;

(f) “include”, “includes” and “including” are deemed to be followed by “without limitation” whether or not they are in fact followed by such words;

(g) references to “day” or “days” are to calendar days;

(h) references to “the date hereof” means as of the date of this Agreement; and

(i) unless otherwise specified, references to a statute means such statute as amended from time to time and includes any successor legislation thereto and any regulations promulgated thereunder in effect as of the applicable date.

ARTICLE II

THE CONTRIBUTION TRANSACTIONS

Section 2.1 Contribution .

(a) On the TCEH Effective Date, (i) the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries which are, or hold, TCEH Assets to, transfer, convey and deliver to SpinCo or a member of the SpinCo Group designated by SpinCo, and SpinCo or such member of the SpinCo Group, as applicable, shall accept from the Company and such Subsidiaries, the TCEH Assets, and (ii) SpinCo or such member of the SpinCo Group designated by SpinCo, as applicable, shall accept, assume and agree faithfully to perform, discharge and fulfill all the Assumed Liabilities.

(b) In furtherance of the transactions described in Section 2.1(a) , on the TCEH Effective Date:

(i) the Company and SpinCo shall, and the Company and SpinCo shall cause their applicable Subsidiaries to, execute assignment and assumption agreements substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A , and such additional bills of sale, quitclaim deeds, stock or equity powers, certificates of title, assignments of contracts and other instruments of transfer, conveyance and assignment and other documents as are reasonably necessary to evidence the transfer, conveyance and assignment of the TCEH Assets to SpinCo or the applicable member of the SpinCo Group designated by SpinCo and the valid and effective assumption of the Assumed Liabilities by SpinCo or the applicable member of the SpinCo Group designated by SpinCo; and

(ii) the Contributed Plans will be transferred and assigned by the Company and the applicable Debtors and assumed by OpCo pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B .

Each of the assignments, transfers, assumptions and other transactions described in this Section 2.1(b) shall be deemed effective simultaneously on the TCEH Effective Date at the Contribution Effective Time, except with respect to any transfer or assignment of any Acquired TCEH Assets or assumption of any Assumed Liabilities required to be delayed pursuant to Section 2.2(b) .

 

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(c) SpinCo hereby waives compliance by each and every member of the Company Group, and the Company hereby waives compliance by each and every member of the SpinCo Group, with the requirements and provisions of any “bulk-sale” or “bulk-transfer” Laws of any jurisdiction that may otherwise be applicable with respect to the transfer or sale of any or all of the Acquired TCEH Assets to SpinCo.

 

Section 2.2 Approvals and Notifications .

(a) The Parties will use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all material Approvals and Notifications, if any, necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as soon as reasonably practicable, including the Specified Approvals, if any.

(b) If the transfer or assignment of any Acquired TCEH Assets or assumption of any Assumed Liabilities would violate, in any material respect, any applicable Law or require any Approvals and Notifications or release which have not been obtained or made, notwithstanding the receipt of the Specified Approvals, then those Acquired TCEH Assets or Assumed Liabilities will be identified in reasonable detail in a written notice given by any Party that would violate such Law by the transfer or receipt of the Acquired TCEH Assets or the assignment or assumption of the Assumed Liability or require such Approvals and Notifications or release, and unless the Parties mutually shall otherwise determine, the transfer or assignment of such Acquired TCEH Assets or the assumption of such Assumed Liabilities, as the case may be, shall be automatically deemed deferred and any such purported transfer, assignment or assumption shall be null and void until such time as all such Approvals and Notifications or releases have been obtained or made.

(c) If any transfer or assignment of any Acquired TCEH Asset or any assumption of any Assumed Liability intended to be transferred, assigned or assumed hereunder, as the case may be, is not consummated on the TCEH Effective Date, as a result of the provisions of Section 2.2(b) or otherwise, then the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such transfer, assignment or assumption as promptly following the TCEH Effective Date as shall be reasonably practicable. The member of the Company Group retaining such Acquired TCEH Asset or such Assumed Liability, as the case may be, shall thereafter hold such Acquired TCEH Asset or Assumed Liability, as the case may be, for the use and benefit of the member of the SpinCo Group entitled thereto (at the expense of the member of the SpinCo Group entitled thereto) until such Acquired TCEH Asset or Assumed Liability is transferred and conveyed to, and assumed by, or until such time as the Company, in good faith, concludes that it is unable, using commercially reasonable efforts, to obtain or cause to be obtained, any consent, approval or release required to transfer such Acquired TCEH Asset or Assumed Liability to, a member of the SpinCo Group, and SpinCo shall, or shall cause the applicable member of the SpinCo Group to, pay or reimburse the Party retaining such Acquired TCEH Asset or Assumed Liability for all amounts reasonably paid or incurred in connection with the retention of such Acquired TCEH Asset or Assumed Liability. The Parties agree that, as between the Parties, as of the TCEH Effective Date, the applicable member of the SpinCo Group shall be deemed to have acquired complete and sole beneficial ownership over all of the Acquired TCEH Assets, together with all rights, powers and privileges incident thereto, and shall be deemed to have assumed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement all of the Assumed Liabilities, and all duties, obligations and responsibilities incident thereto, which such member is entitled to acquire or required to assume pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

(d) With respect to any Acquired TCEH Assets or Assumed Liabilities described in Section 2.2(c) , each of the Company and SpinCo shall, and shall cause the members of its respective Group to, (i) treat for all income Tax purposes and for all purposes of the Tax Matters Agreement, (A) any Acquired TCEH Asset retained by the Company Group as having been transferred to and owned by the member of the SpinCo Group entitled to such Acquired TCEH

 

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Asset not later than the TCEH Effective Date and (B) any Assumed Liability retained by the Company Group as a liability having been assumed and owned by the member of the SpinCo Group intended to be subject to such Assumed Liabilities not later than the TCEH Effective Date and (ii) neither report nor take any income Tax position (on a Tax Return or otherwise) inconsistent with such treatment (unless required by a change in applicable Tax Law or good faith resolution of a dispute with a Governmental Entity relating to income Taxes).

(e) If and when any violation of Law or other impediment with respect to such retained Acquired TCEH Asset or Assumed Liabilities has been resolved, the transfer or assignment of the applicable Acquired TCEH Asset or the assumption of the applicable Assumed Liability, as the case may be, shall be effected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the applicable Assignment and Assumption Agreement.

(f) Any member of the Company Group retaining an Acquired TCEH Asset or Assumed Liability due to the deferral of the transfer or assignment of such Acquired TCEH Asset or the deferral of the assumption of such Assumed Liability, as the case may be, shall not, in connection with such retention, be obligated, unless the Parties have executed documentation providing for such asset or liability to be retained by such member of the Company Group pursuant to Section 2.2(b) , to expend any money whatsoever unless the necessary funds are advanced (or otherwise made available) by SpinCo or the member of the SpinCo Group entitled to the Acquired TCEH Asset or Assumed Liability.

Section 2.3 Responsibility for Assumed Liabilities Retained by the Company . If the Company or SpinCo is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any consent, approval, amendment or release required to transfer an Assumed Liability to a member or members of the SpinCo Group, then the applicable member of the Company Group shall continue to retain such Assumed Liability and, the applicable member of the SpinCo Group shall, as agent or subcontractor for such member of the Company Group, as the case may be, pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such member of the Company Group that constitute or are caused by such Assumed Liabilities, as the case may be, thereunder from and after the Contribution Effective Time. From and after the Contribution Effective Time, OpCo shall indemnify each Company Indemnified Party, and hold each of them harmless, against any Liabilities arising from any such retained Assumed Liability; provided that OpCo shall have no obligation to indemnify any Company Indemnified Party that has engaged in any fraud, willful misconduct or knowing and intentional violation of Law, in each case in connection therewith. The Company shall cause each member of the Company Group without further consideration, to pay and remit, or cause to be paid or remitted, to the applicable member of the SpinCo Group, promptly all money, rights and other consideration received by it or any member of the Company Group in respect of such performance under any agreement, lease, license or other obligations or Liabilities under any Assumed Liability retained by any member of the Company Group; provided that the Company shall be entitled to offset any amounts owed by the SpinCo Group to any member of the Company Group hereunder. If and when any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release shall be obtained, or the obligations under any agreement, lease, license or other obligations or Liabilities under any Assumed Liability retained by any member of the Company Group shall otherwise become assignable or able to be novated, the applicable member of the Company Group shall promptly assign, or cause to be assigned, all its obligations and other Liabilities thereunder or any obligations of any member of the Company Group to the applicable member of the SpinCo Group without payment of further consideration, and the applicable member of the SpinCo Group shall, without the payment of any further consideration, assume such obligations or other Liabilities in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the applicable Assignment and Assumption Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE III

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Section 3.1 Agreement for Exchange of Information . After the TCEH Effective Date and until the seventh (7th) anniversary of the TCEH Effective Date, each of the Company and SpinCo agrees to provide, or to cause any Person that after giving effect to the Contribution is controlled by the Company or SpinCo, as applicable, to provide, to the other Party, as soon as reasonably practicable after written request therefor, any Information regarding the Company Group or the SpinCo Group, as applicable, which is in the possession or under the control of such Party and which the requesting Party reasonably requests; provided, however, that in the event that any Party determines that any such provision of Information could be commercially detrimental, violate any Law or agreement, or waive any attorney-client privilege, such Party shall not be required to provide any such Information; provided , further , that such Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with reasonable requests that would enable such otherwise not-required disclosures to the other Party to occur without commercial detriment and without contravening any such Law or jeopardizing privilege, provided , further , that, as applicable, the Party making such assertion that Information be withheld, shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, provide notice to the receiving party that Information is being withheld pursuant to this proviso and the Parties shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to find a mutually agreeable solution to any such commercial, legal and/or privilege concerns, including, if applicable, by providing any privileged Information pursuant to a joint defense agreement to be mutually agreed and executed between the applicable Parties. None of the Company Group shall transfer any Information regarding the SpinCo Group to any of its Affiliates not controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, requests for and provision of Information relating to Taxes shall be governed by Section 7.01 of the Tax Matters Agreement.

Section 3.2 Ownership of Information . Unless specifically set forth herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of license or otherwise in any Information requested or provided pursuant to Section 3.1 .

Section 3.3 Compensation for Providing Information . The Party requesting Information agrees to reimburse the other Party for the reasonable third-party out-of-pocket costs and expenses, if any, of creating, gathering and copying such Information to the extent that such costs are incurred in connection with such other Party’s provision of Information in response to the requesting Party; provided , however , nothing in this Section 3.3 shall limit any of the reimbursement or indemnification obligations of any member of the SpinCo Group under Section 2.2(c) or Section 2.3 .

Section 3.4 Record Retention .

(a) To facilitate the possible exchange of Information pursuant to this Article III and other provisions of this Agreement after the TCEH Effective Date, the Parties agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts to retain all Information in their respective possession or control in accordance with the policies or ordinary course practices of the Company in effect on the TCEH Effective Date or such other policies or practices as may be reasonably adopted by the appropriate Party after the TCEH Effective Date that are substantially consistent with the policies of the Company and its subsidiaries as in effect on the TCEH Effective Date; provided , that, in any event, the Parties agree to retain such Information in their respective possession or control until the seventh (7th) anniversary of the TCEH Effective Date in accordance with Section 3.1 .

(b) Until the seventh (7th) anniversary of the TCEH Effective Date, no Party will destroy, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to destroy, any Information that would, in accordance with such policies or ordinary course practices described in Section 3.4(a) , be archived or otherwise filed in a centralized filing system by such Party or its applicable Subsidiaries, until the later of the seventh (7th) anniversary of the TCEH Effective Date and the period required by applicable Law.

 

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(c) In the event of any Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ inadvertent failure to comply with this Section 3.4 , such Party shall be liable to the other Party solely for the amount of any monetary fines or penalties imposed or levied against such other Party by a Governmental Entity (which fines or penalties shall not include any Liabilities asserted in connection with the claims underlying the applicable Action, other than fines or penalties resulting from any claim of spoliation) as a result of such other Party’s inability to produce Information caused by such inadvertent failure and, notwithstanding Section 5.2 and Section 5.3 , shall not be liable to such other Party for any other Liabilities arising out of its or any of its Subsidiaries’ inadvertent failure to comply with this Section 3.4 ; provided , however , no member of the Company Group shall have any Liability to any member of the SpinCo Group under this Section 3.4(c) in connection with any Acquired TCEH Assets or Assumed Liabilities that are retained by a member of the Company Group pursuant to Section 2.2 or Section 2.3 .

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, record retention relating to Taxes shall be governed by Section 7.02 of the Tax Matters Agreement.

Section 3.5 Confidentiality . Each Party recognizes and acknowledges that it has received, or is in possession of, certain non-public, confidential, or proprietary Information (including trade secrets) of the other Party or its respective Group (the “ Confidential Information ”). Each Party agrees that it will not, that it will cause its Affiliates not to, and that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each of its and their respective Representatives not to, for a period of five (5) years after the TCEH Effective Date, directly or indirectly, use Confidential Information of the other Party or its respective Group for its competitive, commercial or proprietary advantage, or disclose, divulge or publish, whether in written or unwritten form or through any medium, such Confidential Information publicly or to any Person or group of Persons for any reason or purpose whatsoever, except: (i) to authorized Representatives of such Party as reasonably necessary in the course of performing such Party’s obligations, or enforcing such Party’s rights, under this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements and (ii) to the extent required to be disclosed by order of a Governmental Entity, or by subpoena, summons or legal process, or by Law, provided that, to the extent permitted by Law, the disclosing Party shall provide prompt notice of such disclosure to the applicable other Party, so that such Party whose Confidential Information is required to be disclosed may seek to obtain an order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to designated portions of such Confidential Information, and the disclosing Party shall reasonably cooperate with the other Party in connection with such other Party’s efforts to obtain confidential treatment or similar reliable assurances that the relevant Confidential Information will remain confidential. For purposes of this Section 3.5, such Confidential Information shall not include any Confidential Information that (a) was or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by such Person (or its Affiliates or Representatives) in violation of this Agreement, (b) becomes available to such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Representatives after the date hereof from a source other than the other Party hereto or its respective Group or such Group’s Representatives, provided that such source is not known by such Person to be subject to an obligation of confidentiality (whether by agreement or otherwise) to the other Party with respect to the Information or (c) was independently developed by such Person (or its Affiliates) after the date hereof without reference to, incorporation of, or other use of any Confidential Information. The limitations in this Section 3.5 are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other restrictions by which a Party may be bound (whether by contract or otherwise).

Section 3.6 Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information .

(a) Any Party that receives, pursuant to a request for Information in accordance with this Article III , Information that is not relevant to its request shall promptly either destroy such Information or return it to the providing Party, at the option of the providing Party, and if the receiving Party elects to destroy such Information, then the receiving party shall promptly deliver written confirmation (including by email) of the destruction of such Information to the providing Party.

 

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(b) When any Information provided by one Group to the other is no longer needed for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement or is no longer required to be retained by applicable Law, the receiving Party will promptly, after request of the providing Party, at the receiving Party’s option (and expense), either return to the providing Party all Information in a tangible form (including all copies thereof and all notes, extracts or summaries based thereon) or destroy such Information (and such copies thereof and such notes, extracts or summaries based thereon); provided that if the receiving Party elects to destroy such Information, then the receiving Party shall promptly deliver written confirmation (including by email) of the destruction of such Information to the providing Party; and provided, further, that the receiving Party shall not be deemed to have retained or failed to return or destroy any Confidential Information stored in digital format that is deleted from local hard drives so long as no attempt is made to recover such Confidential Information from servers or back-up sources, provided that any such retained Confidential Information shall remain subject to the terms hereof in all respects.

(c) Nothing in this Section 3.6 shall require any Receiving Party to destroy or return any Information that the Receiving Party would routinely retain pursuant to its record retention policies aimed at legal, corporate governance or regulatory compliance or that the Receiving Party is required to retain under any applicable Law or regulation or the terms of the Tax Matters Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement; provided that any such retained Confidential Information shall remain subject to the terms hereof in all respects for so long as such Confidential Information is so retained.

Section 3.7 Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation .

(a) After the TCEH Effective Date, except in the case of an adversarial Action by one Party against another Party, each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available to each other Party, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available, to the extent that any such person (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with any Action in which the requesting Party may from time to time be involved, regardless of whether such Action is a matter with respect to which indemnification may be sought hereunder; provided , that no such access shall unreasonably interfere with the ongoing operations of such Party and its Subsidiaries; provided , further, that no Party shall be required to make available to the requesting Party any such persons or materials if doing so could be commercially detrimental, violate any Law or agreement, or waive any attorney-client privilege held by such Party provided , further , that, as applicable, the Party making such assertion shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, provide notice to the receiving party that any Information is being withheld pursuant to this proviso and the Parties shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to find a mutually agreeable solution to any such commercial, legal and/or privilege concerns, including, if applicable, by providing any privileged Information pursuant to a joint defense agreement to be mutually agreed and executed between the applicable Parties. The requesting Party shall bear all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection therewith.

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Section 3.7 are in furtherance of the provisions of Section 3.1 and shall not be deemed to in any way limit or otherwise modify the Parties’ rights and obligations under Section 3.1 .

 

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ARTICLE IV

MUTUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Party, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the other Party as set forth below.

Section 4.1 Organization and Authority . Such Party is an entity, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the state of its formation. Each Party has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby, and to own, lease or operate its property and to carry on its business as presently conducted and, to the extent required under applicable Law, is, in all material respects, qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the character of its property make such qualification necessary.

Section 4.2 Due Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Party have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action of such Party. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Law relating to creditors’ rights and general principles of equity.

Section 4.3 No Conflicts; Consents and Approvals . The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Party, the performance by such Party of its obligations hereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the taking of any action contemplated to be taken by such Party hereunder do not:

(a) result in a violation or breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the Organizational Documents of such Party; or

(b) except with respect to the Specified Approvals, (i) result in a violation or breach of any Law applicable to such Party; (ii) require the consent of any Governmental Entity under any applicable Law (other than the Bankruptcy Court); or (iii) cause a default, or require the consent of any Person, under any material contract or Permit, in each case other than any such violation, breach, default or consent which, if not made or obtained, would not reasonably be expected to impair in any material respect such Party’s ability to carry out the transactions contemplated hereunder or have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or business of such Party.

Section 4.4 No Other Representations or Warranties . (a) No party to this Agreement or any other agreement or document contemplated by this Agreement is making any representation as to, warranty of or covenant, express or implied, with respect to: (i) any of the TCEH Assets, the Assumed Liabilities or the Excluded Liabilities, including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, (ii) the value or freedom from encumbrances of, or any other matter concerning, any TCEH Assets, Assumed Liabilities or Excluded Liabilities or regarding the absence of any defense or right of setoff or freedom from counterclaim with respect to any claim or other TCEH Asset, Assumed Liability or Excluded Liability or (iii) the legal sufficiency of any assignment, document or instrument delivered hereunder to convey title to any TCEH Asset upon the execution, delivery and filing hereof or thereof.

(a) ALL TCEH ASSETS TO BE TRANSFERRED AS SET FORTH HEREIN OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE TRANSFERRED “AS IS, WHERE IS” (AND, IN THE CASE OF ANY REAL PROPERTY, BY MEANS OF A QUITCLAIM OR SIMILAR FORM DEED OR CONVEYANCE) AND THE TRANSFEREE SHALL BEAR THE ECONOMIC AND LEGAL RISK THAT ANY CONVEYANCE SHALL PROVE TO BE INSUFFICIENT TO VEST IN THE TRANSFEREE GOOD AND MARKETABLE TITLE, AND CLEAR OF ANY SECURITY INTEREST OR ANY NECESSARY CONSENTS OR GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS ARE NOT OBTAINED OR THAT ANY REQUIREMENTS OF LAWS OR JUDGMENTS ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH.

 

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ARTICLE V

RELEASES AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 5.1 Termination of Guarantees . The Parties acknowledge and agree that the obligations of the Company Group under or with respect to the EFH/TCEH Guarantees shall be terminated and extinguished as of the Contribution Effective Time pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization.

Section 5.2 General Indemnification by OpCo . Subject to the provisions and limitations of this Article V , from and after the Contribution Effective Time, OpCo shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Person that after the Contribution Effective Time is a member of the Company Group (including all Affiliates of the Company) and each of their respective Representatives and, as applicable, each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Company Indemnified Parties ”), from and against:

(a) any Assumed Liability, including the failure of any member of the SpinCo Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Assumed Liability in accordance with its terms, whether prior to, at or after the Contribution Effective Time;

(b) any TCEH Company Liability, including the failure of any member of the SpinCo Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any TCEH Company Liability in accordance with its terms, whether prior to, at or after the Contribution Effective Time; and

(c) any Liability arising from any breach by any member of the SpinCo Group of any covenant or other agreement (other than any representation or warranty) set forth in this Agreement or in any Assignment and Assumption Agreement, subject to any limitations of liability provisions and other provisions applicable to any such breach set forth herein or therein.

Section 5.3 General Indemnification by the Company . Subject to the provisions and limitations of this Article V , from and after the Contribution Effective Time, the Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Person that after the Contribution Effective Time is a member of the SpinCo Group (including all Affiliates of SpinCo) and each of their respective Representatives and, as applicable, each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing, from and against:

(a) any Excluded Liability, including the failure of any member of the Company Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Excluded Liability in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, at or after the Contribution Effective Time; and

(b) any Liability arising from any breach by any member of the Company Group of any covenant or other agreement (other than any representation or warranty) set forth in this Agreement or in any Assignment and Assumption Agreement, subject to any limitations of liability provisions and other provisions applicable to any such breach set forth herein or therein.

Section 5.4 Tax Indemnification . Notwithstanding anything in Article V to the contrary, indemnification for Taxes and for other matters subject to the Tax Matters Agreement is governed solely by the terms, provisions and procedures of the Tax Matters Agreement and not by this Article V .

 

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Section 5.5 Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Article V shall, for any reason, be unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless any Indemnified Party hereunder in respect of any Liability, then each Indemnifying Party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Liability, in such proportion as shall be sufficient to place the Indemnified Party in the same position as if such Indemnified Party were indemnified hereunder, the Parties intending that their respective contributions hereunder be as close as possible to the indemnification under Section 5.2 and Section 5.3 , as the case may be. If the contribution provided for in the previous sentence shall, for any reason, be unavailable or insufficient to put any Indemnified Party in the same position as if it were indemnified under Section 5.2 or Section 5.3 , as the case may be, then the Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Liability, in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by and the relative fault of the indemnifying Party on the one hand and the Indemnified Party on the other hand with respect to the matter giving rise to the Liability.

Section 5.6 Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts . Any Liability subject to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Article V will be (a) net of Insurance Proceeds that are actually received by the Indemnified Party, (b) decreased by any actual recoveries from third parties pursuant to indemnification or otherwise with respect thereto, (c) decreased by any Tax Benefit actually recovered, and (d) increased by any Tax Cost actually incurred as a result of the receipt of (or entitlement to) such indemnity payment, as applicable. Accordingly, the amount which any Party (an “ Indemnifying Party ”) is required to pay to any Person entitled to indemnification under this Article V (an “ Indemnified Party ”) will be reduced by any such Insurance Proceeds and/or recoveries actually received from third parties and/or Tax Benefits actually recovered, and increased by Tax Costs actually incurred, in each case, by or on behalf of the Indemnified Party in respect of the related Liability, as applicable. If an Indemnified Party receives a payment (an “ Indemnity Payment ”) required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Liability and subsequently receives Insurance Proceeds or any other recovery from a third party (including any Tax Benefit actually recovered), then the Indemnified Party will pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to the lesser of (x) the amount of such Insurance Proceeds or the amount actually received from the third party (including any Tax Benefit actually recovered) and (y) the Indemnity Payment previously received. If an Indemnified Party receives an Indemnity Payment from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Liability and subsequently incurs Tax Costs associated by that Indemnity Payment, then the Indemnifying Party will pay to the Indemnified Party an amount equal to those Tax Costs promptly after receipt of a reasonably detailed statement of those Tax Costs given by the Indemnified Party to the Indemnifying Party within a reasonable period of time (not to exceed six months) after the Tax Cost is actually incurred. In the case of Tax Benefits, “actually recovered” means an Indemnified Party actually realizes a Refund or a decrease in Taxes reported on a filed Tax Return (in or with respect to a taxable year that ends on or before December 31, 2021) in connection with the incurrence or the payment by the Indemnified Party of such fees or costs or indemnifiable amounts determined using a “with and without” methodology (treating any deductions attributable to such fees or costs or indemnifiable amounts as the last items claimed for any taxable year, including after the utilization of any available net operating loss carryovers). In the case of Tax Costs, “actually incurred” means an Indemnified Party actually realizes a Tax Cost reported on a filed Tax Return (in or with respect to a taxable year that ends on or before December 31, 2021) in connection with the receipt of (or entitlement to) an Indemnity Payment determined using a “with and without” methodology (treating any receipt of (or entitlement to) such Indemnity Payment as the last items claimed for any taxable year, including after the utilization of any available net operating loss carryovers). For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of determining the amount “actually recovered” (for purposes of Tax Benefits) or “actually incurred” (for purposes of Tax Costs), a netting approach shall be taken for determining any increase or decrease, as the case may be, of taxable income or loss, net operating losses, deductions or other Tax attributes.

 

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Section 5.7 Procedures for Indemnification of Third Party Claims .

(a) If an Indemnified Party receives written notice that a Person (including any Governmental Entity) that is not a member of the Company Group or the SpinCo Group, or any Affiliate thereof, has asserted any claim or commenced any Action (any such claim or Action, a “ Third Party Claim ”) that may give rise to an Indemnifying Party’s obligation to indemnify pursuant to Section 5.2 or Section 5.3 , as the case may be, then the Indemnified Party shall provide the Indemnifying Party written notice thereof as promptly as practicable (and no later than fifteen (15) Business Days, or sooner, if the nature of the Third Party Claim so requires) after becoming aware of the Third Party Claim. Such notice shall describe the Third Party Claim in reasonable detail and include copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnified Party relating to the Third Party Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of an Indemnified Party to provide notice in accordance with this Section 5.7(a) shall not relieve an Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by the Indemnified Party’s failure to provide notice in accordance with this Section 5.7(a) .

(b) Subject to this Section 5.7(b) and Section 5.7(c) , an Indemnifying Party may elect to control the defense of (and seek to settle or compromise), at its own expense and with its own counsel, any Third Party Claim if the Indemnifying Party irrevocably and unconditionally acknowledges its obligation to indemnify the Indemnified Party in respect of such Third Party Claim in accordance with and subject to the terms hereof. Within thirty (30) Business Days after the receipt of notice from an Indemnified Party in accordance with Section 5.7(a) , the Indemnifying Party shall notify the Indemnified Party whether the Indemnifying Party will assume responsibility for defending the Third Party Claim. After receiving notice of an Indemnifying Party’s election to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, an Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise, or settlement thereof, but the Indemnified Party shall be responsible for the fees and expenses of its counsel and, in any event, shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in such defense in accordance with Section 5.7(f) . If an Indemnifying Party has elected to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, then such Indemnifying Party shall be solely liable for all fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the defense of such Third Party Claim and shall not be entitled to seek any indemnification or reimbursement from the Indemnified Party for any such fees or expenses incurred during the course of its defense of such Third Party Claim.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 5.7(b) , if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Indemnified Party, such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party have actual or potential differing defenses or conflicts of interest between them that make joint representation inappropriate, then the Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise, or settlement thereof, and the Indemnifying Party shall bear the reasonable fees and expenses of one (and only one) such counsel for all Indemnified Parties.

(d) If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending a Third Party Claim, or fails to notify an Indemnified Party of its election within thirty (30) Business Days after the receipt of notice from an Indemnified Party as provided in Section 5.7(b) , then the Indemnified Party may defend the Third Party Claim at the cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party; provided , that the Indemnified Party shall not be permitted to settle or compromise any Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. If the Indemnified Party is conducting the defense against any such Third Party Claim, then the Indemnified Party and its counsel shall keep the Indemnifying Party informed of all developments relating to such Third Party Claim and provide copies of all relevant correspondence and documents relating thereto.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, without the prior written consent of any Indemnified Party, no Indemnifying Party shall consent to the entry of any

 

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judgment or enter into any settlement or compromise of any pending or threatened Third Party Claim for which the Indemnified Party is seeking or may seek indemnity pursuant to this Section 5.7 unless such judgment or settlement is solely for monetary damages (which shall be fully paid by the Indemnifying Party), does not impose any expense or obligation on the Indemnified Party (other than obligations for which the Indemnified Party is indemnified hereunder and which are fully paid by the Indemnifying Party), does not involve any finding or determination of wrongdoing or violation of Law by the Indemnified Party and provides for a full, unconditional and irrevocable release of that Indemnified Party and its Affiliates and Representatives from all liability in connection with the Third Party Claim.

(f) Each of the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the other, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the reasonable ability to make available, to the extent that any such persons (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with the defense, settlement or compromise, or the prosecution, evaluation or pursuit of any Third Party Claim, and shall otherwise reasonably cooperate in such defense, settlement or compromise, or such prosecution, evaluation or pursuit, as the case may be of such Third Party Claim; provided , that no such cooperation shall unreasonably interfere with the ongoing operations of such Party and its Subsidiaries; provided , further , that no Party shall be required to make available to the requesting Party any such Persons or materials if doing so would reasonably be expected to be materially commercially detrimental, violate any Law or agreement, or waive any attorney-client privilege held by such Party; provided , further , that, as applicable, the Party asserting such detriment, violation or privilege shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, provide notice to the receiving party that any Information is being withheld pursuant to the foregoing proviso and the Parties shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to find a mutually agreeable solution to any such commercial, legal and/or privilege concerns, including, if applicable, by providing any privileged Information pursuant to a joint defense agreement to be mutually agreed and executed between the applicable Parties. The Indemnifying Party shall bear all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection therewith.

Section 5.8 Additional Matters .

(a) Indemnification or contribution payments in respect of any Liabilities for which an Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Article V shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party as such Liabilities are incurred upon demand by the Indemnified Party, including reasonably satisfactory documentation setting forth the basis for the amount of such indemnification or contribution payment, including documentation with respect to calculations made and consideration of any Insurance Proceeds and/or recoveries from third parties that actually reduce the amount of such Liabilities and/or Tax Benefits actually recovered or Tax Costs actually incurred; provided , that no Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to condition, delay or withhold any payment pending claim for, or receipt of, any Insurance Proceeds and/or recoveries from third parties or actual recovery of any Tax Benefits or actual incurrence of Tax Costs. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Article V shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party and (ii) the knowledge by the Indemnified Party of Liabilities for which it might be entitled to indemnification or contribution hereunder.

(b) Any claim for indemnification under this Agreement which does not result from a Third Party Claim shall be asserted by written notice given by the Indemnified Party to the applicable Indemnifying Party. Such Indemnifying Party shall have a period of thirty (30) days

 

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after the receipt of such notice within which to respond thereto. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such thirty (30)-day period, such Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have refused to accept responsibility to make payment. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such thirty (30)-day period or rejects such claim in whole or in part, such Indemnified Party, shall be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to such party as contemplated by this Agreement without prejudice to its continuing rights to pursue indemnification or contribution hereunder.

(c) If payment is made by or on behalf of any Indemnifying Party to any Indemnified Party in connection with any Third Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnified Party as to any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnified Party may have any right, defense or claim relating to such Third Party Claim against any claimant or plaintiff asserting such Third Party Claim or against any other Person. Such Indemnified Party shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right, defense or claim.

Section 5.9 Exclusive Remedy; Limitations of Liability; Mitigation . After the Contribution Effective Time, except for the rights under Section 7.13 , the indemnification and contribution provisions of this Article V shall be the sole and exclusive remedy for the matters set forth herein and in any Assignment and Assumption Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and no party shall pursue or seek to pursue any other remedy. Neither SpinCo or its Affiliates, on the one hand, nor the Company or its Affiliates, on the other hand, shall be liable to the other for any Liabilities arising under or relating to this Agreement, any Assignment and Assumption Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby that are (i) not direct, actual damages or (ii) special, indirect, consequential, punitive, exemplary, remote, speculative or similar damages or lost profits (except to the extent such lost profits constitute direct, actual damages) of the other arising in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (other than such damages described in this clause (ii) payable to a third party in respect of a Third Party Claim). Any Indemnified Party that becomes aware of a Liability for which it seeks indemnification or contribution under this Article V shall to the extent required by law mitigate such Liability, and the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any such Liability to the extent that it is attributable to the failure of the Indemnified Party to use such commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate to the extent required by law. For the avoidance of doubt, no provision of this Agreement provides indemnification for a breach, misrepresentation or violation under the Merger Agreement.

Section 5.10 Survival of Indemnities . The rights and obligations of each of the Company and SpinCo and their respective Indemnified Parties under this Article V shall survive the sale or other transfer by any Party of any Assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities. Each Party hereby agrees that prior to the consummation of any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Assets of such Party, it will require the acquirer of such Assets to assume the obligations of such Party under this Agreement as a condition thereto.

Section 5.11 No Assumption of Discharged Liabilities; Obligations under Transaction Agreements . For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall require or be construed to effectuate the assumption, for any period of time, of any Liability or Tax discharged, released or otherwise satisfied (or to be discharged, released or otherwise satisfied on the EFH Effective Date) pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization. Additionally, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall require or be construed to effectuate the assumption, for any period of time or at all, of any obligations of any Person, or otherwise affect in any way the rights or obligations of any of the Parties or their respective Groups, under the Plan of Reorganization, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Interim Transition Services Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement (whichever is in effect at the applicable time), the Split Participant Agreement, the Merger Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE VI

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL; COVENANTS

Section 7.1 Survival . The representations and warranties of the Parties set forth in this Agreement (other than Section 4.4 ) shall not survive the Distribution Effective Time, and shall cease to have any force or effect immediately upon the Distribution Effective Time. The covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement, and liability for the breach of any obligations thereunder, shall survive the Distribution Effective Time and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.

Section 7.2 Termination, Wind-Down and Distribution of EFH Non-Qualified Benefit Plans and EFH Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan . In connection with the termination, wind-down and distribution of the remaining liabilities and obligations of the EFH Non-Qualified Benefit Plans and the EFH Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan as contemplated by the Plan of Reorganization, the Parties acknowledge and agree that (a) the Company shall (or cause the applicable third party service provider to) provide SpinCo with, and accept all reasonable comments of SpinCo to (i) drafts of all notices and other written correspondence with participants in such EFH Non-Qualified Benefit Plans and the EFH Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan as soon as reasonably practicable, but, in each case, no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the date of such distribution to such participants and (ii) any estimated calculations of payouts and distributions to such participants promptly upon receipt of such calculations from the third party administrator of such EFH Non-Qualified Benefit Plans or the EFH Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan, as applicable, but in each case, no later than fifteen (15) Business Days prior to the making of any such payments or distributions with respect thereto and (b) SpinCo shall review, comment upon and approve as soon after receipt as is administratively practicable (i) all such notices and other written correspondence with participants in such EFH Non-Qualified Benefit Plans and the EFH Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan and (ii) any such estimated calculations of payouts and distributions to such participants, in each case from such third parties as are assisting with such terminations, wind-downs and distributions.

Section 7.3 Regulatory Matters . In connection with obtaining any required approval by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (the “ PUCT ”) with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or any other transaction constituting a direct or indirect change of control of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC that requires the approval of the PUCT (in each case, the “ PUCT Filing ”), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause, including by exercising its rights to consent and vote (if any) under the Oncor Agreements as an indirect equity owner of Oncor, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC to request from the PUCT, as part of the PUCT Filing, an order stating that none of TCEH, SpinCo, or any subsidiaries or Affiliates of SpinCo will, from and after the TCEH Effective Date, be subject to any obligation set forth in the Final Order on Rehearing issued in PUCT Docket No. 34077 on April 24, 2008. The Company’s obligations under this Section 7.3 including using its reasonable best efforts, shall not include any obligation to (A) pay any amounts to the Oncor Entities (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or any other Person or incur any liabilities or other obligation, (B) execute or enter into or perform any new agreement (other than an agreement contemplated hereby or in the Plan of Reorganization or that confirms or makes effective its obligations hereunder), or (C) breach any Law or commence any Action against any Person, including any of the Oncor Entities or their respective officers and managers.

Section 7.4 D&O Insurance .

(a) During the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the EFH Effective Date, the Company agrees to and to cause its Subsidiaries to maintain, as in effect immediately prior to the TCEH Effective Date (i) the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ directors’, managers’

 

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and officers’ insurance policies, and (ii) the Company’s fiduciary liability insurance policies ((i) and (ii), collectively, the “ EFH D&O Policies ”), in each case, with terms, conditions, retentions and limits of liability that are no less advantageous than the coverage provided under the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ policies as of immediately prior to the TCEH Effective Date with respect to any actual or alleged error, misstatement, misleading statement, act, omission, neglect, breach of duty or any matter claimed against a current or former director, officer or other Representative of TCEH, the TCEH Companies, the Company Group or the SpinCo Group or any of their respective Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Pre-Spin Group ”) by reason of him or her serving in such capacity (“ Wrongful Acts ”) that existed or occurred on or prior to the TCEH Effective Date (including in connection with this Agreement and the transactions or actions contemplated by this Agreement).

(b) The Company agrees that, on or before the EFH Effective Date or any other event constituting a change in control as described in Section IX(C)(2) of the EFH D&O Policies (a “ Company Change in Control ”), it will obtain and fully pay the premium for a run-off of the EFH D&O Policies for the benefit of each member of the Pre-Spin Group and their respective current and former directors, officers and other Representatives, in each case for a claims reporting or discovery period of at least six (6) years from and after the EFH Effective Date (or the effective date of such other Company Change in Control, as applicable) with respect to any claim arising from actual or alleged Wrongful Acts on or prior to the EFH Effective Date (it being understood that, with respect to any claim arising from actual or alleged Wrongful Acts of such Persons in their capacity as a current or former director or officer or other Representative of any TCEH Company or the SpinCo Group, such period shall be limited to the period on or prior to the TCEH Effective Date), from insurance carriers with the same or better credit rating as the insurance carrier(s) for the EFH D&O Policies with terms, conditions, retentions and limits of liability that are no less advantageous than the coverage provided for members of the Pre-Spin Group and their respective current and former directors, officers and other Representatives under the EFH D&O Policies with respect to any actual or alleged Wrongful Act that existed or occurred on or prior to the EFH Effective Date (the “ Run-Off Coverage ”).

(c) If the Company, after its good faith efforts, is unable to obtain such Run-Off Coverage as of the EFH Effective Date, then the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to purchase insurance comparable to the EFH D&O Policies for such six-year period with terms, conditions, retentions and limits of liability that are at least as favorable as provided in the EFH D&O Policies; provided , however , that in no event shall the Company be required to expend for such policies pursuant to this sentence an annual premium amount in excess of 200% of the annual premiums paid by the Company for such insurance as of immediately prior to the TCEH Effective Date; and provided , further , that if the annual premiums of such insurance coverage exceed such amount, the Company shall obtain a policy with the greatest coverage available for a cost not exceeding such amount.

(d) If the Effective Time under the Merger Agreement occurs and the Company complies with its obligation under Section 6.8(b) of the Merger Agreement (as such obligations are set forth in the Merger Agreement as of the date hereof and without giving effect to any subsequent amendment thereof) and obtains the “D&O Insurance” (as defined in the Merger Agreement), then the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligations under Section 7.4(b) and (c)  hereof; provided , however that this Section 7.4(d) shall have no effect and be null and void if the Merger Agreement is terminated or the Effective Time under the Merger Agreement otherwise never occurs.

(e) Additionally, the Company agrees not to seek or, subject to Section 7.4(c), agree to any changes or amendments to the EFH D&O Policies or the Run-Off Coverage that have or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of reducing or limiting coverage available to any member of the Pre-Spin Group or any of their respective current and former directors, officers and other Representatives.

 

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(f) Within ten (10) Business Days of the written request of SpinCo, the Company shall provide SpinCo copies of all EFH D&O Policies or Run-Off Coverage policies.

(g) The Parties agree that the provisions of this Section 7.4 are for the benefit of each member of the Pre-Spin Group and their respective current and former directors, officers and other Representatives (collectively, the “ Beneficiaries ”). The provisions of this Section 7.4 shall be enforceable by each of the Beneficiaries as if such Person were a party to this Agreement.

Section 7.5 Amendment . No provision of this Agreement shall be terminated, amended, modified or supplemented by any Party, unless such termination, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by each of the Parties.

Section 7.6 Waiver of Default .

(a) Any term or provision of this Agreement may be waived, or the time for its performance may be extended, by the Party or the Parties entitled to the benefit thereof. Any such waiver shall be validly and sufficiently given for the purposes of this Agreement if, as to any Party, it is in writing signed by an authorized representative of such Party.

(b) Waiver by any Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement or any Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver by the waiving party of any subsequent or other default, nor shall it in any way affect the validity of this Agreement or any Party or prejudice the rights of the other Party or Parties thereafter to enforce each and every such provision. No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

Section 7.7 Third Party Beneficiaries . Except (i) for the indemnification rights under this Agreement of any Indemnified Party in their respective capacities as such, (ii) the Beneficiaries pursuant to Section 7.4 and (iii) as specifically provided in any Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement and each Assignment and Assumption Agreement are solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and are not intended to confer upon any Person, except the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies hereunder and there are no third party beneficiaries of this Agreement or any Assignment and Assumption Agreement; and neither this Agreement nor any Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall provide any third party with any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement or any Assignment and Assumption Agreement.

Section 7.8 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including by electronic means), each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts taken together constituting one and the same agreement.

Section 7.9 GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

(a) THIS AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH ANY CLAIM, DISPUTE, REMEDY OR ACTION ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR ANY RELIEF OR REMEDIES SOUGHT BY ANY PARTY, AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER, SHALL BE CONSTRUED, PERFORMED AND ENFORCED IN

 

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ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ITS PRINCIPLES OR RULES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT SUCH PRINCIPLES OR RULES WOULD REQUIRE OR PERMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. Each of the parties hereto (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court; provided that if the Bankruptcy Court declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular Action, then the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware, and if the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware declines jurisdiction, then any state or federal court sitting in Delaware) in any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, (ii) agrees that all claims in respect of such Action may be heard and determined in any such court and (iii) agrees not to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement (whether on the basis of a claim sounding in contract, equity, tort or otherwise) in any other court. Each of the Parties agrees that a final judgment (subject to any appeals therefrom) in any such Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any Delaware or federal court in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.9(a) . Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such Action in any such court. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 7.11 . Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any Party to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.

(b) EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (W) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (X) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (Y) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (Z) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7.9 .

Section 7.10 Transaction Expenses . Except as expressly set forth herein, each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

22


Section 7.11 Notices . Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder or under any Assignment and Assumption Agreement by any party to the others shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, by email or overnight courier:

If to the Company:

Energy Future Holdings Corp.

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: President

with copies to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 North LaSalle

Chicago, IL 60654

Attention: James Sprayregen

                Marc Kieselstein

                Chad Husnick

Email: jsprayregen@kirkland.com

          mkieselstein@kirkland.com

          chusnick@kirkland.com

and

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Edward Sassower

Email: edward.sassower@kirkland.com

If to SpinCo or OpCo:

TEX Energy LLC

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: General Counsel

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

600 Travis St., Suite 3300

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Andrew T. Calder, P.C.

                Kevin L. Morris

                John Pitts

Email: andrew.calder@kirkland.com;

          kmorris@kirkland.com;

          john.pitts@kirkland.com

and

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2100 McKinney Avenue

Dallas, TX 75201-6912

Attention: Robert Little

Email: RLittle@gibsondunn.com

 

23


or to such other persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice as provided above. Any notice, request, instruction or other document given as provided above shall be deemed given to the receiving party upon actual receipt, if delivered personally; three (3) Business Days after deposit in the mail, if sent by registered or certified mail; upon receipt if sent by email and received by 5:00 pm (Eastern Time), on a Business Day (otherwise the next Business Day) ( provided that if given by email such notice, request, instruction or other document shall be followed up within one (1) Business Day by dispatch pursuant to one of the other methods described herein); or on the next Business Day after deposit with an overnight courier, if sent by an overnight courier.

Section 7.12 Entire Agreement . Subject to Section 7.17 , this Agreement (including any schedules and exhibits hereto, including as finally executed agreements) constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and cancels, merges and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements, understandings, representations and warranties both written and oral, among the Parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, NONE OF THE SPINCO GROUP OR THE COMPANY GROUP MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, AND EACH HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING AS TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY OTHER INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE NEGOTIATION, EXECUTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, NOTWITHSTANDING THE DELIVERY OR DISCLOSURE OF ANY DOCUMENTATION OR OTHER INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE FOREGOING. The Parties further represent that, in entering into this Agreement (a) they have been represented and advised by counsel in connection with this Agreement, which they have entered into voluntarily and of their own choice, and not under coercion or duress; (b) they are relying upon their own knowledge and the advice of counsel; (c) they knowingly waive any claim that this Agreement was induced by any misrepresentation or nondisclosure which could have been or was discovered before signing this Agreement; and (d) they knowingly waive any right to rescind or avoid this Agreement based upon presently existing facts, known or unknown.

Section 7.13 Specific Performance . In the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party or Parties who are or are to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief (on an interim or permanent basis) of its rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, may be inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is hereby waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are also hereby waived by each of the Parties.

Section 7.14 Severability . The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any Person or any circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.

 

24


Section 7.15 Interpretation; Construction . The Parties have participated jointly in negotiating and drafting this Agreement. In the event that an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

Section 7.16 Assignment; Delegation . This Agreement shall not be assigned or delegated by a Party (in each case, whether (x) by merger, consolidation or dissolution of a Party, (y) by contract, operation of law or (z) otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other Parties, and any purported assignment or delegation in violation of this Agreement shall be null and void. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) SpinCo and OpCo hereby acknowledge that, following the Merger, Merger Sub, as the surviving company in the Merger, shall be entitled and subject to all of the rights, benefits and obligations of the Company pursuant to this Agreement; and (ii) SpinCo shall have the right to delegate its right to acquire any of the TCEH Assets or assume any of the Assumed Liabilities to one or more of its Subsidiaries (including OpCo) without the prior written consent of the Company. For purposes of this Section 7.16 , the term “merger” refers to any merger in which a Party is a constituent entity, regardless of whether it is the surviving or merged entity. As a condition to, and prior to the consummation of, any direct or indirect transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets (whether in a single transaction or a series of related or unrelated transactions) the Party engaging in such transfer or other disposition shall require the transferee to assume all of such Party’s obligations hereunder.

Section 7.17 Controlling Documents . To the extent that the provisions of the Plan of Reorganization, the Merger Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Amended and Restated Split Participant Agreement or the Interim Transition Services Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement (whichever is in effect at the applicable time) conflict with the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of such other agreement or agreements shall govern.

Section 7.18 EFH Properties Company Cash . Prior to the Contribution Effective Time, the Company shall cause the distribution or transfer of all cash held by EFH Properties Company to a member of the Company Group.

Section 7.19 Split Policies; Covered Letters of Credit .

(a) Annex A attached hereto sets forth certain workers compensation insurance policies (the “ Split Policies ”) that insure workers compensation Liabilities arising out of or resulting from (1) the Company and its Subsidiaries (together, the “ Company Policy Liabilities ”) and (2) the TCEH Companies (the “ SpinCo Policy Liabilities ”).

(b) Each of the Company and SpinCo acknowledge and agree that (i) the Company Policy Liabilities and all costs, fees and expenses under the Letters of Credit identified on Annex A attached hereto (the “ Split Letters of Credit ”) (including any draws on the Split Letters of Credit in respect of the Company Policy Liabilities and the costs of maintaining such Split Letters of Credit allocable to the Company Policy Liabilities) arising out of or resulting from the Company Policy Liabilities are Excluded Liabilities for all purposes hereunder, and (ii) the SpinCo Policy Liabilities and all costs, fees and expenses arising out of or resulting from the SpinCo Policy Liabilities under the Split Letters of Credit (including any draws on the Split Letters of Credit in respect of the SpinCo Policy Liabilities and the costs of maintaining such Split Letters of Credit allocable to the SpinCo Policy Liabilities) are TCEH Company Liabilities for all purposes hereunder.

 

25


(c) The Company shall and shall cause its Subsidiaries to use its reasonable best efforts to, as promptly as practicable, provide for the termination, release and return of the Letters of Credit set forth on Annex B attached hereto (including any renewals or replacements thereof) (the “ E-Side Letters of Credit ”) to SpinCo or its designee by providing adequate security to the applicable beneficiary of each E-Side Letter of Credit in the form of cash collateral, back-to-back letters of credit, a parent company guaranty or similar security as necessary to obtain the return and cancellation of each E-Side Letter of Credit at or prior to the earlier of (A) the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement), and (B) the EFH Effective Date.

Section 7.20 Generation Development Company LLC Boiler . The Parties hereby agree to negotiate in good faith a mutually agreeably resolution for the treatment of the boiler and related parts owned by Generation Development Company LLC stored at the Monticello power plant site of the TCEH Companies, as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than the EFH Effective Date.

[ Signature page follows .]

 

26


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto as of the date first written above.

 

ENERGY FUTURE HOLDINGS CORP.
By:   /s/ Anthony R. Horton
Name:   Anthony R. Horton
Title:   Treasurer
TEX ENERGY LLC
By:   /s/ David D. Faranetta
Name:   David D. Faranetta
Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer
TEX OPERATIONS COMPANY LLC
By:   /s/ David D. Faranetta
Name:   David D. Faranetta
Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer


Schedule 1

Acquired TCEH Assets

[Omitted.]


Schedule 1-A

Vehicles

[ See attached .]

[Omitted.]


Schedule 2

EFH/TCEH Guarantees

[Omitted.]


Schedule 3

Specified Approvals

None.


Schedule 4

Assumed Liabilities

[Omitted.]


Schedule 5

TCEH Companies

4CHANGE ENERGY COMPANY

4CHANGE ENERGY HOLDINGS LLC

BIG BROWN 3 POWER COMPANY LLC

BIG BROWN LIGNITE COMPANY LLC

BIG BROWN POWER COMPANY LLC

BRIGHTEN ENERGY LLC

BRIGHTEN HOLDINGS LLC

COLLIN POWER COMPANY LLC

DALLAS POWER & LIGHT COMPANY, INC.

DECORDOVA II POWER COMPANY LLC

DECORDOVA POWER COMPANY LLC

EAGLE MOUNTAIN POWER COMPANY LLC

EFH CG HOLDINGS COMPANY LP

EFH CORPORATE SERVICES COMPANY

EFH CG MANAGEMENT COMPANY LP

FORNEY PIPELINE, LLC

LA FRONTERA HOLDINGS, LLC

GENERATION MT COMPANY LLC

GENERATION SVC COMPANY

LAKE CREEK 3 POWER COMPANY LLC

LONE STAR ENERGY COMPANY, INC.

LONE STAR PIPELINE COMPANY, INC.

LUMINANT BIG BROWN MINING COMPANY LLC

LUMINANT ENERGY COMPANY LLC

LUMINANT ENERGY TRADING CALIFORNIA COMPANY

LUMINANT ET SERVICES COMPANY

LUMINANT GENERATION COMPANY LLC

LUMINANT HOLDING COMPANY LLC

LUMINANT MINERAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC

LUMINANT MINING COMPANY LLC

LUMINANT RENEWABLES COMPANY LLC

MARTIN LAKE 4 POWER COMPANY LLC

MONTICELLO 4 POWER COMPANY LLC

MORGAN CREEK 7 POWER COMPANY LLC

NCA RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC

OAK GROVE MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC

OAK GROVE MINING COMPANY LLC

OAK GROVE POWER COMPANY LLC

SANDOW POWER COMPANY LLC

SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRIC SERVICE COMPANY, INC.

TEX ASSET COMPANY LLC

TEX CP COMPANY LLC

TEX ENERGY LLC

TEX FINANCE CORP.

TEX INTERMEDIATE COMPANY LLC

TEX OPERATIONS COMPANY LLC

TEX PREFERRED LLC

TEXAS ELECTRIC SERVICE COMPANY, INC.


TEXAS ENERGY INDUSTRIES COMPANY, INC.

TEXAS POWER & LIGHT COMPANY, INC.

TEXAS UTILITIES COMPANY, INC.

TEXAS UTILITIES ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

TRADINGHOUSE 3 & 4 POWER COMPANY LLC

TRADINGHOUSE POWER COMPANY LLC

TXU ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

TXU ENERGY RECEIVABLES COMPANY LLC

TXU ENERGY RETAIL COMPANY LLC

TXU ENERGY SOLUTIONS COMPANY LLC

TXU RETAIL SERVICES COMPANY

TXU SEM COMPANY

VALLEY NG POWER COMPANY LLC

VALLEY POWER COMPANY LLC


Schedule 6

Persons with Excluded Liabilities

Energy Future Holdings Corp.

Ebasco Services of Canada Limited

EEC Holdings, Inc.

EECI, Inc.

EFH Australia (No. 2) Holdings Company

EFH Finance (No. 2) Holdings Company

EFH FS Holdings Company

EFH Renewables Company LLC

EFH Vermont Insurance Company

EFIH Finance Inc.

Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC

Generation Development Company LLC

LSGT Gas Company LLC

LSGT SACROC, Inc.

NCA Development Company LLC

Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC

Oncor License Holdings Company LLC

Oncor Communications Holdings Company

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC

Oncor Management Investment LLC

Oncor Electric Delivery Transition Bond Company LLC

Oncor Electric Delivery Administration Corp.

TXU Receivables Company


Annex A

Split Policies and Split Letters of Credit

[Omitted.]


Annex B

E-Side Letters of Credit

[Omitted.]


Exhibit A

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

This Assignment and Assumption Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is effective as of October [●], 2016, by and among Energy Future Holdings Corp., a Texas corporation (the “ Company ”), Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ EFCH ”), Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ TCEH ”), and TEX Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ SpinCo ”).

WHEREAS, TCEH is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and SpinCo is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of TCEH;

WHEREAS, the Company, EFCH or TCEH, as applicable, own the Acquired TCEH Assets (as defined in the Separation Agreement below) listed on Schedule A hereto (the “ Contributed Assets ”);

WHEREAS, TCEH owns, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding equity interests of the entities listed on Schedule B hereto (the “ TCEH Contributed Subsidiaries ”); and

WHEREAS, as contemplated by that certain Separation Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company, SpinCo, and TEX Operations Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and indirect wholly owned subsidiary of TCEH (as amended, the “ Separation Agreement ”), (i) the Company, EFCH and TCEH, as applicable, desire to contribute, convey, transfer and assign the Contributed Assets to SpinCo and, (ii) TCEH desires to contribute, convey, transfer and assign the TCEH Contributed Subsidiaries to SpinCo.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Separation Agreement.

2. EFH Contribution . The Company hereby contributes, conveys, transfers and assigns all of the Contributed Assets held by the Company (the “ EFH Contributed Assets ”) to TCEH, and TCEH hereby accepts such contribution, conveyance, transfer and assignment of the EFH Contributed Assets (the “ Initial EFH Contribution ”). Effective immediately following the Initial EFH Contribution, TCEH hereby contributes, conveys, transfers and assigns each of the EFH Contributed Assets to SpinCo, and SpinCo hereby accepts such contribution, conveyance, transfer and assignment from TCEH (the “ Subsequent EFH Contribution ,” and together with the Initial EFH Contribution, “ EFH Contribution ”). SpinCo hereby assumes and agrees to pay, discharge, perform or otherwise satisfy as and when due all liabilities and obligations of any kind and nature, in each case, arising out of facts, circumstances, events or conditions in existence before, on or after the date hereof of, under, related to, resulting from, or arising out of or in connection with, as applicable, the EFH Contributed Assets and all Assumed Liabilities (as defined in the Separation Agreement) (the “ EFH Assumed Liabilities ”).

3. EFCH Contribution . EFCH hereby contributes, conveys, transfers and assigns all of the Contributed Assets held by EFCH (the “ EFCH Contributed Assets ”) to TCEH, and TCEH hereby accepts such contribution, conveyance, transfer and assignment of the EFCH Contributed Assets (the “ Initial EFCH Contribution ”). Effective immediately following the Initial EFCH Contribution, TCEH hereby


contributes, conveys, transfers and assigns each of the EFCH Contributed Assets to SpinCo, and SpinCo hereby accepts such contribution, conveyance, transfer and assignment from TCEH (the “ EFCH Subsequent Contribution ,” and together with the Initial EFCH Contribution, the “ EFCH Contribution ”). SpinCo hereby assumes and agrees to pay, discharge, perform or otherwise satisfy all liabilities and obligations of any kind and nature arising out of or otherwise relating to the EFCH Contributed Assets.

4. TCEH Contribution . TCEH hereby contributes, conveys, transfers and assigns the TCEH Contributed Subsidiaries and all of the Contributed Assets held by TCEH (the “ TCEH Contributed Assets ”) to SpinCo, and SpinCo hereby accepts such contribution, conveyance, transfer and assignment (the “ TCEH Contribution ,” and together with the EFH Contribution and the EFCH Contribution, the “ Contributions ”). SpinCo hereby assumes and agrees to pay, discharge, perform or otherwise satisfy all liabilities and obligations of any kind and nature arising out of or otherwise relating to the TCEH Contributed Assets and any other liabilities identified on Schedule C hereto (the “ TCEH Assumed Liabilities ,” and together with the EFH Assumed Liabilities, the “ Assumed Liabilities ”).

5. Further Assurances . In furtherance of the transactions described herein, the parties hereto shall, and shall cause their applicable subsidiaries to, execute such additional bills of sale, quitclaim deeds, stock or equity powers, certificates of title, assignments of contracts and other instruments of transfer, conveyance and assignment and other documents reasonably necessary to evidence the transfer, conveyance and assignment of the Contributed Assets to SpinCo and the valid and effective assumption of the Assumed Liabilities by SpinCo, including any which are not transferred on the date hereof as a result of Section 2.2(b) of the Separation Agreement or for any other reason.

6. Tax Treatment . For federal income tax purposes, at the time of the Contributions, each of EFCH, TCEH and SpinCo is an entity that is disregarded as separate from the Company, and accordingly, the Contributions will have no federal income tax effect. For Texas sales and use tax purposes, the Contributions will be treated as (i) a transfer of intangible assets not subject to Texas sales and use tax, and/or (ii) a transfer of assets constituting a separate division, branch, or identifiable segment of a business that is exempt from Texas sales and use tax as an occasional sale.

7. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including by electronic means), each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts taken together constituting one and the same agreement.

8. Captions . The captions of the paragraphs herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be used in construing the terms and provisions hereof.

9. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

10. Governing Law and Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial .

(a) THIS AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH ANY CLAIM, DISPUTE, REMEDY OR ACTION ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR ANY RELIEF OR REMEDIES SOUGHT BY ANY PARTY, AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER, SHALL BE CONSTRUED, PERFORMED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ITS PRINCIPLES OR RULES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT SUCH PRINCIPLES OR RULES WOULD REQUIRE OR PERMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. Each of the parties hereto (i) submits


to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court; provided that if the Bankruptcy Court declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular Action, then the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware, and if the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware declines jurisdiction, then any state or federal court sitting in Delaware, in any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, (ii) agrees that all claims in respect of such Action may be heard and determined in any such court and (iii) agrees not to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement (whether on the basis of a claim sounding in contract, equity, tort or otherwise) in any other court. Each of the parties agrees that a final judgment (subject to any appeals therefrom) in any such Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any Delaware or federal court in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such Action in any such court. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in the Separation Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.

(b) EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (W) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (X) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (Y) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (Z) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

11. Limitations of Liability . The Liabilities of any party hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be limited pursuant to and as provided in the Separation Agreement.

12. No Third Party Beneficiaries . Except for the indemnification rights under the Separation Agreement of any Indemnified Party in their respective capacities as such, the provisions of this Agreement and the Separation Agreement are solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and are not intended to confer upon any Person, except the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies hereunder and there are no third party beneficiaries of this Agreement or the Separation Agreement; and neither this Agreement nor the Separation Agreement shall provide any third party with any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement or the Separation Agreement.

13. Assignment . Neither party shall assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement (by operation of law or otherwise) unless, such party concurrently assigns its rights and obligations under the Separation Agreement to the same assignee of its rights and obligations hereunder.

Signature page follows.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

Energy Future Holdings Corp.
By:    
Name:   [__________]
Title:   [__________]
Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company LLC
By:    
Name:   [__________]
Title:   [__________]
Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC
By:    
Name:   [__________]
Title:   [__________]
TEX Energy LLC
By:    
Name:   [__________]
Title:   [__________]

 

S IGNATURE P AGE TO A SSIGNMENT AND A SSUMPTION A GREEMENT AMONG

THE C OMPANY , EFCH, TCEH AND S PIN C O


Schedule A

Contributed Assets

[Omitted.]


Schedule 1-A

Vehicles

[ See attached .]

[Omitted.]


Schedule B

TCEH Contributed Subsidiaries

The following Delaware limited liability companies:

TEX Intermediate Company LLC

TEX Operations Company LLC

TEX Asset Company LLC

TEX Preferred LLC

Comanche Peak Power Company LLC

Oak Grove Management Company LLC

Brighten Energy LLC

Forney Pipeline, LLC

La Frontera Holdings, LLC

The following Texas limited liability companies:

Luminant Energy Company LLC

Luminant ET Services Company LLC

Luminant Energy Trading California Company

Luminant Generation Company LLC

Sandow Power Company LLC

Luminant Mining Company LLC

Big Brown Power Company LLC

4Change Energy Company LLC

TXU Energy Retail Company LLC

NCA Resources Development Company LLC

The following Delaware corporations:

TEX Finance Corp.

TXU Retail Services Company

The following Texas corporations:

Generation SVC Company

EFH Properties Company

EFH Corporate Services Company


Schedule C

Other TCEH Assumed Liabilities

None.


Exhibit B

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

This Assignment and Assumption Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) is entered into effective as of October [●], 2016 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and between Energy Future Holdings Corp., a Texas corporation (“ EFH ”), and TEX Operations Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ OpCo ”), and with respect to the assignment of certain Agreements hereunder, EFH Corporate Services Company (“ Corporate Services ”), Luminant Generation Company LLC (“ Luminant ”), TXU Energy Retail Company, LLC (“ Retail ”), and Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC (“ TCEH ”). Corporate Services, Luminant, Retail and TCEH are referred to herein as the “ Agreement Parties ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, EFH currently sponsors and maintains the employee benefit plans, programs and policies listed on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof (the “ Contributed Plans ”), and EFH and the Agreement Parties are parties to the employment agreements listed on Exhibit A , as well as certain agreements relating to the operation and administration of the Contributed Plans (collectively, the “ Agreements ”); and

WHEREAS, on April 29, 2014, EFH and certain entities in which it, directly or indirectly, held an equity interest, and certain of their respective subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Debtors ”), commenced voluntary cases under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §101 et seq. (as amended, the “ Bankruptcy Code ”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “ Bankruptcy Court ”), which cases are jointly administered for procedural purposes only under Case No. 14-10979 (collectively, with any proceedings relating thereto, the “ Chapter 11 Cases ”); and

WHEREAS , on July 29, 2016, EFH, Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ EFIH ”), NextEra Energy, Inc., a Florida corporation (“ Parent ”), and EFH Merger Co., LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“ Merger Sub ”), entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended, the “ Merger Agreement ”), which provides for, among other things, the merger of EFH with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub being the surviving company and the successor to EFH; and

WHEREAS , the Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization filed by the Debtors with the Bankruptcy Court on July 29, 2016 (as amended, the “ Plan of Reorganization ”) provides that the confirmation and effective date of the Plan of Reorganization with respect to the TCEH Debtors (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization) (“ TCEH Effective Date ”) may occur separate from, and independent of, the confirmation and effective date of the Plan of Reorganization with respect to the EFH Debtors (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization); and

WHEREAS, effective as of August 29, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “ Confirmation Order ”) approving and confirming, among other things, the restructuring of the TCEH Debtors pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, subject to certain contingencies set forth in the Confirmation Order, all of which contingencies have, as of October 3, 2016, been satisfied or waived; and

WHEREAS, in connection with the implementation of the Plan of Reorganization, all employees of EFH, and its affiliates (other than Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries), have been or will be transferred to OpCo (or an affiliate of OpCo) prior to the TCEH Effective Date; and


WHEREAS, as provided for, and required under, the Plan of Reorganization and the Merger Agreement, EFH desires to transfer and assign to OpCo the sponsorship (including the assumption of all assets and liabilities thereto) of each of the Contributed Plans and the Agreement Parties desire to transfer and assign its rights and obligations under each Agreement to which it is a party, and OpCo desires to accept and assume all such transfers; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement to evidence and effectuate such transfer and assignment, and acceptance and assumption, of the Contributed Plans and the Agreements.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Assignment and Assumption of Plans . Effective as of the TCEH Effective Date, the sponsorship and all obligations relating to the maintenance and administration of each of the Contributed Plans are hereby transferred and assigned from EFH to OpCo, and OpCo hereby accepts such transfer and assignment. By virtue of such assignment and assumption, OpCo hereby possesses all rights, authority, and responsibility as plan sponsor, employer and a participating employer and fiduciary under each of the Contributed Plans. Effective as of the TCEH Effective Date, OpCo hereby assumes full responsibility for the liabilities, qualification, administration and compliance with all applicable legal requirements relating to each of the Contributed Plans, including without limitation the provision of all benefits due or required to be paid under the Contributed Plans (including benefits accrued or which become payable prior to the Effective Date).

2. Assignment and Assumption of Agreements . Effective as of the TCEH Effective Date, the rights and obligations of the Agreement Party under each of the applicable Agreements are hereby transferred and assigned from the applicable Agreement Parties to OpCo, and OpCo hereby accepts such transfer and assignment. By virtue of such assignment and assumption, OpCo hereby possesses all rights and obligations of the applicable Agreement Parties under each of the Agreements. Effective as of the TCEH Effective Date, OpCo hereby assumes full responsibility for the performance of all obligations of the Agreement Party under each of the applicable Agreements. EFH, the Agreement Party and OpCo shall reasonably cooperate with each other to cause each of the Contributed Plans and Agreements to be amended, as necessary, to reflect the assignment, transfer and assumption evidenced hereby. To the extent that the transfer, acceptance and assignment of any of the Agreements require the consent of an individual employee, affiliate or third party, as applicable, the parties shall reasonably cooperate to obtain such consent.

3. Plan Administrator . From and after the TCEH Effective Date, the named fiduciary and plan administrator, as applicable, of each of the Contributed Plans shall be the applicable administrative committee, or other designee, of OpCo, which shall replace the applicable named fiduciary and plan administrator of EFH in such capacity, and shall have all responsibility and authority necessary or appropriate to administer the Contributed Plans in accordance with their terms. All policies and decisions adopted by the applicable EFH plan administrator prior to the TCEH Effective Date shall, unless and until changed by the applicable OpCo plan administrator, continue in effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all funding and investment policies, loan, withdrawal and distribution procedures, procedures for processing domestic relations orders and qualified medical child support orders, procedures for processing claims, and any other policies or procedures relating to the administration of any of the Contributed Plans, previously adopted by the applicable EFH plan administrator, shall remain in full force and effect unless and until changed by the applicable OpCo plan administrator.


4. Fidelity Bond; Liability Insurance . EFH and OpCo shall timely notify the issuer of any fidelity bond or liability insurance policy relating to any Contributed Plan or Agreement of the transfer, assignment and assumption provided for herein, and the parties shall fully cooperate and take all action necessary to effectuate the transfer, assignment and assumption with respect to such fidelity bonds and insurance policies so as to ensure coverage of OpCo, the applicable OpCo plan administrators and all entities and individuals involved in the administration of the Contributed Plans and Agreements from and after the TCEH Effective Date.

5. Effect on Employment . It is the intent of the parties, that the transfer of employment of employees from EFH, and certain of its affiliates (other than Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company, LLC and its subsidiaries), to OpCo shall be treated as a transfer of employment and not as a termination of employment for purposes of any of the Contributed Plans. In this connection, each employee shall be treated as if his/her employment has not been terminated as a result of the transfer from EFH, or an affiliate of EFH, to OpCo, and his/her service, for all purposes under each Contributed Plan and Agreement, shall be treated as continuous without any break in service related to such transfer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, consistent with the Plan of Reorganization, the Closing of the transactions contemplated in the Plan of Reorganization shall be deemed to constitute a change in control of EFH for purposes of the applicable Contributed Plans.

6. Employee Communications . OpCo shall be responsible for preparing and distributing summaries of material modifications and other communication materials to notify employees of the assignment, transfer and assumption evidenced hereby. EFH shall cooperate with OpCo in the preparation of such materials as may be reasonably requested by OpCo.

7. Reports to Governmental Agencies; Audits . From and after the TCEH Effective Date, OpCo shall be responsible for preparing, filing and/or distributing all required governmental reports relating to the Contributed Plans including without limitation, Annual Returns/Reports (Form 5500 Series), Summary Annual Reports, Annual Funding Notices, and all filings required under the Affordable Care Act. EFH shall, or shall cause its affiliates to, cooperate with OpCo, and provide OpCo with all information available to EFH or its affiliates, as OpCo may reasonably request, in connection with the preparation of such reports. Additionally, in the event of a governmental audit, investigation or inquiry relating to any of the Contributed Plans, EFH and OpCo shall fully cooperate with each other, and EFH shall, or shall cause its affiliates to, provide OpCo with all information or documentation in EFH’s, or its affiliates’ possession or control as may be reasonably requested by OpCo in connection with any such audit, investigation or inquiry.

8. Transfer of Records . To the maximum extent allowed under applicable law, EFH shall, or shall cause its affiliates to, transfer to OpCo all records pertaining to the Contributed Plans and Agreements in EFH’s, or its affiliates, possession or control as soon as reasonably practical following the Effective Date.

9. No Plan Amendment . Except as expressly provided for herein, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or deemed to constitute an amendment to any Contributed Plan, and nothing in this Agreement shall limit, in any way, the right and authority of OpCo to amend each of the Contributed Plans, in whole or in part, from time to time.

10. No Third Party Beneficiary . Nothing in this Agreement shall create any rights in any person or entity other than the parties hereto, including without limitation any participant, beneficiary, dependent or other covered person under any Contributed Plan.

11. Further Acts . The parties agree to take any and all further action and to execute any and all further documents as either of them may reasonably determine to be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the transfer, assignment and assumption of the Contributed Plans and the Agreements, and all other matters contemplated in this Agreement.


12. Applicable Law . TO THE EXTENT NOT OTHERWISE GOVERNED BY FEDERAL LAWS SUCH AS ERISA AND THE CODE (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE MERGER AGREEMENT) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

13. Binding Effect; Assignment . All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither party shall assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement (by operation of law or otherwise) unless such party concurrently assigns its rights and obligations under the Separation Agreement to the same assignee of its rights and obligations hereunder.

14. Invalidity of Provisions . In the event that one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

15. Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with that certain Separation Agreement, by and among EFH, OpCo and TEX Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, dated as of the date hereof (the “ Separation Agreement ”), constitutes the whole and entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement, undertaking, declaration, commitment or representation, verbal or oral, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

16. Limitations of Liability . The liabilities of the parties hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be limited pursuant to and as provided in the Separation Agreement.

17. Defined Terms . Capitalized terms not defined herein shall be given the meaning ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement, Plan of Reorganization or Separation Agreement. In the event of a conflict between any such definitions, the definition in the Merger Agreement shall be controlling.

18. Captions . The captions of the sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are for convenience and reference only and in no way define, limit or describe the scope or intent of this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the TCEH Effective Date.

 


TEX OPERATIONS COMPANY LLC
By:    
Title:    
ENERGY FUTURE HOLDINGS CORP.
By:    
Title:    
AGREEMENT PARTIES:
EFH CORPORATE SERVICES COMPANY
By:    
Title:    
LUMINANT GENERATION COMPANY LLC
By:    
Title:    
TXU ENERGY RETAIL COMPANY, LLC
By:    
Title:    


TEXAS COMPETITIVE ELECTRIC HOLDINGS

COMPANY LLC

By:    
Title:    


EXHIBIT A

TO

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

ENERGY FUTURE HOLDINGS CORP., TEX OPERATIONS COMPANY LLC, AND CERTAIN

OTHER AGREEMENT PARTIES NAMED THEREIN

Contributed Plans:

[Omitted.]

Exhibit 10.17

Execution Version

 

 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

by and between

La Frontera Ventures, LLC

as Seller,

and

Luminant Holding Company LLC

as Buyer

dated as of November 25, 2015

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION      1   

Section 1.1

 

Definitions

     1   

Section 1.2

 

Rules of Construction

     1   
ARTICLE II PURCHASE AND SALE AND CLOSING      2   

Section 2.1

 

Purchase and Sale

     2   

Section 2.2

 

Purchase Price

     3   

Section 2.3

 

Closing

     3   

Section 2.4

 

Seller’s Closing Deliverables

     3   

Section 2.5

 

Buyer’s Closing Deliverables

     4   

Section 2.6

 

Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount

     5   

Section 2.7

 

Tax Treatment; Allocation of Purchase Price

     8   

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING SELLER

     8   

Section 3.1

 

Organization

     8   

Section 3.2

 

Authority

     9   

Section 3.3

 

No Conflicts; Consents and Approvals

     9   

Section 3.4

 

Interests

     9   

Section 3.5

 

Legal Proceedings

     9   

Section 3.6

 

Compliance with Laws and Orders

     10   

Section 3.7

 

Brokers

     10   
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES      10   

Section 4.1

 

Organization

     10   

Section 4.2

 

No Conflicts; Consents and Approvals

     10   

Section 4.3

 

Capitalization

     11   

Section 4.4

 

Business; Title to Assets

     11   

Section 4.5

 

Bank Accounts

     11   

Section 4.6

 

Subsidiaries

     11   

Section 4.7

 

Legal Proceedings

     12   

Section 4.8

 

Compliance with Laws and Orders

     12   

Section 4.9

 

Liabilities

     12   

Section 4.10

 

Taxes

     12   

Section 4.11

 

Regulatory Status

     13   

Section 4.12

 

Contracts

     14   


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

Section 4.13

 

Real Property

     15   

Section 4.14

 

Permits

     15   

Section 4.15

 

Environmental Matters

     16   

Section 4.16

 

Intellectual Property

     16   

Section 4.17

 

Brokers

     17   

Section 4.18

 

Employees and Labor Matters

     17   

Section 4.19

 

Employee Benefits

     17   

Section 4.20

 

Financial Statements

     17   

Section 4.21

 

Absence of Certain Changes

     18   

Section 4.22

 

Related Party Transactions

     18   

Section 4.23

 

Insurance

     18   

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

     18   

Section 5.1

 

Organization

     18   

Section 5.2

 

Authority

     18   

Section 5.3

 

No Conflicts; Consents and Approvals

     18   

Section 5.4

 

Legal Proceedings

     19   

Section 5.5

 

Compliance with Laws and Orders

     19   

Section 5.6

 

Brokers

     19   

Section 5.7

 

Acquisition as Investment

     19   

Section 5.8

 

Financial Resources

     20   

Section 5.9

 

No Conflicting Contracts

     20   

Section 5.10

 

Opportunity for Independent Investigation

     20   

Section 5.11

 

Buyer Benefit Plans

     20   

Section 5.12

 

Regulatory Status

     20   

Section 5.13

 

Ownership in ERCOT

     20   

ARTICLE VI COVENANTS

     21   

Section 6.1

 

Regulatory and Other Approvals

     21   

Section 6.2

 

Access of Buyer

     23   

Section 6.3

 

Certain Restrictions

     24   

Section 6.4

 

Use of Certain Names

     26   

Section 6.5

 

Support Obligations

     26   

Section 6.6

 

Excluded Items

     27   

Section 6.7

 

Employee and Employee Benefit Matters

     28   

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

Section 6.8

 

Termination of Certain Services, Excluded Contracts and Other Affiliate Transactions

     28   

Section 6.9

 

Spare Parts

     29   

Section 6.10

 

Insurance

     29   

Section 6.11

 

Casualty

     29   

Section 6.12

 

Condemnation

     30   

Section 6.13

 

Transfer Taxes

     31   

Section 6.14

 

Tax Matters

     31   

Section 6.15

 

Appointment of Primary Representatives

     34   

Section 6.16

 

Updating; Notification of Certain Matters

     34   

Section 6.17

 

Announcements

     35   

Section 6.18

 

Further Assurances

     35   

Section 6.19

 

Reserved

     35   

Section 6.20

 

Qualified Scheduling Entity

     35   

Section 6.21

 

Exclusivity

     35   

Section 6.22

 

Additional Assets Contribution

     36   

Section 6.23

 

Forney Rotor

     36   

Section 6.24

 

Gas Supply Agreement

     36   

ARTICLE VII BUYER’S CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

     36   

Section 7.1

 

Representations and Warranties

     36   

Section 7.2

 

Performance

     37   

Section 7.3

 

Seller’s Certificate

     37   

Section 7.4

 

Orders and Laws

     37   

Section 7.5

 

Consents and Approvals

     37   

Section 7.6

 

Seller Deliverables

     37   

Section 7.7

 

No Material Adverse Effect

     37   

ARTICLE VIII SELLER’S CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

     37   

Section 8.1

 

Representations and Warranties

     37   

Section 8.2

 

Performance

     37   

Section 8.3

 

Buyer’s Certificate

     38   

Section 8.4

 

Orders and Laws

     38   

Section 8.5

 

Consents and Approvals

     38   

Section 8.6

 

Release of NEER Guaranty

     38   

Section 8.7

 

Buyer Deliverables

     38   

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

ARTICLE IX TERMINATION

     38   

Section 9.1

 

Termination

     38   

Section 9.2

 

Effect of Termination

     39   

Section 9.3

 

Break-up Fee

     39   

Section 9.4

 

Regulatory Break-up Fee

     40   

Section 9.5

 

Extension of Break-up Fee Security

     42   

ARTICLE X INDEMNIFICATION, LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND WAIVERS

     42   

Section 10.1

 

Indemnification

     42   

Section 10.2

 

Limitations of Liability

     42   

Section 10.3

 

[Reserved]

     44   

Section 10.4

 

Notice; Duty to Mitigate

     44   

Section 10.5

 

Indirect Claims

     44   

Section 10.6

 

Waiver of Other Representations

     45   

Section 10.7

 

Environmental Waiver and Release

     46   

Section 10.8

 

Remedies; Waiver of Remedies

     46   

Section 10.9

 

Indemnification Procedures

     47   

Section 10.10

 

Access to Information

     49   

ARTICLE XI CONFIDENTIALITY

     49   

Section 11.1

 

Pre-Closing Confidential Information

     49   

Section 11.2

 

Post-Closing Seller Confidential Information

     49   

Section 11.3

 

Post-Closing Buyer Confidential Information

     50   

Section 11.4

 

Limitations on Confidential Information

     50   

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS

     51   

Section 12.1

 

Notices

     51   

Section 12.2

 

Entire Agreement

     52   

Section 12.3

 

Expenses

     52   

Section 12.4

 

Schedules

     52   

Section 12.5

 

Waiver

     53   

Section 12.6

 

Amendment

     53   

Section 12.7

 

No Third Party Beneficiary

     53   

Section 12.8

 

Assignment or Delegation; Binding Effect

     53   

Section 12.9

 

Headings

     54   

Section 12.10

 

Invalid Provisions

     54   

Section 12.11

 

Counterparts; Facsimile

     54   

Section 12.12

 

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

     54   

 

iv


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

EXHIBITS

  

Exhibit A

  

Definitions

Exhibit B

  

Additional Assets

Exhibit C

  

Aggregate Net Working Capital Calculations

DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES

3.3

  

Seller Approvals

4.2

  

Company Consents

4.3

  

Capitalization

4.4

  

Purchased Assets

4.5

  

Bank Accounts

4.7

  

Legal Proceedings

4.8

  

Compliance with Laws and Orders

4.9

  

Liabilities

4.10

  

Taxes

4.12

  

Material Contracts

4.13(i)

  

Real Property

4.14

  

Permits

4.15(a)

  

Material Environmental Permits

4.15(b)

  

Environmental Laws and Permits Material Compliance

4.15(c)

  

Material Environmental Claims, Actions, Proceedings or Investigations

4.15(d)

  

Certain Releases of Hazardous Materials

4.15(e)

  

Emissions Allowances and Credits

4.16(a)

  

Intellectual Property

4.18

  

Employee and Labor Matters

4.19

  

ERISA Employee Benefit Plans

4.21

  

Absence of Certain Changes

4.22

  

Related Party Transactions

4.23

  

Insurance

5.3

  

Buyer Approvals

6.3

  

Exceptions to Conduct of Business

6.6

  

Excluded Items

6.8

  

Excluded Contracts


PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

This PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of November 25, 2015 (the “ Effective Date ”), is by and between La Frontera Ventures, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Seller ”), and Luminant Holding Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Buyer ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, one hundred percent (100%) of the membership interests in La Frontera Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), the indirect owner of two (2) natural gas-fired power plants and an approximately 1,000 foot, 24 inch diameter natural gas pipeline, together with certain related entities, all on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the other Transaction Documents;

WHEREAS, prior to the Closing (as defined herein), an Affiliate or Affiliates of Seller, will cause the Assets (as defined herein) identified in Exhibit B hereto (the “ Additional Assets ”) to be contributed to one or more of the Acquired Companies (as defined herein) (the “ Additional Assets Contribution ”); and

WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Buyer has delivered to Seller a copy of the Buyer Parent Guaranty duly executed by Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC (“ Buyer Parent Guarantor ”);

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

Section 1.1 Definitions . Terms defined in the preamble, recitals or other Sections of this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth therein and the terms defined in Exhibit A shall have the meanings set forth therein.

Section 1.2 Rules of Construction .

(a) All “Article,” “Section,” “Schedule” and “Exhibit” references used in this Agreement are to articles, sections, schedules and exhibits to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The Exhibits and Schedules attached to this Agreement constitute a part of this Agreement and are incorporated herein for all purposes and references to this Agreement shall include a reference to all Schedules, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time as permitted by this Agreement.

(b) A term defined as one part of speech (such as a noun) shall have a corresponding meaning when used as another part of speech (such as a verb). Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires otherwise words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neutral genders and vice versa. A term defined in the singular number shall include the correlative plural and vice versa. The words “includes” or “including” shall mean “including without limitation,” the words “hereof,” “hereby,” “herein,” “hereunder” and similar terms in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not any particular section or article in which such words appear and unless otherwise specified, any reference to a Law shall include any amendment thereof or any

 

1


successor thereto and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. All references to a particular entity shall include a reference to such entity’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement. References to any agreement, document or instrument shall mean a reference to such agreement, document or instrument as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time. The word “or” will have the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” “Shall” and “will” mean “must”, and shall and will have equal force and effect and express an obligation. “Writing,” “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing, and other means of reproducing in a visible form. References to documents or other materials “provided” or “made available” to Buyer shall mean that such documents or other materials were (i) present at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Effective Date in the on-line data room maintained by Seller for purposes of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and accessible by Buyer or (ii) delivered in physical form or by electronic means directly to one of the Persons on Exhibit J prior to the execution of this Agreement. The titles, captions or headings of the Articles and Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(c) Time is of the essence in this Agreement. Whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified. Whenever any action must be taken hereunder on or by a day that is not a Business Day, then such action may be validly taken on or by the next day that is a Business Day. Relative to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “including and after,” “to” means “to but excluding” and “through” means “through and including.”

(d) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings given to them under, and all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made in accordance with, GAAP.

(e) Each Party acknowledges that this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents was negotiated by it with the benefit of representation by legal counsel, and any rule of construction or interpretation otherwise requiring this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents to which such Party is a party to be construed or interpreted against any Party shall not apply to any construction or interpretation hereof.

ARTICLE II

PURCHASE AND SALE AND CLOSING

Section 2.1 Purchase and Sale .

(a) On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller agrees to sell, assign, transfer and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer agrees to purchase and accept from Seller, all of the Interests, free and clear of all Encumbrances other than (i) those arising under the Organizational Documents of the Company and (ii) those arising under any applicable securities Laws of any jurisdiction, which Interests shall be sold, assigned, transferred and delivered to Buyer for the consideration specified in Section 2.2 below.

(b) At least three Business Days prior to the Closing, the Seller shall obtain from Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Project Financing Agreement (the “ Project Financing Administrative Agent ”) or other parties (if applicable) to the other Project Financing Documents (as applicable), executed payoff letters with respect to the Project Financing Documents (the “ Project Financing Payoff Letters ”) indicating that upon payment of the amount specified therein (the “ Project Financing Payoff Amount ”), the debt outstanding thereunder shall be repaid, discharged

 

2


and extinguished in full, all of the obligations of the Acquired Companies thereunder shall be terminated, and U.S. Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent and Depositary Agent under the Project Financing Agreement and the other parties (if applicable) to the other Project Financing Documents, shall automatically release, on behalf of itself and the other parties under the Project Financing Documents, all guarantees, Encumbrances and other security interests in, and agree to execute or authorize the execution of Uniform Commercial Code Termination Statements, mortgage releases, deed of trust releases, terminations of landlord waivers, bailee waiver terminations, account control agreement terminations, releases of any security interests in any intellectual property rights and other agreements, filings, and notices as necessary or reasonably requested to release of record its Encumbrances and other security interest in, the Purchased Assets and the equity interests in the Acquired Companies, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer.

Section 2.2 Purchase Price . The aggregate purchase price (the “ Purchase Price ”) for all of the Interests shall be an amount equal to:

(a) $1,589,738,659 which amount shall include (i) the Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount and (ii) payment for the Additional Assets (the “ Base Purchase Price ”); plus

(b) the adjustment to reflect the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount (whether a positive or a negative amount) in accordance with Section 2.6 ; minus

(c) the amount of the Project Financing Payoff Amount.

An illustrative calculation of the Purchase Price is set forth as Table II in Exhibit C attached hereto.

Section 2.3 Closing . The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at the offices of Hogan Lovells US LLP, 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York at 10:00 A.M. local time, on the third (3 rd ) Business Day after the conditions to Closing set forth in Article VII and Article VIII (other than, but subject to, those conditions which, by their terms, are to be satisfied or waived at Closing) have been satisfied or waived, or on such other date and at such other time and place as Buyer and Seller mutually agree in writing (the “ Closing Date ”). All actions listed in Section 7.6 or Section 8.7 that occur on the Closing Date shall be deemed to occur simultaneously at the Closing. The Closing shall be deemed effective as of 12:01 A.M. (Eastern Prevailing Time) on the Closing Date.

Section 2.4 Seller’s Closing Deliverables . At or prior to the Closing, Seller shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Buyer each of the following:

(a) a counterpart, executed by Seller, of an assignment of membership interests evidencing the assignment and transfer to Buyer of all of the Interests, in the form of Exhibit D (the “ Interests Assignment and Assumption Agreement ”), together with any membership interest certificates representing the Interests and an endorsement executed by Seller evidencing the sale, assignment and transfer of the Interests from Seller to Buyer;

(b) an executed counterpart of each of the O&M Agreement, the Energy Management Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement;

(c) a certification of non-foreign status in the form prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(b) with respect to Seller;

(d) the certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof;

 

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(e) an executed Seller Parent Guaranty;

(f) executed counterparts of documents that evidence the termination of the Existing Affiliate Contracts effective as of the Closing;

(g) such resolutions, certificates and other documents reasonably satisfactory to Buyer evidencing the completion of the Additional Assets Contribution;

(h) such resolutions, certificates or other documents as Buyer may reasonably request to establish the authorization, execution, delivery, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Transaction Document to be delivered at Closing by Seller and NEER;

(i) all other previously undelivered certificates, agreements and other documents required by this Agreement to be delivered by Seller prior to the Closing in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents;

(j) an Internal Revenue Service Form 8023 with respect to each of the Section 338(h)(10) elections required by Section 6.14(j) in a form acceptable to the Parties (the “ Form 8023 ”) signed by an authorized representative of the “common parent” of the “selling consolidated group” within the meaning of such Form 8023;

(k) written documentation of the resignation or removal of all members, managers, officers and directors of each of the Acquired Companies;

(l) the Title Insurance Commitments;

(m) the ALTA Surveys; and

(n) written documentation required to remove as signatories or authorized persons for all accounts or safe deposit boxes set forth on Schedule 4.5 ; and

(o) the Project Financing Payoff Letters.

Section 2.5 Buyer’s Closing Deliverables . At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver, or cause to be delivered:

(a) to Seller each of the following:

(i) a wire transfer of immediately available funds (to such account as Seller shall have given notice to Buyer not less than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date) in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Base Purchase Price plus (ii) the Closing Date Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount (whether a positive or a negative amount) minus (iii) the amount of the Project Financing Payoff Amount;

(ii) the certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 8.3 hereof;

(iii) an executed counterpart of the Interests Assignment and Assumption Agreement;

(iv) an executed counterpart of the O&M Agreement, the Energy Management Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement;

 

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(v) the Form 8023 signed by an authorized representative of Buyer or its applicable Affiliate as required by such Form 8023;

(vi) such resolutions, certificates or other documents as Seller may reasonably request to establish the authorization, execution, delivery, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Transaction Document to be delivered at Closing by Buyer;

(vii) the Continuing Support Letter of Credit if required under Section 6.5(b) ; and

(viii) all other previously undelivered certificates, agreements and other documents required by this Agreement to be delivered by Buyer at or prior to the Closing in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents; and

(b) to the Project Financing Administrative Agent and any other Persons required to receive funds pursuant a Project Financing Payoff Letter, wire transfers of immediately available funds (to such accounts as the Persons entitled to receive funds pursuant to the Project Financing Payoff Letters shall have given notice to Buyer not less than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date) in an aggregate amount equal to the Project Financing Payoff Amount.

Section 2.6 Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount .

(a) At least ten (10) Business Days prior to the scheduled Closing Date, Seller will prepare (at Seller’s expense) and deliver to Buyer a worksheet setting forth Seller’s good faith estimate of the Aggregate Net Working Capital as of the Closing Date (the “ Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount ”), as well as a computation thereof (which computation shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the preparation of the Balance Sheet (provided that in the event of a conflict between GAAP and consistent application thereof, GAAP shall prevail), subject to such difference in accounting principles, policies and procedures as are set forth on Exhibit C (the “ Accounting Principles ”)), together with a reasonably detailed explanation of, and documentation sufficient to confirm the accuracy of the computation of, such Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount. Buyer shall have the right to reasonably and in good faith object to the amounts contained in Seller’s calculation of Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount within three (3) Business Days after Seller’s delivery thereof to Buyer. Seller shall in good faith consider any such objections of Buyer and, if Buyer has made any reasonable objections, shall re-issue Seller’s good faith estimate of the Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date with any such revisions that Seller has determined in good faith are appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of the Parties to agree on the Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount shall in no way delay the Closing and the Parties hereby agree that any pre-Closing disagreement with respect to the Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount will be handled with the post-Closing adjustment mechanisms contained herein. If (i) the Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount is greater than the Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount, the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount minus the Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount; and (ii) the Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount is less than the Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount, the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be decreased by an amount equal to the difference between the Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount minus the Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount (such amount under either (i) or (ii) is referred to as the “ Closing Date Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount ”).

 

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(b) Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, Buyer will prepare (at Buyer’s expense) and deliver to Seller a worksheet setting forth Buyer’s good faith computation of the actual amount of the Aggregate Net Working Capital as of the Closing Date (the “ Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount ”), which computation shall be prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles and on the same format as set forth on Exhibit C , together with a reasonably detailed explanation of, and documentation sufficient to confirm the accuracy of the computation of, such Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount. If within forty-five (45) days following delivery of such worksheet and supporting documentation, Seller does not object in writing thereto to Buyer, then the Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount shall constitute the actual amount of the Aggregate Net Working Capital as of the Closing Date for purposes of this Agreement (the “ Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount ”). If, within forty-five (45) days following delivery of such worksheet and supporting documentation, Seller objects in writing thereto to Buyer (describing in reasonable detail the specific line items and values that are in dispute and the reasons for such dispute, and proposing alternative values with respect to such specific line items) such Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount shall be subject to the objection and resolution provisions set forth in Section 2.6(e) below.

(c) If the Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount is not prepared and delivered by Buyer within the sixty (60) day period set forth in Section 2.6(b) above, Seller shall be entitled (but not obligated) during the forty-five (45) day period commencing on the sixty-first (61 st ) day after the Closing Date to prepare (at Seller’s expense) and deliver to Buyer a worksheet setting forth Seller’s good faith computation of the Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount, which computation shall be prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles and on the same format as set forth on Exhibit C , and based upon information available to Seller, together with a reasonably detailed explanation of, and documentation sufficient to confirm the accuracy of the computation of, such Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount. If within thirty (30) days following delivery of such worksheet and supporting documentation, Buyer does not object in writing thereto to Seller, then the Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount submitted by Seller pursuant to this Section 2.6(c) shall constitute the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount. If, within thirty (30) days following delivery of such worksheet and supporting documentation, Buyer objects in writing thereto to Seller (describing in reasonable detail the specific line items and values that are in dispute and the reasons for such dispute, and proposing alternative values with respect to such specific line items), such Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount shall be subject to the objection and resolution provisions set forth in Section 2.6(e) below.

(d) If neither Buyer nor Seller prepares and timely delivers a Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount in accordance with Section 2.6(b) or Section 2.6(c) , above, the Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount delivered at Closing shall become the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount for all purposes hereunder.

(e) If Seller timely objects to Buyer’s Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount pursuant to Section 2.6(b) or if Buyer timely objects to Seller’s Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount pursuant to Section 2.6(c) , then Buyer and Seller shall negotiate in good faith and attempt to resolve the particular items and values that are identified in the applicable written notice of objection over a twenty (20) day period commencing on delivery of written notice of objection pursuant to Section 2.6(b) or Section 2.6(c) , as the case may be. Should such negotiations not result in an agreement as to the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount within such twenty (20) day period (or such longer period as Buyer and Seller may mutually agree), then either party may submit such disputed items and values to the Neutral Auditor. Each Party agrees to promptly execute a reasonable engagement letter, if requested to do so by the Neutral Auditor. Buyer and Seller, and their respective Representatives, shall cooperate fully with the Neutral Auditor. The Neutral Auditor, acting

 

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as an expert and not an arbitrator, shall resolve such disputed items and determine the values to be ascribed thereto, and using those values (together with other items not in dispute) determine the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount as of the Closing Date only (prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles). The Parties hereby agree that the Neutral Auditor shall only decide the specific disputed items, the values ascribed thereto and using those values (together with the other items included in the applicable Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount) determine the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount, and the Neutral Auditor’s decision with respect to such disputed items and values must be within the range of values assigned to each such item in the applicable Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount and the notice of objection, respectively. All fees and expenses relating to the work, if any, to be performed by the Neutral Auditor will be borne equally by Buyer and Seller. The Neutral Auditor shall be directed to resolve the disputed items and amounts and deliver to Buyer and Seller a written determination of the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount (such determination to made consistent with this Section 2.6(e) , to include a worksheet setting forth all material calculations used in arriving at such determination and to be based solely on information provided to the Neutral Auditor by Buyer or Seller) within thirty (30) days after being retained, which determination will be final, binding and conclusive on the Parties and their respective Affiliates, and their respective Representatives, successors and assigns. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the dispute resolution mechanism contained in this Section 2.6(e) shall be the exclusive mechanism for resolving disputes, if any, regarding the Aggregate Net Working Capital, if any, and neither Seller nor Buyer shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Article X for Losses reflected in the amount of the Aggregate Net Working Capital or the determination of Aggregate Net Working Capital.

(f) The “ Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount ” shall be calculated by computing the Closing Date Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount in accordance with Section 2.6(a) , but substituting the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount for the Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount. The “ Post-Closing Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount ” shall be the amount (positive or negative) equal to (i) the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount minus (ii) the Closing Date Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount. If the Post-Closing Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount is a positive amount, then Buyer shall pay in cash to Seller the amount of the Post-Closing Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount. If the Post-Closing Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount is a negative amount, then Seller shall pay in cash to Buyer the amount equal to the absolute value of the Post-Closing Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount. Any such net excess or deficit payment in respect of the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount will be due and payable within five (5) Business Days after the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount is finally determined as provided in this Section 2.6(f) and will be payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account or accounts as shall be specified by Buyer or Seller, as applicable. Any payments made pursuant to this Section 2.6(f) shall be treated as an adjustment to the Tax Allocation Purchase Price by the parties for Tax purposes, unless otherwise required by applicable Law.

(g) Following the Closing, Seller and Buyer shall cooperate and provide each other and, if applicable the Neutral Auditor, and their respective Representatives, reasonable assistance and access to such books, records and employees (including those of the Acquired Companies) as are reasonably requested in connection with the matters addressed in this Section 2.6 . Consistent with the foregoing, following the Closing and until the finalization of the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount pursuant to this Section 2.6 , Buyer shall, at Seller’s expense, provide or provide reasonable access (in a manner not unreasonably disruptive to its business) to Seller or the Neutral Auditor (as applicable) to review the books and records, documents and work papers related to the preparation of the worksheet and computation of the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount. Seller and the Neutral Auditor shall be entitled to make reasonable inquiries and information requests of

 

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Buyer regarding the worksheet setting forth the computation Amount and the calculations set forth therein, provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.6(g) , such access shall not include (i) access to materials that are subject to the attorney-client, work-product or other similar privilege or (ii) access to any working papers of any independent accountant unless customary confidentiality and hold harmless agreements have been first executed.

Section 2.7 Tax Treatment; Allocation of Purchase Price .

(a) Buyer and Seller acknowledge that, since the Acquired Companies other than FPLE Forney and Lamar are classified as entities disregarded from their owners for federal income tax purposes, and (b) an election pursuant to Section 338(h)(10) of the Code shall be made with respect to the acquisition of the membership interests in FPLE Forney and Lamar, the purchase and sale of the Interests is intended to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a purchase and sale of the Assets and liabilities of the Acquired Companies.

(b) Buyer shall prepare and provide to Seller within sixty (60) days after all adjustments to the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.6 have been completed in accordance with the terms thereof, a schedule (the “ Purchase Price Allocation Schedule ”) allocating the amounts paid and the liabilities assumed in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, adjusted as necessary to determine the purchase price of the Purchased Assets for federal income tax purposes (the “ Tax Allocation Purchase Price ”), among the Purchased Assets.

(c) The Purchase Price Allocation Schedule shall be prepared in accordance with the general principles of Sections 338 and 1060 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations pursuant thereto or any successor provision. Unless Seller objects to Buyer’s allocation schedule within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof, such schedule shall become final. If Seller objects to Buyer’s allocation within thirty (30) days of receipt, then the Parties shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to agree, within thirty (30) days of Seller’s objection to the Purchase Price Allocation Schedule, to an allocation of the Tax Allocation Purchase Price among the Assets of the Acquired Companies that is consistent with the allocation methodology provided by Sections 338 and 1060 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “ Allocation ”). In the event such mutual agreement cannot be achieved, Buyer shall engage a nationally-recognized accounting firm to serve as an independent valuation expert to determine the Allocation, the costs of which are to be shared equally among Buyer, on the one hand, and Seller, on the other hand. Once the Allocation becomes final, whether by virtue of Seller’s deemed acquiescence, by express mutual agreement of the Parties, or by determination of the independent valuation expert, the Parties agree that neither Buyer, Seller, nor any of their Affiliates shall take any position (whether in audits, Tax Returns or otherwise) that is inconsistent with such final Allocation. The Allocation shall be revised to take into account subsequent adjustments to the Tax Allocation Purchase Price, including any indemnification payments (which shall be treated for Tax purposes as adjustments to the Purchase Price), in accordance with the provisions of Sections 338 and 1060 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations pursuant thereto or any successor provision.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING SELLER

Except as disclosed in, or qualified by any matter set forth in, the Schedules provided by Seller, Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

Section 3.1 Organization . Seller is a limited liability company, duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of formation.

 

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Section 3.2 Authority . Seller has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by Seller of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party, and the performance by Seller of its obligations hereunder and thereunder, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party have been duly and validly executed and delivered by Seller and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Seller enforceable against Seller in accordance with their terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, arrangement, moratorium or other similar Laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, or by general equitable principles.

Section 3.3 No Conflicts; Consents and Approvals . The execution and delivery by Seller of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party do not, and the performance by Seller of its obligations under this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which Seller is or will be a party will not:

(a) result in a violation or breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the Organizational Documents of Seller;

(b) assuming all required Consents set forth on Schedule 3.3 (collectively, the “ Seller Approvals ”) and the Company Consents have been obtained, result in a violation of or a breach of or default, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration), or require any consent of or notice to any Person, under (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both) any Contract to which Seller is a party, except for any such violations or defaults (or rights of termination, cancellation or acceleration) which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on Seller’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is or will be a party; and

(c) assuming all the Seller Approvals and the Company Consents have been obtained or given, (i) result in a violation of, or breach any term or provision of, any Law applicable to Seller, except as would not have a material adverse effect on Seller’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which Seller is a party or (ii) require any Consent of any Governmental Authority under any applicable Law, other than such Consents which, if not made or obtained, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Seller’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is or will be a party.

Section 3.4 Interests . Seller is the sole Member (as defined in the Organizational Documents of the Company) of the Company, and holds its membership interest in the Company free of all Encumbrances other than (i) restrictions on “Change of Control” pursuant to (and as defined in) the Project Financing Agreement until the Project Financing Payoff Amount has been paid in full, (ii) those arising under the Organizational Documents of the Company, (iii) those arising under this Agreement, (iv) those securing Taxes not yet due and payable and (v) those arising under any applicable securities Laws of any jurisdiction. Seller is the only Person that owns any interest in the profits, losses, distributions and capital of the Company. Except for the membership interest held by Seller, the Company has no outstanding Equity Securities.

Section 3.5 Legal Proceedings . As of the Effective Date, there is no Claim pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened against Seller, which seeks a writ, judgment, injunction, order, decree, determination or award (any of the foregoing, an Order ) restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

 

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Section 3.6 Compliance with Laws and Orders . Seller is not in violation of or in default under any Law or Order applicable to Seller or its Assets the effect of which, in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to hinder, prevent or delay Seller from performing its obligations hereunder.

Section 3.7 Brokers . Seller has no liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents for which Buyer or any Acquired Company could become liable or obligated.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES

Except as disclosed in, or qualified by any matter set forth in, the Schedules provided by Seller, Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

Section 4.1 Organization .

(a) Each Acquired Company is a limited liability company duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of formation, and has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets. Each Acquired Company is duly qualified or licensed to do business in each jurisdiction in which the ownership or operation of its Assets make such qualification or licensing necessary, except in those jurisdictions where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Seller has furnished to Buyer true and correct copies of the Organizational Documents of each Acquired Company. The Organizational Documents of each Acquired Company are in full force and effect.

Section 4.2 No Conflicts; Consents and Approvals . The execution and delivery by Seller of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party do not, and the performance by Seller of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Seller is or will be a party will not:

(a) result in a violation or breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the Organizational Documents of any Acquired Company;

(b) assuming all of the Consents set forth on Schedule 4.2 (the “ Company Consents ”) have been obtained, except as set forth in Schedule 4.2(b), result in a violation of or a breach of or default, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, amendment or modification or acceleration, result in the creation of any Encumbrance (other than Permitted Encumbrances) on any Purchased Asset, or require any consent of or notice to any Person, in each case with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both (any of the foregoing, a “Conflict ”) pursuant to any Material Contract, except for any Conflict which (i) would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole, or (ii) would result solely as a result of the specific legal, regulatory or financial status of Buyer or its Affiliates, or as a result of any other facts or circumstances that specifically relate to the business or activities in which Buyer or its Affiliates is or proposes to be engaged, other than the Business; and

 

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(c) assuming the Seller Approvals and the Company Consents have been obtained or given, (i) result in a violation or breach of any term or provision of any Law applicable to any Acquired Company or any of the Purchased Assets or (ii) require the Consent of any Governmental Authority under any applicable Law, other than such Consents which, in each case (A) if not made or obtained, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole, or (B) are required solely as a result of the specific legal, regulatory or financial status of Buyer or its Affiliates, or as a result of any other facts or circumstances that specifically relate to the business or activities in which Buyer or its Affiliates is or proposes to be engaged, other than the Business.

Section 4.3 Capitalization . Schedule 4.3 accurately sets forth the ownership structure and capitalization of each Acquired Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3 , there are no outstanding Equity Securities of any Acquired Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3 , no Acquired Company has granted to any Person any agreement or option, or any right or privilege capable of becoming an agreement or option, for the purchase, subscription, allotment or issue of any unissued interests, units or other securities (including convertible securities, warrants or convertible obligations of any nature) of any Acquired Company. None of the Equity Securities of any Acquired Company are subject to any voting trust, member or partnership agreement or voting agreement or other agreement, right, instrument or understanding with respect to any purchase, sale, issuance, transfer, repurchase, redemption or voting of any Equity Securities of any Acquired Company, other than the Organizational Documents of any Acquired Company.

Section 4.4 Business; Title to Assets .

(a) The Business of each Acquired Company is the only business operation carried on by each such Acquired Company. Except for (i) the matters disclosed in Schedule 4.4 , (ii) the Excluded Items or (iii) Excluded Contracts, the Purchased Assets owned, leased or licensed by each Acquired Company and the Purchased Assets that each Project Company otherwise has the right to use constitute the material tangible Assets used or held for use in connection with the operation of its Business as operated immediately prior to the Effective Date. The Acquired Companies (x) have good title to the Assets they purport to own (including all Assets reflected on the Balance Sheet or subsequently added in the ordinary course of business), and (y) at Closing will have good title to each of the Additional Assets, in each case free and clear of any Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances) and have valid leases, licenses, registrations or other rights to use the other Assets used in the operation of the Business as currently operated, except for matters that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a material and adverse impact on an Acquired Company.

(b) All tangible Purchased Assets are in all material respects in good operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

(c) None of the software applications or the information technology applications set forth on Schedule 6.6 is reasonably necessary for the safe and reliable operation of the Projects.

Section 4.5 Bank Accounts . Schedule 4.5 sets forth an accurate and complete list of the names and locations of banks, trust companies and other financial institutions at which each Acquired Company maintains accounts of any nature or safe deposit boxes and the names of all Persons authorized to draw thereon, make withdrawals therefrom or have access thereto.

Section 4.6 Subsidiaries . None of the Acquired Companies have subsidiaries or own Equity Interests in any Person other than as set forth on Schedule 4.3 .

 

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Section 4.7 Legal Proceedings . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7 , there is no Claim pending, or to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened against any Acquired Company that (a) affects any Acquired Company or the Purchased Assets and would, if adversely determined, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole or (b) seeks an Order restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7 , there are no condemnation or similar proceedings affecting any of the Acquired Companies or the Purchased Assets that are currently pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened. As of the Effective Date, none of the Acquired Companies has initiated any Claims against any Person.

Section 4.8 Compliance with Laws and Orders . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8 , each Acquired Company is, and during the two (2) years prior to the Effective Date has been, in compliance in all material respects with all Laws and Orders applicable to it; provided, however , that this Section 4.8 does not address Taxes, which are exclusively addressed by Section 4.10 ; employees and labor matters, which are exclusively addressed by Section 4.18 and Section 4.19 ; or Environmental Laws, which are exclusively addressed by Section 4.15 . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8 , neither Seller nor any Acquired Company has received during the past two (2) years any notice, Order, complaint or other communication from any Governmental Authority (or in any earlier period if the matters raised in such notice, Order, complaint or other communication remain pending and would reasonably be expected to be material to the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole) that any Acquired Company is not in compliance in any material respect with any Law applicable to it, other than regarding any such non-compliance that is no longer pending or would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole.

Section 4.9 Liabilities . Except as and to the extent adequately accrued or reserved against in the Financial Statements or as disclosed in Schedule 4.9 , no Acquired Company has any liability or obligation of any nature, whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, whether known or unknown and whether or not required by GAAP to be reflected in the Balance Sheet or disclosed in the notes thereto, except for liabilities and obligations (i) reflected on the Balance Sheet, (ii) which have arisen since the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business, or (iii) arising under Material Contracts, Permits or any Contract not included in the Material Contracts because such Contract is not required by this Agreement to be included therein (other than liabilities or obligations related to or arising out of breaches of Material Contracts, Permits or such other Contracts).

Section 4.10 Taxes . Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10 : (a) all material Tax Returns that are required to be filed on or before the Closing Date by each Acquired Company have been or will have been duly and timely filed, (b) all such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects, (c) all Taxes that are shown to be due on such Tax Returns and all other Taxes whether or not shown as due on such Tax Returns (including estimated Tax payments) that are due and owing have been or will have been timely paid in full or have been or will be adequately reserved, (d) all material withholding Tax requirements and information reporting requirements imposed on the Acquired Companies have been satisfied in all material respects, (e) no Acquired Company has in force any waiver of any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency, (f) (A) there are no pending or active audits or legal proceedings involving Tax matters or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened audits or proposed deficiencies or other Claims for unpaid Taxes of the Acquired Companies and (B) any deficiency resulting from any completed audit or examination relating to Taxes by any Taxing Authority has been timely paid, (g) there are no liens for Taxes upon any of the Assets of the Acquired Companies, except for statutory Encumbrances for Taxes or other charges or assessments not yet past due or delinquent or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (h) none of the Acquired Companies (A) is a party to or has any liability under any Tax sharing, Tax indemnification or similar agreement, or (B) has any liability for Taxes of any other Person

 

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(including liability as a transferee or successor, liability by contract or otherwise, or liability under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 or any corresponding provision of income Tax Law), (i) (A) each of the Company, La Frontera Generation, and FPLE Forney Pipeline is classified as an entity disregarded as separate from its owner for federal income Tax purposes, and (B) each of FPLE Forney and Lamar is classified as a corporation for federal income Tax purposes, (j) no claim has been made by any Taxing Authority (domestic or foreign) in any jurisdiction where the Acquired Companies do not file Tax Returns that any such entity (or its owner for Tax purposes in the case of a disregarded entity) may be subject to Tax by that jurisdiction, (k) each of the Acquired Companies has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws pertaining to Taxes, (l) no issues relating to Taxes were raised by a Taxing Authority in any completed audit or examination that would or would reasonably be expected to recur in a later taxable period that would be material to the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole, (m) there are no matters under discussion with any Taxing Authority with respect to the liability of any of the Acquired Companies for any Taxes, (n) none of the Acquired Companies is a party to or bound by any closing agreement, offer in compromise, gain recognition agreement, or other agreement with any Taxing Authority, and (o) none of the Acquired Companies will be required to include in a taxable period ending after the Closing Date taxable income attributable to income that accrued in a prior taxable period but was not recognized for Tax purposes in any prior taxable period as a result of the installment method of accounting, the completed contract method of accounting, the long-term contract method of accounting or the cash method of accounting or comparable provisions of any other Tax Laws, or for any other reason.

All references to the Acquired Companies in this Section 4.10 shall include reference to any Person which had previously merged with and into or liquidated into the Acquired Companies, as applicable.

Section 4.11 Regulatory Status .

(a) Each of FPLE Forney and Lamar meet the requirements for, and has been determined by FERC to be, an “Exempt Wholesale Generator” (an “ EWG ”) within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, as amended and the regulations of FERC thereunder (the “ PUHCA ”).

(b) Neither FPLE Forney nor Lamar is a “public utility” as that term is defined under the Federal Power Act, as amended, including the regulations of FERC thereunder (the “ FPA ”), nor does either FPLE Forney or Lamar directly or indirectly own, operate or control any subsidiary that is a “public utility,” whether or not such subsidiary is otherwise disclosed pursuant to Section 4.3 or Section 4.6 of this Agreement.

(c) Seller is not subject to regulation under PUHCA as an “electric utility company” or a “holding company” or is exempt from FERC’s regulations under PUHCA for access to books and records, waivers of accounting, records-retention and reporting requirements (except, with respect to Seller’s, compliance obligations associated with the status of FPLE Forney and Lamar as EWGs). Seller is an EWG with a valid and effective certification on file with FERC which is not subject to rehearing or appeal and, to Seller’s Knowledge, is not subject to any pending challenge, investigation or enforcement action by FERC.

(d) Each of the Forney Project and the Lamar Project is a NERC registered “Generator Operator” and “Generator Owner” through the NEER registrations in the Texas RE, and such registrations are valid and in full force and effect.

(e) FPLE Forney Pipeline is a “gas utility” as that term is defined in Texas Utilities Code Chapter 121 including RRC Rules promulgated thereunder.

 

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(f) FPLE Forney Pipeline is an intrastate pipeline subject to the applicable standards set forth in Texas Administrative Code Chapter 8 and is not subject to the Natural Gas Act (15 USC 717) or the Pipeline Safety Act (49 USC 60101) provisions properly delegated to the State of Texas.

Section 4.12 Contracts .

(a) Excluding the Excluded Contracts, the Excluded Items and any Contracts entered into after the Effective Date in accordance with Section 6.3 , Section 4.12 sets forth a list of the following Contracts to which an Acquired Company is a party or by which the Acquired Company may be bound (collectively, the “ Material Contracts ”):

(i) Contracts for the future purchase, exchange or sale of natural gas or other fuel for a Project;

(ii) Contracts for the future purchase, exchange or sale of electric power or ancillary services;

(iii) Contracts for the future transportation of natural gas or other fuel for a Project;

(iv) Contracts for the future transmission of electric power;

(v) interconnection Contracts;

(vi) other than Contracts of the nature addressed by Section 4.12(a)(i) - (iv) , Contracts (A) for the sale of any Asset or (B) that grant a right or option to purchase or sell any Asset, other than in each case Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business relating to Assets with a value of less than $1,000,000 individually or $5,000,000 in the aggregate;

(vii) other than Contracts of the nature addressed by Section 4.12(a)(i) - (iv) , Contracts for the future receipt of any Assets or services requiring payments in excess of $1,000,000 for each individual Contract;

(viii) Contracts under which it has created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed any outstanding indebtedness for borrowed money or any capitalized lease obligation, or under which it has imposed a security interest on any of its Assets, tangible or intangible, which security interest secures outstanding indebtedness for borrowed money, including the Project Financing Documents;

(ix) outstanding agreements of guaranty, surety or indemnification (excluding indemnification provisions customarily included in Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, by such Acquired Company;

(x) Contracts for consulting services providing annual compensation in excess of $100,000 and which are not cancelable by such Acquired Company on notice of ninety (90) days or less;

(xi) Hedging Agreements;

(xii) Contracts that purport to limit an Acquired Company’s freedom to compete in any line of business or in any geographic area or that restrict the right of each Acquired Company to sell to or purchase from any Person or to hire any Person, or that grant the other party or any third person “most favored nation” status or any type of special discount rights;

 

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(xiii) partnership, joint venture or limited liability company agreements; and

(xiv) Contracts under which each Acquired Company owns, leases or holds an easement interest, license or permit to use, the Property listed on Schedule 4.13(i) (the “ Real Property Documents ”).

(b) Seller has made available to Buyer accurate and complete copies of all Material Contracts.

(c) Other than, as of Closing, the Contracts that will be terminated pursuant to Section 6.8 or otherwise will expire in accordance with their respective terms, each of the Material Contracts is, in all material respects, in full force and effect and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquired Company party thereto and, to Seller’s Knowledge, of each of the other parties thereto.

(d) (i) No Acquired Company is in breach or default in any material respect under any Material Contract and (ii) to Seller’s Knowledge, no other party to any of the Material Contracts is in breach or default thereunder.

Section 4.13 Real Property . Each Acquired Company owns, leases or holds an easement interest, license or permit to use, the Property listed on Schedule 4.13(i) and identified as being owned, held, leased or licensed by such Acquired Company, or over which the identified Acquired Company holds an easement or permit, in each case, free and clear of all Encumbrances (except for Permitted Encumbrances) created by, through or under such Acquired Company, except pursuant to the Contracts listed, and as otherwise noted, on Schedule 4.13(i) .

Section 4.14 Permits .

(a) Except as to Environmental Law, which is addressed in Section 4.15 , Schedule 4.14(a) sets forth all Permits that are required for the ownership, use or operation of the Projects by, and the Business of, the Acquired Companies in the manner in which they are currently owned and operated, and consistent with each Project’s design capacity and that are material to such Project (the “ Material Permits ”). The Acquired Companies hold, and have timely applied for renewal of and have paid if due any applicable fees associated with, all Material Permits. All of the Material Permits are in full force and effect. There are no proceedings pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened, that might reasonably result in the revocation, suspension, or adverse modification of any of the Material Permits.

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14(b) , each Acquired Company is, and during the two (2) years prior to the Effective Date has been, in compliance in all material respects with all Material Permits set forth on Schedule 4.14(a) , and neither Seller nor any Acquired Company has received during the past two (2) years any written notification from any Governmental Authority alleging that any Acquired Company is in material violation of any Material Permits, other than in respect of any allegation that no longer remains pending.

(c) This Section 4.14 does not address Permits under Environmental Law, which are exclusively addressed by Section 4.15 .

 

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Section 4.15 Environmental Matters .

(a) The Acquired Companies hold, and have timely applied for renewal of, all Permits under Environmental Law that are required for the ownership, use or operation of the Projects by the Acquired Companies in the manner in which they are currently owned and operated and consistent with each Project’s design capacity, except any such Permits, the absence of which would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All such Permits under Environmental Law in effect on the Effective Date are set forth on Schedule 4.15(a) and are in full force and effect.

(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.15(b) , or as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Acquired Company and the Project owned by each such Acquired Company is, and during the two (2) years prior to the Effective Date has been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws and Permits under Environmental Law. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.15(b) , to Seller’s Knowledge, there are no existing events, conditions, or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the Acquired Companies’ ability to comply with Environmental Laws or Permits in the future or increase the cost of such compliance.

(c) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.15(c) , no Acquired Company has received notice of any material Environmental Claims, actions, proceedings or investigations that are currently outstanding, and to Seller’s Knowledge, no Environmental Claims are threatened, against an Acquired Company by any Person under any Environmental Laws.

(d) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.15(d) , there has been no Release of any Hazardous Material within the last five (5) years at or from a Project to any other location in connection with an Acquired Company’s operations at such Project that would reasonably be expected to result in an Environmental Claim that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) Schedule 4.15(e) lists, as of the Effective Date, all air pollutant emissions allowances and credits currently allocated for the Projects’ use, and neither Seller nor any of the Acquired Companies has entered into any contracts or commitments to transfer or sell any such allowances. All such emissions allowances and credits are owned solely by the Acquired Companies and constitute Purchased Assets hereunder.

Section 4.16 Intellectual Property .

(a) Schedule 4.16(a) sets forth a true and complete list of all issued and applied-for patents, registered and applied-for trademarks, registered copyrights and registered domain names, in each case owned by the Acquired Companies.

(b) The Acquired Companies own, or have the licenses or rights to use for their respective Businesses, all material Intellectual Property (other than the Excluded Contracts and Excluded Items) currently used in their respective Businesses (the “ Business IP ”). The completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not alter or impair the ownership or right of the Acquired Companies to use any of the Business IP.

(c) To Seller’s Knowledge, the operation by the Acquired Companies of their respective Businesses does not infringe upon, misappropriate or violate any Intellectual Property of any third party in any material respect. Neither Seller nor any Acquired Company has received from any Person a claim in writing that any Acquired Company is infringing in any material respect the Intellectual Property of such Person.

 

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Section 4.17 Brokers . The Acquired Companies have no liability or obligation to pay fees or commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

Section 4.18 Employees and Labor Matters . Neither Seller nor any of the Acquired Companies have any employees. A list of employees employed by NEER Operating or another Non-Acquired Company Affiliate of Seller and assigned to each Project as of the Effective Date is set forth in Schedule 4.18 (“ Project Employees ”). Except as described on Schedule 4.18 :

(a) With respect to Project Employees,

(i) as of the Effective Date, no Project Employees are represented by a union or other collective bargaining entity;

(ii) as of the Effective Date, there is no pending and during the past three (3) years, there has not occurred, nor, to Seller’s Knowledge has there been threatened, a labor strike, request for representation, grievance, work stoppage or lockout by Project Employees;

(iii) in the past three (3) years, Seller has not received written notice of any charges before any Governmental Authority responsible for the prevention of unlawful employment practices; and

(iv) there is no pending, or to Seller’s Knowledge threatened, and during the past three (3) years Seller has not received written notice of any, investigation by a Governmental Authority responsible for the enforcement of labor or employment regulations and, during the past three (3) years Seller has not been found by any Governmental Authority to have engaged in any unfair labor practice, as defined in the National Labor Relations Act or other applicable Laws, in connection with the Projects; and

(b) With respect to any employee or former employee of Seller or its Affiliates, the Acquired Companies do not have any liability with respect to the compensation or employee benefits of, or any other employment-related liability with respect to, any employee or former employee of Seller or its Affiliates.

Section 4.19 Employee Benefits . Neither Seller nor any of the Acquired Companies sponsor or maintain any Benefit Plan. Schedule 4.19 sets forth a true and complete list of all ERISA Benefit Plans that cover any Project Employees. With respect to any ERISA Benefit Plan that is sponsored, maintained or contributed to, or has been sponsored, maintained or contributed (or is or was required to be contributed to) to within five (5) years prior to the Effective Date, by any ERISA Affiliate and in which Project Employees are or were eligible to participate: (a) no such ERISA Benefit Plan is a plan in respect of which any ERISA Affiliate could incur liability under Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (b) no such ERISA Benefit Plan is a multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or a single employer pension plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA for which any Acquired Company or any of its Subsidiaries could incur liability under Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA; and (c) no condition exists or event or transaction has occurred with respect to any such plan which would reasonably be expected to result in any Encumbrance (other than Permitted Encumbrances) on any Asset of an Acquired Company.

Section 4.20 Financial Statements . Seller has made available to Buyer (i) the consolidated audited financial statements of La Frontera Generation and its subsidiaries consisting of the consolidated balance sheet for the period year ended December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statement of operations and consolidated statement of cash flows for the period then ended, and (ii) the consolidated

 

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unaudited financial statements of La Frontera Generation and its subsidiaries, consisting of a consolidated balance sheet (the “ Balance Sheet ”) for the period ending September 30, 2015 (the “ Balance Sheet Date ”) and the related consolidated statement of operations and consolidated statement of cash flows for the period then ended (the “ Financial Statements ”). Each of the Financial Statements was prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of La Frontera Generation and its subsidiaries as of the respective dates for the respective periods set forth therein (subject, in the case of the unaudited Financial Statements, to the absence of notes and normal year-end adjustments which are not material, either individually or in the aggregate). Other than the Equity Interests of La Frontera Generation, the Company has no Assets or liabilities.

Section 4.21 Absence of Certain Changes . Except as set forth in Schedule 4.21 , since the Balance Sheet Date (a) to the Effective Date, each Acquired Company has operated, in all material respects, in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, and (b) a Material Adverse Effect has not occurred.

Section 4.22 Related Party Transactions . Except as set forth in Schedule 4.22 , there is no agreement, arrangement or understanding between or among (a) any Acquired Company, on the one hand and (b)(i) Seller, or any Affiliate of Seller, or (ii) any of their respective officers, directors, or employees, on the other hand (each of the foregoing, including Seller, a “ Related Party ”).

Section 4.23 Insurance . Seller or its Affiliates maintain insurance policies or other arrangements with respect to the Projects consistent with the insurance coverage described on Schedule 4.23 .

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

Except as disclosed in, or qualified by any matter set forth in, the Schedules provided by Buyer, Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as of the Effective Date as follows:

Section 5.1 Organization . Buyer is a limited liability company duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of Delaware.

Section 5.2 Authority . Buyer has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery by Buyer of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party and the performance by Buyer of its obligations hereunder and thereunder have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party have been duly and validly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitute or will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Buyer enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their terms.

Section 5.3 No Conflicts; Consents and Approvals . The execution and delivery by Buyer of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party do not, and the performance by Buyer of its obligations under this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which Buyer is or will be a party will not:

(a) result in a violation or breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the Organizational Documents of Buyer;

 

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(b) assuming all required Consents set forth in Schedule 5.3 (collectively, the “ Buyer Approvals ”) have been made, obtained or given, result in a material violation of or a material breach of or default, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, material amendment or modification or acceleration under any material Contract to which Buyer is a party, except for any such violations, breaches or defaults (or rights of termination, cancellation, material amendment or modification or acceleration) which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Buyer’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is or will be a party; and

(c) assuming all Buyer Approvals have been obtained or given, (i) result in a violation of, or breach any term or provision of, any Law applicable to Buyer, except as would not have a material adverse effect on Buyer’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which Buyer is a party or (ii) require any Consent of any Governmental Authority under any applicable Law, other than such Consents which, if not made or obtained, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Buyer’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents to which Buyer is or will be a party.

Section 5.4 Legal Proceedings . As of the Effective Date, there is no Claim pending or, to Buyer’s Knowledge, threatened, against Buyer which seeks an Order restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 5.5 Compliance with Laws and Orders .

(a) During the pendency of the Bankruptcy Cases, the Bankruptcy Court Order is in full force and effect.

(b) During the pendency of the Bankruptcy Cases, the DIP Order is in full force and effect.

(c) Buyer is not in violation of, or in default under, (i) during the pendency of the Bankruptcy Cases, the Bankruptcy Court Order, (ii) during the pendency of the Bankruptcy Cases, the DIP Order, or (iii) Law or any other Order applicable to Buyer or its Assets, in each case the effect of any of which, in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to hinder, prevent or delay Buyer from performing its obligations hereunder.

(d) As of the Effective Date, there is no outstanding Order of, or investigation pending, or to Buyer’s Knowledge, threatened by any Governmental Authority against Buyer the effect of any of which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to hinder, prevent or delay Buyer from performing its obligations hereunder. No party has filed any notice, objection, statement or other pleading in the Bankruptcy Cases seeking to stay, enjoin or overturn the relief granted by the Bankruptcy Court Order or the DIP Order and, to Buyer’s Knowledge, no party has threatened to stay, enjoin or overturn the relief granted by the Bankruptcy Court Order or the DIP Order, in each case the effect of any of which, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to hinder, prevent or delay Buyer from performing its obligations hereunder.

Section 5.6 Brokers . Buyer does not have any liability or obligation to pay fees or commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which Seller could become liable or obligated.

Section 5.7 Acquisition as Investment . Buyer is acquiring the Interests for its own account as an investment without the present intent to sell, transfer or otherwise distribute the same to any other

 

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Person. Buyer has made, independently and without reliance on Seller (except to the extent that Buyer has relied on the express representations and warranties of Seller in this Agreement), its own analysis of the Interests, the Acquired Companies, the Projects and the Purchased Assets for the purpose of acquiring the Interests, and Buyer has had reasonable and sufficient access to documents, other information and materials as it considers appropriate to make its evaluations. Buyer acknowledges that the Interests are not registered pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ 1933 Act ”) and that none of the Interests may be transferred, except pursuant to an applicable exemption under the 1933 Act. Buyer is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 promulgated under the 1933 Act.

Section 5.8 Financial Resources . Buyer and its Affiliates have, and at the Closing, Buyer will have, sufficient funds and other financial resources available to pay the Purchase Price and otherwise effect the transactions in accordance with this Agreement. Buyer acknowledges that receipt or availability of funds or financing by Buyer or any of its Affiliates shall not be a condition to Buyer’s obligations hereunder. Buyer represents and warrants that all funds paid to Seller shall not have been derived from, or constitute, either directly or indirectly, the proceeds of any criminal activity under the anti-money laundering laws of the United States.

Section 5.9 No Conflicting Contracts . Neither Buyer nor any of Energy Future Holdings Corp.’s controlled Affiliates is a party to any Contract to build, develop, acquire or operate any power facility, or otherwise owns Assets or is engaged in a business, that would reasonably be expected to hinder or cause a delay in any Governmental Authority’s granting of a Buyer Approval or a Seller Approval or in obtaining a Company Consent, and neither Buyer nor any of Energy Future Holdings Corp.’s controlled Affiliates has any plans to enter into any such Contract, acquire any such Assets or engage in any such business prior to the Closing Date.

Section 5.10 Opportunity for Independent Investigation . Prior to its execution of this Agreement, Buyer has conducted to its satisfaction an independent investigation and verification of the current condition and affairs of the Acquired Companies, the Purchased Assets and the Projects. In making its decision to execute this Agreement and to purchase the Interests, Buyer has relied and will rely solely upon the results of such independent investigation and verification and the express representations, warranties, terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Section 5.11 Buyer Benefit Plans . Except as set forth on Schedule 5.11 , as of the Effective Date, the Benefit Plans which Buyer Affiliates and other Persons engaged by Buyer to operate any Project (“ Buyer Service Companies ”) sponsor, maintain or provide for employees of Buyer Affiliates and Buyer Service Companies with positions and responsibilities similar to the Transferrable Plant Employees are, taken as a whole, comparable in all material respects to the Benefit Plans which Seller has advised Buyer are provided by Seller and its Affiliates to the Transferrable Plant Employees.

Section 5.12 Regulatory Status . Buyer is authorized to acquire the Interests as provided for in this Agreement under Section 203(a) of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. § 824b(a), pursuant blanket authorizations provided for in Section 33.1(c) of FERC’s regulations, 18 C.F.R. § 33.1(c).

Section 5.13 Ownership in ERCOT . As of the Effective Date, Energy Future Holdings Corp. and its controlled Affiliates own and control approximately 13,250 MW of total installed generating capacity in ERCOT for purposes of calculating the 20% limitation on ownership and control of installed generating capacity under Section 39.154 of the PURA.

 

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ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS

The Parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:

Section 6.1 Regulatory and Other Approvals . During the Interim Period:

(a) The Parties will, in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (i) proceed diligently and in good faith and use all reasonable best efforts, as promptly as practicable, to obtain the Seller Approvals, Company Consents and Buyer Approvals in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Seller and Buyer, and to make all required filings with, and to give all required notices to, the applicable Governmental Authorities and (ii) cooperate in good faith with the applicable Governmental Authorities and provide promptly such other information and communications to such Governmental Authorities or other Persons as such Governmental Authorities or other Persons may reasonably request in connection therewith; provided, however , notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, except as otherwise contemplated in Section 6.1(c)(iv) , the Parties acknowledge and agree that neither Buyer nor Seller shall have any obligation to pay any consideration, other than customary fees imposed by Governmental Authorities, or to offer to grant, or agree to, any financial or other accommodation in order to obtain any of the Seller Approvals, Company Consents and Buyer Approvals and, provided, further, that to the extent Buyer is required to file an application with the PUCT pursuant to Sections 39.158 and 39.154 of Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act, Buyer shall have the duty to file the application, and any failure to file the application that results in penalties to Buyer or Seller shall be the sole responsibility of Buyer;

(b) The Parties will provide prompt notification to each other when any such approval referred to in Section 6.1(a) is obtained, taken, made, given or denied, as applicable, and will advise each other of any material communications with any Governmental Authority or other Person regarding any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

(c) In furtherance of the foregoing covenants:

(i) Each Party shall prepare, or with respect to any required HSR Act filings cause its ultimate parent entity (as that term is defined in the HSR Act) to prepare, as soon as is practical following the Effective Date, all necessary filings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents under the HSR Act or any other federal, state or local Laws. Each Party shall submit, or with respect to any required HSR Act filings cause its ultimate parent entity (as that term is defined in the HSR Act) to submit, such filings as soon as practicable, but, with respect to filings under the HSR Act, in no event later than ten (10) Business Days after the Effective Date. The Parties shall request expedited treatment of any such filings, shall promptly make any appropriate or necessary subsequent or supplemental filings, and shall cooperate with each other in the preparation of such filings in such manner as is reasonably necessary and appropriate. The Parties shall consult with each other and shall agree in good faith upon the timing of such filings. Buyer will pay all of the filing fees under the HSR Act;

(ii) Neither Party shall, and each Party shall cause its Affiliates not to, take any action that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect or materially delay the approval of any Governmental Authority of any of the aforementioned filings, and Seller shall neither cause nor permit FPLE Forney or Lamar to be or become a “public utility” as that term is defined under the Federal Power Act, as amended, including the regulations of the FERC thereunder, nor shall Buyer be, or take any action to become, a “public utility” as defined in this provision;

 

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(iii) Subject to applicable confidentiality restrictions or restrictions required by Law, Buyer and Seller will notify the other Party promptly upon the receipt of (A) any comments or questions from any officials of any Governmental Authority in connection with any filings made pursuant to this Section 6.1 or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (B) any request by any officials of any Governmental Authority for amendments or supplements to any filings made pursuant to any Laws of any Governmental Authority or answers to any questions, or the production of any documents, relating to an investigation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by any Governmental Authority. Whenever any event occurs that is required to be set forth in an amendment or supplement to any filing made pursuant to this Section 6.1 , each Party will promptly inform the other of such occurrence and cooperate in filing promptly with the applicable Governmental Authority such amendment or supplement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Party shall provide to the other (or the other’s respective advisors) upon request copies of all correspondence between such Party and any Governmental Authority and any productions made by such Party or its Affiliates to any Governmental Authority relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Parties may, as they deem advisable and necessary, designate any competitively sensitive materials provided to the other under this Section 6.1 as “outside counsel only.” Such materials and the information contained therein shall be given only to outside counsel of the recipient and will not be disclosed by such outside counsel to employees, officers, or directors of the recipient without the advance written consent of the party providing such materials. In addition, to the extent reasonably practicable, all discussions, telephone calls, and meetings with a Governmental Authority regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall include Representatives of both Parties. Subject to applicable Law, the Parties will consult and cooperate with each other in connection with any analyses, appearances, presentations, memoranda, briefs, arguments, and proposals made or submitted to any Governmental Authority regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by or on behalf of any Party; and

(iv) Buyer shall use all reasonable best efforts to take, in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, all actions reasonably necessary to (A) keep Seller apprised, during the pendency of the Bankruptcy Cases, of all material developments and filings made with respect to the Bankruptcy Court Order and the DIP Order in the Bankruptcy Cases, (B) comply in all material respects with, during the pendency of the Bankruptcy Cases, the Bankruptcy Court Order, the DIP Order, and any other Orders of the Bankruptcy Court to the extent applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (C) respond to and seek to resolve as promptly as reasonably practicable any objections asserted by any Person with respect to the Bankruptcy Court Order or the DIP Order during the pendency of the Bankruptcy Cases, (D) secure the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under any Seller Approvals, Company Consents and Buyer Approvals from a Governmental Authority, (E) resolve any objections asserted with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement raised by any Governmental Authority, and (F) otherwise to obtain the Buyer Approvals in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Seller and Buyer and to respond to and seek to resolve as promptly as reasonably practicable any objections asserted by any Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement shall require (and reasonable best efforts as used in this paragraph shall not require) Buyer to prevent the entry of any court order or to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned, or appeal, any decree, judgment, injunction or other order that would prevent, prohibit, restrict, or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to take or agree to undertake any action, including entering into any consent decree, hold separate order or other arrangement, that would (w) require the divestiture of any Assets of Buyer, any of its Affiliates, or any of the Acquired Companies, (x) limit Buyer’s freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to consolidate and control, any of the Acquired Companies or any of their Assets or businesses or any of Buyer’s or its Affiliates’ other Assets or Business, (y) limit Buyer’s ability to acquire or hold, or exercise full rights of ownership with respect to, the Interests or (z) require the payment of funds to any Person (other than routine application fees payable to a Governmental Authority) (any of the foregoing clauses (w)-(z),

 

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unless specifically waived in writing by Buyer at its discretion, a “ Burdensome Condition ”). Without the prior written consent of Seller, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, Buyer shall not seek (or assist any other Person in seeking) to alter or enjoin the terms of, during the pendency of the Bankruptcy Cases, the Bankruptcy Court Order or the DIP Order in a manner that would reasonably be expected to prevent Buyer from performing its obligations hereunder.

(d) Promptly following the Effective Date, Buyer will seek authorization from the PUCT to acquire the Interests under Sections 39.158 and 39.154 of the PURA.

Section 6.2 Access of Buyer .

(a) During the Interim Period, Seller will provide, and will cause the Acquired Companies to provide, Buyer and its Representatives with reasonable access, upon reasonable prior notice (but in no event less than five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice) and during normal business hours, to the properties, books and records of the Acquired Companies and the appropriate officers and employees of Seller and its Affiliates who have significant responsibility for one or more Acquired Companies, but only to the extent that such access does not unreasonably interfere with the business of Seller and its Affiliates or the Businesses of the Acquired Companies, that such access is reasonably related to the requesting Party’s obligations and rights hereunder, and subject to compliance with applicable Laws and Seller’s or any of its Affiliates’ safety policies, protocols and requirements; provided, however , that Seller shall have the right to (i) have a Representative present for any permitted communication with employees or officers of Seller or its Affiliates and (ii) impose reasonable restrictions and requirements for safety purposes. Buyer shall be entitled, at its sole cost and expense, to have the Property surveyed and to conduct non-invasive physical inspections; provided, however , that Buyer shall not be entitled to collect any air, soil, surface water or ground water samples nor to perform any invasive or destructive sampling on the Property. Promptly upon completion of any such entry, Buyer shall repair any damage caused by such entry. Any disclosure to Buyer pursuant to the foregoing shall be subject to such disclosure (w) not violating any applicable Laws, (x) not resulting in the waiver of any attorney/client, work product, or similar privilege, (y) not being of confidential information concerning the activities of Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) that is unrelated to the Acquired Companies, the Business of any Acquired Company, or the Projects, or (z) not being of proprietary models of Seller or any of its Affiliates pertaining to energy project evaluation, energy, natural gas, fuel oil or other fuel price curves or projections, or other economic predictive models.

(b) During the Interim Period, in no event shall Buyer or any of Buyer’s Affiliates hold any meetings with, or otherwise communicate with, any suppliers, other vendors or customers of any Acquired Company, or any Representatives of any Governmental Authority, regarding any Project or Acquired Company without the prior consent of Seller (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). At any such meeting consented to by Seller, a Representative of Seller shall be entitled to participate therein.

(c) Buyer assumes any and all risks of Loss associated with or arising out of the access and other rights under this Section 6.2 , and Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives for any and all liabilities or Losses incurred by Seller, its Affiliates or their respective Representatives, or by any of Buyer’s Representatives, for any injuries or property damage arising out of the access and other rights under this Section 6.2 , caused by any of Buyer’s Representatives while present on the Property.

(d) In connection with Buyer’s and its Affiliates financing activities during the Interim Period, Seller shall, and shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to cause the Acquired

 

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Companies, and its and their respective Representatives, to provide to Buyer, at Buyer’s sole cost and expense, all cooperation reasonably requested by Buyer and that is customary in connection with such financing activities; provided , however , that (i) nothing in this Section 6.2(d) shall require any cooperation to the extent that it would unreasonably interfere with the business or operations of Seller or its Affiliates, including the Acquired Companies, or otherwise impair, in any material respect, the ability of any Representative of Seller or the Acquired Companies to carry out their respective duties as such and (ii) none of Seller, its Affiliates or the Acquired Companies shall be required to pay any commitment or other similar fee for which it is not advanced funds or incur any other liability in connection with such financing activities. Buyer shall promptly, upon request, reimburse Seller for all documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable advisor’s fees and expenses) incurred by Seller or its Affiliates, including the Acquired Companies, in connection with the cooperation provided pursuant to this Section 6.2(d) . All non-public information regarding Seller and its Affiliates provided to Buyer, its Affiliates or its Representatives pursuant to this Section 6.2(d) shall be kept confidential by them in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement, except for disclosure to potential lenders, investors, attorneys, accountants, rating agencies or their respective Representatives in connection with such financing activities subject, where applicable, to customary confidentiality provisions as approved in advance in writing by Seller (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Buyer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives from and against any and all Losses actually suffered or incurred by Seller or any of its Affiliates, to the extent arising out of or relating to (i) any action taken or cooperation provided by Seller or its Affiliates pursuant to this Section 6.2(d) or in connection with such financing activities or (ii) any information utilized in connection therewith (other than information provided to Buyer in writing by Seller or the Companies). This Section 6.2(d) shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Section 6.3 Certain Restrictions . Except as required or permitted hereby, or as otherwise set forth in Schedule 6.3 , during the Interim Period, Seller will cause the Acquired Companies and the Projects to operate in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice. Without limiting the foregoing, except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 6.3 , required or permitted hereby or required by applicable Laws or any Material Contract in effect as of the Effective Date or amended as permitted hereby or as consented to by Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed (except that this Section 6.3 shall not restrict (i) the transfer of Excluded Items, (ii) the termination or assignment of Excluded Contracts, (iii) the taking of any action otherwise listed below to the extent reasonably required to accomplish any of the Permitted Transactions or (iv) the termination of the services contemplated by Section 6.8 , and no consent of Buyer will be required with respect to any matter set forth in this Section 6.3 or elsewhere in this Agreement to the extent that the requirement of such consent would reasonably be expected to violate any applicable Law), Seller will, during the Interim Period, cause the Acquired Companies not to:

(a) permit or allow any Encumbrances (other than Permitted Encumbrances) to be imposed on or against any of the Purchased Assets or Interests, except with respect to the Interests as described in Section 3.4 ;

(b) grant any waiver of any term under, exercise any option under, or give any consent with respect to, any Material Contract;

(c) sell, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of any material Purchased Assets outside the ordinary course of business as of the Effective Date;

(d) other than accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business or otherwise incurred pursuant to the Material Contracts or short term, unsecured borrowings or

 

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intercompany loans or guarantees that are paid in full and discharged prior to the Closing, incur, create, assume or otherwise become liable for indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any debt securities or assume or guarantee the obligations of any other Person;

(e) except as may be required to meet the requirements of applicable Laws or GAAP, change any accounting method or practice in a manner that is inconsistent with past practice in a way that would reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse impact on the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole;

(f) fail to maintain its existence or consolidate or merge with any other Person or acquire all or substantially all of the Assets of any other Person;

(g) issue or sell any equity ownership interests;

(h) (i) commence any case, proceeding or other action under any existing or future Debtor Relief Law, seeking (A) to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or (B) to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, or (C) reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (D) appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or (ii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in this Section 6.3(h) ;

(i) purchase any securities of any Person, except for short-term investments made in the ordinary course of business;

(j) enter into, terminate or amend (i) any Material Permit other than in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any Material Contract (including any Project Financing Document), or (iii) any Contract involving total consideration throughout its term in excess of $1,000,000 (except, in the case of the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii), Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, which will be fully performed prior to Closing and under which the Acquired Companies will have no further obligations or liabilities following the Closing);

(k) waive any claims having a value in excess of $1,000,000, individually or in the aggregate;

(l) make any material election with respect to Taxes;

(m) amend or modify its Organizational Documents;

(n) commence or settle any Claim;

(o) enter into any partnership, joint venture, strategic alliance or similar contract or arrangement;

(p) increase the compensation payable or to become payable or the benefits provided to the Transferrable Project Employees, except (i) to the extent required by applicable Law or by a Governmental Authority, (ii) for normal merit and cost of living increases consistent with past practice, or (iii) changes in salary to the extent necessary as determined by Seller in good faith to retain Transferrable Project Employees not to exceed 5% increases on an individual basis, or (iv) changes to any Plant Employee’s Benefit Plan effective January 1, 2016 that have been communicated to Transferrable Project Employees and made available to Buyer as of the Effective Date;

 

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(q) declare, set aside, make or pay any cash or non-cash dividend or other distribution on or with respect to any of its ownership interests (other than distributions solely among the Acquired Companies) except for NAPS Dispositions (as defined in the Project Financing Agreement);

(r) enter into any Contract with any Related Party;

(s) delay, defer, reduce or otherwise alter in any material respect any capital expenditures in a manner not consistent with the capital budget of the Acquired Companies provided to Buyer as the Effective Date, except as would be consistent with prudent operating practice and directives from ERCOT and other Governmental Authorities; or

(t) agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller may permit the Acquired Companies to take commercially reasonable actions with respect to emergency situations so long as Seller shall, upon receipt of notice of any such actions, promptly inform Buyer of any such actions taken outside the ordinary course of business.

Section 6.4 Use of Certain Names . Within forty-five (45) days following Closing, Buyer shall cause the Acquired Companies to cease using the words “FPL”, “FPLE”, “ESI”, “NextEra”, “NextEra Energy”, “Energy Resources” and “FPL Energy” and any trademark confusingly similar thereto or constituting an abbreviation thereof, and any logos associated therewith (the “ Seller Marks ”), including eliminating or covering the Seller Marks from the Property and Purchased Assets and disposing of any unused stationery and literature of the Acquired Companies bearing the Seller Marks, and thereafter, Buyer shall not, and shall cause the Acquired Companies and their Affiliates not to, use the Seller Marks or any logos, trademarks or trade names belonging to Seller or any Affiliate thereof, and Buyer acknowledges that it, its Affiliates and the Acquired Companies have no rights whatsoever to use such Intellectual Property. Without limiting the foregoing:

(a) Within ten (10) days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall cause any Acquired Company whose name contains any of the Seller Marks to change its name to a name that does not contain any of the Seller Marks.

(b) Within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall provide evidence that is reasonably acceptable to Seller, that Buyer has made all filings required pursuant to paragraph (a) above with, and has provided notice to, all applicable Governmental Authorities and all counterparties to the Material Contracts regarding the sale of the Acquired Companies and the Purchased Assets to Buyer and the new addresses for notice purposes.

Section 6.5 Support Obligations .

(a) With respect to the NEER Guaranty, during the Interim Period, Seller and Buyer shall, and Buyer shall cause Buyer’s Affiliates to, use their respective Commercially Reasonable Efforts to work together to procure the full and unconditional release, effective as of the Closing Date, of NEER’s obligations under the NEER Guaranty. For purposes of this subsection, Commercially Reasonable Efforts shall require (i) jointly approaching Kinder Morgan to discuss and negotiate alternative arrangements for satisfying Kinder Morgan’s credit support requirements, and (ii) in support of any such alternative credit support arrangements, Buyer offering to replace the NEER Guaranty with a substitute guarantee from Buyer or Buyer Parent Guarantor on terms acceptable to Kinder Morgan (provided that the maximum principal amount guaranteed may not be increased) and, if the foregoing is not accepted by Kinder Morgan, Buyer or Buyer Parent Guarantor offering to deliver to Kinder Morgan

 

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a letter of credit from a creditworthy United States bank acceptable to Kinder Morgan for the account of Buyer or Buyer Parent Guarantor as applicant in an amount (x) sufficient to cover the entire amount that may be payable under the NEER Guaranty or (y) such lesser amount deemed sufficient by Kinder Morgan, and, if such offer is accepted by Kinder Morgan, providing such letter of credit to Kinder Morgan in connection with the Closing.

(b) If Buyer and Seller are not successful in obtaining the complete and unconditional release of NEER from its obligations under the NEER Guaranty prior to Closing as contemplated in Section 6.5(a) , then Seller or its Affiliates, as applicable, shall cause NEER to keep in place the NEER Guaranty, and Buyer shall deliver to Seller at the Closing, and shall keep in place, an irrevocable, standby letter of credit in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Seller and in an amount equal to the maximum amount of exposure under the NEER Guaranty and issued by Citibank N.A. pursuant to Buyer Parent Guarantor’s debtor-in-possession credit agreement authorized by the DIP Order or another irrevocable, standby letter of credit on substantially similar terms from a creditworthy financial institution reasonably acceptable to Seller (the “ Continuing Support Letter of Credit ”); provided, however, that as a condition to the continuing maintenance of the NEER Guaranty:

(i) From and after the Closing, Buyer hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller and its Affiliates from and against any and all Losses that may be suffered, incurred or sustained by any of them or to which any of them become subject, resulting from, arising out of or relating to the NEER Guaranty being in effect on or after the Closing Date (including as a result of any draw or demand for or making of any payment by NEER under the NEER Guaranty) with respect to the full extent of the NEER Guaranty. In furtherance, and not limitation, of the forgoing, if the NEER Guaranty is drawn upon in accordance with its terms after the Closing Date, upon receipt of written notice thereof from Seller, Buyer shall pay Seller or its designee the amount so drawn upon in accordance with its terms within five (5) Business Days after the date of such written notice. If Buyer fails to pay Seller or its designee within such five (5) Business Day period, Seller may draw upon or otherwise enforce the terms of the Continuing Support Letter of Credit in accordance with the terms thereof;

(ii) from and after the Closing, Buyer and Seller shall continue to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to obtain the full and unconditional release of NEER from its obligations under the NEER Guaranty as contemplated by Section 6.5(a) ; and

(iii) Buyer shall not, and shall cause the Acquired Companies not to, effect any amendments or modifications or any other changes to the Contracts or obligations to which any of the obligations under the NEER Guaranty relates to the extent such amendment or modification would increase the liability of NEER under the NEER Guaranty or extend the stated maturity of any obligation to which the NEER Guaranty relates, without Seller’s prior written consent (which consent may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion).

(c) If a Continuing Support Letter of Credit is provided pursuant to Section 6.5(b) , at the expiration or termination of the NEER Guaranty (such that it is no longer subject to restoration or reinstatement), Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer the Continuing Support Letter of Credit for cancellation.

Section 6.6 Excluded Items . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Buyer and Seller agree that the Purchased Assets shall exclude those items listed on Schedule 6.6 (the “ Excluded Items ”). Seller shall retain all benefits and liabilities with respect to the Excluded Items, and Seller shall, prior to the Closing Date, use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to cause the Acquired Companies to distribute, transfer or assign each Excluded Item to Seller or a Non-Acquired Company Affiliate. Buyer acknowledges that the inability of Seller to have any Excluded Item distributed,

 

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transferred or assigned from any Acquired Company for any reason shall not delay Closing and any Excluded Item that Seller is unable to so distribute, transfer or assign by the Closing shall be referred to as a “ Non-Transferred Excluded Item .” As soon as is reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, at Seller’s cost and expense, the Parties will take such actions as are reasonably required to cause the transfer to Seller or a Non-Acquired Company Affiliate of the Non-Transferred Excluded Items, and the removal thereof from the sites of the Projects, if applicable. From and after the Closing, except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, Buyer and its Affiliates (including the Acquired Companies) shall have no obligations with respect to the Non-Transferred Excluded Items, including any obligation to preserve or protect the Non-Transferred Excluded Items.

Section 6.7 Employee and Employee Benefit Matters .

(a) During the Interim Period, the Project Employees who are providing services directly relating to the Projects may, in Seller or Seller Affiliate’s sole discretion, continue in the same role following Closing as employees of Seller or a Seller Affiliate. Nothing in this Section 6.7 shall affect the right of Seller, or any Affiliate of Seller, to terminate the employment of any Project Employee for any reason or at any time. At all times prior to Closing, Seller, or an Affiliate of Seller, shall continue to have the exclusive right to control the Project Employees and make any and all employment decisions regarding Project Employees as it shall deem appropriate. Seller or its Affiliates shall be exclusively responsible for the payment of all wages, provision of all benefits and compliance with all applicable Laws with respect to the Project Employees until such Project Employees are no longer employed by Seller or its Affiliates.

(b) Except as expressly contemplated herein or in the O&M Agreement, from the Effective Date through the latter of a period of two (2) years from and after the O&M Expiration or the date of termination of this Agreement (pursuant to Section 9.1 if a Closing does not occur hereunder), Buyer agrees not to solicit for hire or employment or employ, and to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to cause Buyer Service Companies and their Affiliates not to solicit for hire or employment or employ, any Project Employee, without Seller’s prior written consent; provided, however , that the restrictions set forth in this Section 6.7(b) shall not apply to any solicitation (or any hiring as a result of any solicitation) that consists of advertising in a newspaper or periodical of general circulation or through similar general circulation on the internet or otherwise not specifically directed toward any Project Employee.

Section 6.8 Termination of Certain Services, Excluded Contracts and Other Affiliate Transactions . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary and except as contemplated with respect to the Contracts listed on Part I of Schedule 6.8 (the “ Existing Affiliate Contracts ”) and as contemplated in the O&M Agreement, the Energy Management Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement, prior to the Closing, Seller shall, or shall cause an Affiliate of Seller, as applicable, to (i) terminate, sever, or assign to Seller or a Non-Acquired Company Affiliate effective upon or before the Closing any services provided to any of the Acquired Companies by Seller or a Non-Acquired Company Affiliate, including the severance of the Acquired Companies from the insurance policies of the Non-Acquired Company Affiliates (including those policies referred in Section 6.10 , in accordance with Section 6.10 ), Tax services, legal services and banking services (to include the severance of any centralized clearance accounts) in each case for periods prior to the Closing, (ii) (A) use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to terminate or assign to Seller or a Non-Acquired Company Affiliate each Contract listed on Part II of Schedule 6.8 as specified therein and (B) terminate or assign all Contracts between any Acquired Company and Seller or any Non-Acquired Company Affiliate (collectively such Contracts described in this clause (ii), the “ Excluded Contracts ”), and (iii) release the applicable Acquired Company from any and all liability under the applicable Excluded Contract, in each case without any liability of any kind on the part of any Acquired Company arising from any such termination, severance,

 

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assignment or otherwise. In addition to the foregoing, prior to the Closing, any liability of an Acquired Company to Seller or a Non-Acquired Company Affiliate, or any receivable from an Acquired Company to Seller or a Non-Acquired Company Affiliate, shall be satisfied or otherwise eliminated in full.

Section 6.9 Spare Parts . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, as may be permitted under the Project Financing Documents, prior to the Closing, Seller shall have the right to use Spare Parts in the ordinary course of business of the Acquired Companies or in connection with the activities of any Project, in each case consistent with past practice. Prior to the Closing, Seller shall cause the then current inventory of the Spare Parts to be owned by the Acquired Companies.

Section 6.10 Insurance . Seller shall maintain or cause to be maintained in full force and effect insurance coverage consistent with past practice for the Acquired Companies until the Closing. From and after the Closing, all such insurance coverage for the Acquired Companies and the Purchased Assets relating to periods subsequent to the Closing shall no longer be provided or maintained for any of the Acquired Companies or such Purchased Assets. For the avoidance of doubt, the Acquired Companies and the Purchased Assets will continue to be insured under any occurrence based third party liability policies under which they were insured prior to Closing for any claims which relate to events or circumstances prior to Closing, without regard to when such claim is reported to the Acquired Companies and Purchased Assets. Buyer shall be solely responsible for providing insurance to the Acquired Companies after the Closing. If any claims are actually made prior to the Closing Date under any liability insurance policy for any of the Acquired Companies, or if there are any matters reportable under any claims made liability insurance policy for events or circumstances relating to pre-Closing events which are known to Seller, then Seller shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to ensure that the applicable Acquired Company can file, notice and otherwise continue to pursue such claims and recover proceeds under the terms of such policies, and Seller will promptly pay over to the applicable Acquired Company any proceeds of any insurance recovery under any such policy by Seller. If any casualty loss occurs prior to the Closing which is insured under any property or casualty insurance policy for any of the Acquired Companies and claims associated with such losses have been made prior to the Closing, then Seller shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to ensure that the applicable Acquired Company can file, notice and otherwise continue to pursue such claims and recover proceeds under the terms of such policies and reasonably cooperate with the filing and pursuit of any such claim, and Seller will promptly pay over to the applicable Acquired Company any such proceeds of any insurance recovery under any such policy by Seller, other than any such proceeds that have been applied to repair or replace the property subject to such claim.

Section 6.11 Casualty . If any of the Purchased Assets are damaged or destroyed by casualty loss during the Interim Period, and the sum of (a) the cost of restoring such damaged or destroyed Purchased Assets to a condition reasonably comparable to their prior condition, and (b) the net present value (calculated using the Discount Rate) of the amounts of any lost net revenues reasonably expected to accrue after the Closing as a result of such damage or destruction to such Purchased Assets, (a) and (b) above as estimated by a qualified firm reasonably acceptable to Buyer and Seller (and with the costs of such firm being paid by Buyer and Seller in equal proportion), and such sum being net of and after giving effect to any insurance proceeds available to the Acquired Companies for such restoration and lost profits and any Tax benefits to the Acquired Companies related thereto (such sum, the “ Restoration Cost ” and the date of such estimation, the “ Restoration Cost Estimation Date ”), is greater than $15,000,000 but does not exceed $131,303,723, Seller may elect either (i) to restore, repair or replace such damaged or destroyed Purchased Assets to a condition reasonably comparable to their prior condition (any of the foregoing, a “Restoration , and Seller’s election of a Restoration, the “Restoration Option” ), or (ii) reduce the amount of the Purchase Price by such Restoration Cost. If Seller elects the Restoration Option, it shall notify Buyer of such election in writing, and Seller shall use its Commercially Reasonable Efforts to complete, or cause to be completed, such Restoration prior to the Closing, and if the Restoration

 

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can be completed on or before the date that is one hundred eighty (180) days after the Outside Date (the “ Extended Outside Date ”), the Closing Date shall be postponed for the amount of time reasonably necessary to complete such Restoration; provided , however , that if the Closing Date is so extended and such Restoration is not completed in full by the Extended Outside Date, the Closing shall occur on or before the Extended Outside Date and the Purchase Price will be reduced by the amount of the remaining Restoration Cost as of the Closing (as estimated by a qualified firm reasonably acceptable to Buyer and Seller); provided , further , that if Seller elects the Restoration Option, Buyer shall be entitled to waive Seller’s obligation to complete the Restoration at any time within twenty (20) days following Seller’s written notice to Buyer of such election by written notice to Seller and proceed to Closing upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to Closing set forth in Article VII and Article VIII , in which case Seller shall pay the applicable insurance proceeds with respect to such casualty to Buyer promptly upon receipt and such casualty loss shall not affect the Closing. If Seller elects the Restoration Option or to reduce the Purchase Price, such casualty loss shall not affect the Closing. If Seller does not provide Buyer written notice of its election within forty-five (45) days after the applicable Restoration Cost Estimation Date (but in any event at least twenty (20) days prior to the Closing Date), Buyer may elect to terminate this Agreement within ten (10) Business Days after the end of such forty-five (45) day period by written notice to Seller. If the Restoration Cost is in excess of $131,303,723, Seller may, by written notice to Buyer within forty-five (45) days after the applicable Restoration Cost Estimation Date (but in any event at least twenty (20) days prior to the Closing Date), elect to (i) reduce the Purchase Price by the estimated Restoration Cost or (ii) terminate this Agreement, in each case by providing written notice to Buyer; provided , however , that if Seller does not elect to terminate this Agreement as provided in this sentence, then Buyer may elect, by written notice to Seller, to terminate this Agreement within ten (10) Business Days of receipt by Buyer of Seller’s notice regarding its election. If the Restoration Cost is $15,000,000 or less, (A) Seller shall not be obligated to repair or replace the damaged or destroyed Purchased Assets (but shall be obligated to cooperate in the pursuit of any applicable insurance proceeds in accordance with Section 6.10 ), (B) there shall be no reduction in the amount of the Purchase Price, and (C) neither Buyer nor Seller shall have the right or option to terminate this Agreement and such casualty event shall not affect the Closing. Any cash insurance proceeds received by the Acquired Companies with respect to any casualty subject to this Section 6.11 shall be disregarded for purposes of any Aggregate Net Working Capital calculation hereunder.

Section 6.12 Condemnation . If any of the Purchased Assets are taken by condemnation during the Interim Period and the sum of (a) the value of such Purchased Assets in a condemnation proceeding and (b) to the extent not included in the preceding clause (a), the net present value (calculated using the Discount Rate) of the amounts of any lost net revenues reasonably expected to accrue after the Closing as a result of such condemnation of such Purchased Assets, (a) and (b) above as determined by a qualified firm reasonably acceptable to Buyer and Seller (and with the costs of such firm being paid by Buyer and Seller in equal proportion), and such sum being net of and after giving effect to any condemnation award proceeds to be paid to the Acquired Companies and any Tax benefits to the Acquired Companies related thereto (such sum, the “ Condemnation Value ” and the date of such estimation, the “ Condemnation Value Estimation Date ”), is greater than $15,000,000 but do not have a Condemnation Value in excess of $131,303,723, Seller may elect either (i) to replace the Purchased Assets that were taken by such condemnation with reasonably comparable Assets, or (ii) to reduce the Purchase Price by such Condemnation Value (less, to the extent not taken into account in calculating the Condemnation Value, the amount of any condemnation award proceeds to be paid to the Acquired Companies and any Tax benefits to the Acquired Companies related thereto). If Seller elects to replace the Purchased Assets or reduce the Purchase Price, such condemnation shall not affect the Closing. If Seller does not provide Buyer notice of its election within forty-five (45) days after the applicable Condemnation Value Estimation Date (but in any event at least twenty (20) days prior to the Closing Date), Buyer may elect to terminate this Agreement within ten (10) Business Days after the end of such forty-five (45) day period by written notice to Seller. If the Condemnation Value is in excess of

 

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$131,303,723, Seller may, by written notice to Buyer within forty-five (45) days after the applicable Condemnation Value Estimation Date (but in any event at least twenty (20) days prior to the Closing Date), elect to (a) reduce the Purchase Price by such Condemnation Value less, to the extent not taken into account in calculating the Condemnation Value, the amount of any condemnation award proceeds to be paid to the Acquired Companies and any Tax benefits to the Acquired Companies related thereto), or (b) terminate this Agreement, in each case by providing written notice to Buyer; provided , however , that if Seller does not elect to terminate this Agreement as provided in this sentence, then Buyer may, by written notice to Seller, terminate this Agreement within ten (10) Business Days of receipt by Buyer of Seller’s notice regarding its election. If the Condemnation Value is $15,000,000 or less, (A) Seller shall not have the obligation to replace the Purchased Assets (but shall be obligated to cooperate in the pursuit of any applicable condemnation proceeds), (B) there shall be no reduction in the amount of the Purchase Price, and (C) neither Buyer nor Seller shall have the right or option to terminate this Agreement and such condemnation shall not affect the Closing. Any condemnation proceeds received by the Acquired Companies with respect to any condemnation subject to this Section 6.12 shall be disregarded for purposes of any Aggregate Net Working Capital calculation hereunder.

Section 6.13 Transfer Taxes . Seller and Buyer shall each pay any Transfer Taxes imposed on it or any Acquired Company by Law as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, but, notwithstanding any such requirement of Law, each of Seller and Buyer shall bear half of the total of all such Transfer Taxes. Accordingly, if either Party is required at Law to pay more than its half of any such Transfer Taxes, the other Party shall promptly reimburse such first Party for amounts in excess of such half. Seller and Buyer shall timely file their own Transfer Tax Returns as required by Law and shall notify the other Party when such filings have been made. Seller and Buyer shall cooperate and consult with each other prior to filing such Transfer Tax Returns to ensure that all such returns are filed in a consistent manner. Without limiting the foregoing, Buyer shall be solely responsible for any Transfer Taxes arising from any action to dissolve, terminate or restructure any Acquired Company or to convey, distribute or transfer any Assets or other rights by deed, bill of sale or otherwise to or from any Acquired Company on or after the Closing.

Section 6.14 Tax Matters . Except as provided in Section 6.13 relating to Transfer Taxes:

(a) With respect to any Tax Return covering a taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date (a “ Pre-Closing Taxable Period ”) that is required to be filed after the Closing Date with respect to any Acquired Company, (i) Seller shall cause such Tax Return to be prepared and shall deliver such Tax Return as so prepared to Buyer not later than seven (7) days prior to the due date for filing such Tax Return, and (ii) Buyer shall cause such Tax Return to be executed and duly and timely filed with the appropriate Taxing Authority and shall, subject to Section 6.14(b) , pay all Taxes due with respect to the period covered by such Tax return. For the avoidance of doubt, the immediately preceding sentence shall not apply to income Tax Returns that report the income and deductions of any Acquired Company for a Pre-Closing Taxable Period but that are required to be filed by a Person that is a direct or indirect owner of such Acquired Company but that is not itself an Acquired Company; such income Tax Returns shall be filed by such Person and shall not be provided to Buyer. With respect to any Tax Return covering a taxable period beginning on or before the Closing Date and ending after the Closing Date (a “ Straddle Taxable Period ”) that is required to be filed after the Closing Date with respect to an Acquired Company, (A) Buyer shall cause such Tax Return to be prepared (in a manner consistent with practices followed in prior taxable periods, except as required by applicable Law or a change in Law) and shall deliver a draft of such Tax Return to Seller for Seller’s review and approval at least fourteen (14) days prior to the due date for filing such Tax Return, (B) Seller and Buyer shall cooperate and consult with each other in order to finalize such Tax Return, and (C) thereafter Buyer shall cause such Tax Return to be executed and duly and timely filed with the appropriate Taxing Authority and shall, subject to Section 6.14(b) , pay all Taxes due with respect to the period covered by such Tax Return.

 

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(b) As between Seller and Buyer, Seller shall be responsible for and indemnify Buyer against any Tax with respect to an Acquired Company that is attributable to a Pre-Closing Taxable Period or to that portion of a Straddle Taxable Period that ends on the Closing Date, in each case to the extent that such Tax exceeds the amount (if any) reflected as a current liability for such Tax pursuant to the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount computation in accordance with Section 2.6 . Within five (5) days prior to the due date for the payment of any such Tax, if (i) the amount of such Tax for which Seller is responsible, exceeds (ii) the amount reflected as a current liability for such Tax in such Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount, Seller shall pay to Buyer an amount equal to such excess; if the amount described in clause (ii) exceeds the amount described in clause (i), Buyer shall pay to Seller the amount of such excess. With respect to a Straddle Taxable Period, Seller shall determine the Tax attributable to the portion of the Straddle Taxable Period that ends on the Closing Date by an interim closing of the books of the relevant Acquired Company as of the Closing Date, except for ad valorem or property Taxes (“ Property Taxes ”) and franchise Taxes based solely on capital which shall be prorated on a daily basis to the Closing Date (such that the Property Taxes or franchise Taxes attributable to the pre-Closing portion of a Straddle Taxable Period shall be equal to the amount of such Taxes for such entire Straddle Taxable Period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the Straddle Taxable Period that are in the Pre-Closing Taxable Period and the denominator of which is the actual number of days in the Straddle Taxable Period). For this purpose, any franchise Tax paid or payable not based solely on capital with respect to such Acquired Company shall be allocated to the taxable period for which the income, operations, Assets or capital comprising the base of such Tax is measured, regardless of whether the right to do business for another period is obtained by the payment of such Tax.

(c) Buyer shall be responsible for and indemnify Seller and its applicable Affiliates against, and Buyer shall be entitled to all refunds (including, but not limited to, property tax refunds) and credits of, all Taxes of any Acquired Company that are not the responsibility of Seller pursuant to Section 6.14(b) .

(d) With respect to any Tax for which Seller is responsible, Seller shall have the right, at its sole cost and expense, to initiate any claim for refund and to control (in the case of a Pre-Closing Taxable Period) or participate in (in the case of a Straddle Taxable Period) the prosecution, settlement or compromise of any proceeding involving such Tax, including the determination of the value of property for purposes of real and personal property ad valorem Taxes; provided , however , that to the extent that any such claim or proceeding could reasonably be expected to have a post-Closing impact on Buyer or on any of the Acquired Companies (a) Buyer shall be entitled to participate in such proceeding and (b) Seller shall not initiate, settle or otherwise compromise such proceeding without Buyer’s written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Buyer shall (and shall cause the relevant Acquired Company to) take such action in connection with any such proceeding as Seller shall reasonably request from time to time to implement the preceding sentence, including the selection of counsel and experts and the execution of powers of attorney. Buyer shall (and shall cause the relevant Acquired Company to) give written notice to Seller of its receipt of any notice of any audit, examination, claim or assessment for any Tax for which Seller is responsible within ten (10) days after its receipt of such notice; failure to give any such written notice within such ten (10) day period shall cause Buyer to forfeit any rights it may have by reason of Section 4.10 or this Section 6.14 to the extent Seller is actually prejudiced by such failure.

(e) Seller shall grant to Buyer (or its designees) access at all reasonable times to all of the information, books and records relating to the Acquired Companies within the possession of

 

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Seller (including workpapers and correspondence with Taxing Authorities), and shall afford Buyer (or its designees) the right (at Buyer’s expense) to take extracts therefrom and to make copies thereof, to the extent reasonably necessary to permit Buyer (or its designees) to prepare Tax Returns, respond to Tax audits and investigations, prosecute Tax protests, appeals and refund claims and to conduct negotiations with Taxing Authorities. The previous sentence shall, under no circumstances, be construed to grant Buyer access to the consolidated United States federal income tax or any consolidated or unitary state Tax Returns which include Seller or any of its Affiliates for any taxable year. Buyer shall grant or cause the Acquired Companies to grant to Seller (or its designees) access at all reasonable times to all of the information, books and records relating to the Acquired Companies within the possession of Buyer (including workpapers and correspondence with Taxing Authorities) and to the employees of the Acquired Companies, and shall afford Seller (or its designees) the right (at Seller’s expense) to take extracts therefrom and to make copies thereof, to the extent reasonably necessary to permit Seller (or its designees) to prepare Tax Returns, respond to Tax audits and investigations, prosecute Tax protests, appeals and refund claims and to conduct negotiations with Taxing Authorities. After the Closing Date, Seller and Buyer will preserve all information, records or documents in their respective possessions relating to liabilities for Taxes of the Acquired Companies until six (6) months after the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations (including extensions thereof) with respect to the assessment of such Taxes.

(f) If after the Closing Buyer or any Acquired Company actually receives a refund of any Tax or utilizes a credit for any overpayment of any Tax of any Acquired Company for a Pre-Closing Taxable Period or that portion of a Straddle Taxable Period ending on the Closing Date, Buyer shall pay to Seller within ten (10) Business Days after such receipt or utilization an amount equal to such refund received or credit utilized, together with any interest received or credited thereon to the extent that such refund or credit exceeds the amount (if any) reflected as a current asset for such refund or credit pursuant to the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount computation in accordance with Section 2.6 . Buyer shall, and shall cause the relevant Acquired Company to, take such action to obtain a refund of any Tax or a credit for any overpayment of any Tax of such Acquired Company for a Pre-Closing Taxable Period or that portion of a Straddle Taxable Period ending on the Closing Date or to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any such Tax that could be imposed for a Pre-Closing Taxable Period or that portion of a Straddle Taxable Period ending on the Closing Date (including with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby) as is reasonably requested by Seller; provided , however , for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, that Buyer’s obligation to cooperate with Seller’s reasonable requests to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax for a Pre-Closing Taxable Period shall not be construed to require Buyer to carryback net operating losses or other tax attributes that arise following the Closing to a Pre-Closing Taxable Period or to take any other similar action that could have a negative impact on Buyer.

(g) In the event that Seller initiates a claim for refund from a Taxing Authority with regard to any Tax of any Acquired Company attributable to a Pre-Closing Taxable Period or that portion of a Straddle Taxable Period ending on the Closing Date, whether the initiation of such claim begins prior to or after the Closing, Seller shall have all rights to and interest in such refund. Buyer shall, upon request, provide Seller a limited power of attorney allowing Seller to pursue such claim for refund with and collect such refund from such Taxing Authority. If after the Closing Buyer or any Acquired Company receives a refund or utilizes a credit of any such Tax with regard to a claim so initiated by Seller, Buyer shall pay to Seller within ten (10) Business Days after such receipt or utilization an amount equal to such refund received or credit utilized, together with any interest received or credited thereon, less any expenses Buyer has incurred as a result of such action.

(h) In the event that Seller initiates a claim for refund from a third party who improperly withheld sales and use Tax, or withheld excessive sales and use Tax, with regard to an

 

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Acquired Company attributable to a Pre-Closing Taxable Period or that portion of a Straddle Taxable Period ending on the Closing Date, whether the initiation of such claim begins prior to or after the Closing, Seller shall have all rights to and interest in such refund. Buyer shall, upon request, provide Seller a limited power of attorney allowing Seller to pursue such claim for refund with and collect such refund from such third party. If after the Closing, Buyer or an Acquired Company receives a refund of any such Tax with regard to a claim so initiated by Seller, Buyer shall pay to Seller within ten (10) Business Days after such receipt an amount equal to such refund received, together with any interest received or credited thereon, less any expenses Buyer has incurred as a result of such action.

(i) Prior to the Closing, Seller shall deliver to Buyer a written certificate, prepared and executed in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulation section 1.1445-2(b), certifying that Seller (or owner of Seller if Seller is a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes) is not a foreign person within the meaning of said Treasury Regulation.

(j) The Parties acknowledge that, since (i) the Acquired Companies, other than FPLE Forney and Lamar, are classified as disregarded from their owners for federal income tax purposes, and (ii) an election pursuant to Section 338(h)(10) of the Code shall be made with respect to the purchase and sale of the membership interests of FPLE Forney and Lamar (from a federal income tax perspective), the purchase and sale of the Interests is intended to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a purchase and sale of the Assets and liabilities of the Acquired Companies. Buyer, Seller, and their Affiliates shall (a) cooperate in the preparation and filing of (and shall properly execute and file) elections under Section 338(h)(10) of the Code with respect to the sale of the membership interests in each of FPLE Forney and Lamar (from a federal income tax perspective), and (b) take all such actions as are required in order to give effect to those elections for state and local Tax purposes to the greatest extent permitted by law. Neither Buyer, the Acquired Companies, nor any of their Affiliates shall make any election under Section 338(g) of the Code with respect to the sale of the membership interests in each of FPLE Forney and Lamar (from a federal income tax perspective).

Section 6.15 Appointment of Primary Representatives . In order to facilitate the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each Party shall designate a primary Representative (each, a “ Primary Representative ”) to act as the primary point of contact to coordinate communications and other interaction between the Parties during the Interim Period. Either Party may designate a new Primary Representative by providing written notice to the other Party.

Section 6.16 Updating; Notification of Certain Matters .

(a) Prior to the Closing, each Party shall promptly notify the other Party in writing of (a) the existence or occurrence, or failure to occur, of any fact or event of which it has knowledge that would be reasonably likely to cause any representation or warranty of such Party contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate at any time from the Effective Date to the Closing assuming such representation or warranty is made at such time, (b) the failure of such Party to comply with or satisfy in any material respect any covenant to be complied with by it hereunder, (c) any written notice or other written communication from any Person alleging that the consent or approval of such Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and (d) any written notice or other written communication from any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b) Seller may provide to Buyer changes or additions to any of the Schedules (a “ Schedule Supplement ”) solely to correct any matter that would otherwise constitute a breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of Seller in Article III or Article IV such that the closing condition in Section 7.1 cannot be satisfied. A Schedule Supplement shall only disclose facts or events

 

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that first occurred or arose after the Effective Date. No such Schedule Supplement shall be deemed to cure any breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made in this Agreement for purposes of Section 7.1 or otherwise alter the Parties’ rights under Section 9.1(b) unless Buyer specifically agrees thereto in writing; provided, however, that if the Closing shall occur despite the fact that Seller had provided Buyer, as contemplated above, a Schedule Supplement such that the closing condition in Section 7.1 could not be satisfied, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (including Article X ) no matters disclosed by Seller prior to the Closing in the Schedule Supplement that constituted breaches of, or inaccuracies in, one or more representations or warranties of Seller in Article III or Article IV as of the Effective Date or as of the Closing Date shall be the basis for any indemnification by Seller pursuant to Section 10.1(a) .

Section 6.17 Announcements . No press release or other public announcement, or public statement or comment in response to any inquiry, relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be issued or made by either Buyer or Seller, or any of their Affiliates or Representatives, without the consent of Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however , that a press release or other public announcement, regulatory filing, statement or comment made without such consent, including in furtherance of the requirements of Section 6.1 , shall not be in violation of this Section 6.17 if it is made in order to comply with applicable Laws or stock exchange rules and in the reasonable judgment of the Party or Affiliate making such release or announcement, based upon advice of counsel, prior review and joint approval, despite reasonable efforts to obtain the same, would prevent dissemination of such release or announcement in a sufficiently timely fashion to comply with such applicable Laws or rules; provided, further , that in all instances Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, shall provide prompt notice of any such release, announcement, statement or comment to the other Party.

Section 6.18 Further Assurances . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Party shall (at its own cost and expense) at any time and from time to time, upon reasonable request, (a) do, execute, acknowledge and deliver, and cause to be done, executed, acknowledged and delivered, all such further acts, transfers or assignments as may be required to consummate the transactions in accordance with the terms hereof and to cause to be fulfilled the closing conditions set forth in Article VII and Article VIII and (b) take such other actions as may be reasonably required in order to carry out the intent of this Agreement; provided that in no event shall any Party be required to take any action which (i) increases in any way the liability or obligations of such Party, (ii) in the opinion of its counsel, is unlawful or would or could constitute a violation of any applicable Law or require the approval of any Governmental Authority (other than a Buyer Approval, a Seller Approvals or a Company Consent) or (iii) could reasonably be expected to prevent or materially impede, interfere with or delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 6.19 Reserved .

Section 6.20 Qualified Scheduling Entity . Buyer acknowledges that the Affiliate of Seller that serves as the Qualified Scheduling Entity with respect to the Projects is not one of the Acquired Companies and upon the occurrence of the Closing such Affiliate will continue to act as the Qualified Scheduling Entity with respect to the Projects, and that Buyer and the Acquired Companies shall be responsible for appointing and maintaining a Qualified Scheduling Entity with respect to the Projects after the Closing.

Section 6.21 Exclusivity .

(a) Seller agrees that during the Interim Period, Seller shall not, and shall take all action necessary to ensure that none of the Acquired Companies or any of their respective Affiliates or

 

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Representatives shall, directly or indirectly, solicit, initiate or accept any other proposals or offers from any Person (A) relating to any direct acquisition or purchase of all or any portion of the equity or ownership interest of any of the Acquired Companies or Purchased Assets other than inventory to be sold in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (B) to enter into any merger, consolidation or other business combination with any of the Acquired Companies or (C) to enter into a recapitalization, reorganization or any other extraordinary business transaction directly involving any of the Acquired Companies; or

(b) Seller shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated all existing discussions, conversations, negotiations and other communications with any Persons conducted heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing; provided, however, the foregoing shall not be required Seller to direct or otherwise cause any such Person to return or destroy information heretofore provided to such Person prior to the Closing.

Section 6.22 Additional Assets Contribution . Prior to the Closing, Seller shall cause its applicable Affiliates to contribute to one or more of the Acquired Companies good and valid title free and clear of all Encumbrances to each of the Additional Assets.

Section 6.23 Forney Rotor . Promptly following the Closing, Seller will make available for purchase by Buyer, under mutually agreeable terms and conditions, the compressor section of an upgraded combustion turbine rotor (a “ Compressor Section ”). If Buyer purchases a Compressor Section from Seller, Seller will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to procure the turbine section of an upgraded combustion turbine rotor (a “ Turbine Section ”) for Buyer under mutually agreeable terms and conditions, which terms and conditions the Parties agree to negotiate in good faith prior to the Closing. If Seller is unable to procure a Turbine Section, or the Parties are unable to agree on terms and conditions for the purchase and sale of a Turbine Section, then Seller will make its Affiliate’s spare rotor available for purchase to Buyer under mutually agreeable terms and conditions no earlier than January 1, 2017.

Section 6.24 Gas Supply Agreement . Promptly following the Effective Date, Seller and Buyer shall endeavor to negotiate in good faith a mutually agreeable gas supply agreement between NextEra Energy Power Marketing, LLC and FPLE Forney, LLC and a completion payment by Buyer or the Acquired Companies to Seller or an Affiliate of Seller with respect to the pipeline project to be constructed and owned in part by an Affiliate of Seller and connecting with the KM Facilities, with the amount of such payment and the terms and conditions upon which it would be made to be set forth in such gas supply agreement.

ARTICLE VII

BUYER’S CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

The obligations of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are subject to the fulfillment, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived in writing by Buyer in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable Law):

Section 7.1 Representations and Warranties .

(a) The representations and warranties made by Seller in Article III and Article IV other than the representations and warranties made in Section 3.2 , Section 3.4 , Section 3.7 , Section 4.3 , and Section 4.17 (collectively, the “ Fundamental Representations ”) (without regard to any materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualification therein) shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except for such representations and

 

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warranties expressly made as of another stated date, which shall be true and correct as of such date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Fundamental Representations shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date.

Section 7.2 Performance . Seller shall have performed and complied, in all material respects, with the agreements, covenants and obligations required by this Agreement and any of the other Transaction Documents to be performed or complied with by Seller at or before the Closing.

Section 7.3 Seller’s Certificate . Seller shall have delivered to Buyer at the Closing a certificate of an officer or other authorized Representative of Seller, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying as to the matters set forth in Section 7.1 and Section 7.2 .

Section 7.4 Orders and Laws . There shall not be any Law or Order restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal, or litigation or proceedings filed by a Governmental Authority threatening in writing to restrain, enjoin or otherwise prohibit or make illegal, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

Section 7.5 Consents and Approvals . The Buyer Approvals, the Seller Approvals and the Company Consents shall have been duly obtained, made or given and shall be in full force and effect, and all terminations or expirations of waiting periods imposed by any Governmental Authority shall have occurred.

Section 7.6 Seller Deliverables . Seller shall have delivered, or caused to have been delivered, to Buyer each of the items listed in Section 2.4 .

Section 7.7 No Material Adverse Effect . Since the Effective Date, no Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred and be continuing.

ARTICLE VIII

SELLER’S CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

The obligations of Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are subject to the fulfillment, on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived in writing by Seller in whole or in part to the extent permitted by applicable Law):

Section 8.1 Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties made by Buyer in Article V shall be true in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date (except for any such representations and warranties that are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect which shall be true and correct in all respects) as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except those representations and warranties that address matters only as of a specified date, the truth and correctness of which shall be determined as of that specified date).

Section 8.2 Performance . Buyer shall have performed and complied, in all material respects, with the agreements, covenants and obligations required by this Agreement and any of the other Transaction Documents to be so performed or complied with by Buyer at or before the Closing.

 

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Section 8.3 Buyer’s Certificate . Buyer shall have delivered to Seller at the Closing a certificate of an officer or other authorized Representative of Buyer, dated as of the Closing Date, as to the matters set forth in Section 8.1 and Section 8.2 .

Section 8.4 Orders and Laws . There shall not be any Law or Order restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal, or any litigation or proceedings filed by a Governmental Authority threatening in writing to restrain, enjoin or otherwise prohibit or make illegal, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. During the pendency of the Bankruptcy Cases, Buyer is in compliance with the Bankruptcy Court Order in all respects and the DIP Order in all material respects, except in each case as would not reasonably be expected to hinder, prevent or delay Buyer from consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 8.5 Consents and Approvals . The Buyer Approvals, Seller Approvals and Company Consents shall have been duly obtained, made or given and shall be in full force and effect, and all terminations or expirations of waiting periods imposed by any Governmental Authority shall have occurred.

Section 8.6 Release of NEER Guaranty . (a) Seller and Buyer shall have effected the full and unconditional release of NEER from its obligations under the NEER Guaranty as provided in Section 6.5(a) or (b) Buyer shall have provided to Seller the Continuing Support Letter of Credit in accordance with Section 6.5(b) .

Section 8.7 Buyer Deliverables . Buyer shall have delivered, or caused to have been delivered, to Seller each of the items listed in Section 2.5 .

ARTICLE IX

TERMINATION

Section 9.1 Termination . This Agreement may be terminated, and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned, as follows:

(a) at any time before the Closing, (i) by Seller or Buyer, by written notice to the other, in the event that any Law or Order restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits or makes illegal the sale of the Interests pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) by Buyer, by written notice to Seller, if a Governmental Authority seeks to restrain, enjoin or otherwise prohibit or make illegal the sale of the Interests pursuant to this Agreement;

(b) at any time before the Closing, by Seller or Buyer, by written notice to the other, if the other has breached its obligations or there is an inaccuracy in its representations and warranties hereunder, where the effect of such breach or inaccuracy would be to cause the conditions to the obligation to consummate the Closing of the terminating Party not to be capable of being satisfied (assuming the Closing were otherwise to occur on the date the terminating Party delivers notice of termination), and such breach or inaccuracy (other than a breach of Buyer’s obligation to pay the Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of Article II ), if capable of being cured, has not been cured within forty-five (45) days following written notification thereof; provided, however , that if, at the end of such forty-five (45) day period, the breaching Party is endeavoring in good faith, and proceeding diligently, to cure such breach or inaccuracy, the breaching Party shall have an additional thirty (30) days in which to effect such cure;

(c) at any time before the Closing, by Buyer or Seller, by written notice to the other, on or after the date that is two hundred seventy (270) days after the Effective Date, as the same

 

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may be extended pursuant to Section 6.11 (the “ Initial Outside Date ”); provided , that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.1(c) shall not be available to a Party if such Party is in material breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements under this Agreement; provided , further , that, subject to Section 9.5 , if on the Initial Outside Date, the conditions set forth in either Section 7.5 or Section 8.5 are not satisfied but all of the other conditions to Closing are satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing) and the conditions set forth in either Section 7.5 or Section 8.5 , as the case may be, remain capable of being satisfied, then Buyer may, at its option exercisable by delivering written notice to Seller before the Initial Outside Date, extend the Initial Outside Date until the date that is 90 days after the Initial Outside Date (such date as it may be extended (the “ Outside Date ”));

(d) at any time before the Closing, by Seller, by written notice to Buyer, if all of the conditions to close set forth in Article VII and Article VIII have been satisfied (other than such closing conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing which are then capable of being satisfied) or waived in writing by the applicable Party and Buyer fails to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby at the Closing;

(e) by Buyer or Seller to the extent contemplated by Section 6.11 or Section 6.12 , by notice to the other Party in accordance with such Sections; or

(f) by mutual written consent of Buyer and Seller.

Section 9.2 Effect of Termination . If this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 9.1 , except as set forth in Section 9.3 and Section 9.4 , there will be no liability or obligation on the part of Seller or Buyer (or any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates), provided that (a)  Section 6.2(c) , Section 6.7(b) , Section 6.17 , Section 9.2 , Section 9.3 , Section 10.4 , Section 10.6 , Section 10.8 , Section 11.1 and Article XII (to the extent applicable to such surviving sections) will survive any such termination and (b) each Party shall continue to be liable for any willful and intentional material breach of this Agreement by it occurring prior to such termination. For purposes of this Section 9.2 , “willful and intentional material breach” shall mean a material breach or material default that is a consequence of an act knowingly undertaken by the breaching Party with the intent of causing a material breach of this Agreement.

Section 9.3 Break-up Fee .

(a) If this Agreement is terminated (i) by Seller pursuant to Section 9.1(b) or Section 9.1(d) or (ii) by Seller or Buyer if all of the conditions to Closing, other than the conditions in Section 8.6(b) , have been satisfied or are capable of being satisfied on the Closing Date and this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.1(c) or Section 9.1(f) as a result of Buyer failing to satisfy the conditions in Section 8.6(b) , then, in any such case, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement Buyer shall pay Seller, by wire transfer of immediately available funds within three (3) Business Days following the date of termination, as liquidated damages, an amount of $131,303,723 (the “ Break-up Fee ”).

(b) As security for Buyer’s obligations pursuant to Section 9.3(a) , Section 9.4(b) or Section 9.4(c) , on the Effective Date, Buyer has provided the Break-up Fee Security in the amount equal to $131,303,723. If Buyer shall fail to pay to Seller when due the full amount of the Break-up Fee, Seller shall be entitled to draw from the Break-up Fee Security the unpaid portion of the Break-up Fee. At the Closing, Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Buyer the Break-up Fee Security for cancellation.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event that Buyer is required to pay the Break-up Fee pursuant to Section 9.3(a) and Buyer pays the full Break-up Fee, payment of such fee shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Seller and its Affiliates against Buyer and any of its former, current and future Affiliates, representatives, shareholders, members, managers, partners, successors and assigns for any losses, damages or liabilities suffered or incurred as a result of or under this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including the failure of the Closing to occur, and Buyer shall have no further liability or obligation to Seller or its Affiliates relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the failure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated, or in respect of any oral representation made or alleged to be have been made in connection herewith or therewith, whether in equity or at law, in contract, in tort or otherwise, and in such event, Seller shall not bring or permit any of its Affiliates to bring any action, suit or other proceeding to seek to recover any money damages or obtain any equitable relief from Buyer or any of its Affiliates in connection therewith.

(d) The provision for payment of liquidated damages in this Section 9.3 has been included because, in the event of the termination of this Agreement as described in Section 9.3(a) , the actual damages to be incurred by Seller can reasonably be expected to approximate the Break-up Fee and because the actual amount of such damages would be difficult if not impossible to measure accurately. The Parties further expressly acknowledge and agree that the liquidated damages in this Section 9.3 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and are intended not as a penalty, but as full liquidated damages, in the event of Seller’s termination of this Agreement in the manner contemplated in Section 9.3(a) and as compensation for all of Seller’s losses and other expenses associated with this Agreement. In addition, the Parties acknowledge and agree that, in the event Buyer shall fail to pay the Break-up Fee specified in this Section 9.3 when due, and Seller (or Buyer) commences a proceeding which results in a judgment or similar award against Buyer for the Break-up Fee, then Buyer shall also pay to Seller its reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses of enforcement) in connection with such proceeding.

(e) For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, but subject to Section 10.8(a) , in no event shall (i) Buyer’s aggregate liability arising out of or related to this Agreement, whether relating to breach of a representation or warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation in this Agreement and whether based in tort, contract, strict liability or other Laws or otherwise, exceed the amount of the Break-up Fee or (ii) Seller be entitled to collect both the Break-up Fee and the Regulatory Break-up Fee.

Section 9.4 Regulatory Break-up Fee .

(a) If (i) either Buyer or Seller terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(a) (if, and only if, the applicable Order giving rise to such termination arises solely in connection with the Seller Approvals from a Governmental Authority set forth as #1 on Schedule 3.3 , and Buyer Approvals from a Governmental Authority set forth as #1 and #2 on Schedule 5.3 (collectively, the “ Regulatory Approvals ”), or (ii) either Buyer or Seller terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(c) and, at the time of such termination, any of the conditions set forth in Section 7.4 , Section 7.5 , Section 8.4 or Section 8.5 or shall have not been satisfied and such failure to be satisfied arises solely in connection with the Regulatory Approvals, and, at the time of such termination, all other conditions to the Closing set forth in Article VII and Article VIII shall have been satisfied or waived or are capable of being satisfied, Buyer shall pay to Seller a fee of $98,477,792 (the “ Regulatory Break-up Fee ”).

(b) Notwithstanding Section 9.4(a) , in the case of the termination of this Agreement as described in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 9.4(a) , the amount of the Regulatory Break-up Fee shall be $131,303,723 if the applicable Order includes Burdensome Conditions requiring, or the

 

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Governmental Authority shall have required Burdensome Conditions as a condition to the granting of the applicable Regulatory Approval, the taking by Buyer or its Affiliates or the Acquired Companies of such efforts or action, individually or in the aggregate, that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (measured on a scale relative to a company the size of the Company), without giving effect to the exclusions set forth in clauses (g) or (h) of the definition of “Material Adverse Effect”.

(c) If Buyer shall fail to pay to Seller when due the full amount of the Regulatory Break-up Fee, Seller shall be entitled to draw from the Break-up Fee Security the unpaid portion of the Regulatory Break-up Fee.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event that Buyer is required to pay the Regulatory Break-up Fee pursuant to Section 9.4(a) or Section 9.4(b) and Buyer pays the full Regulatory Break-up Fee, payment of such fee shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Seller and its Affiliates against Buyer and any of its former, current and future Affiliates, representatives, shareholders, members, managers, partners, successors and assigns for any losses, damages or liabilities suffered or incurred as a result of or under this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including the failure of the Closing to occur, and Buyer shall have no further liability or obligation to Seller or its Affiliates relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the failure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated, or in respect of any oral representation made or alleged to be have been made in connection herewith or therewith, whether in equity or at law, in contract, in tort or otherwise, and in such event, Seller shall not bring or permit any of its Affiliates to bring any action, suit or other proceeding to seek to recover any money damages or obtain any equitable relief from Buyer or any of its Affiliates in connection therewith.

(e) The provision for payment of liquidated damages in this Section 9.4 has been included because, in the event of the termination of this Agreement as described in Section 9.4 , the actual damages to be incurred by Seller can reasonably be expected to approximate the Regulatory Break-up Fee and because the actual amount of such damages would be difficult if not impossible to measure accurately. The Parties further expressly acknowledge and agree that the liquidated damages in this Section 9.4 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and are intended not as a penalty, but as full liquidated damages, in the event of Seller’s termination of this Agreement in the manner contemplated in Section 9.4(a) and Section 9.4(b) and as compensation for all of Seller’s losses and other expenses associated with this Agreement. In addition, the Parties acknowledge and agree that, in the event Buyer shall fail to pay the Regulatory Break-up Fee specified in Section 9.4(a) or Section 9.4(b) when due, and Seller (or Buyer) commences a proceeding which results in a judgment or similar award against Buyer for the Regulatory Break-up Fee, then Buyer shall also pay to Seller its reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses of enforcement) in connection with such proceeding.

 

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Section 9.5 Extension of Break-up Fee Security . As a condition to Buyer’s ability to exercise its right to extend the Initial Outside Date pursuant to Section 9.1(c) , the termination date of the Break-up Fee Security must be no earlier than three months following the Outside Date.

ARTICLE X

INDEMNIFICATION, LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND WAIVERS

Section 10.1 Indemnification .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article X , from and after Closing, Seller shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Buyer and its Affiliates (including the Acquired Companies) and the respective Representatives, successors and assigns of each of the foregoing from and against all Losses incurred or suffered by any of them to the extent resulting from:

(i) any breach of any representation or warranty of Seller contained in this Agreement;

(ii) any breach of any covenant or agreement of Seller contained in this Agreement; and

(iii) Excluded Items and Excluded Contracts.

(b) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Article X , from and after Closing, Buyer shall indemnify and hold harmless Seller and its Affiliates and the respective Representatives, successors and assigns of each of the foregoing from and against all Losses incurred or suffered by Seller resulting from:

(i) any breach of any representation or warranty of Buyer contained in this Agreement; and

(ii) any breach of any covenant or agreement of Buyer contained in this Agreement.

Section 10.2 Limitations of Liability .

(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary:

(i) claims for breach of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement must be brought no later than the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, except that such limitation on the period to bring claims shall not apply to (A) claims for breach of the Fundamental Representations, which must be brought within six (6) years following the Closing Date, (B) claims for breach of the representations and warranties in Section 4.10 , which must be brought no later than sixty (60) days following the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, and (C) claims for breach of the representations and warranties in Section 4.15 , which must be brought within three (3) years following the Closing Date;

(ii) claims for breach of the covenants and agreements in this Agreement (other than claims with respect to Taxes) that by their nature are required to be performed at or prior to the Closing must be brought on or prior to the date that is one hundred eighty (180) days after the Closing Date, and claims for breach of the covenants and agreements in this Agreement (other than claims with respect to Taxes) that by their nature are required to be performed following the Closing Date must be brought on or prior to the date that is one hundred eighty (180) days after the last date on which the

 

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applicable covenant was required to be fully performed, and claims for breach of the covenants and agreements in this Agreement with respect to Taxes must be brought no later than sixty (60) days following the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations with respect to such Taxes;

(iii) Seller shall have no liability pursuant to Section 10.1(a)(i) until the aggregate amount of all Losses that are subject to indemnification pursuant to Section 10.1(a)(i) equals or exceeds $19,695,558.42 (the “ Deductible Amount ”), in which event Seller shall be liable for Losses only to the extent they are in excess of the Deductible Amount;

(iv) Seller shall have no liability pursuant to Section 10.1(a)(i) in connection with any single item or group of related items that results in Losses that are subject to indemnification pursuant to Section 10.1(a)(i) in the aggregate of less than $500,000; and

(v) in no event shall Seller’s aggregate liability pursuant to Section 10.1(a)(i) exceed $131,303,723 (“ Liability Cap ”);

provided , however , that (A) the indemnification limitations set forth in Section 10.2(a)(iii) to (v)  shall not apply to any claim with respect to a breach of a Fundamental Representation or a breach with respect to Taxes (which shall not exceed $1,313,037,228) and (B) no indemnification limitation set forth in Section 10.2(a) shall apply to any claim based upon Fraud; and provided further , subject to Section 10.8(a) , that in no event shall Seller’s aggregate liability arising out of or relating to this Agreement, whether relating to a breach of a representation and warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation in this Agreement and whether based on contract, tort, strict liability, other Laws or otherwise, exceed $1,313,037,228.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a written claim or written notice is duly given in good faith under this Article X with respect to any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement prior to the expiration of the applicable survival period set forth in Section 10.2(a)(i) or Section 10.2(a)(ii) , the claim with respect to such representation, warranty, covenant or agreement shall continue indefinitely until such claim is finally resolved pursuant to this Article X .

(c) If any fact, circumstance or condition forming a basis for a claim for indemnification under this Article X shall overlap with any fact, circumstance, condition, agreement or event forming the basis of any other claim for indemnification under this Article X , there shall be no duplication in the calculation of the amount of the Losses. In addition, Seller shall not have any liability under this Article X for Losses to the extent included in the calculation of Aggregate Net Working Capital (other than the failure to pay amounts (if any) that become due and payable by Seller pursuant to Section 2.6 ) in accordance with the terms of Section 2.6 .

(d) All materiality qualifications (including the term Material Adverse Effect) contained in any representation or warranty herein shall be taken into account under this Article X solely for purposes of determining whether a breach or violation of such representation and warranty has occurred for which an indemnity obligation exists. All such materiality qualifications will be ignored and not given effect for purposes of determining the amount of Losses resulting from any such breach or violation.

(e) An indemnifying Party shall not be required to indemnify a Party seeking indemnification to the extent of any Losses that a court of competent jurisdiction or arbitrator shall have determined by final judgment to have resulted from the Fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Party seeking indemnification.

 

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(f) Neither Seller nor any of its Affiliates shall have any rights of contribution (or similar rights) regarding Losses against any Acquired Company for any claim arising out of or otherwise related to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

Section 10.3 [Reserved] .

Section 10.4 Notice; Duty to Mitigate .

(a) Each Party shall give written notice to the other Party as soon as practicable after becoming aware of any breach by such other Party of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation in this Agreement. The failure to deliver such a notice, however, shall not release the other Party from any of its obligations under this Article X except to the extent that such other Party is materially and irreversibly prejudiced by such failure.

(b) Each Person entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 10.1 shall use its Commercially Reasonable Efforts to mitigate Losses for which indemnification may be sought pursuant to this Article X , including, (i) using its Commercially Reasonable Efforts to secure payment from insurance policies available and existing on the Closing Date that provide coverage with respect to such Losses (an “ Insurance Payment ”) and (ii) using its Commercially Reasonable Efforts to secure reimbursement, indemnity or other payment from any third Person obligated by contract or otherwise to reimburse, indemnify or pay the Person entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 10.1 with respect to such Losses (a “ Third Party Payment ” and, together with an Insurance Payment, a “ Mitigation Payment ”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the recovery by a Person entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 10.1 from any Party providing such indemnification shall not relieve the Person entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 10.1 of its obligation to mitigate Losses pursuant to applicable Law or this Section 10.4(b) .

(c) Any amounts payable to a Person entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 10.1 with respect to any Losses pursuant to this Article X shall be reduced by the amount of the Mitigation Payment, if any, received by the Person entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 10.1 with respect to such Losses. In the event a payment is made to a Person entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 10.1 with respect to any Losses and thereafter such Person receives a Mitigation Payment with respect to such Losses, such Person shall reimburse the Party providing such indemnification an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Mitigation Payment and (ii) the amount so paid by the Party providing such indemnification.

(d) Any amounts payable to a Person entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 10.1 with respect to any Losses pursuant to this Article X shall be reduced by the amount of any net Tax benefits actually received by such Person as a result of the payment, incurrence or accrual of such Losses.

Section 10.5 Indirect Claims . From and after the Closing, Buyer hereby releases and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller, its Affiliates and the officers, directors, managers, agents and employees of the Acquired Companies (acting in their capacity as such) from and against any Losses for controlling stockholder liability or breach of any fiduciary or other duty relating to any pre-Closing actions or failures to act (including negligence or gross negligence but excluding Fraud) in connection with the Acquired Companies or any of them and the business of the Acquired Companies or any of them prior to the Closing, provided that the foregoing shall not relieve Seller of its indemnity obligations under Section 10.1(a) .

 

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Section 10.6 Waiver of Other Representations .

(a) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY AND EXCEPT THOSE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN Article III AND Article IV AND THE CERTIFICATE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 7.3 , IT IS THE EXPLICIT INTENT OF EACH PARTY, AND THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE, THAT NONE OF SELLER OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE OR IS MAKING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT COMMON LAW, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, WRITTEN OR ORAL WITH RESPECT TO (I) THE INTERESTS, THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES OR ANY OF THE PURCHASED ASSETS, OR ANY PART THEREOF AND (II) THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION, RECORDS, AND DATA NOW, HERETOFORE, OR HEREAFTER MADE AVAILABLE TO BUYER IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING ANY DESCRIPTION OF THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES, THE PURCHASED ASSETS, REVENUE, PRICE AND EXPENSE ASSUMPTIONS, FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OR FORECASTS, ELECTRICITY DEMAND FORECASTS, OR ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION, OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION FURNISHED TO BUYER BY SELLER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF SELLER (INCLUDING THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES) OR ANY OF THE RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES THEREOF) AND ANY SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. BUYER HAS NOT EXECUTED OR AUTHORIZED THE EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT IN RELIANCE UPON ANY SUCH PROMISE, REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN.

(B) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, SELLER’S INTERESTS IN THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES AND THE PURCHASED ASSETS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED THROUGH THE SALE OF THE INTERESTS “AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH ALL FAULTS,” AND SELLER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE CONDITION, VALUE OR QUALITY OF THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES OR THE PURCHASED ASSETS OR THE PROSPECTS (FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE), RISKS AND OTHER INCIDENTS OF THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES OR THE PURCHASED ASSETS AND ANY SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SENTENCE, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CERTIFICATE DELIVERED PURSUANT HERETO, SELLER HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS AND NEGATES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT COMMON LAW, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE, RELATING TO (I) THE CONDITION OF THE PURCHASED ASSETS (INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, USE, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR OF CONFORMITY TO MODELS OR SAMPLES OF MATERIALS, OR THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF ANY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN OR ON, OR DISPOSED OR DISCHARGED FROM, THE PURCHASED ASSETS) OR (II) ANY INFRINGEMENT BY SELLER, THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES, OR ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES OF ANY PATENT OR PROPRIETARY RIGHT OF ANY THIRD PARTY. BUYER HAS AGREED NOT TO RELY ON ANY REPRESENTATION MADE BY SELLER WITH RESPECT TO THE CONDITION, QUALITY, OR STATE OF THE PURCHASED ASSETS, EXCEPT FOR THOSE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CERTIFICATE DELIVERED PURSUANT HERETO, BUT RATHER, AS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO SELLER FOR THIS PURCHASE AND SALE, HAS AGREED TO RELY SOLELY AND EXCLUSIVELY UPON ITS OWN EVALUATION OF THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES OR THE PURCHASED ASSETS, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN. THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT ARE THE RESULT OF EXTENSIVE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN BUYER AND

 

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SELLER AND NO OTHER ASSURANCES, REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ABOUT THE QUALITY, CONDITION, OR STATE OF THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES OR THE PURCHASED ASSETS WERE MADE BY SELLER IN THE INDUCEMENT THEREOF, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED FOR IN THIS AGREEMENT, SELLER SHALL NOT HAVE OR BE SUBJECT TO ANY LIABILITY TO BUYER OR ANY OTHER PERSON RESULTING FROM THE DISTRIBUTION TO BUYER, OR BUYER’S USE OF OR RELIANCE ON, ANY INFORMATION, DOCUMENTS OR MATERIAL MADE AVAILABLE TO BUYER IN EXPECTATION OF, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 10.7 Environmental Waiver and Release . FROM AND AFTER CLOSING, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT AND TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WHICH BUYER MAY HAVE AGAINST SELLER AT OR UNDER LAW WITH RESPECT TO ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES OR ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS ARE WAIVED. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FROM AND AFTER CLOSING, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY CERTIFICATE DELIVERED PURSUANT HERETO, BUYER DOES HEREBY AGREE, WARRANT, AND COVENANT TO (AND BUYER SHALL CAUSE THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES TO) RELEASE, ACQUIT, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE SELLER AND ANY AFFILIATE OF SELLER OR ANY REPRESENTATIVE THEREOF FROM ANY AND ALL LOSSES, INCLUDING ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, AND CAUSES OF ACTION FOR CONTRIBUTION AND INDEMNITY UNDER STATUTE OR COMMON LAW, WHICH COULD BE ASSERTED NOW OR IN THE FUTURE AND THAT RELATE TO OR IN ANY WAY ARISE OUT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES OR ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS OF THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES OR THE PURCHASED ASSETS. FROM AND AFTER CLOSING, BUYER AND THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES WARRANT, AGREE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE SELLER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF SELLER (INCLUDING THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES) OR ANY REPRESENTATIVE THEREOF UPON ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, OR CAUSE OF ACTION FOR INDEMNITY AND CONTRIBUTION THAT HAVE BEEN ASSERTED OR COULD BE ASSERTED FOR ANY SUCH ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT BUYER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF BUYER (INCLUDING THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES OR ANY REPRESENTATIVE THEREOF) IS ENTITLED TO INDEMNITY FOR SUCH MATTERS UNDER THIS Article X .

Section 10.8 Remedies; Waiver of Remedies .

(a) The Parties agree that damages at Law shall be an inadequate remedy for the breach of any of the covenants, promises and agreements contained in this Agreement by Buyer or Seller, and, accordingly, the Parties shall be entitled to injunctive relief with respect to any such breach, including specific performance of such covenants, promises or agreements or an order enjoining such other party from any threatened, or from the continuation of any actual, breach of the covenants, promises or agreements contained in this Agreement, all without the necessity of proving the inadequacy of money damages as a remedy and without the necessity of posting bond. The rights set forth in this Section 10.8(a) shall be in addition to any other rights which the Parties may have at Law or in equity pursuant to this Agreement; provided , however , that in no case shall Seller or any of its Affiliates be entitled to both injunctive relief and the Break-up Fee or the Regulatory Break-up Fee. Except for specific performance or other injunctive or equitable relief to the extent that specific performance or such other relief would otherwise be available to the Parties hereunder, Buyer and Seller acknowledge and agree that, from and after Closing, the indemnification provisions in this Article X , Section 6.2(c) , Section 6.2(d) , Section 6.5(b) , Section 6.6 , Section 6.14(b) , Section 6.14(c) and Section 2.6 shall be the exclusive remedy of Buyer and Seller with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for Fraud.

 

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(b) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, NO PARTY OR ITS AFFILIATES, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES SHALL BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES OR LOSS OF REVENUE, INCOME OR PROFITS, DIMINUTION OF VALUE OR LOSS OF BUSINESS REPUTATION OR OPPORTUNITY OF ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY OF SUCH PARTY’S AFFILIATES, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OTHER LAW OR OTHERWISE AND WHETHER OR NOT ARISING FROM THE OTHER PARTY’S OR ITS AFFILIATE’S, OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICER’S, DIRECTOR’S, EMPLOYEE’S OR REPRESENTATIVE’S SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER FAULT, AND IN PARTICULAR, NO “MULTIPLE OF PROFITS” OR “MULTIPLE OF CASH FLOW” OR SIMILAR VALUATION METHODOLOGY SHALL BE USED IN CALCULATING THE AMOUNT OF ANY LOSSES, PROVIDED THE FOREGOING SHALL NOT APPLY TO THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS FOR WHICH ANY PARTY IS OBLIGATED TO INDEMNIFY ANOTHER PARTY HEREUNDER (“ Non-Reimbursable Damages ”).

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no Representative or Affiliate of Seller (other than NEER pursuant to the Seller Parent Guaranty) shall have any personal liability (whether in equity or at law, in contract, in tort or otherwise) to Buyer or any other Person as a result of the breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation of Seller in this Agreement, and no Representative or Affiliate of Buyer (other than Buyer Parent Guarantor pursuant to the Buyer Parent Guaranty) shall have any personal liability (whether in equity or at law, in contract, in tort or otherwise) to Seller or any other Person as a result of the breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation of Buyer in this Agreement.

Section 10.9 Indemnification Procedures .

(a) In the event that (i) a Party seeking indemnification (the “ Indemnified Party ”) becomes aware of the existence of any claim in respect of which payment may be sought under this Article X (an “ Indemnification Claim ”), or (ii) any legal proceedings shall be instituted, or any claim shall be asserted, by any Person not party to this Agreement in respect of an Indemnification Claim (a “ Third Party Claim ”), the Indemnified Party shall promptly cause written notice thereof (a “ Claim Notice ”) to be delivered to the party from whom indemnification is sought (the “ Indemnifying Party ”); provided that, so long as such notice is given within the applicable time period described in Section 10.2(a)(i) or Section 10.2(a)(ii) , no delay on the part of the Indemnified Party in giving any such notice shall relieve the Indemnifying Party of any indemnification obligation hereunder unless (and then solely to the extent that) the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such delay. Each Claim Notice shall be in writing and (A) shall specify the basis for indemnification claimed by the Indemnified Party, (B) if such Claim Notice is being given with respect to a Third Party Claim, shall describe in reasonable detail such Third Party Claim and shall be accompanied by copies of all relevant pleadings, demands and other papers served on the Indemnified Party, and (C) shall specify the amount of (or if not finally determined, a good faith estimate of) the Losses being incurred by, or imposed upon, the Indemnified Party on account of the basis for the claim for indemnification.

(b) The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, at its sole option and expense, to be represented by counsel of its choice and to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise handle any Indemnification Claim and if the Indemnifying Party elects to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise handle any Indemnification Claim, it shall within fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice of

 

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the underlying Third Party Claim (or sooner, if the nature of the Indemnification Claim so requires) (the “ Dispute Period ”) notify the Indemnified Party of its intent to do so, provided that the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume control of such defense (unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Indemnified Party) and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel retained by the Indemnified Party if (i) the claim for indemnification relates to or arises in connection with any criminal or quasi criminal action or proceeding or (ii) the claim seeks an injunction or equitable relief against the Indemnified Party (any Indemnification Claim the defense of which is assumable by an Indemnifying Party hereunder, an “ Assumable Claim ”). If the Indemnifying Party does not elect within the Dispute Period to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise handle any Assumable Claim, the Indemnified Party may defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise handle such Assumable Claim. If the Indemnifying Party elects to defend against, negotiate, settle with or otherwise handle any Assumable Claim, the Indemnified Party may participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such Assumable Claim; provided, however , that such Indemnified Party shall be entitled to participate in any such defense with separate counsel at the reasonable expense of the Indemnifying Party if (i) so requested by the Indemnifying Party to participate, or (ii) in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Indemnified Party, a conflict exists between the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party; and provided, further , that the Indemnifying Party shall not be required to pay for more than one such counsel for all Indemnified Parties in connection with any Assumable Claim. Seller, on the one hand, and Buyer, on the other hand, agree to cooperate with each other in connection with the defense, negotiation or settlement of any such Assumable Claim. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 10.9 to the contrary, the Indemnifying Party shall not, without the written consent of the applicable Indemnified Party, settle or compromise any Assumable Claim or permit a default or consent to entry of any judgment (each a “ Settlement ”) unless (A) the claimant and such Indemnifying Party provide to such Indemnified Party an unqualified release from all liability in respect of the Assumable Claim, (B) such Settlement does not impose any liabilities or obligations on the Indemnified Party, and (C) with respect to any non-monetary provision of such Settlement, such provisions would not, in the Indemnified Party’s reasonable judgment, have or be reasonably expected to have any material adverse effect on the business, Assets, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or prospects of the Indemnified Party.

(c) After any final decision, judgment or award shall have been rendered by a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of the time in which to appeal therefrom, or a Settlement or arbitration shall have been consummated, or the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall have arrived at a mutually binding agreement with respect to an Indemnification Claim hereunder, the Indemnified Party shall forward to the Indemnifying Party notice of any sums due and owing by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such matter and the Indemnifying Party shall make prompt payment thereof pursuant to the terms of the agreement reached with respect to the Indemnification Claim.

(d) If the Indemnifying Party does not undertake within the Dispute Period to defend against an Assumable Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to participate in any such defense at its sole cost and expense, but, in such case, the Indemnified Party shall control the investigation and defense. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this Section 10.9(d) to the contrary, the Indemnified Party shall not effect a Settlement without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(e) In the event that an Indemnified Party has delivered a Claim Notice in respect of an Indemnification Claim that does not involve a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall attempt in good faith to resolve any disputes with respect to such Claim Notice within forty-five (45) days of the delivery by the Indemnifying Party thereof, and if not resolved in such forty-five (45) day period, such Indemnification Claim may be resolved through judicial actions, suits or proceedings brought by either such party or by such other means as such parties mutually agree.

 

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Section 10.10 Access to Information . After the Closing Date, Seller and Buyer shall grant each other (or their respective designees), and Buyer shall cause the Acquired Companies to grant to Seller (or its designees), access at all reasonable times upon reasonable notice to all of the information, books and records relating to the Acquired Companies in its possession, and shall afford such party the right (at such party’s expense) to take extracts therefrom and to make copies thereof, to the extent reasonably necessary to implement the provisions of, or to investigate or defend any claims between the Parties arising under, this Agreement other than (a) information relating to post-Closing periods that is commercially sensitive, trade secret or otherwise confidential or (b) in the case of claims between the Parties, any information that is subject to any attorney-client, work product or other privilege or that otherwise would not be required to be provided pursuant to a subpoena or other civil discovery procedure. At or promptly after the Closing, Seller shall deliver to Buyer all books, records, correspondence, files, and other information of or relating to the Acquired Companies or their properties, business, operations or condition (other than any of the foregoing items that relate to Excluded Contracts and Excluded Items) to the extent such information is not in the custody or possession of the Acquired Companies on the Closing Date other than (i) information relating to pre-Closing periods in respect of any Non-Acquired Company Affiliate that is commercially sensitive, trade secret or otherwise confidential or (ii) in the case of claims between the Parties, any information that is subject to any attorney client, work product or other privilege or that otherwise would not be required to be provided pursuant to a subpoena or other civil discovery procedure.

ARTICLE XI

CONFIDENTIALITY

Section 11.1 Pre-Closing Confidential Information . The Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate on the Closing Date. Prior to the Closing, the Confidentiality Agreement shall cover any and all information provided or otherwise made available to, or collected by, Buyer in accordance with Section 6.2 . If this Agreement is terminated, the Confidentiality Agreement shall continue in full force in accordance with its terms.

Section 11.2 Post-Closing Seller Confidential Information .

(a) Buyer acknowledges that Seller Confidential Information is valuable and proprietary to Seller and Buyer agrees from and after the Closing not to, directly or indirectly, use, publish, disseminate, describe or otherwise disclose any Seller Confidential Information without the prior written consent of Seller or except as required by Law. Information shall not be deemed to be Seller Confidential Information if (i) it has become generally known or available within the industry or the public though no act or omission of Buyer; (ii) Buyer can demonstrate that, prior to disclosure in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, such information was already in the possession of Buyer; (iii) it was received by Buyer from a third party who became aware of it through no act or omission of Buyer and who is not known to Buyer to be under an obligation of confidentiality to Seller; or (iv) Buyer can demonstrate it was independently developed by employees or consultants of Buyer.

(b) From and after the Closing, Buyer shall maintain any Seller Confidential Information which has been or will be disclosed directly or indirectly to Buyer by or on behalf of Seller in confidence by it and shall not disclose or cause to be disclosed by Buyer or any third party without Seller’s prior express written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided, however , that Buyer may disclose Seller Confidential Information to persons who provide financial analysis, financial ratings, banking, legal, accounting, or other services to Buyer in connection with Buyer’s evaluation or implementation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, further , that such persons have been informed of the duties required hereby.

 

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Section 11.3 Post-Closing Buyer Confidential Information .

(a) Seller acknowledges that Buyer Confidential Information is valuable and proprietary to Buyer and Seller agrees from and after the Closing not to, directly or indirectly, use, publish, disseminate, describe or otherwise disclose any Buyer Confidential Information without the prior written consent of Buyer or except as required by Law. Information shall not be deemed to be Buyer Confidential Information if it has become generally known or available within the industry or the public though no act or omission of Seller.

(b) From and after the Closing, Seller shall maintain any Buyer Confidential Information which has been or will be disclosed directly or indirectly to Seller by or on behalf of Buyer in confidence by it and shall not disclose or cause to be disclosed by Seller or any third party without Buyer’s prior express written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided, however , that Seller may disclose Buyer Confidential Information to persons who provide financial analysis, financial ratings, banking, legal, accounting, or other services to Seller in connection with the implementation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, further , that such persons have been informed of the duties required hereby.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the provisions of this Section 11.3 shall not prohibit the disclosure of Buyer Confidential Information by Seller to the extent reasonably required (i) to prepare or complete any required Tax returns or financial statements, (ii) in connection with audits or other proceedings by or on behalf of a Governmental Authority, (iii) to comply with applicable Law, (iv) to provide services to Buyer or its Affiliates, pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, or (v) to assert any rights or remedies or perform any obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents.

Section 11.4 Limitations on Confidential Information .

(a) Notwithstanding Section 11.2(b) and Section 11.3(b) , from and after the Closing, Seller Confidential Information and Buyer Confidential Information may be disclosed if required by any Governmental Authority or court or otherwise by Law; provided, however , that: (i) such Seller Confidential Information and Buyer Confidential Information is submitted under any and all applicable provisions for confidential treatment and (ii) if the disclosing Party is permitted to do so, the other Party is given written notice of the requirement for disclosure promptly after such disclosure is requested, so that it may take whatever action it deems appropriate, including intervention in any proceeding and seeking a protective order or an injunction, to prohibit such disclosure. If Seller Confidential Information or Buyer Confidential Information is disclosed under the provisions of this Section 11.4(a) , the disclosing Party shall notify the other Party of the same in writing not later than five (5) Business Days following the disclosure.

(b) Each Party hereby agrees that from and after the Closing it will not make any use of any Seller Confidential Information or Buyer Confidential Information, as applicable, received pursuant to this Agreement, except in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, unless specifically authorized to do so in writing by the other Party, and this Agreement shall not be construed as a license or authorization to either Party to utilize Seller Confidential Information or Buyer Confidential Information, as applicable, except for such purpose.

 

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(c) From and after the Closing, upon a Party’s request, the other Party shall return or destroy as promptly as practicable, but in a period not to exceed ten (10) Business Days, (i) all Seller Confidential Information or Buyer Confidential Information (as applicable) provided to such Party, as appropriate, including all copies of such Seller Confidential Information, or Buyer Confidential Information (as applicable) and (ii) all notes or other documents in digital or other format in their possession or in the possession of other persons to whom Seller Confidential Information or Buyer Confidential Information (as applicable) was properly provided by such Party. Non-destruction of electronic copies of materials or summaries containing or reflecting Seller Confidential Information or Buyer Confidential Information (as applicable) that are automatically generated through data backup or archiving systems and which are not readily accessible by a Party’s business personnel shall not be deemed to violate this Agreement, so long as Seller Confidential Information or Buyer Confidential Information (as applicable) contained in or reflected in such electronic backup records is not disclosed or used in violation of the other terms of this Agreement.

(d) The obligations of the parties under Section 11.2(b) and Section 11.3(c) shall not apply to the tax treatment or tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each Party (and any employee, Representative, or agent of any party) may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all other materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analysis) that are provided to a Party relating to such tax treatment and tax structure (all such information that may be disclosed being the “ Tax Information ”). The preceding sentences are intended to cause the transactions contemplated by this Agreement not to be treated as having been offered under conditions of confidentiality for purposes of Sections 1.6011-4(b)(3) and 301.6111-2(a)(2)(ii) (or any successor provision) of the Treasury Regulations issued under the Code and shall be construed in a manner consistent with such purpose. For purposes of this provision, the Tax Information includes only those facts that may be relevant to understanding the purported or claimed United States federal income tax treatment or tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and, to eliminate any doubt, therefore specifically does not include information that either reveals or standing alone or in the aggregate with other information so disclosed tends of itself to reveal or allow the recipient of the information to ascertain the identity of Seller or Buyer, or any third parties involved in any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.1 Notices .

(a) Unless this Agreement specifically requires otherwise, any notice, demand or request provided for in this Agreement, or served, given or made in connection with it, shall be in writing and shall be deemed properly served, given or made if delivered in person or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by a nationally recognized overnight courier service that provides a receipt of delivery, in each case, to the Parties at the addresses specified below or to such other place and with such other copies as a Party may designate as to itself by written notice to the other Party:

If to Buyer, to:

Luminant Holding Company LLC

c/o Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC

1601 Bryan, 43rd Floor

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attn: Stacey Dore

 Andrew M. Wright

 

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with copies to:

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2100 McKinney Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75201-6912

Attn: Robert Little

and

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 North LaSalle

Chicago, Illinois 60654

Attn: Chad Husnick

 Linda Myers

 Michelle Kilkenney

If to Seller, to:

La Frontera Ventures, LLC

c/o NextEra Energy Resources, LLC

700 Universe Boulevard

Juno Beach, Florida 33408-2683

Attn: Cindy Tindell

with a copy to:

La Frontera Ventures, LLC

c/o NextEra Energy Resources, LLC

700 Universe Boulevard

Juno Beach, Florida 33408-2683

Attn: Vice President and General Counsel

(b) Notice given by personal delivery, mail or overnight courier pursuant to this Section 12.1 shall be effective upon physical receipt.

Section 12.2 Entire Agreement . Except for the Confidentiality Agreement, this Agreement supersedes all prior discussions and agreements between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and contains the sole and entire agreement between the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 12.3 Expenses . Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, each Party will pay its own costs and expenses incurred in anticipation of, relating to and in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 12.4 Schedules . Seller may, at its option, include in the Schedules items that are not material in order to avoid any misunderstanding, and any such inclusion, or any references to dollar amounts, shall not be deemed to be an acknowledgment or representation that such items are material, to

 

52


establish any standard of materiality or to define further the meaning of such terms for purposes of this Agreement. Any reference to a Contract, Asset, statement, plan, report or other document or item of any kind in the Schedules shall be deemed a full disclosure of all of the terms of such document and it shall not be necessary to identify or reference specific provisions of such Contracts, Assets, statements, plans, reports or other documents or items in order to make a full disclosure thereof. Information disclosed in any Schedule shall constitute a disclosure for purposes of all other Schedules and each Section of this Agreement where such information is relevant notwithstanding the lack of specific cross-reference thereto, but only to the extent the applicability of such disclosure to such other Schedule is reasonably apparent on its face. In no event shall the inclusion of any matter in the Schedules be construed as constituting a representation or warranty of a Party or be deemed or interpreted to broaden a Party’s contained in this Agreement. No reference to or disclosure of any item or other matter in the Schedules shall be construed as an admission, indication or evidence that such item or other matter is material, that such item is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect or that such item or other matter is required to be referred to or disclosed in the Schedules. No reference in the Schedules to any agreement or document shall be construed as an admission or indication that such agreement or document is enforceable or currently in effect or that there are any obligations remaining to be performed or any rights that may be exercised under such agreement or document except to the extent that any such agreement or document is referred to by reference to the Schedules in an express representation or warranty to that effect set forth in this Agreement. No disclosure in the Schedules relating to any possible breach or violation of any agreement, Law or regulation shall be construed as an admission or indication that any such breach or violation exists or has actually occurred. The headings and descriptions of the disclosures in the Schedules are for convenience of reference only and are not intended to and do not alter the meaning of any provision of this Agreement or of the Schedules. The information provided in the Schedules is solely for the use of the Parties in connection with the purchase and sale of the Interests and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement, and may not be used or relied upon by any other Person or for any other purpose.

Section 12.5 Waiver . Any term or condition of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the Party that is entitled to the benefit thereof, but no such waiver shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of the Party waiving such term or condition. No waiver by any Party of any term or condition of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a waiver of the same or any other term or condition of this Agreement on any future occasion.

Section 12.6 Amendment . This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified only by a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of each Party.

Section 12.7 No Third Party Beneficiary . Except for the provisions of Section 6.2(c) , Section 6.5 , Section 6.6 , Section 6.14(c) , and Article X , which are intended to be for the benefit of the Persons identified therein, the terms and provisions of this Agreement are intended solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors or permitted assigns, and it is not the intention of the Parties to confer third-party beneficiary rights upon any other Person.

Section 12.8 Assignment or Delegation; Binding Effect . Neither this Agreement nor any right, interest or obligation hereunder may be assigned or delegated by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, except that Buyer may (without the consent of Seller) collaterally assign this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder to any Person providing financing to Buyer or its Affiliates, but no such collateral assignment shall release Buyer of its obligations under this Agreement. Subject to this Section 12.8 , this Agreement is binding upon, inures to the benefit of and is enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

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Section 12.9 Headings . The headings used in this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof.

Section 12.10 Invalid Provisions . If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future Law, and if the rights or obligations of any Party under this Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected thereby, such provision will be fully severable, this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof, the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance herefrom and in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there will be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

Section 12.11 Counterparts; Facsimile . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Any facsimile or electronically transmitted copies hereof or signature hereon shall, for all purposes, be deemed originals.

Section 12.12 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial .

(a) This Agreement and any dispute or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Law of the State of New York, without giving effect to any conflict or choice of law provision that would result in the application of another state’s Law.

(b) Each of the Parties hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State and Federal courts located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City and State of New York with respect to any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING OR STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN) RELATING TO THE FOREGOING (INCLUDING, ANY ACTION TO RESCIND OR CANCEL THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS OR DEFENSES ASSERTING THAT THIS AGREEMENT WAS FRAUDULENTLY INDUCED OR IS OTHERWISE VOID OR VOIDABLE). THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE PARTIES HERETO TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND SHALL SURVIVE THE CLOSING OR TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officer of each Party as of the date first above written.

 

SELLER
LA FRONTERA VENTURES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Michael O’Sullivan

Name:   Michael O’Sullivan
Title:   Vice President
BUYER
LUMINANT HOLDING COMPANY LLC
By:  

/s/ M. A. McFarland

Name:   M.A. McFarland
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT A

DEFINITIONS

1933 Act ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7 .

Accounting Principles ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a) .

Acquired Companies ” means, collectively, each of the Company, La Frontera Generation, FPLE Forney, FPLE Forney Pipeline and Lamar.

Additional Assets ” means those Assets identified in Exhibit B .

“Additional Assets Contribution” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Affiliate ” means any Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Person specified. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person means the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether through ownership of voting securities or ownership interests, by contract or otherwise.

Aggregate Net Working Capital ” means (without duplication) the sum of the net working capital of the Acquired Companies as determined in accordance with the methodology used in the preparation of Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount set forth on Exhibit C , and otherwise in accordance with GAAP as of 12:01 A.M. (Eastern Prevailing Time) on the Closing Date. In the event the Closing does not occur on the last day of a month, then each item included as a proration item on Exhibit C and included in the calculation of Aggregate Net Working Capital shall be prorated to the extent applicable as of the Closing Date by multiplying the amount of each such item for the full calendar month by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed from and including the first day of the month in which the Closing Date occurs to but excluding the Closing Date, and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such month, provided that to the extent items may be determined on a daily basis, such amounts will be allocated on a daily basis.

Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount ” means $276,701,431, calculated as set forth on Exhibit C .

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Allocation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(c) .

“ALTA Surveys” means, collectively, the existing ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys of the Forney Project and the Lamar Project made available to Buyer.

Assets ” of any Person means all assets and properties of every kind, nature, character and description (whether real, personal or mixed, whether tangible or intangible and wherever situated), including the goodwill related thereto, operated, owned or leased by such Person.

Assumable Claim ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.9(b) .

Balance Sheet ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.20 .

Balance Sheet Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.20 .

 

A-1


Bankruptcy Cases ” means the chapter 11 cases commenced by EFH Corp. and its debtor-in-possession subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court, which cases are currently pending before the Honorable Christopher S. Sontchi and jointly administered for procedural purposes only under Case No. 14-10979, and any proceedings related thereto.

“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Bankruptcy Court ” means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Bankruptcy Court Order ” means the Order Authorizing, But Not Requiring, The Debtors (A) To Participate In A Competitive Bidding Process, and (B) If Selected As the Winning Bidder, To Consummate A Proposed Transaction entered by the Bankruptcy Court on October 27, 2015, as amended through the Effective Date.

Base Purchase Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a) .

Benefit Plan ” means (a) each “employee benefit plan,” as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, (b) each plan that would be an “employee benefit plan”, as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, if it was subject to ERISA, including foreign plans and plans for directors, (c) each stock bonus, stock ownership, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, or other stock plan (whether qualified or nonqualified), (d) each bonus or incentive compensation plan, and (e) each fringe, voluntary or other benefit program or policy.

Break-up Fee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3(a) .

Break-up Fee Security ” the irrevocable stand-by letter of credit for the benefit of Seller, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit L or an irrevocable stand-by letter of credit on substantially similar terms from a creditworthy financial institution reasonably acceptable to Seller.

Burdensome Condition ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(c)(iv) .

Business ” as to any Acquired Company, means the ownership, lease or operation, as applicable, of such Acquired Company and of its respective Project, as applicable, including the generation and sale of electricity and capacity by such Acquired Company at or from the Project, the receipt by such Acquired Company of natural gas and other fuel and the conduct of other activities by such Acquired Company related or incidental to the foregoing.

Business Day ” means a day other than Saturday, Sunday or any day on which banks located in New York are authorized or required to close.

Business IP ” has meaning set forth in Section 4.16(b) .

Buyer ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Buyer Approvals ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(b) .

Buyer Confidential Information ” means, from and after the Closing, any and all non-public information of a technical, commercial or business nature that relates to the Acquired Companies or the Purchased Assets, excluding any information relating to the Excluded Items.

Buyer Parent Guarantor ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

 

A-2


Buyer Parent Guaranty ” means the Buyer Parent Guaranty duly executed by Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC and delivered to Seller as of the Effective Date.

Buyer Service Companies ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11 .

Claim ” means any demand, claim, action, investigation, legal proceeding (whether at law or in equity) or arbitration.

Claim Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.9(a) .

Closing ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3 .

Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3 .

Closing Date Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a) .

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Commercially Reasonable Efforts ” means efforts that are designed to enable a Party to satisfy a condition to, or otherwise assist in the consummation of, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and which do not require the performing Party to expend any funds or assume liabilities other than expenditures and liabilities which are customary and reasonable in nature and amount in the context of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals of this Agreement.

Company Consents ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b) .

Completion Date ” means the date which is the later of (i) the date on which the Pipeline has been placed into service, or (ii) physical interconnections between the Pipeline, the KM Facilities and the Lamar Project have been energized.

Compressor Section ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.23 .

Condemnation Value ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.12 .

Condemnation Value Estimation Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.12 .

Confidentiality Agreement ” means that certain Confidentiality Agreement between Buyer and Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, dated as of September 11, 2015.

“Conflict” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b) .

Consents ” means all consents, waivers, approvals, allowances, authorizations, declarations, filings, recordings, registrations, validations or exemptions and notifications.

Contract ” means any contract, lease, license, evidence of indebtedness, mortgage, indenture, purchase order, binding bid, letter of credit, security agreement or other legally binding arrangement.

Continuing Support Letter of Credit ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5(b) .

 

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“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code and all other liquidation, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, conservatorship, moratorium, receivership, insolvency, rearrangement, reorganization or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions in effect from time to time.

Deductible Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2(a)(iii) .

DIP Order ” means the Final Order (A) Approving Postpetition Financing For Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC And Certain Of Its Debtor Affiliates, (B) Granting Liens and Providing Superpriority Administrative Expense Claims, And (C) Modifying The Automatic Stay entered by the Bankruptcy Court on June 6, 2014.

Discount Rate ” means three percent (3%).

Dispute Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.9(b) .

Dollars ” and “ $ ” mean United States dollars.

Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Encumbrances ” means any mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, charges, claims, equitable interests, infringements of a third party patent, copyrights, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights, restrictions on transfer, conditional sales or other title retention devices or arrangements (including a capital lease), or restrictions on the creation of any of the foregoing, whether relating to any property or right or the income or profits therefrom.

Energy Management Agreement ” means the Energy Management Agreement, entered into by and among NEER Power Marketing and each of the Project Companies, substantially in the form of Exhibit F .

Environmental Claim ” means any Claim, Loss, cost, expense, liability, fine, penalty or damage arising out of or related to any violation of, or liability under, Environmental Law.

Environmental Law ” means all applicable Law relating to pollution or protection of public health and the environment, including, but not limited to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq.), Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. §6901 et. seq.), Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. §3000(f) et. seq.), Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. §2601 et seq.), Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. §7401 et. seq.), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. §9601 et seq.), the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. §5101, et seq.), the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1311, et seq.), the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. §11001, et seq.) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. §651, et seq.).

Equity Interests ” means capital stock, partnership or membership interests, trust interests or units (whether general or limited), and any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distribution of Assets of, the issuing entity.

Equity Securities ” means (a) Equity Interests, (b) subscriptions, calls, warrants, options or commitments of any kind or character relating to, or entitling any Person to acquire, any Equity Interests and (c) securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Equity Interests.

ERCOT means the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

 

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ERCOT Protocols and Other Binding Documents mean the documents adopted by ERCOT, including any attachments or exhibits referenced therein, as amended from time to time, that contain the scheduling, operating, planning, reliability, and settlement (including registration) policies, rules, guidelines, procedures, standards, and criteria of ERCOT. Other Binding Documents include the ERCOT Market Guides. The version of the ERCOT Protocols or Other Binding Document in effect at the time of the performance or non-performance of an action shall govern with respect to that action.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

ERISA Affiliate ” means any entity, trade or business that is a member of a group described in Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA that includes Seller, or that is a member of the same “controlled group” as Seller pursuant to Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA; provided, however , that the Acquired Companies shall not be considered to be ERISA Affiliates from and after the Closing Date.

ERISA Benefit Plan ” means each “employee benefit plan,” as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA.

Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a) .

“EWG” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.11(a) .

Excluded Contracts ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.8 .

Excluded Items ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6 .

Existing Affiliate Contracts ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.8 .

Extended Outside Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.11 .

FERC ” means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b) .

Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(f).

Financial Statements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.20 .

Forney Pipeline ” means the approximately 1,000 foot, 24 inch diameter natural gas pipeline connecting the Forney Project to the pipeline owned by Kinder Morgan North Texas Pipeline, L.P. and the bi-directional pipeline owned by Atmos Pipeline – Texas, a division of Atmos Energy Corporation.

Forney Project ” means the approximately 1,792 megawatt (nominal nameplate) natural gas-fired combined-cycle electric generating plant located in Forney, Texas known as the “Forney Energy Center,” together with all auxiliary equipment, ancillary and associated facilities and equipment, electrical transformers, pipeline and electrical interconnection and metering facilities (whether owned or leased by FPLE Forney) used for the receipt of fuel and water and the delivery of the electrical output of said generating plant, and all other improvements related to the ownership, operation and maintenance of said generating plant and associated equipment.

FPA ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.11(b) .

 

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FPLE Forney ” means FPLE Forney, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

FPLE Forney Pipeline ” means FPLE Forney Pipeline, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Fraud ” means a willful and intentional misrepresentation of material facts which constitutes common law fraud under the Laws of the State of New York.

Fundamental Representations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(a) .

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, applied on a consistent basis.

Governmental Authority ” means any court, tribunal, arbitrator, authority, agency, commission, legislative body, official or other instrumentality of the United States or any state, county, city or other political subdivision or similar governing entity, including any governmental, self-regulatory, quasi–governmental or non-governmental body administering, regulating or having general oversight over natural gas and other fuel, electricity or power markets. For the avoidance of doubt, Governmental Authority includes the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, the PUCT, ERCOT, the IMM, Texas RE, RRC, NERC, and FERC.

Hazardous Material ” means and includes each substance designated as a hazardous waste, hazardous substance, hazardous material, pollutant, contaminant or toxic substance under any Environmental Law and any petroleum or petroleum products that have been released into the environment in concentrations or locations for which remedial action is required under any applicable Environmental Law.

Hedging Agreements ” shall mean (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement or any other master agreement, including any such obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement or related schedules.

HSR Act ” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

IMM means the Independent Market Monitor, as defined in the PUCT Rules.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.9(a) .

Indemnification Claim ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.9(a) .

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.9(a) .

 

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Insurance Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(b) .

Intellectual Property ” means the following intellectual property rights, both statutory and common law rights, if applicable: (a) works of authorship, copyrights, and registrations and applications for registration thereof, (b) trademarks, service marks, trade names, slogans, domain names, business names, logos, trade dress, and registrations and applications for registrations thereof, (c) patents, as well as any reissued and reexamined patents and extensions corresponding to the patents, and any patent applications, as well as any related continuation, continuation in part and divisional applications and patents issuing therefrom and (d) trade secrets and confidential information, including ideas, designs, concepts, compilations of information, methods, techniques, procedures, processes and other know-how, whether or not patentable.

Interests ” means one hundred percent (100%) of the membership interests of the Company.

Interests Assignment and Assumption Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a) .

Interim Period ” means the period of time from the Effective Date until either (a) the Closing Date or (b) the date any valid termination of this Agreement becomes effective.

Kinder Morgan ” means Kinder Morgan North Texas Pipeline LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

KM Facilities ” means the gas pipeline facilities owned and operated by Kinder Morgan or its Affiliates and through which Kinder Morgan delivers natural gas to the Forney Project and the Lamar Project under any transportation agreement.

Knowledge ” when used (i) in a particular representation and warranty in this Agreement with respect to Seller, means the actual knowledge after due inquiry of the individuals listed on Exhibit I , and (ii) with respect to Buyer, means the actual knowledge after due inquiry of the individuals listed on Exhibit J .

La Frontera Generation ” means La Frontera Generation, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Lamar ” means Lamar Power Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Lamar Project ” means the approximately 1,000 megawatt (nominal nameplate) natural gas-fired combined-cycle electric generating plant located in Paris, Texas known as the “Lamar Energy Center,” together with all auxiliary equipment, ancillary and associated facilities and equipment, electrical transformers, pipeline and electrical interconnection and metering facilities (whether owned or leased by Lamar) used for the receipt of fuel and water and the delivery of the electrical output of said generating plant, and all other improvements related to the ownership, operation and maintenance of said generating plant and associated equipment.

Laws ” means all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances and other pronouncements having the effect of law of any Governmental Authority and all Debtor Relief Laws. For the avoidance of doubt, Laws include PUCT Rules, ERCOT Protocols and Other Binding Documents, RRC Rules, and Reliability Standards.

Liability Cap ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2(a)(v) .

 

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Loss ” means any and all judgments, losses, liabilities, amounts paid in settlement, damages, fines, penalties, deficiencies and expenses (including interest, court costs, reasonable fees of attorneys, accountants and other experts or other reasonable expenses of litigation or other proceedings or of any claim, default or assessment). For all purposes in this Agreement the term “ Losses ” does not include any Non-Reimbursable Damages.

Material Adverse Effect ” means, unless the context expressly provides otherwise, a material adverse effect on the business, operations, properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Acquired Companies taken together as a whole; provided, however , that in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred, there shall not be taken into account any effect resulting from (a) any change in economic or business conditions generally, financial markets generally or in the industry or markets in which an Acquired Company operates or is involved, (b) any change in general legal, regulatory or political conditions, including any commencement, continuation or escalation of war, material armed hostilities or terrorist activities or other material international or national calamity or act of terrorism directly or indirectly involving or affecting the United States, (c) any changes in accounting rules or principles (or any interpretations thereof), including changes in GAAP, (d) any change in any Laws (including Environmental Laws), (e) any increases in the costs of commodities or supplies, including fuel, or decreases in the price of electricity, (g) the announcement of the execution of this Agreement (or any other agreement to be entered into pursuant to this Agreement) or the sale of the Acquired Companies, or the pendency of or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or any actions required to be taken hereunder or thereunder, including any termination of, reduction in or similar negative impact on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with any customers, suppliers, distributors, partners or employees of any of the Acquired Companies or Non-Acquired Company Affiliates, to the extent due to the announcement and performance of this Agreement (or any other agreement to be entered into pursuant to this Agreement) or the identity of Buyer, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, and (h) any actions to be taken or not taken pursuant to or in accordance with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; provided that, in the case of clauses (a), (b) or (e), only to the extent such changes do not have a disproportionately adverse effect on the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole, compared to other Persons operating in the same industry and jurisdictions in which the Acquired Companies operate.

Material Contracts ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12(a) .

Material Permits ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.14(a) .

Mitigation Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(b) .

NEER ” means NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

NEER Guaranty ” means that certain Guaranty, dated as of August 17, 2001, in favor of Kinder Morgan.

NEER Operating ” means NextEra Energy Operating Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

NEER Power Marketing ” means NextEra Energy Power Marketing, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

NEER Support Agreement ” means that certain Project Document Security Support Agreement, dated as of May 10, 2013, among NEER, FPLE Forney and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Project Financing Agreement).

 

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NERC means the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

Neutral Auditor ” means Duff & Phelps Corporation or, if Duff & Phelps Corporation is unable to serve, an impartial nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants other than Seller’s accountants or Buyer’s accountants, mutually agreed to by Buyer and Seller.

Non-Acquired Company Affiliate ” means any Affiliate of Seller, except for the Acquired Companies.

Non-Reimbursable Damages ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.8(b) .

Non-Transferred Excluded Item ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6 .

O&M Agreement ” means the O&M Agreement, entered into by and among NEER Operating and each of the Project Companies, substantially in the form of Exhibit E .

O&M Expiration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(b) .

“Order” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5 .

Organizational Documents ” means with respect to any Person, the certificate or articles of incorporation, organization or formation and by-laws, the limited partnership agreement, the partnership agreement, the limited liability company agreement or the trust agreement, or such other organizational documents of such Person, including those that are required to be registered or kept in the jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation of such Person and which establish the legal personality of such Person.

Outside Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(c) , as the same may be extended pursuant to Section 9.1(c) .

Party ” means each of Buyer and Seller and “ Parties ” means Buyer and Seller, collectively.

Permits ” means all licenses, permits, certificates of authority, authorizations, approvals, registrations, franchises and similar consents granted by a Governmental Authority.

Permitted Encumbrances ” means (a) those exceptions to title for the Property identified in Schedule 4.13(ii) ; (b) Encumbrances created by any mortgage indenture that will be released prior to or at the Closing; (c) statutory Encumbrance for Taxes or other governmental charges or assessments not yet due or delinquent or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; (d) mechanics’, materialmen’s, carriers’, workers’, repairers’ and other similar liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business relating to obligations as to which there is no default on the part of Seller or the validly of which are being contested in good faith; (e) zoning, entitlement, environmental or conservation restrictions and other land use and environmental regulations imposed by Governmental Authorities; (f) recorded Encumbrances, easements, restrictions, covenants and licenses affecting real property incurred in the ordinary course of business, that do not secure monetary obligations and do not materially interfere with the conduct of the business as historically and currently operated at the affected Project or materially detract from the value of the applicable Project; (g) the covenants and restrictions set forth in this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document; (h) any Encumbrances arising in the ordinary course of business by operation of Law with respect to a liability that is not yet due or delinquent or which is being contested in good faith by Seller or an Acquired Company; (i) all matters that are disclosed (whether or not subsequently deleted or endorsed over) in the Title Insurance Commitments in the form made available to Buyer prior to the Effective Date; (j) non-exclusive licenses with respect to

 

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intellectual property granted in the ordinary course of business; (k) the terms and conditions of the Material Contracts or the Contracts listed on Schedule 4.12 ; (l) any Encumbrance to be released on or prior to Closing; (m) any other non-real estate related matters identified on Schedule 4.13(ii ); and (n) any Encumbrances arising under the Project Financing Documents or any other documents entered into in connection with the Project Financing Indebtedness and any Encumbrance that is a “Permitted Lien” under (and as defined in) the Project Financing Agreement.

Permitted Transactions ” means (a) any scheduled or unscheduled outage at any of the Projects consistent with prudent operating practice or directives from ERCOT or other Governmental Authorities, (b) the purchase, disposal, replacement or refurbishment of Spare Parts in connection with maintenance activities in the ordinary course of business, (c) the Additional Assets Contribution, (d) the transfer of Excluded Items to Non-Acquired Company Affiliates in accordance with Section 6.6 , (e) the termination, severance or assignment, as applicable, of services or Excluded Contracts in accordance with Section 6.8 , and (f) environmental permit renewals and amendments in the ordinary course of business.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, proprietorship, other business organization, trust, union, association or Governmental Authority.

Pipeline ” means any pipeline project to be constructed and owned in part by an Affiliate of Seller and connecting with the KM Facilities.

Plant Employees’ Benefit Plans ” means (a) each “employee benefit plan,” as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, (b) each plan that would be an “employee benefit plan”, as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, if it was subject to ERISA, such as foreign plans and plans for directors, (c) each stock bonus, stock ownership, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, or other stock plan (whether qualified or nonqualified), (d) each bonus or incentive compensation plan and (e) each fringe, voluntary or other benefit program or policy offered or provided to Project Employees.

Post-Closing Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(f) .

Pre-Closing Taxable Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.14(a) .

Primary Representative ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.15 .

Project ” means each of the Forney Project, the Forney Pipeline and the Lamar Project and “ Projects ” means the Forney Project, the Forney Pipeline and the Lamar Project, collectively.

Project Companies ” means, collectively, each of FPLE Forney, FPLE Forney Pipeline and Lamar.

Project Employees ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.18 .

Project Financing Agreement ” means the Credit Agreement dated as of May 10, 2013, by and among La Frontera Generation, as Borrower, La Frontera Holdings, as Parent Guarantor, Lamar, FPLE Forney and FPLE Forney Pipeline (collectively, as Subsidiary Guarantors), and Various Financial Institutions, as Lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and U.S. Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent and Depositary Agent, as the same may be now or hereafter amended, amended and restated or otherwise modified.

 

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Project Financing Administrative Agent ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) .

Project Financing Documents ” means all “Financing Documents” as defined in the Project Financing Agreement.

Project Financing Indebtedness ” means, at any time, the unpaid balance of principal and accrued interest on the Loans (as defined in the Project Financing Agreement) at such time outstanding under the Project Financing Agreement.

Project Financing Payoff Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) .

Project Financing Payoff Letters ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) .

Property ” means the real property on which a Project is located, including leasehold interests, easements and rights-of-way appertaining or related thereto.

Property Taxes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.14(b) .

Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(b) .

Purchase Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 .

Purchase Price Allocation Schedule ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(b) .

Purchased Assets ” means all of the Assets of the Acquired Companies, including the Additional Assets.

PUCT means the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

PUCT Rules mean the substantive rules of the PUCT set forth in Title 16, Chapter 25 of the Texas Administrative Code.

“PUHCA” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.11(a) .

“PURA” means the Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act.

Qualified Scheduling Entity ” has the meaning set forth in the ERCOT Nodal Protocols, Section 2.1 , Definitions and Acronyms, dated October 1, 2011, as the same may be hereafter amended, supplemented or replaced.

Real Property Documents ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12(a)(xiv) .

Regulatory Break-up Fee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(a) .

“Related Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.22 .

Release ” means any release, spill, emission, migration, leaking, pumping, injection, deposit, disposal or discharge of any Hazardous Materials into the environment, to the extent giving rise to liability under applicable Environmental Laws.

Reliability Standards mean the enforceable NERC or Texas RE Reliability Standard that has been approved by FERC.

 

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Representatives ” means, as to any Person, its officers, directors, managers, employees, agents, counsel, accountants, financial advisers, insurers, financing sources and consultants.

Restoration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.11 .

Restoration Cost ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.11 .

Restoration Cost Estimation Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.11 .

Restoration Option ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.11 .

RRC ” means the Railroad Commission of Texas.

RRC Rules ” mean the substantive rules of the RRC set forth in Title 16, Chapters 8 and 18 of the Texas Administrative Code.

Schedules ” means the disclosure schedules attached to this Agreement.

Schedule Supplement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.16(b) .

Seller ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Seller Approvals ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b) .

Seller Confidential Information ” means, from and after the Closing, (a) any and all information provided by Seller to Buyer and identified by Seller as confidential to the extent it is not related to the Acquired Companies or the Purchased Assets, including information relating to the Excluded Contracts and Excluded Items and (b) any and all other information provided by Seller to Buyer relating to the operation of Seller’s or its other Affiliates’ businesses.

Seller Marks ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4 .

Seller Parent Guaranty ” means a guaranty of NEER substantially in the form of Exhibit H .

Settlement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.9(b) .

Spare Parts ” means those spare parts and equipment for use at the Projects identified on Exhibit K .

Straddle Taxable Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.14(a) .

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means: (a) all federal, state, local or foreign taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or other assessments, including all net income, gross receipts, capital, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, transfer, franchise, profits, inventory, capital stock, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, unemployment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, property and estimated taxes, customs duties, fees and assessments of any kind whatsoever, and any interest, penalty, addition to tax or additional amount with respect thereto, that are imposed, assessed, or collected by any Taxing Authority; (b) any liability for payment of amounts described in clause (a) whether as a result of transferee liability, of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any period or otherwise through operation of law; (c) any liability for the payment of amounts described in clauses (a) or (b) as a result of any tax sharing, tax indemnity or tax allocation agreement or any other express or implied agreement to indemnify any other Person; and (d) any loss in connection with the determination, settlement, or litigation of any of the foregoing.

 

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Tax Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.4(d) .

Tax Allocation Purchase Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(b) .

“Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, report, statement, information statement, worksheet, schedule and any other document filed, required to be filed or required to be prepared (including any documentation required to be prepared in connection with any applicable transfer pricing law) with respect to Taxes, including any claims for refunds of Taxes and any amendments or supplements of any of the foregoing.

Taxing Authority ” means, with respect to any Tax, the Governmental Authority or that imposes such Tax, and the Governmental Authority charged with the collection of such Tax for such entity or subdivision.

Texas RE means the Texas Reliability Entity, Inc.

Third Party Claim ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.9(a) .

Third Party Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(b) .

Title Company ” means Chicago Title Insurance Company.

Title Insurance Commitments ” means, collectively, the commitments for ALTA extended (2006) or Texas Form T-1 owner’s title insurance policies with respect to the Forney Project and the Lamar Project , either (a) in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Buyer or (b) in form and substance of (i) the Commitment for Title Insurance for the Forney Project dated July 12, 2015 prepared by Chicago Title Insurance Company, File Reference No. CTIC-15003211; and (ii) the Commitment for Title Insurance for the Lamar Project dated July 23, 2015 prepared by Chicago Title Insurance Company, File Reference No. CTIC-15003212. Such commitments shall include, without limitation, non-imputation endorsement coverage in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Treasury Regulations ” means one or more treasury regulations promulgated under the Code by the Treasury Department of the United States.

Transaction Documents ” means this Agreement, each of the officer certificates required by this Agreement to be delivered pursuant to Article VII and Article VIII as conditions to Closing, and each other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement, including each of the Contracts which are Exhibits to this Agreement.

Transfer Taxes ” means all transfer, sales, use, goods and services, value added, documentary, stamp duty, gross receipts, excise, transfer and conveyance Taxes and other similar Taxes, duties, fees or charges.

Transferrable Project Employees ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(b) .

Transition Services Agreement ” means the Transition Services Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G .

Turbine Section ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.23 .

 

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EXHIBIT C

AGGREGATE NET WORKING CAPITAL CALCULATIONS

Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Calculations/Balance Sheet Items:

All Aggregate Target Net Working Capital calculations will be based upon the balance sheet categories set forth below.

(1) The Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount has been calculated using the following balance sheet items on the unaudited pro forma selected balance sheet of the Acquired Companies on a consolidated basis as of December 31, 2015, as adjusted to give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and average LTM working capital adjustments.

(2) The Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount and the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount will be calculated using the following balance sheet items on the unaudited pro forma selected balance sheet of the Acquired Companies on a consolidated basis as of the Closing Date, as adjusted to give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

For the avoidance of doubt, references to adjustments to give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement above are limited to those reflected in the definitions in this Exhibit C and Table I.

Current Assets include:

 

    Cash and “cash equivalents.” For the avoidance of doubt, any cash management guarantee or other guarantee shall not be deemed “cash and cash equivalents” and the applicable amounts in any accounts shall only be deemed “cash and cash equivalents” for the calculation of “Current Assets” if deposited in cash prior to the Closing.

 

    “Accounts receivable - Third party” to the extent that any one or more of the Acquired Companies will receive the benefits thereof after the Closing Date.

 

    “Materials and Supplies inventory” located at the Acquired Companies’ facilities.

 

    “Prepaid other” including expenses made by the Acquired Companies, or by Affiliates on behalf of an Acquired Company, at or prior to the Closing Date (to the extent that any one or more the Acquired Companies will receive the benefits thereof after the Closing Date).

Current Assets exclude:

 

    Other current assets relating to (a) deferred income tax assets and income tax receivables, (b) derivative assets, and (c) insurance prepayments.

 

    Other equipment including any equipment not included in Materials and Supplies inventory.

 

    Amounts due from related parties.

 

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    Assets (positive impacts to cash or receivables) related to the termination or acceleration of Hedging Agreements from the Closing Date forward.

Current Liabilities include:

 

    “Accounts payable - Third party” including any accrued expenses for costs incurred, but invoices not received, prior to the Closing Date.

 

    “Accrued property taxes.”

 

    “Accrued interest.”

Current Liabilities exclude:

 

    Other current liabilities relating to (a) deferred income tax liabilities and income tax payables and (b) derivative liabilities.

 

    Environmental liabilities, if any.

 

    Amounts due to related parties.

 

    Current maturities of long-term debt.

 

    Liabilities (negative impacts to payables) related to the termination or acceleration of the Hedging Agreements from the Closing Date forward.

Calculation of Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount:

The following Table I sets forth the calculation of the Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount for purposes of this Agreement and shall be used in the calculation and delivery of the Estimated Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount, the Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount, and the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount pursuant to Section 2.4 of the Agreement, except that for the avoidance of doubt, (a) Accrued interest was excluded from Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount, but will be included in Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount, and the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount; and (b) the $34,000,000 normalization Adjustment to Net Working Capital in Table I is included in the Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount only, and will not be added to Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount or the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount.

 

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Table I

La Frontera Holdings, LLC and all Subsidiaries

Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount

 

                      12/31/2015  
                      Aggregate  
         Estimated      Working     Target Net  
         12/31/2015      Capital     Working Capital  
         Balance Sheet      Adjustments     Amount  

Current Assets

         

Cash and cash equivalents - Project Revenues Collection Account

   (a)   $ 111,500,000       $ —        $ 111,500,000   

Cash and cash equivalents - Operating Accounts

   (b)     55,038,658         —          55,038,658   

Cash and cash equivalents - Liquidity Reserve Account

   (c)     30,000,000         —          30,000,000   

Cash and cash equivalents - Major Maintenance Reserve Account

   (d)     15,000,000         —          15,000,000   

Cash and cash equivalents - Debt Service Reserve Account

   (e)     28,200,001         —          28,200,001   

Accounts receivable - Third party

   (f)     25,718,426         —          25,718,426   

Due from related parties

   (g)     —           —          —     

Materials and supplies inventory

   (h)     12,161,716         —          12,161,716   

Prepaid insurance

   (i)     3,071,041         (3,071,041     —     

Prepaid other

   (j)     39,500         —          39,500   

Derivative and income tax assets

   (k)     —           —          —     
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

       280,729,342         (3,071,041     277,658,301   
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

         

Accounts payable - Third party

   (l)     21,694,346         —          21,694,346   

Due to related parties

   (m)     20,309,161         (20,309,161     —     

Accrued property taxes

   (n)     13,262,524         —          13,262,524   

Accrued professional fees

   (o)     90,000         (90,000     —     

Accrued interest

   (p)     119,094         (119,094     —     

Current maturities of long-term debt

   (q)     111,500,000         (111,500,000     —     

Derivative and income tax liabilities

   (k)     —           —          —     
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

       166,975,125         (132,018,255     34,956,870   
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Working Capital

     $ 113,754,217      $ 128,947,214     $ 242,701,431  
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustment to Net Working Capital [(r)([s])]

          $ 34,000,000  
         

 

 

 

Aggregate Target Net Working Capital

          $ 276,701,431  
         

 

 

 

Notes:

 

(a) Represents excess cash available to fund future operating needs or required principal and interest payments. Such excess cash is typically swept to parent and replaced with a cash management guarantee. There will be no amounts outstanding under the cash management guarantee at closing, as any amounts previously drawn on the guarantee shall be returned in cash prior to closing. For the avoidance of doubt, any such cash management guarantee or other guarantee shall not be deemed “cash and cash equivalents” for any such accounts and the applicable amounts in such accounts shall only be deemed “cash and cash equivalents” for the calculation of “Current Assets” if deposited in cash prior to the closing.
(b) Represents cash available in the Bank of America operating account (net of any outstanding checks) to cover next month’s estimated O&M cash disbursements. This account is funded on a monthly basis from cash available in the Project Revenues Collection Account.
(c) Represents cash that may be transferred to the Project Revenues Collection Account at any time.
(d) Represents estimated cash required to fund the next 12 months of Major Maintenance Expenditures, as defined in the Credit Agreement. This account is replenished on a quarterly basis, and any cash not required to pay for next month’s major maintenance expenditures is typically swept to parent and replaced with a major maintenance reserve guarantee. There will be no amounts outstanding under the major maintenance reserve guarantee at closing, as any amounts previously drawn on the guarantee shall be returned in cash prior to closing.
(e) Represents cash required to cover the next two estimated quarterly minimum principal and interest payments as of each Debt Service and Reserve Funding Date, as defined in the Credit Agreement. This amount is adjusted on a quarterly basis with funds transferred to or from the Project Revenues Collection Account and is in the form of a debt service reserve guarantee. There will be no amounts outstanding under the debt service reserve guarantee at closing, as the Debt Service Reserve Account will be funded with cash prior to closing.
(f) Primarily represents estimated receivables for monthly settlements due from hedge counterparty and daily energy settlements due from ERCOT that will be collected in the following month.
(g) Primarily consists of amounts due from NextEra Energy Power Marketing, LLC (“NEPM”) for monthly energy sales based on the day-ahead index pricing. Such sales and receivables are not forecasted, but any actual amounts will be assumed to be collected upon closing and excluded from working capital (removed from Buyer’s opening trial balance).
(h) Consists of all spare parts included on Exhibit K.
(i) Property and casualty insurance premiums are paid by parent and allocated down to the various benefitted entities, including La Frontera. These insurance policies are non-transferable, so any related prepaid amounts do not benefit the Buyer and have been excluded from working capital (removed from Buyer’s opening trial balance).

 

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(j) Consists of prepaid administrative and rating agency fees paid annually in connection with the financing.
(k) Derivative and income tax assets and liabilities are excluded from working capital (removed from Buyer’s opening trial balance).
(l) This amount is intended to cover all third party trade payables, including accrued expenses for any invoices received on or after the closing date for costs incurred prior to the closing date (excluding other current liabilities specifically identified herein).
(m) Primarily consists of amounts due to 1) NEPM for estimated fuel purchases for the current month and 2) other related parties for estimated payroll and other operating costs for the current month, including accrued payroll taxes and incentives for 2015. Amount is assumed to be paid to related parties upon closing and excluded from working capital (removed from Buyer’s opening trial balance).
(n) Consists of the estimated property tax assessments for the 2015 calendar year that are paid in arrears (tax bills due in January 2016).
(o) Consists of estimated 2015 audit fees in connection with financing requirement. Parent will pay all such audit fees directly on behalf of La Frontera, so this amount has been excluded from working capital (removed from Buyer’s opening trial balance).
(p) Consists of interest on the outstanding principal balance of the debt for 1 day (12/31/15) that is not included in the minimum principal and interest payment scheduled to be made on 12/31/15. Daily interest in the same amount will continue to be accrued after 12/31/15 until closing on or before 3/31/16.
(q) All outstanding principal balances associated with long-term debt obligations are excluded from working capital.
(r) Consists of Adjustments to balance sheet to provide a normalized amount of working capital based on LTM average amounts plus growth based on financial projections provided. For the avoidance of doubt the $34,000,000 normalization Adjustment to Net Working Capital in Table I is included Aggregate Target Net Working Capital Amount only, and will not be added to Proposed Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount or the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount.

 

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Table II

Illustrative Aggregate Purchase Price Calculation

 

$    Dec 31, 2015 (3)     Jan 31, 2016 (3)  

Enterprise value excluding Aggregate Target NWC Capital Amount

     1,313,037,228        1,313,037,228   

Aggregate Target NWC Capital Amount excluding Cash

     36,962,772        36,962,772   

Enterprise value excluding Cash

     1,350,000,000        1,350,000,000   

Cash

     239,738,659        239,738,659   

Base Purchase Price

     1,589,738,659        1,589,738,659   
$    Dec 31, 2015 (3)     Jan 31, 2016 (3)  

Enterprise value excluding Aggregate Target NWC Capital Amount

     1,313,037,228        1,313,037,228   

Aggregate Target NWC Capital Amount

     276,701,431        276,701,431   

Base Purchase Price

     1,589,738,659        1,589,738,659   

Plus: Illustrative Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount (1)

     (34,000,000     (7,890,431

Minus: Project Finance Pay Off Amount (2)

     (952,700,000     (952,700,000

Total Purchase Price

     603,038,659        629,148,228   

Aggregate Target NWC Capital Amount

     276,701,431        276,701,431   

Illustrative Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount

     242,701,431        268,811,000   

Illustrative Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount (1)

     (34,000,000     (7,890,431

Footnotes:

 

(1) The adjustment to reflect the Final Aggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount (whether a positive or a negative amount) in accordance with Section 2.6
(2) The amount of the Project Financing Payoff Amount
(3) December 31, 2015 and January 31, 2016 Final Agggregate Net Working Capital, Final Agggregate Net Working Capital Adjustment Amount,

Project Finance Pay Off Amount are illustrative amounts only.

 

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Table III

Aggregate Net Working Capital

Aggregate Net Working Capital

 

$ in actuals    Dec 31, 2015 (3)     Jan 31, 2016 (3)  

Cash - Project Revenue Account

     111,500,000        111,500,000   

Cash - Operating Account

     55,038,658        47,672,809   

Cash - Liqudity Reserve Account

     30,000,000        30,000,000   

Cash - Major Maintenance Reserve Account

     15,000,000        12,000,000   

Cash - Debt Service Reserve Account

     28,200,001        28,200,001   

Cash

     239,738,659        229,372,810   

Accounts receivable - Third Party

     25,718,426        46,606,013   

Materials & supplies inventory

     12,161,716        12,590,244   

Prepaid other

     39,500        28,000   

Current Assets

     277,658,301        288,597,067   

Accounts Payable 3rd Party

     (21,694,346     (18,495,179

Accrued Prop Tax

     (13,262,524     (1,290,888

Accrued Interest (4)

     —          —     

Current Liabilities

     (34,956,870     (19,786,067

Aggregate Net Working Capital Amount

     242,701,431        268,811,000   

Adjustment to normalize for Aggregate Target NWC Amount only (5)

     34,000,000     

Aggregate Target NWC Capital Amount

     276,701,431     

 

(4) To reflect any amount of accrued interest not reflected in the Project Finance Pay Off Amount
(5) Normalization amount for the purposes of the Aggregate Target Working Capital Amount only, and not Estimated or Final Aggregate Net Working Capital amounts

 

C-1

Exhibit 10.18

EXECUTION VERSION

AMENDED AND RESTATED SPLIT PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT

This Amended and Restated Split Participant Agreement (the “Agreement”), is dated October 3, 2016, by and between Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company f/k/a TXU Electric Delivery Company, a Texas Corporation (“Oncor”) and TEX Operations Company LLC (“RTCEH”) (collectively, the “Parties”, and each, a “Party”).

WHEREAS, on April 29, 2014, Energy Future Holdings Corp., a Texas corporation (“EFH”) and certain entities in which it, directly or indirectly, holds an equity interest and certain of their respective subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”), commenced voluntary cases under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. § 101 et seq. in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, which cases were jointly administered for procedural purposes only under Case No. 14-10979, Energy Future Holdings Corp., et al., Case No. 14-10979 (CSS) (the “Chapter 11 Cases”);

WHEREAS, Oncor, Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Oncor Holdings”) and their current and former direct and indirect subsidiaries have not been and are not Debtors in the Chapter 11 Cases;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the plan of reorganization confirmed as part of the Chapter 11 Cases (the “Plan”), EFH and RTCEH have been separated (the “Separation”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, certain rights and obligations of EFH will be transferred to and assumed by RTCEH (the “Transfer”);

WHEREAS, the employment of certain current and future retirees of EFH, RTCEH and Oncor (or one of their direct or indirect subsidiaries) has included service that has been allocated to both (i) Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (or one of its predecessor regulated electric transmission and distribution utility businesses) and (ii) EFH or one of its direct or indirect subsidiaries that is not a regulated electric transmission and distribution utility (the “Split Participants”) with such allocations set forth under the letters from Aon Hewitt to EFH dated November 13, 2012, which are attached hereto as Exhibit I-A the “Aon Hewitt Welfare Letter” and Exhibit II-A the “Aon Calculation Method”;

WHEREAS, Oncor and EFH and certain of their predecessors have entered into certain agreements to provide for provision of benefits to the Split Participants; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement, which shall amend, restate and otherwise replace certain agreements with respect to the provision of certain post-retirement welfare benefits to certain Split Participants, as specified Schedule I to this Agreement, with respect to the provision of pension benefits to certain Split Participants, as set forth in Schedule II to this Agreement, and with respect to the provision of life insurance benefits to certain Split Participants, as set forth in Schedule III.


NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereby agree as follows, it being understood and agreed that the following provisions shall govern with respect to Schedules I, II, and III to this Agreement and all exhibits thereto, unless otherwise provided therein:

 

  1. Undertakings . This Agreement consists of this Amended and Restated Split Participant Agreement, Schedule I, II, and III hereto and all exhibits to such Schedules. Each of RTCEH and Oncor agrees to perform its obligations set forth in Schedules I, II, and III to this Agreement and all exhibits thereto.

 

  2. Amendment and Termination . Except as may otherwise be provided in this Agreement, this Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented only by written instrument executed by each of the Parties.

 

  3. No Third Party Beneficiary Rights . Nothing in this Agreement shall create any third party beneficiary rights for any individual or entity, including without limitation, any Split Participant or his/her dependents, nor shall this Agreement be deemed to provide any Split Participant or dependent, or any other individual, with any right to continued coverage under any plan sponsored by Oncor or RTCEH.

 

  4. Indemnification . Except as may otherwise be provided in this Agreement, and other than with respect to any act or omission of an Indemnitee (as defined herein) that constitutes fraud, intentional or willful misconduct, gross negligence or a breach of fiduciary duty or the terms of this Agreement by such Indemnitee, each Party (“Indemnitor”) agrees to and will defend, protect, indemnify and hold the other Party (“Indemnitee”) harmless from and against all claims, losses, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, reasonable attorneys’ fees, direct, actual damages, demands, judgments, causes of action, suits, and liabilities (“Claims”): (a) arising from any breach by the Indemnitor of its covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement; or (b) related to a Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement including, but not limited to, (i) such indemnifying Party’s operation and administration of the benefit plans, (ii) modification of the benefits by the Party making the decision to modify such benefits or (iii) reduction in the rate of any participant subsidy by the Party implementing such reduction.

 

  5. Notices . Any notices or other communications to be provided between the Parties hereunder shall be provided in writing (including email or facsimile) to the following addresses:

If to Oncor:

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC

1616 Woodall Rogers Freeway

Dallas, Texas 75202

Attn: Ms. Kerri Veitch

Email: kerri.veitch@oncor.com

With copy to: General Counsel

 

2


If to RTCEH:

TEX Operations Company LLC

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attn: Cyndie Ewert

Email: cyndie.ewert@energyfutureholdings.com

With copy to: General Counsel

 

  6. Entire Agreement . Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes any and all understandings and agreements (whether oral or in writing), relating hereto, including the Original Agreement, the 2014 Agreement and the Funding Agreement (in each case as hereinafter defined in Schedule I or II to this Agreement).

 

  7. Binding Effect . This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests and obligations hereunder of either Party may be directly or indirectly assigned or delegated by either Party (in each case, whether (i) by merger, consolidation or dissolution of a Party, (ii) by contract, operation of law or (iii) otherwise) without the express prior written consent of the other Party, and any purported assignment or delegation in violation of this Agreement shall be null and void. For purposes of this Section 7, the term “merger” refers to any merger in which a Party is a constituent entity, regardless of whether it is the surviving or merged entity. As a condition to, and prior to the consummation of, any direct or indirect transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets (whether in a single transaction or a series of related or unrelated transactions) the Party engaging in such transfer or other disposition shall, subject to the preceding provisions of this Section 7, require the transferee to assume all of such Party’s obligations hereunder.

 

  8. Severability . All rights and restrictions contained in this Agreement may be exercised and shall be applicable and binding only to the extent that they do not violate any applicable laws and are intended to be limited to the extent necessary so that they will not render this Agreement illegal, invalid or unenforceable. If any term of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, it is the intention of the Parties that the remaining terms hereof shall constitute their agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof, and all of such remaining terms shall remain in full force and effect.

 

  9. Novation . Except for obligations that are due but not paid as of the date of this Agreement, RTCEH and Oncor hereby novate EFH’s obligations under the Original Agreement, the 2014 Agreement and the Funding Agreement.

 

  10. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.

 

  11. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall be considered one and the same instrument.

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC
By:  

/s/ Deborah L. Dennis

Name:   Deborah L. Dennis
Title:   Senior Vice President
TEX OPERATIONS COMPANY LLC
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC
By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
TEX OPERATIONS COMPANY LLC
By:  

/s/ David D. Faranetta

  Name:   David D. Faranetta
  Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer


SCHEDULE I

POST-RETIREMENT WELFARE BENEFITS

WHEREAS, that certain Agreement entered into by and between TXU Electric Delivery Company, a Texas corporation, and TXU Energy Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, dated March 10, 2005 (the “Original Agreement”) set forth certain provisions regarding the allocation to Oncor of a portion of the cost for post-retirement welfare benefits to be provided to Split Participants (which benefits are currently provided under the Oncor Retiree Welfare Plan but which benefits may be provided through a successor plan to the Oncor Retiree Welfare Plan in the future (such plan, together with any such successor plan (but not including the OSPP (as defined below)), collectively referred to as the “Oncor Plan”)) to certain current and future eligible Split Participants as listed on Annex A to the Administration Manual (as defined in Section 4 below) who are eligible for a retiree benefits subsidy as of the date hereof, as such Annex A may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Administration Manual (the “Oncor Plan Split Participants”);

WHEREAS, that certain Split Participant Agreement entered into by and between Oncor and EFH, dated April 28, 2014 and effective July 1, 2014 (the “2014 Agreement”) modified the Original Agreement;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Original Agreement, as modified by the 2014 Agreement, Oncor is obligated to fund that portion of the welfare benefit costs for the Oncor Plan Split Participants with respect to such Oncor Plan Split Participants’ service allocated to Oncor under the Aon Hewitt Welfare Letter, and EFH is obligated to fund the remaining welfare benefit costs of the Oncor Plan Split Participants, in each case, less the Oncor Plan Split Participants’ contributions;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the 2014 Agreement, beginning on January 1, 2015, Oncor began administering the Oncor Plan, and EFH agreed to pay Oncor for EFH’s portion of the costs associated with providing welfare benefits coverage for the Oncor Plan Split Participants (including certain administrative costs);

WHEREAS, as a result of the Separation and the Transfer, Oncor and RTCEH will not be under “common control” within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or part of a “control group” within the meaning of Section 3(40)(B)(ii) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”);

WHEREAS, as a result of the lack of common control under ERISA, among other things, the Oncor Plan could be a multiple employer welfare arrangement as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA (a “MEWA”) treated as self-insured for purposes of the Texas Insurance Code if both RTCEH and Oncor were to continue to fund the Oncor Plan as described in the 2014 Agreement beyond the Separation and Transfer;

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend and restate within this Schedule I the 2014 Agreement to: (a) provide for the establishment of a separate post-retirement welfare benefit plan for the benefit of the Oncor Plan Split Participants that is a “fully-insured” plan; (b) permit the subsequent conversion of such fully-insured plan to a “self-funded” or “partially-funded” plan if a written and binding advisory opinion from the Employee Benefits Security

 

5


Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) is issued to the effect that the Oncor Split Participant Plan is not a MEWA as defined in 3(40) of ERISA (such “fully-insured” and/or “self-funded” or “partially-funded” plan is hereinafter referred to as the “Oncor Split Participant Plan” or “OSPP”); and (c) set forth the funding obligations of RTCEH and Oncor under the OSPP; and

WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Parties that RTCEH’s and Oncor’s obligations with respect to the costs of post-retirement welfare benefits for the Oncor Plan Split Participants under the OSPP shall continue to be allocated in a manner consistent with the past practices of Oncor and EFH under the Oncor Plan prior to the Separation and the Transfer and in accordance with the Aon Hewitt Welfare Letter.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

  1. Transition Period . Oncor will continue to provide medical (including prescription drug coverage), vision, life insurance and dental benefits to the Oncor Plan Split Participants, to the extent eligible, under the Oncor Plan, on the same terms and conditions as heretofore provided under the Oncor Plan (including on a self-insured basis for purposes of medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage) through the last day of the calendar year following the year of the Separation and Transfer, or such earlier date as determined in Oncor’s discretion (the “Transition Period”), provided however , that Oncor shall have given advance written notice to RTCEH of such earlier date not less than ninety (90) days prior to such date. During the Transition Period, RTCEH shall pay its portion of (i) the aggregate benefit obligation costs, subject to the cap established by EFH in 2012 (as further described in the Administration Manual (as defined below) and the memorandum from Aon Hewitt to EFH, dated August 7, 2015 (the “Aon Memorandum”), attached hereto as Exhibit I-B ), with respect to medical, prescription drug, vision, life insurance and dental benefits for each Oncor Plan Split Participant, and (ii) the Administrative Costs (as defined below), each of the foregoing as allocated pursuant to the Aon Hewitt Welfare Letter and historical practice between Oncor and EFH except, in each instance, as may be provided otherwise in the Administration Manual. During the Transition Period, RTCEH shall not amend or terminate the amount of its contribution (determined consistent with the Aon Hewitt Welfare Letter) that it provides for Oncor Plan Split Participant benefit obligation costs.

 

  2. Establishment of Separate Oncor Split Participant Plan .

 

  a. Effective no later than immediately following the end of the Transition Period, Oncor shall have established, with insurers selected by Oncor, a separate fully-insured post-retirement welfare benefit plan for the Oncor Plan Split Participants and shall have transferred the liabilities associated with such fully-insured plan from the Oncor Plan to the OSPP.

 

  b.

At any time, either Party may apply for a written and binding advisory opinion from the DOL to the effect that the OSPP or a similar alternative post-retirement welfare benefit arrangement is not, or would not be, a MEWA. In the event that such requested advisory opinion is obtained to the reasonable

 

6


  satisfaction of the Parties, the Parties may mutually agree to convert the funding status of the OSPP from a fully-insured arrangement to a “self-funded” or “partially-funded” arrangement.

 

  3. Coverage and Benefits under the Oncor Split Participant Plan .

 

  a. No later than immediately following the end of the Transition Period, to the extent an Oncor Plan Split Participant is or would otherwise become eligible for medical (including prescription drug coverage), vision, dental, and life insurance benefits under the Oncor Plan according to its terms in effect as of the end of the Transition Period, such Oncor Plan Split Participant shall be or will become eligible for such benefits under the OSPP. Subject to Section 9, Oncor shall use commercially reasonable efforts to offer benefits under the OSPP that are in the aggregate substantially equivalent to those benefits offered to former Oncor employees who are retirees under the Oncor Plan (“Substantial Coverage Equivalence”); provided, however that Oncor’s obligations pursuant to this sentence shall be deemed satisfied if it (i) determines, in its sole but good faith judgment, that no available insurance product provides Substantial Coverage Equivalence and (ii) offers an insurance product that, in its sole but good faith judgment, provides benefits that are as close as reasonably possible to Substantial Coverage Equivalence. The determination of Substantial Coverage Equivalence shall not take into account any incremental cost attributable to the OSPP’s status as a fully-insured plan when compared to the Oncor Plan’s status as a self-insured arrangement. Oncor shall be deemed to comply with this Section 3(a) if both: (i) Oncor determines, in its sole but good faith judgment, that the cost to the Oncor Plan Split Participants of benefits that provide Substantial Coverage Equivalence is unduly burdensome to the Oncor Plan Split Participants, and (ii) Oncor instead provides such benefit options based on and reflecting the Oncor Subsidy (as defined below) that, in Oncor’s sole but good faith judgment, are collectively in the best interests of the Oncor Plan Split Participants. Nothing in this Section 3 shall diminish Oncor’s obligations under Section 9.

 

  b.

As further set forth in the Administration Manual, Oncor shall timely provide to RTCEH information on the benefits and coverages to be provided under the OSPP, including any changes in benefits, as compared to the benefits provided to former Oncor employees who are retirees under the Oncor Plan. Any active employees who will be eligible for benefits under the OSPP following retirement will not be eligible for such benefits under any welfare plans maintained by RTCEH after retirement so long as this Schedule I is in effect. Active employees who are future eligible Oncor Plan Split Participants shall continue to be credited with service for purposes of determining the premium subsidies provided to them by Oncor and RTCEH for post-retirement welfare benefits in accordance with the practice in effect for such crediting of service as of the date of this Agreement. Oncor shall for all purposes, including those relating to the Oncor Plan Split Participants, be the

 

7


  sponsor of the OSPP, and Oncor or its designee shall be the plan administrator for the OSPP. In no event shall Oncor be (i) limited in any way in offering benefits to participants under any of its other plans as it determines, in its sole but good faith judgment, or (ii) required to incur any expense related to benefits offered to Oncor Plan Split Participants that is greater than has been determined reasonable by the Public Utility Commission of Texas pursuant to Section 36.065 of the Texas Utilities Code (the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA)).

 

  4. Allocation of Costs under the Oncor Plan and the Oncor Split Participant Plan .

 

  a. The Aon Hewitt Welfare Letter describes the current and past practices of allocating the costs associated with providing post-retirement welfare benefit coverage for the Oncor Plan Split Participants between Oncor and EFH, including the practices prior to the Separation and the Transfer, and the Parties agree that such practices will be continued by RTCEH and Oncor following the Separation and the Transfer for so long as this Schedule I is in effect except as otherwise provided herein or in the Administration Manual. RTCEH and Oncor will each continue to pay its own portion of the costs (including Administrative Costs, as defined below) associated with providing welfare benefit coverage for the Oncor Plan Split Participants according to the allocations set forth in the Aon Hewitt Welfare Letter subject to both: (i) as to the RTCEH portion of the costs, the cap described in the Administration Manual and the Aon Memorandum; and (ii) the ability of RTCEH and Oncor to reduce the amount of their respective contributions in accordance with the provisions described in this Agreement.

 

  b. Following the Transition Period, RTCEH shall not amend or terminate the amount of the contribution it provides for Oncor Plan Split Participant premium subsidies unless it provides at least one hundred fifty (150) days’ notice to Oncor and such advanced notice to Oncor Plan Split Participants as required by any applicable law of such amendment or termination, and provided that such amendment or termination may only become effective as of the first day of a plan year. RTCEH shall be fully responsible for any additional administrative expenses that may be incurred by Oncor as a result of RTCEH’s amendment and termination of the premium subsidies it provides to the Oncor Plan Split Participants.

 

  c.

For each plan year that the OSPP is a fully-insured arrangement, RTCEH will pay Oncor for RTCEH’s share of the costs associated with providing post-retirement welfare benefits to the Oncor Plan Split Participants (including the annual premium, Administrative Costs and the Overhead Fee, as defined below) calculated using the methodologies described in the Aon Hewitt Welfare Letter in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4 and the administration manual attached hereto as Exhibit I-C containing details regarding the operations and administration of the Oncor Plan during the Transition Period and the OSPP following the Transition Period,

 

8


  developed and mutually agreed to by the Parties and as amended from time to time by written consent of the Parties to the extent specified therein (the “Administration Manual”). Oncor shall invoice RTCEH monthly for RTCEH’s monthly premium subsidy, and monthly share of the Administrative Costs and Overhead Fee. Each invoice shall have sufficient details as to the Administrative Costs as to allow RTCEH to identify and reconcile its share of the Administrative Costs. RTCEH will pay Oncor any undisputed amount of an invoice within thirty (30) days of receipt and disputed amounts shall be reconciled in accordance with the dispute resolution process set forth in the Administration Manual.

 

  d. As further set forth in the Administration Manual, Oncor will perform periodic true-up calculations of RTCEH’s aggregate premium subsidies paid to Oncor. Oncor will notify RTCEH in writing of the results of these true-up calculations promptly after the calculations are completed and will, upon request, provide RTCEH with the information relied upon to make its calculations. As further set forth in the Administration Manual, Oncor will also perform periodic true-up calculations of RTCEH’s share of the Administrative Costs paid to Oncor. Oncor shall keep and retain full and accurate records relating to the calculation of RTCEH’s aggregate premium subsidies, the Administrative Costs including RTCEH’s allocable share of such costs, vendor invoices, insurance carrier statements and any true-up calculations (the “SPA Records”). Oncor shall preserve such SPA Records for each calendar year for seven (7) calendar years following the end of such calendar year. During such period, RTCEH or its agents shall have the right, at RTCEH’s sole expense, to review such SPA Records during Oncor’s normal business hours, provided that such right may be exercised by RTCEH no more than once per calendar year. For any year that the OSPP is a self-insured arrangement or is a partially fully-insured and partially self-insured arrangement, the Parties agree that the terms of the Administration Manual shall govern the payment, subsidy and true-up calculations associated with the OSPP. Any disputed amounts shall be reconciled in accordance with the dispute resolution process set forth in the Administration Manual, provided , however , that RTCEH must notify Oncor of any disputed amounts by within two (2) years after receipt of a true-up calculation. After two (2) years from receipt of a true-up calculation, RTCEH may not dispute any item in such true-up calculation and Oncor will have no obligation to make any reimbursements pursuant to such true-up calculation.

 

  e.

For purposes of this Schedule I, “Administrative Costs” shall mean with respect to the plan under which the Oncor Plan Split Participants are being provided with post-retirement welfare benefits, the total annual amount of administrative costs and expenses incurred by Oncor, relating to Oncor Plan Split Participants, in sponsoring, maintaining and administering the Oncor Plan or the OSPP (as applicable), including without limitation, proportionate costs associated with communications to Oncor Plan Split Participants, third party vendor/benefit provider administrative costs and costs of legal

 

9


  compliance (e.g., preparing Form 5500s, summaries of benefits and coverage, summary plan descriptions, summary annual reports and other applicable reporting and disclosure requirements), set-up and other costs associated with creating and adopting the OSPP, costs associated with developing an open enrollment process for Oncor Plan Split Participants and calculating premium subsidies, and external actuarial, legal, consulting and accounting fees and costs of Oncor in sponsoring, maintaining and administering the Oncor Plan or the OSPP (as applicable).

 

  f. Commencing on January 1 following the date of this Agreement, in addition to the Administrative Costs described above, RTCEH will pay Oncor an annual administration fee as set forth in the Administration Manual to cover a portion of administrative overhead expenses Oncor incurs with respect to maintenance of the Oncor Plan or the OSPP (as applicable) (the “Overhead Fee”).

 

  5. Administration . Oncor shall in all respects be responsible for the customary administration of retiree welfare benefits for the Oncor Plan Split Participants. For the avoidance of doubt, such administration services shall include but may not be limited to: benefit distributions; vendor selection, oversight and management; benefits strategy and plan design; participant communications, including but not limited to those required by law; benefit accounting and claims processing; issue resolution; IRS Form W-2 processing for group term life insurance coverage; Retiree Club communications and inquiries; participant data and records management; selection and rollout of technology and support; and engagement of actuarial, accounting, consulting and legal services related to the Oncor Plan, OSPP, and any other arrangement by which Oncor provides the Oncor Subsidy. Oncor agrees that it will give RTCEH a reasonable opportunity to preview all participant communications created by or under Oncor’s direction that relate to material plan changes or amendments prior to the distribution of such communications to the Oncor Plan Split Participants. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, RTCEH will be responsible for any initial communications to Oncor Plan Split Participants regarding any reduction in or termination of its payment of premium subsidies for post-retirement welfare benefits provided under the Oncor Plan or the OSPP (as applicable) on behalf of Oncor Plan Split Participants. RTCEH agrees that it will give Oncor a reasonable opportunity to preview any such communications prior to the distribution of such communications to the Oncor Plan Split Participants and will notify Oncor of the anticipated distribution date for such communications. Oncor agrees that it will send to RTCEH a copy of all communications provided to Oncor Plan Split Participants contemporaneous with the distribution of such communications to such Oncor Plan Split Participants.

 

  6.

Oncor Plan and OSPP Amendment, Modification or Termination . Nothing in this Schedule I shall be deemed to constitute a provision of, or an amendment to the Oncor Plan, OSPP or any other benefit plan maintained by either Oncor or RTCEH. During the Transition Period, Oncor agrees it will not materially amend or modify (with an amendment or modification being deemed material only if such

 

10


  amendment or modification would require Oncor to send a summary of material modifications to participants under applicable law) or terminate the Oncor Plan or, if applicable, the OSPP with respect to the benefits available to the Oncor Plan Split Participants, other than as contemplated herein or as required by applicable law, without the written consent of RTCEH, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. Subject to the requirements of Section 9 herein, in the event that either (i) RTCEH reduces the amount of the contribution that it provides for Oncor Plan Split Participant benefits under the OSPP by 50% or more as compared to the contributions of EFH as of immediately before the date of this Agreement (a “50% RTCEH Subsidy Reduction”) or (ii) RTCEH fails to make any payment due under this Schedule I (including the Administration Manual) within ninety (90) days of its due date, Oncor may, in its sole and absolute discretion, modify or terminate the OSPP.

 

  7. No Third Party Beneficiary Rights . Nothing in this Schedule I shall create any third party beneficiary rights for any individual, including without limitation, any Oncor Plan Split Participant or his/her dependents, nor shall this Schedule I be deemed to provide any Oncor Plan Split Participant or dependent, or any other individual, with any right to continued coverage under the OSPP or any other plan of Oncor or RTCEH. This Schedule I relates solely to the Oncor Plan Split Participants and does not affect Oncor’s welfare benefit obligations related to any participant who is not an Oncor Plan Split Participant.

 

  8. Schedule I Amendment, Modification, or Termination .

 

  a. This Schedule I may be amended or terminated by written agreement of the Parties.

 

  b. This Schedule I will automatically terminate in the event that Oncor terminates the Oncor Plan during the Transition Period or each of the Oncor Plan, the OSPP, and any alternative arrangement provided under Section 9 following the Transition Period.

 

  c. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that RTCEH shall fail to pay the contribution that it provides for Oncor Plan Split Participant benefits within: (i) thirty (30) days of its due date, Oncor may, subject to any limitations set forth in the Administration Manual, invoice the Oncor Plan Split Participants for such amounts unpaid by RTCEH, and (ii) ninety (90) days of its due date, Oncor may terminate the OSPP and provide benefits to such Oncor Plan Split Participants from and after the date of the OSPP termination pursuant to Section 9 below.

 

  9.

Oncor’s Post-Separation and Transfer Obligation . Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, Oncor shall after the Separation and Transfer offer an arrangement under which Oncor shall provide a subsidy (“Oncor Subsidy”) for post-retirement medical (including prescription drug coverage) and life insurance benefits for Oncor Plan Split Participants, as applicable, for as long as Oncor offers such benefits and provides a per-participant subsidy for such benefits

 

11


  to retirees under the Oncor Plan. If upon (i) a 50% RTCEH Subsidy Reduction or (ii) a failure of RTCEH to make any payment due under this Schedule I (including the Administration Manual) within ninety (90) days of its due date, Oncor terminates the OSPP pursuant to Section 6 or Section 8(c), for as long as Oncor offers such benefits and provides a per-participant subsidy for such benefits to retirees under the Oncor Plan, Oncor shall determine the benefits to be offered to Oncor Plan Split Participants in its sole and absolute discretion under this Section 9 (which shall in all events include the Oncor Subsidy and may include cash payments to the Oncor Plan Split Participants equal to the Oncor Subsidy in lieu of the provision of any post-retirement benefits), and Sections 3 and 6 shall have no further force or effect.

 

  10. Cooperation . The Parties agree to cooperate with each other in any reasonable manner to carry out the terms of this Agreement. RTCEH acknowledges and agrees that in order to facilitate operation of the Oncor Plan and the OSPP, as the case may be, Oncor will need information from RTCEH with respect to each Oncor Plan Split Participant who retired or retires from RTCEH or its affiliates and their predecessors, and RTCEH agrees to provide such information to Oncor in the manner and at the times specified in the Administration Manual. Oncor acknowledges and agrees that Oncor shall provide to RTCEH information required to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, Oncor Plan Split Participant contact information, information regarding plan amendments, actuarial data, and accounting information, on an annual basis, or more frequently upon request as may be further specified in the Administration Manual. The Parties agree to work together in good faith, as necessary, to implement an appropriate approach that satisfies any new regulatory requirements applicable to the OSPP in the future.

 

12


SCHEDULE II

RETIREMENT PLAN OBLIGATIONS

WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge that, pursuant to the Plan, RTCEH has assumed the EFH Retirement Plan from EFH and as a result RTCEH sponsors, maintains and administers (or, if applicable, will sponsor, maintain and administer) the EFH Retirement Plan that covers certain Split Participants (“EFH Split Participants”);

WHEREAS, the Separation Agreement by and between TXU Corp., a Texas corporation and Oncor Holdings dated October 10, 2007 set forth certain provisions regarding the shared funding of pension benefits under the EFH Retirement Plan for the EFH Split Participants (such provisions are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Funding Agreement”);

WHEREAS, RTCEH shall for all purposes be the sponsor of the EFH Retirement Plan and RTCEH or its designee shall be plan administrator for the EFH Retirement Plan;

WHEREAS, the Parties desire and agree to continue to share the costs of funding of the EFH Retirement Plan as described in this Schedule II; and

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.

Aon Calculation Method . The Parties acknowledge and agree to continue to utilize the methods of allocating liabilities, costs and expenses associated with the EFH Retirement Plan that are in effect on the date hereof, including (i) the method of allocating any amount that may be required to be contributed to any trust established for the purpose of funding benefits under the EFH Retirement Plan, and (ii) the method for allocating between the Parties pension liabilities, costs and expenses under the EFH Retirement Plan (which method is described in the direct 2008 rate case testimony filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Texas by Don Shipman, and more specifically described in the letter from Aon Hewitt to EFH dated November 13, 2012, addressing pension benefits, which is attached hereto as Exhibit II-A (together with any mutually-agreed upon updates to said allocations, the “Aon Calculation Method”)). The Parties agree that the Aon Calculation Method is fair, appropriate and non-arbitrary, and that, pursuant to such method, each Party will bear its fair share of such liabilities, costs and expenses. The term “Allocable Liabilities” shall mean, with respect to each Party, the projected benefit obligations allocated to such Party by the enrolled actuary for the EFH Retirement Plan in accordance with the Aon Calculation Method. The Parties further agree that Allocable Liabilities shall be calculated by taking into account, if applicable, (i) any plan termination liability; (ii) any premiums payable to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the “PBGC”); (iii) the cost of obtaining annuities; and (iv) any other costs or expenses under the EFH Retirement Plan. The term “Allocable Assets” shall mean, with respect to each Party, the fair value of the plan assets allocated to such Party by the enrolled actuary for the EFH Retirement Plan in accordance with the Aon Calculation Method. For avoidance of doubt, the Parties acknowledge that the Aon Calculation Method utilizes Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) to calculate Allocable Liabilities and Allocable Assets for an ongoing plan and a plan undergoing a “standard” plan termination as defined in ERISA § 4041(b), and that the Aon Calculation Method utilizes the actuarial assumptions outlined in 29 C.F.R. § 4044 in the event of a “distress” or “involuntary” plan termination as defined in

 

13


  ERISA § 4041(c) or 4042. RTCEH shall not alter or otherwise change the Aon Calculation Method without the prior written agreement of Oncor other than as otherwise required by law. RTCEH as sponsor of the EFH Retirement Plan may amend the EFH Retirement Plan at any time, as required by federal laws, in order to ensure that the EFH Retirement Plan maintains its qualified plan status and is in compliance with the requirements of any applicable collective bargaining agreement, ERISA, the Code and other applicable laws. Except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, RTCEH further agrees it will not amend, modify or terminate the EFH Retirement Plan during the Transition Period without the consent of Oncor, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld and will not, without the consent of Oncor, which will not be unreasonably withheld, amend, modify or terminate the EFH Retirement Plan at any time thereafter if such amendment, modification or termination reflects a material increase in the accrued benefit provided to any Split Participant and that would result in a material increase in Oncor’s Allocable Liabilities with respect to the EFH Retirement Plan.

 

2. Ongoing Reimbursement by Oncor to RTCEH in Respect of EFH Retirement Plan .

 

  a. Prior to the start of each plan year commencing after the year of the Separation and Transfer, the actuary for the EFH Retirement Plan will send a statement to Oncor and RTCEH identifying each Party’s share of the required minimum contributions (determined in accordance with Code Section 412 and ERISA Section 302) (each such contribution a “Minimum Contribution,” and collectively, the “Minimum Contributions”) with respect to the EFH Retirement Plan for such plan year and the due dates for the same, together with supporting documentation showing the calculation of such Minimum Contributions. Each Party’s share of each Minimum Contribution shall be calculated by multiplying the amount of such Minimum Contribution by the percentage determined by dividing (i) such Party’s “Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities” (as defined below) by (ii) the sum of (A) such Party’s Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities plus (B) the other Party’s Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities (each such Party’s portion of the Minimum Contribution as so determined is hereafter referred to as such Party’s “Allocable Share of Minimum Contribution”). In the event the sum of all of Oncor’s Allocable Share of Minimum Contributions for a plan year exceeds its Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities for such plan year, Oncor’s total Allocable Share of Minimum Contributions for such plan year shall be reduced to equal its Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities for such plan year, and RTCEH shall be responsible for the difference. In the event the Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities for both Oncor and RTCEH are both zero, but there is a scheduled minimum contribution for the year, all scheduled contributions will be allocated to RTCEH.

 

  b. If the actuary cannot provide an allocation prior to the first required contribution for a plan year, the Parties agree that the actuary may provide an allocation based on an estimate of the contribution and its allocation (with any differences between the estimated allocation and the final allocation reflected in subsequent contributions after the final allocation is completed).

 

14


  c. For each plan year, the actuary for the EFH Retirement Plan will perform a true-up calculation of each Party’s Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities for such plan year and shall adjust each Party’s Allocable Share of Minimum Contribution accordingly for the next plan year.

 

  d. RTCEH shall tender each Minimum Contribution (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Oncor’s Allocable Share of Minimum Contribution and RTCEH’s Allocable Share of Minimum Contribution) to the EFH Retirement Plan trust no later than ten (10) days prior to its due date. Within ten (10) days of receipt by Oncor from RTCEH of written documentation evidencing RTCEH’s contribution to the trust established for the EFH Retirement Plan of the total Minimum Contribution due (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Oncor’s Allocable Share of Minimum Contribution and RTCEH’s Allocable Share of Minimum Contribution), Oncor agrees to pay to RTCEH its Allocable Share of Minimum Contribution. In the event RTCEH does not contribute all or a portion of a Minimum Contribution to the trust established for the EFH Retirement Plan by the due date of such Minimum Contribution, Oncor may tender the unpaid portion of its Allocable Share of Minimum Contribution on behalf of RTCEH directly to the trust established for the EFH Retirement Plan. Notwithstanding any provision of this Schedule II to the contrary, the payment by Oncor of its funding obligation under this Section 2 is conditioned on RTCEH making a corresponding contribution in respect of its Allocable Share of Minimum Contribution. Oncor’s payment to RTCEH pursuant to this Section 2 shall reimburse RTCEH for the amount RTCEH tendered to the EFH Retirement Plan with respect to Oncor’s Allocable Share of Minimum Contribution.

 

  e. For purposes of this Schedule II, the term “Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities” with respect to each Party shall mean the positive difference (if any) between (i) the applicable Party’s Allocable Liabilities minus (ii) the applicable Party’s Allocable Assets, as determined in accordance with Section 1 of this Schedule II on an ongoing basis. If a Party’s Allocable Assets exceeds such Party’s Allocable Liabilities, the Party’s Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities shall be zero. In calculating a Party’s “Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities,” Allocable Assets and Allocable Liabilities shall be determined as of the end of the year preceding the relevant contribution year.

 

  f. For the year in which the Separation and Transfer occurs, the Party’s agree to provide any required minimum funding contributions in accordance with a statement to be provided by the actuary following the effective date of this Agreement.

 

  3. Specific Event Reimbursement by Oncor to RTCEH in Respect of EFH Retirement Plan . In the event that in any given plan year the enrolled actuary of the EFH Retirement Plan determines that any of the benefit restrictions under Code Section 436 (“Benefit Restrictions”) may, in its reasonable discretion, apply to the EFH Retirement Plan, the enrolled actuary shall calculate the contribution amount owed by each Party to avoid the Benefit Restrictions based on each Party’s Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities and shall advise the Parties of the timing of the required contributions; provided , however , that if a Party’s Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities is zero, the other Party shall tender the entire contribution amount necessary to avoid the Benefit Restrictions.

 

15


Oncor shall, upon written request from RTCEH, which request shall include supporting documentation showing the calculation of such contribution amount owed and evidence of RTCEH’s payment to the trust under the EFH Retirement Plan of such amount (the “Benefit Restriction Request”), timely tender to RTCEH its Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities up to the maximum amount required to avoid Benefit Restrictions. For the avoidance of doubt, Oncor shall not remit payment to RTCEH in accordance with this Section 3 until RTCEH has contributed such amount to the trust under the EFH Retirement Plan. Notwithstanding any provision of this Schedule II to the contrary, the payment by Oncor of its funding obligation under this Section 3 is conditioned on RTCEH making a corresponding contribution in respect of its Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities unless RTCEH’s Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities is zero at the time such contribution is necessary. RTCEH shall timely tender its Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities up to the maximum amount owed to avoid Benefit Restrictions as well as the amount of the Benefit Restriction Request to the EFH Retirement Plan trust. Oncor’s payment of the Benefit Restriction Request to RTCEH shall reimburse RTCEH for the amount RTCEH tendered to the EFH Retirement Plan with respect to the Benefit Restriction Request. In the event that RTCEH fails to timely tender the amount of the Benefit Restriction Request to the EFH Retirement Plan trust, Oncor will tender the amount of the Benefit Restriction Request on behalf of RTCEH directly to the EFH Retirement Plan trust.

 

  4. Plan Termination . In the event that RTCEH wishes to terminate the EFH Retirement Plan under a standard or distress termination, RTECH shall provide Oncor with notice of at least one hundred fifty (150) days prior to the proposed termination date. In the event RTCEH receives written notice of the PBGC’s intent to initiate an involuntary termination of the EFH Retirement Plan, RTCEH shall promptly provide Oncor with such written notice. In the case of a standard, distress, or involuntary plan termination, the EFH Retirement Plan enrolled actuary shall calculate the (i) plan termination liability and (ii) any other costs or expenses under the EFH Retirement Plan, in accordance with the assumptions for terminating such plan and each Party shall pay its respective share of the plan termination liability by the date indicated by the enrolled actuary, which shall in each case be prior to the date(s) mandated by ERISA. Notwithstanding any provision of this Schedule II to the contrary, in the event that Oncor has a funding obligation under this Section 4 as a result of a standard termination, the payment by Oncor of its funding obligations under this Section 4 is conditioned on RTCEH making a corresponding contribution in respect of its share of such termination liabilities. Upon satisfaction of Oncor’s payment of such liability and other costs and expenses, Oncor shall have no further obligation to RTCEH in respect of the EFH Retirement Plan other than as provided in this Agreement.

 

  5.

Contributing Sponsor Status . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or Schedule II to the contrary, the Parties acknowledge and agree that Oncor’s obligation in respect of the funding of the EFH Retirement Plan is solely a contractual obligation to RTCEH under this Agreement and that Oncor shall be liable under this Schedule II only

 

16


  for its Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities and shall not be liable for RTCEH’s Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities under the EFH Retirement Plan. It is the intent of the Parties that Oncor is not and will not become a “contributing sponsor” of the EFH Retirement Plan as such term is defined in ERISA Section 4001(a)(13), and nothing contained in this Schedule II or otherwise in this Agreement shall be construed otherwise.

 

  6. Plan Administrative Expenses . Except as otherwise provided in Exhibit II-B , the Parties agree that Permissible Expenses (as defined below) shall be charged against each party’s Allocable Assets in proportion to each party’s Allocable Assets compared to the total assets under the EFH Retirement Plan as of the date designated by the plan administrator. The term “Permissible Expenses” includes those expenses properly payable from the plan assets of the EFH Retirement Plan in accordance with ERISA. Expenses that are not properly payable from plan assets shall be allocated in accordance with historical practice.

 

  7. Dispute Resolution . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Oncor may engage its own enrolled actuary to calculate its Allocable Liabilities, Allocable Assets, Allocable Share of Unfunded Benefit Liabilities, and any and all payments to be made by Oncor in accordance with this Schedule II. If the Parties’ enrolled actuaries do not agree on any such calculations, the Parties agree that they shall cause each enrolled actuary to prepare and deliver to the other a statement setting forth the enrolled actuary’s calculation and methodologies. The Parties agree to negotiate in good faith for 60 days following receipt of such statements in order to come to an agreement as to such calculations. If, at the end of such 60 day period, the enrolled actuaries and the Parties have not resolved such disputes, the two enrolled actuaries shall select a third enrolled actuary, and such third enrolled actuary shall determine which of the calculation and methodologies prepared by the two prior enrolled actuaries is correct. Such new enrolled actuary’s determination shall be set forth in a written statement delivered to the Parties and the determination shall be final, binding and non-appealable. All fees and expenses of such third enrolled actuary shall be borne 50% by Oncor and 50% by RTCEH.

 

  8. Reservation of Rights . Nothing in this Schedule II shall be deemed to constitute a provision of, or an amendment to the EFH Retirement Plan or any other benefit plan maintained by either Oncor or RTCEH, nor shall this Schedule II be deemed to limit, in any way, the authority of either Oncor or RTCEH to amend or terminate their respective benefit plans from time to time in accordance with the terms of such plans except as otherwise provided in Section 1 hereof.

 

  9. No Third Party Beneficiary Rights . Nothing in this Schedule II shall create any third party beneficiary rights for any individual, including without limitation, any EFH Split Participant or his/her beneficiary, nor shall this Schedule II be deemed to provide any EFH Split Participant or beneficiary, or any other individual, with any right to continued coverage under the EFH Retirement Plan or any other plan of Oncor or RTCEH. This Schedule II relates solely to the EFH Retirement Plan and does not affect RTCEH’s obligation to any participant or beneficiary who is not an EFH Split Participant.

 

17


  10. Termination . This Schedule II will automatically terminate in the event that (a) the EFH Retirement Plan is terminated; or (b) benefits under the EFH Retirement Plan are no longer payable to EFH Split Participants.

 

  11. Representation on EFH Retirement Plan Investment Committee . During the term of the obligations under this Schedule II the investments of the trust for the EFH Retirement Plan shall be governed by a committee (the “Investment Committee”), and Oncor shall have the right to have three (3) voting members named by Oncor when the Investment Committee has seven (7) voting members.

 

18


SCHEDULE III

LIFE INSURANCE

WHEREAS, certain retirees of Oncor, RTCEH and their predecessors and affiliates may be eligible for life insurance subsidies from both Oncor and RTCEH; and

WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed to address the provision of life insurance benefits to such retirees in accordance with this Schedule III.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1. On October 3, 2016, RTCEH will pay Oncor $7,000,000 for full payment of the life insurance premiums for Split Participants listed in the attached Exhibit III-A in proportion to their assigned non-regulated service.

2. Oncor will assume all of RTCEH’s obligations and liabilities with respect to life insurance benefits being provided to the Split Participants listed in the attached Exhibit III-A and, subject to the provisions set forth in this Section 2, any other Split Participants not listed on Exhibit III-A who (i) retire from RTCEH or an affiliate, successor or predecessor of RTCEH (or a successor or predecessor of an affiliate of RTCEH) prior to December 31, 2016, and (ii) for whom RTCEH has agreed to provide life insurance benefits upon retirement (the “Future Eligible Life Split Participants”). If there are more than fifty (50) Future Eligible Life Split Participants, the Parties agree that they will calculate an amount to be paid by RTCEH to Oncor to cover RTCEH’s obligations and liabilities with respect to the aggregate life insurance benefits for such Future Eligible Life Split Participants (the “Additional Payment”). Oncor shall provide the life insurance benefit to such Future Eligible Life Split Participants if: (i) there are no more than fifty (50) Future Eligible Life Split Participants; or (ii) RTCEH pays the Additional Payment to Oncor.

3. Oncor will continue providing the same level of life insurance benefits currently provided.

4. If Oncor terminates the life insurance benefits being provided to the Split Participants listed on Exhibit III-A and the Future Eligible Life Split Participants, if any, prior to the date that all amounts paid in Sections 1 and 2 of this Schedule III have been used by Oncor to pay or fund premiums for such life insurance benefits, Oncor shall pay to RTCEH the net amount paid under Sections 1 and 2 less the actual out-of-pocket amounts used to pay life insurance premiums for such participants through the date on which such benefits are terminated.

 

19


EXHIBIT I-A

AON HEWITT WELFARE LETTER

 

20


[Omitted.]


EXHIBIT I-B

AON HEWITT MEMORANDUM

 

21


[Omitted.]


EXHIBIT I-C

ADMINISTRATION MANUAL

 

22


[Omitted.]


EXHIBIT II-A

AON CALCULATION METHOD

 

23


[Omitted.]


EXHIBIT II-B

EXPENSES

No expenses listed.

 

24


EXHIBIT III-A

LIFE INSURANCE SPLIT PARTICIPANT LIST

 

25


[Omitted.]

Exhibit 10.19

EXECUTION VERSION

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October 4, 2016 (the “ Effective Date ”), between TCEH Corp. (the “ Company ”) and Curtis A. Morgan (“ Executive ”).

Recitals :

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to enter into a written employment agreement to reflect the terms upon which Executive shall provide services to the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

1. Term.

(a) The term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date, and shall continue until the three (3) year anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Initial Expiration Date ”); provided that on the Initial Expiration Date and each subsequent anniversary of the Initial Expiration Date, the term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be extended for one (1) additional year unless either party provides written notice to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to the Initial Expiration Date (or any such anniversary, as applicable) that Executive’s employment shall not be so extended (in which case, Executive’s employment shall terminate on the Initial Expiration Date or any such anniversary, as applicable); provided , however , that Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated at any earlier time pursuant to the provisions of Section   5 . The period of time from the Effective Date through the termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder pursuant to its terms is herein referred to as the “ Term ”; and the date on which the Term is scheduled to expire ( i.e. , the Initial Expiration Date or the scheduled expiration of the extended term, if applicable) is herein referred to as the “ Expiration Date .”

(b) Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to extend the Term or to continue Executive’s employment following the Expiration Date, and Executive expressly acknowledges that no promises or understandings to the contrary have been made or reached.

2. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms, as used herein, shall have the definitions set forth below.

(a) “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such specified Person.

(b) “ Change in Control ” shall, be deemed to occur upon any of the following events:

(i) the acquisition by any Person or related “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto (the “ Exchange Act ”)) of Beneficial Ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under Section 13 of the Exchange Act) of 30% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), including Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock (the “ Outstanding Company Common Stock ”); or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors (the “ Outstanding Company Voting Securities ”); but excluding any acquisition by the Company or any of its Affiliates or by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates;


(ii) a change in the composition of the Board such that members of the Board during any consecutive 12-month period (the “ Incumbent Directors ”) cease to constitute a majority of the Board. Any person becoming a director through election or nomination for election approved by a valid vote of at least two thirds of the Incumbent Directors shall be deemed an Incumbent Director; provided , however , that no individual becoming a director as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be deemed an Incumbent Director;

(iii) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company; or

(iv) the consummation of a reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), or sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company to an entity that is not an Affiliate of the Company (a “ Sale ”), unless immediately following such Business Combination or Sale: (A) more than 50% of the total voting power of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the entity that acquired all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company in such Sale (in either case, the “ Surviving Company ”), or the ultimate parent entity that has Beneficial Ownership of sufficient voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or analogous governing body) of the Surviving Company (the “ Parent Company ”), is represented by the Outstanding Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination or Sale (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which the Outstanding Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination or Sale), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination or Sale, (B) no Person or related group of Persons (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total

 

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voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) following the consummation of the Business Combination or Sale were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination or Sale.

(c) “ Cause ” means (i) Executive’s willful and continued failure to perform his duties with the Company; (ii) Executive’s willful and continued failure to follow and comply with the written policies of the Company as in effect from time to time; (iii) Executive’s willful commission of an act of fraud or dishonesty resulting in economic or financial injury to the Company; (iv) Executive’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct; (v) Executive’s willful breach of this Agreement; or (vi) Executive’s indictment for, conviction of, or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or other crime involving moral turpitude. No act or failure to act will be treated as willful if it is done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and with a good faith belief that such act or omission was in the best interests of the Company.

(d) “ Control ” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ”), as used with respect to any Person, means the direct or indirect possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract.

(e) “ Disability ” means Executive would be entitled to long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan as in effect from time to time, without regard to any waiting or elimination period under such plan and assuming for the purpose of such determination that Executive is actually participating in such plan at such time. If the Company does not maintain a long-term disability plan, “Disability” means Executive’s inability to perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder on a full-time basis for a consecutive period of one hundred eighty (180) days due to physical or mental illness or incapacity that is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to Executive or his legal representative.

(f) “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence, without the consent of Executive, of either of the following events: (i) any material diminution of Executive’s title, duties, responsibilities or authorities hereunder or (ii) any breach by the Company of any of its material obligations to Executive. Prior to resigning for Good Reason, Executive shall give written notice to the Company of the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for such resignation not more than sixty (60) days following his knowledge of such facts and circumstances, and the Company shall have ten (10) business days after receipt of such notice to cure (and if so cured, Executive shall not be permitted to resign for Good Reason in respect thereof) and Executive shall resign within ten (10) business days following the Company’s failure to cure.

(g) “ Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, unincorporated entity, or other entity.

 

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3. Duties and Responsibilities. The Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, during the Term, as the President and Chief Executive Officer. During the Term, Executive agrees to be employed by and devote all of Executive’s business time and attention to the Company and the promotion of its interests and to use his best efforts to faithfully and diligently serve the Company; provided , however , that, to the extent that such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of his duties, services, and responsibilities under this Agreement, Executive shall be permitted to (a) manage his personal, financial, and legal affairs, (b) serve on civic or charitable boards and committees of such boards and (c) to the extent approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) pursuant to a duly authorized resolution of the Board, serve on corporate boards and committees of such boards. Executive will report solely to the Board. Executive will perform such lawful duties and responsibilities as are commensurate with Executive’s titles and positions, and such other duties and responsibilities commensurate with Executive’s titles and positions as may be reasonably requested by the Board from time to time. Executive will have the authority customarily exercised by an individual serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of a corporation of the size and nature of the Company. Upon the Effective Date, Executive shall be appointed to the Board and upon the expiration of his term on the Board during the Term, Executive shall be nominated for re-election to the Board and, upon request, shall serve as a director or an officer of one or more subsidiaries of the Company, or of an Affiliate of the Company. Executive shall not be compensated additionally in Executive’s capacity as a member of the Board or as a director or officer of a subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company. Executive’s principal place of employment will be in Dallas, Texas.

4. Compensation and Related Matters.  (a)  Base Salary . During the Term, Executive shall receive an aggregate annual base salary (“ Base Salary ”) at an initial rate of $950,000, payable in accordance with the Company’s applicable payroll practices. Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board and increased (but not decreased) in the Board’s sole discretion. References in this Agreement to Base Salary shall be deemed to refer to the most recently effective annual base salary rate.

(b) Annual Bonus . During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to receive a cash bonus (the “ Annual Bonus ”) for each year (or portion thereof) (beginning with calendar year 2016), provided that, except as otherwise provided herein, Executive has remained employed by the Company as of the applicable payment date. Executive’s target bonus opportunity for any particular year (the “ Target Bonus ”) shall be 100% of Base Salary, and Executive’s maximum bonus opportunity shall be 200% of the Target Bonus. The Annual Bonus shall be subject to performance metrics approved by the Board based on key short-term objectives and shall be at the full discretion of the Board. For the Annual Bonus paid in respect of 2016, the Board shall consider alternatives to compensate Executive for 2016 (e.g., paying a full-year payout based on stub year performance or an agreed upon Annual Bonus to be paid in the normal bonus cycle). Any Annual Bonus shall be paid in the fiscal year following the fiscal year to which such Annual Bonus relates, at the same as annual bonuses are paid to all other senior executives.

 

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(c) Equity Compensation . Executive shall be entitled to receive equity compensation awards as described in Exhibit A .

(d) Benefits and Perquisites . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in the benefit plans (including, without limitation, life insurance) and programs and receive perquisites that are provided by the Company from time to time for its senior executives generally, subject to the terms and conditions of such plans and programs and commensurate with Executive’s position. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to up to $15,000 per year for tax and financial planning.

(e) Business Expense Reimbursements . During the Term, the Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for Executive’s reasonable and necessary business expenses in accordance with the Company’s then-prevailing policies and procedures for expense reimbursement (which shall include appropriate itemization and substantiation of expenses incurred).

(f) Indemnification . The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive, to the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s governing documents, against all claims, expenses, damages, liabilities, and losses incurred by Executive (whether before or after the Effective Date) by reason of the fact that Executive is or was, or had agreed to become, a consultant, director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates or predecessors of any of the foregoing, or any benefit plan of any of the foregoing, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a consultant, director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, fiduciary, or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, person, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity. The Company shall provide Executive with customary directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage both during and after the Term with regard to matters occurring during employment or while otherwise providing services to, or serving at the request of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any benefit plan of any of the foregoing, which coverage shall be at a level at least equal to the greatest level being maintained at such time for any current officer or director and shall continue until such time as suits can no longer be brought against Executive as a matter of law. Executive will be entitled to advancement of expenses in connection with any claim in the same manner and to the same extent to which any other officer or director of the Company is entitled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to indemnify or advance expenses to Executive in connection with (i) any dispute in connection with this Agreement or Executive’s employment hereunder; (ii) any action, claim, or proceeding initiated by Executive against the Company unless such action, claim, or proceeding is approved in advance by the Board in writing or (iii) any liabilities, damages, claims or expenses incurred that are attributable to Executive’s fraud, bad faith, willful misconduct, or gross negligence.

5. Termination of Employment.  (a) Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time and for any reason; provided , however , that Executive shall be required to give the Company at least sixty (60) days’ advance written notice of any voluntary resignation of Executive’s employment hereunder (other than resignation for Good Reason) (and in such event the Company in its sole discretion may elect to accelerate Executive’s date of termination of employment, it being understood that such termination shall

 

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still be treated as a voluntary resignation without Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death.

(b) Following any termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement, except as provided under Sections 5(c) , 5(d) , and 5(e) , the obligations of the Company to pay or provide Executive with compensation and benefits under Section 4 shall cease, and the Company shall have no further obligations to provide compensation or benefits to Executive hereunder, except (i) for payment of any accrued but unpaid Base Salary and any accrued but unused vacation and for payment of any unreimbursed expenses under Section 4(e) , in each case accrued or incurred through the date of termination of employment, payable as soon as practicable and in all events within thirty (30) days following the date of termination of employment, (ii) as explicitly set forth in any other benefit plans, programs, or arrangements applicable to terminated employees in which Executive participates (including, without limitation, equity award agreements), other than severance plans or policies, and (iii) as otherwise expressly required by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, except as otherwise provided below, any Unpaid Annual Bonus (as defined below) is forfeited if Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason.

(c) If Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, or (iii) due to expiration of the Term on the Expiration Date as a result of the Company delivering a notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section 1 , in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , Executive shall be entitled to receive: (i) severance pay in an aggregate amount (the “ Severance Pay ”) equal to, two times (2x) the sum of (A) Base Salary plus (B) (x) Target Bonus, if such termination of employment occurs prior to the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date, or (y) the prior year’s Annual Bonus, if such termination of employment occurs on or after the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date; (ii) a prorated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (x) the amount of Annual Bonus that would have been payable to Executive had Executive’s employment not so terminated based on actual performance measured through the fiscal year of termination, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Company’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (the “ Prorated Bonus ”); (iii) any accrued but unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year of termination (the “ Unpaid Annual Bonus ”); and (iv) continued health insurance benefits under the terms of the applicable Company benefit plans for twenty-four (24) months, subject to Executive’s payment of the cost of such benefits to the same extent that active employees of the Company are required to pay for such benefits from time to time; provided , however , that such continuation coverage shall end earlier upon Executive’s becoming eligible for comparable coverage under another employer’s benefit plans; and provided , further , that to the extent that the provision of such continuation coverage is not permitted under the terms of the Company benefit plans or would result in an adverse tax consequence to the Company, the Company may alternatively provide Executive with a monthly cash payment in an amount equal to the applicable COBRA premium that Executive would otherwise be required to pay to obtain COBRA continuation coverage for such benefits for twenty-four (24) months (assuming that COBRA continuation coverage were available for such period) (minus the cost of such benefits

 

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to the same extent that active employees of the Company are required to pay for such benefits from time to time) (the “ Severance Benefits ”), commencing as provided in Section 23(c) . The Severance Pay shall be paid in equal installments during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly, and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) below. The Unpaid Annual Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives during the fiscal year of Executive’s termination and the Prorated Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the year following the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time within eighteen (18) months following a Change in Control, Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, or (iii) due to expiration of the Term on the Expiration Date as a result of the Company delivering a notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section 1 , then Executive, in lieu of any of the amounts and benefits described in Section 5(c) and in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , shall be entitled to receive (i) the Unpaid Annual Bonus, (ii) 2.99 times the sum of (A) Base Salary plus (B) Target Bonus (the “ CIC Severance Pay ”), (iii) the product of (x) the Target Bonus, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Company’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (the “ Prorated CIC Bonus ”), and (iv) the Severance Benefits for twenty-four (24) months (as described above and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) ). The CIC Severance Pay and the Prorated CIC Bonus shall be paid in cash in a lump sum on the first payroll following the satisfaction of the Release Condition, subject to Section 23(c) ; provided, however, if the Change in Control does not constitute a “change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), the portion of the CIC Severance Pay that is not in excess of the Severance Pay that would have been payable upon such termination if Section 5(c)  applied shall be paid to Executive in equal monthly installments during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly, and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) below, and the portion of the CIC Severance Pay in excess of such amount shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum 60 days after the consummation of the Change in Control. The Unpaid Annual Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives during the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(e) If Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated due to death or Disability, in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) the Prorated Bonus, paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the year following the fiscal year of Executive’s termination and (ii) the Unpaid Annual Bonus, paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(f) Executive’s entitlement to the payments and benefits set forth in Sections 5(c) and 5(d) shall be conditioned upon Executive’s having provided an irrevocable

 

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waiver and release of claims in favor of the Company, its Affiliates, their respective predecessors and successors, and all of the respective current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents, or representatives of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Released Parties ”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “ Release ”), that has become effective in accordance with its terms within sixty (60) days following Executive’s termination of employment (the “ Release Condition ”), and Executive’s continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 hereof.

(g) Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, and regardless of whether Executive continues as a consultant to the Company, upon the Company’s request Executive agrees to resign, as of the date of such termination of employment or such other date requested, from the Board and any committees thereof, and, if applicable, from the board of directors (and any committees thereof) of any Affiliate of the Company to the extent Executive is then serving thereon. The Company’s obligations to make the payments provided for in this Agreement are subject to set-off for any undisputed amounts owed by Executive, to the extent permitted by Section 409A (as defined below) and any Company clawback policy.

(h) The payment of any amounts accrued under any benefit plan, program, or arrangement in which Executive participates shall be subject to the terms of the applicable plan, program, or arrangement, and any elections Executive has made thereunder.

(i) Following any termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall have no obligation to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement. There shall be no offset against amounts due Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to later employment, consultancy, or other remunerative activity of Executive.

6. Confidential Information.

(a) Executive acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates continually develop Confidential Information (as defined below), that Executive may develop Confidential Information for the Company or its Affiliates and that Executive may learn of Confidential Information during the course of his employment. Executive will comply with the policies and procedures of the Company and its Affiliates for protecting Confidential Information and shall not disclose to any Person or use, other than as required by applicable law or for the proper performance of his duties and responsibilities to the Company and its Affiliates, any Confidential Information obtained by Executive incident to his employment or other association with the Company or any of its Affiliates. Executive understands that this restriction shall continue to apply after his employment terminates, regardless of the reason for such termination.

(b) All documents, records, tapes, and other media of every kind and description relating to the business, present or otherwise, of the Company or its Affiliates and any copies, in whole or in part, thereof (the “ Documents ”), whether or not prepared by Executive, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and its Affiliates. Executive shall safeguard all Documents and shall surrender to the Company at the time his employment

 

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terminates, or at such earlier time or times as the Company may specify, all Documents then in Executive’s possession or control. Executive shall immediately return such Documents and other property to the Company upon the termination of his employment and, in any event, at the Company’s request. Executive further agrees that any property situated on the premises of, and owned by, the Company or its Affiliates, including disks and other storage media, filing cabinets, or other work areas, is subject to inspection by the Company’s personnel at any time with or without notice.

(c) Executive understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”). Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit Executive’s ability to communicate with the SEC or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by the SEC, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to the SEC. This Section 6(c) applies only for the period of time that the Company is subject to the Dodd-Frank Act.

(d) “ Confidential Information ” means any and all information of the Company and its Affiliates that is not generally known by others with whom they compete or do business, or with whom any of them plans to compete or do business and any and all information, publicly known in whole or in part or not, which, if disclosed by the Company or its Affiliates would assist in competition against them. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, such information relating to (i) the development, research, testing, manufacturing, marketing and financial activities of the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) all products planned, researched, developed, tested, manufactured, sold, licensed, leased or otherwise distributed or put into use by the Company and its Affiliates, together with all services provided or planned by the Company or any of its Affiliates, during Executive’s employment, (iii) the costs, sources of supply, financial performance and strategic plans of the Company and its Affiliates, (iv) the identity and special needs of the customers of the Company and its Affiliates and (v) the people and organizations with whom the Company and its Affiliates have business relationships and those relationships. Confidential Information also includes any information that the Company or any of its Affiliates have received, or may receive hereafter, belonging to customers or others with any understanding, express or implied, that the information would not be disclosed.

7. Restricted Activities. Executive agrees that some restrictions on Executive’s activities during and after Executive’s employment are necessary to protect the goodwill, Confidential Information, and other legitimate interests of the Company and its Affiliates. Following the Effective Date, the Company will provide Executive with access to and knowledge of Confidential Information and trade secrets and will place Executive in a position of trust and confidence with the Company, and Executive will benefit from the Company’s goodwill. The restrictive covenants below are necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests in its Confidential Information, trade secrets and goodwill. Executive further understands and acknowledges that the Company’s ability to reserve these for the exclusive knowledge and use of the Company is of great competitive importance and commercial value to the Company and that the Company would be irreparably harmed if Executive violates the restrictive covenants below. In recognition of the consideration provided to Executive as well as the imparting to Executive of Confidential Information, including trade secrets, and for other good and valuable consideration, Executive hereby agrees as follows:

(a) While Executive is employed by the Company and for twenty-four (24) months after his employment terminates for any reason, whether before or after the Expiration Date (in the aggregate, the “ Non-Competition Period ”), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, investor (other than a passive investor of less than 5% in a publicly traded company), consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer, or otherwise, (i) compete with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any location where the Company or its subsidiaries conducts business (a “ Competitive Business ”) or (ii) undertake any planning for any Competitive Business. With respect to the portion of the Non-Competition Period that follows Executive’s termination of employment, the determination of whether a business is a Competitive Business shall be made based on the scope and location of the businesses conducted or planned to be conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries as of the date of such termination.

 

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(b) Executive agrees that, during his employment with the Company, he will not undertake any outside activity, whether or not competitive with the business of the Company or its Affiliates, that would reasonably give rise to a conflict of interest or otherwise interfere with his duties and obligations to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(c) Executive further agrees that, during the Non-Competition Period, Executive will not solicit, hire, or attempt to solicit or hire any employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates (or any individual who was employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates during the one (1) year period prior to Executive’s termination), assist in such hiring by any Person, encourage any such employee to terminate his or her relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates, or solicit or encourage any customer, client, or vendor of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate or diminish its relationship with them, or, in the case of a customer, to conduct with any Person any business or activity which such customer conducts with the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(d) Executive shall not, whether in writing or orally, malign, denigrate, or disparage the Company or its Affiliates, or their respective predecessors and successors, or any of the current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents, or representatives of any of the foregoing, with respect to any of their respective past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that tend to portray any of the aforementioned parties in an unfavorable light. The Company shall direct its directors and officers not to, whether in writing or orally, malign, denigrate, or disparage Executive with respect to any of his past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that are intended to portray Executive in an unfavorable light.

(e) Executive’s and the Company’s obligations under this Section 7 , as applicable, shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

8. Notification Requirement. Through and up to the conclusion of the Non-Competition Period, Executive shall give notice to the Company of each new business activity he plans to undertake, at least seven (7) days prior to beginning any such activity. Such notice shall state the name and address of the Person for whom such activity is undertaken and the nature of Executive’s business relationship(s) and position(s) with such Person.

 

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9. Intellectual Property Rights . (a) Executive agrees that the results and proceeds of Executive’s services for the Company (including, but not limited to, any trade secrets, products, services, processes, know-how, designs, developments, innovations, analyses, drawings, reports, techniques, formulas, methods, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, source and object codes, programs, writing and other works of authorship) resulting from services performed while an employee of the Company and any works in progress, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, that were made, developed, conceived, or reduced to practice or learned by Executive, either alone or jointly with others (collectively, “ Inventions ”), shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all trade secret, patent, copyright, and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “ Proprietary Rights ”) of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized, or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion, without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any Proprietary Rights which do not accrue to the Company under the immediately preceding sentence, then Executive hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of Executive’s right, title, and interest thereto, including any and all Proprietary Rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized, or developed, to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner determined by the Company without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. As to any Invention that Executive is required to assign, Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company all information known to Executive concerning such Invention.

(b) Executive agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, Executive shall do any and all things that the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company’s exclusive ownership throughout the United States of America or any other country of any and all Proprietary Rights in any such Inventions, including the execution of appropriate copyright and patent applications or assignments. To the extent that Executive has any Proprietary Rights in the Inventions that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, Executive unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such Proprietary Rights. This Section 9(b) is subject to and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict, or constitute any waiver by the Company of any Proprietary Rights of ownership to which the Company may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Company’s being Executive’s employer. Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designees. Executive’s obligations under this Section 9 shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

(c) Executive hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, that Executive now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company.

 

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10. Remedies and Injunctive Relief. Executive acknowledges that a violation by Executive of any of the covenants contained in Sections 6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 would cause irreparable damage to the Company in an amount that would be material but not readily ascertainable, and that any remedy at law (including the payment of damages) would be inadequate. Accordingly, Executive agrees that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled (without the necessity of showing economic loss or other actual damage) to injunctive relief (including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions) in any court of competent jurisdiction for any actual or threatened breach of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies it may have. The preceding sentence shall not be construed as a waiver of the rights that the Company may have for damages under this Agreement or otherwise, and all of the Company’s rights shall be unrestricted.

11. Representations; Advice of Counsel.  (a) Executive represents, warrants, and covenants that as of the date hereof: (i) Executive has the full right, authority, and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform Executive’s obligations hereunder, (ii) Executive is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company hereunder during or after the Term, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment, or agreement to which Executive is subject.

(b) Prior to execution of this Agreement, Executive was advised by the Company of Executive’s right to seek independent advice from an attorney of Executive’s own selection regarding this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that Executive has entered into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and with full knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this Agreement after being given the opportunity to consult with counsel. Executive further represents that in entering into this Agreement, Executive is not relying on any statements or representations made by any of the Company’s directors, officers, employees, or agents that are not expressly set forth herein, and that Executive is relying only upon Executive’s own judgment and any advice provided by Executive’s attorney.

(c) The Company represents, warrants, and covenants that as of the date hereof: (i) the Company has the full right, authority, and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform the Company’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the Company is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of the Company’s obligations to Executive hereunder during or after the Term, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment, or agreement to which the Company is subject.

12. Cooperation.  Executive agrees that, upon reasonable notice and without the necessity of the Company’s obtaining a subpoena or court order, Executive shall provide

 

12


reasonable cooperation in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding (or any appeal from any suit, action, or proceeding), and any investigation or defense of any claims asserted against the Company or its Affiliates, that relates to events occurring during Executive’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates as to which Executive may have relevant information (including but not limited to furnishing relevant information and materials to the Company or its designee and providing testimony at depositions and at trial); provided , that with respect to such cooperation occurring following termination of employment, the Company shall reimburse Executive for expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith.

13. Withholding.  The Company may deduct and withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state, local, non-U.S., and other taxes as are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

14. Assignment.   Neither the Company nor Executive may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other party; provided , that the Company may assign its rights under this Agreement without the consent of Executive to a successor to substantially all of the business of the Company in the event that the Company shall effect a reorganization, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity, or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any other corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and Executive, and their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs, and permitted assigns.

15. Governing Law; No Construction Against Drafter.  This Agreement shall be deemed made in the State of Delaware, and the validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement in all respects shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its principles of conflicts of law. No provision of this Agreement or any related document will be construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage of any party hereto by any court or other governmental or judicial authority by reason of such party’s having or being deemed to have structured or drafted such provision.

16. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.  (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, Executive and the Company each hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts located within the State of Delaware (or, if subject matter jurisdiction in such courts are not available, in any state court located within the State of Delaware) over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the parties undertake not to commence any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in a forum other than a forum described in this Section 16(a) ; provided , however , that nothing herein shall preclude either party from bringing any suit, action, or proceeding in any other court for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Section 16 or enforcing any judgment obtained by either party.

(b) The agreement of the parties to the forum described in Section 16(a) is independent of the law that may be applied in any suit, action, or proceeding, and the parties agree to such forum even if such forum may under applicable law choose to apply non-forum law. The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any

 

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objection which they now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such suit, action, or proceeding brought in an applicable court described in Section 16(a) , and the parties agree that they shall not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court. The parties agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a final and non-appealable judgment in any suit, action, or proceeding brought in any applicable court described in Section 16(a) shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction.

(c) The parties hereto irrevocably consent to the service of any and all process in any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement by the mailing of copies of such process to such party at such party’s address specified in Section 20 .

(d) Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent, or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of any action, suit, or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver, and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party hereto has been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section 16(d) .

(e) Each party shall bear his or its own costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

17. Amendment; No Waiver; Severability.  (a) No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived, or discharged except by a written document signed by Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right or power hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment of any steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.

(b) If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any applicable law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic and legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party; provided , that in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall finally hold in a non-appealable judicial determination that any provision of Sections 6 through 10 (whether in whole or in part) is void or constitutes an unreasonable restriction against Executive, such provision shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision enforceable for the longest duration and the greatest scope as such court may determine constitutes a reasonable restriction under the circumstances. Subject to the foregoing, upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall

 

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negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

18. Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral), between Executive and the Company, relating to such subject matter. None of the parties shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations and warranties or covenants relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth herein.

19. Survival.  The rights and obligations of the parties under the provisions of this Agreement shall survive, and remain binding and enforceable, notwithstanding the expiration of the Term, the termination of this Agreement, the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder or any settlement of the financial rights and obligations arising from Executive’s employment hereunder, to the extent necessary to preserve the intended benefits of such provisions.

20. Notices.  All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or sent by facsimile or sent, postage prepaid, by registered, certified, or express mail or overnight courier service and shall be deemed given when so delivered by hand or facsimile, or if mailed, three days after mailing (one (1) business day in the case of express mail or overnight courier service) to the parties at the following addresses or facsimiles (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

If to the Company:    TCEH Corp.
   Attn: Corporate Secretary
   1601 Bryan Street
   Dallas, TX 75201
If to Executive:    At the most recent address on file in the Company’s records.

Notices delivered by facsimile shall have the same legal effect as if such notice had been delivered in person.

21. Headings and References.  The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, and neither constitute a part of this Agreement nor affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. When a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

22. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including via facsimile and electronic image scan (.pdf)), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

 

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23. Section 409A.  (a) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Section 409A ” means Section 409A of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and such other Treasury or Internal Revenue Service guidance) as in effect from time to time. The parties intend that any amounts payable hereunder that could constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A will be compliant with Section 409A or exempt from Section 409A.

(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following special rule shall apply, if and to the extent required by Section 409A, in the event that (i) Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) (as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company as in effect on the date of Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations § 1.409A-1(h)), (ii) amounts or benefits under this Agreement or any other program, plan, or arrangement of the Company or a controlled group affiliate thereof are due or payable on account of separation from service, and (iii) Executive is employed by a public company or a controlled group affiliate thereof: payments hereunder that are “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A that would be made to Executive prior to the date that is six (6) months after the date of Executive’s separation from service shall be made within 10 business days after such six (6) month date or, if earlier, ten (10) days following the date of Executive’s death; following any applicable delay, all such delayed payments, without interest will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest permissible payment date.

(c) Except to the extent required to be delayed pursuant to Section   23(b) , any payment or benefit due or payable on account of Executive’s separation from service to which this Section 23(c) applies shall be paid or commence, as applicable, upon the first scheduled payroll date immediately after the date the Release Condition is satisfied (the “ Release Effective Date ”); provided that, to the extent that such payment or benefit represents a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and the sixty (60) day period following Executive’s separation from service spans two (2) taxable years, payment shall not be made or commence prior to January 1 of the second taxable year. The first such cash payment shall include payment of all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior to the Release Effective Date under the terms of this Agreement applied as though such payments commenced immediately upon Executive’s termination of employment, and any payments made thereafter shall continue as provided herein. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had such benefits commenced immediately following Executive’s termination of employment.

(d) Each payment made under this Agreement (including each separate installment payment in the case of a series of installment payments) shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Amounts payable under this Agreement shall be deemed not to be a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulations §§ 1.409A-1(b)(4) (“short-term deferrals”) and (b)(9) (“separation pay plans,” including the exception under subparagraph (iii)) and other applicable provisions of Section 409A, and shall be paid under any such exception to the maximum extent permitted. For purposes of this Agreement, with respect to payments of any amounts that are

 

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considered to be “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A, references to “termination of employment,” “termination,” or words and phrases of similar import, shall be deemed to refer to Executive’s “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A, and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this Agreement.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise that is eligible for exemption from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(A) or (C) (relating to certain reimbursements and in-kind benefits) shall be paid or provided to Executive only to the extent that the expenses are not incurred, or the benefits are not provided, beyond the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s “separation from service” occurs; and provided , further , that such expenses are reimbursed no later than the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s “separation from service” occurs. To the extent that any indemnification payment, expense reimbursement, or provision of any in-kind benefit is determined to be subject to Section 409A (and not exempt pursuant to the prior sentence or otherwise), the amount of any such indemnification payment or expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one (1) calendar year shall not affect the indemnification payment or provision of in-kind benefits or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year (except for any lifetime or other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses to the extent permitted by Section 409A), such indemnification, reimbursement, or in-kind benefits shall be provided for the period set forth in this Agreement, or if no such period is set forth, during Executive’s lifetime, in no event shall any indemnification payment or expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive incurred such indemnification payment or expenses, and in no event shall any right to indemnification payment or reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties as of the date first written above.

 

TCEH Corp.
By:  

/s/ Carrie Lee Kirby

Name:   Carrie Lee Kirby
Title:   Chief Administrative Officer
CURTIS A. MORGAN

/s/ Curtis A. Morgan

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]


Exhibit A

 

OIP:    Equity awards to be subject to the terms of the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Initial Equity Award:    Upon or as soon as practicable after the Effective Date, the Company will award Executive restricted stock units and stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, with an aggregate grant date fair market value as determined by the Board for accounting purposes of $5,000,000. Such restricted stock units or stock options, as applicable, to vest ratably over 4 years (25% each year). Allocation between restricted stock units and stock options to be determined by the Board.
Annual Equity Awards:    Following the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Executive will be granted annual equity awards in an amount determined by the Board. Such awards may be in the form of options, restricted stock units, performance shares, or any other form as approved by the Board.
Initial Equity Investment:    Executive to make a cash equity investment in the Company’s common shares equal to $1.25 million (the timing of which will be determined in good faith by the parties).
Involuntary Termination Without Cause / Resignation for Good Reason / Non-Renewal of Term by the Company:    Subject to delivery (and non-revocation) of the Release and continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement, accelerated vesting of the portion of Executive’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (fully vested options to remain exercisable for 90 days following termination or, if Executive is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, 180 days from the date of such termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).
Termination with Cause / Resignation Without Good Reason / Non-Renewal of the Term by Executive    All options and other outstanding awards (unvested and vested) are forfeited upon a termination for Cause. On any other termination, Executive will retain all vested awards (forfeits unvested), and vested options remain exercisable for 30 days following termination or, if Executive is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, 180 days from the date of such termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter).
Death / Disability    Accelerated vesting of the portion of Executive’s equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (fully vested options to remain exercisable for one year following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).
Involuntary Termination Without Cause / Resignation for Good Reason / Non-Renewal of Term by the Company Following a Change in Control:    All equity awards that were outstanding at the time of the Change in Control will vest upon such termination.


Exhibit B

Release of Claims

As used in this Release of Claims (this “ Release ”), the term “claims” will include all claims, covenants, warranties, promises, undertakings, actions, suits, causes of action, proceedings, obligations, debts, accounts, attorneys’ fees, judgments, losses, and liabilities, of whatsoever kind or nature, in law, in equity, or otherwise. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Release will have the meanings given to them in the employment agreement dated October 4, 2016, between TCEH Corp. (the “ Company ”) and Curtis A. Morgan (my “ Employment Agreement ”).

For and in consideration of the severance payments and benefits, and other good and valuable consideration, I, for and on behalf of myself and my executors, heirs, administrators, representatives, and assigns, hereby agree to release and forever discharge the Company and each of its direct and indirect parent and subsidiary entities, and all of their respective predecessors, successors, and past, current, and future parent entities, affiliates, subsidiary entities, investors, directors, shareholders, members, officers, general or limited partners, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives, and the employee benefit plans in which I am or have been a participant by virtue of my employment with or service to the Company (collectively, the “ Company Releasees ”), from any and all claims that I have or may have had against the Company Releasees based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring on or prior to the date hereof and arising directly or indirectly out of, relating to, or in any other way involving in any manner whatsoever my employment by or service to the Company or the termination thereof, including without limitation any and all claims arising under federal, state, or local laws relating to employment, including without limitation claims of wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, whistleblowing, or liability in tort, and claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative agency, and any related claims for attorneys’ fees and costs, including, without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000, et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991; 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, et seq.; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq. (the “ ADEA ”); the Equal Pay Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 206(d); regulations of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance, 41 C.F.R. Section 60, et seq.; the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.; and any similar state or local law. I agree further that this Release may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit, arbitration, or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof that is or may be initiated, prosecuted, or maintained by me or my descendants, dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns. By signing this Release, I acknowledge that I intend to waive and release all rights known or unknown that I may have against the Company Releasees under these and any other laws.

I acknowledge and agree that as of the date I execute this Release, I have no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that give rise or could give rise to any claims under any of the laws

 

B-1


listed in the preceding paragraph and that I have not filed any claim against any of the Releasees before any local, state, federal, or foreign agency, court, arbitrator, mediator, arbitration or mediation panel, or other body (each individually a “ Proceeding ”). I (i) acknowledge that I will not initiate or cause to be initiated on my behalf any Proceeding and will not participate in any Proceeding, in each case, except as required by law or to the extent such Proceeding relates to a claim not waived hereunder; and (ii) waive any right that I may have to benefit in any manner from any relief (whether monetary or otherwise) arising out of any Proceeding, including any Proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“ EEOC ”), except in each case to the extent such Proceeding relates to a claim not waived hereunder. Further, I understand that, by executing this Release, I will be limiting the availability of certain remedies that I may have against the Company and limiting also my ability to pursue certain claims against the Company Releasees.

By executing this Release, I specifically release all claims relating to my employment and its termination under ADEA, a federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefit plans.

Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, I do not release (i) claims to receive my severance payments and benefits in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement, (ii) claims with respect to benefits to which I am entitled under the employee benefit and compensation plans of the Company and its affiliates, including any rights to equity, (iii) claims to indemnification, or (iv) claims that cannot be waived by law. Further, nothing in this Release shall prevent me from (i) initiating or causing to be initiated on my behalf any claim against the Company before any local, state, or federal agency, court, or other body challenging the validity of the waiver of my claims under the ADEA (but no other portion of such waiver); or (ii) initiating or participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC.

I acknowledge that I have been given at least [21]/[45] 1 days in which to consider this Release. I acknowledge further that the Company has advised me to consult with an attorney of my choice before signing this Release, and I have had sufficient time to consider the terms of this Release. I represent and acknowledge that if I execute this Release before [21]/[45] days have elapsed, I do so knowingly, voluntarily, and upon the advice and with the approval of my legal counsel (if any), and that I voluntarily waive any remaining consideration period.

I understand that after executing this Release, I have the right to revoke it within seven days after its execution. I understand that this Release will not become effective and enforceable unless the seven-day revocation period passes and I do not revoke the Release in writing. I understand that this Release may not be revoked after the seven-day revocation period has passed. I understand also that any revocation of this Release must be made in writing and delivered to the Company at its principal place of business within the seven-day period.

This Release will become effective, irrevocable, and binding on the eighth day after its execution, so long as I have not timely revoked it as set forth above. I understand and acknowledge that I will not be entitled to the severance payments and benefits unless this Release is effective on or before the date that is sixty (60) days following the date of my termination of employment.

 

1   NTD: To be selected based on whether applicable termination was “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).


I hereby agree to waive any and all claims to re-employment with the Company or any of its affiliates and affirmatively agree not to seek further employment with the Company or any of its affiliates.

The provisions of this Release will be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and assigns. If any provision of this Release will be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void, or unenforceable, such provision will be of no force or effect. The illegality or unenforceability of such provision, however, will have no effect upon and will not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Release.

This Release will be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law. Any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Release or claim of breach hereof will be brought exclusively in the federal and state courts located within Delaware. By execution of this Release, I am waiving any right to trial by jury in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding under or in connection with this Release.

 

 

Curtis A. Morgan

 

DATE

Exhibit 10.20

EXECUTION VERSION

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October 4, 2016 (the “ Effective Date ”), between TCEH Corp. (the “ Company ”) and James A. Burke (“ Executive ”).

Recitals :

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to enter into a written employment agreement to reflect the terms upon which Executive shall provide services to the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

1. Term.

(a) The term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date, and shall continue until the three (3) year anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Initial Expiration Date ”); provided that on the Initial Expiration Date and each subsequent anniversary of the Initial Expiration Date, the term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be extended for one (1) additional year unless either party provides written notice to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to the Initial Expiration Date (or any such anniversary, as applicable) that Executive’s employment shall not be so extended (in which case, Executive’s employment shall terminate on the Initial Expiration Date or any such anniversary, as applicable); provided , however , that Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated at any earlier time pursuant to the provisions of Section   5 . The period of time from the Effective Date through the termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder pursuant to its terms is herein referred to as the “ Term ”; and the date on which the Term is scheduled to expire ( i.e. , the Initial Expiration Date or the scheduled expiration of the extended term, if applicable) is herein referred to as the “ Expiration Date .”

(b) Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to extend the Term or to continue Executive’s employment following the Expiration Date, and Executive expressly acknowledges that no promises or understandings to the contrary have been made or reached.

2. Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms, as used herein, shall have the definitions set forth below.

(a) “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such specified Person.

(b) “ Change in Control ” shall, be deemed to occur upon any of the following events:

(i) the acquisition by any Person or related “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto (the “ Exchange Act ”)) of Beneficial Ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under Section 13 of the Exchange Act) of 30% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), including Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock (the “ Outstanding Company Common Stock ”); or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors (the “ Outstanding Company Voting Securities ”); but excluding any acquisition by the Company or any of its Affiliates or by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates;


(ii) a change in the composition of the Board such that members of the Board during any consecutive 12-month period (the “ Incumbent Directors ”) cease to constitute a majority of the Board. Any person becoming a director through election or nomination for election approved by a valid vote of at least two thirds of the Incumbent Directors shall be deemed an Incumbent Director; provided , however , that no individual becoming a director as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be deemed an Incumbent Director;

(iii) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company; or

(iv) the consummation of a reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), or sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company to an entity that is not an Affiliate of the Company (a “ Sale ”), unless immediately following such Business Combination or Sale: (A) more than 50% of the total voting power of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the entity that acquired all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company in such Sale (in either case, the “ Surviving Company ”), or the ultimate parent entity that has Beneficial Ownership of sufficient voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or analogous governing body) of the Surviving Company (the “ Parent Company ”), is represented by the Outstanding Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination or Sale (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which the Outstanding Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination or Sale), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination or Sale, (B) no Person or related group of Persons (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total

 

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voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) following the consummation of the Business Combination or Sale were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination or Sale.

(c) “ Cause ” means (i) Executive’s willful and continued failure to perform Executive’s duties with the Company; (ii) Executive’s willful and continued failure to follow and comply with the written policies of the Company as in effect from time to time; (iii) Executive’s willful commission of an act of fraud or dishonesty resulting in economic or financial injury to the Company; (iv) Executive’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct; (v) Executive’s willful breach of this Agreement; or (vi) Executive’s indictment for, conviction of, or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or other crime involving moral turpitude. No act or failure to act will be treated as willful if it is done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and with a good faith belief that such act or omission was in the best interests of the Company.

(d) “ Control ” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ”), as used with respect to any Person, means the direct or indirect possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract.

(e) “ Disability ” means Executive would be entitled to long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan as in effect from time to time, without regard to any waiting or elimination period under such plan and assuming for the purpose of such determination that Executive is actually participating in such plan at such time. If the Company does not maintain a long-term disability plan, “ Disability ” means Executive’s inability to perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder on a full-time basis for a consecutive period of one hundred eighty (180) days due to physical or mental illness or incapacity that is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to Executive or Executive’s legal representative.

(f) “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence, without the consent of Executive, of either of the following events: (i) any material diminution of, or modification to, Executive’s title, duties, responsibilities, authorities, or terms of employment set forth in Section 3 or (ii) any breach by the Company of any of its material obligations to Executive. Prior to resigning for Good Reason, Executive shall give written notice to the Company of the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for such resignation not more than sixty (60) days following Executive’s knowledge of such facts and circumstances, and the Company shall have ten (10) business days after receipt of such notice to cure (and if so cured, Executive shall not be permitted to resign for Good Reason in respect thereof) and Executive shall resign within ten (10) business days following the Company’s failure to cure.

(g) “ Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, unincorporated entity, or other entity.

 

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3. Duties and Responsibilities.  The Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, during the Term, as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. During the Term, Executive agrees to be employed by and devote all of Executive’s business time and attention to the Company and the promotion of its interests and to use Executive’s best efforts to faithfully and diligently serve the Company; provided , however , that, to the extent that such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties, services, and responsibilities under this Agreement, Executive shall be permitted to (a) manage Executive’s personal, financial, and legal affairs, (b) serve on civic or charitable boards and committees of such boards and (c) to the extent approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) pursuant to a duly authorized resolution of the Board, serve on corporate boards and committees of such boards. Executive will report solely to the Chief Executive Officer. Executive will perform such lawful duties and responsibilities as are commensurate with Executive’s titles and positions, and such other duties and responsibilities commensurate with Executive’s titles and positions as may be reasonably requested by the Chief Executive Officer and the Board from time to time. Executive will have the authority customarily exercised by an individual serving as an Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of a corporation of the size and nature of the Company. Executive’s place of employment will be in Dallas, Texas.

4. Compensation and Related Matters.  (a)  Base Salary . During the Term, Executive shall receive an aggregate annual base salary (“ Base Salary ”) at an initial rate of $750,000, payable in accordance with the Company’s applicable payroll practices. Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board and increased (but not decreased) in the Board’s sole discretion. References in this Agreement to Base Salary shall be deemed to refer to the most recently effective annual base salary rate.

(b) Annual Bonus . During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to receive a cash bonus (the “ Annual Bonus ”) for each year (or portion thereof) (beginning with calendar year 2016), provided that, except as otherwise provided herein, Executive has remained employed by the Company as of the applicable payment date. Executive’s target bonus opportunity for any particular year (the “ Target Bonus ”) shall be 90% of Base Salary, and Executive’s maximum bonus opportunity shall be 200% of the Target Bonus. The Annual Bonus shall be subject to performance metrics approved by the Board based on key short-term objectives and shall be at the full discretion of the Board. For the Annual Bonus paid in respect of 2016, the Board shall consider alternatives to compensate Executive for 2016 (e.g., paying a full-year payout based on stub year performance or an agreed upon Annual Bonus to be paid in the normal bonus cycle). Any Annual Bonus shall be paid in the fiscal year following the fiscal year to which such Annual Bonus relates, at the same as annual bonuses are paid to all other senior executives.

(c) Equity Compensation . Executive shall be entitled to receive equity compensation awards as described in Exhibit A .

 

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(d) Benefits and Perquisites . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in the benefit plans (including, without limitation, life insurance) and programs and receive perquisites that are provided by the Company from time to time for its senior executives generally, subject to the terms and conditions of such plans and programs and commensurate with Executive’s position. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to up to $15,000 per year for tax and financial planning.

(e) Business Expense Reimbursements . During the Term, the Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for Executive’s reasonable and necessary business expenses in accordance with the Company’s then-prevailing policies and procedures for expense reimbursement (which shall include appropriate itemization and substantiation of expenses incurred).

(f) Indemnification . The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive, to the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s governing documents, against all claims, expenses, damages, liabilities, and losses incurred by Executive (whether before or after the Effective Date) by reason of the fact that Executive is or was, or had agreed to become, a consultant, director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates or predecessors of any of the foregoing, or any benefit plan of any of the foregoing, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a consultant, director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, fiduciary, or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, person, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity. The Company shall provide Executive with customary directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage both during and after the Term with regard to matters occurring during employment or while otherwise providing services to, or serving at the request of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any benefit plan of any of the foregoing, which coverage shall be at a level at least equal to the greatest level being maintained at such time for any current officer or director and shall continue until such time as suits can no longer be brought against Executive as a matter of law. Executive will be entitled to advancement of expenses in connection with any claim in the same manner and to the same extent to which any other officer or director of the Company is entitled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to indemnify or advance expenses to Executive in connection with (i) any dispute in connection with this Agreement or Executive’s employment hereunder; (ii) any action, claim, or proceeding initiated by Executive against the Company unless such action, claim, or proceeding is approved in advance by the Board in writing or (iii) any liabilities, damages, claims or expenses incurred that are attributable to Executive’s fraud, bad faith, willful misconduct, or gross negligence.

5. Termination of Employment.  (a) Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time and for any reason; provided , however , that Executive shall be required to give the Company at least sixty (60) days’ advance written notice of any voluntary resignation of Executive’s employment hereunder (other than resignation for Good Reason) (and in such event the Company in its sole discretion may elect to accelerate Executive’s date of termination of employment, it being understood that such termination shall still be treated as a voluntary resignation without Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death.

 

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(b) Following any termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement, except as provided under Sections 5(c) , 5(d) , and 5(e), the obligations of the Company to pay or provide Executive with compensation and benefits under Section 4 shall cease, and the Company shall have no further obligations to provide compensation or benefits to Executive hereunder, except (i) for payment of any accrued but unpaid Base Salary and any accrued but unused vacation and for payment of any unreimbursed expenses under Section 4(e) , in each case accrued or incurred through the date of termination of employment, payable as soon as practicable and in all events within thirty (30) days following the date of termination of employment, (ii) as explicitly set forth in any other benefit plans, programs, or arrangements applicable to terminated employees in which Executive participates (including, without limitation, equity award agreements), other than severance plans or policies, and (iii) as otherwise expressly required by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, except as otherwise provided below, any Unpaid Annual Bonus (as defined below) is forfeited if Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason.

(c) If Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, or (iii) due to expiration of the Term on the Expiration Date as a result of the Company delivering a notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section 1 , in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , Executive shall be entitled to receive: (i) severance pay in an aggregate amount (the “ Severance Pay ”) equal to, two times (2x) the sum of (A) Base Salary plus (B) (x) Target Bonus, if such termination of employment occurs prior to the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date, or (y) the prior year’s Annual Bonus, if such termination of employment occurs on or after the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date; (ii) a prorated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (x) the amount of Annual Bonus that would have been payable to Executive had Executive’s employment not so terminated based on actual performance measured through the fiscal year of termination, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Company’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (the “ Prorated Bonus ”); (iii) any accrued but unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year of termination (the “ Unpaid Annual Bonus ”); and (iv) continued health insurance benefits under the terms of the applicable Company benefit plans for twenty-four (24) months, subject to Executive’s payment of the cost of such benefits to the same extent that active employees of the Company are required to pay for such benefits from time to time; provided , however , that such continuation coverage shall end earlier upon Executive’s becoming eligible for comparable coverage under another employer’s benefit plans; and provided , further , that to the extent that the provision of such continuation coverage is not permitted under the terms of the Company benefit plans or would result in an adverse tax consequence to the Company, the Company may alternatively provide Executive with a monthly cash payment in an amount equal to the applicable COBRA premium that Executive would otherwise be required to pay to obtain COBRA continuation coverage for such benefits for twenty-four (24) months (assuming that COBRA continuation coverage were available for such period) (minus the cost of such benefits to the same extent that active employees of the Company are required to pay for such benefits from time to time) (the “ Severance Benefits ”), commencing as provided in Section 23(c) . The Severance Pay shall be paid in equal installments during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices,

 

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but no less frequently than monthly, and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) below. The Unpaid Annual Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives during the fiscal year of Executive’s termination and the Prorated Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the year following the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time within eighteen (18) months following a Change in Control, Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, or (iii) due to expiration of the Term on the Expiration Date as a result of the Company delivering a notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section 1 , then Executive, in lieu of any of the amounts and benefits described in Section 5(c) and in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , shall be entitled to receive (i) the Unpaid Annual Bonus, (ii) 2.99 times the sum of (A) Base Salary plus (B) Target Bonus (the “ CIC Severance Pay ”), (iii) the product of (x) the Target Bonus, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Company’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (the “ Prorated CIC Bonus ”), and (iv) the Severance Benefits for twenty-four (24) months (as described above and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) ). The CIC Severance Pay and the Prorated CIC Bonus shall be paid in cash in a lump sum on the first payroll following the satisfaction of the Release Condition, subject to Section 23(c) ; provided, however, if the Change in Control does not constitute a “change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), the portion of the CIC Severance Pay that is not in excess of the Severance Pay that would have been payable upon such termination if Section 5(c) applied shall be paid to Executive in equal monthly installments during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly, and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) below, and the portion of the CIC Severance Pay in excess of such amount shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum 60 days after the consummation of the Change in Control. The Unpaid Annual Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives during the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(e) If Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated due to death or Disability, in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) the Prorated Bonus, paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the year following the fiscal year of Executive’s termination and (ii) the Unpaid Annual Bonus, paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(f) Executive’s entitlement to the payments and benefits set forth in Sections 5(c) and 5(d) shall be conditioned upon Executive’s having provided an irrevocable waiver and release of claims in favor of the Company, its Affiliates, their respective predecessors and successors, and all of the respective current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents, or representatives of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Released Parties ”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “ Release ”),

 

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that has become effective in accordance with its terms within sixty (60) days following Executive’s termination of employment (the “ Release Condition ”), and Executive’s continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 hereof.

(g) Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, and regardless of whether Executive continues as a consultant to the Company, upon the Company’s request Executive agrees to resign, as of the date of such termination of employment or such other date requested, from the Board and any committees thereof, and, if applicable, from the board of directors (and any committees thereof) of any Affiliate of the Company to the extent Executive is then serving thereon. The Company’s obligations to make the payments provided for in this Agreement are subject to set-off for any undisputed amounts owed by Executive, to the extent permitted by Section 409A (as defined below) and any Company clawback policy.

(h) The payment of any amounts accrued under any benefit plan, program, or arrangement in which Executive participates shall be subject to the terms of the applicable plan, program, or arrangement, and any elections Executive has made thereunder.

(i) Following any termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall have no obligation to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement. There shall be no offset against amounts due Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to later employment, consultancy, or other remunerative activity of Executive.

6. Confidential Information.

(a) Executive acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates continually develop Confidential Information (as defined below), that Executive may develop Confidential Information for the Company or its Affiliates and that Executive may learn of Confidential Information during the course of Executive’s employment. Executive will comply with the policies and procedures of the Company and its Affiliates for protecting Confidential Information and shall not disclose to any Person or use, other than as required by applicable law or for the proper performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities to the Company and its Affiliates, any Confidential Information obtained by Executive incident to Executive’s employment or other association with the Company or any of its Affiliates. Executive understands that this restriction shall continue to apply after Executive’s employment terminates, regardless of the reason for such termination.

(b) All documents, records, tapes, and other media of every kind and description relating to the business, present or otherwise, of the Company or its Affiliates and any copies, in whole or in part, thereof (the “ Documents ”), whether or not prepared by Executive, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and its Affiliates. Executive shall safeguard all Documents and shall surrender to the Company at the time Executive’s employment terminates, or at such earlier time or times as the Company may specify, all Documents then in Executive’s possession or control. Executive shall immediately return such Documents and other property to the Company upon the termination of Executive’s employment and, in any event, at the Company’s request. Executive further agrees that any property situated

 

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on the premises of, and owned by, the Company or its Affiliates, including disks and other storage media, filing cabinets, or other work areas, is subject to inspection by the Company’s personnel at any time with or without notice.

(c) Executive understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”). Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit Executive’s ability to communicate with the SEC or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by the SEC, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to the SEC. This Section 6(c) applies only for the period of time that the Company is subject to the Dodd-Frank Act.

(d) “ Confidential Information ” means any and all information of the Company and its Affiliates that is not generally known by others with whom they compete or do business, or with whom any of them plans to compete or do business and any and all information, publicly known in whole or in part or not, which, if disclosed by the Company or its Affiliates would assist in competition against them. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, such information relating to (i) the development, research, testing, manufacturing, marketing and financial activities of the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) all products planned, researched, developed, tested, manufactured, sold, licensed, leased or otherwise distributed or put into use by the Company and its Affiliates, together with all services provided or planned by the Company or any of its Affiliates, during Executive’s employment, (iii) the costs, sources of supply, financial performance and strategic plans of the Company and its Affiliates, (iv) the identity and special needs of the customers of the Company and its Affiliates and (v) the people and organizations with whom the Company and its Affiliates have business relationships and those relationships. Confidential Information also includes any information that the Company or any of its Affiliates have received, or may receive hereafter, belonging to customers or others with any understanding, express or implied, that the information would not be disclosed.

7. Restricted Activities.  Executive agrees that some restrictions on Executive’s activities during and after Executive’s employment are necessary to protect the goodwill, Confidential Information, and other legitimate interests of the Company and its Affiliates. Following the Effective Date, the Company will provide Executive with access to and knowledge of Confidential Information and trade secrets and will place Executive in a position of trust and confidence with the Company, and Executive will benefit from the Company’s goodwill. The restrictive covenants below are necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests in its Confidential Information, trade secrets and goodwill. Executive further understands and acknowledges that the Company’s ability to reserve these for the exclusive knowledge and use of the Company is of great competitive importance and commercial value to the Company and that the Company would be irreparably harmed if Executive violates the restrictive covenants below. In recognition of the consideration provided to Executive as well as the imparting to Executive of Confidential Information, including trade secrets, and for other good and valuable consideration, Executive hereby agrees as follows:

(a) While Executive is employed by the Company and for twenty-four (24) months after Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, whether before or after the

 

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Expiration Date (in the aggregate, the “ Non-Competition Period ”), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, investor (other than a passive investor of less than 5% in a publicly traded company), consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer, or otherwise, (i) compete with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any location where the Company or its subsidiaries conducts business (a “ Competitive Business ”) or (ii) undertake any planning for any Competitive Business. With respect to the portion of the Non-Competition Period that follows Executive’s termination of employment, the determination of whether a business is a Competitive Business shall be made based on the scope and location of the businesses conducted or planned to be conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries as of the date of such termination.

(b) Executive agrees that, during Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will not undertake any outside activity, whether or not competitive with the business of the Company or its Affiliates, that would reasonably give rise to a conflict of interest or otherwise interfere with Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(c) Executive further agrees that, during the Non-Competition Period, Executive will not solicit, hire, or attempt to solicit or hire any employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates (or any individual who was employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates during the one (1) year period prior to Executive’s termination), assist in such hiring by any Person, encourage any such employee to terminate his or her relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates, or solicit or encourage any customer, client, or vendor of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate or diminish its relationship with them, or, in the case of a customer, to conduct with any Person any business or activity which such customer conducts with the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(d) Executive shall not, whether in writing or orally, malign, denigrate, or disparage the Company or its Affiliates, or their respective predecessors and successors, or any of the current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents, or representatives of any of the foregoing, with respect to any of their respective past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that tend to portray any of the aforementioned parties in an unfavorable light. The Company shall direct its directors and officers not to, whether in writing or orally, malign, denigrate, or disparage Executive with respect to any of Executive’s past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that are intended to portray Executive in an unfavorable light.

(e) Executive’s and the Company’s obligations under this Section 7 , as applicable, shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

8. Notification Requirement.  Through and up to the conclusion of the Non-Competition Period, Executive shall give notice to the Company of each new business activity he plans to undertake, at least seven (7) days prior to beginning any such activity. Such notice shall state the name and address of the Person for whom such activity is undertaken and the nature of Executive’s business relationship(s) and position(s) with such Person.

 

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9. Intellectual Property Rights . (a) Executive agrees that the results and proceeds of Executive’s services for the Company (including, but not limited to, any trade secrets, products, services, processes, know-how, designs, developments, innovations, analyses, drawings, reports, techniques, formulas, methods, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, source and object codes, programs, writing and other works of authorship) resulting from services performed while an employee of the Company and any works in progress, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, that were made, developed, conceived, or reduced to practice or learned by Executive, either alone or jointly with others (collectively, “ Inventions ”), shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all trade secret, patent, copyright, and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “ Proprietary Rights ”) of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized, or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion, without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any Proprietary Rights which do not accrue to the Company under the immediately preceding sentence, then Executive hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of Executive’s right, title, and interest thereto, including any and all Proprietary Rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized, or developed, to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner determined by the Company without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. As to any Invention that Executive is required to assign, Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company all information known to Executive concerning such Invention.

(b) Executive agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, Executive shall do any and all things that the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company’s exclusive ownership throughout the United States of America or any other country of any and all Proprietary Rights in any such Inventions, including the execution of appropriate copyright and patent applications or assignments. To the extent that Executive has any Proprietary Rights in the Inventions that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, Executive unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such Proprietary Rights. This Section 9(b) is subject to and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict, or constitute any waiver by the Company of any Proprietary Rights of ownership to which the Company may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Company’s being Executive’s employer. Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designees. Executive’s obligations under this Section 9 shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

(c) Executive hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, that Executive now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company.

 

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10. Remedies and Injunctive Relief.  Executive acknowledges that a violation by Executive of any of the covenants contained in Sections 6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 would cause irreparable damage to the Company in an amount that would be material but not readily ascertainable, and that any remedy at law (including the payment of damages) would be inadequate. Accordingly, Executive agrees that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled (without the necessity of showing economic loss or other actual damage) to injunctive relief (including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions) in any court of competent jurisdiction for any actual or threatened breach of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies it may have. The preceding sentence shall not be construed as a waiver of the rights that the Company may have for damages under this Agreement or otherwise, and all of the Company’s rights shall be unrestricted.

11. Representations; Advice of Counsel. (a) Executive represents, warrants, and covenants that as of the date hereof: (i) Executive has the full right, authority, and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform Executive’s obligations hereunder, (ii) Executive is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company hereunder during or after the Term, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment, or agreement to which Executive is subject.

(b) Prior to execution of this Agreement, Executive was advised by the Company of Executive’s right to seek independent advice from an attorney of Executive’s own selection regarding this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that Executive has entered into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and with full knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this Agreement after being given the opportunity to consult with counsel. Executive further represents that in entering into this Agreement, Executive is not relying on any statements or representations made by any of the Company’s directors, officers, employees, or agents that are not expressly set forth herein, and that Executive is relying only upon Executive’s own judgment and any advice provided by Executive’s attorney.

(c) The Company represents, warrants, and covenants that as of the date hereof: (i) the Company has the full right, authority, and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform the Company’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the Company is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of the Company’s obligations to Executive hereunder during or after the Term, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment, or agreement to which the Company is subject.

12. Cooperation.  Executive agrees that, upon reasonable notice and without the necessity of the Company’s obtaining a subpoena or court order, Executive shall provide reasonable cooperation in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding (or any appeal from any

 

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suit, action, or proceeding), and any investigation or defense of any claims asserted against the Company or its Affiliates, that relates to events occurring during Executive’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates as to which Executive may have relevant information (including but not limited to furnishing relevant information and materials to the Company or its designee and providing testimony at depositions and at trial); provided , that with respect to such cooperation occurring following termination of employment, the Company shall reimburse Executive for expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith.

13. Withholding.  The Company may deduct and withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state, local, non-U.S., and other taxes as are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

14. Assignment.   Neither the Company nor Executive may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other party; provided , that the Company may assign its rights under this Agreement without the consent of Executive to a successor to substantially all of the business of the Company in the event that the Company shall effect a reorganization, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity, or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any other corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and Executive, and their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs, and permitted assigns.

15. Governing Law; No Construction Against Drafter.  This Agreement shall be deemed made in the State of Delaware, and the validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement in all respects shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its principles of conflicts of law. No provision of this Agreement or any related document will be construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage of any party hereto by any court or other governmental or judicial authority by reason of such party’s having or being deemed to have structured or drafted such provision.

16. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.  (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, Executive and the Company each hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts located within the State of Delaware (or, if subject matter jurisdiction in such courts are not available, in any state court located within the State of Delaware) over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the parties undertake not to commence any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in a forum other than a forum described in this Section 16(a) ; provided , however , that nothing herein shall preclude either party from bringing any suit, action, or proceeding in any other court for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Section 16 or enforcing any judgment obtained by either party.

(b) The agreement of the parties to the forum described in Section 16(a) is independent of the law that may be applied in any suit, action, or proceeding, and the parties agree to such forum even if such forum may under applicable law choose to apply non-forum law. The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of

 

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any such suit, action, or proceeding brought in an applicable court described in Section 16(a) , and the parties agree that they shall not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court. The parties agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a final and non-appealable judgment in any suit, action, or proceeding brought in any applicable court described in Section 16(a) shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction.

(c) The parties hereto irrevocably consent to the service of any and all process in any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement by the mailing of copies of such process to such party at such party’s address specified in Section 20 .

(d) Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent, or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of any action, suit, or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver, and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party hereto has been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section 16(d) .

(e) Each party shall bear his or her or its own costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

17. Amendment; No Waiver; Severability.  (a) No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived, or discharged except by a written document signed by Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right or power hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment of any steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.

(b) If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any applicable law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic and legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party; provided , that in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall finally hold in a non-appealable judicial determination that any provision of Sections 6 through 10 (whether in whole or in part) is void or constitutes an unreasonable restriction against Executive, such provision shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision enforceable for the longest duration and the greatest scope as such court may determine constitutes a reasonable restriction under the circumstances. Subject to the foregoing, upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

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18. Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral), between Executive and the Company, relating to such subject matter. None of the parties shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations and warranties or covenants relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth herein.

19. Survival.  The rights and obligations of the parties under the provisions of this Agreement shall survive, and remain binding and enforceable, notwithstanding the expiration of the Term, the termination of this Agreement, the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder or any settlement of the financial rights and obligations arising from Executive’s employment hereunder, to the extent necessary to preserve the intended benefits of such provisions.

20. Notices.  All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or sent by facsimile or sent, postage prepaid, by registered, certified, or express mail or overnight courier service and shall be deemed given when so delivered by hand or facsimile, or if mailed, three days after mailing (one (1) business day in the case of express mail or overnight courier service) to the parties at the following addresses or facsimiles (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

If to the Company:    TCEH Corp.
   Attn: Corporate Secretary
   1601 Bryan Street
   Dallas, TX 75201
If to Executive:    At the most recent address on file in the Company’s records.

Notices delivered by facsimile shall have the same legal effect as if such notice had been delivered in person.

21. Headings and References.  The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, and neither constitute a part of this Agreement nor affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. When a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

22. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including via facsimile and electronic image scan (.pdf)), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

 

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23. Section 409A.  (a) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Section 409A ” means Section 409A of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and such other Treasury or Internal Revenue Service guidance) as in effect from time to time. The parties intend that any amounts payable hereunder that could constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A will be compliant with Section 409A or exempt from Section 409A.

(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following special rule shall apply, if and to the extent required by Section 409A, in the event that (i) Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) (as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company as in effect on the date of Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations § 1.409A-1(h)), (ii) amounts or benefits under this Agreement or any other program, plan, or arrangement of the Company or a controlled group affiliate thereof are due or payable on account of separation from service, and (iii) Executive is employed by a public company or a controlled group affiliate thereof: payments hereunder that are “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A that would be made to Executive prior to the date that is six (6) months after the date of Executive’s separation from service shall be made within 10 business days after such six (6) month date or, if earlier, ten (10) days following the date of Executive’s death; following any applicable delay, all such delayed payments, without interest will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest permissible payment date.

(c) Except to the extent required to be delayed pursuant to Section   23(b) , any payment or benefit due or payable on account of Executive’s separation from service to which this Section 23(c) applies shall be paid or commence, as applicable, upon the first scheduled payroll date immediately after the date the Release Condition is satisfied (the “ Release Effective Date ”); provided that, to the extent that such payment or benefit represents a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and the sixty (60) day period following Executive’s separation from service spans two (2) taxable years, payment shall not be made or commence prior to January 1 of the second taxable year. The first such cash payment shall include payment of all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior to the Release Effective Date under the terms of this Agreement applied as though such payments commenced immediately upon Executive’s termination of employment, and any payments made thereafter shall continue as provided herein. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had such benefits commenced immediately following Executive’s termination of employment.

(d) Each payment made under this Agreement (including each separate installment payment in the case of a series of installment payments) shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Amounts payable under this Agreement shall be deemed not to be a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulations §§ 1.409A-1(b)(4) (“short-term deferrals”) and (b)(9) (“separation pay plans,” including the exception under subparagraph (iii)) and other applicable provisions of Section 409A, and shall be paid under any such exception to the maximum extent permitted. For purposes of this Agreement, with respect to payments of any amounts that are considered to be “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A, references to “termination of employment,” “termination,” or words and phrases of similar import, shall be deemed to refer to Executive’s “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A, and shall be interpreted and

 

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applied in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this Agreement.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise that is eligible for exemption from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(A) or (C) (relating to certain reimbursements and in-kind benefits) shall be paid or provided to Executive only to the extent that the expenses are not incurred, or the benefits are not provided, beyond the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s “separation from service” occurs; and provided , further , that such expenses are reimbursed no later than the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s “separation from service” occurs. To the extent that any indemnification payment, expense reimbursement, or provision of any in-kind benefit is determined to be subject to Section 409A (and not exempt pursuant to the prior sentence or otherwise), the amount of any such indemnification payment or expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one (1) calendar year shall not affect the indemnification payment or provision of in-kind benefits or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year (except for any lifetime or other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses to the extent permitted by Section 409A), such indemnification, reimbursement, or in-kind benefits shall be provided for the period set forth in this Agreement, or if no such period is set forth, during Executive’s lifetime, in no event shall any indemnification payment or expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive incurred such indemnification payment or expenses, and in no event shall any right to indemnification payment or reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties as of the date first written above.

 

TCEH Corp.
By:  

/s/ Carrie Lee Kirby

Name:   Carrie Lee Kirby
Title:   Chief Administrative Officer
JAMES A. BURKE

/s/ James A. Burke

 

 

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]


Exhibit A

 

OIP:    Equity awards to be subject to the terms of the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Initial Equity Award:    Upon or as soon as practicable after the Effective Date, the Company will award Executive restricted stock units and stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, with an aggregate grant date fair market value as determined by the Board for accounting purposes of $4,000,000. Such restricted stock units or stock options, as applicable, to vest ratably over 4 years (25% each year). Allocation between restricted stock units and stock options to be determined by the Board.
Annual Equity Awards:    Following the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Executive will be granted annual equity awards in an amount determined by the Board. Such awards may be in the form of options, restricted stock units, performance shares, or any other form as approved by the Board.
Involuntary Termination Without Cause / Resignation for Good Reason / Non-Renewal of Term by the Company:    Subject to delivery (and non-revocation) of the Release and continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement, accelerated vesting of the portion of Executive’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had Executive remained employed (fully vested options to remain exercisable for 90 days following termination or, if Executive is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, 180 days from the date of such termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).
Termination with Cause / Resignation Without Good Reason / Non-Renewal of the Term by Executive    All options and other outstanding awards (unvested and vested) are forfeited upon a termination for Cause. On any other termination, Executive will retain all vested awards (forfeits unvested), and vested options remain exercisable for 30 days following termination or, if Executive is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, 180 days from the date of such termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter).
Death / Disability    Accelerated vesting of the portion of Executive’s equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (fully vested options to remain exercisable for one year following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).
Involuntary Termination Without Cause / Resignation for Good Reason / Non-Renewal of Term by the Company Following a Change in Control:    All equity awards that were outstanding at the time of the Change in Control will vest upon such termination.


Exhibit B

Release of Claims

As used in this Release of Claims (this “ Release ”), the term “claims” will include all claims, covenants, warranties, promises, undertakings, actions, suits, causes of action, proceedings, obligations, debts, accounts, attorneys’ fees, judgments, losses, and liabilities, of whatsoever kind or nature, in law, in equity, or otherwise. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Release will have the meanings given to them in the employment agreement dated October 4, 2016 between TCEH Corp. (the “ Company ”) and James A. Burke (my “ Employment Agreement ”).

For and in consideration of the severance payments and benefits, and other good and valuable consideration, I, for and on behalf of myself and my executors, heirs, administrators, representatives, and assigns, hereby agree to release and forever discharge the Company and each of its direct and indirect parent and subsidiary entities, and all of their respective predecessors, successors, and past, current, and future parent entities, affiliates, subsidiary entities, investors, directors, shareholders, members, officers, general or limited partners, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives, and the employee benefit plans in which I am or have been a participant by virtue of my employment with or service to the Company (collectively, the “ Company Releasees ”), from any and all claims that I have or may have had against the Company Releasees based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring on or prior to the date hereof and arising directly or indirectly out of, relating to, or in any other way involving in any manner whatsoever my employment by or service to the Company or the termination thereof, including without limitation any and all claims arising under federal, state, or local laws relating to employment, including without limitation claims of wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, whistleblowing, or liability in tort, and claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative agency, and any related claims for attorneys’ fees and costs, including, without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000, et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991; 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, et seq.; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq. (the “ ADEA ”); the Equal Pay Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 206(d); regulations of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance, 41 C.F.R. Section 60, et seq.; the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.; and any similar state or local law. I agree further that this Release may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit, arbitration, or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof that is or may be initiated, prosecuted, or maintained by me or my descendants, dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns. By signing this Release, I acknowledge that I intend to waive and release all rights known or unknown that I may have against the Company Releasees under these and any other laws.

I acknowledge and agree that as of the date I execute this Release, I have no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that give rise or could give rise to any claims under any of the laws

 

B-1


listed in the preceding paragraph and that I have not filed any claim against any of the Releasees before any local, state, federal, or foreign agency, court, arbitrator, mediator, arbitration or mediation panel, or other body (each individually a “ Proceeding ”). I (i) acknowledge that I will not initiate or cause to be initiated on my behalf any Proceeding and will not participate in any Proceeding, in each case, except as required by law or to the extent such Proceeding relates to a claim not waived hereunder; and (ii) waive any right that I may have to benefit in any manner from any relief (whether monetary or otherwise) arising out of any Proceeding, including any Proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“ EEOC ”), except in each case to the extent such Proceeding relates to a claim not waived hereunder. Further, I understand that, by executing this Release, I will be limiting the availability of certain remedies that I may have against the Company and limiting also my ability to pursue certain claims against the Company Releasees.

By executing this Release, I specifically release all claims relating to my employment and its termination under ADEA, a federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefit plans.

Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, I do not release (i) claims to receive my severance payments and benefits in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement, (ii) claims with respect to benefits to which I am entitled under the employee benefit and compensation plans of the Company and its affiliates, including any rights to equity, (iii) claims to indemnification, or (iv) claims that cannot be waived by law. Further, nothing in this Release shall prevent me from (i) initiating or causing to be initiated on my behalf any claim against the Company before any local, state, or federal agency, court, or other body challenging the validity of the waiver of my claims under the ADEA (but no other portion of such waiver); or (ii) initiating or participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC.

I acknowledge that I have been given at least [21]/[45] 1 days in which to consider this Release. I acknowledge further that the Company has advised me to consult with an attorney of my choice before signing this Release, and I have had sufficient time to consider the terms of this Release. I represent and acknowledge that if I execute this Release before [21]/[45] days have elapsed, I do so knowingly, voluntarily, and upon the advice and with the approval of my legal counsel (if any), and that I voluntarily waive any remaining consideration period.

I understand that after executing this Release, I have the right to revoke it within seven days after its execution. I understand that this Release will not become effective and enforceable unless the seven-day revocation period passes and I do not revoke the Release in writing. I understand that this Release may not be revoked after the seven-day revocation period has passed. I understand also that any revocation of this Release must be made in writing and delivered to the Company at its principal place of business within the seven-day period.

This Release will become effective, irrevocable, and binding on the eighth day after its execution, so long as I have not timely revoked it as set forth above. I understand and acknowledge that I will not be entitled to the severance payments and benefits unless this Release is effective on or before the date that is sixty (60) days following the date of my termination of employment.

 

 

1   NTD : To be selected based on whether applicable termination was “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).


I hereby agree to waive any and all claims to re-employment with the Company or any of its affiliates and affirmatively agree not to seek further employment with the Company or any of its affiliates.

The provisions of this Release will be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and assigns. If any provision of this Release will be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void, or unenforceable, such provision will be of no force or effect. The illegality or unenforceability of such provision, however, will have no effect upon and will not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Release.

This Release will be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law. Any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Release or claim of breach hereof will be brought exclusively in the federal and state courts located within Delaware. By execution of this Release, I am waiving any right to trial by jury in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding under or in connection with this Release.

 

 

James A. Burke

 

DATE

Exhibit 10.21

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of December 5, 2016, between Vistra Energy Corp. (the “ Company ”) and William Holden (“ Executive ”).

Recitals :

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to enter into a written employment agreement to reflect the terms upon which Executive shall provide services to the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

1. Term .

(a) The term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be effective as of December 5, 2016 (the “ Effective Date ”) and shall continue until the three (3) year anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Initial Expiration Date ”); provided that on the Initial Expiration Date and each subsequent anniversary of the Initial Expiration Date, the term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be extended for one (1) additional year unless either party provides written notice to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to the Initial Expiration Date (or any such anniversary, as applicable) that Executive’s employment shall not be so extended (in which case, Executive’s employment shall terminate on the Initial Expiration Date or any such anniversary, as applicable); provided , however , that Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated at any earlier time pursuant to the provisions of Section  5 . The period of time from the Effective Date through the termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder pursuant to its terms is herein referred to as the “ Term ”; and the date on which the Term is scheduled to expire ( i.e. , the Initial Expiration Date or the scheduled expiration of the extended term, if applicable) is herein referred to as the “ Expiration Date .”

(b) Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to extend the Term or to continue Executive’s employment following the Expiration Date, and Executive expressly acknowledges that no promises or understandings to the contrary have been made or reached.

2. Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms, as used herein, shall have the definitions set forth below.

(a) “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such specified Person.


(b) “ Change in Control ” shall, be deemed to occur upon any of the following events:

(i) the acquisition by any Person or related “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto (the “ Exchange Act ”)) of Beneficial Ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under Section 13 of the Exchange Act) of 30% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), including Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock (the “ Outstanding Company Common Stock ”); or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors (the “ Outstanding Company Voting Securities ”); but excluding any acquisition by the Company or any of its Affiliates or by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates;

(ii) a change in the composition of the Board such that members of the Board during any consecutive 12-month period (the “ Incumbent Directors ”) cease to constitute a majority of the Board. Any person becoming a director through election or nomination for election approved by a valid vote of at least two thirds of the Incumbent Directors shall be deemed an Incumbent Director; provided , however , that no individual becoming a director as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be deemed an Incumbent Director;

(iii) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company; or

(iv) the consummation of a reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), or sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company to an entity that is not an Affiliate of the Company (a “ Sale ”), unless immediately following such Business Combination or Sale: (A) more than 50% of the total voting power of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the entity that acquired all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company in such Sale (in either case, the “ Surviving Company ”), or the ultimate parent entity that has Beneficial Ownership of sufficient voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or analogous governing body) of the Surviving Company (the “ Parent Company ”), is represented by the Outstanding Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination or Sale (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which the Outstanding Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination or Sale), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business

 

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Combination or Sale, (B) no Person or related group of Persons (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) following the consummation of the Business Combination or Sale were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination or Sale.

(c) “ Cause ” means (i) Executive’s willful and continued failure to perform Executive’s duties with the Company; (ii) Executive’s willful and continued failure to follow and comply with the written policies of the Company as in effect from time to time; (iii) Executive’s willful commission of an act of fraud or dishonesty resulting in economic or financial injury to the Company; (iv) Executive’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct; (v) Executive’s willful breach of this Agreement; or (vi) Executive’s indictment for, conviction of, or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or other crime involving moral turpitude. No act or failure to act will be treated as willful if it is done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and with a good faith belief that such act or omission was in the best interests of the Company.

(d) “ Control ” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ”), as used with respect to any Person, means the direct or indirect possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract.

(e) “ Disability ” means Executive would be entitled to long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan as in effect from time to time, without regard to any waiting or elimination period under such plan and assuming for the purpose of such determination that Executive is actually participating in such plan at such time. If the Company does not maintain a long-term disability plan, “ Disability ” means Executive’s inability to perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder on a full-time basis for a consecutive period of one hundred eighty (180) days due to physical or mental illness or incapacity that is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to Executive or Executive’s legal representative.

(f) “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence, without the consent of Executive, of either of the following events: (i) any material diminution of, or modification to, Executive’s title, duties, responsibilities, authorities, or terms of employment set forth in Section  3 or (ii) any breach by the Company of any of its material obligations to Executive. Prior to resigning for Good Reason, Executive shall give written notice to the Company of the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for such resignation not more than sixty (60) days following Executive’s knowledge of such facts and circumstances, and the Company shall have ten (10) business days after receipt of such notice to cure (and if so cured, Executive shall not be permitted to resign for Good Reason in respect thereof) and Executive shall resign within ten (10) business days following the Company’s failure to cure.

(g) “ Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, unincorporated entity, or other entity.

 

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3. Duties and Responsibilities . The Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, during the Term, as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. During the Term, Executive agrees to be employed by and devote all of Executive’s business time and attention to the Company and the promotion of its interests and to use Executive’s best efforts to faithfully and diligently serve the Company; provided , however , that, to the extent that such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties, services, and responsibilities under this Agreement, Executive shall be permitted to (a) manage Executive’s personal, financial, and legal affairs, (b) serve on civic or charitable boards and committees of such boards and (c) to the extent approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) pursuant to a duly authorized resolution of the Board, serve on corporate boards and committees of such boards. Executive will report solely to the Chief Executive Officer. Executive will perform such lawful duties and responsibilities as are commensurate with Executive’s title and position, and such other duties and responsibilities commensurate with Executive’s title and position as may be reasonably requested by the Chief Executive Officer and the Board from time to time. Executive will have the authority customarily exercised by an individual serving as a Chief Financial Officer of a corporation of the size and nature of the Company. Executive’s place of employment will be in Dallas, Texas.

4. Compensation and Related Matters . (a) Base Salary . During the Term, Executive shall receive an aggregate annual base salary (“ Base Salary ”) at an initial rate of $590,000.00, payable in accordance with the Company’s applicable payroll practices. Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board and increased (but not decreased) in the Board’s sole discretion. References in this Agreement to Base Salary shall be deemed to refer to the most recently effective annual base salary rate.

(b) Annual Bonus . During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to receive a cash bonus (the “ Annual Bonus ”) for each year (or portion thereof) (beginning with calendar year 2016), provided that, except as otherwise provided herein, Executive has remained employed by the Company as of the applicable payment date. Executive’s target bonus opportunity for any particular year (the “ Target Bonus ”) shall be 90% of Base Salary, and Executive’s maximum bonus opportunity shall be 200% of the Target Bonus; provided that Executive’s Target Bonus for calendar year 2016 shall be $150,000. The Annual Bonus shall be subject to performance metrics approved by the Board based on key short-term objectives and shall be at the full discretion of the Board. Any Annual Bonus shall be paid in the fiscal year following the fiscal year to which such Annual Bonus relates, at the same as annual bonuses are paid to all other senior executives.

(c) Equity Compensation . Executive shall be entitled to receive equity compensation awards as described in Exhibit  A .

 

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(d) Benefits and Perquisites . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in the benefit plans (including, without limitation, life insurance) and programs and receive perquisites that are provided by the Company from time to time for its senior executives generally, subject to the terms and conditions of such plans and programs and commensurate with Executive’s position. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to up to $15,000 per year for tax and financial planning.

(e) Business Expense Reimbursements . During the Term, the Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for Executive’s reasonable and necessary business expenses in accordance with the Company’s then-prevailing policies and procedures for expense reimbursement (which shall include appropriate itemization and substantiation of expenses incurred).

(f) Indemnification . The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive, to the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s governing documents, against all claims, expenses, damages, liabilities, and losses incurred by Executive (whether before or after the Effective Date) by reason of the fact that Executive is or was, or had agreed to become, a consultant, director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates or predecessors of any of the foregoing, or any benefit plan of any of the foregoing, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a consultant, director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, fiduciary, or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, person, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity. The Company shall provide Executive with customary directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage both during and after the Term with regard to matters occurring during employment or while otherwise providing services to, or serving at the request of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any benefit plan of any of the foregoing, which coverage shall be at a level at least equal to the greatest level being maintained at such time for any current officer or director and shall continue until such time as suits can no longer be brought against Executive as a matter of law. Executive will be entitled to advancement of expenses in connection with any claim in the same manner and to the same extent to which any other officer or director of the Company is entitled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to indemnify or advance expenses to Executive in connection with (i) any dispute in connection with this Agreement or Executive’s employment hereunder; (ii) any action, claim, or proceeding initiated by Executive against the Company unless such action, claim, or proceeding is approved in advance by the Board in writing or (iii) any liabilities, damages, claims or expenses incurred that are attributable to Executive’s fraud, bad faith, willful misconduct, or gross negligence.

5. Termination of Employment . (a)  Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time and for any reason; provided , however , that Executive shall be required to give the Company at least sixty (60) days’ advance written notice of any voluntary resignation of Executive’s employment hereunder (other than resignation for Good Reason) (and in such event the Company in its sole discretion may elect to accelerate Executive’s date of termination of employment, it being understood that such termination shall still be treated as a voluntary resignation without Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death.

 

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(b) Following any termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement, except as provided under Sections  5(c) , 5(d) , and 5(e) , the obligations of the Company to pay or provide Executive with compensation and benefits under Section  4 shall cease, and the Company shall have no further obligations to provide compensation or benefits to Executive hereunder, except (i) for payment of any accrued but unpaid Base Salary and any accrued but unused vacation and for payment of any unreimbursed expenses under Section  4(e) , in each case accrued or incurred through the date of termination of employment, payable as soon as practicable and in all events within thirty (30) days following the date of termination of employment, (ii) as explicitly set forth in any other benefit plans, programs, or arrangements applicable to terminated employees in which Executive participates (including, without limitation, equity award agreements), other than severance plans or policies, and (iii) as otherwise expressly required by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, except as otherwise provided below, any Unpaid Annual Bonus (as defined below) is forfeited if Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason.

(c) If Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, or (iii) due to expiration of the Term on the Expiration Date as a result of the Company delivering a notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section  1 , in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section  5(b) , Executive shall be entitled to receive: (i) severance pay in an aggregate amount (the “ Severance Pay ”) equal to, two times (2x) the sum of (A) Base Salary plus (B) (x) Target Bonus, if such termination of employment occurs prior to the second (2nd) anniversary of the Effective Date, or (y) the prior year’s Annual Bonus, if such termination of employment occurs on or after the second (2nd) anniversary of the Effective Date; (ii) a prorated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (x) the amount of Annual Bonus that would have been payable to Executive had Executive’s employment not so terminated based on actual performance measured through the fiscal year of termination, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Company’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (the “ Prorated Bonus ”); (iii) any accrued but unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year of termination (the “ Unpaid Annual Bonus ”); and (iv) continued health insurance benefits under the terms of the applicable Company benefit plans for twenty-four (24) months, subject to Executive’s payment of the cost of such benefits to the same extent that active employees of the Company are required to pay for such benefits from time to time; provided , however , that such continuation coverage shall end earlier upon Executive’s becoming eligible for comparable coverage under another employer’s benefit plans; and provided , further , that to the extent that the provision of such continuation coverage is not permitted under the terms of the Company benefit plans or would result in an adverse tax consequence to the Company, the Company may alternatively provide Executive with a monthly cash payment in an amount equal to the applicable COBRA premium that Executive would otherwise be required to pay to obtain COBRA continuation coverage for such benefits for twenty-four (24) months (assuming that COBRA continuation coverage were available for such period) (minus the cost of such benefits to the same extent that active employees of the Company are required to pay for such benefits from time to time) (the “ Severance Benefits ”), commencing as provided in Section  23(c) . The Severance Pay shall be paid in equal installments during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices,

 

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but no less frequently than monthly, and commencing as provided in Section  23(c) below. The Unpaid Annual Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives during the fiscal year of Executive’s termination and the Prorated Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the year following the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time within eighteen (18) months following a Change in Control, Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, or (iii) due to expiration of the Term on the Expiration Date as a result of the Company delivering a notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section  1 , then Executive, in lieu of any of the amounts and benefits described in Section  5(c) and in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section  5(b) , shall be entitled to receive (i) the Unpaid Annual Bonus, (ii) 2.99 times the sum of (A) Base Salary plus (B) Target Bonus (the “ CIC Severance Pay ”), (iii) the product of (x) the Target Bonus, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Company’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (the “ Prorated CIC Bonus ”), and (iv) the Severance Benefits for twenty-four (24) months (as described above and commencing as provided in Section  23(c) ). The CIC Severance Pay and the Prorated CIC Bonus shall be paid in cash in a lump sum on the first payroll following the satisfaction of the Release Condition, subject to Section  23(c) ; provided, however, if the Change in Control does not constitute a “change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), the portion of the CIC Severance Pay that is not in excess of the Severance Pay that would have been payable upon such termination if Section  5(c) applied shall be paid to Executive in equal monthly installments during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly, and commencing as provided in Section  23(c) below, and the portion of the CIC Severance Pay in excess of such amount shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum 60 days after the consummation of the Change in Control. The Unpaid Annual Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives during the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(e) If Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated due to death or Disability, in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section  5(b) , Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) the Prorated Bonus, paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the year following the fiscal year of Executive’s termination and (ii) the Unpaid Annual Bonus, paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(f) Executive’s entitlement to the payments and benefits set forth in Sections  5(c) and 5(d) shall be conditioned upon Executive’s having provided an irrevocable waiver and release of claims in favor of the Company, its Affiliates, their respective predecessors and successors, and all of the respective current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents, or representatives of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Released Parties ”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit  B (the “ Release ”),

 

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that has become effective in accordance with its terms within sixty (60) days following Executive’s termination of employment (the “ Release Condition ”), and Executive’s continued compliance with Sections  6 and 7 hereof.

(g) Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, and regardless of whether Executive continues as a consultant to the Company, upon the Company’s request Executive agrees to resign, as of the date of such termination of employment or such other date requested, from the Board and any committees thereof, and, if applicable, from the board of directors (and any committees thereof) of any Affiliate of the Company to the extent Executive is then serving thereon. The Company’s obligations to make the payments provided for in this Agreement are subject to set-off for any undisputed amounts owed by Executive, to the extent permitted by Section 409A (as defined below) and any Company clawback policy.

(h) The payment of any amounts accrued under any benefit plan, program, or arrangement in which Executive participates shall be subject to the terms of the applicable plan, program, or arrangement, and any elections Executive has made thereunder.

(i) Following any termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall have no obligation to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement. There shall be no offset against amounts due Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to later employment, consultancy, or other remunerative activity of Executive.

6. Confidential Information .

(a) Executive acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates continually develop Confidential Information (as defined below), that Executive may develop Confidential Information for the Company or its Affiliates and that Executive may learn of Confidential Information during the course of Executive’s employment. Executive will comply with the policies and procedures of the Company and its Affiliates for protecting Confidential Information and shall not disclose to any Person or use, other than as required by applicable law or for the proper performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities to the Company and its Affiliates, any Confidential Information obtained by Executive incident to Executive’s employment or other association with the Company or any of its Affiliates. Executive understands that this restriction shall continue to apply after Executive’s employment terminates, regardless of the reason for such termination.

(b) All documents, records, tapes, and other media of every kind and description relating to the business, present or otherwise, of the Company or its Affiliates and any copies, in whole or in part, thereof (the “ Documents ”), whether or not prepared by Executive, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and its Affiliates. Executive shall safeguard all Documents and shall surrender to the Company at the time Executive’s employment terminates, or at such earlier time or times as the Company may specify, all Documents then in Executive’s possession or control. Executive shall immediately return such Documents and other property to the Company upon the termination of Executive’s employment and, in any event, at the Company’s request. Executive further agrees that any property situated on the premises of, and owned by, the Company or its Affiliates, including disks and other storage media, filing cabinets, or other work areas, is subject to inspection by the Company’s personnel at any time with or without notice.

 

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(c) Executive understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”). Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit Executive’s ability to communicate with the SEC or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by the SEC, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to the SEC. This Section  6(c) applies only for the period of time that the Company is subject to the Dodd-Frank Act.

(d) “ Confidential Information ” means any and all information of the Company and its Affiliates that is not generally known by others with whom they compete or do business, or with whom any of them plans to compete or do business and any and all information, publicly known in whole or in part or not, which, if disclosed by the Company or its Affiliates would assist in competition against them. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, such information relating to (i) the development, research, testing, manufacturing, marketing and financial activities of the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) all products planned, researched, developed, tested, manufactured, sold, licensed, leased or otherwise distributed or put into use by the Company and its Affiliates, together with all services provided or planned by the Company or any of its Affiliates, during Executive’s employment, (iii) the costs, sources of supply, financial performance and strategic plans of the Company and its Affiliates, (iv) the identity and special needs of the customers of the Company and its Affiliates and (v) the people and organizations with whom the Company and its Affiliates have business relationships and those relationships. Confidential Information also includes any information that the Company or any of its Affiliates have received, or may receive hereafter, belonging to customers or others with any understanding, express or implied, that the information would not be disclosed.

7. Restricted Activities . Executive agrees that some restrictions on Executive’s activities during and after Executive’s employment are necessary to protect the goodwill, Confidential Information, and other legitimate interests of the Company and its Affiliates. Following the Effective Date, the Company will provide Executive with access to and knowledge of Confidential Information and trade secrets and will place Executive in a position of trust and confidence with the Company, and Executive will benefit from the Company’s goodwill. The restrictive covenants below are necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests in its Confidential Information, trade secrets and goodwill. Executive further understands and acknowledges that the Company’s ability to reserve these for the exclusive knowledge and use of the Company is of great competitive importance and commercial value to the Company and that the Company would be irreparably harmed if Executive violates the restrictive covenants below. In recognition of the consideration provided to Executive as well as the imparting to Executive of Confidential Information, including trade secrets, and for other good and valuable consideration, Executive hereby agrees as follows:

(a) While Executive is employed by the Company and for twenty-four (24) months after Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, whether before or after the Expiration Date (in the aggregate, the “ Non-Competition Period ”), Executive shall not, directly

 

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or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, investor (other than a passive investor of less than 5% in a publicly traded company), consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer, or otherwise, (i) compete with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any location where the Company or its subsidiaries conducts business (a “ Competitive Business ”) or (ii) undertake any planning for any Competitive Business. With respect to the portion of the Non-Competition Period that follows Executive’s termination of employment, the determination of whether a business is a Competitive Business shall be made based on the scope and location of the businesses conducted or planned to be conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries as of the date of such termination.

(b) Executive agrees that, during Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will not undertake any outside activity, whether or not competitive with the business of the Company or its Affiliates, that would reasonably give rise to a conflict of interest or otherwise interfere with Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(c) Executive further agrees that, during the Non-Competition Period, Executive will not solicit, hire, or attempt to solicit or hire any employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates (or any individual who was employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates during the one (1) year period prior to Executive’s termination), assist in such hiring by any Person, encourage any such employee to terminate his or her relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates, or solicit or encourage any customer, client, or vendor of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate or diminish its relationship with them, or, in the case of a customer, to conduct with any Person any business or activity which such customer conducts with the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(d) Executive shall not, whether in writing or orally, malign, denigrate, or disparage the Company or its Affiliates, or their respective predecessors and successors, or any of the current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents, or representatives of any of the foregoing, with respect to any of their respective past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that tend to portray any of the aforementioned parties in an unfavorable light. The Company shall direct its directors and officers not to, whether in writing or orally, malign, denigrate, or disparage Executive with respect to any of Executive’s past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that are intended to portray Executive in an unfavorable light.

(e) Executive’s and the Company’s obligations under this Section  7 , as applicable, shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

8. Notification Requirement . Through and up to the conclusion of the Non-Competition Period, Executive shall give notice to the Company of each new business activity he plans to undertake, at least seven (7) days prior to beginning any such activity. Such notice shall state the name and address of the Person for whom such activity is undertaken and the nature of Executive’s business relationship(s) and position(s) with such Person.

9. Intellectual Property Rights . (a) Executive agrees that the results and proceeds of Executive’s services for the Company (including, but not limited to, any trade

 

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secrets, products, services, processes, know-how, designs, developments, innovations, analyses, drawings, reports, techniques, formulas, methods, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, source and object codes, programs, writing and other works of authorship) resulting from services performed while an employee of the Company and any works in progress, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, that were made, developed, conceived, or reduced to practice or learned by Executive, either alone or jointly with others (collectively, “ Inventions ”), shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all trade secret, patent, copyright, and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “ Proprietary Rights ”) of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized, or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion, without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any Proprietary Rights which do not accrue to the Company under the immediately preceding sentence, then Executive hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of Executive’s right, title, and interest thereto, including any and all Proprietary Rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized, or developed, to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner determined by the Company without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. As to any Invention that Executive is required to assign, Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company all information known to Executive concerning such Invention.

(b) Executive agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, Executive shall do any and all things that the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company’s exclusive ownership throughout the United States of America or any other country of any and all Proprietary Rights in any such Inventions, including the execution of appropriate copyright and patent applications or assignments. To the extent that Executive has any Proprietary Rights in the Inventions that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, Executive unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such Proprietary Rights. This Section  9(b) is subject to and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict, or constitute any waiver by the Company of any Proprietary Rights of ownership to which the Company may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Company’s being Executive’s employer. Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designees. Executive’s obligations under this Section  9 shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

(c) Executive hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, that Executive now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company.

10. Remedies and Injunctive Relief . Executive acknowledges that a violation by Executive of any of the covenants contained in Sections  6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 would cause

 

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irreparable damage to the Company in an amount that would be material but not readily ascertainable, and that any remedy at law (including the payment of damages) would be inadequate. Accordingly, Executive agrees that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled (without the necessity of showing economic loss or other actual damage) to injunctive relief (including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions) in any court of competent jurisdiction for any actual or threatened breach of any of the covenants set forth in Sections  6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies it may have. The preceding sentence shall not be construed as a waiver of the rights that the Company may have for damages under this Agreement or otherwise, and all of the Company’s rights shall be unrestricted.

11. Representations; Advice of Counsel . (a) Executive represents, warrants, and covenants that as of the date hereof: (i) Executive has the full right, authority, and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform Executive’s obligations hereunder, (ii) Executive is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company hereunder during or after the Term, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment, or agreement to which Executive is subject.

(b) Prior to execution of this Agreement, Executive was advised by the Company of Executive’s right to seek independent advice from an attorney of Executive’s own selection regarding this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that Executive has entered into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and with full knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this Agreement after being given the opportunity to consult with counsel. Executive further represents that in entering into this Agreement, Executive is not relying on any statements or representations made by any of the Company’s directors, officers, employees, or agents that are not expressly set forth herein, and that Executive is relying only upon Executive’s own judgment and any advice provided by Executive’s attorney.

(c) The Company represents, warrants, and covenants that as of the date hereof: (i) the Company has the full right, authority, and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform the Company’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the Company is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of the Company’s obligations to Executive hereunder during or after the Term, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment, or agreement to which the Company is subject.

12. Cooperation . Executive agrees that, upon reasonable notice and without the necessity of the Company’s obtaining a subpoena or court order, Executive shall provide reasonable cooperation in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding (or any appeal from any suit, action, or proceeding), and any investigation or defense of any claims asserted against the Company or its Affiliates, that relates to events occurring during Executive’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates as to which Executive may have relevant information (including but not limited to furnishing relevant information and materials to the Company or its designee and providing testimony at depositions and at trial); provided , that with respect to such cooperation occurring following termination of employment, the Company shall reimburse Executive for expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith.

 

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13. Withholding . The Company may deduct and withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state, local, non-U.S., and other taxes as are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

14. Assignment . Neither the Company nor Executive may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other party; provided , that the Company may assign its rights under this Agreement without the consent of Executive to a successor to substantially all of the business of the Company in the event that the Company shall effect a reorganization, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity, or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any other corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and Executive, and their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs, and permitted assigns.

15. Governing Law; No Construction Against Drafter . This Agreement shall be deemed made in the State of Delaware, and the validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement in all respects shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its principles of conflicts of law. No provision of this Agreement or any related document will be construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage of any party hereto by any court or other governmental or judicial authority by reason of such party’s having or being deemed to have structured or drafted such provision.

16. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . (a)  Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, Executive and the Company each hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts located within the State of Delaware (or, if subject matter jurisdiction in such courts are not available, in any state court located within the State of Delaware) over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the parties undertake not to commence any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in a forum other than a forum described in this Section  16(a) ; provided , however , that nothing herein shall preclude either party from bringing any suit, action, or proceeding in any other court for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Section  16 or enforcing any judgment obtained by either party.

(b) The agreement of the parties to the forum described in Section  16(a) is independent of the law that may be applied in any suit, action, or proceeding, and the parties agree to such forum even if such forum may under applicable law choose to apply non-forum law. The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such suit, action, or proceeding brought in an applicable court described in Section  16(a) , and the parties agree that they shall not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court. The parties agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a final and non-appealable judgment in any suit, action, or proceeding brought in any applicable court described in Section  16(a) shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction.

 

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(c) The parties hereto irrevocably consent to the service of any and all process in any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement by the mailing of copies of such process to such party at such party’s address specified in Section  20 .

(d) Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent, or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of any action, suit, or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver, and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party hereto has been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section  16(d) .

(e) Each party shall bear his or her or its own costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

17. Amendment; No Waiver; Severability . (a)  No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived, or discharged except by a written document signed by Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right or power hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment of any steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.

(b) If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any applicable law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic and legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party; provided , that in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall finally hold in a non-appealable judicial determination that any provision of Sections  6 through 10 (whether in whole or in part) is void or constitutes an unreasonable restriction against Executive, such provision shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision enforceable for the longest duration and the greatest scope as such court may determine constitutes a reasonable restriction under the circumstances. Subject to the foregoing, upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

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18. Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral), between Executive and the Company, relating to such subject matter. None of the parties shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations and warranties or covenants relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth herein.

19. Survival . The rights and obligations of the parties under the provisions of this Agreement shall survive, and remain binding and enforceable, notwithstanding the expiration of the Term, the termination of this Agreement, the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder or any settlement of the financial rights and obligations arising from Executive’s employment hereunder, to the extent necessary to preserve the intended benefits of such provisions.

20. Notices . All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or sent by facsimile or sent, postage prepaid, by registered, certified, or express mail or overnight courier service and shall be deemed given when so delivered by hand or facsimile, or if mailed, three days after mailing (one (1) business day in the case of express mail or overnight courier service) to the parties at the following addresses or facsimiles (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

If to the Company:    Vistra Energy Corp.   
   Attn: Corporate Secretary   
   1601 Bryan Street   
   Dallas, TX 75201   
If to Executive:    At the most recent address on file in the Company’s records.

Notices delivered by facsimile shall have the same legal effect as if such notice had been delivered in person.

21. Headings and References . The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, and neither constitute a part of this Agreement nor affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. When a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

22. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including via facsimile and electronic image scan (.pdf)), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

23. Section  409A . (a)  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Section  409A ” means Section 409A of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and such other Treasury or Internal Revenue Service guidance) as in effect from time to time. The parties intend that any amounts payable hereunder that could constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A will be compliant with Section 409A or exempt from Section 409A.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following special rule shall apply, if and to the extent required by Section 409A, in the event that (i) Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) (as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company as in effect on the date of Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations § 1.409A-1(h)), (ii) amounts or benefits under this Agreement or any other program, plan, or arrangement of the Company or a controlled group affiliate thereof are due or payable on account of separation from service, and (iii) Executive is employed by a public company or a controlled group affiliate thereof: payments hereunder that are “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A that would be made to Executive prior to the date that is six (6) months after the date of Executive’s separation from service shall be made within 10 business days after such six (6) month date or, if earlier, ten (10) days following the date of Executive’s death; following any applicable delay, all such delayed payments, without interest will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest permissible payment date.

(c) Except to the extent required to be delayed pursuant to Section  23(b) , any payment or benefit due or payable on account of Executive’s separation from service to which this Section  23(c) applies shall be paid or commence, as applicable, upon the first scheduled payroll date immediately after the date the Release Condition is satisfied (the “ Release Effective Date ”); provided that, to the extent that such payment or benefit represents a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and the sixty (60) day period following Executive’s separation from service spans two (2) taxable years, payment shall not be made or commence prior to January 1 of the second taxable year. The first such cash payment shall include payment of all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior to the Release Effective Date under the terms of this Agreement applied as though such payments commenced immediately upon Executive’s termination of employment, and any payments made thereafter shall continue as provided herein. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had such benefits commenced immediately following Executive’s termination of employment.

(d) Each payment made under this Agreement (including each separate installment payment in the case of a series of installment payments) shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Amounts payable under this Agreement shall be deemed not to be a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulations §§ 1.409A-1(b)(4) (“short-term deferrals”) and (b)(9) (“separation pay plans,” including the exception under subparagraph (iii)) and other applicable provisions of Section 409A, and shall be paid under any such exception to the maximum extent permitted. For purposes of this Agreement, with respect to payments of any amounts that are considered to be “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A, references to “termination of employment,” “termination,” or words and phrases of similar import, shall be deemed to refer to Executive’s “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A, and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this Agreement.

 

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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise that is eligible for exemption from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(A) or (C) (relating to certain reimbursements and in-kind benefits) shall be paid or provided to Executive only to the extent that the expenses are not incurred, or the benefits are not provided, beyond the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s “separation from service” occurs; and provided , further , that such expenses are reimbursed no later than the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s “separation from service” occurs. To the extent that any indemnification payment, expense reimbursement, or provision of any in-kind benefit is determined to be subject to Section 409A (and not exempt pursuant to the prior sentence or otherwise), the amount of any such indemnification payment or expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one (1) calendar year shall not affect the indemnification payment or provision of in-kind benefits or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year (except for any lifetime or other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses to the extent permitted by Section 409A), such indemnification, reimbursement, or in-kind benefits shall be provided for the period set forth in this Agreement, or if no such period is set forth, during Executive’s lifetime, in no event shall any indemnification payment or expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive incurred such indemnification payment or expenses, and in no event shall any right to indemnification payment or reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties as of the date first written above.

 

Vistra Energy Corp.
By:  

/s/ Carrie Kirby

Name:   Carrie Kirby
Title:   Chief Administrative Officer
William Holden

/s/ William Holden

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]


Exhibit A

 

OIP:   Equity awards to be subject to the terms of the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Initial Equity Award:   Upon or as soon as practicable after the Effective Date, the Company will award Executive restricted stock units and stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, with an aggregate grant date fair market value as determined by the Board for accounting purposes of $2,500,000, allocated 50% restricted stock units and 50% stock options by value. Such restricted stock units and stock options will vest ratably over 4 years (25% each year).
Annual Equity Awards:   Following the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Executive will be granted annual equity awards in an amount determined by the Board. Such awards may be in the form of options, restricted stock units, performance shares, or any other form as approved by the Board.
Involuntary Termination Without Cause / Resignation for Good Reason / Non-Renewal of Term by the Company:   Subject to delivery (and non-revocation) of the Release and continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement, accelerated vesting of the portion of Executive’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had Executive remained employed (fully vested options to remain exercisable for 90 days following termination or, if Executive is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, 180 days from the date of such termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).
Termination with Cause / Resignation Without Good Reason / Non-Renewal of the Term by Executive   All options and other outstanding awards (unvested and vested) are forfeited upon a termination for Cause. On any other termination, Executive will retain all vested awards (forfeits unvested), and vested options remain exercisable for 30 days following termination or, if Executive is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, 180 days from the date of such termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter).
Death / Disability   Accelerated vesting of the portion of Executive’s equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (fully vested options to remain exercisable for one year following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).
Involuntary Termination Without Cause / Resignation for Good Reason / Non-Renewal of Term by the Company Following a Change in Control:   All equity awards that were outstanding at the time of the Change in Control will vest upon such termination.

 

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Exhibit B

Release of Claims

As used in this Release of Claims (this “ Release ”), the term “claims” will include all claims, covenants, warranties, promises, undertakings, actions, suits, causes of action, proceedings, obligations, debts, accounts, attorneys’ fees, judgments, losses, and liabilities, of whatsoever kind or nature, in law, in equity, or otherwise. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Release will have the meanings given to them in the employment agreement dated November [    ], 2016 between Vistra Energy Corp. (the “ Company ”) and William Holden (my “ Employment Agreement ”).

For and in consideration of the severance payments and benefits, and other good and valuable consideration, I, for and on behalf of myself and my executors, heirs, administrators, representatives, and assigns, hereby agree to release and forever discharge the Company and each of its direct and indirect parent and subsidiary entities, and all of their respective predecessors, successors, and past, current, and future parent entities, affiliates, subsidiary entities, investors, directors, shareholders, members, officers, general or limited partners, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives, and the employee benefit plans in which I am or have been a participant by virtue of my employment with or service to the Company (collectively, the “ Company Releasees ”), from any and all claims that I have or may have had against the Company Releasees based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring on or prior to the date hereof and arising directly or indirectly out of, relating to, or in any other way involving in any manner whatsoever my employment by or service to the Company or the termination thereof, including without limitation any and all claims arising under federal, state, or local laws relating to employment, including without limitation claims of wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, whistleblowing, or liability in tort, and claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative agency, and any related claims for attorneys’ fees and costs, including, without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000, et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991; 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, et seq.; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq. (the “ ADEA ”); the Equal Pay Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 206(d); regulations of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance, 41 C.F.R. Section 60, et seq.; the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.; and any similar state or local law. I agree further that this Release may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit, arbitration, or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof that is or may be initiated, prosecuted, or maintained by me or my descendants, dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns. By signing this Release, I acknowledge that I intend to waive and release all rights known or unknown that I may have against the Company Releasees under these and any other laws.

I acknowledge and agree that as of the date I execute this Release, I have no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that give rise or could give rise to any claims under any of the laws

 

B-1


listed in the preceding paragraph and that I have not filed any claim against any of the Releasees before any local, state, federal, or foreign agency, court, arbitrator, mediator, arbitration or mediation panel, or other body (each individually a “ Proceeding ”). I (i) acknowledge that I will not initiate or cause to be initiated on my behalf any Proceeding and will not participate in any Proceeding, in each case, except as required by law or to the extent such Proceeding relates to a claim not waived hereunder; and (ii) waive any right that I may have to benefit in any manner from any relief (whether monetary or otherwise) arising out of any Proceeding, including any Proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“ EEOC ”), except in each case to the extent such Proceeding relates to a claim not waived hereunder. Further, I understand that, by executing this Release, I will be limiting the availability of certain remedies that I may have against the Company and limiting also my ability to pursue certain claims against the Company Releasees.

By executing this Release, I specifically release all claims relating to my employment and its termination under ADEA, a federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefit plans.

Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, I do not release (i) claims to receive my severance payments and benefits in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement, (ii) claims with respect to benefits to which I am entitled under the employee benefit and compensation plans of the Company and its affiliates, including any rights to equity, (iii) claims to indemnification, or (iv) claims that cannot be waived by law. Further, nothing in this Release shall prevent me from (i) initiating or causing to be initiated on my behalf any claim against the Company before any local, state, or federal agency, court, or other body challenging the validity of the waiver of my claims under the ADEA (but no other portion of such waiver); or (ii) initiating or participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC.

I acknowledge that I have been given at least [21]/[45] 1 days in which to consider this Release. I acknowledge further that the Company has advised me to consult with an attorney of my choice before signing this Release, and I have had sufficient time to consider the terms of this Release. I represent and acknowledge that if I execute this Release before [21]/[45] days have elapsed, I do so knowingly, voluntarily, and upon the advice and with the approval of my legal counsel (if any), and that I voluntarily waive any remaining consideration period.

I understand that after executing this Release, I have the right to revoke it within seven days after its execution. I understand that this Release will not become effective and enforceable unless the seven-day revocation period passes and I do not revoke the Release in writing. I understand that this Release may not be revoked after the seven-day revocation period has passed. I understand also that any revocation of this Release must be made in writing and delivered to the Company at its principal place of business within the seven-day period.

This Release will become effective, irrevocable, and binding on the eighth day after its execution, so long as I have not timely revoked it as set forth above. I understand and

 

1  

NTD : To be selected based on whether applicable termination was “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

 

B-2


acknowledge that I will not be entitled to the severance payments and benefits unless this Release is effective on or before the date that is sixty (60) days following the date of my termination of employment.

I hereby agree to waive any and all claims to re-employment with the Company or any of its affiliates and affirmatively agree not to seek further employment with the Company or any of its affiliates.

The provisions of this Release will be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and assigns. If any provision of this Release will be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void, or unenforceable, such provision will be of no force or effect. The illegality or unenforceability of such provision, however, will have no effect upon and will not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Release.

This Release will be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law. Any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Release or claim of breach hereof will be brought exclusively in the federal and state courts located within Delaware. By execution of this Release, I am waiving any right to trial by jury in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding under or in connection with this Release.

 

 

WILLIAM HOLDEN

 

DATE

 

B-3

Exhibit 10.22

EXECUTION VERSION

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October 4, 2016 (the “ Effective Date ”), between TCEH Corp. (the “ Company ”) and Stephanie Zapata Moore (“ Executive ”).

Recitals :

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to enter into a written employment agreement to reflect the terms upon which Executive shall provide services to the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

1. Term.

(a) The term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date, and shall continue until the three (3) year anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Initial Expiration Date ”); provided that on the Initial Expiration Date and each subsequent anniversary of the Initial Expiration Date, the term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be extended for one (1) additional year unless either party provides written notice to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to the Initial Expiration Date (or any such anniversary, as applicable) that Executive’s employment shall not be so extended (in which case, Executive’s employment shall terminate on the Initial Expiration Date or any such anniversary, as applicable); provided , however , that Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated at any earlier time pursuant to the provisions of Section   5 . The period of time from the Effective Date through the termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder pursuant to its terms is herein referred to as the “ Term ”; and the date on which the Term is scheduled to expire ( i.e. , the Initial Expiration Date or the scheduled expiration of the extended term, if applicable) is herein referred to as the “ Expiration Date .”

(b) Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to extend the Term or to continue Executive’s employment following the Expiration Date, and Executive expressly acknowledges that no promises or understandings to the contrary have been made or reached.

2. Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms, as used herein, shall have the definitions set forth below.

(a) “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such specified Person.


(b) “ Change in Control ” shall, be deemed to occur upon any of the following events:

(i) the acquisition by any Person or related “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto (the “ Exchange Act ”)) of Beneficial Ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under Section 13 of the Exchange Act) of 30% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), including Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock (the “ Outstanding Company Common Stock ”); or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors (the “ Outstanding Company Voting Securities ”); but excluding any acquisition by the Company or any of its Affiliates or by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates;

(ii) a change in the composition of the Board such that members of the Board during any consecutive 12-month period (the “ Incumbent Directors ”) cease to constitute a majority of the Board. Any person becoming a director through election or nomination for election approved by a valid vote of at least two thirds of the Incumbent Directors shall be deemed an Incumbent Director; provided , however , that no individual becoming a director as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be deemed an Incumbent Director;

(iii) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company; or

(iv) the consummation of a reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), or sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company to an entity that is not an Affiliate of the Company (a “ Sale ”), unless immediately following such Business Combination or Sale: (A) more than 50% of the total voting power of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the entity that acquired all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company in such Sale (in either case, the “ Surviving Company ”), or the ultimate parent entity that has Beneficial Ownership of sufficient voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or analogous governing body) of the Surviving Company (the “ Parent Company ”), is represented by the Outstanding Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination or Sale (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which the Outstanding Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination or Sale), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination or Sale, (B) no Person or related group of Persons (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total

 

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voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) following the consummation of the Business Combination or Sale were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination or Sale.

(c) “ Cause ” means (i) Executive’s willful and continued failure to perform Executive’s duties with the Company; (ii) Executive’s willful and continued failure to follow and comply with the written policies of the Company as in effect from time to time; (iii) Executive’s willful commission of an act of fraud or dishonesty resulting in economic or financial injury to the Company; (iv) Executive’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct; (v) Executive’s willful breach of this Agreement; or (vi) Executive’s indictment for, conviction of, or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or other crime involving moral turpitude. No act or failure to act will be treated as willful if it is done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and with a good faith belief that such act or omission was in the best interests of the Company.

(d) “ Control ” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ”), as used with respect to any Person, means the direct or indirect possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract.

(e) “ Disability ” means Executive would be entitled to long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan as in effect from time to time, without regard to any waiting or elimination period under such plan and assuming for the purpose of such determination that Executive is actually participating in such plan at such time. If the Company does not maintain a long-term disability plan, “ Disability ” means Executive’s inability to perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder on a full-time basis for a consecutive period of one hundred eighty (180) days due to physical or mental illness or incapacity that is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to Executive or Executive’s legal representative.

(f) “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence, without the consent of Executive, of either of the following events: (i) any material diminution of, or modification to, Executive’s title, duties, responsibilities, authorities, or terms of employment set forth in Section 3 or (ii) any breach by the Company of any of its material obligations to Executive. Prior to resigning for Good Reason, Executive shall give written notice to the Company of the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for such resignation not more than sixty (60) days following Executive’s knowledge of such facts and circumstances, and the Company shall have ten (10) business days after receipt of such notice to cure (and if so cured, Executive shall not be permitted to resign for Good Reason in respect thereof) and Executive shall resign within ten (10) business days following the Company’s failure to cure.

(g) “ Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, unincorporated entity, or other entity.

 

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3. Duties and Responsibilities.  The Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, during the Term, as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel. During the Term, Executive agrees to be employed by and devote all of Executive’s business time and attention to the Company and the promotion of its interests and to use Executive’s best efforts to faithfully and diligently serve the Company; provided , however , that, to the extent that such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties, services, and responsibilities under this Agreement, Executive shall be permitted to (a) manage Executive’s personal, financial, and legal affairs, (b) serve on civic or charitable boards and committees of such boards and (c) to the extent approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) pursuant to a duly authorized resolution of the Board, serve on corporate boards and committees of such boards. Executive will report solely to the Chief Executive Officer. Executive will perform such lawful duties and responsibilities as are commensurate with Executive’s titles and positions, and such other duties and responsibilities commensurate with Executive’s titles and positions as may be reasonably requested by the Chief Executive Officer and the Board from time to time. Executive will have the authority customarily exercised by an individual serving as an Executive Vice President and General Counsel of a corporation of the size and nature of the Company. Executive’s place of employment will be in Dallas, Texas.

4. Compensation and Related Matters.  (a)  Base Salary . During the Term, Executive shall receive an aggregate annual base salary (“ Base Salary ”) at an initial rate of $415,000, payable in accordance with the Company’s applicable payroll practices. Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board and increased (but not decreased) in the Board’s sole discretion. References in this Agreement to Base Salary shall be deemed to refer to the most recently effective annual base salary rate.

(b) Annual Bonus . During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to receive a cash bonus (the “ Annual Bonus ”) for each year (or portion thereof) (beginning with calendar year 2016), provided that, except as otherwise provided herein, Executive has remained employed by the Company as of the applicable payment date. Executive’s target bonus opportunity for any particular year (the “ Target Bonus ”) shall be 70% of Base Salary, and Executive’s maximum bonus opportunity shall be 200% of the Target Bonus. The Annual Bonus shall be subject to performance metrics approved by the Board based on key short-term objectives and shall be at the full discretion of the Board. For the Annual Bonus paid in respect of 2016, the Board shall consider alternatives to compensate Executive for 2016 (e.g., paying a full-year payout based on stub year performance or an agreed upon Annual Bonus to be paid in the normal bonus cycle). Any Annual Bonus shall be paid in the fiscal year following the fiscal year to which such Annual Bonus relates, at the same as annual bonuses are paid to all other senior executives.

(c) Equity Compensation . Executive shall be entitled to receive equity compensation awards as described in Exhibit A .

 

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(d) Benefits and Perquisites . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in the benefit plans (including, without limitation, life insurance) and programs and receive perquisites that are provided by the Company from time to time for its senior executives generally, subject to the terms and conditions of such plans and programs and commensurate with Executive’s position. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to up to $15,000 per year for tax and financial planning.

(e) Business Expense Reimbursements . During the Term, the Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for Executive’s reasonable and necessary business expenses in accordance with the Company’s then-prevailing policies and procedures for expense reimbursement (which shall include appropriate itemization and substantiation of expenses incurred).

(f) Indemnification . The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive, to the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s governing documents, against all claims, expenses, damages, liabilities, and losses incurred by Executive (whether before or after the Effective Date) by reason of the fact that Executive is or was, or had agreed to become, a consultant, director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates or predecessors of any of the foregoing, or any benefit plan of any of the foregoing, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a consultant, director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, fiduciary, or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, person, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity. The Company shall provide Executive with customary directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage both during and after the Term with regard to matters occurring during employment or while otherwise providing services to, or serving at the request of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any benefit plan of any of the foregoing, which coverage shall be at a level at least equal to the greatest level being maintained at such time for any current officer or director and shall continue until such time as suits can no longer be brought against Executive as a matter of law. Executive will be entitled to advancement of expenses in connection with any claim in the same manner and to the same extent to which any other officer or director of the Company is entitled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to indemnify or advance expenses to Executive in connection with (i) any dispute in connection with this Agreement or Executive’s employment hereunder; (ii) any action, claim, or proceeding initiated by Executive against the Company unless such action, claim, or proceeding is approved in advance by the Board in writing or (iii) any liabilities, damages, claims or expenses incurred that are attributable to Executive’s fraud, bad faith, willful misconduct, or gross negligence.

5. Termination of Employment.  (a) Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time and for any reason; provided , however , that Executive shall be required to give the Company at least sixty (60) days’ advance written notice of any voluntary resignation of Executive’s employment hereunder (other than resignation for Good Reason) (and in such event the Company in its sole discretion may elect to accelerate Executive’s date of termination of employment, it being understood that such termination shall still be treated as a voluntary resignation without Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death.

 

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(b) Following any termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement, except as provided under Sections 5(c) , 5(d) , and 5(e), the obligations of the Company to pay or provide Executive with compensation and benefits under Section 4 shall cease, and the Company shall have no further obligations to provide compensation or benefits to Executive hereunder, except (i) for payment of any accrued but unpaid Base Salary and any accrued but unused vacation and for payment of any unreimbursed expenses under Section 4(e) , in each case accrued or incurred through the date of termination of employment, payable as soon as practicable and in all events within thirty (30) days following the date of termination of employment, (ii) as explicitly set forth in any other benefit plans, programs, or arrangements applicable to terminated employees in which Executive participates (including, without limitation, equity award agreements), other than severance plans or policies, and (iii) as otherwise expressly required by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, except as otherwise provided below, any Unpaid Annual Bonus (as defined below) is forfeited if Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason.

(c) If Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, or (iii) due to expiration of the Term on the Expiration Date as a result of the Company delivering a notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section 1 , in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , Executive shall be entitled to receive: (i) severance pay in an aggregate amount (the “ Severance Pay ”) equal to, two times (2x) the sum of (A) Base Salary plus (B) (x) Target Bonus, if such termination of employment occurs prior to the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date, or (y) the prior year’s Annual Bonus, if such termination of employment occurs on or after the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date; (ii) a prorated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (x) the amount of Annual Bonus that would have been payable to Executive had Executive’s employment not so terminated based on actual performance measured through the fiscal year of termination, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Company’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (the “ Prorated Bonus ”); (iii) any accrued but unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year of termination (the “ Unpaid Annual Bonus ”); and (iv) continued health insurance benefits under the terms of the applicable Company benefit plans for twenty-four (24) months, subject to Executive’s payment of the cost of such benefits to the same extent that active employees of the Company are required to pay for such benefits from time to time; provided , however , that such continuation coverage shall end earlier upon Executive’s becoming eligible for comparable coverage under another employer’s benefit plans; and provided , further , that to the extent that the provision of such continuation coverage is not permitted under the terms of the Company benefit plans or would result in an adverse tax consequence to the Company, the Company may alternatively provide Executive with a monthly cash payment in an amount equal to the applicable COBRA premium that Executive would otherwise be required to pay to obtain COBRA continuation coverage for such benefits for twenty-four (24) months (assuming that COBRA continuation coverage were available for such period) (minus the cost of such benefits to the same extent that active employees of the Company are required to pay for such benefits from time to time) (the “ Severance Benefits ”), commencing as provided in Section 23(c) . The Severance Pay shall be paid in equal installments during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices,

 

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but no less frequently than monthly, and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) below. The Unpaid Annual Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives during the fiscal year of Executive’s termination and the Prorated Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the year following the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time within eighteen (18) months following a Change in Control, Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, or (iii) due to expiration of the Term on the Expiration Date as a result of the Company delivering a notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section 1 , then Executive, in lieu of any of the amounts and benefits described in Section 5(c) and in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , shall be entitled to receive (i) the Unpaid Annual Bonus, (ii) 2.99 times the sum of (A) Base Salary plus (B) Target Bonus (the “ CIC Severance Pay ”), (iii) the product of (x) the Target Bonus, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Company’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (the “ Prorated CIC Bonus ”), and (iv) the Severance Benefits for twenty-four (24) months (as described above and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) ). The CIC Severance Pay and the Prorated CIC Bonus shall be paid in cash in a lump sum on the first payroll following the satisfaction of the Release Condition, subject to Section 23(c) ; provided, however, if the Change in Control does not constitute a “change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), the portion of the CIC Severance Pay that is not in excess of the Severance Pay that would have been payable upon such termination if Section 5(c) applied shall be paid to Executive in equal monthly installments during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly, and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) below, and the portion of the CIC Severance Pay in excess of such amount shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum 60 days after the consummation of the Change in Control. The Unpaid Annual Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives during the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(e) If Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated due to death or Disability, in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) the Prorated Bonus, paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the year following the fiscal year of Executive’s termination and (ii) the Unpaid Annual Bonus, paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(f) Executive’s entitlement to the payments and benefits set forth in Sections 5(c) and 5(d) shall be conditioned upon Executive’s having provided an irrevocable waiver and release of claims in favor of the Company, its Affiliates, their respective predecessors and successors, and all of the respective current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents, or representatives of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Released Parties ”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “ Release ”),

 

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that has become effective in accordance with its terms within sixty (60) days following Executive’s termination of employment (the “ Release Condition ”), and Executive’s continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 hereof.

(g) Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, and regardless of whether Executive continues as a consultant to the Company, upon the Company’s request Executive agrees to resign, as of the date of such termination of employment or such other date requested, from the Board and any committees thereof, and, if applicable, from the board of directors (and any committees thereof) of any Affiliate of the Company to the extent Executive is then serving thereon. The Company’s obligations to make the payments provided for in this Agreement are subject to set-off for any undisputed amounts owed by Executive, to the extent permitted by Section 409A (as defined below) and any Company clawback policy.

(h) The payment of any amounts accrued under any benefit plan, program, or arrangement in which Executive participates shall be subject to the terms of the applicable plan, program, or arrangement, and any elections Executive has made thereunder.

(i) Following any termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall have no obligation to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement. There shall be no offset against amounts due Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to later employment, consultancy, or other remunerative activity of Executive.

6. Confidential Information.

(a) Executive acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates continually develop Confidential Information (as defined below), that Executive may develop Confidential Information for the Company or its Affiliates and that Executive may learn of Confidential Information during the course of Executive’s employment. Executive will comply with the policies and procedures of the Company and its Affiliates for protecting Confidential Information and shall not disclose to any Person or use, other than as required by applicable law or for the proper performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities to the Company and its Affiliates, any Confidential Information obtained by Executive incident to Executive’s employment or other association with the Company or any of its Affiliates. Executive understands that this restriction shall continue to apply after Executive’s employment terminates, regardless of the reason for such termination.

(b) All documents, records, tapes, and other media of every kind and description relating to the business, present or otherwise, of the Company or its Affiliates and any copies, in whole or in part, thereof (the “ Documents ”), whether or not prepared by Executive, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and its Affiliates. Executive shall safeguard all Documents and shall surrender to the Company at the time Executive’s employment terminates, or at such earlier time or times as the Company may specify, all Documents then in Executive’s possession or control. Executive shall immediately return such Documents and other property to the Company upon the termination of Executive’s employment and, in any event, at the Company’s request. Executive further agrees that any property situated

 

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on the premises of, and owned by, the Company or its Affiliates, including disks and other storage media, filing cabinets, or other work areas, is subject to inspection by the Company’s personnel at any time with or without notice.

(c) Executive understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”). Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit Executive’s ability to communicate with the SEC or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by the SEC, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to the SEC. This Section 6(c) applies only for the period of time that the Company is subject to the Dodd-Frank Act.

(d) “ Confidential Information ” means any and all information of the Company and its Affiliates that is not generally known by others with whom they compete or do business, or with whom any of them plans to compete or do business and any and all information, publicly known in whole or in part or not, which, if disclosed by the Company or its Affiliates would assist in competition against them. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, such information relating to (i) the development, research, testing, manufacturing, marketing and financial activities of the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) all products planned, researched, developed, tested, manufactured, sold, licensed, leased or otherwise distributed or put into use by the Company and its Affiliates, together with all services provided or planned by the Company or any of its Affiliates, during Executive’s employment, (iii) the costs, sources of supply, financial performance and strategic plans of the Company and its Affiliates, (iv) the identity and special needs of the customers of the Company and its Affiliates and (v) the people and organizations with whom the Company and its Affiliates have business relationships and those relationships. Confidential Information also includes any information that the Company or any of its Affiliates have received, or may receive hereafter, belonging to customers or others with any understanding, express or implied, that the information would not be disclosed.

7. Restricted Activities.  Executive agrees that some restrictions on Executive’s activities during and after Executive’s employment are necessary to protect the goodwill, Confidential Information, and other legitimate interests of the Company and its Affiliates. Following the Effective Date, the Company will provide Executive with access to and knowledge of Confidential Information and trade secrets and will place Executive in a position of trust and confidence with the Company, and Executive will benefit from the Company’s goodwill. The restrictive covenants below are necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests in its Confidential Information, trade secrets and goodwill. Executive further understands and acknowledges that the Company’s ability to reserve these for the exclusive knowledge and use of the Company is of great competitive importance and commercial value to the Company and that the Company would be irreparably harmed if Executive violates the restrictive covenants below. In recognition of the consideration provided to Executive as well as the imparting to Executive of Confidential Information, including trade secrets, and for other good and valuable consideration, Executive hereby agrees as follows:

(a) While Executive is employed by the Company and for twenty-four (24) months after Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, whether before or after the

 

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Expiration Date (in the aggregate, the “ Non-Competition Period ”), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, investor (other than a passive investor of less than 5% in a publicly traded company), consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer, or otherwise, (i) compete with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any location where the Company or its subsidiaries conducts business (a “ Competitive Business ”) or (ii) undertake any planning for any Competitive Business. With respect to the portion of the Non-Competition Period that follows Executive’s termination of employment, the determination of whether a business is a Competitive Business shall be made based on the scope and location of the businesses conducted or planned to be conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries as of the date of such termination.

(b) Executive agrees that, during Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will not undertake any outside activity, whether or not competitive with the business of the Company or its Affiliates, that would reasonably give rise to a conflict of interest or otherwise interfere with Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(c) Executive further agrees that, during the Non-Competition Period, Executive will not solicit, hire, or attempt to solicit or hire any employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates (or any individual who was employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates during the one (1) year period prior to Executive’s termination), assist in such hiring by any Person, encourage any such employee to terminate his or her relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates, or solicit or encourage any customer, client, or vendor of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate or diminish its relationship with them, or, in the case of a customer, to conduct with any Person any business or activity which such customer conducts with the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(d) Executive shall not, whether in writing or orally, malign, denigrate, or disparage the Company or its Affiliates, or their respective predecessors and successors, or any of the current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents, or representatives of any of the foregoing, with respect to any of their respective past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that tend to portray any of the aforementioned parties in an unfavorable light. The Company shall direct its directors and officers not to, whether in writing or orally, malign, denigrate, or disparage Executive with respect to any of Executive’s past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that are intended to portray Executive in an unfavorable light.

(e) Executive’s and the Company’s obligations under this Section 7 , as applicable, shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

8. Notification Requirement.  Through and up to the conclusion of the Non-Competition Period, Executive shall give notice to the Company of each new business activity he plans to undertake, at least seven (7) days prior to beginning any such activity. Such notice shall state the name and address of the Person for whom such activity is undertaken and the nature of Executive’s business relationship(s) and position(s) with such Person.

 

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9. Intellectual Property Rights . (a) Executive agrees that the results and proceeds of Executive’s services for the Company (including, but not limited to, any trade secrets, products, services, processes, know-how, designs, developments, innovations, analyses, drawings, reports, techniques, formulas, methods, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, source and object codes, programs, writing and other works of authorship) resulting from services performed while an employee of the Company and any works in progress, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, that were made, developed, conceived, or reduced to practice or learned by Executive, either alone or jointly with others (collectively, “ Inventions ”), shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all trade secret, patent, copyright, and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “ Proprietary Rights ”) of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized, or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion, without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any Proprietary Rights which do not accrue to the Company under the immediately preceding sentence, then Executive hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of Executive’s right, title, and interest thereto, including any and all Proprietary Rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized, or developed, to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner determined by the Company without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. As to any Invention that Executive is required to assign, Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company all information known to Executive concerning such Invention.

(b) Executive agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, Executive shall do any and all things that the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company’s exclusive ownership throughout the United States of America or any other country of any and all Proprietary Rights in any such Inventions, including the execution of appropriate copyright and patent applications or assignments. To the extent that Executive has any Proprietary Rights in the Inventions that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, Executive unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such Proprietary Rights. This Section 9(b) is subject to and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict, or constitute any waiver by the Company of any Proprietary Rights of ownership to which the Company may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Company’s being Executive’s employer. Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designees. Executive’s obligations under this Section 9 shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

(c) Executive hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, that Executive now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company.

 

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10. Remedies and Injunctive Relief.  Executive acknowledges that a violation by Executive of any of the covenants contained in Sections 6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 would cause irreparable damage to the Company in an amount that would be material but not readily ascertainable, and that any remedy at law (including the payment of damages) would be inadequate. Accordingly, Executive agrees that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled (without the necessity of showing economic loss or other actual damage) to injunctive relief (including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions) in any court of competent jurisdiction for any actual or threatened breach of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies it may have. The preceding sentence shall not be construed as a waiver of the rights that the Company may have for damages under this Agreement or otherwise, and all of the Company’s rights shall be unrestricted.

11. Representations; Advice of Counsel. (a) Executive represents, warrants, and covenants that as of the date hereof: (i) Executive has the full right, authority, and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform Executive’s obligations hereunder, (ii) Executive is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company hereunder during or after the Term, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment, or agreement to which Executive is subject.

(b) Prior to execution of this Agreement, Executive was advised by the Company of Executive’s right to seek independent advice from an attorney of Executive’s own selection regarding this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that Executive has entered into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and with full knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this Agreement after being given the opportunity to consult with counsel. Executive further represents that in entering into this Agreement, Executive is not relying on any statements or representations made by any of the Company’s directors, officers, employees, or agents that are not expressly set forth herein, and that Executive is relying only upon Executive’s own judgment and any advice provided by Executive’s attorney.

(c) The Company represents, warrants, and covenants that as of the date hereof: (i) the Company has the full right, authority, and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform the Company’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the Company is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of the Company’s obligations to Executive hereunder during or after the Term, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment, or agreement to which the Company is subject.

12. Cooperation.  Executive agrees that, upon reasonable notice and without the necessity of the Company’s obtaining a subpoena or court order, Executive shall provide reasonable cooperation in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding (or any appeal from any

 

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suit, action, or proceeding), and any investigation or defense of any claims asserted against the Company or its Affiliates, that relates to events occurring during Executive’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates as to which Executive may have relevant information (including but not limited to furnishing relevant information and materials to the Company or its designee and providing testimony at depositions and at trial); provided , that with respect to such cooperation occurring following termination of employment, the Company shall reimburse Executive for expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith.

13. Withholding.  The Company may deduct and withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state, local, non-U.S., and other taxes as are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

14. Assignment.   Neither the Company nor Executive may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other party; provided , that the Company may assign its rights under this Agreement without the consent of Executive to a successor to substantially all of the business of the Company in the event that the Company shall effect a reorganization, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity, or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any other corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and Executive, and their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs, and permitted assigns.

15. Governing Law; No Construction Against Drafter.  This Agreement shall be deemed made in the State of Delaware, and the validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement in all respects shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its principles of conflicts of law. No provision of this Agreement or any related document will be construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage of any party hereto by any court or other governmental or judicial authority by reason of such party’s having or being deemed to have structured or drafted such provision.

16. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.  (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, Executive and the Company each hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts located within the State of Delaware (or, if subject matter jurisdiction in such courts are not available, in any state court located within the State of Delaware) over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the parties undertake not to commence any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in a forum other than a forum described in this Section 16(a) ; provided , however , that nothing herein shall preclude either party from bringing any suit, action, or proceeding in any other court for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Section 16 or enforcing any judgment obtained by either party.

(b) The agreement of the parties to the forum described in Section 16(a) is independent of the law that may be applied in any suit, action, or proceeding, and the parties agree to such forum even if such forum may under applicable law choose to apply non-forum law. The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of

 

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any such suit, action, or proceeding brought in an applicable court described in Section 16(a) , and the parties agree that they shall not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court. The parties agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a final and non-appealable judgment in any suit, action, or proceeding brought in any applicable court described in Section 16(a) shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction.

(c) The parties hereto irrevocably consent to the service of any and all process in any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement by the mailing of copies of such process to such party at such party’s address specified in Section 20 .

(d) Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent, or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of any action, suit, or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver, and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party hereto has been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section 16(d) .

(e) Each party shall bear his or her or its own costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

17. Amendment; No Waiver; Severability.  (a) No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived, or discharged except by a written document signed by Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right or power hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment of any steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.

(b) If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any applicable law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic and legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party; provided , that in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall finally hold in a non-appealable judicial determination that any provision of Sections 6 through 10 (whether in whole or in part) is void or constitutes an unreasonable restriction against Executive, such provision shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision enforceable for the longest duration and the greatest scope as such court may determine constitutes a reasonable restriction under the circumstances. Subject to the foregoing, upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

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18. Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral), between Executive and the Company, relating to such subject matter. None of the parties shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations and warranties or covenants relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth herein.

19. Survival.  The rights and obligations of the parties under the provisions of this Agreement shall survive, and remain binding and enforceable, notwithstanding the expiration of the Term, the termination of this Agreement, the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder or any settlement of the financial rights and obligations arising from Executive’s employment hereunder, to the extent necessary to preserve the intended benefits of such provisions.

20. Notices.  All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or sent by facsimile or sent, postage prepaid, by registered, certified, or express mail or overnight courier service and shall be deemed given when so delivered by hand or facsimile, or if mailed, three days after mailing (one (1) business day in the case of express mail or overnight courier service) to the parties at the following addresses or facsimiles (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

If to the Company:    TCEH Corp.
   Attn: Corporate Secretary
   1601 Bryan Street
   Dallas, TX 75201
If to Executive:    At the most recent address on file in the Company’s records.

Notices delivered by facsimile shall have the same legal effect as if such notice had been delivered in person.

21. Headings and References.  The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, and neither constitute a part of this Agreement nor affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. When a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

22. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including via facsimile and electronic image scan (.pdf)), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

 

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23. Section 409A.  (a) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Section 409A ” means Section 409A of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and such other Treasury or Internal Revenue Service guidance) as in effect from time to time. The parties intend that any amounts payable hereunder that could constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A will be compliant with Section 409A or exempt from Section 409A.

(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following special rule shall apply, if and to the extent required by Section 409A, in the event that (i) Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) (as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company as in effect on the date of Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations § 1.409A-1(h)), (ii) amounts or benefits under this Agreement or any other program, plan, or arrangement of the Company or a controlled group affiliate thereof are due or payable on account of separation from service, and (iii) Executive is employed by a public company or a controlled group affiliate thereof: payments hereunder that are “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A that would be made to Executive prior to the date that is six (6) months after the date of Executive’s separation from service shall be made within 10 business days after such six (6) month date or, if earlier, ten (10) days following the date of Executive’s death; following any applicable delay, all such delayed payments, without interest will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest permissible payment date.

(c) Except to the extent required to be delayed pursuant to Section   23(b) , any payment or benefit due or payable on account of Executive’s separation from service to which this Section 23(c) applies shall be paid or commence, as applicable, upon the first scheduled payroll date immediately after the date the Release Condition is satisfied (the “ Release Effective Date ”); provided that, to the extent that such payment or benefit represents a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and the sixty (60) day period following Executive’s separation from service spans two (2) taxable years, payment shall not be made or commence prior to January 1 of the second taxable year. The first such cash payment shall include payment of all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior to the Release Effective Date under the terms of this Agreement applied as though such payments commenced immediately upon Executive’s termination of employment, and any payments made thereafter shall continue as provided herein. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had such benefits commenced immediately following Executive’s termination of employment.

(d) Each payment made under this Agreement (including each separate installment payment in the case of a series of installment payments) shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Amounts payable under this Agreement shall be deemed not to be a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulations §§ 1.409A-1(b)(4) (“short-term deferrals”) and (b)(9) (“separation pay plans,” including the exception under subparagraph (iii)) and other applicable provisions of Section 409A, and shall be paid under any such exception to the maximum extent permitted. For purposes of this Agreement, with respect to payments of any amounts that are considered to be “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A, references to “termination of employment,” “termination,” or words and phrases of similar import, shall be deemed to refer to Executive’s “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A, and shall be interpreted and

 

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applied in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this Agreement.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise that is eligible for exemption from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(A) or (C) (relating to certain reimbursements and in-kind benefits) shall be paid or provided to Executive only to the extent that the expenses are not incurred, or the benefits are not provided, beyond the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s “separation from service” occurs; and provided , further , that such expenses are reimbursed no later than the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s “separation from service” occurs. To the extent that any indemnification payment, expense reimbursement, or provision of any in-kind benefit is determined to be subject to Section 409A (and not exempt pursuant to the prior sentence or otherwise), the amount of any such indemnification payment or expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one (1) calendar year shall not affect the indemnification payment or provision of in-kind benefits or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year (except for any lifetime or other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses to the extent permitted by Section 409A), such indemnification, reimbursement, or in-kind benefits shall be provided for the period set forth in this Agreement, or if no such period is set forth, during Executive’s lifetime, in no event shall any indemnification payment or expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive incurred such indemnification payment or expenses, and in no event shall any right to indemnification payment or reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties as of the date first written above.

 

TCEH Corp.
By:  

/s/ Carrie Lee Kirby

Name:   Carrie Lee Kirby
Title:   Chief Administrative Officer
STEPHANIE ZAPATA MOORE

/s/ Stephanie Zapata Moore

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]


Exhibit A

 

OIP:    Equity awards to be subject to the terms of the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Initial Equity Award:    Upon or as soon as practicable after the Effective Date, the Company will award Executive restricted stock units and stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, with an aggregate grant date fair market value as determined by the Board for accounting purposes of $1,200,000. Such restricted stock units or stock options, as applicable, to vest ratably over 4 years (25% each year). Allocation between restricted stock units and stock options to be determined by the Board.
Annual Equity Awards:    Following the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Executive will be granted annual equity awards in an amount determined by the Board. Such awards may be in the form of options, restricted stock units, performance shares, or any other form as approved by the Board.
Involuntary Termination Without Cause / Resignation for Good Reason / Non-Renewal of Term by the Company:    Subject to delivery (and non-revocation) of the Release and continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement, accelerated vesting of the portion of Executive’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had Executive remained employed (fully vested options to remain exercisable for 90 days following termination or, if Executive is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, 180 days from the date of such termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).
Termination with Cause / Resignation Without Good Reason / Non-Renewal of the Term by Executive    All options and other outstanding awards (unvested and vested) are forfeited upon a termination for Cause. On any other termination, Executive will retain all vested awards (forfeits unvested), and vested options remain exercisable for 30 days following termination or, if Executive is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, 180 days from the date of such termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter).
Death / Disability    Accelerated vesting of the portion of Executive’s equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (fully vested options to remain exercisable for one year following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).
Involuntary Termination Without Cause / Resignation for Good Reason / Non-Renewal of Term by the Company Following a Change in Control:    All equity awards that were outstanding at the time of the Change in Control will vest upon such termination.


Exhibit B

Release of Claims

As used in this Release of Claims (this “ Release ”), the term “claims” will include all claims, covenants, warranties, promises, undertakings, actions, suits, causes of action, proceedings, obligations, debts, accounts, attorneys’ fees, judgments, losses, and liabilities, of whatsoever kind or nature, in law, in equity, or otherwise. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Release will have the meanings given to them in the employment agreement dated October 4, 2016 between TCEH Corp. (the “ Company ”) and Stephanie Zapata Moore (my “ Employment Agreement ”).

For and in consideration of the severance payments and benefits, and other good and valuable consideration, I, for and on behalf of myself and my executors, heirs, administrators, representatives, and assigns, hereby agree to release and forever discharge the Company and each of its direct and indirect parent and subsidiary entities, and all of their respective predecessors, successors, and past, current, and future parent entities, affiliates, subsidiary entities, investors, directors, shareholders, members, officers, general or limited partners, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives, and the employee benefit plans in which I am or have been a participant by virtue of my employment with or service to the Company (collectively, the “ Company Releasees ”), from any and all claims that I have or may have had against the Company Releasees based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring on or prior to the date hereof and arising directly or indirectly out of, relating to, or in any other way involving in any manner whatsoever my employment by or service to the Company or the termination thereof, including without limitation any and all claims arising under federal, state, or local laws relating to employment, including without limitation claims of wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, whistleblowing, or liability in tort, and claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative agency, and any related claims for attorneys’ fees and costs, including, without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000, et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991; 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, et seq.; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq. (the “ ADEA ”); the Equal Pay Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 206(d); regulations of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance, 41 C.F.R. Section 60, et seq.; the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.; and any similar state or local law. I agree further that this Release may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit, arbitration, or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof that is or may be initiated, prosecuted, or maintained by me or my descendants, dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns. By signing this Release, I acknowledge that I intend to waive and release all rights known or unknown that I may have against the Company Releasees under these and any other laws.

I acknowledge and agree that as of the date I execute this Release, I have no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that give rise or could give rise to any claims under any of the laws

 

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listed in the preceding paragraph and that I have not filed any claim against any of the Releasees before any local, state, federal, or foreign agency, court, arbitrator, mediator, arbitration or mediation panel, or other body (each individually a “ Proceeding ”). I (i) acknowledge that I will not initiate or cause to be initiated on my behalf any Proceeding and will not participate in any Proceeding, in each case, except as required by law or to the extent such Proceeding relates to a claim not waived hereunder; and (ii) waive any right that I may have to benefit in any manner from any relief (whether monetary or otherwise) arising out of any Proceeding, including any Proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“ EEOC ”), except in each case to the extent such Proceeding relates to a claim not waived hereunder. Further, I understand that, by executing this Release, I will be limiting the availability of certain remedies that I may have against the Company and limiting also my ability to pursue certain claims against the Company Releasees.

By executing this Release, I specifically release all claims relating to my employment and its termination under ADEA, a federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefit plans.

Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, I do not release (i) claims to receive my severance payments and benefits in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement, (ii) claims with respect to benefits to which I am entitled under the employee benefit and compensation plans of the Company and its affiliates, including any rights to equity, (iii) claims to indemnification, or (iv) claims that cannot be waived by law. Further, nothing in this Release shall prevent me from (i) initiating or causing to be initiated on my behalf any claim against the Company before any local, state, or federal agency, court, or other body challenging the validity of the waiver of my claims under the ADEA (but no other portion of such waiver); or (ii) initiating or participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC.

I acknowledge that I have been given at least [21]/[45] 1 days in which to consider this Release. I acknowledge further that the Company has advised me to consult with an attorney of my choice before signing this Release, and I have had sufficient time to consider the terms of this Release. I represent and acknowledge that if I execute this Release before [21]/[45] days have elapsed, I do so knowingly, voluntarily, and upon the advice and with the approval of my legal counsel (if any), and that I voluntarily waive any remaining consideration period.

I understand that after executing this Release, I have the right to revoke it within seven days after its execution. I understand that this Release will not become effective and enforceable unless the seven-day revocation period passes and I do not revoke the Release in writing. I understand that this Release may not be revoked after the seven-day revocation period has passed. I understand also that any revocation of this Release must be made in writing and delivered to the Company at its principal place of business within the seven-day period.

This Release will become effective, irrevocable, and binding on the eighth day after its execution, so long as I have not timely revoked it as set forth above. I understand and acknowledge that I will not be entitled to the severance payments and benefits unless this Release is effective on or before the date that is sixty (60) days following the date of my termination of employment.

 

1   NTD : To be selected based on whether applicable termination was “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).


I hereby agree to waive any and all claims to re-employment with the Company or any of its affiliates and affirmatively agree not to seek further employment with the Company or any of its affiliates.

The provisions of this Release will be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and assigns. If any provision of this Release will be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void, or unenforceable, such provision will be of no force or effect. The illegality or unenforceability of such provision, however, will have no effect upon and will not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Release.

This Release will be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law. Any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Release or claim of breach hereof will be brought exclusively in the federal and state courts located within Delaware. By execution of this Release, I am waiving any right to trial by jury in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding under or in connection with this Release.

 

 

Stephanie Zapata Moore

 

DATE

Exhibit 10.23

EXECUTION VERSION

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October 4, 2016 (the “ Effective Date ”), between TCEH Corp. (the “ Company ”) and Carrie Lee Kirby (“ Executive ”).

Recitals:

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to enter into a written employment agreement to reflect the terms upon which Executive shall provide services to the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

1. Term.

(a) The term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date, and shall continue until the three (3) year anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Initial Expiration Date ”); provided that on the Initial Expiration Date and each subsequent anniversary of the Initial Expiration Date, the term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be extended for one (1) additional year unless either party provides written notice to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to the Initial Expiration Date (or any such anniversary, as applicable) that Executive’s employment shall not be so extended (in which case, Executive’s employment shall terminate on the Initial Expiration Date or any such anniversary, as applicable); provided , however , that Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated at any earlier time pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 . The period of time from the Effective Date through the termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder pursuant to its terms is herein referred to as the “ Term ”; and the date on which the Term is scheduled to expire ( i.e. , the Initial Expiration Date or the scheduled expiration of the extended term, if applicable) is herein referred to as the “ Expiration Date .”

(b) Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to extend the Term or to continue Executive’s employment following the Expiration Date, and Executive expressly acknowledges that no promises or understandings to the contrary have been made or reached.

2. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms, as used herein, shall have the definitions set forth below.

(a) “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such specified Person.


(b) “ Change in Control ” shall, be deemed to occur upon any of the following events:

(i) the acquisition by any Person or related “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto (the “ Exchange Act ”)) of Beneficial Ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under Section 13 of the Exchange Act) of 30% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), including Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock (the “ Outstanding Company Common Stock ”); or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors (the “ Outstanding Company Voting Securities ”); but excluding any acquisition by the Company or any of its Affiliates or by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates;

(ii) a change in the composition of the Board such that members of the Board during any consecutive 12-month period (the “ Incumbent Directors ”) cease to constitute a majority of the Board. Any person becoming a director through election or nomination for election approved by a valid vote of at least two thirds of the Incumbent Directors shall be deemed an Incumbent Director; provided , however , that no individual becoming a director as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be deemed an Incumbent Director;

(iii) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company; or

(iv) the consummation of a reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), or sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company to an entity that is not an Affiliate of the Company (a “ Sale ”), unless immediately following such Business Combination or Sale: (A) more than 50% of the total voting power of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the entity that acquired all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company in such Sale (in either case, the “ Surviving Company ”), or the ultimate parent entity that has Beneficial Ownership of sufficient voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or analogous governing body) of the Surviving Company (the “ Parent Company ”), is represented by the Outstanding Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination or Sale (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which the Outstanding Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination or Sale), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination or Sale, (B) no Person or related group of Persons (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total

 

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voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) following the consummation of the Business Combination or Sale were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination or Sale.

(c) “ Cause ” means (i) Executive’s willful and continued failure to perform Executive’s duties with the Company; (ii) Executive’s willful and continued failure to follow and comply with the written policies of the Company as in effect from time to time; (iii) Executive’s willful commission of an act of fraud or dishonesty resulting in economic or financial injury to the Company; (iv) Executive’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct; (v) Executive’s willful breach of this Agreement; or (vi) Executive’s indictment for, conviction of, or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or other crime involving moral turpitude. No act or failure to act will be treated as willful if it is done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and with a good faith belief that such act or omission was in the best interests of the Company.

(d) “ Control ” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ”), as used with respect to any Person, means the direct or indirect possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract.

(e) “ Disability ” means Executive would be entitled to long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan as in effect from time to time, without regard to any waiting or elimination period under such plan and assuming for the purpose of such determination that Executive is actually participating in such plan at such time. If the Company does not maintain a long-term disability plan, “ Disability ” means Executive’s inability to perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder on a full-time basis for a consecutive period of one hundred eighty (180) days due to physical or mental illness or incapacity that is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to Executive or Executive’s legal representative.

(f) “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence, without the consent of Executive, of either of the following events: (i) any material diminution of, or modification to, Executive’s title, duties, responsibilities, authorities, or terms of employment set forth in Section 3 or (ii) any breach by the Company of any of its material obligations to Executive. Prior to resigning for Good Reason, Executive shall give written notice to the Company of the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for such resignation not more than sixty (60) days following Executive’s knowledge of such facts and circumstances, and the Company shall have ten (10) business days after receipt of such notice to cure (and if so cured, Executive shall not be permitted to resign for Good Reason in respect thereof) and Executive shall resign within ten (10) business days following the Company’s failure to cure.

 

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(g) “ Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, unincorporated entity, or other entity.

3. Duties and Responsibilities. The Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, during the Term, as the Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. During the Term, Executive agrees to be employed by and devote all of Executive’s business time and attention to the Company and the promotion of its interests and to use Executive’s best efforts to faithfully and diligently serve the Company; provided , however , that, to the extent that such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties, services, and responsibilities under this Agreement, Executive shall be permitted to (a) manage Executive’s personal, financial, and legal affairs, (b) serve on civic or charitable boards and committees of such boards and (c) to the extent approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) pursuant to a duly authorized resolution of the Board, serve on corporate boards and committees of such boards. Executive will report solely to the Chief Executive Officer. Executive will perform such lawful duties and responsibilities as are commensurate with Executive’s titles and positions, and such other duties and responsibilities commensurate with Executive’s titles and positions as may be reasonably requested by the Chief Executive Officer and the Board from time to time. Executive will have the authority customarily exercised by an individual serving as an Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of a corporation of the size and nature of the Company. Executive’s place of employment will be in Dallas, Texas.

4. Compensation and Related Matters. (a)  Base Salary . During the Term, Executive shall receive an aggregate annual base salary (“ Base Salary ”) at an initial rate of $430,000, payable in accordance with the Company’s applicable payroll practices. Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board and increased (but not decreased) in the Board’s sole discretion. References in this Agreement to Base Salary shall be deemed to refer to the most recently effective annual base salary rate.

(b) Annual Bonus . During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to receive a cash bonus (the “ Annual Bonus ”) for each year (or portion thereof) (beginning with calendar year 2016), provided that, except as otherwise provided herein, Executive has remained employed by the Company as of the applicable payment date. Executive’s target bonus opportunity for any particular year (the “ Target Bonus ”) shall be 70% of Base Salary, and Executive’s maximum bonus opportunity shall be 200% of the Target Bonus. The Annual Bonus shall be subject to performance metrics approved by the Board based on key short-term objectives and shall be at the full discretion of the Board. For the Annual Bonus paid in respect of 2016, the Board shall consider alternatives to compensate Executive for 2016 (e.g., paying a full-year payout based on stub year performance or an agreed upon Annual Bonus to be paid in the normal bonus cycle). Any Annual Bonus shall be paid in the fiscal year following the fiscal year to which such Annual Bonus relates, at the same as annual bonuses are paid to all other senior executives.

(c) Equity Compensation . Executive shall be entitled to receive equity compensation awards as described in Exhibit A .

 

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(d) Benefits and Perquisites . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in the benefit plans (including, without limitation, life insurance) and programs and receive perquisites that are provided by the Company from time to time for its senior executives generally, subject to the terms and conditions of such plans and programs and commensurate with Executive’s position. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to up to $15,000 per year for tax and financial planning.

(e) Business Expense Reimbursements . During the Term, the Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for Executive’s reasonable and necessary business expenses in accordance with the Company’s then-prevailing policies and procedures for expense reimbursement (which shall include appropriate itemization and substantiation of expenses incurred).

(f) Indemnification . The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive, to the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s governing documents, against all claims, expenses, damages, liabilities, and losses incurred by Executive (whether before or after the Effective Date) by reason of the fact that Executive is or was, or had agreed to become, a consultant, director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates or predecessors of any of the foregoing, or any benefit plan of any of the foregoing, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a consultant, director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, fiduciary, or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, person, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity. The Company shall provide Executive with customary directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage both during and after the Term with regard to matters occurring during employment or while otherwise providing services to, or serving at the request of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any benefit plan of any of the foregoing, which coverage shall be at a level at least equal to the greatest level being maintained at such time for any current officer or director and shall continue until such time as suits can no longer be brought against Executive as a matter of law. Executive will be entitled to advancement of expenses in connection with any claim in the same manner and to the same extent to which any other officer or director of the Company is entitled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to indemnify or advance expenses to Executive in connection with (i) any dispute in connection with this Agreement or Executive’s employment hereunder; (ii) any action, claim, or proceeding initiated by Executive against the Company unless such action, claim, or proceeding is approved in advance by the Board in writing or (iii) any liabilities, damages, claims or expenses incurred that are attributable to Executive’s fraud, bad faith, willful misconduct, or gross negligence.

5. Termination of Employment. (a) Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time and for any reason; provided , however , that Executive shall be required to give the Company at least sixty (60) days’ advance written notice of any voluntary resignation of Executive’s employment hereunder (other than resignation for Good Reason) (and in such event the Company in its sole discretion may elect to accelerate Executive’s date of termination of employment, it being understood that such termination shall still be treated as a voluntary resignation without Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death.

 

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(b) Following any termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement, except as provided under Sections 5(c) , 5(d) , and 5(e), the obligations of the Company to pay or provide Executive with compensation and benefits under Section 4 shall cease, and the Company shall have no further obligations to provide compensation or benefits to Executive hereunder, except (i) for payment of any accrued but unpaid Base Salary and any accrued but unused vacation and for payment of any unreimbursed expenses under Section 4(e) , in each case accrued or incurred through the date of termination of employment, payable as soon as practicable and in all events within thirty (30) days following the date of termination of employment, (ii) as explicitly set forth in any other benefit plans, programs, or arrangements applicable to terminated employees in which Executive participates (including, without limitation, equity award agreements), other than severance plans or policies, and (iii) as otherwise expressly required by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, except as otherwise provided below, any Unpaid Annual Bonus (as defined below) is forfeited if Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason.

(c) If Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, or (iii) due to expiration of the Term on the Expiration Date as a result of the Company delivering a notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section 1 , in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , Executive shall be entitled to receive: (i) severance pay in an aggregate amount (the “ Severance Pay ”) equal to, two times (2x) the sum of (A) Base Salary plus (B) (x) Target Bonus, if such termination of employment occurs prior to the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date, or (y) the prior year’s Annual Bonus, if such termination of employment occurs on or after the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date; (ii) a prorated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (x) the amount of Annual Bonus that would have been payable to Executive had Executive’s employment not so terminated based on actual performance measured through the fiscal year of termination, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Company’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (the “ Prorated Bonus ”); (iii) any accrued but unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year of termination (the “ Unpaid Annual Bonus ”); and (iv) continued health insurance benefits under the terms of the applicable Company benefit plans for twenty-four (24) months, subject to Executive’s payment of the cost of such benefits to the same extent that active employees of the Company are required to pay for such benefits from time to time; provided , however , that such continuation coverage shall end earlier upon Executive’s becoming eligible for comparable coverage under another employer’s benefit plans; and provided , further , that to the extent that the provision of such continuation coverage is not permitted under the terms of the Company benefit plans or would result in an adverse tax consequence to the Company, the Company may alternatively provide Executive with a monthly cash payment in an amount equal to the applicable COBRA premium that Executive would otherwise be required to pay to obtain COBRA continuation coverage for such benefits for twenty-four (24) months (assuming that COBRA continuation coverage were available for such period) (minus the cost of such benefits to the same extent that active employees of the Company are required to pay for such benefits from time to time) (the “ Severance Benefits ”), commencing as provided in Section 23(c) . The Severance Pay shall be paid in equal installments during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices,

 

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but no less frequently than monthly, and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) below. The Unpaid Annual Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives during the fiscal year of Executive’s termination and the Prorated Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the year following the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time within eighteen (18) months following a Change in Control, Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, or (iii) due to expiration of the Term on the Expiration Date as a result of the Company delivering a notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section 1 , then Executive, in lieu of any of the amounts and benefits described in Section 5(c) and in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , shall be entitled to receive (i) the Unpaid Annual Bonus, (ii) 2.99 times the sum of (A) Base Salary plus (B) Target Bonus (the “ CIC Severance Pay ”), (iii) the product of (x) the Target Bonus, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Company’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (the “ Prorated CIC Bonus ”), and (iv) the Severance Benefits for twenty-four (24) months (as described above and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) ). The CIC Severance Pay and the Prorated CIC Bonus shall be paid in cash in a lump sum on the first payroll following the satisfaction of the Release Condition, subject to Section 23(c) ; provided, however, if the Change in Control does not constitute a “change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), the portion of the CIC Severance Pay that is not in excess of the Severance Pay that would have been payable upon such termination if Section 5(c) applied shall be paid to Executive in equal monthly installments during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly, and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) below, and the portion of the CIC Severance Pay in excess of such amount shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum 60 days after the consummation of the Change in Control. The Unpaid Annual Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives during the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(e) If Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated due to death or Disability, in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) the Prorated Bonus, paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the year following the fiscal year of Executive’s termination and (ii) the Unpaid Annual Bonus, paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(f) Executive’s entitlement to the payments and benefits set forth in Sections 5(c) and 5(d) shall be conditioned upon Executive’s having provided an irrevocable waiver and release of claims in favor of the Company, its Affiliates, their respective predecessors and successors, and all of the respective current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents, or representatives of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Released Parties ”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “ Release ”), that has become effective in accordance with its terms within sixty (60) days following Executive’s termination of employment (the “ Release Condition ”), and Executive’s continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 hereof.

 

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(g) Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, and regardless of whether Executive continues as a consultant to the Company, upon the Company’s request Executive agrees to resign, as of the date of such termination of employment or such other date requested, from the Board and any committees thereof, and, if applicable, from the board of directors (and any committees thereof) of any Affiliate of the Company to the extent Executive is then serving thereon. The Company’s obligations to make the payments provided for in this Agreement are subject to set-off for any undisputed amounts owed by Executive, to the extent permitted by Section 409A (as defined below) and any Company clawback policy.

(h) The payment of any amounts accrued under any benefit plan, program, or arrangement in which Executive participates shall be subject to the terms of the applicable plan, program, or arrangement, and any elections Executive has made thereunder.

(i) Following any termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall have no obligation to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement. There shall be no offset against amounts due Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to later employment, consultancy, or other remunerative activity of Executive.

6. Confidential Information.

(a) Executive acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates continually develop Confidential Information (as defined below), that Executive may develop Confidential Information for the Company or its Affiliates and that Executive may learn of Confidential Information during the course of Executive’s employment. Executive will comply with the policies and procedures of the Company and its Affiliates for protecting Confidential Information and shall not disclose to any Person or use, other than as required by applicable law or for the proper performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities to the Company and its Affiliates, any Confidential Information obtained by Executive incident to Executive’s employment or other association with the Company or any of its Affiliates. Executive understands that this restriction shall continue to apply after Executive’s employment terminates, regardless of the reason for such termination.

(b) All documents, records, tapes, and other media of every kind and description relating to the business, present or otherwise, of the Company or its Affiliates and any copies, in whole or in part, thereof (the “ Documents ”), whether or not prepared by Executive, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and its Affiliates. Executive shall safeguard all Documents and shall surrender to the Company at the time Executive’s employment terminates, or at such earlier time or times as the Company may specify, all Documents then in Executive’s possession or control. Executive shall immediately return such Documents and other property to the Company upon the termination of Executive’s employment and, in any event, at the Company’s request. Executive further agrees that any property situated on the premises of, and owned by, the Company or its Affiliates, including disks and other storage media, filing cabinets, or other work areas, is subject to inspection by the Company’s personnel at any time with or without notice.

 

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(c) Executive understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”). Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit Executive’s ability to communicate with the SEC or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by the SEC, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to the SEC. This Section 6(c) applies only for the period of time that the Company is subject to the Dodd-Frank Act.

(d) “ Confidential Information ” means any and all information of the Company and its Affiliates that is not generally known by others with whom they compete or do business, or with whom any of them plans to compete or do business and any and all information, publicly known in whole or in part or not, which, if disclosed by the Company or its Affiliates would assist in competition against them. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, such information relating to (i) the development, research, testing, manufacturing, marketing and financial activities of the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) all products planned, researched, developed, tested, manufactured, sold, licensed, leased or otherwise distributed or put into use by the Company and its Affiliates, together with all services provided or planned by the Company or any of its Affiliates, during Executive’s employment, (iii) the costs, sources of supply, financial performance and strategic plans of the Company and its Affiliates, (iv) the identity and special needs of the customers of the Company and its Affiliates and (v) the people and organizations with whom the Company and its Affiliates have business relationships and those relationships. Confidential Information also includes any information that the Company or any of its Affiliates have received, or may receive hereafter, belonging to customers or others with any understanding, express or implied, that the information would not be disclosed.

7. Restricted Activities. Executive agrees that some restrictions on Executive’s activities during and after Executive’s employment are necessary to protect the goodwill, Confidential Information, and other legitimate interests of the Company and its Affiliates. Following the Effective Date, the Company will provide Executive with access to and knowledge of Confidential Information and trade secrets and will place Executive in a position of trust and confidence with the Company, and Executive will benefit from the Company’s goodwill. The restrictive covenants below are necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests in its Confidential Information, trade secrets and goodwill. Executive further understands and acknowledges that the Company’s ability to reserve these for the exclusive knowledge and use of the Company is of great competitive importance and commercial value to the Company and that the Company would be irreparably harmed if Executive violates the restrictive covenants below. In recognition of the consideration provided to Executive as well as the imparting to Executive of Confidential Information, including trade secrets, and for other good and valuable consideration, Executive hereby agrees as follows:

(a) While Executive is employed by the Company and for twenty-four (24) months after Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, whether before or after the

 

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Expiration Date (in the aggregate, the “ Non-Competition Period ”), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, investor (other than a passive investor of less than 5% in a publicly traded company), consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer, or otherwise, (i) compete with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any location where the Company or its subsidiaries conducts business (a “ Competitive Business ”) or (ii) undertake any planning for any Competitive Business. With respect to the portion of the Non-Competition Period that follows Executive’s termination of employment, the determination of whether a business is a Competitive Business shall be made based on the scope and location of the businesses conducted or planned to be conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries as of the date of such termination.

(b) Executive agrees that, during Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will not undertake any outside activity, whether or not competitive with the business of the Company or its Affiliates, that would reasonably give rise to a conflict of interest or otherwise interfere with Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(c) Executive further agrees that, during the Non-Competition Period, Executive will not solicit, hire, or attempt to solicit or hire any employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates (or any individual who was employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates during the one (1) year period prior to Executive’s termination), assist in such hiring by any Person, encourage any such employee to terminate his or her relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates, or solicit or encourage any customer, client, or vendor of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate or diminish its relationship with them, or, in the case of a customer, to conduct with any Person any business or activity which such customer conducts with the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(d) Executive shall not, whether in writing or orally, malign, denigrate, or disparage the Company or its Affiliates, or their respective predecessors and successors, or any of the current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents, or representatives of any of the foregoing, with respect to any of their respective past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that tend to portray any of the aforementioned parties in an unfavorable light. The Company shall direct its directors and officers not to, whether in writing or orally, malign, denigrate, or disparage Executive with respect to any of Executive’s past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that are intended to portray Executive in an unfavorable light.

(e) Executive’s and the Company’s obligations under this Section 7 , as applicable, shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

8. Notification Requirement. Through and up to the conclusion of the Non-Competition Period, Executive shall give notice to the Company of each new business activity he plans to undertake, at least seven (7) days prior to beginning any such activity. Such notice shall state the name and address of the Person for whom such activity is undertaken and the nature of Executive’s business relationship(s) and position(s) with such Person.

 

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9. Intellectual Property Rights . (a) Executive agrees that the results and proceeds of Executive’s services for the Company (including, but not limited to, any trade secrets, products, services, processes, know-how, designs, developments, innovations, analyses, drawings, reports, techniques, formulas, methods, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, source and object codes, programs, writing and other works of authorship) resulting from services performed while an employee of the Company and any works in progress, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, that were made, developed, conceived, or reduced to practice or learned by Executive, either alone or jointly with others (collectively, “ Inventions ”), shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all trade secret, patent, copyright, and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “ Proprietary Rights ”) of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized, or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion, without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any Proprietary Rights which do not accrue to the Company under the immediately preceding sentence, then Executive hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of Executive’s right, title, and interest thereto, including any and all Proprietary Rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized, or developed, to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner determined by the Company without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. As to any Invention that Executive is required to assign, Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company all information known to Executive concerning such Invention.

(b) Executive agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, Executive shall do any and all things that the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company’s exclusive ownership throughout the United States of America or any other country of any and all Proprietary Rights in any such Inventions, including the execution of appropriate copyright and patent applications or assignments. To the extent that Executive has any Proprietary Rights in the Inventions that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, Executive unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such Proprietary Rights. This Section 9(b) is subject to and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict, or constitute any waiver by the Company of any Proprietary Rights of ownership to which the Company may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Company’s being Executive’s employer. Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designees. Executive’s obligations under this Section 9 shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

 

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(c) Executive hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, that Executive now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company.

10. Remedies and Injunctive Relief. Executive acknowledges that a violation by Executive of any of the covenants contained in Sections 6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 would cause irreparable damage to the Company in an amount that would be material but not readily ascertainable, and that any remedy at law (including the payment of damages) would be inadequate. Accordingly, Executive agrees that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled (without the necessity of showing economic loss or other actual damage) to injunctive relief (including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions) in any court of competent jurisdiction for any actual or threatened breach of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies it may have. The preceding sentence shall not be construed as a waiver of the rights that the Company may have for damages under this Agreement or otherwise, and all of the Company’s rights shall be unrestricted.

11. Representations; Advice of Counsel. (a) Executive represents, warrants, and covenants that as of the date hereof: (i) Executive has the full right, authority, and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform Executive’s obligations hereunder, (ii) Executive is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company hereunder during or after the Term, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment, or agreement to which Executive is subject.

(b) Prior to execution of this Agreement, Executive was advised by the Company of Executive’s right to seek independent advice from an attorney of Executive’s own selection regarding this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that Executive has entered into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and with full knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this Agreement after being given the opportunity to consult with counsel. Executive further represents that in entering into this Agreement, Executive is not relying on any statements or representations made by any of the Company’s directors, officers, employees, or agents that are not expressly set forth herein, and that Executive is relying only upon Executive’s own judgment and any advice provided by Executive’s attorney.

(c) The Company represents, warrants, and covenants that as of the date hereof: (i) the Company has the full right, authority, and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform the Company’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the Company is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of the Company’s obligations to Executive hereunder during or after the Term, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment, or agreement to which the Company is subject.

12. Cooperation. Executive agrees that, upon reasonable notice and without the necessity of the Company’s obtaining a subpoena or court order, Executive shall provide reasonable cooperation in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding (or any appeal from any

 

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suit, action, or proceeding), and any investigation or defense of any claims asserted against the Company or its Affiliates, that relates to events occurring during Executive’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates as to which Executive may have relevant information (including but not limited to furnishing relevant information and materials to the Company or its designee and providing testimony at depositions and at trial); provided , that with respect to such cooperation occurring following termination of employment, the Company shall reimburse Executive for expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith.

13. Withholding. The Company may deduct and withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state, local, non-U.S., and other taxes as are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

14. Assignment. Neither the Company nor Executive may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other party; provided , that the Company may assign its rights under this Agreement without the consent of Executive to a successor to substantially all of the business of the Company in the event that the Company shall effect a reorganization, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity, or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any other corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and Executive, and their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs, and permitted assigns.

15. Governing Law; No Construction Against Drafter. This Agreement shall be deemed made in the State of Delaware, and the validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement in all respects shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its principles of conflicts of law. No provision of this Agreement or any related document will be construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage of any party hereto by any court or other governmental or judicial authority by reason of such party’s having or being deemed to have structured or drafted such provision.

16. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, Executive and the Company each hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts located within the State of Delaware (or, if subject matter jurisdiction in such courts are not available, in any state court located within the State of Delaware) over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the parties undertake not to commence any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in a forum other than a forum described in this Section 16(a) ; provided , however , that nothing herein shall preclude either party from bringing any suit, action, or proceeding in any other court for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Section 16 or enforcing any judgment obtained by either party.

(b) The agreement of the parties to the forum described in Section 16(a) is independent of the law that may be applied in any suit, action, or proceeding, and the parties agree to such forum even if such forum may under applicable law choose to apply non-forum law. The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of

 

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any such suit, action, or proceeding brought in an applicable court described in Section 16(a) , and the parties agree that they shall not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court. The parties agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a final and non-appealable judgment in any suit, action, or proceeding brought in any applicable court described in Section 16(a) shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction.

(c) The parties hereto irrevocably consent to the service of any and all process in any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement by the mailing of copies of such process to such party at such party’s address specified in Section 20 .

(d) Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent, or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of any action, suit, or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver, and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party hereto has been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section 16(d) .

(e) Each party shall bear his or her or its own costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

17. Amendment; No Waiver; Severability. (a) No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived, or discharged except by a written document signed by Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right or power hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment of any steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.

(b) If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any applicable law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic and legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party; provided , that in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall finally hold in a non-appealable judicial determination that any provision of Sections 6 through 10 (whether in whole or in part) is void or constitutes an unreasonable restriction against Executive, such provision shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision enforceable for the longest duration and the greatest scope as such court may determine constitutes a reasonable restriction under the circumstances. Subject to the foregoing, upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

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18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral), between Executive and the Company, relating to such subject matter. None of the parties shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations and warranties or covenants relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth herein.

19. Survival. The rights and obligations of the parties under the provisions of this Agreement shall survive, and remain binding and enforceable, notwithstanding the expiration of the Term, the termination of this Agreement, the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder or any settlement of the financial rights and obligations arising from Executive’s employment hereunder, to the extent necessary to preserve the intended benefits of such provisions.

20. Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or sent by facsimile or sent, postage prepaid, by registered, certified, or express mail or overnight courier service and shall be deemed given when so delivered by hand or facsimile, or if mailed, three days after mailing (one (1) business day in the case of express mail or overnight courier service) to the parties at the following addresses or facsimiles (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

If to the Company:

  

TCEH Corp.

Attn: Corporate Secretary

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, TX 75201

If to Executive:

   At the most recent address on file in the Company’s records.

Notices delivered by facsimile shall have the same legal effect as if such notice had been delivered in person.

21. Headings and References. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, and neither constitute a part of this Agreement nor affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. When a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

22. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including via facsimile and electronic image scan (.pdf)), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

 

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23. Section 409A. (a) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Section 409A ” means Section 409A of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and such other Treasury or Internal Revenue Service guidance) as in effect from time to time. The parties intend that any amounts payable hereunder that could constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A will be compliant with Section 409A or exempt from Section 409A.

(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following special rule shall apply, if and to the extent required by Section 409A, in the event that (i) Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) (as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company as in effect on the date of Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations § 1.409A-1(h)), (ii) amounts or benefits under this Agreement or any other program, plan, or arrangement of the Company or a controlled group affiliate thereof are due or payable on account of separation from service, and (iii) Executive is employed by a public company or a controlled group affiliate thereof: payments hereunder that are “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A that would be made to Executive prior to the date that is six (6) months after the date of Executive’s separation from service shall be made within 10 business days after such six (6) month date or, if earlier, ten (10) days following the date of Executive’s death; following any applicable delay, all such delayed payments, without interest will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest permissible payment date.

(c) Except to the extent required to be delayed pursuant to Section 23(b) , any payment or benefit due or payable on account of Executive’s separation from service to which this Section 23(c) applies shall be paid or commence, as applicable, upon the first scheduled payroll date immediately after the date the Release Condition is satisfied (the “ Release Effective Date ”); provided that, to the extent that such payment or benefit represents a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and the sixty (60) day period following Executive’s separation from service spans two (2) taxable years, payment shall not be made or commence prior to January 1 of the second taxable year. The first such cash payment shall include payment of all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior to the Release Effective Date under the terms of this Agreement applied as though such payments commenced immediately upon Executive’s termination of employment, and any payments made thereafter shall continue as provided herein. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had such benefits commenced immediately following Executive’s termination of employment.

(d) Each payment made under this Agreement (including each separate installment payment in the case of a series of installment payments) shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Amounts payable under this Agreement shall be deemed not to be a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulations §§ 1.409A-1(b)(4) (“short-term deferrals”) and (b)(9) (“separation pay plans,” including the exception under subparagraph (iii)) and other applicable provisions of Section 409A, and shall be paid under any such exception to the maximum extent permitted. For purposes of this Agreement, with respect to payments of any amounts that are considered to be “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A, references to “termination of employment,” “termination,” or words and phrases of similar import, shall be deemed to refer to Executive’s “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A, and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this Agreement.

 

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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise that is eligible for exemption from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(A) or (C) (relating to certain reimbursements and in-kind benefits) shall be paid or provided to Executive only to the extent that the expenses are not incurred, or the benefits are not provided, beyond the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s “separation from service” occurs; and provided , further , that such expenses are reimbursed no later than the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s “separation from service” occurs. To the extent that any indemnification payment, expense reimbursement, or provision of any in-kind benefit is determined to be subject to Section 409A (and not exempt pursuant to the prior sentence or otherwise), the amount of any such indemnification payment or expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one (1) calendar year shall not affect the indemnification payment or provision of in-kind benefits or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year (except for any lifetime or other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses to the extent permitted by Section 409A), such indemnification, reimbursement, or in-kind benefits shall be provided for the period set forth in this Agreement, or if no such period is set forth, during Executive’s lifetime, in no event shall any indemnification payment or expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive incurred such indemnification payment or expenses, and in no event shall any right to indemnification payment or reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties as of the date first written above.

 

TCEH Corp.
By:   /s/ Curtis A. Morgan
Name:   Curtis A. Morgan
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

CARRIE LEE KIRBY
/s/ Carrie Lee Kirby

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]


Exhibit A

 

OIP:    Equity awards to be subject to the terms of the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Initial Equity Award:    Upon or as soon as practicable after the Effective Date, the Company will award Executive restricted stock units and stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, with an aggregate grant date fair market value as determined by the Board for accounting purposes of $1,600,000. Such restricted stock units or stock options, as applicable, to vest ratably over 4 years (25% each year). Allocation between restricted stock units and stock options to be determined by the Board.
Annual Equity Awards:    Following the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Executive will be granted annual equity awards in an amount determined by the Board. Such awards may be in the form of options, restricted stock units, performance shares, or any other form as approved by the Board.
Involuntary Termination Without Cause / Resignation for Good Reason / Non-Renewal of Term by the Company:    Subject to delivery (and non-revocation) of the Release and continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement, accelerated vesting of the portion of Executive’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had Executive remained employed (fully vested options to remain exercisable for 90 days following termination or, if Executive is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, 180 days from the date of such termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).
Termination with Cause / Resignation Without Good Reason / Non-Renewal of the Term by Executive    All options and other outstanding awards (unvested and vested) are forfeited upon a termination for Cause. On any other termination, Executive will retain all vested awards (forfeits unvested), and vested options remain exercisable for 30 days following termination or, if Executive is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, 180 days from the date of such termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter).
Death / Disability    Accelerated vesting of the portion of Executive’s equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (fully vested options to remain exercisable for one year following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).
Involuntary Termination Without Cause / Resignation for Good Reason / Non-Renewal of Term by the Company Following a Change in Control:    All equity awards that were outstanding at the time of the Change in Control will vest upon such termination.


Exhibit B

Release of Claims

As used in this Release of Claims (this “ Release ”), the term “claims” will include all claims, covenants, warranties, promises, undertakings, actions, suits, causes of action, proceedings, obligations, debts, accounts, attorneys’ fees, judgments, losses, and liabilities, of whatsoever kind or nature, in law, in equity, or otherwise. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Release will have the meanings given to them in the employment agreement dated October 4, 2016 between TCEH Corp. (the “ Company ”) and Carrie Lee Kirby (my “ Employment Agreement ”).

For and in consideration of the severance payments and benefits, and other good and valuable consideration, I, for and on behalf of myself and my executors, heirs, administrators, representatives, and assigns, hereby agree to release and forever discharge the Company and each of its direct and indirect parent and subsidiary entities, and all of their respective predecessors, successors, and past, current, and future parent entities, affiliates, subsidiary entities, investors, directors, shareholders, members, officers, general or limited partners, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives, and the employee benefit plans in which I am or have been a participant by virtue of my employment with or service to the Company (collectively, the “ Company Releasees ”), from any and all claims that I have or may have had against the Company Releasees based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring on or prior to the date hereof and arising directly or indirectly out of, relating to, or in any other way involving in any manner whatsoever my employment by or service to the Company or the termination thereof, including without limitation any and all claims arising under federal, state, or local laws relating to employment, including without limitation claims of wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, whistleblowing, or liability in tort, and claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative agency, and any related claims for attorneys’ fees and costs, including, without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000, et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991; 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, et seq.; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq. (the “ ADEA ”); the Equal Pay Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 206(d); regulations of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance, 41 C.F.R. Section 60, et seq.; the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.; and any similar state or local law. I agree further that this Release may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit, arbitration, or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof that is or may be initiated, prosecuted, or maintained by me or my descendants, dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns. By signing this Release, I acknowledge that I intend to waive and release all rights known or unknown that I may have against the Company Releasees under these and any other laws.

I acknowledge and agree that as of the date I execute this Release, I have no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that give rise or could give rise to any claims under any of the laws

 

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listed in the preceding paragraph and that I have not filed any claim against any of the Releasees before any local, state, federal, or foreign agency, court, arbitrator, mediator, arbitration or mediation panel, or other body (each individually a “ Proceeding ”). I (i) acknowledge that I will not initiate or cause to be initiated on my behalf any Proceeding and will not participate in any Proceeding, in each case, except as required by law or to the extent such Proceeding relates to a claim not waived hereunder; and (ii) waive any right that I may have to benefit in any manner from any relief (whether monetary or otherwise) arising out of any Proceeding, including any Proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“ EEOC ”), except in each case to the extent such Proceeding relates to a claim not waived hereunder. Further, I understand that, by executing this Release, I will be limiting the availability of certain remedies that I may have against the Company and limiting also my ability to pursue certain claims against the Company Releasees.

By executing this Release, I specifically release all claims relating to my employment and its termination under ADEA, a federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefit plans.

Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, I do not release (i) claims to receive my severance payments and benefits in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement, (ii) claims with respect to benefits to which I am entitled under the employee benefit and compensation plans of the Company and its affiliates, including any rights to equity, (iii) claims to indemnification, or (iv) claims that cannot be waived by law. Further, nothing in this Release shall prevent me from (i) initiating or causing to be initiated on my behalf any claim against the Company before any local, state, or federal agency, court, or other body challenging the validity of the waiver of my claims under the ADEA (but no other portion of such waiver); or (ii) initiating or participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC.

I acknowledge that I have been given at least [21]/[45] 1 days in which to consider this Release. I acknowledge further that the Company has advised me to consult with an attorney of my choice before signing this Release, and I have had sufficient time to consider the terms of this Release. I represent and acknowledge that if I execute this Release before [21]/[45] days have elapsed, I do so knowingly, voluntarily, and upon the advice and with the approval of my legal counsel (if any), and that I voluntarily waive any remaining consideration period.

I understand that after executing this Release, I have the right to revoke it within seven days after its execution. I understand that this Release will not become effective and enforceable unless the seven-day revocation period passes and I do not revoke the Release in writing. I understand that this Release may not be revoked after the seven-day revocation period has passed. I understand also that any revocation of this Release must be made in writing and delivered to the Company at its principal place of business within the seven-day period.

This Release will become effective, irrevocable, and binding on the eighth day after its execution, so long as I have not timely revoked it as set forth above. I understand and acknowledge that I will not be entitled to the severance payments and benefits unless this Release is effective on or before the date that is sixty (60) days following the date of my termination of employment.

 

1   NTD : To be selected based on whether applicable termination was “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).


I hereby agree to waive any and all claims to re-employment with the Company or any of its affiliates and affirmatively agree not to seek further employment with the Company or any of its affiliates.

The provisions of this Release will be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and assigns. If any provision of this Release will be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void, or unenforceable, such provision will be of no force or effect. The illegality or unenforceability of such provision, however, will have no effect upon and will not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Release.

This Release will be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law. Any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Release or claim of breach hereof will be brought exclusively in the federal and state courts located within Delaware. By execution of this Release, I am waiving any right to trial by jury in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding under or in connection with this Release.

 

 

 

Carrie Lee Kirby
 

 

DATE

Exhibit 10.24

EXECUTION VERSION

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October 4, 2016 (the “ Effective Date ”), between TCEH Corp. (the “ Company ”) and Sara Graziano (“ Executive ”).

Recitals:

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to enter into a written employment agreement to reflect the terms upon which Executive shall provide services to the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

1. Term.

(a) The term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date, and shall continue until the three (3) year anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Initial Expiration Date ”); provided that on the Initial Expiration Date and each subsequent anniversary of the Initial Expiration Date, the term of Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be extended for one (1) additional year unless either party provides written notice to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to the Initial Expiration Date (or any such anniversary, as applicable) that Executive’s employment shall not be so extended (in which case, Executive’s employment shall terminate on the Initial Expiration Date or any such anniversary, as applicable); provided , however , that Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated at any earlier time pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 . The period of time from the Effective Date through the termination of this Agreement and Executive’s employment hereunder pursuant to its terms is herein referred to as the “ Term ”; and the date on which the Term is scheduled to expire ( i.e. , the Initial Expiration Date or the scheduled expiration of the extended term, if applicable) is herein referred to as the “ Expiration Date .”

(b) Executive agrees and acknowledges that the Company has no obligation to extend the Term or to continue Executive’s employment following the Expiration Date, and Executive expressly acknowledges that no promises or understandings to the contrary have been made or reached.

2. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms, as used herein, shall have the definitions set forth below.

(a) “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such specified Person.


(b) “ Change in Control ” shall, be deemed to occur upon any of the following events:

(i) the acquisition by any Person or related “group” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor thereto (the “ Exchange Act ”)) of Beneficial Ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under Section 13 of the Exchange Act) of 30% or more (on a fully diluted basis) of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), including Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options or warrants, the conversion of convertible stock or debt, and the exercise of any similar right to acquire such Common Stock (the “ Outstanding Company Common Stock ”); or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors (the “ Outstanding Company Voting Securities ”); but excluding any acquisition by the Company or any of its Affiliates or by any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates;

(ii) a change in the composition of the Board such that members of the Board during any consecutive 12-month period (the “ Incumbent Directors ”) cease to constitute a majority of the Board. Any person becoming a director through election or nomination for election approved by a valid vote of at least two thirds of the Incumbent Directors shall be deemed an Incumbent Director; provided , however , that no individual becoming a director as a result of an actual or threatened election contest, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-12 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be deemed an Incumbent Director;

(iii) the approval by the shareholders of the Company of a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company; or

(iv) the consummation of a reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company (a “ Business Combination ”), or sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company to an entity that is not an Affiliate of the Company (a “ Sale ”), unless immediately following such Business Combination or Sale: (A) more than 50% of the total voting power of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the entity that acquired all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company in such Sale (in either case, the “ Surviving Company ”), or the ultimate parent entity that has Beneficial Ownership of sufficient voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or analogous governing body) of the Surviving Company (the “ Parent Company ”), is represented by the Outstanding Company Voting Securities that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination or Sale (or, if applicable, is represented by shares into which the Outstanding Company Voting Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination or Sale), and such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same proportion as the voting power of the Outstanding Company Voting Securities among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination or Sale, (B) no Person or related group of Persons (other than any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Company or the Parent Company), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total

 

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voting power of the outstanding voting securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Parent Company (or, if there is no Parent Company, the Surviving Company) following the consummation of the Business Combination or Sale were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such Business Combination or Sale.

(c) “ Cause ” means (i) Executive’s willful and continued failure to perform Executive’s duties with the Company; (ii) Executive’s willful and continued failure to follow and comply with the written policies of the Company as in effect from time to time; (iii) Executive’s willful commission of an act of fraud or dishonesty resulting in economic or financial injury to the Company; (iv) Executive’s willful engagement in illegal conduct or gross misconduct; (v) Executive’s willful breach of this Agreement; or (vi) Executive’s indictment for, conviction of, or a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or other crime involving moral turpitude. No act or failure to act will be treated as willful if it is done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and with a good faith belief that such act or omission was in the best interests of the Company.

(d) “ Control ” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “ Controlled by ” and “ under common Control with ”), as used with respect to any Person, means the direct or indirect possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract.

(e) “ Disability ” means Executive would be entitled to long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan as in effect from time to time, without regard to any waiting or elimination period under such plan and assuming for the purpose of such determination that Executive is actually participating in such plan at such time. If the Company does not maintain a long-term disability plan, “ Disability ” means Executive’s inability to perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder on a full-time basis for a consecutive period of one hundred eighty (180) days due to physical or mental illness or incapacity that is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to Executive or Executive’s legal representative.

(f) “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence, without the consent of Executive, of either of the following events: (i) any material diminution of, or modification to, Executive’s title, duties, responsibilities, authorities, or terms of employment set forth in Section 3 or (ii) any breach by the Company of any of its material obligations to Executive. Prior to resigning for Good Reason, Executive shall give written notice to the Company of the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for such resignation not more than sixty (60) days following Executive’s knowledge of such facts and circumstances, and the Company shall have ten (10) business days after receipt of such notice to cure (and if so cured, Executive shall not be permitted to resign for Good Reason in respect thereof) and Executive shall resign within ten (10) business days following the Company’s failure to cure.

 

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(g) “ Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, unincorporated entity, or other entity.

3. Duties and Responsibilities. The Company hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, during the Term, as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy. During the Term, Executive agrees to be employed by and devote all of Executive’s business time and attention to the Company and the promotion of its interests and to use Executive’s best efforts to faithfully and diligently serve the Company; provided , however , that, to the extent that such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties, services, and responsibilities under this Agreement, Executive shall be permitted to (a) manage Executive’s personal, financial, and legal affairs, (b) serve on civic or charitable boards and committees of such boards and (c) to the extent approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) pursuant to a duly authorized resolution of the Board, serve on corporate boards and committees of such boards. Executive will report solely to the Chief Executive Officer. Executive will perform such lawful duties and responsibilities as are commensurate with Executive’s title and position, and such other duties and responsibilities commensurate with Executive’s title and position as may be reasonably requested by the Chief Executive Officer and the Board from time to time. Executive will have the authority customarily exercised by an individual serving as a Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy of a corporation of the size and nature of the Company. Executive’s place of employment will be in Dallas, Texas.

4. Compensation and Related Matters. (a)  Base Salary . During the Term, Executive shall receive an aggregate annual base salary (“ Base Salary ”) at an initial rate of $400,000, payable in accordance with the Company’s applicable payroll practices. Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board and increased (but not decreased) in the Board’s sole discretion. References in this Agreement to Base Salary shall be deemed to refer to the most recently effective annual base salary rate.

(b) Annual Bonus . During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to receive a cash bonus (the “ Annual Bonus ”) for each year (or portion thereof) (beginning with calendar year 2016), provided that, except as otherwise provided herein, Executive has remained employed by the Company as of the applicable payment date. Executive’s target bonus opportunity for any particular year (the “ Target Bonus ”) shall be 70% of Base Salary, and Executive’s maximum bonus opportunity shall be 200% of the Target Bonus. The Annual Bonus shall be subject to performance metrics approved by the Board based on key short-term objectives and shall be at the full discretion of the Board. For the Annual Bonus paid in respect of 2016, the Board shall consider alternatives to compensate Executive for 2016 (e.g., paying a full-year payout based on stub year performance or an agreed upon Annual Bonus to be paid in the normal bonus cycle). Any Annual Bonus shall be paid in the fiscal year following the fiscal year to which such Annual Bonus relates, at the same as annual bonuses are paid to all other senior executives.

(c) Equity Compensation . Executive shall be entitled to receive equity compensation awards as described in Exhibit A .

 

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(d) Benefits and Perquisites . During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in the benefit plans (including, without limitation, life insurance) and programs and receive perquisites that are provided by the Company from time to time for its senior executives generally, subject to the terms and conditions of such plans and programs and commensurate with Executive’s position. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to up to $15,000 per year for tax and financial planning.

(e) Business Expense Reimbursements . During the Term, the Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for Executive’s reasonable and necessary business expenses in accordance with the Company’s then-prevailing policies and procedures for expense reimbursement (which shall include appropriate itemization and substantiation of expenses incurred).

(f) Indemnification . The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive, to the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s governing documents, against all claims, expenses, damages, liabilities, and losses incurred by Executive (whether before or after the Effective Date) by reason of the fact that Executive is or was, or had agreed to become, a consultant, director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates or predecessors of any of the foregoing, or any benefit plan of any of the foregoing, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a consultant, director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, fiduciary, or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, person, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity. The Company shall provide Executive with customary directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage both during and after the Term with regard to matters occurring during employment or while otherwise providing services to, or serving at the request of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any benefit plan of any of the foregoing, which coverage shall be at a level at least equal to the greatest level being maintained at such time for any current officer or director and shall continue until such time as suits can no longer be brought against Executive as a matter of law. Executive will be entitled to advancement of expenses in connection with any claim in the same manner and to the same extent to which any other officer or director of the Company is entitled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to indemnify or advance expenses to Executive in connection with (i) any dispute in connection with this Agreement or Executive’s employment hereunder; (ii) any action, claim, or proceeding initiated by Executive against the Company unless such action, claim, or proceeding is approved in advance by the Board in writing or (iii) any liabilities, damages, claims or expenses incurred that are attributable to Executive’s fraud, bad faith, willful misconduct, or gross negligence.

5. Termination of Employment. (a) Executive’s employment under this Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time and for any reason; provided , however , that Executive shall be required to give the Company at least sixty (60) days’ advance written notice of any voluntary resignation of Executive’s employment hereunder (other than resignation for Good Reason) (and in such event the Company in its sole discretion may elect to accelerate Executive’s date of termination of employment, it being understood that such termination shall still be treated as a voluntary resignation without Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death.

 

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(b) Following any termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement, except as provided under Sections 5(c) , 5(d) , and 5(e), the obligations of the Company to pay or provide Executive with compensation and benefits under Section 4 shall cease, and the Company shall have no further obligations to provide compensation or benefits to Executive hereunder, except (i) for payment of any accrued but unpaid Base Salary and any accrued but unused vacation and for payment of any unreimbursed expenses under Section 4(e) , in each case accrued or incurred through the date of termination of employment, payable as soon as practicable and in all events within thirty (30) days following the date of termination of employment, (ii) as explicitly set forth in any other benefit plans, programs, or arrangements applicable to terminated employees in which Executive participates (including, without limitation, equity award agreements), other than severance plans or policies, and (iii) as otherwise expressly required by applicable law. For the avoidance of doubt, except as otherwise provided below, any Unpaid Annual Bonus (as defined below) is forfeited if Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason.

(c) If Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, or (iii) due to expiration of the Term on the Expiration Date as a result of the Company delivering a notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section 1 , in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , Executive shall be entitled to receive: (i) severance pay in an aggregate amount (the “ Severance Pay ”) equal to, two times (2x) the sum of (A) Base Salary plus (B) (x) Target Bonus, if such termination of employment occurs prior to the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date, or (y) the prior year’s Annual Bonus, if such termination of employment occurs on or after the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Effective Date; (ii) a prorated Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year of termination equal to the product of (x) the amount of Annual Bonus that would have been payable to Executive had Executive’s employment not so terminated based on actual performance measured through the fiscal year of termination, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Company’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (the “ Prorated Bonus ”); (iii) any accrued but unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year of termination (the “ Unpaid Annual Bonus ”); and (iv) continued health insurance benefits under the terms of the applicable Company benefit plans for twenty-four (24) months, subject to Executive’s payment of the cost of such benefits to the same extent that active employees of the Company are required to pay for such benefits from time to time; provided , however , that such continuation coverage shall end earlier upon Executive’s becoming eligible for comparable coverage under another employer’s benefit plans; and provided , further , that to the extent that the provision of such continuation coverage is not permitted under the terms of the Company benefit plans or would result in an adverse tax consequence to the Company, the Company may alternatively provide Executive with a monthly cash payment in an amount equal to the applicable COBRA premium that Executive would otherwise be required to pay to obtain COBRA continuation coverage for such benefits for twenty-four (24) months (assuming that COBRA continuation coverage were available for such period) (minus the cost of such benefits to the same extent that active employees of the Company are required to pay for such benefits from time to time) (the “ Severance Benefits ”), commencing as provided in Section 23(c) . The Severance Pay shall be paid in equal installments during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices,

 

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but no less frequently than monthly, and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) below. The Unpaid Annual Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives during the fiscal year of Executive’s termination and the Prorated Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the year following the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time within eighteen (18) months following a Change in Control, Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated (i) by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability), (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, or (iii) due to expiration of the Term on the Expiration Date as a result of the Company delivering a notice of non-renewal as contemplated by Section 1 , then Executive, in lieu of any of the amounts and benefits described in Section 5(c) and in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , shall be entitled to receive (i) the Unpaid Annual Bonus, (ii) 2.99 times the sum of (A) Base Salary plus (B) Target Bonus (the “ CIC Severance Pay ”), (iii) the product of (x) the Target Bonus, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed in the Company’s fiscal year in which the termination occurs through such termination and the denominator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year (the “ Prorated CIC Bonus ”), and (iv) the Severance Benefits for twenty-four (24) months (as described above and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) ). The CIC Severance Pay and the Prorated CIC Bonus shall be paid in cash in a lump sum on the first payroll following the satisfaction of the Release Condition, subject to Section 23(c) ; provided, however, if the Change in Control does not constitute a “change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), the portion of the CIC Severance Pay that is not in excess of the Severance Pay that would have been payable upon such termination if Section 5(c) applied shall be paid to Executive in equal monthly installments during the twenty-four (24) month period following Executive’s termination in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly, and commencing as provided in Section 23(c) below, and the portion of the CIC Severance Pay in excess of such amount shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum 60 days after the consummation of the Change in Control. The Unpaid Annual Bonus shall be paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives during the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(e) If Executive’s employment under this Agreement is terminated due to death or Disability, in addition to the payments and benefits specified in Section 5(b) , Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) the Prorated Bonus, paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the year following the fiscal year of Executive’s termination and (ii) the Unpaid Annual Bonus, paid on the date bonuses are paid to other executives of the Company in the fiscal year of Executive’s termination.

(f) Executive’s entitlement to the payments and benefits set forth in Sections 5(c) and 5(d) shall be conditioned upon Executive’s having provided an irrevocable waiver and release of claims in favor of the Company, its Affiliates, their respective predecessors and successors, and all of the respective current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents, or representatives of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Released Parties ”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “ Release ”), that has become effective in accordance with its terms within sixty (60) days following Executive’s termination of employment (the “ Release Condition ”), and Executive’s continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 hereof.

 

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(g) Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, and regardless of whether Executive continues as a consultant to the Company, upon the Company’s request Executive agrees to resign, as of the date of such termination of employment or such other date requested, from the Board and any committees thereof, and, if applicable, from the board of directors (and any committees thereof) of any Affiliate of the Company to the extent Executive is then serving thereon. The Company’s obligations to make the payments provided for in this Agreement are subject to set-off for any undisputed amounts owed by Executive, to the extent permitted by Section 409A (as defined below) and any Company clawback policy.

(h) The payment of any amounts accrued under any benefit plan, program, or arrangement in which Executive participates shall be subject to the terms of the applicable plan, program, or arrangement, and any elections Executive has made thereunder.

(i) Following any termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall have no obligation to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement. There shall be no offset against amounts due Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to later employment, consultancy, or other remunerative activity of Executive.

6. Confidential Information.

(a) Executive acknowledges that the Company and its Affiliates continually develop Confidential Information (as defined below), that Executive may develop Confidential Information for the Company or its Affiliates and that Executive may learn of Confidential Information during the course of Executive’s employment. Executive will comply with the policies and procedures of the Company and its Affiliates for protecting Confidential Information and shall not disclose to any Person or use, other than as required by applicable law or for the proper performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities to the Company and its Affiliates, any Confidential Information obtained by Executive incident to Executive’s employment or other association with the Company or any of its Affiliates. Executive understands that this restriction shall continue to apply after Executive’s employment terminates, regardless of the reason for such termination.

(b) All documents, records, tapes, and other media of every kind and description relating to the business, present or otherwise, of the Company or its Affiliates and any copies, in whole or in part, thereof (the “ Documents ”), whether or not prepared by Executive, shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and its Affiliates. Executive shall safeguard all Documents and shall surrender to the Company at the time Executive’s employment terminates, or at such earlier time or times as the Company may specify, all Documents then in Executive’s possession or control. Executive shall immediately return such Documents and other property to the Company upon the termination of Executive’s employment and, in any event, at the Company’s request. Executive further agrees that any property situated on the premises of, and owned by, the Company or its Affiliates, including disks and other storage media, filing cabinets, or other work areas, is subject to inspection by the Company’s personnel at any time with or without notice.

 

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(c) Executive understands that nothing contained in this Agreement limits Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”). Executive further understands that this Agreement does not limit Executive’s ability to communicate with the SEC or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by the SEC, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company. This Agreement does not limit Executive’s right to receive an award for information provided to the SEC. This Section 6(c) applies only for the period of time that the Company is subject to the Dodd-Frank Act.

(d) “ Confidential Information ” means any and all information of the Company and its Affiliates that is not generally known by others with whom they compete or do business, or with whom any of them plans to compete or do business and any and all information, publicly known in whole or in part or not, which, if disclosed by the Company or its Affiliates would assist in competition against them. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, such information relating to (i) the development, research, testing, manufacturing, marketing and financial activities of the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) all products planned, researched, developed, tested, manufactured, sold, licensed, leased or otherwise distributed or put into use by the Company and its Affiliates, together with all services provided or planned by the Company or any of its Affiliates, during Executive’s employment, (iii) the costs, sources of supply, financial performance and strategic plans of the Company and its Affiliates, (iv) the identity and special needs of the customers of the Company and its Affiliates and (v) the people and organizations with whom the Company and its Affiliates have business relationships and those relationships. Confidential Information also includes any information that the Company or any of its Affiliates have received, or may receive hereafter, belonging to customers or others with any understanding, express or implied, that the information would not be disclosed.

7. Restricted Activities. Executive agrees that some restrictions on Executive’s activities during and after Executive’s employment are necessary to protect the goodwill, Confidential Information, and other legitimate interests of the Company and its Affiliates. Following the Effective Date, the Company will provide Executive with access to and knowledge of Confidential Information and trade secrets and will place Executive in a position of trust and confidence with the Company, and Executive will benefit from the Company’s goodwill. The restrictive covenants below are necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests in its Confidential Information, trade secrets and goodwill. Executive further understands and acknowledges that the Company’s ability to reserve these for the exclusive knowledge and use of the Company is of great competitive importance and commercial value to the Company and that the Company would be irreparably harmed if Executive violates the restrictive covenants below. In recognition of the consideration provided to Executive as well as the imparting to Executive of Confidential Information, including trade secrets, and for other good and valuable consideration, Executive hereby agrees as follows:

(a) While Executive is employed by the Company and for twenty-four (24) months after Executive’s employment terminates for any reason, whether before or after the

 

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Expiration Date (in the aggregate, the “ Non-Competition Period ”), Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, whether as owner, partner, investor (other than a passive investor of less than 5% in a publicly traded company), consultant, agent, employee, co-venturer, or otherwise, (i) compete with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in any location where the Company or its subsidiaries conducts business (a “ Competitive Business ”) or (ii) undertake any planning for any Competitive Business. With respect to the portion of the Non-Competition Period that follows Executive’s termination of employment, the determination of whether a business is a Competitive Business shall be made based on the scope and location of the businesses conducted or planned to be conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries as of the date of such termination.

(b) Executive agrees that, during Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will not undertake any outside activity, whether or not competitive with the business of the Company or its Affiliates, that would reasonably give rise to a conflict of interest or otherwise interfere with Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(c) Executive further agrees that, during the Non-Competition Period, Executive will not solicit, hire, or attempt to solicit or hire any employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates (or any individual who was employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates during the one (1) year period prior to Executive’s termination), assist in such hiring by any Person, encourage any such employee to terminate his or her relationship with the Company or any of its Affiliates, or solicit or encourage any customer, client, or vendor of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate or diminish its relationship with them, or, in the case of a customer, to conduct with any Person any business or activity which such customer conducts with the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(d) Executive shall not, whether in writing or orally, malign, denigrate, or disparage the Company or its Affiliates, or their respective predecessors and successors, or any of the current or former directors, officers, employees, shareholders, partners, members, agents, or representatives of any of the foregoing, with respect to any of their respective past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that tend to portray any of the aforementioned parties in an unfavorable light. The Company shall direct its directors and officers not to, whether in writing or orally, malign, denigrate, or disparage Executive with respect to any of Executive’s past or present activities, or otherwise publish (whether in writing or orally) statements that are intended to portray Executive in an unfavorable light.

(e) Executive’s and the Company’s obligations under this Section 7 , as applicable, shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

8. Notification Requirement. Through and up to the conclusion of the Non-Competition Period, Executive shall give notice to the Company of each new business activity he plans to undertake, at least seven (7) days prior to beginning any such activity. Such notice shall state the name and address of the Person for whom such activity is undertaken and the nature of Executive’s business relationship(s) and position(s) with such Person.

 

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9. Intellectual Property Rights . (a) Executive agrees that the results and proceeds of Executive’s services for the Company (including, but not limited to, any trade secrets, products, services, processes, know-how, designs, developments, innovations, analyses, drawings, reports, techniques, formulas, methods, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, inventions, ideas, source and object codes, programs, writing and other works of authorship) resulting from services performed while an employee of the Company and any works in progress, whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, that were made, developed, conceived, or reduced to practice or learned by Executive, either alone or jointly with others (collectively, “ Inventions ”), shall be works-made-for-hire and the Company shall be deemed the sole owner throughout the universe of any and all trade secret, patent, copyright, and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “ Proprietary Rights ”) of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized, or developed, with the right to use the same in perpetuity in any manner the Company determines in its sole discretion, without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. If, for any reason, any of such results and proceeds shall not legally be a work-made-for-hire and/or there are any Proprietary Rights which do not accrue to the Company under the immediately preceding sentence, then Executive hereby irrevocably assigns and agrees to assign any and all of Executive’s right, title, and interest thereto, including any and all Proprietary Rights of whatsoever nature therein, whether or not now or hereafter known, existing, contemplated, recognized, or developed, to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to use the same in perpetuity throughout the universe in any manner determined by the Company without any further payment to Executive whatsoever. As to any Invention that Executive is required to assign, Executive shall promptly and fully disclose to the Company all information known to Executive concerning such Invention.

(b) Executive agrees that, from time to time, as may be requested by the Company and at the Company’s sole cost and expense, Executive shall do any and all things that the Company may reasonably deem useful or desirable to establish or document the Company’s exclusive ownership throughout the United States of America or any other country of any and all Proprietary Rights in any such Inventions, including the execution of appropriate copyright and patent applications or assignments. To the extent that Executive has any Proprietary Rights in the Inventions that cannot be assigned in the manner described above, Executive unconditionally and irrevocably waives the enforcement of such Proprietary Rights. This Section 9(b) is subject to and shall not be deemed to limit, restrict, or constitute any waiver by the Company of any Proprietary Rights of ownership to which the Company may be entitled by operation of law by virtue of the Company’s being Executive’s employer. Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver such documents and perform such other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining, and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, Executive shall execute, verify, and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the Company or its designees. Executive’s obligations under this Section 9 shall continue beyond the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company.

 

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(c) Executive hereby waives and quitclaims to the Company any and all claims, of any nature whatsoever, that Executive now or may hereafter have for infringement of any Proprietary Rights assigned hereunder to the Company.

10. Remedies and Injunctive Relief. Executive acknowledges that a violation by Executive of any of the covenants contained in Sections 6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 would cause irreparable damage to the Company in an amount that would be material but not readily ascertainable, and that any remedy at law (including the payment of damages) would be inadequate. Accordingly, Executive agrees that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled (without the necessity of showing economic loss or other actual damage) to injunctive relief (including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions) in any court of competent jurisdiction for any actual or threatened breach of any of the covenants set forth in Sections 6 , 7 , 8 , or 9 in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies it may have. The preceding sentence shall not be construed as a waiver of the rights that the Company may have for damages under this Agreement or otherwise, and all of the Company’s rights shall be unrestricted.

11. Representations; Advice of Counsel. (a) Executive represents, warrants, and covenants that as of the date hereof: (i) Executive has the full right, authority, and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform Executive’s obligations hereunder, (ii) Executive is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of Executive’s duties and obligations to the Company hereunder during or after the Term, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment, or agreement to which Executive is subject.

(b) Prior to execution of this Agreement, Executive was advised by the Company of Executive’s right to seek independent advice from an attorney of Executive’s own selection regarding this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that Executive has entered into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and with full knowledge and understanding of the provisions of this Agreement after being given the opportunity to consult with counsel. Executive further represents that in entering into this Agreement, Executive is not relying on any statements or representations made by any of the Company’s directors, officers, employees, or agents that are not expressly set forth herein, and that Executive is relying only upon Executive’s own judgment and any advice provided by Executive’s attorney.

(c) The Company represents, warrants, and covenants that as of the date hereof: (i) the Company has the full right, authority, and capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform the Company’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the Company is not bound by any agreement that conflicts with or prevents or restricts the full performance of the Company’s obligations to Executive hereunder during or after the Term, and (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not result in any breach or violation of, or a default under, any existing obligation, commitment, or agreement to which the Company is subject.

12. Cooperation. Executive agrees that, upon reasonable notice and without the necessity of the Company’s obtaining a subpoena or court order, Executive shall provide reasonable cooperation in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding (or any appeal from any

 

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suit, action, or proceeding), and any investigation or defense of any claims asserted against the Company or its Affiliates, that relates to events occurring during Executive’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates as to which Executive may have relevant information (including but not limited to furnishing relevant information and materials to the Company or its designee and providing testimony at depositions and at trial); provided , that with respect to such cooperation occurring following termination of employment, the Company shall reimburse Executive for expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith.

13. Withholding. The Company may deduct and withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state, local, non-U.S., and other taxes as are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

14. Assignment. Neither the Company nor Executive may make any assignment of this Agreement or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other party; provided , that the Company may assign its rights under this Agreement without the consent of Executive to a successor to substantially all of the business of the Company in the event that the Company shall effect a reorganization, consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity, or transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any other corporation, partnership, organization, or other entity. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and Executive, and their respective successors, executors, administrators, heirs, and permitted assigns.

15. Governing Law; No Construction Against Drafter. This Agreement shall be deemed made in the State of Delaware, and the validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement in all respects shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its principles of conflicts of law. No provision of this Agreement or any related document will be construed against or interpreted to the disadvantage of any party hereto by any court or other governmental or judicial authority by reason of such party’s having or being deemed to have structured or drafted such provision.

16. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, Executive and the Company each hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal courts located within the State of Delaware (or, if subject matter jurisdiction in such courts are not available, in any state court located within the State of Delaware) over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the parties undertake not to commence any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in a forum other than a forum described in this Section 16(a) ; provided , however , that nothing herein shall preclude either party from bringing any suit, action, or proceeding in any other court for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Section 16 or enforcing any judgment obtained by either party.

(b) The agreement of the parties to the forum described in Section 16(a) is independent of the law that may be applied in any suit, action, or proceeding, and the parties agree to such forum even if such forum may under applicable law choose to apply non-forum law. The parties hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which they now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of

 

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any such suit, action, or proceeding brought in an applicable court described in Section 16(a) , and the parties agree that they shall not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court. The parties agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a final and non-appealable judgment in any suit, action, or proceeding brought in any applicable court described in Section 16(a) shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction.

(c) The parties hereto irrevocably consent to the service of any and all process in any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement by the mailing of copies of such process to such party at such party’s address specified in Section 20 .

(d) Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Each party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent, or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of any action, suit, or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver, and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party hereto has been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section 16(d) .

(e) Each party shall bear his or her or its own costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in connection with any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

17. Amendment; No Waiver; Severability. (a) No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived, or discharged except by a written document signed by Executive and a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right or power hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment of any steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.

(b) If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any applicable law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic and legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party; provided , that in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall finally hold in a non-appealable judicial determination that any provision of Sections 6 through 10 (whether in whole or in part) is void or constitutes an unreasonable restriction against Executive, such provision shall not be rendered void but shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision enforceable for the longest duration and the greatest scope as such court may determine constitutes a reasonable restriction under the circumstances. Subject to the foregoing, upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

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18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral), between Executive and the Company, relating to such subject matter. None of the parties shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations and warranties or covenants relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth herein.

19. Survival. The rights and obligations of the parties under the provisions of this Agreement shall survive, and remain binding and enforceable, notwithstanding the expiration of the Term, the termination of this Agreement, the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder or any settlement of the financial rights and obligations arising from Executive’s employment hereunder, to the extent necessary to preserve the intended benefits of such provisions.

20. Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or sent by facsimile or sent, postage prepaid, by registered, certified, or express mail or overnight courier service and shall be deemed given when so delivered by hand or facsimile, or if mailed, three days after mailing (one (1) business day in the case of express mail or overnight courier service) to the parties at the following addresses or facsimiles (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

If to the Company:

  

TCEH Corp.

Attn: Corporate Secretary

1601 Bryan Street

Dallas, TX 75201

If to Executive:

   At the most recent address on file in the Company’s records.

Notices delivered by facsimile shall have the same legal effect as if such notice had been delivered in person.

21. Headings and References. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, and neither constitute a part of this Agreement nor affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. When a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

22. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including via facsimile and electronic image scan (.pdf)), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

 

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23. Section 409A. (a) For purposes of this Agreement, “ Section 409A ” means Section 409A of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and such other Treasury or Internal Revenue Service guidance) as in effect from time to time. The parties intend that any amounts payable hereunder that could constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A will be compliant with Section 409A or exempt from Section 409A.

(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the following special rule shall apply, if and to the extent required by Section 409A, in the event that (i) Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) (as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company as in effect on the date of Executive’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations § 1.409A-1(h)), (ii) amounts or benefits under this Agreement or any other program, plan, or arrangement of the Company or a controlled group affiliate thereof are due or payable on account of separation from service, and (iii) Executive is employed by a public company or a controlled group affiliate thereof: payments hereunder that are “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A that would be made to Executive prior to the date that is six (6) months after the date of Executive’s separation from service shall be made within 10 business days after such six (6) month date or, if earlier, ten (10) days following the date of Executive’s death; following any applicable delay, all such delayed payments, without interest will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest permissible payment date.

(c) Except to the extent required to be delayed pursuant to Section 23(b) , any payment or benefit due or payable on account of Executive’s separation from service to which this Section 23(c) applies shall be paid or commence, as applicable, upon the first scheduled payroll date immediately after the date the Release Condition is satisfied (the “ Release Effective Date ”); provided that, to the extent that such payment or benefit represents a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and the sixty (60) day period following Executive’s separation from service spans two (2) taxable years, payment shall not be made or commence prior to January 1 of the second taxable year. The first such cash payment shall include payment of all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior to the Release Effective Date under the terms of this Agreement applied as though such payments commenced immediately upon Executive’s termination of employment, and any payments made thereafter shall continue as provided herein. The delayed benefits shall in any event expire at the time such benefits would have expired had such benefits commenced immediately following Executive’s termination of employment.

(d) Each payment made under this Agreement (including each separate installment payment in the case of a series of installment payments) shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Amounts payable under this Agreement shall be deemed not to be a “deferral of compensation” subject to Section 409A to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulations §§ 1.409A-1(b)(4) (“short-term deferrals”) and (b)(9) (“separation pay plans,” including the exception under subparagraph (iii)) and other applicable provisions of Section 409A, and shall be paid under any such exception to the maximum extent permitted. For purposes of this Agreement, with respect to payments of any amounts that are considered to be “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A, references to “termination of employment,” “termination,” or words and phrases of similar import, shall be deemed to refer to Executive’s “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A, and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this Agreement.

 

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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise that is eligible for exemption from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(A) or (C) (relating to certain reimbursements and in-kind benefits) shall be paid or provided to Executive only to the extent that the expenses are not incurred, or the benefits are not provided, beyond the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s “separation from service” occurs; and provided , further , that such expenses are reimbursed no later than the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive’s “separation from service” occurs. To the extent that any indemnification payment, expense reimbursement, or provision of any in-kind benefit is determined to be subject to Section 409A (and not exempt pursuant to the prior sentence or otherwise), the amount of any such indemnification payment or expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one (1) calendar year shall not affect the indemnification payment or provision of in-kind benefits or expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year (except for any lifetime or other aggregate limitation applicable to medical expenses to the extent permitted by Section 409A), such indemnification, reimbursement, or in-kind benefits shall be provided for the period set forth in this Agreement, or if no such period is set forth, during Executive’s lifetime, in no event shall any indemnification payment or expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive incurred such indemnification payment or expenses, and in no event shall any right to indemnification payment or reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

17


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties as of the date first written above.

 

TCEH Corp.
By:   /s/ Carrie Lee Kirby
Name:   Carrie Lee Kirby
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

 

SARA GRAZIANO
/s/ Sara Graziano

[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]


Exhibit A

 

OIP:    Equity awards to be subject to the terms of the Company’s Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Initial Equity Award:    Upon or as soon as practicable after the Effective Date, the Company will award Executive restricted stock units and stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, with an aggregate grant date fair market value as determined by the Board for accounting purposes of $1,200,000. Such restricted stock units or stock options, as applicable, to vest ratably over 4 years (25% each year). Allocation between restricted stock units and stock options to be determined by the Board.
Annual Equity Awards:    Following the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Executive will be granted annual equity awards in an amount determined by the Board. Such awards may be in the form of options, restricted stock units, performance shares, or any other form as approved by the Board.
Involuntary Termination Without Cause / Resignation for Good Reason / Non-Renewal of Term by the Company:    Subject to delivery (and non-revocation) of the Release and continued compliance with Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement, accelerated vesting of the portion of Executive’s outstanding equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had Executive remained employed (fully vested options to remain exercisable for 90 days following termination or, if Executive is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, 180 days from the date of such termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).
Termination with Cause / Resignation Without Good Reason / Non-Renewal of the Term by Executive    All options and other outstanding awards (unvested and vested) are forfeited upon a termination for Cause. On any other termination, Executive will retain all vested awards (forfeits unvested), and vested options remain exercisable for 30 days following termination or, if Executive is subject Section 16 of the Exchange Act as of such Termination, 180 days from the date of such termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter).
Death / Disability    Accelerated vesting of the portion of Executive’s equity awards that would have vested in the 12 months following termination had he remained employed (fully vested options to remain exercisable for one year following termination (or until the option’s regular expiration date, if shorter)).
Involuntary Termination Without Cause / Resignation for Good Reason / Non-Renewal of Term by the Company Following a Change in Control:    All equity awards that were outstanding at the time of the Change in Control will vest upon such termination.


Exhibit B

Release of Claims

As used in this Release of Claims (this “ Release ”), the term “claims” will include all claims, covenants, warranties, promises, undertakings, actions, suits, causes of action, proceedings, obligations, debts, accounts, attorneys’ fees, judgments, losses, and liabilities, of whatsoever kind or nature, in law, in equity, or otherwise. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Release will have the meanings given to them in the employment agreement dated October 4, 2016 between TCEH Corp. (the “ Company ”) and Sara Graziano (my “ Employment Agreement ”).

For and in consideration of the severance payments and benefits, and other good and valuable consideration, I, for and on behalf of myself and my executors, heirs, administrators, representatives, and assigns, hereby agree to release and forever discharge the Company and each of its direct and indirect parent and subsidiary entities, and all of their respective predecessors, successors, and past, current, and future parent entities, affiliates, subsidiary entities, investors, directors, shareholders, members, officers, general or limited partners, employees, attorneys, agents, and representatives, and the employee benefit plans in which I am or have been a participant by virtue of my employment with or service to the Company (collectively, the “ Company Releasees ”), from any and all claims that I have or may have had against the Company Releasees based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring on or prior to the date hereof and arising directly or indirectly out of, relating to, or in any other way involving in any manner whatsoever my employment by or service to the Company or the termination thereof, including without limitation any and all claims arising under federal, state, or local laws relating to employment, including without limitation claims of wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, whistleblowing, or liability in tort, and claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative agency, and any related claims for attorneys’ fees and costs, including, without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000, et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991; 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, et seq.; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq. (the “ ADEA ”); the Equal Pay Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 206(d); regulations of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance, 41 C.F.R. Section 60, et seq.; the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.; and any similar state or local law. I agree further that this Release may be pleaded as a full defense to any action, suit, arbitration, or other proceeding covered by the terms hereof that is or may be initiated, prosecuted, or maintained by me or my descendants, dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns. By signing this Release, I acknowledge that I intend to waive and release all rights known or unknown that I may have against the Company Releasees under these and any other laws.

I acknowledge and agree that as of the date I execute this Release, I have no knowledge of any facts or circumstances that give rise or could give rise to any claims under any of the laws

 

B-1


listed in the preceding paragraph and that I have not filed any claim against any of the Releasees before any local, state, federal, or foreign agency, court, arbitrator, mediator, arbitration or mediation panel, or other body (each individually a “ Proceeding ”). I (i) acknowledge that I will not initiate or cause to be initiated on my behalf any Proceeding and will not participate in any Proceeding, in each case, except as required by law or to the extent such Proceeding relates to a claim not waived hereunder; and (ii) waive any right that I may have to benefit in any manner from any relief (whether monetary or otherwise) arising out of any Proceeding, including any Proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“ EEOC ”), except in each case to the extent such Proceeding relates to a claim not waived hereunder. Further, I understand that, by executing this Release, I will be limiting the availability of certain remedies that I may have against the Company and limiting also my ability to pursue certain claims against the Company Releasees.

By executing this Release, I specifically release all claims relating to my employment and its termination under ADEA, a federal statute that, among other things, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in employment and employee benefit plans.

Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, I do not release (i) claims to receive my severance payments and benefits in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement, (ii) claims with respect to benefits to which I am entitled under the employee benefit and compensation plans of the Company and its affiliates, including any rights to equity, (iii) claims to indemnification, or (iv) claims that cannot be waived by law. Further, nothing in this Release shall prevent me from (i) initiating or causing to be initiated on my behalf any claim against the Company before any local, state, or federal agency, court, or other body challenging the validity of the waiver of my claims under the ADEA (but no other portion of such waiver); or (ii) initiating or participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC.

I acknowledge that I have been given at least [21]/[45] 1 days in which to consider this Release. I acknowledge further that the Company has advised me to consult with an attorney of my choice before signing this Release, and I have had sufficient time to consider the terms of this Release. I represent and acknowledge that if I execute this Release before [21]/[45] days have elapsed, I do so knowingly, voluntarily, and upon the advice and with the approval of my legal counsel (if any), and that I voluntarily waive any remaining consideration period.

I understand that after executing this Release, I have the right to revoke it within seven days after its execution. I understand that this Release will not become effective and enforceable unless the seven-day revocation period passes and I do not revoke the Release in writing. I understand that this Release may not be revoked after the seven-day revocation period has passed. I understand also that any revocation of this Release must be made in writing and delivered to the Company at its principal place of business within the seven-day period.

This Release will become effective, irrevocable, and binding on the eighth day after its execution, so long as I have not timely revoked it as set forth above. I understand and acknowledge that I will not be entitled to the severance payments and benefits unless this Release is effective on or before the date that is sixty (60) days following the date of my termination of employment.

 

1   NTD : To be selected based on whether applicable termination was “in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program” (as such phrase is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).


I hereby agree to waive any and all claims to re-employment with the Company or any of its affiliates and affirmatively agree not to seek further employment with the Company or any of its affiliates.

The provisions of this Release will be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and assigns. If any provision of this Release will be held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void, or unenforceable, such provision will be of no force or effect. The illegality or unenforceability of such provision, however, will have no effect upon and will not impair the enforceability of any other provision of this Release.

This Release will be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflicts of law. Any dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Release or claim of breach hereof will be brought exclusively in the federal and state courts located within Delaware. By execution of this Release, I am waiving any right to trial by jury in connection with any suit, action, or proceeding under or in connection with this Release.

 

 

 

Sara Graziano
 

 

DATE

Exhibit 10.25

GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT

This General Release Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of January 31, 2017, by and between Michael Liebelson (the “ Director ”) and Vistra Energy Corp. (the “ Company ”) and sets forth the terms of the Director’s eligibility for certain compensation and benefits upon his resignation from the Company’s board of directors (the “ Board ”) and its Compensation Committee (the “ Compensation Committee ”), in exchange for the Director’s agreements herein.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, effective as of October 3, 2016, the Director was appointed to serve as a member of the Board for a two-year term, and the Director subsequently was appointed to serve as a member of the Compensation Committee; and

WHEREAS, Director has tendered his resignation from the Board and the Compensation Committee effective as of the date of this Agreement.

AGREEMENTS

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

  1. Mutual Release .

 

  a.

Release of Company by Director . For good and valuable consideration, including the Company’s provision of certain compensation and related benefits in accordance with paragraph 4 below, and subject to the exceptions in paragraph 2 below, the Director, individually and on behalf of his spouse, heirs, successors and assigns (the “ Associated Parties ”), hereby expressly, unconditionally, irrevocably and completely releases, discharges and forever acquits the Company, all of its affiliates and subsidiaries, the past, present and future stockholders, members, partners, directors, managers, employees, agents, attorneys, heirs, legal representatives, and successors and assigns of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Company Released Parties ”), from liability for, and hereby waives, any and all claims, demands, liabilities, obligations, agreements, rights, damages, debts or causes of action of any kind or nature, including past, present or future, contingent or unconditional, fixed or variable, unknown or undisclosed (“ Claims ”), that the Director or any Associated Party may now have or may have in the future against any Company Released Party related to the Director’s service as a member of the Board or the Compensation Committee, the termination of such service, and any other acts or omissions related to any matter on or prior to the

 

1


  date of this Agreement (collectively, the “Director Released Claims ”). This Agreement is not intended to indicate that any claims that would constitute Director Released Claims hereunder exist or that, if they do exist, they are meritorious. Rather, the Director is simply agreeing that, in exchange for the consideration recited in paragraph 4 of this Agreement, and subject to the exceptions in paragraph 2 below, any and all Director Released Claims that the Director may have against any Company Released Party, regardless of whether they actually exist, are expressly settled, compromised and waived. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of any of the Company Released Parties.

 

  b. Release of Director by Company . To the extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law and subject to the exclusions set forth in this paragraph, the Company, on behalf of itself and the Company Released Parties, hereby expressly, unconditionally, irrevocably, and completely releases, discharges and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Director, MSL Energy LLC, and Director’s spouse, heirs, affiliates, successors, and assigns (the “ Director Released Parties ”) from any and all Claims that the Company or any Company Released Parties may now have or may have in the future against any Director Released Party arising out of Director’s service as a member of the Board or the Compensation Committee, and any other acts or omissions related to any matter on or prior to the date of this Agreement (the “ Company Released Claims ”). The Company Released Claims do not include any claims for which Director would not be entitled to indemnification under the Indemnification Agreement (as defined below). The Company acknowledges that it is not aware of any such conduct as of the execution of this Agreement.

 

  2. Exclusions from Released Claims . In no event shall the Director Released Claims include:

 

  a. claims for indemnification pursuant to (i) the Director’s Indemnification Agreement, dated October 3, 2016 (the “ Indemnification Agreement ”), which shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms, unmodified by this Agreement, or (ii) the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws (as the same may be amended from time to time), which provide for the indemnification of the members of the Board;

 

  b. claims for the compensation or benefits to be provided by the Company pursuant to this Agreement; or

 

2


  c. rights or claims that may arise after the date this Agreement is executed.

 

  3. Covenant Not to Sue .

 

  a. The Director agrees not to bring or join any lawsuit or other proceeding against any of the Company Released Parties in any agency or court or before any arbitral or similar authority with respect to any Director Released Claims.

 

  b. The Company agrees not to bring or join any lawsuit or other proceeding against any of the Director Released Parties in any agency or court or before any arbitral or similar authority with respect to any Company Released Claims.

 

  4. Compensation and Benefits . The Company shall provide the following compensation and benefits to the Director:

 

  a. a one-time, lump-sum cash payment of $266,250.00, payable within twenty days of the date of this Agreement, which amount represents the sum of the Director’s annual and committee retainers for the period from April 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018, plus $100,000.00 cash in lieu of equity awards to which the Director would otherwise have been entitled for service to the Board during 2018; and

 

  b. full vesting of all 7,169 restricted stock units granted to the Director according to his Restricted Stock Unit Agreement Pursuant to the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, dated November 30, 2016, with such vesting to be effective as of the date of this Agreement.

In addition to the compensation and benefits above, the Company shall reimburse Director for any outstanding costs and expenses incurred by Director in the performance of his duties for the Company prior to his resignation, and for reasonable legal fees actually incurred by Director related to this Agreement not to exceed $5000. Except as specifically set forth herein, the Director will not be entitled to any further compensation or other benefits from the Company and will not be eligible for, or entitled to receive benefits under, any other plan, policy, program, or arrangement of the Company.

 

  5. Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information, Return of Property, and Non-Disparagement .

 

  a.

Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information . Director shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, use, divulge,

 

3


  disclose or make accessible to any other person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity any Confidential Information pertaining to the business of the Company or any of its affiliates, except as required by law. For purposes of this section, “Confidential Information” shall mean information: (i) disclosed to or known by Director as a consequence of or through his service on the Board or the Compensation Committee; (ii) not publicly available or generally known outside the Company or any affiliate other than by Director’s breach of the terms hereof; and (iii) that relates to the business and/or development of the Company or an affiliate. By way of example, Confidential Information shall include but not be limited to the following: all non-public information or trade secrets of the Company or any affiliate that gives the Company or its affiliate a competitive business advantage or the opportunity to obtain such advantage, or disclosure of which might be detrimental to the interests of the Company or an affiliate; information regarding the Company’s or any affiliate’s business operations, such as financial and sales data, operational information, plans, and strategies; business and marketing strategies and plans for products and services; information regarding suppliers, consultants, employees and contractors; technical information concerning products, equipment, services and processes; procurement procedures; pricing and pricing techniques; information concerning customers, investors, and business affiliates; plans or strategies for expansion or acquisitions; budgets; research; trading methodologies and terms; organizational structure; personnel information; and the Company’s or an affiliate’s files, physical or electronic documents, equipment, and proprietary data or material in whatever form, including all copies of such materials. Director acknowledges that the Confidential Information of the Company is valuable, special and unique to its business and is information on which such business depends, is proprietary to the Company, and that the Company wishes to protect such Confidential Information by keeping it secret and confidential for the sole use and benefit of the Company. Director will take all steps necessary and reasonably requested by the Company to ensure that all such Confidential Information is kept secret and confidential for the sole use and benefit of the Company. Nothing herein shall restrict or limit Director’s right to be an employee, consultant, officer, director, investor, partner, or lender of or otherwise affiliated with other companies or ventures in the Company’s industry or which are competitors of the Company, as long as Director does not use or disclose any Confidential Information in doing so.

 

  b. Return of Property . All hard copies of documents containing Confidential Information, including all physical copies thereof, now in Director’s possession or control shall be left with or forthwith returned by Director to the Company. Director shall use reasonable efforts to delete from his personal computers and devices any electronic copies of any such documents.

 

4


  c. Non-Disparagement .

 

  (i) Of the Company . In exchange for the compensation set forth in this Agreement and other valuable consideration, Director agrees not to make any false or disparaging, negative, unflattering, accusatory, derogatory, or defamatory remarks or references, whether written or oral, about the Company and/or any of its affiliates in any dealings with third parties (except as expressly permitted by this Agreement) or otherwise take any action that primarily is designed or intended to have the effect of discouraging any employee, lessor, licensor, customer, supplier, or other business associate of the Company from maintaining its business relationships with the Company or any of its affiliates. This paragraph does not preclude Director from testifying under oath or in response to a valid subpoena. By signing this Agreement, Director agrees and acknowledges that Director is making, after the opportunity to confer with counsel, a knowing, voluntary and intelligent waiver of rights Director may have to make disparaging comments regarding the Company and/or its affiliates, including rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and any other applicable federal and state constitutional rights.

 

  (ii) Of Director . The Company shall not, and shall not cause or allow any of its officers, directors, employees, consultants, representatives, advisors and agents to, make any false or disparaging, negative, unflattering, accusatory, derogatory, or defamatory remarks or references, whether written or oral, about the Director, MSL Energy, LLC, or the Director’s family or affiliates, in any dealings with any third parties, or otherwise take any action that is primarily designed or intended to have the effect of discouraging any individual, entity, business, firm, or other person from entering into or maintaining a business relationship with Director or any entity or person affiliated with or controlled by him. This paragraph does not preclude the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees, consultants, representatives, advisors, or agents from testifying under oath or in response to a valid subpoena. The Company acknowledges that it is making, after the opportunity to confer with counsel, a knowing, voluntary and intelligent waiver of rights the Company may have to make disparaging comments regarding Director and/or his affiliates, including rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and any other applicable federal and state constitutional rights.

 

5


  (iii) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, both Director and the Company (including the Board and its executive officers) may (1) confer in confidence with their legal representatives and make truthful statements as required by law and (2) make private statements to any of its officers, directors or employees or any of its affiliates. Nothing herein shall prevent any person from (1) responding publicly to incorrect, disparaging or derogatory public statements to the extent reasonably necessary to correct or refute such public statement or (2) making truthful statements to the extent (a) necessary with respect to any litigation, arbitration or mediation involving this Agreement or any other agreement among or between any party hereto or (b) required by law or by any court, arbitrator, mediator or administrative or legislative body with actual or apparent jurisdiction to order such person to disclose or make accessible such information.

 

  6. Director Representations . The Director represents that (a) he has not filed any complaints of any kind whatsoever with any local, state, federal, or governmental agency, court or arbitral or similar authority against any of the Company Released Parties, (b) he has made no assignment of any rights or claims he may have against any of the Company Released Parties to any person or entity, in each case, with respect to the Director Released Claims, (c) he has carefully read this agreement, has consulted with counsel of his choosing to the extent he has determined necessary and advisable and is signing this Agreement voluntarily and of his own free will and (d) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Director enforceable against him in accordance with its terms.

 

  7. Company Representations . The Company represents that (a) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, including the approval by the Compensation Committee of the accelerated vesting of restricted stock units described in paragraph 4(b) above, (b) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, (c) the Company has not filed any complaints of any kind whatsoever with any local, state, federal, or governmental agency, court or arbitral or similar authority against any of the Director Released Parties, and (d) the Company has made no assignment of any rights or claims it may have against any of the Director Released Parties to any person or entity, in each case, with respect to the Company Released Claims.

 

6


  8. Director Acknowledgements . The Director acknowledges and agrees that none of the Company Released Parties has given the Director any financial planning, tax or similar advice with regard to this Agreement. The Director further acknowledges that the financial, tax and similar effects of the Director’s decisions relating to this Agreement will depend on the Director’s particular circumstances, that the Director should obtain advice from the Director’s own financial or tax adviser, and that none of the Company Released Parties is responsible for, or obligated in any way with respect to, the financial, tax or any other consequences of the Director’s decision to accept the benefits offered under this Agreement.

 

  9. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law principles or rules that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

  10. Severability . If any term, provision, covenant, or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement and the other terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions hereof shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired, or invalidated.

 

  11. Amendment . No modification of this Agreement shall be binding on any of the parties unless it has been mutually agreed to by the parties in a writing signed by both parties and identified as an amendment to this Agreement.

 

  12. No Waiver . The failure of any party to enforce or require timely compliance with any term or provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver or relinquishment of rights or obligations arising hereunder, nor shall any such failure preclude the enforcement of any term or provision or avoid the liability for any breach of this Agreement.

 

  13. Entire Agreement . This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter set forth herein.

 

  14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original and all of which, together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

7


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first set forth above.

 

/ S / M ICHAEL L IEBELSON
M ICHAEL L IEBELSON

 

V ISTRA E NERGY C ORP .
By:    / S / C ARRIE L. K IRBY
  C ARRIE L. K IRBY
 

Executive Vice President and

Chief Administrative Officer

[Signature Page to General Release Agreement

Concerning Resignation of Michael Liebelson]

Exhibit 10.26

TCEH CORP.

FORM OF DIRECTOR INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This Director Indemnification Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of this 3 rd day of October, 2016, by and between TCEH Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and             (the “ Indemnitee ”).

WHEREAS, the Company desires to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals to act as directors;

WHEREAS, increased corporate litigation and investigations have subjected directors to litigation risks and expenses, and the limitations on the availability and terms of director and officer liability insurance have made it increasingly difficult for the Company to attract and retain such persons;

WHEREAS, the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions with respect to indemnification of the Company’s directors and officers as authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (“ DGCL ”), under which the Company is incorporated, and such certificate of incorporation provides that the indemnification provided therein is not exclusive;

WHEREAS, in light of the fact that the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company are subject to change and do not contain all the provisions and protections set forth in this Agreement, the Company has determined that the Indemnitee and other directors of the Company may not be willing to commence serving or continue to serve in such capacities without additional protection;

WHEREAS, Indemnitee may be a representative of a Nominating Stockholder (as defined below), in which case Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification and/or insurance provided by the Nominating Stockholder which Indemnitee and such Nominating Stockholder intend to be secondary to the primary obligation of the Company to indemnify Indemnitee as provided herein, with the Company’s acknowledgement and agreement to the foregoing being a material condition to Indemnitee’s willingness to serve on the Board;

WHEREAS, the Company desires and has requested the Indemnitee to commence serving or continue to serve as a director of the Company, as the case may be, and has proffered this Agreement to the Indemnitee as an additional inducement to serve in such capacity; and

WHEREAS, the Indemnitee is willing to commence serving, or to continue to serve, as a director of the Company, as the case may be, if the Indemnitee is furnished the indemnity provided for herein by the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:


  1. Definitions .

(a) “ Change in Control ” shall have the meaning set forth, as of the date hereof, in the Company’s Management Equity Incentive Plan.

(b) “ Corporate Status ” describes the status of a person who is serving or has served as a (i) director of the Company, (ii) Company employee in a fiduciary capacity with respect to an employee benefit plan of the Company or (iii) director or officer of any other Entity at the request of the Company. For purposes of subsection (iii) of this Section 1(b) , without limitation, a director of the Company who is serving or has served as a director or officer of a Subsidiary shall be deemed to be serving at the request of the Company.

(c) “ Disinterested Director ” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by the Indemnitee and is determined to be “disinterested” under applicable Delaware state law.

(d) “ Entity ” shall mean any corporation, partnership (general or limited), limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, company, foundation, association, organization or other legal entity, other than the Company.

(e) “ Expenses ” shall be construed broadly to mean all direct and indirect fees of any type or nature whatsoever, costs and expenses incurred in connection with any Proceeding, including, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and costs, disbursements and retainers (including, without limitation, any fees, disbursements and retainers incurred by the Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement), fees and disbursements of experts, witnesses, private investigators and professional advisors (including, without limitation, accountants and investment bankers), court costs, filing fees, transcript costs, fees of experts, travel expenses, duplicating, imaging, printing and binding costs, telephone and fax transmission charges, computer legal research costs, postage, delivery service fees, secretarial services, fees and expenses of third party vendors; the premium, security for, and other costs associated with any bond (including supersedeas or appeal bonds, injunction bonds, cost bonds, appraisal bonds or their equivalents), in each case incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding (including, without limitation, any judicial or arbitration Proceeding brought to enforce the Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement), as well as all other “expenses” within the meaning of that term as used in Section 145 of the DGCL, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and all other disbursements or expenses of types customarily and reasonably incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, actions, suits, or proceedings similar to or of the same type as

 

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the Proceeding with respect to which such disbursements or expenses were incurred. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding.

(f) “ Indemnifiable Expenses ,” “ Indemnifiable Liabilities ” and “ Indemnifiable Amounts ” shall have the meanings ascribed to those terms in Section 2(a) below.

(g) “ Indemnitee ” means the Director, irrespective of the capacity in which the Director acts.

(h) “ Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, or a person admitted to practice law in any State of the United States or the District of Columbia, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and shall not include any law firm or person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or the Indemnitee in an action to determine the Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

(i) “ Liabilities ” shall be broadly construed to mean, without limitation, all judgments, damages, liabilities, losses, penalties, taxes, fines and amounts paid in settlement, in each case, of any type whatsoever, in connection with a Proceeding. References herein to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan.

(j) “ Nominating Stockholder ” means each of Apollo Management Holdings L.P., Brookfield Asset Management Private Institutional Capital Adviser (Canada), L.P. and Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.

(k) “ Proceeding ” shall be construed broadly to mean, without limitation, any threatened, pending, completed or reasonably likely claim, government, regulatory and self- regulatory action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution process, investigation (including any internal investigation), inquiry, administrative hearing, appeal, or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative nature, whether formal or informal, including a proceeding initiated by the Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement to enforce the Indemnitee’s rights hereunder.

(l) “ Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(m) “ Subsidiary ” shall mean any Entity of which the Company owns (either directly or indirectly) either (i) a general partner, managing member or other similar interest or (ii) (A) 50% or more of the voting power of the voting capital equity interests of such Entity, or (B) 50% or more of the outstanding voting capital stock or other voting equity interests of such Entity.

(n) References herein to a director of any other Entity shall include, in the case of any Entity that is not managed by a board of directors, such other position, such

 

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as manager or trustee or member of the governing body of such Entity, that entails responsibility for the management and direction of such Entity’s affairs, including, without limitation, the general partner of any partnership (general or limited) and the manager or managing member of any limited liability company.

 

  2. Agreement to Indemnify .

The Company agrees to indemnify the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted, and in the manner permitted, by applicable law as in effect as of the date hereof or as such laws may, from time to time, be amended (but only if amended in a way that broadens the right to indemnification and advancement of expenses). The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses pursuant to this Agreement shall include, without limitation:

(a) Indemnification for Third Party Proceedings . Subject to the exceptions contained in Section 3(a) and Section 5 below, if the Indemnitee was or is a party or was or is otherwise involved in or was or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any capacity to any Proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same may be amended from time to time, against all Expenses and Liabilities actually and reasonably incurred or paid by the Indemnitee or on the Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such a Proceeding (referred to herein as “ Indemnifiable Expenses ” and “ Indemnifiable Liabilities ,” respectively, and collectively as “ Indemnifiable Amounts ”). In addition, the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status may allow for indemnification under certain agreements containing indemnity provisions with another Entity or protections under the organization documents of such other Entity. In those instances, the Company shall remain wholly liable for making any indemnification payments for all Indemnifiable Amounts notwithstanding the payment obligation of such amounts by a third party to the Indemnitee; provided , however , that, subject to Section 2(c) , if and to the extent that the Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, or otherwise, the Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment to the Indemnitee with respect to such Indemnifiable Amounts that have been satisfied, in each case subject to Section 2(d) . Nothing hereunder is intended to affect any right of contribution of or against the Company in the event the Company and any other person or persons have co-equal obligations to indemnify (or advance expenses to) the Indemnitee, in each case subject to Section 2(d) .

(b) Indemnification in Derivative Actions and Direct Actions by the Company . Subject to the exceptions contained in Section 3(b) and Section 5 below, if the Indemnitee was or is a party or was or is otherwise involved in or was or is threatened to be made a party to or was or is otherwise involved in any capacity in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified by the Company against all Indemnifiable Expenses. In addition, the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status may

 

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allow for indemnification under certain agreements containing indemnity provisions with another Entity or protections under the organization documents of such other Entity. In those instances, the Company shall remain wholly liable for making any indemnification payments for all Indemnifiable Expenses notwithstanding the payment obligation of such amounts by a third party to the Indemnitee; provided , however , that, subject to Section 2(c) , if and to the extent that the Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, or otherwise, the Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment to the Indemnitee with respect to such Indemnifiable Expenses that have been satisfied, in each case subject to Section 2(d) . Nothing hereunder is intended to affect any right of contribution of or against the Company in the event the Company and any other person or persons have co-equal obligations to indemnify (or advance expenses to) the Indemnitee, in each case subject to Section 2(d) .

(c) In the event that a Nominating Stockholder or any of their affiliates or any employer of the Indemnitee (in each case, other than the Company) pays, forwards or otherwise satisfies any Indemnifiable Amounts to the Indemnitee, such amounts shall be promptly reimbursed by the Company to such payor to the extent that such Indemnifiable Amounts were required to be paid by the Company to the Indemnitee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement creates no obligation on the part of the Nominating Stockholders or any of their affiliates or any other Entity (other than the Company) to pay any Indemnifiable Amount.

(d) Indemnitor of First Resort . In all events, (i) the Company hereby agrees that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligation to the Indemnitee to provide advancement and/or indemnification to the Indemnitee is primary) and any obligation of any stockholder of the Company (including any affiliate thereof, other than the Company) to provide advancement or indemnification hereunder or under any other indemnification agreement (whether pursuant to contract, by-laws or charter), or any obligation of any insurer of any stockholder (or any affiliate thereof, other than the Company) to provide insurance coverage, for the same expenses, liabilities and losses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement by or on behalf of the Indemnitee) incurred by the Indemnitee are secondary and (ii) if any stockholder (or any affiliate thereof, other than the Company) pays or causes to be paid, for any reason, any amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder or under any other indemnification agreement (whether pursuant to contract, by-laws or charter) with the Indemnitee, then (x) such stockholder (or such affiliate, as the case may be), shall be fully subrogated to all rights of the Indemnitee with respect to such payment and (y) the Company shall fully indemnify, reimburse and hold harmless such stockholder (or such affiliate, as the case may be) for all such payments actually made by such stockholder (or such affiliate, as the case may be).

(e) Choice of Counsel . If Indemnitee is a director of the Company but not an officer of the Company, he, together with the other directors of the Company who are not officers of the Company (the “Outside Directors”), shall be entitled to employ one counsel separate from that chosen by persons who are parties to similar indemnification agreements of the Company who are not Outside Directors (the “Inside Indemnitees”)

 

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and the Expenses of such counsel shall, subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, be Indemnifiable Expenses. Such counsel for Outside Directors (“Principal Counsel”) shall be determined by majority vote of the Outside Directors.

 

  3. Exceptions to Indemnification .

The Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) above in all circumstances other than the following:

(a) Exceptions to Indemnification for Third Party Proceedings . If indemnification is requested under Section 2(a) and there has been a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction that, in connection with the subject of the Proceeding out of which the claim for indemnification has arisen, the Indemnitee failed to meet the standard of conduct which makes it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify the Indemnitee for Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder, (i) the Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Liabilities hereunder and (ii) no Indemnifiable Expenses shall be paid with respect to such claim, issue or matter unless the court of competent jurisdiction in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite any adjudication of liability, the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnity for such Indemnifiable Expenses which such court shall deem proper.

(b) Exceptions to Indemnification in Derivative Actions and Direct Actions by the Company . If indemnification is requested under Section 2(b) and there has been a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction that, in connection with the subject of the Proceeding out of which the claim for indemnification has arisen, the Indemnitee failed to meet the standard of conduct which makes it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify the Indemnitee for Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder, (i) the Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Liabilities hereunder and (ii) no Indemnifiable Expenses shall be paid with respect to such claim, issue or matter unless the court of competent jurisdiction in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite any adjudication of liability, the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnity for such Indemnifiable Expenses which such court shall deem proper.

 

  4. Procedure for Payment of Indemnifiable Amounts .

(a) Subject to Section 8 , the Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request specifying in reasonable detail the Indemnifiable Amounts for which the Indemnitee seeks payment under Section 2 , Section 5 or Section 6 of this Agreement and a short description of the basis for the claim. The Company shall pay such Indemnifiable Amounts to the Indemnitee as soon as practicable but in any event no later than thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the request. At the request of the Company, the Indemnitee shall furnish such documentation and information as are reasonably available to the Indemnitee and necessary to establish that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder. The omission by Indemnitee to notify the Company hereunder will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder, and any delay in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement.

 

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(b) Upon written request by the Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 4(a) hereof, if required by applicable law and to the extent not otherwise provided pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, a determination with respect to the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification under applicable law shall be made in the specific case as follows if there is a dispute between the Company and the Indemnitee with respect to the Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification hereunder: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred and if so requested in writing by the Indemnitee, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred (or if a Change in Control shall have occurred but the Indemnitee shall not have requested that indemnification be determined by Independent Counsel as provided in subpart (i) of this Section 4(b) ), (A) by a majority vote of a quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of Disinterested Directors or (B) if there is no such quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of Disinterested Directors or, if such quorum of Disinterested Directors so directs, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee. Notice in writing of any determination as to the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be delivered to the Indemnitee promptly after such determination is made, and if such determination of entitlement to indemnification has been made by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, then such notice shall be accompanied by a copy of such written opinion. If it is determined that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, then payment to the Indemnitee of all amounts to which the Indemnitee is determined to be entitled (other than sums that were already advanced) shall be made as soon as practicable but in any event no later than thirty (30) calendar days after such determination. If it is determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, then the written notice to the Indemnitee (or, if such determination has been made by Independent Counsel in a written opinion, the copy of such written opinion delivered to the Indemnitee) shall disclose the basis upon which such determination is based. The Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons, or entity making the determination with respect to the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons, or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information that is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and that is reasonably available to the Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. Any costs or Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons, or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. Company shall provide Indemnitee with such information and cooperation as Indemnitee may reasonably require, to the extent that doing so is consistent with the Company’s obligation to cooperate with regulatory or law enforcement agencies.

(c) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be

 

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selected as provided in this Section 4(c) . If a Change in Control shall not have occurred (or if a Change in Control shall have occurred but the Indemnitee shall not have requested that indemnification be determined by Independent Counsel as provided in subpart (i) of Section 4(b) ), then the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors, and the Company shall give written notice to the Indemnitee advising the Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If a Change in Control shall have occurred and the Indemnitee shall have requested that indemnification be determined by Independent Counsel, then the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Indemnitee (unless the Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board of Directors, in which event the preceding sentence shall apply), and the Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, the Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) calendar days after such written notice of selection has been given, deliver to the Company or to the Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the law firm or person so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 1 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth the basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the law firm or person so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or another court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware has determined that such objection is without merit. If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof and, following the expiration of thirty (30) calendar days after submission by the Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof, Independent Counsel shall not have been selected, or an objection thereto has been made and not withdrawn, then either the Company or the Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware for resolution of any objection that shall have been made by the Company or the Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for appointment as Independent Counsel of a law firm or person selected by such court (or selected by such person as the court shall designate), and the law firm or person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the law firm or person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 4(b) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any Proceeding pursuant to Section 10(e) hereof, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing). If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof, then the Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

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  5. Indemnification for Expenses if the Indemnitee is Wholly or Partly Successful.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that the Indemnitee is or was, or is or was threatened to be made, by reason of the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise (including, without limitation, settlement of a Proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration or the termination of any issue or matter in such Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice), in defending any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Indemnifiable Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee or on the Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with the defense of such Proceeding. If the Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful on the merits or otherwise as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which the Indemnitee is entitled. If the Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company shall also indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate the Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which the Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, nothing herein shall be construed to limit the Indemnitee’s right to indemnification which he or she would otherwise be entitled to pursuant to Section 2 and Section 3 hereof, regardless of the Indemnitee’s success in a Proceeding.

 

  6. Indemnification for Expenses as a Witness .

Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the extent that the Indemnitee, by reason of the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, is or was, or is or was threatened to be made, a witness or is otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding to which the Indemnitee is not a party, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Indemnifiable Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee or on the Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith (including, for the avoidance of doubt, discovery expenses relating to locating and producing data or information that may be in the possession of the Indemnitee, participating in depositions or responding to interrogatories). To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification for Expenses incurred in connection with being or threatened to be made a witness, as provided in this Section 6 , regardless of whether the Indemnitee failed to meet the standard of conduct which makes it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify the Indemnitee for Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder.

 

  7. Agreement to Advance Expenses; Conditions .

The Company shall pay to the Indemnitee all Indemnifiable Expenses as and when incurred by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding to which the Indemnitee was or is a party or was or is otherwise involved or was or is threatened to be made a party to or was or is otherwise involved in any capacity in any Proceeding by reason of the Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, including a Proceeding by or

 

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in the right of the Company, in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding. The Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay the amount of Indemnifiable Expenses paid to the Indemnitee if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, from which decision there is no further right to appeal, that the Indemnitee is not entitled under this Agreement to, or is prohibited by applicable law from, indemnification with respect to such Indemnifiable Expenses. No other form of undertaking shall be required other than the execution of this Agreement. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 7 shall be unsecured and interest free. The Indemnitee shall be entitled to advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses as provided in this Section 7 without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and regardless of any determination by or on behalf of the Company that the Indemnitee failed to meet the standard of conduct which makes it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify the Indemnitee for Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder. The parties agree that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by written affidavit of Indemnitee’s outside counsel as being reasonable shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable.

 

  8. Procedure for Advance Payment of Expenses .

The Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request specifying in reasonable detail the Indemnifiable Expenses for which the Indemnitee seeks an advancement under Section 7 of this Agreement, together with documentation reasonably evidencing that the Indemnitee has incurred such Indemnifiable Expenses. Payment of Indemnifiable Expenses under Section 7 shall be made no later than ten (10) calendar days after the Company’s receipt of such request.

 

  9. Burden of Proof; Defenses; and Presumptions .

(a) In any Proceeding pursuant to Section 10 hereof brought by the Indemnitee to enforce rights to indemnification or to an advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses hereunder, or in any Proceeding brought by the Company to recover an advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses (whether pursuant to the terms of an undertaking or otherwise), the burden shall be on the Company to prove that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such an advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses, as the case may be.

(b) It shall be a defense in any Proceeding pursuant to Section 10 hereof to enforce rights to indemnification under Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) hereof (but not in any Proceeding pursuant to Section 10 hereof to enforce a right to an advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses under Section 7 and Section 8 hereof) that the Indemnitee has not met the standard of conduct which makes it permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify the Indemnitee for Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder, as the case may be, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Company. With respect to any Proceeding pursuant to Section 10 hereof brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder, or any Proceeding brought by the Company to

 

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recover an advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses (whether pursuant to the terms of an undertaking or otherwise), neither (i) the failure of the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such Proceeding that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standards of conduct, nor (ii) an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standards of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standards of conduct or, in the case of a Proceeding pursuant to Section 10 hereof brought by the Indemnitee seeking to enforce a right to indemnification, be a defense to such Proceeding.

(c) The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, in and of itself, adversely affect the right of the Indemnitee to indemnification hereunder or create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, shall not create a presumption that the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, the Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if the Indemnitee’s action is reasonably based on the records or books of account of the Company or other Entity, including financial statements, or on information supplied to the Indemnitee by the officers of the Company or other Entity in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Company or other Entity or on information or records given or reports made to the Company or other Entity by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Company or other Entity. The provisions of this Section 9(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, agent or employee of the Company or of another Entity shall not be imputed to the Indemnitee for purposes of determining the Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses under this Agreement.

 

  10. Remedies of the Indemnitees .

(a) Right to Petition Court . In the event that the Indemnitee makes a request for payment of Indemnifiable Amounts under Section 2 or Section 4 herein or a request for an advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses under Section 7 or Section 8 herein and the Company fails to make such payment or advancement in a timely manner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Indemnitee may petition a court to enforce the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.

(b) Expenses . The Company agrees to reimburse the Indemnitee in full for any Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with

 

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investigating, preparing for, litigating, defending or settling any action brought by the Indemnitee under Section 10(a) above within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of a written request specifying in reasonable detail the amount and nature of such Expenses; provided , however , that to the extent the Indemnitee is unsuccessful on the merits in such action then the Company shall have no obligation to reimburse the Indemnitee under this Section 10(b) .

(c) Validity of Agreement . The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any Proceeding, including, without limitation, an action under Section 10(a) above, that the provisions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable or that there is insufficient consideration for this Agreement and shall stipulate in court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

(d) Failure to Act or Adverse Determination Not a Defense . The failure of the Company (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel or stockholders) to make a determination concerning the permissibility of the payment of Indemnifiable Amounts or the advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses under this Agreement or any adverse determination by the Company (including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal counsel or stockholders) concerning the permissibility of the payment of Indemnifiable Amounts or the advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses under this Agreement shall not be a defense in any action brought under Section 10(a) above, and shall not create a presumption that such payment or advancement is not permissible.

(e) Entitlement to Indemnification; Independent Counsel . In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is not to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof, no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 4(b) of this Agreement within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Company of the Indemnitee’s written request for indemnification, (iii) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof, no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Company of the Indemnitee’s written request for indemnification, unless an objection to the selection of such Independent Counsel has been made and substantiated and not withdrawn, in which case the applicable time period shall be thirty (30) calendar days after the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or another court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware (or such person appointed by such court to make such determination) has determined or appointed the person to act as Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 5 or Section 6 of this Agreement within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 5 or Section 6 of this Agreement is not made within thirty (30) calendar days after a determination has been made pursuant to Section 4(b) that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, then the Indemnitee shall be entitled to seek an adjudication by the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware of the Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses.

 

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(f) Not Prejudiced by Adverse Determination . In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 4(b) of this Agreement that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any Proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 10 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and the Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.

 

  11. Settlement of Proceedings .

(a) The Indemnitee agrees that it will not settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment or judicial award as to the Indemnitee in any pending or threatened Proceeding (whether or not the Indemnitee is an actual or potential party to such Proceeding) in which Indemnitee has sought indemnification hereunder without the Company’s prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided , however , that such Company consent shall not be required if (i) the Company was given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense of such Proceeding and (ii) such settlement, compromise or consent respecting such Proceeding includes an unconditional release of the Indemnitee and does not (A) require or impose any injunctive or other non-monetary remedy on the Company or its affiliates, (B) require or impose an admission or consent as to any wrongdoing by the Company or its affiliates or (C) otherwise result in a direct or indirect payment by or monetary cost to the Company or its affiliates.

(b) The Company agrees that it will not settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment as to the Indemnitee in any pending or threatened Proceeding (whether or not the Indemnitee is an actual or potential party to such Proceeding) in which the Indemnitee has sought indemnification hereunder without the Indemnitee’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided , however , that such Indemnitee’s consent shall not be required if (i) the Indemnitee was given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense of such Proceeding and (ii) such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of the Indemnitee and does not (A) require or impose any injunctive or other non-monetary remedy on the Indemnitee, (B) require or impose an admission or consent as to any wrongdoing by the Indemnitee or (C) otherwise result in a direct or indirect payment by or monetary cost to the Indemnitee personally (as opposed to a payment to be made or cost to be paid by the Company on the Indemnitee’s behalf).

 

  12. Notice by the Indemnitee .

The Indemnitee agrees to notify the Company promptly upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding which could reasonably be expected to result in the payment of Indemnifiable Amounts or the advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses hereunder; provided , however , that the failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify the Indemnitee from the right to receive payments of Indemnifiable Amounts or advancements of Indemnifiable Expenses.

 

13


  13. Representations and Warranties of the Company .

The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Indemnitee as follows:

(a) Authority . The Company has all necessary power and authority to enter into, and be bound by the terms of, this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of the undertakings contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by the Company.

(b) Enforceability . This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with the provisions hereof, shall be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

(c) No Conflicts . This Agreement, when executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with the provisions hereof, does not, and the Company’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement will not, violate the Company’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws, other agreements to which the Company is a party to or applicable law.

(d) Insurance . The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to purchase and maintain a policy or policies of insurance (“ Director Insurance ”) with reputable insurance companies with A.M. Best ratings of “A” or better, providing Indemnitee with coverage for any liability asserted against, or incurred by, Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was or has agreed to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or while serving as a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving or has agreed to serve on behalf of or at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent (which, for purposes hereof, shall include a trustee, fiduciary, partner or manager or similar capacity) of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or arising out of Indemnitee’s status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify Indemnitee against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement. Such Director Insurance shall have coverage terms and policy limits at least as favorable to Indemnitee as the insurance coverage provided to any other director or officer of the Company. If the Company has such insurance in effect at the time the Company receives from Indemnitee any notice of the commencement of an action, suit or proceeding, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such action, suit or proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Director Insurance. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such Director Insurance. If at any date (i) such insurance ceases to cover acts and omissions occurring

 

14


during all or any part of the period of Indemnitee’s status as a director or officer; or (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries maintains any such insurance, the Company shall ensure that Indemnitee is covered, with respect to acts and omissions prior to such date, for at least six years from such date, by other Director Insurance, in amounts and on terms no less favorable to Indemnitee than the amounts and terms of the liability insurance maintained by the Company on the date hereof.

 

  14. Contract Rights Not Exclusive; Subrogation .

The rights to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts and advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses provided by this Agreement shall be in addition to, but not exclusive of and shall not in any way limit, any other rights that the Indemnitee may have at any time under applicable law, the Company’s bylaws or certificate of incorporation, or any other agreement, vote of stockholders or directors (or a committee of directors), or otherwise, both as to action in the Indemnitee’s official capacity and as to action in any other capacity as a result of the Indemnitee’s serving in a Corporate Status. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy, given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy. Subject to Section 2(d) , in the event of any payment to or on behalf of the Indemnitee under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

  15. Successors .

This Agreement shall be (a) binding upon all successors and assigns of the Company (including any transferee of all or a substantial portion of the business, stock and/or assets of the Company and any direct or indirect successor by merger or consolidation or otherwise by operation of law) and (b) binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, personal representatives, executors and administrators of the Indemnitee. This Agreement shall continue for the benefit of the Indemnitee and such heirs, personal representatives, executors and administrators after the Indemnitee has ceased to have Corporate Status. The Company shall require and cause any successor(s) (including any transferee of all or a substantial portion of the business, stock and/or assets of the Company and any direct or indirect successor by merger or consolidation or otherwise by operation of law), by written agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee and his or her counsel, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place; provided that no such assumption shall relieve the Company from its obligations hereunder and any obligations shall thereafter be joint and several.

 

15


  16. Change in Law .

To the extent that a change in Delaware law (whether by statute or judicial decision) shall permit broader indemnification or advancement of expenses than is provided under the terms of the bylaws of the Company and this Agreement, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to such broader indemnification and advancements, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to such extent, but only to the extent such amendment permits the Indemnitee to broader indemnification and advancement rights other than Delaware law permitted prior to the adoption of such amendment.

 

  17. Severability .

Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement, or any clause thereof, shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such provision or clause shall be limited or modified in its application to the minimum extent necessary to make such provision or clause valid, legal and enforceable, and the remaining provisions and clauses of this Agreement shall remain fully enforceable and binding on the parties.

 

  18. Modifications and Waiver .

Except as provided in Section 16 above with respect to changes in Delaware law which broaden the right of the Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Company, no supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by each of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. In the event the Company or any of its subsidiaries enters into an indemnification agreement with another director or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the subject matter hereof containing a term or terms more favorable to the indemnitee thereunder than the terms contained herein, the Indemnitee shall be afforded the benefit of such more favorable term or terms and such more favorable term or terms shall be deemed incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in full herein. As promptly as practicable following the execution by the Company or the relevant subsidiary of any such indemnification agreement with any such other director or officer (i) the Company shall send a copy of the indemnification agreement to the Indemnitee, and (ii) if requested by the Indemnitee, the Company shall prepare, execute and deliver to the Indemnitee an amendment to this Agreement containing such more favorable term or terms.

 

  19. General Notices .

All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) when delivered by hand, (b) when transmitted by facsimile and receipt is acknowledged, or (c) if mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed

 

16


  (a) If to the Indemnitee, to:

 

 

  (b) If to the Company, to:

1601 Bryan Street, 43 rd Floor

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: General Counsel

Email: stephanie.moore@luminant.com

or to such other address as may have been furnished in the same manner by any party to the others.

 

  20. Contribution .

To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

 

  21. Specific Performance .

The parties recognize that if any provision of this Agreement is violated by the parties hereto, the Indemnitee may be without an adequate remedy at law. Accordingly, in the event of any such violation, the Indemnitee shall be entitled, if the Indemnitee so elects, to institute proceedings, to enforce specific performance, to enjoin such violation, or to obtain any relief as the Indemnitee may elect to pursue.

 

  22. Third Party Beneficiaries .

Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give to any person or entity, other than the parties hereto and their permitted successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement, except that the Nominating Stockholders and any of their affiliates (other than the Company) shall be third-party beneficiaries hereunder with respect to the obligations of the Company set forth in Section 2(c) .

 

17


  23. Governing Law .

This Agreement shall be exclusively governed by and construed and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the provisions thereof relating to conflicts of law of such state.

 

  24. Consent to Jurisdiction .

(a) Each of the Company and the Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees and consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware for all purposes in connection with any action, suit or proceeding that arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agrees that any such action instituted under this Agreement shall be brought only in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or in any other state court of the State of Delaware if the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court or tribunal in any other country; (ii) consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (iii) waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the courts of the State of Delaware; and (iv) waives, and agrees not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the courts of the State of Delaware has been brought in an improper or otherwise inconvenient forum.

(b) Each of the Company and the Indemnitee hereby consents to service of any summons and complaint and any other process that may be served in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court of the State of Delaware by mailing by certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, copies of such process to such party at its address for receiving notice pursuant to Section 19 hereof. Nothing herein shall preclude service of process by any other means permitted by applicable law.

 

  25. Counterparts .

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by PDF or facsimile), each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart need be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

  26. Headings .

The headings of the Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction hereof.

 

  27. Entire Agreement; Conflicts .

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings and negotiations, written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement; provided , however , that this Agreement is supplement

 

18


to and in furtherance of the Company’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws, the DGCL and any other applicable law, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, and does not diminish or abrogate any rights of the Indemnitee thereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws (in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time), the provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws (in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time) shall govern.

[remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

 

19


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY:
TCEH Corp.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

INDEMNITEE:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]

Exhibit 10.27

LEASE AGREEMENT

Dated as of February 14, 2002

between

State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association,

as owner trustee of

ZSF/Dallas Tower Trust,

a Delaware grantor trust,

as Lessor

and

TXU Properties Company,

a Texas corporation,

as Lessee

 

 

Property:

Energy Plaza, Dallas, Texas

And Associated Garage

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS      1  

Section 1.1.

  Definitions      1  
ARTICLE 2 LEASE OF PROPERTY      1  

Section 2.1.

  Demise and Lease      1  
ARTICLE 3 RENT      2  

Section 3.1.

  Base Rent      2  

Section 3.2.

  Supplemental Rent      2  

Section 3.3.

  Method of Payment      3  

Section 3.4.

  Late Payment      3  

Section 3.5.

  Net Lease, No Setoff, Etc.      3  

Section 3.6.

  Federal Income Tax Allocation of Base Rent and Interest      5  

Section 3.7.

  True Lease      6  
ARTICLE 4 RIGHT OF OFFER      6  

Section 4.1.

  Right of Offer      6  

Section 4.2.

  Non-Applicability of Section 4.1      8  

Section 4.3.

  Miscellaneous      9  
ARTICLE 5 RENEWAL OPTIONS      9  

Section 5.1.

  Renewal Options      9  

Section 5.2.

  Lease Provisions Applicable During Renewal      10  
ARTICLE 6 LESSEE’S ACCEPTANCE OF PROPERTY, ENFORCEMENT OF WARRANTIES      10  

Section 6.1.

  Waivers      10  

Section 6.2.

  Lessee’s Right to Enforce Warranties      11  
ARTICLE 7 LIENS      11  

Section 7.1.

  Liens      11  
ARTICLE 8 USE AND REPAIR      12  

Section 8.1.

  Use      12  

Section 8.2.

  Maintenance      13  

Section 8.3.

  Alterations      13  

Section 8.4.

  Title to Alterations      16  

Section 8.5.

  Compliance with Law; Environmental Compliance      16  

Section 8.6.

  Payment of Impositions      17  

Section 8.7.

  Adjustment of Impositions      18  

Section 8.8.

  Utility Charges      19  

Section 8.9.

  Engineering Reports      19  

Section 8.10.

  Litigation; Zoning; Joint Assessment      19  

Section 8.11.

 

Fees

     19  

 

i


ARTICLE 9 INSURANCE      20   

Section 9.1.

  Coverage      20   
ARTICLE 10 RETURN OF PROPERTY TO LESSOR      22   

Section 10.1.

  Return of Property to Lessor      22   
ARTICLE 11 ASSIGNMENT BY LESSEE      22   

Section 11.1.

  Assignment by Lessee      22   
ARTICLE 12 LOSS; DESTRUCTION; CONDEMNATION OR DAMAGE      24   

Section 12.1.

  Event of Loss      24   

Section 12.2.

  Application of Payments Upon an Event of Loss When Lease Continues      27   

Section 12.3.

  Application of Payments Not Relating to an Event of Loss      28   

Section 12.4.

  Other Dispositions      28   

Section 12.5.

  Negotiations      30   
ARTICLE 13 INTENTIONALLY OMITTED      31   
ARTICLE 14 SUBLEASE      31   

Section 14.1.

  Subleasing Permitted; Lessee Remains Obligated      31   

Section 14.2.

  Provisions of Subleases      32   

Section 14.3.

  Assignment of Sublease Rents      32   
ARTICLE 15 INSPECTION      32   

Section 15.1.

  Inspection      32   
ARTICLE 16 LEASE EVENTS OF DEFAULT      33   

Section 16.1.

  Lease Events of Default      33   
ARTICLE 17 ENFORCEMENT      35   

Section 17.1.

  Remedies      35   

Section 17.2.

  Survival of Lessee’s Obligations      37   

Section 17.3.

  Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver; Consents; Mitigation of Damages      37   
ARTICLE 18 RIGHT TO PERFORM FOR LESSEE      37   

Section 18.1.

  Right to Perform for Lessee      37   
ARTICLE 19 INDEMNITIES      38   

Section 19.1.

  General Indemnification      38   

Section 19.2.

  General Tax Indemnification      41   

Section 19.3.

  Withholdings of Rent      50   
ARTICLE 20 LESSEE REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS      51   

Section 20.1.

  Representations and Warranties      51   

 

ii


ARTICLE 21 EARLY TERMINATION      53   

Section 21.1.

  Early Termination      53   
ARTICLE 22 PURCHASE PROCEDURE      55   

Section 22.1.

  Purchase Procedure      55   
ARTICLE 23 TRANSFER OF LESSOR’S INTEREST      56   

Section 23.1.

  Permitted Transfer      56   

Section 23.2.

  Effects of Transfer      56   
ARTICLE 24 PERMITTED FINANCING      57   

Section 24.1.

  Financing During Term      57   

Section 24.2.

  Lessee’s Consent to Assignment for Indebtedness      57   
ARTICLE 25 MISCELLANEOUS      59   

Section 25.1.

  Memorandum      59   

Section 25.2.

  Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns; Survival      59   

Section 25.3.

  Quiet Enjoyment      59   

Section 25.4.

  Notices      59   

Section 25.5.

  Severability      60   

Section 25.6.

  Amendments, Complete Agreements      60   

Section 25.7.

  Headings      60   

Section 25.8.

  Counterparts      60   

Section 25.9.

  Governing Law      61   

Section 25.10.

  Surety Privity Agreement      61   

Section 25.11.

  Estoppel Certificates      61   

Section 25.12.

  Easements      61   

Section 25.13.

  No Joint Venture      62   

Section 25.14.

  No Accord and Satisfaction      62   

Section 25.15.

  No Merger      62   

Section 25.16.

  Lessor Bankruptcy      62   

Section 25.17.

  Naming and Signage of the Property      63   

Section 25.18.

  Expenses      63   

Section 25.19.

  Investments      63   

Section 25.20.

  Further Assurances      63   

Section 25.21.

  Conveyance Expenses      64   

Section 25.22.

  Independent Covenants      64   

Section 25.23.

  Lessor Exculpation      64   

Section 25.24.

  Remedies Cumulative      64   

Section 25.25.

  Holding Over      64   

Section 25.26.

  Survival      65   

Section 25.27.

  State Specific Provisions      65   

Section 25.28.

  Lease Subordinate      65   

Section 25.29.

  Lessor Representations      65   

Section 25.30.

  Servicer Acting on Behalf of Indenture Trustee      65   

 

iii


Appendix A    Definitions
Schedule 3.1    Rental Payments
Schedule 9.1    Insurance Requirements
Schedule 12.1    Stipulated Loss Values
Schedule 14.1    Existing Subleases
Schedule 20.1(m)    Local Law Compliance
Schedule 21.1    Termination Values
Schedule 25.26    State Specific Provisions
Exhibit A    Description of Land
Exhibit B    Form of Estoppel Agreement

 

iv


THIS LEASE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of February 14, 2002, by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as owner trustee of ZSF/Dallas Tower Trust, a Delaware grantor trust, as Lessor (“ Lessor ”), having its principal place of business at c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, 6th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02112, and TXU Properties Company, a Texas corporation (“ Lessee ”), having a place of business at 1601 Bryan Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.

RECITALS

A. Lessor is the current owner of the Property, having acquired the Property from Lessee;

B. Lessor desires to let and lease to Lessee, and Lessee desires to hire and take from Lessor, the Property;

C. Lessor desires to grant and delegate to Lessee, and Lessee desires to accept and assume from Lessor, certain rights and duties as described in this Agreement;

TERMS

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section  1.1. Definitions . The capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned thereto in Appendix A hereto for all purposes hereof.

ARTICLE 2

LEASE OF PROPERTY

Section  2.1. Demise and Lease . (a) Lessor hereby demises and leases the Property to Lessee, and Lessee does hereby rent and lease the Property from Lessor, for the Base Term and, subject to the exercise by Lessee of its renewal options as provided in Article  5 hereof, for the Renewal Terms.

(b) Lessee may from time to time own or hold under lease or license, from Persons other than Lessor, Lessee’s Equipment and Personalty, located on or about the Property, which shall not be subject to this Lease. Lessor shall from time to time, upon the reasonable request of Lessee, and at Lessee’s cost, promptly acknowledge in writing to Lessee or other Persons that Lessor does not own or, except as provided in Article  10 , have any other right or interest in or to such furniture, equipment and personal property, including Lessee’s Equipment and Personalty, and Lessor hereby waives any such right, title or interest.


ARTICLE 3

RENT

Section  3.1. Base Rent . Lessee shall pay to Lessor Base Rent on each Rent Payment Date during the Base Term in the amount set forth in the “Base Rent” column on Schedule  3.1 attached hereto and incorporated herein, and shall pay to Lessor Base Rent on each Rent Payment Date during any Renewal Term as prescribed by Article  5 . Notwithstanding the payment schedule for Base Rent for the Base Term as set forth on Schedule  3.1 , the amounts of rent (other than Supplemental Rent) on account of the use of the Property which are allocated to each semi-annual period ending on August 14 or February 14 (for purposes of this Section  3.1 and Section  3.6 , a “ semi annual period ”) during the Base Term shall equal the amounts set forth in the column of Schedule  3.1 titled “Allocated Rent” for such period. To the extent the Base Rent payable in any semi-annual period exceeds the Allocated Rent for such period, the amount of such excess shall be treated as a reduction in the cumulative Deferred Rent (as defined below) for all prior semi-annual periods, and to the extent such excess exceeds the cumulative Deferred Rent for all prior semi-annual periods (the “ Prepaid Rent ”), the amount of such Prepaid Rent shall thereafter be treated as a reduction in the amount by which the Allocated Rent for future semi-annual periods exceeds the Base Rent payable in such semi-annual periods. To the extent that the Allocated Rent for any semi-annual period exceeds the Base Rent payable in such semi-annual period, the amount of such excess shall be treated as a reduction in cumulative Prepaid Rent (as defined above) for all prior semi-annual periods, and to the extent such excess exceeds the cumulative Prepaid Rent for all prior semi-annual periods (the “ Deferred Rent ”), the amount of such Deferred Rent shall thereafter be treated as a reduction in the amount by which the Base Rent payable in future semi-annual periods exceeds the Allocated Rent for such semi-annul periods. Neither the Prepaid Rent nor the Deferred Rent will bear interest. Lessor shall have no obligation to apply the Prepaid Rent to offset any obligation of Lessee other than Lessee’s liability for Allocated Rent. Lessee shall have no obligation to make any payment to Lessor on account of Allocated Rent other than the scheduled payments of Base Rent. The allocation of Allocated Rent is intended to constitute a specific allocation of rent under Treasury Regulation Section 1.467-1(c)(2)(ii)(A), and the existence, timing, and amount of, and any adjustments to, Allocated Rent, Prepaid Rent and Deferred Rent are intended to be utilized solely for such purpose. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the existence or amount of, or timing of adjustments to, Allocated Rent, Prepaid Rent or Deferred Rent shall in any way affect the timing, amount or unconditional nature of Lessee’s obligations to pay Base Rent or any other amounts payable under this Lease Agreement.

In the event of any other termination of the Lease prior to the scheduled expiration of the Base Term, regardless of whether caused by the acts or omissions of Lessee or otherwise, then in addition to (and not in substitution for) any other rights and remedies to which Lessor may be entitled under this Agreement or otherwise, Lessor shall be entitled to retain the then unapplied portion of the Prepaid Rent in consideration for the loss incurred by Lessor as a result of such early termination of the Lease, it being agreed by the parties hereto that such portion of the Prepaid Rent and such other rights and remedies to which Lessor is then entitled reflect the loss incurred by Lessor as a result of such early termination.

Section  3.2. Supplemental Rent . Lessee shall pay to Lessor, or to such other Person as shall be entitled thereto in the manner contemplated herein or as otherwise required by Lessor

 

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after written notice from Lessor, any and all Supplemental Rent as the same shall become due and payable. In the event of Lessee’s failure to pay when due and payable any Supplemental Rent, Lessor shall have all rights, powers and remedies provided for herein or by law or in equity or otherwise in the case of nonpayment of Rent. Lessee shall pay as Supplemental Rent in the manner contemplated in Section  3.3 hereof amounts equal to the Additional Interest, if any, payable by Lessor, as Issuer, under the Secured Notes.

Section  3.3. Method of Payment . All Base Rent and Supplemental Rent (other than Excepted Payments which are not Base Rent) payable to Lessor shall, until such time as the Indenture Trustee shall otherwise instruct Lessee (on at least ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice), be paid in immediately available funds as of the relevant payment date to the Indenture Trustee to the Rent Collection Account as defined in the Indenture, or such other account or accounts in the continental United States as the Indenture Trustee may from time to time designate (on at least ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice) to Lessee. Upon payment in full of all amounts due to the Indenture Trustee, as reasonably evidenced to Lessee, Lessee shall accept instructions from Lessor (or its new lender, if so instructed by Lessor) as to the payment of Base Rent and Supplemental Rent otherwise payable to Lessor. Additional Interest to the extent payable, shall be paid as and when Base Rent is due and payable. Each such payment of Rent shall be made by Lessee by wire or other transfer of funds consisting of lawful currency of the United States of America which shall be immediately available no later than 3:00 PM at the place of receipt on the scheduled date when such payment shall be due, unless such scheduled date shall not be a Business Day, in which case such payment shall be made at such time on the next succeeding Business Day, with the same force and effect as though made on such scheduled dates. If any payment of Base Rent or Supplemental Rent is received after 3:00 PM (at the place of receipt) on the dates when such rent is due, such rent shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day.

Section  3.4. Late Payment . If any payment of any Supplemental Rent payable to Lessor shall be delinquent, Lessee shall pay interest thereon from the date such payment became due and payable to the date of receipt thereof by Lessor at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate. If any payment of Base Rent or Supplemental Rent (payable to anyone other than Lessor) shall be delinquent, Lessee shall pay to the Indenture Trustee, or in the case of Supplemental Rent, to the Person entitled thereto, as Supplemental Rent, an amount equal to the late charges (if any) and delinquent interest actually due and payable thereon, including any amounts due as late charges under any of the Debt Documents. Lessee acknowledges its responsibility to pay late charges, delinquent interest and other amounts owed to any third party by reason of Lessee’s failure to pay when due Base Rent, or Supplemental Rent owed to such party.

Section  3.5. Net Lease, No Setoff, Etc. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the obligations of Lessee hereunder shall be separate and independent covenants and agreements, and that Base Rent, Supplemental Rent and all other sums payable by Lessee hereunder shall continue to be payable in all events, and that the obligations of Lessee hereunder shall continue unaffected, unless the requirement to pay or perform the same shall have been terminated pursuant to an express provision of this Lease. This Lease is a net lease and it is agreed and intended that Base Rent, Supplemental Rent and any other amounts payable hereunder by Lessee shall be paid without notice, demand, counterclaim, setoff, deduction, defense, abatement, diminution or reduction, except in the case of notices and demands as expressly provided herein

 

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to the contrary, and that Lessee’s obligation to pay all such amounts, throughout the Base Term and all applicable Renewal Terms, is absolute and unconditional. Under no circumstances shall Lessor be obligated to repay Lessee, refund to Lessee, or return to Lessee, any Base Rent, except for manifest error.

Lessee acknowledges that it accepts full risk of its being unable to occupy the Property, by virtue of an Event of Loss, early termination or a Lease Event of Default, or, except as set forth below in this Section  3.5 , by any other reason, despite having paid Base Rent for such period. This Lease shall not terminate and Lessee shall not have any rights to terminate this Lease, during the Base Term and any Renewal Terms (except as otherwise expressly provided in Section  12.1 and Article  21 ). Except to the extent otherwise expressly specified in Section  12.1 and Article  21 , Lessee shall not take any action to terminate, rescind or void this Lease and the obligations and liabilities of Lessee hereunder shall in no way be released, discharged or otherwise affected for any reason, including without limitation: (a) any defect in the condition, merchantability, design, quality or fitness for use of the Property or any part thereof, or the failure of the Property to comply with all Applicable Laws, including any inability to occupy or use the Property by reason of such noncompliance; (b) any damage to, removal, abandonment, salvage, loss, condemnation (except as set forth in Section  12.2 and 12.3 below), theft, scrapping or destruction of or any requisition or taking of the Property or any part thereof, or any environmental conditions on the Property or any property in the vicinity of the Property; (c) any restriction, prevention or curtailment of or interference with any use of the Property or any part thereof including lawful eviction; (d) any defect in title to or rights to the Property or any Lien on such title or rights to the Property other than Lessor Liens materially adversely affecting Lessee’s right to quiet enjoyment, provided that in no event shall any such adverse effect in any way affect Lessee’s obligation to pay Base Rent so long as the Secured Notes are outstanding or to pay Supplemental Rent to any Person other than Lessor; (e) any change, waiver, extension, indulgence or other action or omission or breach in respect of any obligation or liability of or by any Person; (f) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, composition, adjustment, dissolution, liquidation or other like proceedings relating to Lessee, Lessor or any other Person, or any action taken with respect to this Lease by any trustee or receiver of Lessee or any other Person, or by any court, in any such proceeding; (g) any right or claim that Lessee has or might have against any Person, including without limitation Lessor, the Indenture Trustee, any Holder, or any vendor, manufacturer, contractor of or for the Property; (h) any failure on the part of Lessor or any other Person to perform or comply with any of the terms of this Lease, any other Operative Document or of any other agreement; (i) any invalidity, unenforceability, rejection or disaffirmance of this Lease by operation of law or otherwise against or by Lessee or Lessor or any provision hereof or any of the other Operative Documents or any other agreement, or any provision of any thereof; (j) the impossibility of performance by Lessee or Lessor, or both; (k) any action by any court, administrative agency or other Governmental Authority; (l) any interference, interruption or cessation in the use, possession or quiet enjoyment of the Property; (m) the exercise of any remedy, including foreclosure, under the Mortgage; (n) any action with respect to this Lease (including the disaffirmance or rejection hereof) which may be taken by Lessor or Lessee under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or by any trustee, receiver or liquidator of Lessor or Lessee or by any court under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or otherwise; (o) the prohibition or restriction of Lessee’s use of the Property under any Applicable Laws or otherwise; (p) the lawful eviction of Lessee from possession of the Property, by paramount title or otherwise; (q) any breach or default by Lessor hereunder or under any other agreement between Lessor and Lessee; or (r) any

 

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other occurrence whatsoever, whether similar or dissimilar to the foregoing, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable, and whether or not Lessee shall have notice or knowledge of any of the foregoing. Except as specifically set forth in Articles  12 and 21 of this Lease, this Lease shall be noncancellable by Lessee for any reason whatsoever and, except as expressly provided in Article  12 of this Lease, Lessee, to the extent now or hereafter permitted by Applicable Laws, waives all rights now or hereafter conferred by statute or otherwise to quit, terminate or surrender this Lease or to any diminution, abatement or reduction of Rent payable hereunder. Under no circumstances or conditions shall Lessor be expected or required to make any payment of any kind hereunder (other than for any Lessor Liens) or have any obligations with respect to the use, possession, control, maintenance, alteration, rebuilding, replacing, repair, restoration or operation of all or any part of the Property, so long as the Property or any part thereof is subject to this Lease, and Lessee expressly waives the right to perform any such action at the expense of Lessor whether hereunder or pursuant to any law. Lessee waives all rights which are not expressly stated herein but which may now or hereafter otherwise be conferred by law (i) to quit, terminate or surrender this Lease or any of the Property; (ii) to have any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, abatement, suspension, deferment, diminution, deduction, reduction or defense of or to Base Rent, Supplemental Rent, or any other sums payable under this Lease, except as otherwise expressly provided herein; and (iii) to have any statutory lien or offset right against Lessor or its property, provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing disclaimer shall interfere with any claims Lessee may now or hereafter have against Lessor in connection with a breach by Lessor of its covenant of quiet enjoyment set forth herein.

Section  3.6. Federal Income Tax Allocation of Base Rent and Interest . Lessee and Lessor agree and acknowledge their belief and intention that (A) the Lease is and will be classified as a “true lease” for Federal income tax purposes, and (B)(i) rent for the Base Term will be specifically allocated for Federal income tax purposes as “fixed rent” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.467-1(h)(3) in the amounts and for the periods set forth in the column of Schedule  3.6 titled “Allocated Rent”, (ii) this Lease does not constitute a “disqualified leaseback or long-term agreement” within the meaning of Section 467(b)(4) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.467-3(b), (iii) this Lease does not provide “adequate interest on fixed rent” under Treasury Regulation Section 1.467-2(b), (iv) accordingly, rent for the Base Term will be deemed to accrue under Treasury Regulation 1.467-1(b)(1) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.467-1(d) equal to the “proportional rental amount” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.467-1(d)(2)(ii) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.467-2 in the amounts and for the periods set forth in the column of Schedule  3.6 titled “Proportional Rental Amount”, (v) a “section 467 loan” will be deemed to exist for Federal income tax purposes under Treasury Regulation Section 1.467-4 in the amounts and for the periods set forth in the columns of Schedule  3.6 titled “467 Loan Balance Beginning of Period” and “467 Loan Balance End of Period”, and interest will be deemed to accrue as income to the Lessee or the Lessor as appropriate, on the section 467 loan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.467-4(c)(2) in the amounts and for the periods set forth in the column of Schedule  3.6 titled “467 Interest”, (vi) each of Lessee and Lessor shall make all Federal income tax filings (and to the extent appropriate, state and local income tax filings) on such basis, and shall diligently defend such positions in the event of challenge by any tax authority, and (vii) if either party (or its direct or indirect owners that are not pass through entities for Federal income tax purposes) actually and finally realizes a net income tax benefit as a result of any of the foregoing positions not being correct, such party shall pay to the other party the amount of the net reduction in income taxes to

 

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such party (or its direct or indirect owners as aforesaid) resulting from such net income tax benefit (and from any net income tax benefit resulting from making such payment). The party entitled to payment under the provisions of clause (B)(vii) of this Section  3.6 shall be entitled to request verification of the amount of the payment to which such party is entitled applying the principles of Section  19.2(g) as if the party entitled to such payment were the Lessee, and the party required to make such payment were the Tax Indemnitee. The parties acknowledge and agree that all obligations for Allocated Rent (and “fixed rent” in the amount of Allocated Rent) are governed exclusively by the provisions of Section  3.1 . The parties furthermore acknowledge and agree that neither the Lessee nor the Lessor shall have any obligation to the other for the “proportional rental amount”, the “section 467 loan” or “interest” on the “section 467 loan”, which amounts shall exist only for purposes of calculating Lessor’s and Lessee’s obligations for U.S. Federal income tax (and state and local income tax to the extent such tax is calculated based upon U.S. Federal taxable income).

Section  3.7. True Lease . It is the intent of Lessor and Lessee and the parties agree that the Lease is a true lease and that the Lease does not represent a financing agreement. Each party shall reflect the transaction represented hereby in all applicable books, records and reports (including income tax filings) in a manner consistent with “true lease” treatment rather than “financing” treatment.

ARTICLE 4

RIGHT OF OFFER

Section  4.1. Right of Offer . (a) Provided that no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Lessee shall have a right of first offer as described in this Article  4 with respect to (i) any sale of the Property, or (ii) any sale that would result in Zurich Structured Finance, Inc. or its Affiliates ceasing to own, directly or indirectly, at least a 50% interest in Lessor and in the profits and losses of Lessor. If Lessor or any party that owns an interest, directly or indirectly, in Lessor (the “ Offeror ”), intends to offer for sale the Property or any of the above described interests to any party (other than to an Affiliate of such Offeror, or in connection with a Portfolio Sale) the Offeror shall deliver to Lessee a notice (constituting an offer) stating the sales price and all other material terms for the sale of the Property or interest that the Offeror would accept (the “ First Offer ”). Lessee shall have ninety (90) days from its receipt of the First Offer to accept the First Offer. For purposes hereof, the ninety day period, is referred to as the “ Applicable Period ”. A First Offer may be accepted by Lessee or its designee. The Offeror shall not be permitted to revoke the First Offer during the Applicable Period, but the Applicable Period shall be deemed to be terminated during the Applicable Period if Offeror and Lessee or its designee enter into a purchase agreement on terms different than those contained in the First Offer. The First Offer may be rejected by Lessee or its designee at any time.

If Lessee or its designee desires to accept the First Offer for the Property, Lessee or its designee must accept the First Offer within the Applicable Period and must enter into a purchase agreement with the Offeror for the purchase and sale of the Property by the date which is thirty (30) days after the earlier of (x) the expiration of the Applicable Period or (y) twenty (20) days after Lessee has irrevocably accepted the First Offer. The purchase agreement for the sale of the Property shall provide for a closing on the terms set forth in the First Offer.

 

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If Lessee or its designee desires to accept the First Offer for any interest other than the sale of the Property, Lessee or its designee must accept the First Offer within the Applicable Period and must enter into a purchase agreement with the Offeror for the purchase and sale of the interest by the date which is thirty (30) days after the earlier of (1) the expiration of the Applicable Period or (2) twenty (20) days after Lessee has irrevocably accepted the First Offer for the sale of the interest. The purchase agreement shall provide for a closing on the terms set forth in the First Offer.

In the event a Lease Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Offeror shall have no obligation to provide a First Offer to Lessee, nor shall Lessee have any right to accept the First Offer, enter into a purchase agreement to purchase the offered interest (or Property) or to close on such offered interest (or Property), and any agreement executed shall so state. Lessee or its designee may reject or accept the First Offer in its sole discretion. If the Offeror and Lessee or its designee enter into a purchase agreement for the Property or the offered interest, Lessee or its designee shall be bound under this Lease to purchase from Offeror and the Offeror shall be bound under this Lease to sell the Property or interest in accordance with the terms of the purchase agreement. Lessor and Lessee agree to negotiate any purchase agreement in good faith, subject to Section  4.3 , below. Lessee acknowledges that Lessor has no right to sell the Property free and clear of the Lien of the Mortgage unless Lessor repays all debt secured by such Mortgage, and all debt evidenced by the Debt Documents.

(b) If Lessee (or its designee) rejects the First Offer, the Offeror may, subject to the terms hereof, offer the Property or interest for sale to third parties at a price and on terms materially no more beneficial to the third party than those contained in the First Offer, provided, however, that if the Offeror desires to accept an offer from a third party (the “ Offeree ”) at a price that is less than ninety five percent (95%) of the price offered to Lessee (including in all cases considering debt to be assumed), or otherwise on terms materially more beneficial to the Offeree than those contained in the First Offer, then the offer of such Offeree shall be deemed to be materially more beneficial to such Offeree and the Offeror is required to re-offer the Property or interest to the Lessee on such more beneficial terms. The provisions of this Section  4.1 shall govern said re-offer, except that the Applicable Period shall be deemed to be thirty (30) days, commencing on the date the re-offer is submitted to Lessee. If the Offeror desires to accept an offer from any Offeree for a price that is ninety five percent (95%) or more than the price offered to Lessee, and on such other terms materially no more beneficial to the third party than those contained in the First Offer, Offeror may enter into a bona fide agreement to sell or assign or otherwise transfer the Property or interest to the Offeree, provided that if the Offeror shall not have so sold, assigned or transferred the Property or the interest prior to the expiration of two hundred (200) days after the expiration of the Applicable Period, the Offeror shall be required to repeat the procedure set forth in this Section  4.1 if it still wishes to sell the Property. If a Lease Event of Default is existing at the time the First Offer would otherwise be sent to Lessee, or at any time during the Applicable Period, Lessee shall have no right of first offer hereunder with respect to such First Offer, but if no sale, assignment or transfer shall have occurred within the time period set forth above, then Lessee’s right of first offer shall (provided there is no uncured Lease Event of Default) be reinstated with respect to any subsequent intended sale, assignment or transfer.

 

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(c) Provided that no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in the event the Offeror receives and wishes to accept an offer for the purchase of the Property or an interest described in 4.1(a), above, and it has not been actively marketing the Property, the Offeror must deliver to Lessee a notice (the “ First Refusal Notice ”) setting forth each of the material terms of the proposed transaction, including, without limitation, the proposed purchaser, the sales price, the closing date and the down payment amount, if any, and the other terms for payment of the sales price. Lessee shall, for thirty (30) days commencing upon receipt of a First Refusal Notice (the “ Right of First Refusal Period ”) have the exclusive right to purchase (or designate a purchaser of) the Property or interest on the terms set forth in such First Refusal Notice by so notifying the Offeror within the Right of First Refusal Period, whereupon Lessee shall be bound under this Lease to purchase (or to cause the designated purchaser to purchase) from the Offeror, and the Offeror shall be bound under this Lease to sell to Lessee or its designee, the Property or interest on such terms, within fifteen (15) days of such acceptance. On or before the closing date on such right of first refusal, Lessee or its designee and Offeror shall execute and deliver to each other a purchase agreement containing the terms of the offer. If Lessee fails to respond to such First Refusal Notice during the Right of First Refusal Period, Lessee shall be deemed to have elected not to purchase the Property or interest. If a Lease Event of Default occurs and is continuing, Lessee shall have no right to elect to purchase the Property or interest and shall be deemed to have elected not to purchase. If Lessee does not elect (or is deemed not to elect) to purchase the Property or interest within the Right of First Refusal Period, and the Offeror executes and delivers a bona-fide binding purchase contract, the Offeror may proceed with such sale, provided that if such sale shall not be consummated within a two hundred ten (210) day period commencing upon the expiration of the Right of First Refusal Period, the Offeror shall be required to repeat the procedure set forth in this Section  4.1(c) if it still wishes to consummate such transaction.

(d) Provided that no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in the event of a voluntary sale of the Property by Lessor pursuant to this Section  4.1 , Lessee shall not be responsible to pay the Make-Whole Premium if payable under the Debt Documents.

Section  4.2. Non-Applicability of Section  4 .1 . (a) Section 4.1 shall not apply to (i) a conveyance or assignment to (x) an Affiliate of the Lessor or to a Holder, Indenture Trustee, or an Affiliate of them or any subsequent Indenture Trustee, Holder or Affiliate, (y) the purchaser at a foreclosure sale in connection with the foreclosure of the Property, or (z) to any Indenture Trustee, Holder or an Affiliate of any Indenture Trustee or Holder or the designee of any Holder or Indenture Trustee, in connection with a deed in lieu of foreclosure of the related Mortgage, (ii) a transfer of any interest in Zurich Structured Finance, Inc., or (iii) any Portfolio Sale. Lessee’s rights hereunder shall survive any sale or transfer described in this Section  4.2 , but shall not be applicable to any transaction in which Lessor reacquires the Property or interest sold pursuant to an option acquired by Lessor in connection with such original sale or transaction.

(b) This Article  4 shall not be construed as applying to any Refinancing or reducing or modifying in any way the restrictions on transfer set forth in Article  23 .

(c) Any purchase of the Property under this Article  4 will be subject to the Lease, the Mortgage and Section 5.04 of the Indenture, unless the indebtedness evidenced by the Debt Documents is repaid in full.

 

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Section  4.3. Miscellaneous . (a) If Lessee or its designee is the purchaser under this Article  4 , then (and notwithstanding any terms of a bona fide offer to purchase received by Lessor) such purchase shall be by special warranty deed and general conveyance on an “as is, where is” basis without Property representations of any sort and the Lessee or its designee, as applicable, shall release, indemnify and hold harmless the Lessor from and against any and all claims arising from or related to the condition of the Property, including, but not limited to, claims arising under Environmental Laws, except those claims arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Lessor, or its agents (excluding Lessee) or employees. In the event Lessee or its designee is the purchaser under this Article  4 , the purchase agreement to be entered into shall, however, contain standard representations and warranties from seller regarding seller’s good standing, organizational power and authority to enter into and consummate the transaction, and the representation that seller has not encumbered the Property or other interest, as the case may be (other than Permitted Liens and liens that will be released by seller as of the closing of the sale). Seller’s representations and warranties shall survive for a period of one year.

(b) Lessee’s failure to elect to purchase the Property pursuant to Section  4.1 hereof shall, upon the completion of a sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition to a third party in accordance with the terms hereof, constitute a waiver on the part of Lessee of all of its rights under this Article  4 , and this Article  4 shall have no further force or effect.

ARTICLE 5

RENEWAL OPTIONS

Section  5.1. Renewal Options . (a) Lessor hereby grants to Lessee the option to extend the term of this Lease for the following periods (each, a “ Renewal Term ”):

(i) for a period of ten (10) years commencing on the date that is the day after the expiration of the Base Term and ending on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the expiration of the Base Term (the “ First Renewal Term ”); and

(ii) for two additional terms of ten (10) years each (the “ Additional Renewal Terms ”), with each Additional Renewal Term commencing on the date that is the day after the expiration of the preceding Renewal Term.

(b) In order to exercise its option to extend this Lease for any Renewal Term, the following procedure shall be followed:

Lessee shall give Lessor written notice of its desire to discuss exercising an option to extend the term of this Lease not less than twenty (20) months prior to the expiration of the Base Term or the then current Renewal Term, as the case may be (a “ Pre-Exercise Notice ”). Lessee and Lessor shall promptly after Lessor’s receipt of such Pre-Exercise Notice, for a period not in excess of sixty (60) days (the “ Pre-Exercise Period ”), attempt in good faith to agree to the Base Rent to be paid for the then applicable Renewal Term. The Base Rent to which the parties will attempt to agree shall be equal to 100% of the Fair Market Rental Value anticipated to be in effect as of the commencement date of such Renewal Term. On or before the expiration of the Pre-Exercise Period, Lessee may serve

 

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Lessor with a notice confirming its intent to renew (the “ Intent to Renew Notice ”), time being of the essence. If Lessee fails to provide such notice, Lessee will be deemed to have waived its right to renew this Lease. If Lessee delivers its Intent to Renew Notice and the parties have agreed to the Fair Market Rental Value during the Pre-Exercise Period, the agreed rent shall become the Base Rent during the applicable Renewal Term. If Lessee delivers its Intent to Renew Notice but the parties were unable to agree on the Fair Market Rental Value during the Pre-Exercise Period, the Fair Market Rental Value shall be determined by the Appraisal Procedure. Base Rent during each Renewal Term shall be payable monthly in advance.

(c) The right of Lessee to extend the term of this Lease for any Renewal Term is contingent upon there not being any Lease Event of Default in existence on the date of Lessee’s exercise of such right or on the date that the Renewal Term commences.

Section  5.2. Lease Provisions Applicable During Renewal . All the provisions of this Lease shall be applicable during each Renewal Term except that the number of Renewal Terms shall be correspondingly reduced.

ARTICLE 6

LESSEE’S ACCEPTANCE OF PROPERTY, ENFORCEMENT OF WARRANTIES

Section  6.1. Waivers . The Property is demised and let by Lessor “AS IS” in its present condition, subject to (a) the rights of any parties in possession thereof (other than rights, if any, granted by Lessor), (b) the state of the title thereto existing at the time of the commencement of the Lease Term (other than defects in, or exceptions to, title, if any, created by Lessor, but including liens created by the Debt Documents), (c) any state of facts which an accurate survey or physical inspection might show, (d) all Applicable Laws, (e) any violations of Applicable Laws which may exist at the commencement of the Lease Term and (f) the presence of any Hazardous Materials at or under the Property or at or under any property in the vicinity of the Property. NONE OF LESSOR, INDENTURE TRUSTEE OR HOLDER OF SECURED NOTES OR ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF HAS MADE OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER AS TO THE VALUE, HABITABILITY, COMPLIANCE WITH ANY PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, CONDITION, DESIGN, OPERATION, LOCATION, USE, DURABILITY, MERCHANTABILITY, CONDITION OF TITLE, OR FITNESS FOR USE OF THE PROPERTY (OR ANY PART THEREOF) FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPERTY (OR ANY PART THEREOF) AND NONE OF LESSOR, ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF OR ANY HOLDER OR ANY DESIGNEE THEREOF SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY LATENT, HIDDEN, OR PATENT DEFECT THEREIN OR FOR THE FAILURE OF THE PROPERTY TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS THEREFOR, FOR THE COMPLIANCE OF THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE PROPERTY WITH APPLICABLE LAWS OR FOR THE FAILURE OF THE PROPERTY, OR ANY PART THEREOF, TO OTHERWISE COMPLY WITH ANY APPLICABLE LAWS. It is agreed that Lessee or an Affiliate of Lessee has occupied the Property as tenant or owner immediately prior to entering

 

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into this Lease, has inspected the Property, is satisfied with the results of its inspections of the Property and is entering into this Lease solely on the basis of the results of its own inspections and all risks incident to the matters discussed in the preceding sentence. The provisions of this Article  6 have been negotiated, and the foregoing provisions are intended to be a complete exclusion and negation of any representations or warranties by Lessor, any Affiliate thereof or any Holder, express or implied, with respect to the physical condition of the Property, that may arise pursuant to any law now or hereafter in effect, or otherwise and specifically negating any warranties under the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise; provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing disclaimer shall interfere with any claims Lessee may now or hereafter have against Lessor in connection with a breach by Lessor of its covenant of quiet enjoyment set forth herein.

Section  6.2. Lessee s Right to Enforce Warranties . (a) Subject to Section  6.2(b) below, Lessor hereby assigns and sets over to, and Lessee hereby accepts the assignment of all of Lessor’s right, title and interest, and estate in, to and under, any and all warranties and other claims against dealers, manufacturers, vendors, contractors and subcontractors relating to the construction, use and maintenance of the Property or any portion thereof now existing or hereafter acquired (excluding from such assignment any such warranties and claims which by their terms are not assignable by Lessor without loss of some or all of the benefits of such warranties or claims); provided, however, that Lessor shall have no obligations under, or liabilities with respect to, any such warranties and claims.

(b) Unless a Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Lessor authorizes Lessee (directly or through agents) at Lessee’s expense to assert during the Lease Term, all of Lessor’s rights (if any) under any applicable warranty and any other claim that Lessee or Lessor may have against any dealer, vendor, manufacturer, contractor or subcontractor with respect to the Property or any portion thereof. Any amount recovered by Lessor during a Lease Event of Default shall be applied to Lessee’s obligations in such order as Lessor (or its assignee) may elect.

(c) Unless a Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Lessor agrees, at Lessee’s expense, to cooperate with Lessee and take all other action necessary as specifically requested by Lessee to enable Lessee to enforce all of Lessee’s rights (if any) under this Section  6.2 , such rights of enforcement to be exclusive to Lessee so long as no Lease Event of Default exists, and Lessor will not, during the Lease Term (except during the continuance of a Lease Event of Default), amend, modify or waive, or take any action under, any applicable warranty and any other claim that Lessee may have under this Section  6.2 without Lessee’s prior written consent. Lessee agrees at its expense to diligently assert all of its rights under such warranties and any other claims that the Lessee may have against such vendor, manufacturer, contractor or subcontractor with respect to the Property or any portion thereof.

ARTICLE 7

LIENS

Section  7.1. Liens . Lessee shall not directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on or with respect to any and all of the Property, title thereto or any interest therein, to this Lease or the leasehold interest created hereby, or to Rent, title thereto or

 

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interest therein, or the rentals payable with respect to the subletting of the Property, except Permitted Liens. Lessee shall promptly, but not later than sixty (60) days after the filing thereof, at its own expense, take such action as may be necessary duly to discharge or eliminate or bond in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Lessor any such Lien (other than Permitted Liens); provided, however, Lessee may contest such Lien in good faith, upon satisfaction of the conditions contained in Section  8.6 , below, and need not discharge or bond such Lien while so doing provided (i) Guarantor (or Lessee if there is no Guarantor) has a long term senior unsecured debt rating equal to or above the Trigger Rating, (ii) no action to foreclose the Lien has been brought whether in any judicial proceeding or otherwise, and (iii) such Lien does not constitute an Event of Default by Lessor under its Debt Documents.

NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS LEASE SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS CONSTITUTING THE CONSENT OR REQUEST OF LESSOR, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO OR FOR THE PERFORMANCE BY ANY CONTRACTOR, LABORER, MATERIALMAN, OR VENDOR OF ANY LABOR OR SERVICES OR FOR THE FURNISHING OF ANY MATERIALS FOR ANY CONSTRUCTION, ALTERATION, ADDITION, REPAIR OR DEMOLITION OF OR TO THE PROPERTY OR ANY PART THEREOF, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN ANY LIABILITY OF LESSOR FOR PAYMENT THEREOF. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT LESSOR WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LABOR, SERVICES OR MATERIALS FURNISHED OR TO BE FURNISHED TO LESSEE, OR TO ANYONE HOLDING AN INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY OR ANY PART THEREOF THROUGH OR UNDER LESSEE, AND THAT NO MECHANICS OR OTHER LIENS FOR ANY SUCH LABOR, SERVICES OR MATERIALS SHALL ATTACH TO OR AFFECT THE INTEREST OF LESSOR IN AND TO THE PROPERTY.

Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, Lessor agrees to reasonably cooperate with Lessee (without exposing its interest in the Property), at no cost to Lessor, to allow Lessee to perform alterations on the Property.

ARTICLE 8

USE AND REPAIR

Section  8.1. Use . The Property may be used (“ Permitted Use ”) for general office space and any other legally permitted use, except (a) for uses which would cause the Property to become “tax-exempt use property” within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code, or “tax-exempt bond financed property” within the meaning of Section 168(g)(5) of the Code, (b) for the operation of a public nuisance, gasoline service or filling station or any other use that would materially increase the risk of Lessor incurring environmental liability, (c) for any use that would make it impossible to obtain or would invalidate any insurance policy with respect to the Property, provided such policy is required to be maintained hereunder, (d) for any use that would violate Applicable Laws, (e) for any use that would involve the mining for, or removal of, any oil, gas or minerals, (f)for any use that involves the storage, handling or processing of Hazardous Materials, except for customary amounts of office, maintenance and cleaning materials (provided the same is at all times in compliance with all Applicable Laws) or (g) for any use that would have a material adverse effect on the current or residual fair market value of the Property. Lessor agrees that Lessee may, subject to any rights of the Indenture Trustee, exercise the rights of Lessor under any property association now existing or consented to in the future by Lessor,

 

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provided (i) such action by Lessee complies with this Lease in all respects, (ii) Lessee takes no action which could result in either a violation of this Lease or a material adverse effect on the Property, and (iii) Lessee does not encumber the Property by any lien for the payment of money, which could survive expiration of the Lease, or execute documents on behalf of the Lessor unless such documents will not have a material adverse affect on the Property, or Lessor’s interest therein, and relate to the normal operations of Property.

Section  8.2. Maintenance . Lessee, acting as a prudent owner would having a long term ownership interest in the Property, shall at all times, at its own expense, (i) maintain the Property in a first class condition commensurate with a Class “A” office tower of similar “vintage”, reasonable wear and tear excepted, (ii) maintain the Property in accordance with the requirements of all insurance policies relating to the Property required to be maintained hereunder and in compliance with Applicable Laws and (iii) make repairs and Alterations to the Property necessary to keep the same in the condition required by the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), whether interior or exterior, structural or nonstructural, ordinary or extraordinary, foreseen or unforeseen and regardless of whether such expenditures would constitute capital expenses under GAAP if made by the owner of the Property or if the useful life of any Alterations would exceed the remaining Lease Term; provided, if such repairs are structural and pursuant to Section  8.3 require the consent of the Lessor, the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee, or the Surety, Lessee shall obtain such consent before performing such repairs. At least once annually Lessee shall deliver to Lessor Lessee’s scheduled maintenance program for the following 12 month period. If normally done as a part of preparing such schedule, Lessee shall include the expected timing of the proposed repair or maintenance item, and the estimated cost thereof. Lessor acknowledges that Lessee is not bound by such schedule, which is submitted for informational purposes only and the information contained therein shall not create any presumption against Lessee whatsoever that the work described therein is required to satisfy the maintenance requirements of this Lease. Lessee shall not be bound to perform all of the work set forth on the schedule, it being understood that delivery of the schedule neither expands nor reduces Lessee’s maintenance obligations under the Lease.

Section  8.3. Alterations . (a) Provided that no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at any time and from time to time, Lessee, at its sole cost and expense, may make (1) non-structural Alterations to the Property; and (2) structural Alterations to the Property costing less than $1,000,000 (the “ Threshold Amount ”) without notice or consent, and structural Alterations in an amount at or above the Threshold Amount after giving prior written notice to Lessor, the Servicer, the Indenture Trustee and the Surety, and obtaining Lessor’s, the Servicer’s (acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee) and the Surety’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided that no Alteration (whether consent is necessary or not) shall (i) impair in any material respect the utility, remaining useful life, or current or residual fair market value of the Property, in each case assuming that the Improvements are then being operated and maintained in accordance with this Article  8 , (ii) cause the Property to be characterized as “limited use property” (as described in Section 5.02 of Revenue Procedure 2001-28), (iii) remove any Nonseverable equipment now or hereafter on the Property (unless to replace it with similar equipment), (iv) increase in any material respect the risk of liability to the Lessor or the Indenture Trustee under any Environmental Laws, or (v) materially and permanently reduce the usable square footage of the Improvements, or would materially weaken, temporarily (other than during construction or repair of the structure) or

 

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permanently, the structure of the Improvements or any part thereof, or reduce the permitted uses thereof under applicable zoning or land use laws so as to materially reduce the current or residual fair market value of the Property. Any Alterations not expressly permitted hereunder shall require Lessor’s, the Indenture Trustee’s and the Surety’s consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The foregoing Threshold Amount shall be increased on every annual anniversary date of the Closing Date in the same proportion that the CPI increases over such annual period. Notwithstanding the requirements for notice and consent set forth above, Lessee may, in good faith, make any repairs (structural or non-structural) required by virtue of an emergency, without satisfying any otherwise applicable notice and/or consent requirement, provided Lessee notifies Lessor of such repair (to the extent otherwise required) as promptly as is reasonably practical, after the emergency and obtains Lessor’s, the Servicer’s (acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee) and the Surety’s approval thereof (if consent would otherwise have been required) in the manner required in Section  8.3(c) below, to the repairs made, and otherwise satisfies the provisions of this Section  8.3 , all as promptly as practicable. Lessor shall approve any work already performed or being performed unless such work either violates the terms of this Lease or violates Applicable Law.

(b) Every Alteration shall comply with the following terms (which compliance shall be at Lessee’s sole cost and expense): (i) shall be made with drawings for non-structural Alterations and with plans prepared by a certified architect or civil engineer who shall be licensed in the appropriate jurisdiction to the extent required for the filing of any plans in connection with any structural Alterations (which architect may be an employee of Lessee or its Affiliates); and shall be done under the supervision of such architect or engineer, or other reasonably capable person, and copies of any such plans for structural Alterations in excess of the Threshold Amount as required hereunder shall be delivered to Lessor and Indenture Trustee at the time they are submitted for permit application (or if no permit is necessary, prior to commencement of renovation or construction), (ii) the structural integrity of the existing Improvements will not be materially impaired upon completion of such work, (iii) Lessee shall obtain any licenses, approvals or permits required (including final approvals), copies of which shall be delivered to Lessor, the Servicer or the Indenture Trustee upon written request by such party, and (iv) such Alterations will not encroach upon any adjacent premises. Lessor agrees to cooperate with Lessee (at no cost to Lessor) in signing permit applications and similar documents to the extent required for any Alteration. Lessee shall submit such applications or similar documents to Lessor to the extent Lessor’s approval is required for the subject Alteration. Lessee may execute such applications or similar documents on behalf of and (if necessary) in the name of, Lessor for all Alterations for which Lessor’s, the Servicer’s (acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee) and the Surety’s consent is not required, and for Alterations for which Lessor’s, the Servicer’s (acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee) and the Surety’s consent is required and has been granted, but Lessor has not executed such documents within 20 days of request therefor, which request must state in boldface that failure to execute such documents shall allow Lessee to do so. Lessee shall promptly furnish Lessor with copies of all documents Lessee has signed on behalf of Lessor. Nothing herein shall be deemed to impose any liability or responsibility on Lessor for performance or payment of such Alteration. Any Claim asserted against or incurred by Lessor arising out of the foregoing shall be indemnified by Lessee pursuant to the terms of Section  19.1 , below. In connection with any Alteration, Lessee shall perform and complete all work promptly and in a first class manner in compliance with Applicable Laws and the plans and specifications submitted to Surety, Lessor and Indenture

 

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Trustee, if applicable. Lessee shall either (i) maintain or cause to be maintained at all times during construction all builder’s risks insurance and comprehensive general liability insurance required under this Lease naming Lessor, the Indenture Trustee and such other Persons as may be required by Lessor as additional insureds or (ii) self insure the risk otherwise insured by the policies required in the preceding clause (i) hereof, which self insurance shall be subject to, and available only upon satisfaction of, the provisions of Section  9.1(b) . In the event Lessor and Lessee cannot agree as to whether Lessor unreasonably withheld its consent to a proposed Alteration, the parties agree to submit such dispute to the American Arbitration Association in New York, for binding resolution in accordance with its expedited arbitration procedures.

(c) With respect to such structural Alterations for which Lessee must obtain the consent of Lessor, the Surety and the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the terms of this Lease, Lessor, and the Surety shall have thirty (30) days after Lessee’s delivery of its request for consent, together with preliminary drawings and specifications for such Alterations, within which Lessor and the Surety may grant or not grant Lessee’s request for consent which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Lessor and the Surety shall each have the right, within fourteen (14) days of receipt by each of such request for consent, to request in writing reasonable additional information as shall be reasonably necessary to provide an informed response with respect to the Alterations and the foregoing period of thirty (30) days shall be extended to be thirty (30) days from receipt of such additional information. If Lessee’s notice stated in bold-face type that Lessor and the Surety must seek additional information within fourteen (14) days from the request for consent, and Lessor, and/or the Surety shall have not within such 30-day period (as extended), responded to Lessee, Lessee may give a second notice which clearly shall state in bold-face type that the failure to respond within ten (10) days shall be deemed consent. If Lessor or the Surety, as the case may be, shall not, within ten (10) days after such second notice, notify Lessee that such consent will not be granted (and such second notice specified therein that the failure to respond within ten (10) days shall constitute deemed consent), such consent shall be deemed to have been granted by the Lessor and/or the Surety, as applicable; provided however, in no event shall consent be deemed to have been granted by the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee, until such time if, as and when it is received in accordance with the Debt Documents. Notwithstanding Lessor and the Surety’s consent, Lessee shall not have the right to make the proposed Alterations unless and until it receives the consent of the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee. All reasonable out-of-pocket costs of review incurred by Lessor, the Surety and Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee (whether or not the Alteration is approved) shall be paid by Lessee within thirty (30) days of receipt of an invoice therefore.

(d) Wherever in this Section  8.3 notice to, or consent of, Lessor, is required, Lessee shall also be obligated to provide notice to, and/or obtain consent of, as applicable, the Indenture Trustee, the Servicer and the Surety, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(e) Upon completion of any Alteration, whether or not consent is required, Lessee shall provide to Lessor a statement setting forth the actual costs incurred by Lessee in its undertaking of any Alterations, accompanied by copies of “as-built” or “as-marked” plans for such Alterations.

 

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Section  8.4. Title to Alterations . Title to Alterations shall without further act vest in Lessor and shall be deemed to constitute a part of the Property and be subject to this Lease in the following cases:

(a) such Alteration shall be in replacement of or in substitution for a portion of the Improvements as of the date hereof;

(b) such Alteration shall be required to be made pursuant to the terms of Section  8.2 ; or

(c) such Alteration shall be Nonseverable.

Lessee shall, at Lessor’s request and at Lessee’s sole cost and expense, execute and deliver any deeds or assignments reasonably requested by Lessor to evidence the vesting of title in and to such Alterations in Lessor. If an Alteration is not within any of the categories set forth in Section  8.4(a) through Section  8.4(c) , then title to such Alteration shall vest in Lessee and shall be removed by Lessee to the extent required in accordance with Article  10 hereof. All Alterations to which title shall vest in Lessee as aforesaid, and all Lessee’s Equipment and Personalty, so long as removal thereof shall not result in the violation of any Applicable Laws or this Lease, may be removed at any time by Lessee, provided that Lessee shall, at its expense, repair any material damage to the Property caused by the removal of such Alteration.

Section  8.5. Compliance with Law; Environmental Compliance . (a) Lessee, at Lessee’s expense, shall comply, and shall cause its subtenants and other users of the Property to comply, in all material respects at all times with all Applicable Laws, including Environmental Laws. Such compliance includes, without limitation, Lessee’s obligation, at its expense, to take Remedial Action when required by Applicable Laws (in accordance with Applicable Laws, and this Lease) whether such requirement is now or hereafter existing, currently known or unknown to Lessee and/or Lessor, as and when such requirements are known to Lessee. In the event that Lessee is required or elects to enter into any plan relating to a Material Remedial Action in connection with the Property with respect to any Environment Laws, Lessee shall on a quarterly basis (or more frequently if reasonably requested by Lessor) apprise Lessor, the Servicer and the Indenture Trustee of the status of such remediation plan and provide copies of all correspondence, plans, proposals, contracts and other documents relating to such plan or proposed plan. Lessee may in good faith contest the applicability or alleged liability under any Environmental Law to the Property, provided (i) such contest will not result in a lien, encumbrance or judgment against the Property or Lessor, (ii) such contest satisfies the conditions set forth in subsections  8.6(i) , (ii) , (iii) , (iv) , (v) , (vi) , (vii) , (viii) and (ix)  below, (iii) Lessee (or Guarantor) then has a Required Rating equal to or greater than the Trigger Rating, and (iv) compliance with such Law will be satisfied as of the date which is six (6) months prior to the expiration date or earlier termination of the Lease, and if not completed by the expiration date, Lessee will continue to remain liable to comply with such Law and at Lessor’s election shall (x) remain on the Property as a month-to-month tenant and otherwise in compliance with the Lease, until such time as the Law has been complied with and Final Governmental Approval for the Remedial Action has been obtained, (y) continue to comply with such Law, but vacate the Property except to the extent necessary to comply (Lessee agreeing that Lessor may lease or sell the Property to another party) or (z) vacate the Property and pay Lessor or its designee, from

 

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time to time, within 30 days of demand therefor, for the actual costs incurred by Lessor or such designee in connection with such Remedial Action or in complying with such Law. Lessee shall keep Lessor regularly apprised of the status of such contest. In all events Lessee must pay any cost, fine, penalty, assessment or other charge after the contest is either adversely decided or terminated voluntarily by Lessee or because it no longer has the right to contest pursuant to the terms of the Lease. In the event Guarantor (or Lessee if there is no Guarantor) falls below the Required Rating of the Trigger Rating, Lessee may nonetheless continue to contest the applicability of any Environmental Law provided that, within thirty (30) days of falling below the Required Rating, Lessee and Lessor agree upon an Approved Environmental Consultant who shall, at Lessee’s sole cost and expense, prepare a report within sixty (60) days of being retained, which report shall state the costs the Approved Environmental Consultant reasonably believes are likely to be incurred by Lessee to comply with the Environmental Law in the event Lessee loses its contest. If, within thirty (30) days of receipt of said report, Lessee deposits with the Proceeds Trustee an amount equal to 125% of the cost estimated by the Approved Environmental Consultant to comply with the Environmental Law, Lessee may continue the contest, provided the other terms of this Section  8.5 are met. In the event Lessee loses the contest and is forced to incur costs to comply with the Environmental Law, the Proceeds Trustee shall dispense the amount retained by it pursuant to this paragraph from time to time, in accordance with the provisions of Section  12.4 below, with any balance remaining thereafter to be disbursed to Lessee provided no Lease Event of Default then exists and is continuing. Lessor and Lessee shall reasonably cooperate in selecting the Approved Environmental Consultant.

(b) Lessee shall notify Lessor, the Servicer and Indenture Trustee promptly if (i) Lessee becomes aware of the presence or Release of any Hazardous Material at, on, under, emanating from, or migrating to, the Property in any quantity or manner, which could reasonably be expected to violate in any Material respect any Environmental Law or give rise to any Material liability or the obligation to take Remedial Action or other material obligations under any Environmental Law, or (ii) Lessee receives any written notice, claim, demand, request for information, or other communication from a Governmental Authority or a third party regarding the presence or Release of any Hazardous Material at, on, under, within, emanating from, or migrating to the Property or related to the Property which could reasonably be expected to violate in any material respect any Environmental Law or give rise to any Material liability or obligation to take Remedial Action or other material obligations under any Environmental Law. In connection with any actions undertaken pursuant to this Agreement, Lessee shall at all times comply with all applicable Environmental Laws and with all other Applicable Laws and shall use an Approved Environmental Consultant to perform any Remedial Action.

(c) In the event Lessee is obligated or desires to undertake any Remedial Action on, under or about the Property, Lessee shall undertake and complete such Remedial Action in full compliance with all Applicable Laws and shall submit to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee copies of any applicable documents or certificates from the applicable governmental agency confirming that no further Remedial Action is required to be taken (“ Final Governmental Approval ”), if such Final Governmental Approval is required or reasonably available.

Section  8.6. Payment of Impositions . Lessee shall pay or cause to be paid all Impositions before any fine, penalty, further interest (except as provided in the fourth sentence of this Section  8.6 with respect to installments) or cost may be assessed or added for nonpayment,

 

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such payments to be made directly to the taxing authorities where feasible. Within thirty (30) days after any Impositions are due, Lessee shall deliver to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee copies of receipts, canceled checks or other documentation reasonably satisfactory to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee evidencing payment of Impositions relating to payment of any real estate taxes or assessments. Lessee shall maintain in its records evidence of payment of real estate taxes for a period of no less than four (4) years. If any such Imposition may, at the option of the taxpayer, lawfully be paid in installments (regardless whether interest shall accrue on the unpaid balance of such Imposition), Lessee may exercise the option to pay the same in installments, and in such event Lessee shall pay only those installments that become due and payable during the Lease Term or relate to the Lease Term, as the same become due and before any fine, penalty, further interest or cost may be assessed or added thereto. If a Lease Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, Lessee shall pay to the Indenture Trustee, in monthly installments in amounts equal to the real estate taxes and assessments payable in connection with the Property to be held and applied by the Indenture Trustee (or Lessor if it has no lender), including on such initial payment date such additional amount as shall be necessary to assure that together with the upcoming months’ installment, the full amount of each Imposition shall have been received by the Indenture Trustee (or Lessor if it has no lender) prior to the due date of such Imposition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lessee shall have the right to contest any Imposition, subject to the following: (i) such contest shall be at its sole cost and expense, (ii) if the Imposition being contested is in the amount of $2,000,000.00 or more, (as such amount may be increased by increases in the CPI in the manner contemplated in Section  8.3(a) , above) Lessee shall provide prompt notice to Lessor and Indenture Trustee of such Imposition and contest and the grounds thereof and the Lessee (or Guarantor) then has a Required Rating equal to or greater than the Trigger Rating (or in lieu thereof, shall provide a bond in an amount equal to at least 125% of the contested amount (or such higher amount as may be required by applicable law), in form and substance, and from a company reasonably satisfactory to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee), (iii) such contest shall be by appropriate legal proceedings conducted in good faith and with due diligence, (iv) except for contests seeking the refund of amounts previously paid, such contest will operate to suspend the collection of, or other realization upon, such Imposition, from any Property or other interest of Lessor or Indenture Trustee, or from any Rent (or otherwise affect Lessee’s obligation to pay, and Lessor’s right to receive, Rent), (v) neither such contest nor an adverse outcome therein will adversely affect the Indenture Trustee’s lien on the Property, (for purposes hereof, “adversely affecting” being deemed to mean such lien is subject to reasonable likelihood of extinguishment), (vi) neither such contest nor an adverse outcome therein will materially and adversely interfere with the possession, use or occupancy or sale of the Property, (vii) neither such contest nor an adverse outcome therein will subject Lessor or the Indenture Trustee or any Holder to any civil or criminal liability (other than, in the case of the Lessor, civil liability for the amounts being contested), (viii) Lessee shall not postpone the payment of any Imposition for such length of time as shall permit the Property to become subject to a lien created by such item being contested that is prior to the lien securing the Indebtedness (other than a lien of real property taxes which are already a first lien) and (ix) no Lease Event of Default exists. Lessee shall pay any Imposition (and related costs) promptly after forgoing any contest or after receipt of a final adverse judgment, or if such contest is not being performed in accordance with the terms of this Section  8.6 .

Section  8.7. Adjustment of Impositions . Impositions with respect to the Property for a billing period during which Lessee’s obligation to indemnify Lessor pursuant to this Lease

 

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expires or terminates shall be adjusted and prorated on a daily basis between Lessor and Lessee, whether or not such Imposition is imposed before or after such expiration or termination, and Lessee’s and Lessor’s obligation to pay its pro rata share thereof shall survive such expiration or termination (to such extent Lessor shall be obligated to reimburse Lessee for Impositions paid by Lessee for periods after expiration of the Lease Term). Lessor shall not have any obligation to reimburse Lessee for so long as a Lease Event of Default is continuing. Lessor acknowledges that Lessee may bring any tax certiorari or other actions for refunds of Impositions for which Lessee is liable, or relating to periods prior to the commencement date of the Term and Lessee shall be entitled to all such refunds; provided Lessee takes no such action which could increase any Imposition for a period after the expiration or earlier termination of the Lease. During the Term, Lessor agrees to cooperate with Lessee in such proceedings, at no cost to Lessor.

Section  8.8. Utility Charges . Lessee shall pay or cause to be paid, directly to the party entitled, all charges for electricity, power, gas, oil, water, telephone, sanitary sewer services and all other utilities used in or on the Property prior to and during the Lease Term, and such obligation on the part of Lessee shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease until all such outstanding balances for services rendered prior to or during the term of this Lease have been paid. Any refunds of such charges attributable to the Term shall be the property of Lessee, and provided no Lease Event of Default is continuing, Lessor shall pay the same to Lessee promptly upon its receipt thereof. Lessee shall have the right to select such service providers for the Property.

Section  8.9. Engineering Reports . Lessee hereby agrees that on or before the fifth, ninth and twelfth anniversaries of the commencement of the Lease Term and each second year anniversary thereafter, Lessee shall forward to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee, a copy of a recent third party engineering report prepared by Lessee’s consultant for the Property, which report shall specify the work needed to be done to the Property to properly maintain it in compliance with the standard set forth in Section  8.2 . Lessee agrees to promptly perform, repair or replace, as necessary, all items noted by the third party engineer to the extent such failure to perform, repair or replace constitutes a violation of Lessee’s maintenance obligations under this Lease.

Section  8.10. Litigation; Zoning; Joint Assessment . Lessee shall give prompt written notice to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee of any litigation or governmental proceedings pending or threatened against Lessee or the Property, which could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the condition, use or business of the Property. Lessee shall not initiate any zoning reclassification for the Property, or any portion thereof, or seek any variance under any existing zoning ordinances or use or permit the use of any portion of the Property in any manner that could result in such use becoming a non-conforming use under any zoning ordinance or any other Applicable Law. Lessee shall not initiate any proceeding to cause the Property to be jointly assessed with any other property or with any of Lessee’s Equipment and Personalty, or take any other action or initiate any proceeding which might cause the personal property of the Lessee to be taxed in a manner whereby such taxes or levies could be assessed against the Property.

Section  8.11. Fees . Lessee agrees to pay directly to the party to whom it is due, as Supplemental Rent, within thirty (30) days of receipt of an invoice therefor, but no later than its

 

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due date: (i) all annual fees (excluding any initial fees) due to the Indenture Trustee, grantor trustee, Servicer and any other fees and expenses owing to the foregoing arising out of Lessee’s requests, acts, Lease Defaults or Lease Events of Default, as more specifically set forth, if applicable, in those certain fee letters among Lessor, Lessee, the Indenture Trustee, Servicer and Owner Trustee, as applicable. Lessee shall cooperate with Lessor to ensure that invoices are sent directly to Lessee. In addition to the foregoing, Lessee acknowledges that Lessor is required from time to time under the terms of the Indenture to obtain appraisals of the Property and leasing reports regarding the Dallas office market. Lessee, subject to its prior approval of the expense of obtaining such appraisals and reports, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and shall be deemed granted if not objected to within thirty (30) days of delivery, agrees to pay for the costs of such appraisals and reports as Supplemental Rent, as and when due, and acknowledges that invoices may be sent directly to Lessee (and agrees to cooperate to allow for that to occur).

ARTICLE 9

INSURANCE

Section  9.1. Coverage . (a) Subject to Section  9.1(b) , Lessee shall maintain insurance of the types and in the amounts set forth on Schedule  9.1 attached hereto and made a part hereof.

(b) So long as (i) no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (ii) the long term senior unsecured debt of Guarantor (or Lessee if there is no Guarantor) has a Required Rating equal to or greater than the Trigger Rating, Lessee shall be entitled to self-insure against any and all risks it would otherwise be required to insure against under Section  9.1(a) , provided that such self-insurance program of this subsection  (b) does not violate any Applicable Law. During any period that Lessee is self insuring, Lessee shall not be required to deliver any policies, certificates or other evidence of insurance, but shall deliver annually a statement certifying that it is self-insuring, and is entitled to do so pursuant to this Lease. If Lessee does not self-insure, then (i) Lessee shall maintain a policy or policies of commercial general liability insurance with respect to the Property, and shall cause Lessor and the Indenture Trustee to be named as an additional insureds on such policy or policies and (ii) Lessee shall maintain a policy or policies of property insurance with respect to the Property, and Lessee shall cause Lessor and the Indenture Trustee to be named as an additional insureds on such policy or policies, all in forms and amounts as set forth in Schedule  9.1 ; and shall promptly deliver duplicate policies or certificates evidencing such insurance coverages to Lessor and the Servicer.

(c) Nothing in this Article  9 shall prohibit the Lessee from maintaining, at its expense, insurance on or with respect to the Property, naming the Lessee as insured and/or loss payee for an amount greater than the insurance required to be maintained under this Section  9.1 , unless such insurance would conflict with or otherwise limit the availability of or coverage afforded by insurance required to be maintained under Section  9.1 . Nothing in this Section  9.1 shall prohibit the Lessor from maintaining, at its expense, other insurance on or with respect to the Property or the operation, use and occupancy of the Property, naming the Lessor as insured and/or payee, unless such insurance would conflict with, cause the Lessor to be a coinsurer or otherwise limit or adversely affect the ability to obtain, or the cost of the insurance required to be maintained under Section  9.1 .

 

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(d) Copies of any certificates required to be delivered under Schedule  9.1 shall be delivered to Lessor at the same time they are delivered to the Indenture Trustee.

(e) Irrespective of the cause thereof, Lessor shall not be liable for any loss or damage to any buildings or other portion of the Property resulting from fire, explosion or any other casualty. In the event of Lessee’s failure to obtain or maintain the insurance required under this Lease, taking into account Lessee’s right to self insure, after notice and applicable grace, Lessor shall have the right, together with Lessor’s remedies set forth herein, to obtain the policies of insurance required under this Lease and to bill Lessee for the premium payments therefor, together with interest at the Default Rate. Lessor shall have no obligation to maintain insurance of any nature or type whatsoever.

(f) Subject to Lessee’s right to self-insure, as set forth in Section  9.1(b) above, Lessee shall insure the Property and the operations and liabilities related thereto at least to the same standards as applicable to comparable properties owned or operated by Lessee and its Affiliates.

(g) In the event Lessee elects to self-insure, it shall have the same obligations as if it were a third party insurer hereunder with respect to an insurance policy having no deductible amount and shall be obligated to use, or deliver to the Indenture Trustee (if applicable) or pay to third parties, all amounts that Lessor, or such third party, would have received as though Lessee was a third party insurer and not self-insured. The foregoing shall not, however, act as a limit on Lessee’s liability. Sums due from Lessee in lieu of insurance proceeds because of Lessee’s self-insurance program shall be treated as insurance proceeds for all purposes under this Lease.

(h) If said insurance or any part thereof shall expire, be withdrawn, become void by breach of any condition thereof by Lessee or become void for any other reason, Lessee shall immediately obtain new or additional insurance reasonably satisfactory to Lessor and Lessee. Each policy required to be carried by Lessee under this Lease shall also provide that any loss otherwise payable thereunder shall be payable notwithstanding (i) any act or omission of Lessor or the Indenture Trustee which might, absent such provision, result in a forfeiture of all or a part of such insurance payment, (ii) the occupation or use of the Property or any part thereof for purposes more hazardous than permitted by the provisions of such policy, (iii) any foreclosure or other action or proceeding taken by the Indenture Trustee, its successors and assigns, or any other Person pursuant to any provision of the Mortgage upon the happening of an event of default therein, or (iv) any change in title or ownership of the Property or any part thereof.

(i) Lessee shall comply with all insurance requirements applicable under any insurance policies required to be maintained under this Lease.

 

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ARTICLE 10

RETURN OF PROPERTY TO LESSOR

Section  10.1. Return of Property to Lessor . Lessee shall, upon the expiration or termination of this Lease, and at its own expense, return the Property to Lessor by surrendering the same into the possession of Lessor:

(a) free and clear of all Liens (whether by payment or bonding), except that Lessee shall have no responsibility or liability in respect of (i) Lessor Liens, (ii) any Lien created by the Debt Documents, and (iii) Liens for taxes not yet due and payable and described in clauses (e) and (f) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”; and

(b) in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws and in compliance with the maintenance conditions required by this Lease. All Alterations and Lessee’s Equipment and Personalty not removed by Lessee by the last day of the Lease Term (but in the event of a termination other than upon the expiration of the Base Term or any Renewal Term, within forty five (45) days after said termination of this Lease), other than those Alterations as to which title shall vest in Lessor pursuant to Section  8.4 , shall be deemed abandoned in place by Lessee and shall become the property of Lessor. Lessee shall pay or reimburse Lessor for any reasonable, actual, out-of-pocket costs incurred by Lessor (i) in connection with the removal or disposal of such relinquished property, or (ii) to bring any Property into material compliance with all Applicable Laws and the maintenance conditions required by this Lease, which obligations shall survive the expiration or termination of this Lease.

Upon the return of the Property, Lessee shall deliver therewith:

(i) all transferable licenses and permits pertaining to the Property by general assignment, without warranty or recourse;

(ii) as built-drawings including plans for HVAC, mechanical and electrical systems, to the extent available;

(iii) keys to the Property; and

(iv) assignment of all then existing maintenance contracts (to the extent required by Lessor) and existing warranties applicable to the Property by general assignment, without warranty or recourse.

Lessee agrees to reasonably cooperate with Lessor and its representatives to effectuate a smooth transition of the operation and maintenance of the Property, and its releasing and refinancing, during the last 13 months of the Lease Term. Such cooperation shall include, without limitation, transfers of all keys, existing contracts, names and warranties with, of and from service providers, and expected operation and maintenance requirements.

ARTICLE 11

ASSIGNMENT BY LESSEE

Section  11.1. Assignment by Lessee . So long as no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Lessee may, at Lessee’s sole expense, without the consent of Lessor, assign this Lease for a period that does not extend beyond the Lease Term, to (A) any Affiliate of Lessee or Guarantor or (B) any Replacement Guarantor (as defined in the Guaranty), or any Affiliate of a Replacement Guarantor, provided, however, that in each case any such Person or other Person is not (I) a tax-exempt entity (within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code) or (II) a debtor or debtor-in-possession in a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding at the commencement of the assignment. For purposes hereof, an assignment shall be deemed any

 

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merger or consolidation of Lessee which would violate the provisions of (I) or (II) above. Any assignee shall assume in writing any obligations of Lessee arising from and after the effective date of the assignment, provided, however, that no such assignment shall become effective until (i) a fully executed copy of an assignment and assumption agreement, reasonably acceptable to Lessor, Servicer, Indenture Trustee and Lessee, shall have been delivered to Lessor, the Servicer and the Indenture Trustee, (ii) such assignee shall have executed such instruments and other documents and provided such further assurances as the Indenture Trustee shall reasonably request to ensure that such assignment is subject to the Assignment of Lease, the other Debt Documents and this Lease and is enforceable, and (iii) the Guarantor delivers a reaffirmation of guaranty in form reasonably acceptable to Guarantor, Lessor and the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee. Notwithstanding any such assignment, neither Lessee (except as provided below) nor the Guarantor (except as provided in the Guaranty) shall be released from its primary liability hereunder and shall continue to be obligated for all obligations of “Lessee” in this Lease, which obligations shall continue in full effect as obligations of a principal and not of a guarantor or surety, as though no assignment had been made. Lessee will have the right, subsequent to any assignment (unless Lessee shall be released from its obligations hereunder as provided below) (a) to receive a duplicate copy of each notice of default sent by Lessor to Lessee or any assignee (but such notice shall be effective as against the Lessee, as well as any subsequent assignees, even if a copy has not been delivered to such requesting assignee), and (b) to cure any default by Lessee or other assignee under the Lease within the cure period provided for hereunder. Unless Lessee shall be released from its obligations hereunder, as provided below, Lessee’s liability hereunder shall continue notwithstanding the rejection of this Lease by an assignee or any sublease of this Lease pursuant to Section 365 of Title 11 of the United States Code, any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or the rights of creditors, which arises subsequent to such assignment. Unless Lessee shall be released from its obligations hereunder, as provided below, in the event Lessee assigns this Lease and it shall thereafter be rejected in a bankruptcy or similar proceeding, a new lease identical to this Lease shall be reinstituted as between Lessor and Lessee without further act of either party, provided Lessor shall not be obligated to deliver to Lessee possession of the Property free of any tenancy created or caused by Lessee or any entity holding by or through Lessee. Upon such an assignment with the third sentence of this Section  11.1 , Lessee (but not Guarantor) shall be released from its obligations under this Lease provided that Guarantor (or the Replacement Guarantor, as applicable) delivers to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee a reaffirmation of its guaranty, in form and scope acceptable to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee. Nothing herein shall be construed to permit Lessee to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise collaterally assign in any manner or nature whatsoever Lessee’s interest under this Lease in whole or in part. Lessee shall provide written notice to Lessor, the Servicer and the Indenture Trustee of any proposed assignment of this Lease at least thirty (30) Business Days prior to the effective date thereof and an executed copy of the approved agreement of assignment and assumption within thirty (30) days after the execution thereof. To the extent an assignee of this Lease fails to perform on behalf of Lessee the obligations of Lessee hereunder, and Lessee performs such obligations, then Lessee shall be subrogated to the rights of Lessor as against such assignee in respect of such performance. Lessor acknowledges that pursuant to the terms of the Guaranty, the Guarantor may be replaced (and released) upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 21 of the Guaranty.

 

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ARTICLE 12

LOSS; DESTRUCTION; CONDEMNATION OR DAMAGE

Section  12.1. Event of Loss . If there shall occur an Event of Loss with respect to the Property, Lessee shall give Lessor, the Servicer, and the Indenture Trustee and the Surety prompt written notice thereof and elect, within sixty (60) days after the occurrence of the Event of Loss, one of the following options provided that Lessee’s election of proceeding under clause (ii) shall be effective only if restoration can be completed by the time specified in such clause (ii):

Offer to purchase the Property from Lessor, on a Rent Payment Date, which date shall be a date for which a value is set forth on Schedule  12.1 hereto (the “ Stipulated Loss Value Date ”), and which Rent Payment Date shall be the first Rent Payment Date at least forty (40) days after Lessor accepts such offer, for a purchase price equal to the Stipulated Loss Value, determined as of such Stipulated Loss Value Date. In addition to the purchase price, Lessee shall pay (A) all unpaid Base Rent with respect to the Property due and payable on or before such Stipulated Loss Value Date plus any Supplemental Rent payable for the period ending on such Stipulated Loss Value Date (excluding the Stipulated Loss Value and any Make-Whole Premium payable under clause (C), below), plus (B) an amount equal to the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of Lessor, Indenture Trustee (and the Servicer) and the Holders relating to the purchase, if any, by Lessee as a result of such Event of Loss, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs actually incurred plus (C) the Make-Whole Premium, if any, payable by the Lessor as a consequence of the Lessor’s prepayment of the Secured Notes in connection with such Event of Loss. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that, despite the express provisions of this Lease to the contrary, a Stipulated Loss Payment is ever made on a date which is not a Rent Payment Date, then Lessee shall pay Base Rent and Supplemental Rent up to and including the date of such Stipulated Loss Payment with Base Rent for the semi-annual period in which the payment is made being prorated based on the number of days since the last Rent Payment Date to and including the date of such payment, over the number of days in the payment period. Lessor, (subject to the consent of the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee), shall have sixty (60) days from the date of receipt of Lessee’s offer to decide whether to reject such offer. If Lessee has not received a response after forty (40) days, it may send a second notice to the foregoing parties, stating clearly that failure to reject such offer by the later of (i) the original sixty (60) day period, or (ii) ten (10) days after delivery of such second notice will result in Lessor’s being deemed to have accepted such offer, and if Lessee has not received a response by such date, then Lessor shall be deemed to have accepted such offer; or

(i) Restore and rebuild the Improvements damaged as a result of such Event of Loss so that such Improvements will have a value, utility and remaining useful life as nearly as reasonably practicable equal to the value, utility and remaining useful life of the Improvements immediately prior to such Event of Loss, and in all events as required by Section  8.2 , such restoration to be substantially completed, subject to force majeure, by the earlier to occur of (x) the thirtieth (30th) month anniversary of the Event of Loss, or (y) six months prior to the expiration of the Lease Term (and Lessee shall remain liable for the completion of such restoration beyond the expiration of the Lease Term to the extent not completed prior to such expiration and shall pay Base Rent and Supplemental Rent with respect to the Property from the date of expiration to the date of completion).

 

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If Lessee makes an offer to purchase pursuant to clause (i) above of this Section  12.1 , and Lessor accepts such offer or is deemed to accept such offer (taking into account the last sentence of clause (i) above) within the sixty (60) day period referred to in the last sentence of clause (i) above, the conveyance shall occur, and Lessee shall pay to Lessor the Stipulated Loss Value, the Rent, the expenses and Make-Whole Premium described in said clause (i) on the Stipulated Loss Value Date; provided that any Net Proceeds related to the Property then held by Lessor or the Servicer on behalf of the Indenture Trustee shall be credited against the portion of such purchase price payable to Lessor and the balance of Net Proceeds, if any, shall be paid to or retained by Lessee.

In the event Lessee has made the election described in (ii) above and, notwithstanding diligent efforts in good faith, has failed to comply with the terms thereof within the periods described, then Lessee shall be deemed to have made the offer described in (i) above to purchase the Property and the Stipulated Loss Value Date shall be deemed to be the next succeeding date set forth on the Stipulated Loss Value Schedule occurring thirty (30) days after the expiration of the period described in (ii), or if there is no such date, the last date on Schedule  12.1 , as the case may be, but in any event, only on a Rent Payment Date; provided, however, in the event Lessee has elected option (ii) above, and has not completed restoration as required therein within the time frame set forth in subclause (x) thereof, no Lease Default or Lease Event of Default is then existing, and the Guarantor has a Required Rating at least equal to the Trigger Rating, Lessee may elect, within ten (10) days prior to expiration of such period, in lieu of being deemed to make the offer described in clause (i) above, to continue to elect option (ii) above. Such election shall require Lessee to pay to Lessor, within thirty (30) days after demand therefor, an amount as required under Section  19.2(a) . Nothing herein shall be deemed to affect Lessee’s obligation to elect option (i) above to purchase the Property if Lessee has not completed restoration by six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Lease Term.

In the event Lessor rejects the offer of Lessee to purchase the Property as provided in clause (i) of this Section  12.1 (which it may not do without the Servicer’s written consent unless it first pays to the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee, an amount sufficient to pay all amounts due in respect of the Secured Note[s] secured by the Property including, without limitation, the Make-Whole Premium, and all other amounts due and payable under any of the Operative Documents relating to the Property), the following amount shall be paid to or retained by Lessor on such Stipulated Loss Value Date: (A) all Net Proceeds related to the Property, provided that, if Lessee is self-insured (as permitted above) by means of deductibles, retained risks or no insurance whatsoever, Lessee shall pay such amounts or additional amounts so that Lessor receives in total (including any Net Proceeds) an amount that would have been paid by a third-party insurer under a customary commercial all-risk full replacement-value insurance policy substantially similar to that described in Schedule  9.01 without deductibles or retained risks (but in any case amounts paid to Lessor will not be in excess of the replacement value of the Improvements immediately preceding the Event of Loss, which replacement value shall be as mutually agreed between Lessee and Lessor and, failing such agreement within fifteen (15) days of the request of either party to do so, by the Appraisal Procedure), plus (B)unpaid Base Rent due and unpaid on or prior to such Stipulated Loss Value Date and Supplemental Rent due with

 

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respect to the Property for the period ending on such Stipulated Loss Value Date (excluding any Make-Whole Premium payable under clause (C), below), plus (C) the Make-Whole Premium, if any, payable by the Lessor as a consequence of the Lessor’s prepayment of the Secured Notes in connection with such Event of Loss (even if Lessee’s offer to purchase is rejected). For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that, despite the express provisions of the Lease to the contrary, the foregoing payments are ever made on a date which is not a Rent Payment Date, then Lessee shall pay Base Rent and Supplemental Rent up to and including the date of such payment with Base Rent for the semi-annual period in which the payment is made being prorated based on the number of days since the last Rent Payment Date to and including the date of such payment over the number of days in the payment period.

If Lessor elects to reject the offer of Lessee hereunder to purchase the Property pursuant to this Section  12.1 while the Secured Notes are outstanding, any notice of rejection shall only be effective, and Lessor shall only be entitled to reject such offer, if such notice is in writing and either such rejection is concurrently consented to in writing by the Servicer on behalf of the Indenture Trustee or Lessor pays to the Servicer (acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee) all amounts then due and payable under the Secured Notes and all other amounts due and payable under any Operative Documents, and absent such repayment or consent by the Servicer within the period referred to in the last sentence of clause (i) above, Lessor shall be deemed to have accepted Lessee’s offer.

Upon payment in full of the amounts set forth in clauses (A), (B) and (C) of the second preceding paragraph (in the event Lessor rejected Lessee’s offer) or upon payment in full of the amounts set forth in clause (i) of the first sentence of this Section  12.1 and the conveyance of the Property to Lessee as provided herein (in the event Lessor accepted (or is deemed to have accepted) Lessee’s offer to purchase), (1) the Lease Term shall end, and (2) the obligations of Lessee hereunder (other than any obligations expressed herein as surviving termination of this Lease) with respect to such Property shall terminate as of the date of such payment.

Lessee shall continue to make all Rent Payments as and when due hereunder until termination of the Lease as provided herein.

Section  12.1A. Casualty or Condemnation with Respect to the Garage . If any Casualty or Condemnation shall occur with respect to the portion of the Property constituting the garage only (the “ Garage ”), Lessee shall give Lessor, the Servicer, the Indenture Trustee and the Surety prompt written notice thereof and elect, within sixty (60) days after the occurrence of such Casualty or Condemnation, one of the following options (provided that Lessee’s election of proceeding under clause (i) below shall be effective only if restoration can be completed by the time specified in such clause):

 

(i)

Restore and rebuild the Improvements damaged or taken as a result of such Casualty or Condemnation so as to have a value, utility and remaining useful life as nearly as reasonably practicable equal to the value, utility and remaining useful life of the Garage immediately prior to such Casualty or Condemnation, and in all events as required by Section  8.2 , such restoration to be substantially completed, subject to force majeure, by the earlier to occur of (x) fourteen (14) months after the occurrence of such Casualty or Condemnation or (y) six months prior to the expiration of the Lease Term (and Lessee

 

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  shall remain liable for the completion of such restoration beyond the expiration of the Lease Term to the extent not completed prior to such expiration and shall pay Base Rent and Supplemental Rent from the date of expiration to the date of completion); or

 

(ii) Within the lesser of fourteen (14) months after the occurrence of such Casualty or Condemnation or the expiration of the Lease Term, identify and procure (if not already owned by Lessee) another parking garage of comparable, size, value and utility (and satisfying any zoning requirements with respect to the Building) in reasonable proximity to the Building, all acceptable to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee, in their sole and absolute discretion and transfer title to such substitute Garage to Lessor free of any liens other than Permitted Liens and at no cost to Lessor. Upon such transfer, such substitute Garage shall become subject to this Lease, and on the first Business Day at least ninety-one (91) days after recordation of a supplemental mortgage with respect to the substitute Garage, Lessor shall transfer title to the original Garage (together with all right and interest in any Net Proceeds or Awards relating to the Casualty or Condemnation with respect to the Garage) to Lessee; or

 

(iii) If substantial restoration of the Garage after the occurrence of a Casualty or Condemnation is rendered impossible due to a change in zoning or any other Applicable Laws and Lessee after having exercised its best efforts to locate a substitute parking garage in accordance with subsection (ii)  above is unable to do so at a commercially reasonable price, then and in such event, Lessee shall within the lesser of fourteen (14) months after the occurrence of such Casualty or Condemnation or the expiration of the Lease Term, restore the Garage to the greatest extent practicable to the condition existing immediately before the occurrence of such Casualty or Condemnation and the remaining Net Casualty Proceeds or Net Condemnation Proceeds shall be paid over to Lessor and shall not reduce in any way any Base Rent payable by Lessee hereunder. In addition to such payment Lessee shall also pay over to Lessor any Make-Whole Premium arising out of the payment by Lessor to the Indenture Trustee of such Net Casualty Proceeds and/or Net Condemnation Proceeds.

In the event Lessee has elected to restore and rebuild the Garage in accordance with Subsection  (i) or (iii)  above, and fails to the extent required to substantially complete the renovation within the time required in Subsection  (i) or (iii)  above, then and in such event, Lessee shall upon demand by Lessor or the Indenture Trustee, pay to the Indenture Trustee, as security for Lessee’s obligation to complete such restoration, an amount equal to 125% of the estimated cost of completion of such required restoration work, as determined by a contractor or engineer selected by Lessor and reasonably acceptable to Lessee (Lessee having 15 days to object (with reasonable reasons set forth) or approve (silence being deemed approval)). Such amount shall be held by the Proceeds Trustee to be administered and disbursed as a Restoration Fund, as hereinafter defined, in accordance with Section  12.4 (except that any reference to $5,000,000.00 shall be inapplicable for the purposes hereof). In addition, Lessee shall be obligated to pay an amount as required by Section  19.2(a) .

Section  12.2. Application of Payments Upon an Event of Loss When Lease Continues . Subject to Section  12.4 , payments received at any time by Lessor or Lessee from any Governmental Authority or other Person with respect to any Event of Loss in a case in which

 

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this Lease will not terminate (and there will occur no abatement or, other than as described in this Section  12.2 , reduction of rent) because Lessee has elected to proceed under clause (ii) of Section  12.1 , shall be paid to Lessee to be applied, as necessary, to the repair or restoration of the Property as described in clause (ii) of Section  12.1 . Any excess insurance proceeds remaining thereafter shall be retained by Lessee. In the event of a condemnation which does not result in a termination of the Lease, then (except as otherwise set forth below) the proceeds of the condemnation award remaining after repair and restoration shall be retained by (or paid to) Lessor to be applied to reduce the final scheduled payment of principal due at the maturity date of the A-2 Secured Note, and thereafter, to be applied to reduce the principal amount outstanding under the other Secured Notes, if any are still outstanding. At the time of such payment Lessee shall pay to the Indenture Trustee (or Servicer acting on its behalf) any Make-Whole Premium payable under the Debt Documents by virtue of such prepayment of condemnation proceeds to the A-2 Note and to the other Secured Notes. Base Rent shall continue to be due and payable in accordance with Schedule  3.1 , until such point in the Term that all principal but the final scheduled payment of principal due under the A-2 Secured Note has been paid in full whereupon the remaining semi-annual installments of Base Rent, for the balance of the Initial Term, shall be reduced to the amounts payable by Lessor on the Interest Payment Date(s) (excluding the final scheduled payment of principal due under the A-2 Secured Note). Notwithstanding the foregoing, excess condemnation proceeds less than $500,000 shall be retained by Lessor even if the Indebtedness is outstanding and shall not reduce Base Rent.

Section  12.3. Application of Payments Not Relating to an Event of Loss . In case of a Condemnation or Casualty with respect to the Garage or which is not an Event of Loss or does not otherwise result in a termination of this Lease in accordance with the above provisions of Article  12 , this Lease shall remain in full force and effect, without any abatement or reduction of Rent. Except as set forth herein, and subject to Section  12.4 , all Net Casualty Proceeds and all Net Condemnation Proceeds, as the case may be, shall be paid to Lessee to be applied, as necessary, to the repair or restoration of the Property so such Property shall have a value, utility and remaining useful life as close as reasonably practicable to the value, utility and remaining useful life existing immediately prior to such Casualty or Condemnation. Except as otherwise provided to the contrary, any excess insurance proceeds remaining thereafter shall be retained by Lessee and any excess condemnation award remaining thereafter shall be applied in the same manner as set forth in Section  12.2 above.

Section  12.4. Other Dispositions .

(a) Net Casualty Proceeds or Net Condemnation Proceeds, as the case may be, in excess of $5,000,000.00 (as such amount may be increased by increases in the CPI, as calculated in the manner set forth in Section  8.3(a) ) (each, as applicable, the “ Restoration Fund ”) in respect of such Casualty or Condemnation, as the case may be, shall be paid to the Indenture Trustee for release to Lessee as restoration progresses, subject to and in accordance with Section  12.4(b) . Lessor and Lessee hereby authorize and direct (i) any insurer to make payment under policies of casualty insurance required to be maintained by Lessee pursuant to Section  9.1(a) directly to the Proceeds Trustee instead of to Lessor and Lessee jointly, and (ii) any Governmental Agency to make payments of any Net Condemnation Proceeds directly to the Indenture Trustee instead of to Lessor and/or Lessee; and each of Lessee and Lessor hereby appoints the Proceeds Trustee as its attorney-in-fact to endorse any draft therefor for the purposes set forth in this Lease. In the

 

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event that a Casualty shall occur at such time as Lessee shall not have maintained property or casualty insurance to the extent required by Section  9.1(a) (i.e., Lessee is self insuring), Lessee shall, within thirty (30) days of the Casualty, pay to the Indenture Trustee the amount of the proceeds that would have been payable had such insurance been in effect and such amount shall constitute a part of the Restoration Fund for all purposes hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article  12 , so long as a Lease Event of Default shall be continuing, any amount that would otherwise be payable to or for the account of Lessee pursuant to this Article  12 shall be paid to the Indenture Trustee (or to Lessor when the Debt Documents shall not be in effect) as security for the obligations of Lessee under this Lease and, at such time thereafter as the Lease Event of Default shall have been waived or no longer be continuing, unless Lessor shall be exercising its remedies under Section  17.1 , such amount shall be paid promptly to Lessee or the Indenture Trustee in accordance with this Lease (subject to other terms hereof).

(b) The Restoration Fund, if any, shall be disbursed by the Indenture Trustee by wire transfer of immediately available funds within five (5) Business Days of the last submission made pursuant to and in accordance with the following conditions (provided that there shall be no more than one disbursement during each month):

(i) Lessee, prior to the disbursement of any sums by the Indenture Trustee from the Restoration Fund, shall have paid the first $5,000,000 of the costs of such restoration (such initial $5,000,000 payment representing the insurance proceeds, or self insurance obligation, as applicable, not delivered to the Indenture Trustee) as evidenced by paid receipts delivered to the Indenture Trustee from one or more of Lessee’s contractors hired in connection with such restoration accompanied by partial releases of liens in respect of such payment(s).

(ii) At the time of any disbursement, no Lease Event of Default shall exist and, subject to Article  7 , no mechanics’ or materialmen’s liens shall have been filed and remain undischarged, unbonded or not insured over.

(iii) Disbursements (subject to the holdback in Section  12.4(b)(v) below) shall be made from time to time in an amount not exceeding the hard and soft cost of the work and costs incurred since the last disbursement upon receipt of (1) satisfactory evidence, including architects’ certificates when required pursuant to Section  8.3 , of the stage of completion, of the estimated cost of completion and of performance of the work to date in a good and workmanlike manner in accordance with the contracts, plans and specifications, (2) partial releases of liens in respect of the disbursement made pursuant to the immediately preceding request, and (3) other reasonable evidence of cost incurred (whether or not paid) so that the Indenture Trustee is able to verify that the amounts disbursed from time to time are represented by work that is completed in place or delivered to the site and free and clear of (subject to Article  7 ) mechanics’ and materialmen’s lien claims.

(iv) Each request for disbursement shall be accompanied by a certificate of Lessee (1) agreeing to use amounts disbursed for the costs described in Section  12.4(b)(iii) , (2) describing the work, materials or other costs or expenses for which payment is requested, (3) stating the cost incurred in connection therewith, and

 

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(4) stating that Lessee has not previously received payment for such work or expense and the certificate to be delivered by Lessee upon completion of the work shall, in addition, state that the work has been substantially completed and complies with the applicable requirements of this Lease.

(v) The Indenture Trustee shall retain ten percent (10%) of the amounts otherwise disbursable until the restoration is at least fifty percent (50%) complete, and thereafter five percent (5%) until the restoration is substantially complete.

(vi) The Restoration Fund shall be kept by the Indenture Trustee in a separate interest-bearing federally insured account or invested in Permitted Investments (as directed by, or on behalf of, Lessee).

(vii) At all times the undisbursed balance of the Restoration Fund held by the Indenture Trustee shall be not less than the cost of completing the restoration, free and clear of all liens as certified to by either Lessee’s architect or engineer in accordance with Section  8.3(b) (other than Permitted Liens, which term for purposes hereof shall exclude Liens of the type described in clause (d) of the definition of Permitted Liens other than Liens for amounts not yet due or that are bonded over or insured over).

(viii) In addition, prior to commencement of restoration and at any time during restoration, if the estimated cost of restoration, as reasonably determined by the Indenture Trustee, exceeds the then amount of the Restoration Fund, the amount of such excess shall be paid by Lessee to the Indenture Trustee to be added to the Restoration Fund or Lessee shall fund at its own expense the costs of such restoration until the remaining Restoration Fund is sufficient for the completion of the restoration. In the case of Casualty, any sum in the Restoration Fund which remains in the Restoration Fund upon the completion of restoration shall be paid to Lessee so long as no Lease Event of Default then exists. In the case of Condemnation, any sum in the Restoration Fund which remains in the Restoration Fund upon the completion of restoration shall be applied as set forth in Section  12.2 .

Section  12.5. Negotiations . In the event the Property becomes subject to condemnation or requisition proceedings, Lessee shall control the negotiations with the relevant Governmental Authority, unless: (i) a Lease Event of Default shall be continuing, or (ii) the Net Condemnation Proceeds will likely be in excess of $5,000,000.00 (as such amount may be increased by increases in the CPI, as calculated in the manner set forth in Section  8.3(a) , above) (which determination shall be made in Lessor’s reasonable discretion), in which case Lessor (or if the Debt Documents are in effect, the Indenture Trustee) at Lessee’s expense may elect in writing to control such negotiations; provided that in any event Lessor and the Indenture Trustee may elect to participate at Lessee’s expense in such negotiations. Lessee shall give to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee such information, and copies of such documents, which relate to such proceedings and are in the possession of Lessee, as are reasonably requested by Lessor or the Indenture Trustee. Lessor shall use good faith efforts to be reasonable when incurring expenses payable by Lessee hereunder and shall confer with Lessee as to any negotiations with Governmental Authorities material to Lessee’s operations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in jurisdictions where a separate award may be granted for Lessee’s Equipment and Personalty,

 

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moving and relocation expenses, business loss, business damages, loss of goodwill, unamortized costs of any Alterations title for which has not vested in Lessor pursuant to the terms of this Lease, and Lessee’s attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses in the proceedings, Lessee may assert claims for and control the negotiations pertaining to such interests, provided that the Lessor’s award in respect to the Property is not diminished by the award to Lessee.

ARTICLE 13

INTENTIONALLY OMITTED

ARTICLE 14

SUBLEASE

Section  14.1. Subleasing Permitted; Lessee Remains Obligated . Provided that no Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time the sublease is entered into, upon fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee (except for subleases to Affiliates, in which case no notice shall be required), Lessee may at any time and from time to time sublease the Property or any portion or portions thereof to any Person or permit the occupancy of the Property or any portion or portions thereof by any Person (i) who is not a tax-exempt entity (within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code) and (ii) is not a debtor or debtor-in-possession in a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding at the commencement of the sublease term. Any such sublease, sub-sublease, license, occupancy agreement or similar agreement (each, a “ Sublease ”) shall not release Lessee from its primary liability for the performance of its duties and obligations hereunder, and Lessee shall continue to be obligated for all obligations of “Lessee” in this Lease, which obligations shall continue in full effect as obligations of a principal and not of a guarantor or surety, as though no Sublease had been made. From time to time, and no more often than once annually, upon Lessor’s written request, Lessee shall forward to Lessor the names, businesses and square footage leased of all subtenants (other than Subleases to Affiliates). In addition, Lessee shall furnish to Lessor, the Servicer and the Indenture Trustee within thirty (30) days after the execution of each Sublease of twenty percent (20%) or more (or any Sublease, when aggregated with previously executed Subleases that are still in effect, exceeds twenty percent (20%) or more) of the total square feet of the Improvements on the Property or a material portion of the Land (i) a copy of such Sublease (and the previously executed Subleases still in effect, if applicable) and (ii) such other instruments and documents as the Lessor and the Indenture Trustee shall reasonably request to ensure that such Sublease is subject to the Debt Documents. Lessee shall not be required to furnish copies to Lessor of any Sublease with an Affiliate of Lessee, nor shall any such Affiliate Subleases count against the 20% threshold set forth above. In no event shall Lessee grant any purchase options to any subtenants or modify any existing renewal or expansion rights in any Existing Sublease. Lessee shall be permitted to extend the term and/or sublease additional space within the Property to subtenants having Existing Subleases providing any such additional subleased space or extensions to any terms are not for periods extending beyond the then in effect expiration of the Lease Term. The foregoing limitation shall not however, preclude or otherwise prohibit subtenants having Existing Subleases from exercising under the terms of their Existing Subleases any expansion rights or renewal options in effect as of the Lease Commencement Date.

 

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Section  14.2. Provisions of Subleases . Each Sublease other than the Existing Subleases will:

(a) be expressly subject and subordinate to this Lease and any mortgage (including the Mortgage) encumbering the Property;

(b) not extend beyond the Lease Term minus one day;

(c) terminate upon any termination of this Lease, unless Lessor elects in writing (which election must be consented to by the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee), to cause the sublessee to attorn to and recognize Lessor as the lessor under such Sublease, whereupon such Sublease shall continue as a direct lease between the sublessee and Lessor upon all the terms and conditions of such Sublease (it being agreed that all Subleases with Affiliates of Lessee shall automatically terminate upon termination of this Lease); and

(d) not contravene or otherwise conflict with any express terms or covenants contained in the Lease.

Section  14.3. Assignment of Sublease Rents . To secure the prompt and full payment by Lessee of the Rent and the faithful performance by Lessee of all the other terms and conditions herein contained on its part to be kept and performed, Lessee hereby absolutely, presently assigns, transfers and sets over unto Lessor, subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth in this Section  14.3 , all of Lessee’s right, title and interest in and to all Subleases, and hereby confers upon Lessor, its agents and representatives, a right of entry in, and sufficient possession of, the Property to permit and ensure the collection by Lessor of the rentals and other sums payable under the Subleases, and further agrees that the exercise of the right of entry and qualified possession by Lessor shall not constitute an eviction of Lessee from the Property or any portion thereof; provided, however, that Lessee shall continue to have the right to collect all Sublease revenue unless and until (a) a Lease Event of Default shall occur (and only for so long as such Lease Event of Default shall be continuing), or (b) this Lease and the Lease Term shall be canceled or terminated pursuant to the terms, covenants and conditions hereof, or (c) there occurs repossession under a dispossess warrant or other judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and then only as to such of the Subleases that Lessor may elect to take over and assume. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the events described in Section  14.3(a) , (b) or (c)  hereinabove have not occurred or if a Lease Event of Default which caused such collection of revenue by Lessor shall have been cured by Lessee or otherwise not continue to exist and the events described in Sections  14.3(b) and (c)  hereinabove have not occurred, Lessor shall cease to exercise the rights granted hereunder to Lessor with respect to the Subleases, and amounts collected under the Subleases and not applied to Lessee’s obligations hereunder shall promptly be paid over to Lessee.

ARTICLE 15

INSPECTION

Section  15.1. Inspection . Upon at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice to Lessee (or immediately if a Lease Event of Default shall be continuing), Lessor, the Indenture Trustee, the Servicer and the Surety, and their respective representatives and agents (each, an

 

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Inspecting Party ”) may, in a commercially reasonable manner and at their own expense (except as set forth in this Lease to the contrary) and risk, inspect the Property, during normal business hours, including, without limitation, the right to cause consultants to make structural, environmental (to the extent necessary to verify compliance with the provisions of this Lease) and/or other inspections or tests. No Sublease other than the Existing Subleases shall contain any restrictions on inspection other than as set forth herein. The Inspecting Party shall repair any damage caused by any inspection or test performed pursuant to Section  15.1 unless a Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. The applicable Inspecting Party will consult with Lessee prior to any intrusive inspection to determine a convenient time for such inspection unless a Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, following an assignment of the Lease, or a violation of Section  8.5 has occurred (in which event the inspection may be immediate). Lessee shall have the right during such inspection to have its representatives present at any such inspection, including security guards. Each Inspecting Party agrees to hold in confidence all proprietary information and trade secrets of which it becomes aware during such inspection. Except as set forth in the following sentences, all such inspections and tests shall be at Lessor’s or the Indenture Trustee’s expense, unless (i) a Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing or (ii) such inspection and/or test reveals deficiencies requiring Lessee to take any action or actions not contemplated within the next 12 months, as evidenced by Lessee’s maintenance program last delivered to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee, the cost of which equals $100,000, or more, in order to comply with the Lease. Such amount shall be increased annually on each January 1 (starting January 1, 2003), based on increases in the CPI. In either case, the reasonable out-of-pocket costs of such inspection and/or test shall be promptly paid by the Lessee. Further, upon five (5) Business Days’ prior notice to Lessee, the Inspecting Parties, at their expense, may inspect the books and records as they relate to the maintenance and care of the Property during the term of this Lease (other than Lessee’s Equipment and Personalty), that are in the possession of Lessee or Guarantor, which shall be made available at the Property or the headquarters of the Lessee.

ARTICLE 16

LEASE EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Section  16.1. Lease Events of Default . The following events shall constitute a “Lease Events of Default”:

(a) Lessee shall fail to make any payment of Base Rent, a Termination Value Payment, a Stipulated Loss Value Payment, any payment owing by the Lessee pursuant to Section  3.4 , or any other regularly scheduled payment of Supplemental Rent due to the Indenture Trustee or Servicer within three (3) Business Days after the same shall become due;

(b) Lessee shall fail to make any other payment of Supplemental Rent, or any other payment required to be made under this Lease, within thirty (30) days after notice that such amount is due and unpaid;

(c) any of Guarantor or Lessee shall fail to timely perform or observe any covenant or agreement (not otherwise specified in this Article  16 ) to be performed or observed by it hereunder or under any other Lease Operative Document and such failure shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Lessor or the Indenture Trustee;

 

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provided that the continuation of such a failure for thirty (30) days or longer after such notice shall not constitute a Lease Event of Default if such failure can be cured, but cannot reasonably be cured within such thirty (30) day period, and Guarantor or Lessee (as applicable) commences to cure such breach within thirty (30) days of said notice and shall be diligently and continuously prosecuting the cure of such failure; provided, that such failure must be cured within 270 days of such notice.

(d) except to the extent the Lessee is self-insuring pursuant to Section  9.1(b) and Schedule  9.1 , Lessee shall fail to carry or maintain in full force any insurance required hereunder, and such failure shall continue for five (5) Business Days after such obligation arises;

(e) any representation or warranty made by the Guarantor or Lessee herein or in any Lease Operative Document to which Guarantor or Lessee is a party shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when such representation or warranty was made.

(f) (A) Lessee or Guarantor makes any general arrangement or assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) Lessee or Guarantor becomes a “debtor” as defined in 11 U.S.C. ss. 101 of the Bankruptcy Code or any successor statute thereto (unless, in the case of a petition filed against Lessee or Guarantor, the same is dismissed within ninety (90) days); (C) the appointment of a trustee or receiver to take possession of substantially all of the assets of Lessee or Guarantor where possession is not restored to Lessee or Guarantor within ninety (90) days; (D) the attachment, execution or other judicial seizure of substantially all of the assets of Lessee or Guarantor where such seizure is not discharged within ninety (90) days; (E) Lessee or Guarantor admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (F) Lessee or Guarantor files a petition in bankruptcy or a petition to take advantage of any insolvency act; (G) Lessee or Guarantor files a petition or answer seeking reorganization or arrangement or other protection under the Federal bankruptcy laws or any other applicable law or statute of the United States of America or any State thereof; (H) Lessee or Guarantor is liquidated or dissolved, or placed under conservatorship or other protection under any applicable federal or state law or begins proceedings toward such liquidation or dissolution; (I) any petition is filed by or against Lessee or Guarantor or any subsidiary of either under Federal bankruptcy laws, or any other proceeding is instituted by or against Lessee or Guarantor or such subsidiary seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for Lessee or Guarantor or such subsidiary, or for any substantial part of the property of Lessee or Guarantor or such subsidiary, and such proceeding is not dismissed within ninety (90) days after institution thereof, or Lessee or Guarantor or such subsidiary shall take any action to authorize or effect any of the actions set forth above in this subsection  (f) .

(g) A Lease Event of Default described in Section 9(c) of the Guaranty.

 

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ARTICLE 17

ENFORCEMENT

Section  17.1. Remedies . Upon the occurrence of any Lease Event of Default and at any time thereafter so long as the same shall be continuing, Lessor may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, at its option, by notice to Lessee do one or more of the following as Lessor in its sole discretion shall determine:

(a) Lessor may, by notice to Lessee, terminate this Lease as of the date specified in such notice; provided (i) no reletting, reentry or taking of possession of any or all of the Property by Lessor will be construed as an election on Lessor’s part to terminate this Lease unless a written notice of such intention to terminate this Lease is given to Lessee, (ii) notwithstanding any reletting, reentry or taking of possession, Lessor may at any time thereafter elect to terminate this Lease with respect to any or all of the Property, and (iii) no act or thing done by Lessor or any of its agents, representatives or employees and no agreement accepting a surrender of any or all of the Property shall be valid unless the same shall be made in writing and executed by Lessor. If Lessor shall have terminated the Lease, Lessor may demand that Lessee pay to Lessor, and Lessee shall pay to Lessor, the amounts set forth in subparagraphs (c) or (e) below.

(b) Lessor may whether or not the Lease is terminated (i) demand that Lessee, and Lessee shall upon the written demand of Lessor, return the Property promptly to Lessor in the manner and condition required by, and otherwise in accordance with all of the provisions of, Article  10 as if the Property were being returned at the end of the Lease Term, and Lessor shall not be liable for the reimbursement of Lessee for any costs and expenses incurred by Lessee in connection therewith, and (ii) without prejudice to any other remedy which Lessor may have for possession of the Property, enter upon the Property and take immediate possession of (to the exclusion of Lessee) the Property and expel or remove Lessee and any other person who may be occupying the same (subject to the terms of any nondisturbance agreements with Lessor, in favor of any subtenants), by summary proceedings or otherwise, all without liability to Lessor for or by reason of such entry or taking of possession, whether for the restoration of damage to property caused by such taking or otherwise and, in addition to Lessor’s other damages, Lessee shall be responsible for the reasonably necessary costs and expenses of reletting actually incurred.

(c) Lessor may sell the Property at public or private sale as Lessor may determine, free and clear of any purchase options or other rights of Lessee and without any duty to account to Lessee with respect to such action or inaction or any proceeds with respect thereto (except to the extent required by the next succeeding sentence if Lessor shall elect to exercise its rights thereunder), in which event Lessee’s obligation to pay Base Rent hereunder for periods commencing after the Rent Payment Date next succeeding the date of such sale shall be terminated. If Lessor shall have sold the Property pursuant to the above terms of this Section  17.1(c) , Lessor may demand that Lessee pay to Lessor, and Lessee shall promptly pay to Lessor, on the date of such sale, as liquidated damages for loss of a bargain and not as a penalty (the parties agreeing that Lessor’s actual damages would be difficult to predict, but the liquidated damages described below represent a reasonable approximation of such amount), in lieu of Base Rent in respect of the Property due for the period commencing on the Rent Payment Date next succeeding the date of sale, an amount equal to the sum of:

(i) all unpaid Rent with respect to the Property due on or prior to, and (without duplication) all unpaid Rent accruing but unpaid through such Rent Payment Date; plus

 

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(ii) an amount equal to the Discounted Net Present Value of the amount of the remaining Base Rent payments payable for the remainder of the then current Term; plus

(iii) interest at the Default Rate on all of the foregoing amounts from the date due until the date of actual payment;

to the extent such amount exceeds the net proceeds of such sale.

(d) Except as Lessor may otherwise be required by Applicable Laws, Lessor may hold, keep idle or lease to others the Property as Lessor in its sole discretion may determine, free and clear of any rights of Lessee and without any duty to account to Lessee with respect to such action or inaction or for any proceeds with respect to such action or inaction, except that Lessee’s obligation to pay Base Rent from and after the occurrence of a Lease Event of Default, but prior to the termination of the Lease or the foreclosure of the Lien of the Indenture Trustee, shall be reduced by the net proceeds, if any, received by Lessor from leasing the Property to any Person, or allowing any Person to use the Property, other than Lessee for the same periods or any portion thereof,

(e) Lessor may, whether or not Lessor shall have exercised or shall thereafter at any time exercise any of its rights under Section  17.1(b) or 17.1(d) , but only if the Property shall not have been sold under Section  17.1(c) , demand, by written notice to Lessee specifying a Rent Payment Date (the “ Final Payment Date ”) not earlier than twenty (20) days after the date of such notice, that Lessee pay to Lessor, and Lessee shall pay to Lessor, on the Final Payment Date, as liquidated damages for loss of a bargain and not as a penalty (the parties agreeing that Lessor’s actual damages would be difficult to predict, but the aforementioned liquidated damages represent a reasonable approximation of such amount), in lieu of Base Rent for periods commencing after the Final Payment Date, an amount equal to the sum of:

(i) all unpaid Rent with respect to the Property due on or prior to, and (without duplication) all unpaid Rent accruing but unpaid through, such Rent Payment Date; plus

(ii) an amount equal to the Discounted Net Present Value of the amount of the remaining Base Rent payments payable for the remainder of the then current Term; plus

(iii) interest at the Default Rate on all of the foregoing amounts from the date due until the date of actual payment.

(f) Lessor may retain and apply against Lessor’s damages all sums which Lessor would, absent such Lease Event of Default, be required to pay to, or turn over to, Lessee pursuant to the terms of this Lease.

(g) Lessor may exercise any other right or remedy that may be available to it under Applicable Laws or in equity, or proceed by appropriate court action (legal or equitable) to

 

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enforce the terms hereof or to recover damages for the breach hereof. Separate suits may be brought to collect any such damages for any period or periods with respect to which Rent shall have accrued, and such suits shall not in any manner prejudice Lessor’s right to collect any such damages for any subsequent period, or Lessor may defer any such suit until after the expiration of the Base Term or the then current Renewal Term, in which event such suit shall be deemed not to have accrued until the expiration of the Base Term, or the then current Renewal Term.

Section  17.2. Survival of Lessee s Obligations . No repossession of any or all of the Property or exercise of any remedy under this Lease, including termination of this Lease, shall, except as specifically provided herein, relieve Lessee of any of its liabilities and obligations hereunder, including the obligation to pay Rent. In addition, except as specifically provided herein, Lessee shall be liable for any and all unpaid Rent due hereunder before, after or during the exercise of any of the foregoing remedies, including all reasonable legal fees and other costs and expenses incurred by Lessor and the Indenture Trustee by reason of the occurrence of any Lease Default or Lease Event of Default or the exercise of Lessor’s remedies with respect thereto, and including all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the return of the Property in the manner and condition required by, and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of, Article  10 as if the Property were being returned at the end of the Lease Term. At any sale of any or all of the Property or any other rights pursuant to Section  17.1 , Lessor or the Indenture Trustee may bid for and purchase the Property.

Section  17.3. Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver; Consents; Mitigation of Damages . To the extent permitted by, and subject to the mandatory requirements of, Applicable Laws, each and every right, power and remedy herein specifically given to Lessor or otherwise in this Lease shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right, power and remedy herein specifically given or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity or by statute, and each and every right, power and remedy whether specifically herein given or otherwise existing may be exercised from time to time and as often and in such order as may be deemed expedient by Lessor, and the exercise or the beginning of the exercise of any power or remedy shall not be construed to be a waiver of the right to exercise at the same time or thereafter any right, power or remedy. No delay or omission by Lessor in the exercise of any right, power or remedy or in the pursuit of any remedy shall impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver of any default on the part of Lessee or to be an acquiescence therein. Lessor’s consent to any request made by Lessee shall not be deemed to constitute or preclude the necessity for obtaining Lessor’s consent, in the future, to all similar requests. No express or implied waiver by Lessor of any Lease Event of Default shall in any way be, or be construed to be, a waiver of any future or subsequent Lease Event of Default.

ARTICLE 18

RIGHT TO PERFORM FOR LESSEE

Section  18.1. Right to Perform for Lessee . If Lessee shall fail to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained herein, following applicable notice and cure periods, Lessor may perform or comply with such agreement, and Lessor shall not thereby be deemed to have waived any default caused by such failure, and the amount of payment required to be made by Lessee hereunder and made by Lessor on behalf of Lessee, and the reasonable out-of-pocket third-party costs and expenses of Lessor (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses)

 

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incurred in connection with the performance of or compliance with such agreement, as the case may be, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate, shall be deemed Supplemental Rent, payable by Lessee to Lessor upon demand. In addition, during the continuance of a Lease Event of Default in respect of Lessee’s obligations under Section  8.2 and/or Section  8.5 , then, in addition to the rights above and at the cost of Lessee, (a) Lessor shall have the right to hire Persons (as selected by Lessor in its reasonable discretion) to cure such Lease Event of Default, and to take any and all other actions necessary to cure such Lease Event of Default, and (b) Lessee shall cooperate with Lessor, and the Persons hired by Lessor, in the performance of such cure, including, without limitation, (i) providing access to the subject Property at reasonable times every day of the week, (ii) making available water, electricity and other utilities existing at or on the subject Property, and (iii) restricting or closing the Property, but only if such restriction or closure is reasonably necessary for the performance of such cure and provided that such closure shall be done for and during a time period and in such manner that balances the need for the maintenance or repair of the Property (and doing so in a safe manner) and the continuing operations of the Property.

ARTICLE 19

INDEMNITIES

Section  19.1. General Indemnification . (a) Lessee agrees to assume liability for, and to indemnify, protect, defend, save and keep harmless each Indemnitee, on an After-Tax Basis, from and against any and all Claims arising out of the acts, or failures to act, of Lessee or any of its subtenants (existing now or in the future) prior to the expiration or earlier termination of the Term and including any period during which the Lessee is a month-to-month tenant under clause (x) of Section  8.5 (whether during the Lease Term, or prior to the Closing Date), whenever they may be suffered, imposed on or asserted against any Indemnitee, arising out of (i) the acquisition, ownership, leasing, subleasing, assignment, transfer of title, sale, financing, refinancing, renewal, return, disposition, operation, possession, use, non-use, maintenance, modification, alteration, reconstruction, restoration, substitution, or replacement of the Property or the Lease, or from the granting by Lessor at Lessee’s request of easements, licenses or any similar rights with respect to all or any part of the Property, or from the construction, design, purchase or condition of the Property (including any Claims (whether by Governmental Authority or other Person) arising, directly or indirectly, out of the actual or alleged presence, use, storage, generation, Release or threat of Release of any Hazardous Materials, and any Claims for patent, trademark or copyright infringement and latent or other defects, whether or not discoverable), including any liability under Applicable Laws (including, without limitation, any Claims arising directly or indirectly out of any actual or alleged violation, now or hereafter existing, of any Environmental Laws), (ii) the Lease Operative Documents or the Operative Documents or any modification, amendment or supplement thereto (A) if the Indemnitee is Lessor, only to the extent arising out of the operation, maintenance, use or possession of the Property by Lessee, whether before or after the Closing Date and (B) if the Indemnitee is any other Person, such indemnity is including, without limitation, any Claims made against the Servicer, any Holder, the Indenture Trustee, and any special servicer in connection with the Overall Transaction, whether or not arising out of the operation, maintenance, use or possession of the Property by Lessor, (iii) the non-compliance of the Property with Applicable Laws (including because of the existence of the Permitted Liens), (iv) without limiting any other indemnity herein, any other matters relating to the Property or any operations thereon, and not

 

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already covered by this Section  19.1(a) , to the extent such matters arise out of the operation, maintenance, use or possession of the Property by Lessee or any subtenants, whether before or after the Closing Date, including matters relating to Environmental Laws or Hazardous Materials, the breach by Lessee or Guarantor of any of its representations, warranties, covenants and obligations in this Lease or the Guaranty, as applicable, or any other Operative Documents or Lease Operative Documents whether or not such Claim arises or accrues prior to the date of this Lease, (v) the business and activities of Lessee or any subtenants, except to the extent arising out of relationships between Lessor and Lessee not related to this transaction, (vi) the cost of any Remedial Action, assessment, containment, monitoring, treatment and/or removal of any and all Hazardous Materials from all or any portion of the Property or any surrounding areas over which Lessee has responsibility, the cost of any actions taken in response to a release or threat of release of any Hazardous Materials on, in, under, relating to or affecting any portion of the Property or any surrounding areas over which Lessee has responsibility to prevent or minimize such release or threat of release so that it does not migrate or otherwise cause or threaten danger to present or future public health, safety, welfare or the environment, and costs incurred to comply with Environmental Laws in connection with all or any portion of the Property or any surrounding areas over which Lessee has responsibility, (vii) a Lease Default or a Lease Event of Default, (viii) any litigation, suit, cause of action, writ, decree, injunction, order, judgment, proceeding or Claim now or hereafter asserted against the Property, Lessor (by virtue of its ownership of, leasing or financing of the Property), or Lessee or any subtenants with respect to the Property or this Lease, and (ix) any defects in title caused, created or permitted by Lessee, or anyone acting by, through or under Lessee. Lessee acknowledges that the foregoing includes any costs incurred by Lessor, the Indenture Trustee or the Servicer (or special servicer) in performing any inspections of any Property if such inspection reveals a violation by Lessee of Section  8.5 . Lessee shall not be required to indemnify any Indemnitee under this Section 19.1 for any Claim to the extent resulting from (A) the willful misconduct or gross negligence or breach of representation or warranty of such Indemnitee or a member of such Indemnitee’s Group, (B) any amounts payable under the Debt Documents unless such amounts are payable by Lessee under this Lease or any other Lease Operative Document, (C) any acts or events to the extent first occurring after the expiration of the Lease Term and return of the Property to Lessor in the condition required in this Lease (but any indemnification first arising after the expiration of the Term (and not otherwise covered hereby) shall include only those matters relating to Lessee’s failure to return the Property in the condition required), (D) any taxes, except to the extent covered in Section  19.2 of this Lease, (E) any voluntary transfers of the Property made by Lessor (other than arising out of a Lease Event of Default by Lessee), and (F) any voluntary transfer of the Property made by the Indenture Trustee (other than arising out of a Lease Event of Default by Lessee). Lessee shall be entitled to credit against any payments due under this Section  19.1 any insurance recoveries or other reimbursements received by the Indemnitee to be indemnified in respect of the related Claim under or from insurance paid for, directly or indirectly, by Lessee or assigned to Lessor by Lessee, to the extent such insurance recoveries exceed such Indemnitee’s costs and expenses incurred in recouping such insurance recovery.

The foregoing indemnity (and any other indemnity made by Lessee herein, including, without limitation, in Sections  4.3 and 19.2(b)(v) ) applies to all matters herein, including, without limitation, any of the same that are caused in whole or in part by the sole or concurrent negligence of any Indemnitee.

 

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(b) In case any Claim shall be made or brought against any Indemnitee, such Indemnitee shall give prompt notice thereof to Lessee, provided that failure to so notify Lessee shall not reduce Lessee’s obligations to indemnify any Indemnitee hereunder unless and only to the extent such failure results in additional liability on Lessee’s part. Lessee shall be entitled, at its expense, acting through counsel selected by Lessee (and reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee), to participate in, and, to the extent that Lessee desires to assume and control, in consultation with Indemnitee, the negotiation, litigation and/or settlement of any such Claim (subject to the provisions of the last sentence of subparagraph (c) of this Section  19.1 ). Such Indemnitee may (but shall not be obligated to) participate in a reasonable manner at its own expense (unless Lessee is not properly performing its obligations hereunder) and with its own counsel in any proceeding conducted by Lessee in accordance with the foregoing. If Lessee shall defend the Indemnitee in any such suit or proceeding, then, unless such Indemnitee shall determine (in its reasonable discretion) that a conflict of interest exists between Lessee and such Indemnitee, Lessee shall not be obligated to reimburse the Indemnitee for the cost of such Indemnitee’s attorneys’ fees or expenses incurred in connection with such suit or proceeding.

(c) Each Indemnitee shall at Lessee’s expense supply Lessee with such information and documents reasonably requested by Lessee in connection with any Claim for which Lessee may be required to indemnify any Indemnitee under this Section  19.1 . Unless a Lease Event of Default is continuing, no Indemnitee shall enter into any settlement or other compromise with respect to any Claim for which indemnification is required under this Section  19.1 without the prior written consent of Lessee. Lessee shall have the authority to settle or compromise any Claim against an Indemnitee hereunder, provided that no admission of wrongdoing shall be required of such Indemnitee and such Indemnitee shall be released of all liability in connection with any such Claim.

(d) Upon payment in full of any Claim by Lessee pursuant to this Section  19.1 to or on behalf of an Indemnitee, Lessee, without any further action, shall be subrogated to any and all claims that such Indemnitee may have relating thereto (other than claims in respect of insurance policies maintained by such Indemnitee at its own expense), and such Indemnitee shall execute such instruments of assignment and conveyance, evidence of claims and payment and such other documents, instruments and agreements as may be necessary to preserve any such claims and otherwise reasonably cooperate with Lessee to enable Lessee to pursue such claims.

(e) Prior to paying any amount otherwise payable to an Indemnitee pursuant to this Section  19.1 , Lessee shall be entitled to receive from such Indemnitee (i) a written statement describing the amount so payable, (ii) a general release from Indemnitee upon such payment with respect to the claim made and (iii) such additional information as Lessee may reasonably request and which is reasonably available to such Indemnitee to properly substantiate the requested payment.

(f) Subject to the penultimate sentence of Section  19.1(a) above, Lessee’s liability hereunder shall in no way be limited or impaired by any act, including, without limitation, (i) any amendment or modification to any of the Lease Operative Documents, (ii) any waiver of any Lease Event of Default, default, or extension of time or any failure to enforce any remedies or rights of either Lessor or Indenture Trustee under the Lease Operative Documents, (iii) any sale or transfer of the Property, or (iv) any assignment of the Lease.

 

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Section  19.2. General Tax Indemnification .

(a) Except as provided in Section  19.2(b) , Lessee agrees to indemnify each Tax Indemnitee against, and hold each Tax Indemnitee harmless from on an After-Tax Basis, and to pay in accordance with Section  19.2(f) : (i) any and all Taxes of any United States federal taxing authority, state, or political subdivision or taxing authority, thereof or therein or any other Governmental Authority, which are imposed or levied upon or assessed against or with respect to or in connection with (A) any such Tax Indemnitee, the Lessee, any tenant, the Secured Note and any amounts and expenses payable thereunder, any financing or refinancing, but only to the extent such Taxes arise in connection with the Operative Documents, Property or the transactions or activities contemplated by the Operative Documents, (B) the Property, or any part or interest therein, or any additions, modifications or improvements thereto, or any estate, right, title, or any occupancy, operation, possession of, or sales from or other activity conducted on the Property or any damage to, removal, abandonment, salvage, loss, condemnation, theft, scrapping, destruction of, any requisition or taking thereof, (C) Base Rent, Supplemental Rent or other sums payable under this Lease or any other Operative Document (including, in each case, any amendment, supplement, waiver, or consent thereto), (D) this Lease or any other Operative Document (including, in each case, any amendment, supplement, waiver or consent thereto) or the leasehold estate hereby created or any interest therein, or which arises in respect of the operation, possession or use or disposition, after the acquisition thereof by a Tax Indemnitee, of all or any portion of the Property or interest therein, if any, or (E) any leasing, subleasing, sub-subleasing or use of the Property or any interest therein, (ii) other governmental charges or Taxes imposed upon the Property or upon a Tax Indemnitee as a result of ownership of the Property or interest therein (including, without limitation, sewer or water assessments), (iii) payments required to be made to a governmental or quasi-governmental authority (or private entity in lieu thereof) which are in lieu of each of the foregoing (whether or not expressly so designated), (iv) any loss to any of Lessor or its direct or indirect owners that is not treated as a pass-through entity for Federal income tax purposes, computed assuming applicability of the highest Federal, state and local income tax rates applicable to such Tax Indemnitee, resulting from a reduction, disallowance, elimination, recapture or disqualification of, or from not claiming (based on a written opinion of counsel that there is no reasonable basis for claiming), all or any portion of the depreciation, interest and amortization deductions claimed (or that would have been claimed but for such opinion of counsel) by the Tax Indemnitee as the owner of the Property and the obligor under the Secured Note for income tax purposes, to the extent such loss is due to any delay, act (voluntary or involuntary, including, but not limited to, any bankruptcy or insolvency) of, or failure to act by, the Lessee or an Affiliate of Lessee (including, without limitation, the failure to timely restore, rebuild or place in service any Improvements in accordance with Section  12.1 and/or Section  12.1A hereof after an Event of Loss or any act or omission that is inconsistent with treating this Lease as a “true lease” for income tax purposes, but in each case excluding any act or omission required or expressly permitted by the Operative Documents or in connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery thereof), or due to the Property constituting “tax-exempt use property” or “tax-exempt bond financed property” within the meaning of Code Sections 168(h) and (g)(5), respectively as a result of the status of, or act of, Lessee and (v) any interest, penalties or additions to tax payable by the Tax Indemnitee in connection with any of the foregoing (any such amounts described in the foregoing clauses, being deemed to be a “Tax” for purposes of this Section  19.2 ).

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section  19.2(a) , Lessee will have no obligation under this Section  19.2 with respect to amounts described in any one or more of the following:

(i) in the case of any Tax Indemnitee, (A) Taxes (other than Taxes that are, or are in the nature of, sales, use, property, ad valorem, rental, stamp, transfer or license Taxes) imposed on such Tax Indemnitee by the United States federal government under Subtitle A or Subtitle B of the Code (including any Taxes that are, or are in the nature of minimum or alternative minimum Taxes, and any Taxes on or measured by any items of Tax preference), (B) Taxes (other than Taxes that are, or are in the nature of, sales, use, property, ad valorem, rental, stamp, transfer or license Taxes) imposed on such Tax Indemnitee by the state in which the Property is located or any local jurisdiction therein on, based on or measured by net income (including any minimum Taxes or Taxes on items of tax preference) or net receipts or gross income or gross receipts, or Taxes that are in the nature of intangibles Taxes, (C) Taxes (other than Taxes that are, or are in the nature of, sales, use, property, ad valorem, rental, stamp, transfer, or license Taxes) imposed on such Tax Indemnitee by the state in which the Property is located or any local jurisdiction therein that are imposed on capital or net worth, excess profits or conduct of business, or (D) Taxes imposed by any foreign or domestic government or taxing authority (other than the United States or any states or any local government or taxing authority in any of the states), in each case, under clauses (A), (B), (C) and (D) of this paragraph other than Taxes imposed as a result of (v) the execution or delivery by the Lessee or any Affiliate of any Operative Document in such jurisdiction, (w) the identity, organization, activities or presence of the Lessee or any Affiliate of the Lessee in such jurisdiction or (x) the Lessee’s or any Affiliate of the Lessee’s (and, in the case of Taxes imposed on or with respect to payments made to the Indenture Trustee on behalf of the Holders, the Issuer’s or any Affiliate of the Issuer’s) making of any payment (or being deemed to have made payments) under the Operative Documents to the Indenture Trustee (on behalf of the Holders) or the Lessor from the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes; provided that there shall not be excluded under this clause (i) any amounts necessary to make any payment required to be made under the Operative Documents to be made on an After-Tax Basis, including but not limited to payments pursuant to Section  19.3 ; provided further, that there shall not be excluded under this clause (i) any Taxes which are specifically provided in the relevant statute or legislative history to be in lieu of or in replacement of any Taxes otherwise indemnified herein; provided further, that there shall not be excluded under this clause (i) any amount with respect to a loss described in clause (a)(iv) or clause (a)(v) (to the extent it relates to clause (a)(iv)) of this Section  19.2 ;

(ii) Taxes attributable to any (1) voluntary sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition (collectively, a “ Transfer ”) by such Tax Indemnitee or any Affiliate thereof of any interest in such Tax Indemnitee, the Property or any part thereof or any interest therein or any interests or obligations arising under the Operative Documents, (2) any involuntary transfer of any of the foregoing interests resulting from any bankruptcy or other proceeding for the relief of debtors in which such Tax Indemnitee is a debtor, (3) any foreclosure by a creditor of such Tax Indemnitee, or (4) any transfer as the result of Condemnation; provided, however, this clause (ii) shall not apply to any such sale,

 

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assignment, transfer or other disposition occurring as a result of and so long as a Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (it being understood that any transfer or disposition expressly permitted by Articles  10 , 12 or 13 of the Lease or requested by the Lessee is not a voluntary transfer or disposition);

(iii) Taxes imposed against or payable by a Tax Indemnitee to the extent imposed with respect to any period after the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease (in either case provided that, if required, possession of the Property has been returned and the Lessee’s obligation to pay Base Rent under the Lease has been extinguished) other than pursuant to the exercise of remedies in connection with a Lease Event of Default, provided that the exclusion in this clause (iii) shall not apply to the extent such Taxes are imposed with respect to any payments due under the Operative Documents after such expiration or earlier termination;

(iv) Taxes imposed against, or payable by any trustee for any Tax Indemnitee with respect to or measured by any trustee fees or reimbursements for expenses for services rendered in its capacity as trustee;

(v) Taxes imposed against or payable by any Tax Indemnitee as a result of the gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of such Tax Indemnitee or any Affiliate thereof or as a result of the inaccuracy of any of the representations or breach of any of the covenants of such Tax Indemnitee or any Affiliate thereof in any of the Operative Documents;

(vi) as long as the Indenture Trustee is receiving all rent without reductions on account of contested Taxes, any Tax being contested in accordance with the provisions of Section  19.2(e) , during the pendency of such contest;

(vii) any Tax that would have been imposed on a particular Tax Indemnitee without regard to the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents;

(viii) Taxes imposed against or payable by a Tax Indemnitee if such Taxes are enacted as a substitute for or in lieu of any Taxes not indemnifiable hereunder;

(ix) Taxes imposed solely as a result of the status of a Tax Indemnitee for relevant tax purposes, such as a utility, insurance company or banking or other financial institution or tax-exempt entity, provided such Taxes are not in lieu of or a substitute for Taxes that would be indemnifiable hereunder;

(x) Taxes or liabilities resulting from any prohibited transaction described in Section 406 or 407 of ERISA or Section 4975(c) of the Code or any successor provisions thereto that may arise in connection with any transaction contemplated by the Operative Documents, other than any such Taxes that are imposed as a result of a breach of a representation of the Lessee;

(xi) Taxes that would not have been imposed but for an amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver to any Operative Document that has not been initiated or consented to by Lessee or any Affiliate thereof in writing unless in each

 

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case (1) such amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver is required or made pursuant to the Operative Documents or Applicable Law or (2) is necessary or appropriate to, and is in conformity with any other amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver to any Operative Documents initiated, requested by or consented to by the Lessee or any Affiliate thereof in writing;

(xii) Taxes resulting from or that would not have been imposed but for the existence of Lessor Liens;

(xiii) any interest, penalties or additions to Tax imposed against or payable by a Tax Indemnitee that are the result of the failure of such Tax Indemnitee (after timely written notice from the Lessee, where such notice is required pursuant to subsection  (j) hereof) to prepare and file any return properly and timely, unless (i) Lessee is required to prepare and/or file such return pursuant to the Operative Documents or (ii) such failure is caused by the failure of Lessee to forward to such Tax Indemnitee any and all information such Tax Indemnitee has reasonably requested from Lessee (other than information reasonably obtainable by, or in the possession of, such Tax Indemnitee) or to send to such Tax Indemnitee on a timely basis any notifications or notices received by Lessee with respect to such returns from any applicable taxing authority;

(xiv) Taxes that would not have been imposed but for any failure of a Tax Indemnitee to comply with (x) certification, information, documentation, reporting or other similar requirements (each, a “ Requirement ”) concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes, if such compliance is required by statute or regulation of the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes as a precondition to relief or exemption from such Taxes and such Tax Indemnitee was eligible to comply with such Requirement or (y) any other Requirement under the tax laws or regulations of the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes that would establish entitlement to otherwise applicable relief or exemption from such Taxes if such Tax Indemnitee was eligible to comply with such Requirement; but only, in each case of (x) and (y), so long as such procedure would not expose such Tax Indemnitee (in the Tax Indemnitee’s good faith opinion) to any cost or expense for which Lessee shall not have agreed to indemnify such Tax Indemnitee; provided, however, that the exclusion set forth in this clause (xiv) shall not apply if such failure to comply is due to a failure of the Lessee to provide reasonable assistance or response in complying with such Requirement; or

(xv) Taxes that result from such Tax Indemnitee or any of its Affiliates not being a United States person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code unless such failure is due to an act of the Lessee.

(c) Reimbursement. If Lessee shall have paid any amount pursuant to the Lease or any other Operative Document or Applicable Laws with respect to or on account of Taxes not subject to indemnification pursuant to this Section  19.2 , the Tax Indemnitee on whose behalf such Taxes were paid shall pay to Lessee within ten (10) Business Days of written notice of such payment by Lessee the amount so paid by Lessee (or Person making payment on behalf of Lessee); provided, that (x) if the Tax Indemnitee shall have failed to pay the amounts due upon the expiration of such ten (10) Business Day period, the Tax Indemnitee shall be liable to pay

 

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interest at the Default Rate from the date such payment became due and payable to the date of receipt thereof, and (y) if the Tax Indemnitee shall have paid the amounts due prior to the expiration of such ten (10) Business Day period, the Tax Indemnitee shall not be liable for any interest.

(d) Calculation of General Tax Indemnity Payments. Any payment or indemnity to or for the benefit of any Tax Indemnitee with respect to any Tax which is subject to indemnification under Section  19.2(a) shall (A) reflect the current net savings available to such Tax Indemnitee or any Affiliate thereof (computed at the highest marginal rates of federal, state and local tax then applicable to the respective Tax Indemnitee) resulting from the current deduction of such indemnified Tax, but only to the extent that such indemnified Tax is deductible for federal, state and local tax purposes, and (B) include, after taking into account the savings described in clause (A), the amount necessary to hold such Tax Indemnitee harmless on an After-Tax Basis. If, by reason of any payment made to or for the account of a Tax Indemnitee by Lessee pursuant to Section  19.1 or this Section  19.2 , or the event or circumstance giving rise to such payment, such Tax Indemnitee or any Affiliate thereof or any transferee, successor or assignee thereof, actually realizes a net tax benefit, savings, deduction or credit not taken into account in computing such payment, provided no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (in which case any amount payable to Lessee on account of such tax benefit, savings, deduction or credit shall not be due unless and until such Lease Event of Default is cured), such Tax Indemnitee (or the transferee, successor or assignee thereof) shall promptly pay to Lessee an amount equal to the sum of (I) the net reduction in Taxes, if any, realized by such Tax Indemnitee or any Affiliate thereof (computed at the highest marginal rates of federal, state and local tax then applicable to each respective Tax Indemnitee) which is attributable to such net tax benefits, savings, deductions or credits and (II) the net reduction in any Taxes realized by such Tax Indemnitee or any Affiliate thereof (computed at the highest marginal rates of federal, state and local tax then applicable to each respective Tax Indemnitee) as the result of any payment made by such Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this sentence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Tax Indemnitee shall be required to make any payment to the Lessee pursuant to this Section  19.2(d) to the extent payments by the Tax Indemnitee to the Lessee under this Section  19.2(d) (without regard to amounts necessary to make such payments on an After-Tax Basis) would exceed, in the aggregate, at any time, the amount of all prior payments made by or on behalf of the Lessee to such Tax Indemnitee (without regard to amounts necessary to make such payments on an After-Tax Basis) less the amount of all prior payments made by the Tax Indemnitee to the Lessee (without regard to amounts necessary to make such payments on an After-Tax Basis) pursuant to this Section  19.2(d) , but any such excess shall reduce pro tanto any amount (without regard to amounts necessary to make such payments on an After-Tax Basis) that the Lessee is subsequently obligated to pay such Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section  19.2 .

(e) Contests. If any written claim shall be made against any Tax Indemnitee or if any proceeding shall be commenced against any Tax Indemnitee (including a written notice of such proceeding) for any Taxes as to which Lessee may have an indemnity obligation pursuant to Section  19.2 , such Tax Indemnitee shall promptly notify Lessee in writing and shall not take any action with respect to such claim or Tax without the consent of Lessee for thirty (30) days after sending such notice to Lessee; provided that, in the case of any such claim or proceeding, if such Tax Indemnitee shall be required by law or regulation to take action prior to the end of such 30-day period, such Tax Indemnitee shall, in such notice to Lessee, so inform Lessee, and such Tax

 

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Indemnitee shall not take any action with respect to such claim or Tax without the consent of Lessee (not to be unreasonably withheld) before ten (10) days from the receipt of such notice by Lessee unless the Tax Indemnitee shall be required by law or regulation to take action prior to the end of such 10 day period provided, that failure to so notify Lessee shall not affect Lessee’s obligations to indemnify hereunder except to the extent of any resultant harm suffered by Lessee. If requested by Lessee in a written request to such Tax Indemnitee within thirty (30) days (or such shorter period referred to in the proviso to the first sentence in this Section  19.2(e) specified in such notice (but in any event not less than 10 days)) after its receipt of such notice, such Tax Indemnitee shall itself or, at such Tax Indemnitee’s request, the Lessee shall, in good faith contest (including, without limitation, by pursuit of appeals and administrative procedures), the validity, applicability or amount of such indemnified Taxes by (A) resisting payment thereof, (B) not paying the same except under protest (which protest must be pursued using reasonable efforts in appropriate administrative and/or judicial proceedings) if protest shall be necessary and proper or (C) if payment shall be made, using reasonable efforts to obtain a refund thereof in appropriate administrative and/or judicial proceedings; provided that in no event shall such Tax Indemnitee be required to contest any claim for any Tax unless (1) the amount at issue (taking into account all similar and logically related claims with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents that have been or could have been raised in an audit by the taxing authority in question for any other taxable period with respect to which an assessment of a tax deficiency is not barred by a statute or limitations, including, without limitations, such claims that may arise in future periods) exceeds $25,000, (2) the Tax that is the subject of such contest is a Tax for which Lessee may have an indemnity obligation hereunder; (3) Lessee shall have agreed to pay such Tax Indemnitee and shall pay on an After-Tax Basis as incurred all reasonable costs and expenses that such Tax Indemnitee shall incur in connection with contesting such claim (including, without limitation, all reasonable costs, expenses, legal and accounting fees and disbursements); (4) the action to be taken will not result in any material danger of an imminent sale, forfeiture or loss of, or the creation of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) against the Property and that there is no risk that criminal or punitive civil liability may be imposed with respect to such Tax Indemnitee (other than any liability for any interest, penalties or additions to tax that may be assessed with respect to the Taxes that are the subject of such contest and as to which clauses (2) and (3) of this paragraph apply); (5) if such contest shall involve payment of the claim, Lessee shall advance the amount thereof plus interest, penalties and additions to tax with respect thereto to such Tax Indemnitee on an interest-free basis (with no additional net after tax cost to such Tax Indemnitee and without taking into account any net tax savings associated with such advance); (6) no Lease Event of Default under this Lease shall have occurred and be continuing (it being agreed that in such case, the Tax Indemnitee shall consult in good faith with Lessee to determine whether Lessee can provide to the Tax Indemnitee reasonably satisfactory security to cover its indemnity obligations with respect to amounts to be contested and its obligations under the foregoing clause (5) of this proviso, in which case, such Lease Event of Default shall not deprive Lessee of its contest rights hereunder); and (7) in the case of a contest which must be contested in the name of the Tax Indemnitee, prior to initiating the contest the Lessee shall have furnished the Tax Indemnitee with an opinion of an independent tax advisor selected by the Lessee and reasonably acceptable to the Tax Indemnitee (“ Tax Counsel ”) to the effect that a reasonable basis exists for such contest. In no event shall the Tax Indemnitee be required to contest any claim if the subject matter of such claim shall be of a continuing nature and shall have previously been the subject of an adverse final determination

 

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under the contest provisions of this Section  19.2(e) after exercise by the Lessee of its rights pursuant to this Section  19.2 , unless the Lessee shall have delivered to such Tax Indemnitee an opinion of Tax Counsel to the effect that as a result of a change in law or fact it is more likely than not that the Tax Indemnitee will prevail in the contest of such claim.

The relevant Tax Indemnitee shall control any contest unless the Tax Indemnitee requests that the Lessee control such contest or declines in writing to control such contest. The party conducting the contest (“ Controlling Party ”) shall consult in good faith with the other party (“ Noncontrolling Party ”) and its counsel with respect to the contest of such claim for Taxes (or claim for refund) but the decisions regarding what actions to be taken shall be made by the Controlling Party in its sole judgment (exercised in good faith). In addition, the Controlling Party shall keep the Noncontrolling Party reasonably informed as to the progress of the contest, and shall provide the Noncontrolling Party with a copy of (or appropriate excerpts from) any reports or claims issued by the relevant auditing agents or taxing authority to the Controlling Party or any Affiliate thereof, in connection with such claim or the contest thereof. The Controlling Party shall be responsible for the selection of counsel, which counsel must be reasonably satisfactory to the Noncontrolling Party. If the lessee is the Controlling Party, the Controlling Party shall permit the Noncontrolling Party’s counsel to be present at all meetings (to the extent permitted by law, and the Controlling Party shall execute any necessary consents and take such other actions as may be required to permit the Noncontrolling Party or its counsel to be present).

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section  19.2 , a Tax Indemnitee shall not be required to contest any claim and may settle any contest without the consent of Lessee if such Tax Indemnitee (A) shall waive its right to indemnity under this Section  19.2 with respect to such claim for such Tax (and any claim made by any taxing authority with respect to other taxable periods that is based upon the resolution of such claim, or the contest of which is materially prejudiced by the resolution of such claim), and (B) shall pay to Lessee any amount of Tax previously paid or advanced by Lessee pursuant to this Section  19.2 with respect to such claim other than the costs and expenses of the contest of such claim paid by the Lessee, together with interest thereon at the underpayment rate, as defined in Section 6621 of the Code.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing in this Section  19.2(e) , Lessee may, at any time and with notice to any Tax Indemnitee, contest the property or ad valorem Taxes for which the Lessee has an obligation to indemnify any Tax Indemnitee hereunder, provided Lessee complies with the contest provisions of Section  8.6 hereof. Each Tax Indemnitee shall, upon the Lessee’s reasonable request, execute any necessary consents and take such other actions as reasonably may be required to permit Lessee to conduct any such contest.

If any Tax Indemnitee or any Affiliate thereof shall obtain a refund (including by way of credit) of all or any part of any Tax with respect to which the Lessee shall have paid on behalf of such Tax Indemnitee or reimbursed such Tax Indemnitee, then such Tax Indemnitee shall, so long as no Lease Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, pay to the Lessee any such refund (including any applicable interest received with respect to such refund or that would have been received with respect to such refund but for a counterclaim or other claim not indemnified by Lessee hereunder) plus any tax savings realized by such Tax Indemnitee as a result of a payment pursuant to this sentence (it being understood that the calculation of such tax

 

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savings shall take into account any additional income Taxes incurred by such Tax Indemnitee as a result of the receipt or accrual of such refund). A Tax Indemnitee shall not be obligated pursuant to this Section  19.2(e) to make a payment (i) before such time as the Lessee shall have made all payments then due under the Operative Documents and any Lease Event of Default that shall have occurred shall no longer be continuing or (ii) in excess of the amounts paid by Lessee to such Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section  19.2(e) in respect of the Taxes giving rise to such tax savings (minus any amounts previously paid to Lessee by such Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section  19.2(e) plus any applicable interest that would have been received with respect to such refund but for a counterclaim or other claim not indemnified by Lessee hereunder), provided that any such amounts not paid to Lessee pursuant to the limitation contained in clause (ii) of this sentence shall be carried forward to reduce, pro tanto, any future amounts that may become payable by the Lessee to such Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section  19.2(e) in respect of the Taxes giving rise to such tax savings. The disallowance, loss, recapture or reduction of any credit, refund or other tax savings with respect to which a Tax Indemnitee has made a payment to the Lessee under this Section  19.2(e) shall be treated as a Tax for which the Lessee is obligated to indemnify such Tax Indemnitee hereunder, without regard to the exclusions set forth in Section  19.2(b) . The Tax Indemnitee shall make any payments to the Lessee under this Section  19.2(e) within ten (10) days of the receipt of such refund.

(f) Payments. Any Taxes indemnified hereunder shall be paid by Lessee, to the extent allowed, directly to the appropriate taxing authority on or before the time, and in the manner, prescribed by Applicable Laws. Any amount payable to a Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section  19.2 shall be paid within ten (10) days after receipt of a written demand therefor from such Tax Indemnitee accompanied by a written statement describing in reasonable detail the amount so payable, but not before the date such Tax is due. Any payments to be made by Lessee pursuant to this Section  19.2 that are not paid to the appropriate Governmental Authority shall be made directly to the Tax Indemnitee entitled thereto, and any payments to be made to Lessee pursuant to this Section  19.2 shall be made directly to Lessee, in each case in immediately payable funds at such bank or to such account as specified by the payee in written directions to the payor, or, if no such directions shall have been given, by check of the payor payable to the order of the payee and mailed to the payee by certified mail, postage prepaid at its address as set forth in this Lease. Any amount payable under this Section  19.2 that is not paid when due shall bear interest at the Default Rate.

(g) Verification. At Lessee’s request, the amount of any indemnity payment by Lessee pursuant to this Section  19.2 or any payment by a Tax Indemnitee to Lessee pursuant to this Section  19.2 shall be verified by the certified public accountant who regularly prepares the tax returns for such Tax Indemnitee, who shall verify and certify in writing the accuracy of the Tax Indemnitee’s computations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Lessee may request verification by a separate nationally recognized United States or international accounting firm selected by the Tax Indemnitee and reasonably acceptable to Lessee. The person or persons required to perform such verification (the “ Verifier ”) shall be asked to verify, after consulting with the Tax Indemnitee, whether the Tax Indemnitee’s computations are correct and to report its conclusions to both Lessee and the Tax Indemnitee. Each Tax Indemnitee and Lessee hereby agree to provide the Verifier with all information and materials as shall be reasonably necessary or desirable in connection therewith; provided, however, that in no case shall the Verifier or any other Person be entitled to see the tax returns or the books and records of the Tax Indemnitee

 

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other than necessary excerpts thereof with respect to which the Verifier or such other Person has agreed to treat as confidential. The fee of such Verifier (if such Verifier is an independent accounting firm) shall be paid by Lessee unless such verification discloses an error adverse to Lessee of more than the greater of (i) the Verifier’s fee, or (ii) 5% or more of the amount determined by such Verifier, in which case such fees shall be paid by the applicable Tax Indemnitee. The Verifier shall be requested to make its determination within thirty (30) days of its appointment. In the event such Verifier shall determine that such computations are incorrect, then such Verifier shall determine what it believes to be the correct computations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the sole responsibility of the Verifier shall be to verify the computations of the amount payable; interpretations of this Agreement or any other Operative Documents are not within the scope of such Verifier’s responsibilities.

(h) Forms, etc. Each Tax Indemnitee agrees to furnish to Lessee from time to time, at the written request and expense of Lessee, such duly executed and properly completed forms as may be necessary or appropriate in order to claim any reduction of or exemption from any withholding or other Tax imposed by any taxing authority in respect of any payments otherwise required to be made by Lessee, as the case may be, pursuant to this Lease, which reduction or exemption is available to such Tax Indemnitee; provided that no Tax Indemnitee shall have any obligation to comply with any request or take any other action pursuant to this Section  19.2 if in order to comply with such request or take such action the Tax Indemnitee would be required to make any inaccurate statement or would be exposed (in Tax Indemnitee’s good faith opinion) to any cost or expense for which Lessee shall not have agreed to indemnify such Tax Indemnitee.

(i) Non-Parties. If any Tax Indemnitee is not a party to this Lease, such Tax Indemnitee shall be a third party beneficiary of this Section  19.2 , but Lessee may require the Tax Indemnitee, before making any payment to such Tax Indemnitee under this Section  19.2 , to provide the Lessee in writing with an agreement executed by the Tax Indemnitee, as follows:

In consideration of the rights of the undersigned to payments from the Lessee pursuant to Section  19.2 of the Lease Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2002, between the Lessor thereof and the Lessee thereof, the undersigned hereby agrees and covenants that it is a “Tax Indemnitee” for the purposes of and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section  19.2 of the Lease and will make all payments and take such other actions as are required under Section  19.2 of the Lease.

(j) Filings. If any report, return or statement (a “ Filing ”) is required to be filed with respect to any Tax that is subject to indemnification under this Section  19.2 and such Filing would be required to be made by a domestic entity, Lessee shall promptly notify the appropriate Tax Indemnitee or, if the Lessee elects, the Lessor of such requirement in writing (at least thirty (30) days prior to the date such Filing is due) and, if permitted by Applicable Laws to do so, Lessee shall timely file or cause to be filed such Filing with respect to such Tax (except for any such Filing that a Tax Indemnitee has notified Lessee in writing that such Tax Indemnitee intends to file) and will (if ownership of the Property or any part thereof or interest therein is required to be shown on such Filing) show the ownership of the Property in the name of Lessor and send a copy of such Filing to the appropriate Tax Indemnitee and Tax Indemnitee shall furnish Lessee, at Lessee’s request, with such information, not within the control of Lessee, as is in such Tax Indemnitee’s control or is reasonably available to such Tax Indemnitee and

 

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necessary to file such Filing; provided, however, Lessee shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Tax Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Lessee is not permitted by Applicable Laws to file any such Filing, Lessee will promptly notify the appropriate Tax Indemnitee of such requirement in writing and prepare and deliver to the appropriate Tax Indemnitee a proposed form of such Filing within a reasonable time, and in all events at least fifteen (15) days prior to the time such Filing is required to be filed. In the case of any Filing either required to reflect items in addition to Taxes imposed on or indemnified against by the Lessee under this Section  19.2 or which the Tax Indemnitee has notified Lessee in writing that it will prepare and file, Lessee shall, upon the written request of such Tax Indemnitee, provide such Tax Indemnitee with such information as is within Lessee’s reasonable control or access. Lessee shall hold each Tax Indemnitee harmless from and against any liabilities, including, but not limited to penalties, additions to tax, fines and interest, arising out of any insufficiency or inaccuracy in any such Filing, if such insufficiency or inaccuracy is attributable to Lessee.

(k) Cooperation. Each Tax Indemnitee shall cooperate with Lessee and shall take any action reasonably requested by Lessee to avoid or minimize the amount of any Tax for which Lessee would be required to make a payment under this Section  19.2 ; provided, that no Tax Indemnitee would have suffered costs or expenses as a result of such requested action for which Lessee shall not have agreed to indemnify such Tax Indemnitee.

Section  19.3. Withholdings of Rent . Lessee agrees that each payment of Rent shall be free and clear of, and without deduction for, any and all withholdings of any nature whatsoever. If any deduction or withholding is required with respect to a payment of Rent by Lessee, Lessee shall pay an additional amount such that the net amount actually received by the Tax Indemnitee, after deduction or withholding, will be equal on an After-Tax Basis to all such amounts that would be received by the Tax Indemnitee if no such deduction or withholding had been required provided, that the Lessee shall not be obligated to pay any additional amount pursuant to this first paragraph of Section  19.3 if due to the failure of a Tax Indemnitee to comply with a Requirement as provided in Section  19.2(b)(xiv) required as a precondition to relief or exemption from such withholding tax on Rent.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Lessee will indemnify the Indenture Trustee and Lessor (and any Affiliate of the foregoing) on an After-Tax Basis for any obligation to the Holders with respect to withholding Taxes imposed on Indenture Trustee and Lessor (or any Affiliate of the foregoing) with respect to the Secured Notes (or any debt issued to refinance or refund such Notes pursuant to Article  24 of this Agreement or otherwise with the consent of the Lessee) pursuant to the Indenture as initially agreed or as amended from time to time with Lessee’s consent (or the documentation for such debt issued to refinance or refund the Secured Notes as aforesaid) as a result of any claim with respect to such withholding or as a result of a claim by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority asserted against Indenture Trustee or Lessor (or any Affiliate of the foregoing) with respect to any such withholding Tax, provided, that Lessee shall not be obligated to pay any additional amount pursuant to this second paragraph of Section  19.3 if due to the failure of the Indenture Trustee or the relevant Holder to comply with any documentation requirements contained in the Indenture relating to such withholding Tax and provided further, that Lessee shall be subrogated to the rights and defenses of such Person that it has indemnified or held harmless in respect of such withholding Taxes.

 

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If Lessee makes any payment to a Tax Indemnitee pursuant to this Section  19.3 with respect to a Tax for which such Tax Indemnitee does not have an indemnification obligation pursuant to Section  19.2 , Lessor shall promptly repay Lessee for the amount of such payment and any unpaid amount shall bear interest at the prime rate from time to time in effect at Citibank, N.A., or any successor.

ARTICLE 20

LESSEE REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS

Section  20.1. Representations and Warranties . Lessee represents and warrants to Lessor that the following are true and correct as of the date hereof:

(a) Due Organization. Lessee is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in the State of Texas and is qualified to do business in the State of Texas. Lessee has the corporate power and authority to conduct its business as now conducted, to own or hold under lease its property, to lease the Property and to enter into and perform its obligations under the Operative Documents to which it is or is to become a party. Lessee is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform its obligations under the Operative Documents to which it is a party.

(b) Due Authorization; No Conflict. Each of the Operative Documents to which Lessee is a party has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Lessee and has been duly executed and delivered by Lessee, and the execution, delivery and performance thereof by Lessee will not, (i) require any approval of the stockholder of Lessee (except as heretofore obtained) or any approval or consent of any trustee or holder of any indebtedness or obligation of Lessee or of any Guarantor or Affiliate of either of them, other than such consents and approvals as have been obtained, (ii) contravene any Applicable Law binding on Lessee or (iii) contravene or result in any breach of or constitute any default under Lessee’s charter or by-laws or other organizational documents, or any indenture, judgment, order, mortgage, loan agreement, contract, partnership or joint venture agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which Lessee is a party or by which Lessee is bound, or result in the creation of any Lien (other than pursuant to the Operative Documents) upon any of the property of Lessee.

(c) Governmental Actions. All Governmental Action required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by Lessee of the Operative Documents to which it is a party, has been or will have been obtained, given or made.

(d) Enforceability. Each of the Operative Documents to which Lessee is or is to become a party constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Lessee, enforceable against Lessee in accordance with the terms thereof, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, general principles of equity or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights in general.

 

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(e) Investment Company. Lessee is not an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(f) Securities Act. Lessee has not offered any interest in the Property or the Lease, or any similar securities of Lessee to, or solicited any offer to acquire any of the same from, any Person, in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act, nor has it authorized any Person to take any such action, and Lessee has not taken any action that would subject any interest in the Property, the Secured Notes, or the Lease to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act.

(g) Bankruptcy. No bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement or insolvency proceedings are pending, threatened or contemplated by Lessee, and Lessee has not made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors.

(h) Tax Filings. all tax returns and reports of Lessee required by law to be filed with respect to the Property have been duly filed, and all taxes, interests and penalties assessed by any Governmental Authority upon the Property or Lessee (with respect to the Property), which are due and payable, have been paid, except to the extent being contested in good faith by the Lessee.

(i) ERISA. No member of the ERISA Group sponsors, maintains, contributes to or is required to contribute to any pension plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, and no member of the ERISA Group has at any time in the past sponsored, maintained, contributed to or been required to contribute to any such plan.

(j) Condemnation. The Lessee has not received notice (and is not otherwise aware) of any proceeding pending for the total or partial condemnation of or affecting the Property, such that such proceeding would have a material adverse effect on the Property.

(k) Environmental Conditions. To the Lessee’s knowledge, there are no circumstances or conditions with respect to the Property not revealed in the Environmental Report that render the Property in material violation of any applicable Environmental Laws.

(l) Taxes and Assessments. There are no delinquent or unpaid taxes or assessments (including assessments payable in future installments), or other outstanding charges of a similar nature affecting the Property which are or may become a lien of priority equal to or higher than the lien of the related Mortgage (other than such taxes or assessments that the Lessee is contesting in good faith). For purposes of this representation and warranty, real property taxes and assessments shall not be considered unpaid until the date on which interest (other than interest due in connection with installment payments permitted by law, and actually paid) and/or penalties would be payable thereon.

(m) Local Law Compliance. Except as set forth in Schedule  20.1(m) , The Improvements located on or forming part of the Property comply with applicable zoning laws and ordinances, without the benefit of being a legal non-conforming use, except to the extent failure to comply would not have a material adverse effect on the Property or its value.

 

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(n) Legal Proceedings. There are no pending, or to the Lessee’s knowledge, threatened actions, suits or proceedings by or before any court or governmental authority against or affecting the Lessee with respect to the Property that, if determined adversely to such Lessee or Property, would materially and adversely affect the value of the Property or the ability of the Lessee to pay Rent or to perform any other obligations hereunder.

(o) No Mechanics’ Liens. The Property is free and clear of any and all mechanic’s and materialmen’s liens (other than liens which are Permitted Liens or are disclosed in the related Title Policy).

(p) Licenses and Permits. To the Lessee’s knowledge, (i) it possesses all licenses, permits and authorizations required by applicable law for the operation of the Property and (ii) all such licenses, permits and authorizations are valid and in full force and effect, in each case except to the extent the failure to possess any such license, permit or authorization, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the Property or its value.

The phrase “the Lessee’s knowledge” and other words and phrases of like import shall mean the actual state of knowledge of the Lessee regarding the matters referred to.

ARTICLE 21

EARLY TERMINATION

Section  21.1. Early Termination .

(a) Provided no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will occur by virtue of the provisions of this Section  21.1 , then for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days commencing on July 15, 2013 Lessee shall have the right to determine in its sole discretion that the Property is an Uneconomic Property. In such event, Lessee shall have the right to make a rejectable offer to Lessor (with a copy to the Servicer and the Indenture Trustee) to purchase the Property on the terms set forth below. The purchase price shall be equal to the Termination Value as set forth on Schedule  21.1 attached hereto as of the proposed closing date of the purchase (“ Termination Value Date ”), which shall be a Rent Payment Date. In addition to the purchase price, all unpaid Base Rent due and payable on or prior to such Termination Value Date, Supplemental Rent (excluding the Termination Value), all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of Lessor, Indenture Trustee (and the Servicer) and the Holders relating to the purchase, if any, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs actually incurred and other amounts due under the Lease and the Debt Documents (excluding the principal amount outstanding under the Notes, but including, to the extent owed and not otherwise included in Supplemental Rent, the Make-Whole Premium) payable by Lessor arising out of Lessor’s prepayment of the Secured Notes in connection with Lessee’s offer to purchase (whether or not such offer is accepted) shall be paid through and including the Termination Value Date. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that, despite the express provisions of this Lease to the contrary, a Termination Value payment is ever made on a date which is not a Rent Payment Date, then Lessee shall pay Base Rent and Supplemental Rent up to and including the date of such Termination Value Date with Base Rent for the semi-annual period in which the payment is made being prorated based on the number of days since the last Rent Payment Date to and

 

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including the date of such payment, over the number of days in the payment period. The Termination Value Date shall be selected by Lessee but shall be at least twelve (12) months and no more than eighteen (18) months from the date of Lessee’s offer to purchase. Lessor shall have a period of six (6) months to elect whether to accept Lessee’s offer to purchase the Property or reject such offer. Failure to respond (provided Lessee delivers a second notice to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee no earlier than one hundred and fifty (150) days from the date of its first offer and no later than one hundred and seventy (170) days from the date of such offer, further advising (in boldface) Lessor of Lessee’s offer and the fact that Lessor’s silence shall be deemed acceptance of Lessee’s offer) shall be deemed acceptance of the offer. Lessor may not reject Lessee’s offer without the prior written consent of the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee. Any Make-Whole Premium or other payment (other than principal) payable to the Indenture Trustee by virtue of this sale shall be the sole cost and obligation of Lessee and not Lessor. Lessee’s right is a one time right only.

(b) In the event Lessor rejects Lessee’s offer, which Lessor may do in its sole discretion (provided, however, Lessor may not reject such offer without the prior written consent of the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee, or payment to the Indenture Trustee of all amounts then outstanding under the Debt Documents on the date that it rejects Lessee’s offer, and Lessor shall be deemed to accept such offer unless Lessor delivers to Lessee such consent of the Servicer or payment of all such amounts when it rejects the offer) this Lease shall terminate as of the Termination Value Date and as a condition thereto, Lessee shall be obligated to pay to Lessor all unpaid Base Rent due and payable on or prior to such Termination Value Date and Supplemental Rent (through the Termination Value Date) and other amounts due under the Lease and the Debt Documents (excluding the principal amount outstanding under the Notes, but including, to the extent owed and not otherwise included in Supplemental Rent, the Make-Whole Premium) payable by Lessor arising out of Lessor’s prepayment of the Secured Notes in connection with Lessee’s offer to purchase (whether or not such offer is accepted). For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that, despite the express provisions of the Lease to the contrary, the foregoing payments are ever made on a date which is not a Rent Payment Date, then Lessee shall pay Base Rent and Supplemental Rent up to and including the date of such payment with Base Rent for the semi-annual period in which the payment is made being prorated based on the number of days since the last Rent Payment Date to and including the date of such payment over the number of days in the payment period.

(c) In the event Lessor accepts, or is deemed to accept, Lessee’s offer, the provisions of Article  22 below shall be operative. In such event, Lessee agrees to vacate the Property, and to cause all of its Affiliates to vacate the Property, for a period of at least three (3) consecutive years, commencing as of the Termination Value Date.

(d) In the event Lessor accepts, or is deemed to accept, Lessee’s offer, Lessee shall commence marketing of the Property at its sole cost and expense and may require Lessor to execute documents to effectuate a sale provided such documents are contemplated by Article  22 below. The net proceeds of any sale (after payment of all expenses of the sale and all actual out-of-pocket costs incurred by Lessor, the Servicer, the Indenture Trustee and the Holders, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and the Make-Whole Premium) shall be received by Lessor and shall be netted against the Termination Value payable by Lessee to Lessor if received prior to the Termination Value Date. Any amounts received in

 

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excess of the Termination Value shall be applied with the following priority (i) to Lessee to reimburse it for its reasonable, out-of-pocket third party marketing costs, and (ii) for Lessor’s account. In the event there is any shortfall between the net proceeds received by Lessor from such sale and the amount of the Termination Value, Lessee shall pay such shortfall on or prior to the Termination Value Date. In all events, the amounts payable pursuant to subsection  (a) above, shall be payable by Lessee at the closing.

ARTICLE 22

PURCHASE PROCEDURE

Section  22.1. Purchase Procedure . In the event of the purchase of Lessor’s interest in the Property by Lessee (or its designee, as provided in Section  4 ) pursuant to any provision of this Lease, the terms and conditions of this Section  22.1 shall apply.

(a) On the closing date fixed for the purchase of Lessor’s interest in the Property which shall be a Rent Payment Date:

(i) Lessee shall pay to Lessor, in lawful money of the United States, at Lessor’s address hereinabove stated or at any other place in the United States which Lessor may designate, in immediately available funds, the applicable purchase price or Termination Value, and all other costs due as of such Closing, including, without limitation, the applicable Make-Whole Premium;

(ii) Lessor shall execute and deliver to Lessee a Special Warranty Deed with covenants against grantor’s acts, assignment and/or such other instrument or instruments as may be appropriate, which shall transfer Lessor’s interest in the Property, subject to, (A) Permitted Liens (except for any mortgage indebtedness of Lessor if the sale is pursuant to Article  12 or Section  21.1 ), (B) all liens, encumbrances, charges, exceptions and restrictions attaching to the Property after the Closing Date which shall not have been created or caused by Lessor (unless, if created or caused by Lessor, consented to by Lessee), and (C) all applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances and governmental restrictions then in effect; and

(iii) Lessee shall comply with Section 5.01 of the Indenture if the Property is being purchased pursuant to Lessee’s right of first offer set forth in Article  4 .

(b) Lessee shall pay all costs, charges and expenses incident to such transfer, including, without limitation, all recording fees, transfer taxes, title insurance premiums, fees to the Servicer’s, Indenture Trustee’s and the Holders’ counsel and federal, state and local taxes, except for any income taxes and as otherwise provided under Section  19.2 .

(c) In the event Lessor and Lessee enter into a purchase agreement for the sale of the Property, Lessor agrees to cause the entity that owns the Property to be sold to Lessee, in lieu of a sale of the Property to Lessee, in the event (i) Lessee requests Lessor to do so; and (ii) the sale of the interests in Lessor (rather than the Property) to Lessee shall not impose any obligations on Lessor that would not be imposed had Lessor sold the Property, will not decrease any rights Lessor would have had Lessor sold the Property, and will not create any increased possibility of additional liability to Lessor (including without limitation, for ongoing corporate acts, taxes,

 

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etc.), all as shall be reasonably evidenced to Lessor by certificates, affidavits, opinions or otherwise. Lessor agrees to cooperate with Lessee in effectuating such a transfer of equity interests, subject to the terms hereof.

ARTICLE 23

TRANSFER OF LESSOR’S INTEREST

Section  23.1. Permitted Transfer . Subject to Article  4 , Lessor may transfer all, or any part of, its right, title and interest in and to the Property and its rights under this Lease and the other documents relating thereto with respect to such Property other than (so long as no Lease Event of Default shall exist) to Prohibited Transferees, on the following terms and conditions, each of which shall be satisfied prior to the effective date of the transfer (provided that such terms and conditions shall not apply to a transfer by a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure or similar transfer made in connection with an exercise of remedies under the Debt Documents):

(a) such transfer shall be in compliance with Applicable Laws and shall not create a relationship which would violate Applicable Laws;

(b) under no circumstances shall such transfer materially adversely affect the rights and privileges of Lessee under the Lease, or increase the nature, scope or amount of any obligations or liabilities (including any contingent liabilities) of Lessee in excess of those existing prior to such transfer in any material respect; and

(c) the transferor shall have given or at closing will give to Lessee, notice of such transfer, which notice shall contain such information and evidence as shall be reasonably necessary to establish compliance with this Article  23 and, if of the entire Property, the name and address of the transferee for notices.

The foregoing restrictions on sales to Prohibited Transferees shall not apply in the event of, or survive, a foreclosure or deed-in-lieu thereof.

Section  23.2. Effects of Transfer . From and after any transfer effected in accordance with this Article  23 , the transferor shall be released, to the extent of the interest transferred and the obligations assumed by the transferee, from its liability hereunder and under the other documents to which it is a party relating to the interests being transferred. Such release shall be in respect of obligations (that are assumed by the transferee) arising on or after the date of such transfer. Upon any transfer by Lessor as above provided, any such transferee shall be deemed the “Lessor” for all purposes of such documents and each reference herein to Lessor shall thereafter be deemed a reference to such transferee for all purposes, except as provided in the preceding sentence. Lessee agrees to execute any and all documents reasonably appropriate to effectuate the contemplated transfer by Lessor, including, without limitation, an amendment to this Lease providing that the new Lessor shall be Lessor and the existing Lessor shall be released from its liabilities.

 

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ARTICLE 24

PERMITTED FINANCING

Section  24.1. Financing During Term .

Lessee hereby expressly consents to the Lien imposed in favor of the Indebtedness pursuant to the Debt Documents and such Indebtedness as in effect on the date hereof. With respect to any refinancing of the initial Indebtedness or additional financing during the Base Term and during any Renewal Term, Lessor shall be free to encumber the Property, provided that under no circumstances shall any such financing adversely affect the rights and privileges of Lessee under this Lease, or any sub-tenants under any Existing Subleases, or increase the nature, scope or amount of any obligations or liabilities (including any contingent liabilities) of Lessee in excess of those existing prior to any such further encumbrances by Lessor, in each case, other than to a de minimus extent. Lessee and its Affiliates will have no obligation to amend this Lease or any other Operative Documents to facilitate such financing (except, subject to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, to amend the definitions of “Debt Documents”, “Holders”, “Indebtedness”, “Mortgage”, “Secured Note”, “Indenture Trustee”, etc. to mean the replacement documents, the new lender, the new indebtedness and the references to the sections therein); but shall execute and deliver a mutually acceptable subordination and attornment agreement to any lender to Lessor permitted by the above terms of this Section  24.1 if such lender shall in turn deliver a nondisturbance agreement to Lessee, in each case with terms substantially similar to the SNDA Agreement. Lessee agrees to cooperate with any refinancing by Lessor permitted hereunder. Such cooperation shall include, without limitation, (i) naming such new lender(s) as additional insureds; and (ii) making payments of Base Rent and/or Supplemental Rent to or at the direction of such lender(s).

Section  24.2. Lessee s Consent to Assignment for Indebtedness . Lessee acknowledges that in order to secure Lessor’s obligations under the Secured Notes and the other Debt Documents, Lessor has in the Assignment of Lease and in the Mortgage, among other things, assigned (to the extent provided therein) to the Indenture Trustee of Lessor’s right, title and interest to this Lease. While the Assignment of Lease and the Mortgage or any replacements thereof are in effect, Lessee hereby:

(a) consents to such assignment in this Lease and pursuant to the Consent Agreement;

(b) covenants to make in full, in funds that are immediately available, to Indenture Trustee, in Indenture Trustee’s name, for the benefit of the Holders, when due (without offset, deduction, defense, deferment, abatement or diminution, except as provided in this Lease), by wire or intrabank transfer or through Automated Clearing House in accordance with the terms of this Lease:

(i) each payment of Base Rent and, to the extent not directly payable by Lessee to third parties or Governmental Authorities, or payable to Lessor under Articles  18 or 19 , all Supplemental Rent.

(ii) all purchase prices, termination amounts, and other sums payable to Lessor under this Lease;

 

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(c) agrees:

(i) to deliver to the Indenture Trustee copies of all notices and other communications which Lessee is required to deliver to the Lessor pursuant to this Lease;

(ii) that (except as set forth in Section  12.1 and in Section  21.1 with respect to Lessor’s right to reject an offer of early termination and in each case override the consent of the Indenture Trustee) all consents, approvals, waivers and the like to be delivered by the Lessor pursuant to this Lease shall be given by Lessor and by the Servicer or Indenture Trustee, acting at the direction of the Holders and no such consent, approval, waiver and the like delivered by Lessor shall be of any force or effect unless also delivered by the Servicer, acting on behalf of Indenture Trustee, or Indenture Trustee;

(iii) that it shall not, except as provided in Article  19 of this Lease or under Applicable Law, seek to recover from the Indenture Trustee any moneys paid to the Indenture Trustee by virtue of the Assignment of Lease and the foregoing provisions; provided, however, that neither the Assignment of Lease nor the foregoing provisions shall limit Lessee’s right to recover (A) any duplicate payment made to the Indenture Trustee, whether due to computational or administrative error or otherwise, if the Indenture Trustee has received such payment, (B) all or any portion of a payment in excess of the amount then due under this Lease or otherwise owed by Lessor to Lessee under this Lease, and (C) any amounts that have been paid to or are actually held by the Indenture Trustee that are required to be refunded to, repaid, or otherwise released to or for the benefit of Lessee under this Lease;

(iv) that no payment of Rents (other than Excepted Payments) or delivery of such notices or other communications by Lessee shall be of any force or effect unless paid to Indenture Trustee or delivered to the Indenture Trustee as provided above;

(v) that Lessee shall not pay any Rent more than thirty (30) days prior to such payment’s scheduled due date except as provided in this Lease;

(vi) that Lessee shall not enter into any agreement subordinating or (except as expressly permitted by the terms of this Lease as in effect on the date hereof) surrendering, canceling, or terminating this Lease without the prior written consent of the Indenture Trustee, who shall act on behalf of the Holders, and any such attempted subordination or termination without such consent shall be void;

(vii) that Lessee shall not enter into any amendment or modification of this Lease without the prior written consent of the Indenture Trustee, who shall act on behalf of the Holders (and the Surety with respect to Article  8 and Article  21 ), and any such attempted amendment or modification without such consent shall be void;

(viii) that if this Lease shall be amended, it shall continue to constitute collateral under the Mortgage and the Assignment of Lease without the necessity of any further act by Lessor, Lessee or the Indenture Trustee; and

(ix) that except as expressly provided in this Lease, Lessee shall not take any action to terminate, rescind or avoid this Lease, notwithstanding, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or other proceeding affecting Lessor or any assignee of Lessor and notwithstanding any action with respect to the Lease which may be taken by an assignee, Indenture Trustee or receiver of Lessor or of any such assignee or by any court in any such proceedings.

 

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Each Holder is an express third party beneficiary of the agreements contained in this Section  24.2 . However, nothing herein shall be construed as Lessee’s agreement to be bound and perform the obligations of Lessor under the Debt Documents. Subject to the provisions of Section  24(c)(ii) , if Lessee receives conflicting direction from Lessor and the Indenture Trustee, or is in good faith uncertain as to whether it should comply with a direction from either Lessor or the Indenture Trustee, Lessee shall be permitted to seek written confirmation from Lessor and the Indenture Trustee, or to comply with the written direction of the Holders, or if the matter in dispute regards the payment of money by Lessee, pay the same into a court at Lessor’s cost and provide Lessor and the Indenture Trustee with reasonably prompt notice of such payment.

ARTICLE 25

MISCELLANEOUS

Section  25.1. Memorandum . Lessee and Lessor agree that a memorandum of this Lease (and any amendment hereof) shall be executed and recorded, at Lessee’s expense, in the land records of the jurisdiction in which the Property is situated.

Section  25.2. Binding Effect; Successors and Assigns; Survival . The terms and provisions of this Lease, and the respective rights and obligations hereunder of Lessor and Lessee, shall be binding upon their respective successors, legal representatives and assigns (including, in the case of Lessor, any Person to whom Lessor may transfer the Property) and inure to the benefit of their respective permitted successors and assigns, and the rights hereunder of the Indenture Trustee shall inure (subject to such conditions as are contained herein) to the benefit of (i) its permitted successors and assigns, and (ii) Servicer. The Indenture Trustee and the Servicer are intended third-party beneficiaries under this Lease, including Article  10 . In addition, the Indemnitees and the Tax Indemnitees (to the extent of the indemnification provisions of Article  19 of this Lease and any Supplemental Rent payable to an Indemnitee) are also intended third party beneficiaries under the Lease.

Section  25.3. Quiet Enjoyment . Lessee shall have the right to peaceably and quietly hold, possess and use any and all of the Property hereunder during the Lease Term without hindrance by Lessor, or any person claiming through or under Lessor, so long as no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Nothing in this Lease shall interfere with any claims Lessee may now or hereafter have against an Affiliate of Lessor who has issued an insurance policy to Lessee, or against Lessor arising out of any interference with Lessee’s right of quiet enjoyment to the extent caused by the wrongful act or gross negligence of Lessor.

Section  25.4. Notices . Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, all notices, consents, directions, approvals, instructions, requests and other communications required or

 

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permitted by the terms hereof to be given to any Person shall be in writing sent to either that Person’s Address, and a copy thereof shall be sent to each Person to receive a copy pursuant to the definition of “Address”, by (i) a prepaid nationally recognized overnight courier service, and any such notice shall be deemed received one (1) Business Day after delivery to a nationally recognized courier service specifying overnight delivery, or (ii) U.S. certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed received when actually received, as evidenced by the return receipt, or when delivery is first refused. From time to time any party may designate a new Address for purposes of notice hereunder by giving fifteen (15) days’ written notice thereof to each of the other parties hereto. All notices given hereunder shall be irrevocable unless expressly specified otherwise. When sending notices to Lessor, Lessee should refer to Section  24.2(c)(ii) , above, Section  25.30 , below, and the Consent Agreement. All notices given hereunder to the Indenture Trustee must also be delivered to the Servicer. Lessor shall endeavor to label any envelope which contains a notice of default with the legend: “Default Notice,” but its failure to do so shall not invalidate or affect in any way such notice.

Section  25.5. Severability . If any of the provisions of this Lease, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances, shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Lease, or the application of such provision or provisions to persons or circumstances other than those as to whom or which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and every provision of this Lease shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lessor and Lessee hereby waive any provision of law that renders any provision hereof prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.

Section  25.6. Amendments, Complete Agreements . Neither this Lease nor any of the terms hereof may be terminated, amended, supplemented, waived or modified orally, but may be terminated, amended, supplemented, waived or modified only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which the enforcement of the termination, amendment, supplement, waiver or modification shall be sought and, as required by the Assignment of Lease, by the Indenture Trustee (or its successors and/or assigns). This Lease is intended by the parties as a final expression of their lease agreement and as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms thereof, all negotiations, considerations and representations between the parties having been incorporated herein. No representations, undertakings, or agreements have been made or relied upon in the making of this Lease other than those specifically set forth in the Operative Documents.

Section  25.7. Headings . The Table of Contents and headings of the various Articles and Sections of this Lease are for convenience of reference only and shall not modify, define or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section  25.8. Counterparts . This Lease may be executed by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

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Section  25.9. Governing Law . This Lease shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas.

LESSOR AND LESSEE HEREBY SUBMIT TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE PERSONAL JURISDICTION IN THE STATE AND CITY OF NEW YORK AND THE FEDERAL COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LOCATED IN THE STATE AND CITY OF NEW YORK (AND ANY APPELLATE COURTS TAKING APPEALS THEREFROM) FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF SUCH PERSON’S OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER AND WAIVES ANY AND ALL PERSONAL RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW OF ANY OTHER STATE TO OBJECT TO JURISDICTION WITHIN SUCH STATE FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR LITIGATION TO ENFORCE SUCH OBLIGATIONS OF LESSEE OR LESSOR. LESSOR AND LESSEE HEREBY WAIVE AND AGREE NOT TO ASSERT, AS A DEFENSE IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS LEASE (A) THAT IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SUCH JURISDICTION OR THAT SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING MAY NOT BE BROUGHT OR IS NOT MAINTAINABLE IN THOSE COURTS OR THAT IT IS EXEMPT OR IMMUNE FROM EXECUTION, (B) THAT THE ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM OR (C) THAT THE VENUE OF THE ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IS IMPROPER. LESSEE AND LESSOR EACH HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATED TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS LEASE.

Section  25.10. Surety Privity Agreement .

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Lease, to the extent Lessee has paid as damages any amounts to the Surety pursuant to that certain Privity Agreement dated as of the Closing Date (the “ Privity Agreement ”) among Guarantor, the Lessee, the Surety and the Indenture Trustee, any requirement under this Lease that the Lessee pay or provide funds to Lessor or the Proceeds Trustee, whether as damages or insurance proceeds or otherwise, in respect of the same breach by Lessee of the Maintenance Standards (as defined in the Privity Agreement), and to the extent such amount would be in duplication of the amount paid under the Privity Agreement, shall be reduced by the amount of such payment to the Surety. Nothing herein shall, however, be deemed to permit any reduction in Base Rent or any other Supplemental Rent due hereunder.

Section  25.11. Estoppel Certificates . Each party hereto agrees that at any time and from time to time during the Lease Term (but on no more than two occasions during each Lease Year), it will promptly, but in no event later than ten (10) days after request by the other party hereto, execute, acknowledge and deliver to such other party a certificate in the form of Exhibit  B attached hereto. In addition, each party agrees to include in such certificate such other items as may be reasonably requested under the circumstances giving rise to the delivery of such certificate. Such certificate may be relied upon by any bona fide, permitted purchaser of, or mortgagee with respect to, Lessor’s or Lessee’s interest in the Property (direct or indirect), or any prospective sublessee of Lessee in respect of any one or more of the Property.

Section  25.12. Easements . So long as no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, and provided that no such action individually or in the aggregate could

 

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reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon Lessee’s ability to perform its obligations under the Operative Documents, or on the Fair Market Rental Value or Fair Market Sales Value of the Property, Lessor will join with Lessee from time to time at the request of Lessee (and at Lessee’s sole cost and expense) to:

(a) subject to the terms of Article  12 , sell, assign, convey or otherwise transfer an interest in any or all of the Property to any Person legally empowered to take such interest under the power of eminent domain, and dedicate or transfer unimproved portions of any or all of the Property for road, highway or other public purposes;

(b) upon approval by Lessor, which approval may not be unreasonably withheld: (i) grant new (or release existing) easements, servitudes, licenses, rights of way and other rights and privileges in the nature of easements, with respect to the Property, and (ii) execute amendments to any covenants and restrictions affecting the Property; and

(c) execute and deliver any instrument, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lessor, necessary or appropriate to make or confirm the grants, releases or other actions described above in Section  25.12(a) and Section  25.12(b) .

Lessor agrees that it shall not grant any easements, licenses or other possessory interests in the Property to any party without Lessee’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, provided, however, Lessee’s consent shall not be required (i) during the continuation of a Lease Event of Default, and (ii) to the extent such easement, license or other possessory interest is required by law.

Section  25.13. No Joint Venture . Any intention to create a joint venture or partnership relation between Lessor and Lessee is hereby expressly disclaimed.

Section  25.14. No Accord and Satisfaction . The acceptance by Lessor of any sums from Lessee (whether as Rent or otherwise) in amounts which are less than the amounts due and payable by Lessee hereunder is not intended, nor shall be construed, to constitute an accord and satisfaction, or compromise, of any dispute between such parties regarding sums due and payable by Lessee hereunder, unless the Indenture Trustee and the Lessor specifically agree to it as such in writing.

Section  25.15. No Merger . In no event shall the leasehold interests, estates or rights of Lessee hereunder, or of the Indenture Trustee, merge with any interests, estates or rights of Lessor in or to any and all of the Property, it being understood that such leasehold interests, estates and rights of Lessee hereunder, and of the Indenture Trustee, shall be deemed to be separate and distinct from Lessor’s interests, estates and rights in or to the Property, notwithstanding that any such interests, estates or rights shall at any time or times be held by or vested in the same person, corporation or other entity.

Section  25.16. Lessor Bankruptcy . During the Lease Term the parties hereto agree that if Lessee elects to remain in possession of any and all of the Property after the rejection of the Lease by Lessor under Section 365(h) of the Bankruptcy Code, all of the terms and provisions of this Lease shall be effective during such period of possession by Lessee, including the Renewal Terms and Lessee’s purchase rights hereunder, even if Lessor becomes subject to a case or proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code prior to the commencement of any such Renewal Term or the exercise by Lessee of such purchase rights.

 

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Section  25.17. Naming and Signage of the Property . Lessee shall have all rights in respect of signage for or in connection with the Property. Lessor shall not display its name or logo on the Property nor have or acquire any right or interest with respect to any such name or names used at any time by Lessee, or any trade name, trademark, service mark or other intellectual property of any type of Lessee. Lessor shall cooperate with Lessee to effectuate Lessee’s sign rights hereunder, at no cost to Lessor.

Section  25.18. Expenses . Whenever this Lease provides for the reimbursement by Lessee of costs and expenses of Lessor or any other Person, then such reimbursement obligation shall be limited to reasonable, actual, out-of pocket third-party costs and expenses. In addition to any other costs payable hereunder by Lessee, Lessee acknowledges and agrees that whenever (i) it seeks Lessor’s consent to an Alteration, (ii) it makes a rejectable offer, (iii) it seeks an early termination, (iv) Fair Market Sales Value, Fair Market Rental Value or Base Rent during a Renewal Term needs to be calculated, (v) Lessee requests a partial release, (vi) Lessee assigns its lease, (vii) Lessor is asked to sign a landlord waiver with respect to Lessee’s personal property, or (viii) a casualty or condemnation (including, without limitation, an Event of Loss) occurs, Lessee, except as otherwise expressly stated to the contrary in the definition of “Appraisal Procedure”, shall pay all reasonable costs incurred by Lessor, the Servicer (or special servicer) and Indenture Trustee arising out of the foregoing.

Section  25.19. Investments . Any moneys held by Lessor (or by the Indenture Trustee or Proceeds Trustee) pursuant to this Lease, including Section  12.4 , except when there is continuing a Lease Event of Default shall, until paid to Lessee, be invested by Lessor or, if the Debt Documents are in effect, by the Indenture Trustee in Permitted Investments as directed by or on behalf of Lessee. Any gain (including interest received) realized as a result of any such investment (net of any fees, commissions, Taxes and other expenses, if any, incurred in connection with such investment) shall be retained with, and distributed and re-invested in the same manner, as the original principal amount. Lessor (and the Indenture Trustee or Proceeds Trustee) shall have no liability for any losses arising from any such investments or reinvestments. At such time as there no longer exists a requirement under this Lease for the Indenture Trustee to hold such amounts, and no Lease Event of Default is continuing, such amounts, together with any income thereon, shall be disbursed to Lessee.

Section  25.20. Further Assurances . Lessor and Lessee, at the cost and expense of the requesting party (except as otherwise set forth in this Lease to the contrary), will cause to be promptly and duly taken, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further acts, documents and assurances as any of the others reasonably may request from time to time in order to carry out more effectively the intent and purposes of this Lease. Nothing herein shall obligate Lessee to provide to Lessor or the Indenture Trustee any proprietary or confidential information relating to the manner, method and procedures of Lessee’s business operations, or relating to Lessee’s business plan. Lessee also agrees to cooperate with Lessor in determining how to allocate the purchase price paid for the property for purposes of depreciation, including review of the applicable portions of Lessee’s books applicable to Lessee’s depreciation of the Property, as prior owner and as Lessee.

 

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Section  25.21. Conveyance Expenses . All transfer taxes, title insurance premiums, and other costs, fees and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and Make-Whole Premium, if applicable) incurred in connection with the transfer of any or all of the Property to Lessee under Articles  11 , 12 , 21 and 22 shall be paid by Lessee. All such amounts incurred in connection with a transfer to Lessee or its designee under Article  4 shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the relevant offer.

Section  25.22. Independent Covenants . The covenants of Lessor and Lessee herein are independent and several covenants and not dependent on the performance of any other covenant in this Lease.

Section  25.23. Lessor Exculpation . Anything to the contrary in this Lease notwithstanding, the covenants contained in this Lease to be performed by Lessor shall not be binding on any member of Lessor in its or his or her individual capacity, but instead said covenants are made for the purpose of binding only all of Lessor’s right, title and interest in and to the Property, and none of Lessor or any of its Affiliate or any of its successors and assigns shall have any liability under this Lease in excess of, and Lessee shall have no recourse under this Lease against Lessor or any Affiliate of it except for Lessor’s interest (to the extent not pledged or assigned) in the Property, Net Proceeds and Rent.

Section  25.24. Remedies Cumulative . To the extent permitted by, and subject to the mandatory requirements of, Applicable Laws, each and every right, power and remedy herein specifically given to the Lessor or otherwise in this Lease shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right, power and remedy herein specifically given or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity or by statute, and each and every right, power and remedy whether specifically herein given or otherwise existing may be exercised from time to time and as often and in such order as may be deemed expedient by Lessor. No delay or omission by Lessor in the exercise of any right, power or remedy or in the pursuit of any remedy shall impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver or any default on the part of Lessee or to be an acquiescence therein. Lessor’s consent to any request made by Lessee shall not be deemed to constitute or preclude the necessity for obtaining Lessor’s consent, in the future, to all similar requests. No waiver by Lessor of any default shall in any way be, or be construed to be, a waiver of any future or subsequent default.

Section  25.25. Holding Over . Lessee covenants that if for any reason Lessee or any subtenant of Lessee shall fail to vacate and surrender possession of a Property or any part thereof, in the condition required herein, on or before the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease and the Term, then Lessee’s continued possession of the Property shall be as a tenant at sufferance, during which time, without prejudice and in addition to any other rights and remedies Lessor may have hereunder or at law, Lessee shall pay to Lessor an amount equal to: (a) one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the total monthly amount of Rent payable hereunder immediately prior to such termination (the “ Existing Rent ”) for the first thirty (30) days during which Lessee holds over, and (b)one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the Existing Rent thereafter. The provisions of this Section shall not in any way be deemed to (i) permit Lessee to remain in possession of the Property after the expiration date or sooner termination of this Lease, or (ii) imply any right of Lessee to use or occupy the Property upon expiration or termination of this Lease and the Term and no acceptance by Lessor of payments from Lessee after the

 

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expiration date or sooner termination of the Term shall be deemed to be other than on account of the amount to be paid by Lessee in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Lessee’s obligations under this Section shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

Section  25.26. Survival . The following provisions shall survive the termination of this Lease: (i) Sections 3.2 , 3.5 , 6.1 , 8.4 , 8.5 , 8.6 (only with respect to Impositions arising during the Term) 8.7 , 8.8 , 17.2 , 20.1 , 22.1 , Articles  7 , 10 , 19 and 25 to the extent relating to unfulfilled obligations of Lessee arising or occurring prior to the date of termination of this Lease, and (ii) any provision of this Lease pursuant to which the Lessor or Lessee had an existing obligation which was unsatisfied at the time of termination of this Lease and remains unsatisfied, including, without limitation, to the extent there was any unsatisfied obligation under, Sections  12.1 , and Article  3 , provided, however, that nothing in this Section  25.26 shall be deemed to extend any applicable statute of limitations.

Section  25.27. State Specific Provisions . Attached hereto as Schedule  25.27 are provisions (if necessary) applicable to the jurisdiction in which the Property is located. Such provisions are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Section  25.28. Lease Subordinate . This Lease, the leasehold estate of Lessee created hereby and all rights of Lessee hereunder including, without limitation, Lessee’s rights under Article  4 and 21 hereof, are and shall be subject and subordinate to the Mortgage and to all renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements and extensions of the Mortgage. A commercially reasonable subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement, in a form reasonably agreed to between the parties hereto and dated of even date herewith, shall be entered into among Lessor, Lessee and the Lender which provides that, so long as no Lease Event of Default has occurred or is occurring, Lessee’s occupancy and use of the Property pursuant to the terms of this Lease shall not be disturbed and Lessee’s rights under this Lease are and shall always be subordinate to the Mortgage and to all renewals, modification, consolidation, replacements and extension of the Mortgage.

Section  25.29. Lessor Representations . Lessor, as of the Closing Date, shall be a “Single Purpose Entity”. Each of the Operative Documents to which Lessor is a party has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Lessor; and has been duly executed and delivered by Lessor; and the execution, delivery and performance thereof by Lessor will not: (i) require any consent or approval of any Person, other than such consents and approvals as have been obtained, (ii) contravene any Applicable Law binding on Lessor or the organizational documents of Lessor or (iii) contravene or result in any breach of or constitute any default under Lessor’s organizational documents, or any indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, contract, partnership or joint venture agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which Lessor is a party or by which Lessor is bound. Notwithstanding anything in the Lease to the contrary, Lessee shall not be required to pay the Make-Whole Premium if the obligation to pay the same results from an Event of Default by Lessor under the Debt Documents providing such Event of Default is not caused by or otherwise related to a Lease Event of Default.

Section  25.30. Servicer Acting on Behalf of Indenture Trustee . The Servicer has authority to act on behalf of the Indenture Trustee with respect to this Lease, and therefore, any acts or obligations of the Indenture Trustee hereunder may be performed by Servicer on behalf of

 

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the Indenture Trustee, any notices or documents to be delivered to the Indenture Trustee hereunder must be simultaneously delivered to the Servicer, and any required consents of the Indenture Trustee in this Lease are to be deemed required from Servicer, on behalf of the Indenture Trustee, and if received from the Servicer shall be deemed given by the Indenture Trustee.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lessor and Lessee have duly authorized, executed and delivered this Lease as of the date first hereinabove set forth.

 

LESSOR:
State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as owner trustee of ZSF/Dallas Tower Trust
By:  

/s/ Donald E. Smith

  Name:   Donald E. Smith
  Title:   Vice President


LESSEE:

TXU PROPERTIES COMPANY

a Texas corporation

By:  

/s/ Kirk R. Oliver

  Name:   Kirk R. Oliver
  Title:   Treasurer and Assistant Secretary


APPENDIX A

[Definitions]

Unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires:

(a) any term defined below by reference to another instrument or document shall continue to have the meaning ascribed thereto whether or not such other instrument or document remains in effect;

(b) words which include a number of constituent parts, things or elements, shall be construed as referring separately to each constituent part, thing or element thereof, as well as to all of such constituent parts, things or elements as a whole;

(c) references to any Person include such Person’s successors and assigns and in the case of an individual, the word “successors” includes such Person’s heirs, devisees, legatees, executors, administrators and personal representatives;

(d) words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa;

(e) words importing a gender include any gender;

(f) the words “consent”, “approve”, “agree” and “request”, and derivations thereof or words of similar import, mean the prior written consent, approval, agreement or request of the Person in question;

(g) a reference to a part, clause, party, section, article, exhibit or schedule is a reference to a part and clause of, and a party, section, article, exhibit and schedule to, such Operative Document;

(h) a reference to any statute, regulation, proclamation, ordinance or law includes all statutes, regulations, proclamations, ordinances or laws varying, consolidating or replacing them, and a reference to a statute includes all regulations, proclamations and ordinances issued or otherwise applicable under that statute;

(i) a reference to a document includes an amendment or supplement to, or replacement or novation of, that document;

(j) a reference to a party to a document includes that party’s successors and permitted delegees and/or assigns, and specifically, any reference in the Operative Documents to the Indenture Trustee shall be deemed to include the Servicer; and

(k) the words “including” and “includes,” and words of similar import, shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”;

 

Appendix A - 1


(l) the words “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be deemed to refer to the Operative Document as a whole and not to the specific section or provision where such word appears;

(m) unless the context shall otherwise require, a reference to the “Property” or “Improvements” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “or a portion thereof”;

(n) the Schedules and Exhibits of the Operative Documents are incorporated herein by reference;

(o) the titles and headings of Articles, Sections, Schedules, Exhibits, subsections, paragraphs and clauses are inserted as a matter of convenience and shall not affect the construction of the Operative Documents;

(p) all obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture shall be satisfied by the Issuer at Issuer’s sole cost and expense,

(q) all rights and powers granted to the Indenture Trustee under the Indenture shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest and be irrevocable; and

(r) references to any Operative Document include all amendments, supplements, consolidations, replacements, restatements, extensions, renewals and other modifications thereof, in whole or in part.

“Actual Knowledge” with respect to any Person, shall mean the present, conscious, actual knowledge of, or receipt of notice by, (i) senior officers of such Person or the officers or employees of such Person charged with the oversight on its behalf of the this transaction or (ii) with respect to a matter covered by a representation and warranty, the property or asset manager having responsibility for the matters covered by such representation and the person to whom such manager reports.

“Additional Renewal Term” shall have the meaning specified in Section  5.1 of the Lease.

“Address” shall mean, subject to the rights of the party in question to change its Address in accordance with the terms of the Operative Documents:

(i) with respect to Lessee: TXU Properties Company, 1601 Bryan Street, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attention: Treasurer.

with a copy to: Alex Jimenez;

and: Kevin Rogan, Hunton & Williams, 1601 Bryan Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.

(ii) with respect to Lessor: c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association as Owner Trustee, Two Avenue de Lafayette, 6th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02112, Attn: Corporate Trust Administration;

 

Appendix A - 2


with a copy to the Owner Participant, Attn: Mr. Christian Halabi, Zurich Structured Finance, Inc. One Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10005;

and: General Counsel, Zurich Structured Finance, Inc., One Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10005;

and: Neil Tucker, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022-3852;

(iii) with respect to the Indenture Trustee, to LaSalle Bank National Association, 135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1625, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attn: Asset Backed Securities Trust Services Group - TXU Pass-Through Trust, Series 2002-1; provided that all copies of notices to the Indenture Trustee shall be sent to the Servicer at the Servicer’s Address;

(iv) with respect to the Servicer, to First Union National Bank, NC 1075, 8739 Research Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28262-1075.

“Additional Interest” shall have the meaning accorded it in the Secured Notes.

“Affiliate” of any Person shall mean any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such Person and shall include, if such Person is an individual, members of the Family of such Person and trusts for the benefit of such individual or Family members. For purposes of this definition, the term, “control” (including the correlative meanings of the terms “controlling” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.

“After-Tax Basis” means, with respect to any payment received or accrued by any Person, the amount of such payment (the “ base payment ”) supplemented by a further payment (the “ additional payment ”) to that Person so that the sum of the base payment plus the additional payment shall, after taking into account the amount of all Taxes required to be paid by such Person in respect of the receipt or accrual of the base payment and the additional payment (after any current credits or deductions arising therefrom and the timing thereof [and taking into account any credits or deductions arising from the event giving rise to the base payment]), be equal to the amount required to be received. Such calculations shall be made on the assumption that the recipient is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxation at the highest marginal rates applicable to the respective Tax Indemnitees (as the case may be).

“Alterations” shall mean alterations, improvements, installations, demolitions, modifications, changes and additions to the Property, but shall not include Lessee’s Equipment and Personalty.

“Applicable Laws” shall mean (i) all existing and future applicable laws (including common laws), rules, regulations, statutes, treaties, codes, ordinances, permits, certificates, orders and licenses of and interpretations by, any Governmental Authorities, and applicable judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs, orders or like action of any court, arbitrator or other administrative, judicial or quasi-judicial tribunal or agency of competent jurisdiction (including

 

Appendix A - 3


those pertaining to the environment and those pertaining to the construction, use or occupancy of the Property), and (ii) any reciprocal easement agreement, covenant, other agreement or deed restriction or easement of record affecting the Property as of the date hereof or subsequent hereto pursuant to the terms of the Lease (but excluding for purposes of this definition the Debt Documents). Applicable Laws include Environmental Laws.

“Appraisal Procedure” shall mean the following procedure for determining any one or more of the Fair Market Sales Value of the Property, the Fair Market Rental Value of the Property or any other amount which may, pursuant to any provision of any Operative Document, be determined by the Appraisal Procedure: one Qualified Appraiser, chosen by the Lessor but if the Lessee shall fail to agree with the selection of the Lessor’s Qualified Appraiser than Lessee shall have the right to engage an additional Qualified Appraiser. However, if the Lessee fails to choose a Qualified Appraiser within twenty (20) Business Days after written notice from the Lessor of the selection of its Qualified Appraiser followed by a second notice (which notice shall specifically state that failure to select a Qualified Appraiser within ten (10) Business Days shall prohibit appointment of a Qualified Appraiser by the addressed party) given at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the expiration of such twenty-day period, then the appraisal by such appointed Qualified Appraiser shall be binding on the parties. If the two Qualified Appraisers cannot agree on a value within twenty (20) Business Days after the appointment of the Second Qualified Appraiser, then a third Qualified Appraiser shall be selected by the two Qualified Appraisers or, failing agreement as to such third Qualified Appraiser within thirty (30) Business Days after the appointment of the Second Qualified Appraiser, by the American Arbitration Association office in Dallas, Texas. The appraisals of the three Qualified Appraisers shall be given within twenty (20) Business Days of the appointment of the third Qualified Appraiser and the Appraisal of the Qualified Appraiser most different from the average of the other two shall be discarded and such average of the remaining two Appraisers shall be binding on the parties; provided that if the highest appraisal and the lowest appraisal are equidistant from the third appraisal, the third appraisal shall be binding on the parties. The fees and expenses of the Qualified Appraiser appointed by a party shall be paid by such party (such fees and expenses not being indemnifiable by Lessee); the fees and expenses of the third Qualified Appraiser shall be divided equally between the two parties, except that all fees and expenses of all the Qualified Appraisers shall be paid by Lessee in the case of an appraisal or determination under Article  17 of the Lease.

“Approved Environmental Consultant” shall mean any environmental consultant to Lessee of national standing and reasonably approved by Lessor and Indenture Trustee.

“Assignment of Lease” shall mean the Assignment of Lease and Agreement dated as of the Closing Date by and among the Lessor, as assignor, and the Indenture Trustee, as assignee, for the benefit of the Holders, with respect to the Lease.

“Authorized Officer” shall mean with respect to a Person if the Person is not an individual, any officer or principal of the Person, any trustee of the Person (if the Person is a trust), any general partner or joint venturer of the Person (if the Person is a partnership or joint venture) or any manager or member that is a manager of the Person (if the Person is a limited liability company) who shall be duly authorized to execute the Operative Documents.

 

Appendix A - 4


“Bankruptcy Code” shall mean the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 as amended and as may be further amended.

“Base Rent” shall mean, for the Base Term, the rent payable pursuant to Section  3.1 of the Lease and, for any Renewal Term, the rent payable pursuant to Article  5 of the Lease as such amounts may be adjusted from time to time.

“Base Term” shall mean the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on February 14, 2022, or such shorter period as may result from earlier termination of the Lease as provided therein.

“Board of Directors”, with respect to a corporation, means either the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee of that Board which pursuant to the by-laws of such corporation has the same authority as that Board as to the matter at issue.

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks are authorized to be closed in the State of New York, the State of Texas, or the state in which the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee is located.

“Casualty” shall mean any damage or destruction caused to the Property by any reason, whether or not constituting an Event of Loss.

“Claims” shall mean Liens (including, without limitation, lien removal and bonding costs), liabilities, obligations, damages, losses, demands, penalties, assessments, payments, fees of Trustee and Servicer, fines, claims, actions, suits, judgments, settlements, costs, expenses and disbursements (including, without limitation, reasonable, actually-incurred legal fees and expenses and costs of investigation and Remedial Action) of any kind and nature whatsoever.

“Closing Date” shall mean February 14, 2002.

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

“Condemnation” shall mean any condemnation, requisition or other taking or sale of the use, occupancy or title to any or all of the Property, by or on account of any eminent domain proceeding or other action by any Governmental Authority or other Person under the power of eminent domain or otherwise or any transfer in lieu of or in anticipation thereof.

“Consent Agreement” shall mean the Consent Agreement dated as of the Closing Date among the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Lessee.

“Controlling Party” shall have the meaning specified in Section  19.2(e) of the Lease.

“CPI” shall mean the national Consumer Price Index, for all urban consumers (1982-84=100), all items, all cities, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“CPI Increase”, when used with respect to a stated dollar amount as of a given date, shall mean that the stated dollar amount shall be increased by a percentage equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the CPI from the Closing Date (or the anniversary thereof, as applicable) to such date.

 

Appendix A - 5


“Debt Documents” shall mean (i) the Secured Notes, (ii) the Mortgage, (iii) Indenture, (iv) the Assignment of Lease, (v) the Note Purchase Agreement, (vi) the Consent Agreement, (vii) the Assignment of Agreements (as defined in the Indenture), (viii) the SNDA Agreement (as defined in the Indenture), (ix) the Indenture Trustee Fee Letter, (x) the Servicer Fee Letter (as defined in the Indenture), (xi) the Certificate Purchase Agreement and (xii) UCC financing statements relating to any of the foregoing.

“Default” shall mean any event, condition or failure which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default.

“Default Rate” shall mean, at any time, the greater of (x) 2.5% percent above the annual rate of interest set by Citibank, N.A. (or any successor thereto) as its “Prime Rate” from time to time, and (y) 2% above the highest stated rate of interest on the Secured Notes, but in no event to exceed the highest rate permitted by Applicable Laws. For the purposes of this Lease, the Default Rate shall be applicable to late payments of any obligations defined as Supplemental Rent hereunder (and on Base Rent only after the Secured Notes have been repaid in full).

“Discounted Net Present Value” shall mean an amount equal to the sum of (i) an amount obtained by discounting that portion of the remaining scheduled payments of Base Rent equal to the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Series A-1-A Note from their respective scheduled due dates to the determination date, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on such Secured Note is payable) equal to the Series A-1 Reference Rate, (ii) an amount obtained by discounting that portion of the remaining scheduled payments of Base Rent equal to the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Series A-1-B Note from their respective scheduled due dates to the determination date, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on such Secured Note is payable) equal to the Series A-1 Reference Rate, (iii) an amount obtained by discounting that portion of the remaining scheduled payments of Base Rent equal to the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Series A-2 Note (excluding therefrom the final payment of principal on the Series A-2 Note) from their respective scheduled due dates to the determination date, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on such Secured Note is payable) equal to the Series A-2 Reference Rate, and (iv) an amount obtained by discounting that portion of the remaining scheduled payments of Base Rent (if any) that exceeds the sum of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Secured Notes (excluding therefrom the final payment of principal on the Series A-2 Note (the “ Equity Portion of Base Rent ”)) from their respective scheduled due dates to the determination date, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor equal to the Equity Portion of Base Rent Reference Rate. For purposes of the foregoing, Series A-1 Reference Rate and Series A-2 Reference Rate shall mean the yield to maturity implied by (i) the yields reported, as of 10:00 A.M. (New York City local time) on the Business Day next preceding the determination date, on the display designated as “Page 678” on the Telerate Service of Bridge Information Services (or such other display as may replace page 678 on the Telerate Service) for actively

 

Appendix A - 6


traded U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the “Remaining Average Life” of the A-1 Note and the A-2 Note, respectively, as of such determination date, or if such yields shall not be reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time shall not be ascertainable, (ii) the Treasury Constant Maturity Series yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields shall have been so reported as of the Business Day next preceding the determination date, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (or any comparable successor publication) for actively traded U.S. Treasury securities having a constant maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of the A-1 Note and the A-2 Note, respectively, as of such determination date. Such implied yield shall be determined, if necessary, by (x) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond-equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (y) by interpolating linearly between yields reported for various maturities. The Series A-1 Reference Rate and the Series A-2 Reference Rate will be rounded to that number of decimal places as appears in the coupon for the Secured Notes. The “Remaining Average Life” of a Secured Note shall mean the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) obtained by dividing (a) the outstanding principal balance of such Secured Note at the date of determination into (b) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) each remaining scheduled payment of principal of such Secured Note (but not of interest thereon) by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) which will elapse between the determination date and the scheduled due date of such scheduled payment of principal. The Equity Portion of Base Rent Reference Rate shall be computed in a like manner except that the Remaining Average Life shall be the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) from the determination date to the scheduled expiration date of the Base Term.

“Environmental Laws” shall mean all federal, state or local laws, ordinances, rules, orders, statutes, decrees, judgments, injunctions, codes, regulations and common law (a) relating to the environment, human health or natural resources; (b) regulating, controlling or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning Hazardous Materials; (c) relating to the remediation of the mortgaged property, including investigation, response, clean-up, remediation, prevention, mitigation or removal of Hazardous Materials; or (d) requiring notification or disclosure of releases of Hazardous Materials or any other environmental conditions on the mortgaged property, as any of the foregoing may have been or may be amended, supplemented or supplanted from time to time, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (“ RCRA ”), 42 U.S.C. ss.ss. 6901 et seq., as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. ss.ss. 9601 et seq. (“ CERCLA ”), the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act of 1975, 49 U.S.C. ss.ss. 1801-1812, the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. ss.ss. 2601-2671, the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. ss.ss. 7041 et seq., the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. ss.ss. 136 et seq., as any of the foregoing may have been or may be amended, supplemented or supplanted from time to time.

“Environmental Reports” shall mean the reports and information covering the Property prepared by Golder Associates.

“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

Appendix A - 7


“ERISA Group” shall mean Lessee and each business or entity which is under “common control” with Lessee, with the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA.

“Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section  10 of the Indenture.

“Event of Loss” shall mean (y) the damage, by fire or otherwise, and whether total or partial, that (A) the Lessee in its sole discretion shall determine that as a result of such damage the Property is no longer useful for its intended purpose, and (B) the cost of repair or restoration of the Improvements constituting exclusively the office building would exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the Property Cost of such office building or (z) the permanent or material taking by Condemnation effecting (A) title to all or substantially all of the Property, (B) the principal points of ingress or egress of the Property to public roadways, or (C) such a material part of the Land or the Improvement so as to have a material and adverse effect on the business of the Lessee. Any decision regarding whether the Property is no longer useful for its intended purpose shall be made by Lessee in good faith and evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate of Lessee delivered to Lessor and the Servicer.

“Excepted Payments” shall mean and include (i) the amount by which Base Rent exceeds all amounts then due and payable under the Debt Documents, any amount payable to Lessor as a reimbursement for tax losses suffered by Lessor pursuant to Section  12.1 and/or Section  12.1A above and any other amounts payable directly to Lessor under Articles  18 or 19 as set forth in the Lease or in a notice from time-to-time from the Indenture Trustee, (ii) proceeds of public liability or property damage insurance maintained under any Operative Document solely for the benefit of any Person other than the Indenture Trustee or the Holders, (iii) any payment to the Issuer defined as Excepted Payments under the Indenture and (iv) any payment required under the Lease to be made directly by Lessee to a third party such as taxes, utility charges, ground rent, if any, and similar payments.

“Excepted Rights” shall mean (i) all rights with respect to Excepted Payments of the Person entitled thereto and (ii) all rights and privileges expressly reserved to the Issuer pursuant to the Indenture.

“Existing Rent” shall have the meaning specified in Section  25.25 of the Lease.

“Existing Subleases” shall mean the leases listed on Schedule  14.1 .

“Fair Market Rental Value” with respect to any Property shall mean the fair market monthly rental value that would be obtained in an arm’s-length transaction between an informed and willing lessee and an informed and willing lessor, in either case under no compulsion to lease, and neither of which is related to Lessor or Lessee, for the lease of such Property on the terms set forth, or referred to, in Article  5 of the Lease. Such fair market rental value shall be calculated as the value for the use of such Property assuming that such Property is in the condition and repair required to be maintained by the terms of the Lease, including, without limitation, in compliance with all Applicable Laws and assuming no Hazardous Materials present in, on, under or about the Property.

“Fair Market Sales Value” with respect to any Property shall mean the fair market sales value that would be obtained in an arm’s-length transaction between an informed and willing

 

Appendix A - 8


buyer (other than a lessee currently in possession) and an informed and willing seller, under no compulsion, respectively, to buy or sell, and neither of which is related to Lessor or Lessee, for the purchase of the Property. Such Fair Market Sales Value shall be calculated as the value for such Property using the same methodology as used in the appraisals delivered on or before the Closing Date (and if more than one methodology is used, i.e., based on a methodology that includes an assumption that the Lease is in effect and a methodology that includes an assumption that the Lease is not in effect, using the methodology that results in the highest value) and assuming that the Property is in the condition and repair required to be maintained by the terms of the Lease, including, without limitation, in compliance with all Applicable Laws and assuming no Hazardous Materials present in, on, under or about the Property.

“Family” shall mean, as to any Person, such Person’s grandparents, all lineal descendants of such Person’s grandparents, Persons adopted by, or stepchildren of, any such grandparent or descendant and Persons currently married to, or who are widows or widowers of, any such grandparent, descendant, adoptee or stepchild.

“Filing” shall have the meaning specified in Section  19.2(j) of the Lease.

“Final Payment Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section  17.1(e) of the Lease.

“First Offer” shall have the meaning specified in Section  4.1 of the Lease.

“Fixtures” shall have the meaning specified in the term “Property”.

“GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time, consistently applied.

“Governmental Action” shall mean all permits, authorizations, registrations, consents, approvals, waivers, exceptions, variances, orders, judgments, decrees, licenses, exemptions, publications, filings, notices to and declarations of or with, or required by, any Governmental Authority, or required by any Applicable Laws, and shall include, without limitation, all filings, environmental and operating permits and licenses that are required for the use, occupancy, zoning and operation of the Property.

“Governmental Authority” shall mean any federal, state, county, municipal or other governmental or regulatory authority, agency, board, body, commission, instrumentality, court or quasi governmental authority (or private entity in lieu thereof).

“Guarantor” means TXU Corp., a Texas corporation having its principal office address at 1601 Bryan Street, Dallas, Texas 75201, or any successor entity in accordance with the terms of the Guaranty. If any Additional Guaranty is hereafter delivered, references to the “Guarantor” herein shall be deemed to include the Guarantor and any Additional Guarantor. If any Replacement Guaranty (as defined in the TXU Guaranty Agreement) is hereafter delivered, references to the “Guarantor” herein shall be deemed to refer to the guarantor thereunder and any Additional Guarantor, and not the Guarantor named herein; provided the term Guarantor shall continue to include any Person from time to time included in the definition of Guarantor unless and until such Person is released from such liability pursuant to the terms of the Guaranty to which it is a party.

 

Appendix A - 9


“Guaranty” means the TXU Guaranty Agreement. If any Additional Guaranty is hereafter delivered, references to the Guaranty shall be deemed to include the Guaranty and such Additional Guaranty. If any Replacement Guaranty (as defined in the TXU Guaranty Agreement) is hereafter delivered, references to the “Guaranty” herein shall be deemed to refer to such Replacement Guaranty and any Additional Guaranty but not this Guaranty, provided, that the term Guaranty shall continue to include any guaranty from time to time included in the definition of Guaranty unless and until such Guaranty is released in accordance with the terms hereof.

“Hazardous Material” shall mean any substance (whether solid, liquid or gas), pollutant, contaminant, waste or material (including those that are toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic or otherwise hazardous or considered pollutants including petroleum, its derivatives, by-products and other hydrocarbons and asbestos), in each case that is or becomes regulated by any Governmental Authority, including any agency, department, commission, board or instrumentality of the United States and/or each State in which the Property is situated, or that may form the basis of liability under any Environmental Law.

“Holder” shall mean, as of any particular date, (i) any registered holder of one or more Secured Notes as of such date, and (ii) any registered holder of one or more Certificates (as defined in the Declaration of Trust (as defined in the Indenture)).

“Impositions” shall mean, collectively, all real estate, ad valorem, use, rent or similar taxes levied or incurred with respect to the Property, or the use, lease, ownership or operation thereof, personal property tax on any property covered by the Lease that is classified by government authorities as personal property, assessments (including all assessments for public improvements or benefits, whether or not commenced or completed within the Lease Term), water, sewer, utilities or other rents and charges, excises, levies, fees and all other similar governmental charges of any kind or nature whatsoever, general or special, foreseen or unforeseen, ordinary or extraordinary, with respect to the Property or any part thereof, including all interest and penalties thereon, which at any time prior to, during or with respect to the Lease Term may be assessed or imposed on or with respect to or be a Lien upon Lessor or the Property or any part thereof or any rent therefrom or any estate, title or interest therein. Impositions shall exclude, however, any tax (other than a tax that is, or is in the nature of, a rental tax) based on or measured by net income (including any minimum taxes or taxes on items of a tax preference) or net receipts or gross income or gross receipts.

“Improvements” shall have the meaning specified in the term “Property”.

“Indebtedness” shall mean the indebtedness evidenced by the Secured Notes and secured by the Mortgages, and any replacement indebtedness thereof.

“Indemnitee” shall mean the Lessor, any Holder, the Indenture Trustee (and any assignee of the Indenture Trustee), any co-trustee, any trustee under a Mortgage which is a deed of trust, Pass-Through Trustee, the Servicer, any special servicer, the Surety, and each of their Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, shareholders, members or partners.

 

Appendix A - 10


“Indemnitee’s Group” shall mean, with respect to a particular Indemnitee, such Indemnitee (including its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, shareholders, trustees, members or partners) and their successors and assigns.

“Indenture” shall mean the Indenture and Servicing Agreement dated as of the Closing Date between the Issuer and the Indenture Trustee.

“Indenture Trustee” shall mean LaSalle Bank National Association, a national banking association, and each successor indenture trustee, as indenture trustee under the Indenture.

“Indenture Trustee Fee Letter” shall mean that certain letter dated the Closing Date between the Indenture Trustee and Lessee.

“Indenture Trustee Office” shall mean the office of the Indenture Trustee located as set forth in the Address for notice of the Indenture Trustee, or such other office as may be designated by the Indenture Trustee.

“Independent Director” or “Independent Manager” shall mean an individual who is not at the time of the initial appointment or election and has not been at any time during the preceding five (5) years: (i) a director, officer, employee, member or partner of the Issuer or any of its Affiliates; (ii) any stockholder who owns more than 10% of the outstanding stock of the Issuer or any of its Affiliates, (iii) a customer, supplier or other person who derives more than 10% of its purchases or revenues from its activities with the Issuer or any of its Affiliates; (iv) an Affiliate of any such stockholder, director, officer, employee, member, partner, customer, supplier or other person; or (v) a spouse, parent, sibling, or child of any such stockholder, director, officer, employee, customer, supplier or other person.

“Initial Appraiser” shall mean Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.

“Initial Relevant Constituent Entity” shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.04 of the Indenture.

“Inspecting Parties” shall have the meaning specified in Article  15 of the Lease.

“Intent to Renew Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section  5.1(b)(i) of the Lease.

“Interest Rate” for any Secured Note shall mean the rate of interest specified in such Secured Note (other than the Default Rate).

“Issuer” shall mean the Lessor.

“Land” shall have the meaning specified in the term “Property”.

“Lease” shall mean the Lease Agreement dated as of the Closing Date between Lessor, as lessor, and Lessee, as lessee.

 

Appendix A - 11


“Lease Default” shall mean any event, condition or failure which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a Lease Event of Default.

“Lease Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Article  16 of the Lease.

“Lease Operative Documents” shall mean (i) the Purchase and Sale Agreement entered into by Lessee as seller (“ Seller ”) and Lessor as buyer (“ Buyer ”) dated as of February 14, 2002, (ii) the deeds, and any other instruments of transfer in respect of the Property executed and delivered by Seller or its Affiliates to Lessor or its Affiliates, (iii) the Lease, (iv) the SNDA Agreement, (v) the Assignment of Lease, (vi) the Consent Agreement, (vii) the Guaranty, (viii) the Memorandum of Lease, (ix) the Trustee Fee Letter, (x) the Servicer Fee Letter and (xi) the Privity Agreement.

“Lease Term” shall mean the full term of the Lease, including the Base Term and any Renewal Terms as to which Lessee exercises a renewal option pursuant to Article  5 of the Lease, or such shorter period as may result from earlier termination of the Lease as provided therein.

“Lease Year” shall mean each consecutive period of twelve (12) full calendar months occurring after the Closing Date, provided, however, that, if the Closing Date shall not be the first day of a month, then the first Lease Year shall also include the partial month in which the Closing Date occurs.

“Lessee” shall mean the Lessee named in the Lease to which this Appendix is attached.

“Lessee’s Equipment and Personalty” shall mean all furniture, equipment and personal property of Lessee, which includes, without limitation, inventory, lifts, cabling, antennae, machinery, communication equipment, data cabinets, signs, desks, movable partitions, vending machines, computer software and hardware, movable storage and utility rooms and removable trade fixtures and equipment, even if bolted or otherwise affixed to the floors, in each case, as now or may hereafter exist in or on any of the Improvements and any other personal property owned by Lessee or a sublessee of Lessee. In no case shall Lessee’s Equipment and Personalty include fixtures or built-in heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and electrical equipment (including power panels) to be utilized in connection with the operation of the Property.

“Lessor” shall mean the Lessor named in the Lease to which this Appendix is attached.

“Lessor Liens” shall mean Liens on or against the Property or the Lease or any payment of Rent (a) which result from any act of, or any Claim against, Lessor, or which result from any violation by Lessor of any of the terms of the Operative Documents other than a violation due to a default by Lessee under the Lease, (b) which result from Liens in favor of any taxing authority by reason of any Tax owed and payable by Lessor, except that Lessor Liens shall not include any Lien resulting from any Tax for which Lessee is obligated to indemnify Lessor until such time as Lessee shall have already paid to or on behalf of Lessor the Tax or the required indemnity with respect to the same, or (c) which result from any expenses owed, caused or occasioned by Lessor or any of its employees or agents which are not indemnified by Lessee pursuant to Section  19.1 of the Lease, but shall exclude Permitted Liens and any Liens created by the Debt Documents, except to the extent any such Lien arises by the Holders’ payment of any of the foregoing.

 

Appendix A - 12


“Lien” shall mean any lien, mortgage, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of preferential arrangement that has the practical effect of creating a security interest, including, without limitation, any thereof arising under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement.

“Make-Whole Premium” shall have the meaning specified in the Indenture.

“Material” (x) as used to describe Lessee’s compliance requirement in Section  8.5 of the Lease shall mean that the failure to so comply may reasonably be expected to result in material risk of (i) physical injury or illness to any individual, (ii) criminal liability, or (iii) fines or Remedial Action or compliance costs in excess of $500,000 (which shall be adjusted upward each January 1 by any CPI Increase) and (y) as used to describe the failure to comply with any obligation owed to the Indenture Trustee (whether directly or indirectly) shall mean the failure to so comply may reasonably be expected to result in a material diminution of Fair Market Sales Value of the Property or an adverse effect on the Lien (or priority thereof) created by the Debt Documents.

“Maturity Date” shall mean February 14, 2022.

“Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

“Mortgage” shall mean that certain Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Financing Statement, dated of even date herewith between the Lessor, as mortgagor or trustor, and the Indenture Trustee, as mortgagee or beneficiary, and as the same may be renewed, amended, modified, consolidated, replaced or extended.

“Mortgaged Property” shall mean the Mortgaged Property or Trust Property, as defined in the Mortgage.

“Net Casualty Proceeds” shall mean the compensation and/or insurance payments (whether received from a third party insurance company or from Lessee because it has self-insured) net of the reasonable expenses of collecting such amounts incurred by the Lessor, the Indenture Trustee, the Servicer, the Lessee, the Guarantor or the Holders and received by the Indenture Trustee, the Servicer, the Lessor or the Lessee in respect of the Property by reason of and on account of an Event of Loss described in clause (y) of the definition thereof or a casualty.

“Net Condemnation Proceeds” shall mean any award or compensation net of the reasonable expenses of collecting such amounts incurred by the Lessor, the Indenture Trustee, the Servicer, the Lessee, the Guarantor, the Holders and received by the Indenture Trustee, the Servicer, the Lessor or the Lessee in respect of the Property by reason of and on account of a Condemnation.

“Net Proceeds” shall mean Net Casualty Proceeds and Net Condemnation Proceeds.

“Noncontrolling Party” shall have the meaning specified in Section  19.2(e) of the Lease.

“Nonseverable” shall describe an Alteration or part of an Alteration which cannot be removed from the existing Improvements or the Land without causing material damage to the property; provided that Lessee’s Equipment and Personalty shall not be construed as Nonseverable.

 

Appendix A - 13


“Note Purchase Agreement” shall mean that certain agreement dated as of the Closing Date between the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Pass Through Trustee.

“NSRO” shall mean a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, which as of this date would include Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

“Offeree” shall have the meaning specified in Article  4 of the Lease.

“Offeror” shall have the meaning specified in Article  4 of the Lease.

“Officer’s Certificate” of a Person or any Person signing on behalf of a Person shall mean a certificate signed, in the case of a partnership, by a general partner of such partnership, or, in the case of a corporation, by an Authorized Officer of such Person, or, in the case of a limited liability company, by the manager of such limited liability company. Each Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Indenture Trustee shall include a statement that the signatory (a) has reviewed the activities of the entity on whose behalf the Officer’s Certificate is being given with respect to the subject matter for which such Officer’s Certificate is requested, (b) is familiar with the provisions of the Indenture or Lease to which the requested Officer’s Certificate relates and (c) has, in such signatory’s opinion, made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such signatory to act on an informed basis in responding to such request.

“Operative Documents” shall mean the Debt Documents, the Lease Operative Documents, the Surety Bond and the Pass-Through Trust Agreement, collectively.

“Outstanding”, when used with respect to the Secured Notes, shall mean as of the date of determination, all Secured Notes theretofore issued and delivered under the Indenture, except:

(a) Secured Notes theretofore canceled by the Indenture Trustee or delivered to the Indenture Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Secured Notes or portions thereof for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount is on deposit with the Indenture Trustee; provided that such Secured Notes are to be redeemed and notice of such redemption has been duly given and not revoked or otherwise withdrawn pursuant to the Indenture; and

(c) Secured Notes to the extent paid, or in exchange for which, or in lieu of which, other Secured Notes have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the Indenture.

“Pass-Through Trust Agreement” shall mean the Declaration of Trust, as defined in the Indenture.

“Pass-Through Trust Certificates” shall mean the Trust Certificates, as defined in the Indenture.

“Pass-Through Trustee” shall have the meaning accorded it in the Indenture.

 

Appendix A - 14


“Payment Date” shall mean the date or dates identified as such in the Schedule attached to the Secured Notes.

“Permits” shall mean as to the Property all licenses, authorizations, certificates, variances, concessions, grants, registrations, consents, permits and other approvals issued by a Governmental Authority now or hereafter pertaining to the ownership, management, occupancy, use or operation of the Property, including certificates of occupancy.

“Permitted Encumbrances” shall mean the easements, rights of way, reservations, servitudes and rights of others against the Property which are listed in the Title Policy issued to the Issuer or the Indenture Trustee (as applicable).

“Permitted Investments” shall mean any one or more of the following obligations or securities having (a) a predetermined fixed dollar of principal due at maturity that cannot vary or change, (b) bearing interest that may either be fixed or variable but which is tied to a single interest rate index plus a single fixed rate spread (if any) that moves proportionately with that index, and (c) having the required ratings, if any, provided for in this definition:

(i) direct obligations of, and obligations fully guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by, the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America that mature in thirty (30) days or less after the date of issuance and that does not have a “r” highlighter affixed to its rating;

(ii) time deposits, unsecured certificates of deposit, or bankers’ acceptances that mature in thirty (30) days or less after the date of issuance and are issued or held by any depository institution or trust company (including the Indenture Trustee) incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof and subject to supervision and examination by federal or state banking authorities, so long as the commercial paper or other short-term debt obligations of such depository institution or trust company are rated at least “A-1” and “P-1” by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, respectively, or such other rating as would not result in the downgrading, withdrawal or qualification of the then current rating assigned by the Rating Agencies to the Pass-Through Certificates, as evidenced in writing and that does not have a “r” highlighter affixed to its rating;

(iii) repurchase agreements or obligations with respect to any security described in clause (i) above where such security has a remaining maturity of thirty (30) days or less and where such repurchase obligation has been entered into with a depository institution or trust company (acting as principal) described in clause (ii) above;

(iv) debt obligations bearing interest or sold at a discount issued by any corporation incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof which mature in thirty (30) days or less from the date of issuance, which debt obligations have ratings from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s in the highest category possible, or such other rating as would not result in the downgrading, withdrawal or qualification of the then-current rating assigned by the Rating Agencies to any Pass-Through Certificate as specified in writing by the Rating Agencies and that do not have a “r” highlighter affixed to their rating; provided, however, that

 

Appendix A - 15


securities issued by any particular corporation will not be Permitted Investments to the extent that investment therein will cause the then-outstanding principal amount of securities issued by such corporation and held in the accounts established hereunder to exceed 10% of the sum of the aggregate principal balance and the aggregate principal amount of all Permitted Investments in such accounts; and

(v) commercial paper (including both non-interest-bearing discount obligations and interest-bearing obligations) payable on demand or on a specified date maturing in thirty (30) days or less after the date of issuance thereof and which is rated in the highest category possible by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s and that does not have a “r” highlighter affixed to such rating.

“Permitted Liens” shall mean:

(a) the respective rights and interests of the Lessee, the Lessor and the Holders under the Operative Documents,

(b) Liens for Taxes either not yet due or being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, so long as such proceedings shall not involve any material danger of the sale, forfeiture or loss of any part of the Property, title thereto or any interest therein and are undertaken in accordance with the terms of any documents securing the Indebtedness (including, without limitation, posting of any bonds or other collateral to the extent required by such documents),

(c) materialmen’s, mechanics’, workers’, repairmen’s, employees or other like Liens for amounts either not yet due or being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and in accordance with the Lease, so long as such proceedings shall not involve any material danger of the sale, forfeiture or loss of any part of the Property, title thereto or any interest therein, provided

(d) Lessee agrees that it shall pay, discharge or record or bond any such lien within sixty (60) days after the filing thereof, if Guarantor does not have Required Rating equal to or greater than the Trigger Rating, or if a Lease Event of Default exists,

(e) Liens arising out of judgments or awards with respect to which at the time an appeal or proceeding for review is being prosecuted in good faith and either which have been bonded or for the payment of which adequate reserves shall have been provided to Lessor’s reasonable satisfaction, provided that if the long-term unsecured debt of Guarantor (or Lessee if there is no Guarantor) shall not have a Required Rating of at least the Trigger Rating then any such amount in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) (as adjusted upward by the CPI every January 1) (unless Guarantor or its Affiliates are insured therefor), shall be bonded or discharged by Lessee within thirty (30) days after Lessee’s knowledge thereof,

(f) easements, rights of way, reservations, servitudes and rights of others against the Property which are granted pursuant to Section  25.12 of the Lease and which could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Property,

(g) Permitted Encumbrances, and

(h) assignments and subleases expressly permitted by the Lease.

 

Appendix A - 16


No lien, judgment, charge or other agreement shall be deemed to be a Permitted Lien if such lien, judgment, charge or other agreement, individually or in the aggregate with other liens, judgments, charges or agreements, materially and adversely affects (i) the value of the Property, (ii) Guarantor’s and Lessee’s ability to pay all Rent, as and when due hereunder, or (iii) Lessee’s right to use and operate the Property for all Permitted Uses.

“Permitted Use” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section  8.1 of the Lease.

“Person” shall mean individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, limited liability company, nonincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Portfolio Sale” shall mean the sale of at least eight (8) properties, or of the equity interest therein, which are owned by Lessor or similarly created entities whose equity interests are substantially owned by Zurich Structured Finance, Inc. and the total sales price of such properties are at least twice the price paid by Lessor for the Property.

“Privity Agreement” shall mean the agreement executed as of the Closing Date among the Lessor, the Lessee, the Surety and the Indenture Trustee.

“Proceeds Trustee” shall mean the Indenture Trustee (or at its election, the Servicer) or, if the Property shall not at the time in question be encumbered by a Mortgage, a federally insured bank or other financial institution, selected by Lessor and reasonably satisfactory to Lessee.

“Prohibited Transferee” shall mean any competitor of TXU Corp. which is primarily engaged in the business of natural gas distribution or electricity production and/or distribution.

“Property” shall mean the real property described on Exhibit  A to the Lease (the “ Land ”); together with all buildings, structures, and other improvements of every kind situated on the Land (collectively, the “ Improvements ”); together with all easements, rights and appurtenances relating to the Land or the Improvements; and together with all fixtures, including all components thereof, on and in respect to the Improvements, including, without limitation, all built-in H.V.A.C. equipment used in the operation of the Property, together with all replacements, modifications, alterations and additions thereto (collectively, the “ Fixtures ”), provided that in no event shall “Property” include Lessee’s Equipment and Personalty.

“Property Cost” shall mean “Purchase Price” (as defined in the Purchase and Sale Agreement).

“Purchase and Sale Agreement” shall mean the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of February 14, 2002 between TXU Properties Company, as Seller and State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, as owner trustee, and not individually, of ZSF/Dallas Tower Trust, as Purchaser.

 

Appendix A - 17


“Qualified Appraiser” means an independent appraiser who shall be a member of The Appraisal Institute (or its successor organization) with not less than five (5) years experience appraising properties similar to the Property in the market in which the Property is located.

“Rating Agencies” shall mean Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, or at the Indenture Trustee’s election, another NSRO.

“Refinancing” shall mean any refinancing of the Indebtedness.

“Release” shall mean the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material into or upon or under any land or water or air, or otherwise into the environment, including, without limitation, by means of burial, disposal, discharge, emission, injection, spillage, leakage, seepage, leaching, dumping, pumping, pouring, escaping, emptying, placement and the like.

“Released Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 23.05 of the Indenture.

“Relevant Constituent Entity” shall mean an Initial Relevant Constituent Entity and in the future shall include the entities the transfers of interests in which are restricted pursuant to Section 5.04 of the Indenture.

“Remedial Action” means the investigation, response, clean-up, remediation, prevention, mitigation or removal of contamination, environmental degradation or damage caused by, related to or arising from the existence, generation, use, handling, treatment, storage, transportation, disposal, discharge, Release (including a continuous Release), or emission of Hazardous Materials, including, without limitation, investigations, response, removal, monitoring and remedial actions under CERCLA; corrective action under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, the investigation, removal or closure of any underground storage tanks, and any related soil or groundwater investigation, remediation or other action, and investigation, clean-up or other actions required under or necessary to comply with any Environmental Laws.

“Renewal Term” shall have the meaning specified in Section  5.1 of the Lease.

“Rent” shall mean Base Rent and Supplemental Rent, collectively.

“Rent Directions Letter” shall mean a letter from the Lessor, or the Lessor and any Holder or the Indenture Trustee, to the Lessee, instructing the Lessee where to make payments under the Lease.

“Rent Payment Dates” shall mean the dates on which Base Rent is due during the Lease Term as shown on Schedule  3.1 ; provided, however, in the event such date is not a Business Day, the Rent Payment Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.

“Required Rating” shall mean a rating at the level set forth in the Lease as required for Lessee to have the benefit conferred, issued by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s (or any replacement of either of them made by the Indenture Trust (in which case the rating shall be the equivalent)).

 

Appendix A - 18


“Requirement” shall have the meaning specified in Section  19.2(b)(xiv) of the Lease.

“Responsible Officer” shall mean an officer in the corporate trust administration department of the Indenture Trustee or the Servicer, as applicable.

“Restoration Fund” shall have the meaning specified in Section  12.4(a) of the Lease.

“Secured Notes” shall mean the Series A-1 A Note in the amount of $70,000,000, the Series A-1 B Note in the amount of $1,650,000, and the Series A-2 Note in the amount of $75,350,000.

“Secured Obligations” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Mortgage.

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Security Documents” shall mean (i) the Mortgage, (ii) the Assignment of Lease, (iii) the Assignment of Agreements, (iv) the UCC Financing Statements, (v) the Consent Agreement, and (vi) the SNDA Agreement.

“Servicer” shall mean First Union National Bank, as servicer under the Indenture Agreement and its successors and assigns.

“Single Purpose Entity” shall mean a Person, other than an individual, which (a) in the case of the Lessor, (i) is formed or organized solely for the purpose of holding an ownership interest in and leasing the Property, (ii) does not engage in any business unrelated to the Property, (iii) does not have any assets other than those related to its interest in the Property or any indebtedness other than as permitted by the other Operative Documents, (iv) has its own separate books and records and has its own accounts in each case which are separate and apart from the books and records and accounts of any other Person, (v) at all times (A) has, or (B) in the case of a grantor trust (in which the beneficial ownership of such trust is owned by a limited partnership) or a limited partnership, has either a corporate general partner of either such limited partnership or another entity which has a Controlling Interest in such limited partnership which has, or (C) in the case of a grantor trust (in which the beneficial ownership of such trust is owned by a limited liability company) or a limited liability company, has a corporate manager of either such limited liability company or another entity which has a Controlling Interest in such limited liability company which has one Independent Manager or Independent Director (or, if the manager of the limited liability company is a partnership, such partnership has a corporate general partner) which has, one Independent Manager or Independent Director (as applicable) and (vi) is otherwise subject to all of the applicable limitations on powers set forth in Sections 5.01, 5.02(a) and 5.02(d) of the Indenture;

(b) in the case of a Relevant Constituent Entity, (i) is formed or organized solely for the purpose of holding a direct or indirect ownership interest and/or direct or indirect Controlling Interest in the Lessor or a Relevant Constituent Entity, (ii) does not engage in any business unrelated to the Property, its interest in the Lessor or any Relevant Constituent Entity, (iii) does not have any assets (other than those related to its interest in the Lessor or a Relevant Constituent Entity) or any indebtedness other than as permitted by the other Operative Documents, (iv) has its own separate books and records and has its own accounts in each case which are separate and

 

Appendix A - 19


apart from the books and records and accounts of any other person and (v) at all times (A) has, (B) in the case of a limited partnership, has a corporate general partner or other entity which has a Controlling interest in such limited partnership which has, or (C) in the case of a limited liability company, has a corporate manager which has, one Independent Manager or Independent Director (as applicable) and (vi) is otherwise subject to all of the applicable limitations on powers set forth in Sections 5.01, 5.02(a) and 5.02(d) of the Indenture.

“SNDA Agreement” shall mean the Lease Subordination, Non-Disturbance and Attornment Agreement dated as of the Closing Date among the Lessor, Lessee and the Indenture Trustee.

“Standard & Poor’s” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.

“Stipulated Loss Value” shall mean on the Stipulated Loss Value Date (i) during the Base Term, the value listed on Schedule  12.1 to the Lease as of such date, and (ii) during a Renewal Term, the Fair Market Sales Value of the Property as of such date. The Stipulated Loss Value for the Property together with the other amounts payable under the Lease, including, without limitation, the Make-Whole Premium, will be sufficient to pay in full the unpaid principal balance of, and accrued but unpaid interest on, the Secured Notes relating to the Property, and any other amounts due under the Debt Documents.

“Stipulated Loss Value Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section  12.1(i) of the Lease, and after expiration of the Base Term shall mean the first day of each month during a Renewal Term.

“Stipulated Loss Value Payment” shall mean the amounts payable by the Lessee pursuant to clause (i) of Section  12.1 or the amounts payable by the Lessee pursuant to the fourth full paragraph of Section  12.1 , as applicable, including, in each case (without duplication but for the avoidance of doubt) the Make-Whole Premium.

“Sublease” shall have the meaning given such term in Section  14.1 of the Lease.

“Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation whose assets and liabilities are consolidated with that of Lessee.

“Supplemental Rent” shall mean the Make-Whole Premium payable by Lessee hereunder, and any and all amounts, liabilities, obligations, late charges, default interest (under this Lease and under any Debt Document, to the extent arising out of any Lease Event of Default), fees owed under any easement or other agreement affecting the Property (excluding the Debt Documents and Lessor Liens, except to the extent expressly set forth herein), Taxes and Impositions other than Base Rent which Lessee assumes or agrees or is otherwise obligated to pay under the Lease and the Operative Documents, including, without limitation, under the fee letters referred to in Section  8.11 of the Lease (whether or not designated as Supplemental Rent) to the Lessor, grantor trustee, the Indenture Trustee, the Holders, the Servicer (or any special servicer), any NSRO, or any other party, including Fair Market Sales Value payments, Stipulated Loss Value Payments, costs payable under Section  8.11 , Termination Value Payments, amounts payable by reference to Additional Interest, if any, due under any Secured Note, and indemnities and damages for breach of any covenants, representations, warranties or agreements.

 

Appendix A - 20


“Surety” shall mean ZC Specialty Insurance Company, a Texas corporation.

“Surety Bond” shall mean the bond of the Surety pursuant to which the Surety will pay all or a portion of the scheduled unamortized principal of the Secured A-2 Note.

“Tax Counsel” shall have the meaning specified in Section  19.2(e) of the Lease.

“Tax Indemnitee” shall mean any co-trustee, the Lessor and its direct and indirect owners, the Indenture Trustee, the Pass-Through Trustee, any Holder, any Indemnitee, any trustee under any Mortgage which is a deed of trust, any Affiliate, officer, director, employee, shareholder, member or partner of any of the foregoing or any of their successors or assigns.

“Taxes” shall mean any and all present and future taxes, including income (gross or net), gross or net receipts, sales, use, value added, franchise, doing business, transfer, capital, property (tangible or intangible), municipal assessments, excise and stamp taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, assessments or withholding, together with any penalties, fines or interest thereon or additions thereto (any of the foregoing being referred to herein individually as a “ Tax ”), imposed by any Governmental Authority. Taxes shall include the costs of any contest or appeal pursued which reduces the Taxes (or attempts to do so) including reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incident thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, if at any time during the term of the Lease the methods of taxation prevailing at the execution thereof shall be changed or altered so that in lieu of or as a supplement or addition to or a substitute for the whole or any part of the real estate taxes or assessments now or from time to time, thereafter levied, assessed or imposed by applicable taxing authorities for the funding of governmental services, there shall be imposed (i) a tax, assessment, levy, imposition or charge, wholly or partially as a capital levy or otherwise, on the rents received from or otherwise attributable to the Property, or (ii) a tax, assessment, levy (including but not limited to any municipal, state or federal levy), imposition or charge measured by or based in whole or in part upon the Property or the Lease, and imposed on the Lessor under the Lease or any portion thereof, or (iii) a license fee or other fee or tax measured by the rent payable under the Lease, or (iv) any other tax, assessment, levy, charge, fee or the like payable by the Lessor under the Lease with respect to the Property, the rents, issues and profits thereof, the Lease or the rents and charges payable pursuant thereto, then all such taxes, assessment, levies, impositions and/or charges, or the part thereof so measured or based shall be deemed to be Taxes.

“Term” shall mean the Base Term and Renewal Term (if any).

“Termination Value” shall mean on the Termination Value Date or the date payment is to be made under Section  21.1 if Lessor rejects Lessee’s offer to purchase, as the case may be, during the Base Term, the value listed on Schedule  21.1 to the Lease for such Property as of such date. The Termination Value, together with the other amounts payable under the Lease, including, without limitation, the Make-Whole Premium, shall be sufficient to pay in full the unpaid principal balance of, and accrued but unpaid interest on the Secured Notes relating to the Property on the Termination Value Date, and any other amounts due under the Debt Documents.

 

Appendix A - 21


“Termination Value Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section  21.1 of the Lease.

“Termination Value Payment” shall mean the amounts payable by the Lessee pursuant to Section  21.1(a) or the amounts payable by the Lessee pursuant to Section  21.1(b) , as applicable, including, in each case (without duplication but for the avoidance of doubt) the Make-Whole Premium.

“Title Insurance Company” shall mean American Title Company.

“Title Policy” shall mean the title insurance policy issued by the Title Insurance Company to Lessor pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, and to the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement and the Security Documents (as applicable) on the Closing Date.

“Transfer” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 5.04 of the Indenture.

“Trigger Rating”, with respect to any Person, shall mean that the senior unsecured non-credit enhanced long term obligations of such Person shall have a rating (or if the senior unsecured obligations of such Person shall not be rated, such Person shall have a confidential debt rating) of at least BBB- by Standard & Poor’s, and at least Baa3 by Moody’s.

“TXU Guaranty Agreement” means that certain Guaranty executed as of February 14, 2002 by TXU Corp. for the benefit of the Lessor.

“UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted by each state in which Property is located, as applicable.

“Unavoidable Delays” shall mean delays caused by war, riot, civil commotion, strikes, labor action, acts of God, force majeure, shortages of supplies or labor, adverse weather condition not reasonably anticipatable given the location of a Property and the season of year, or any other cause not reasonably within the control of Lessee but excluding the financial condition of the Lessee.

“Uneconomic Property” shall mean a Property that in Lessee’s good faith decision is either obsolete or uneconomic for the conduct of Lessee’s business, and which, but for this Lease, would not be used for the conduct of Lessee’s business, as certified by an Officer’s Certificate.

“Verifier” shall have the meaning specified in Section  19.2(g) of the Lease.

 

Appendix A - 22


Schedule 3.1

SCHEDULE OF BASE RENT

(US $)

 

Semiannual
Period Ending
   Base Rent
Payment Date
   Base Rent
Payable*
     Allocated
Rent
 
14-Aug-2002    11-Aug-2002    $ 9,817,815.72       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2003    11-Feb-2003    $ 9,679,662.43       $ 15,385,854.07   
14-Aug-2003    11-Aug-2003    $ 9,554,954.60       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2004    11-Feb-2004    $ 9,430,246.75       $ 12,643,757.53   
14-Aug-2004    11-Aug-2004    $ 9,305,538.91       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2005    11-Feb-2005    $ 9,180,831.08       $ 13,504,415.57   
14-Aug-2005    11-Aug-2005    $ 9,056,123.24       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2006    11-Feb-2006    $ 8,931,415.40       $ 13,234,282.03   
14-Aug-2006    11-Aug-2006    $ 8,806,707.57       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2007    11-Feb-2007    $ 8,681,999.72       $ 13,319,068.47   
14-Aug-2007    11-Aug-2007    $ 8,557,291.88       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2008    11-Feb-2008    $ 8,432,584.05       $ 13,292,456.67   
14-Aug-2008    11-Aug-2008    $ 5,820,029.00       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2009    11-Feb-2009    $ 5,768,678.72       $ 13,300,809.28   
14-Aug-2009    11-Aug-2009    $ 5,717,328.42       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2010    11-Feb-2010    $ 5,665,978.14       $ 13,298,187.65   
14-Aug-2010    11-Aug-2010    $ 5,614,627.86       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2011    11-Feb-2011    $ 5,563,277.56       $ 13,299,010.49   
14-Aug-2011    11-Aug-2011    $ 5,511,927.28       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2012    11-Feb-2012    $ 5,460,577.00       $ 13,298,752.23   
14-Aug-2012    11-Aug-2012    $ 5,409,226.70       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2013    11-Feb-2013    $ 5,357,876.42       $ 9,285,132.23   
14-Aug-2013    11-Aug-2013    $ 5,306,526.14       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2014    11-Feb-2014    $ 5,255,175.88       $ 10,000,436.32   
14-Aug-2014    11-Aug-2014    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2015    11-Feb-2015    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 9,775,924.82   
14-Aug-2015    11-Aug-2015    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2016    11-Feb-2016    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 9,846,391.93   
14-Aug-2016    11-Aug-2016    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2017    11-Feb-2017    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 9,824,274.51   
14-Aug-2017    11-Aug-2017    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2018    11-Feb-2018    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 9,831,216.48   
14-Aug-2018    11-Aug-2018    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2019    11-Feb-2019    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 9,829,037.62   
14-Aug-2019    11-Aug-2019    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2020    11-Feb-2020    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 9,829,721.49   
14-Aug-2020    11-Aug-2020    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 0.00   
14-Feb-2021    11-Feb-2021    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 9,829,506.84   
14-Aug-2021    11-Aug-2021    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 3,740,705.20   
14-Feb-2022    11-Feb-2022    $ 3,462,332.50       $ 4,914,779.06   

 

* Excludes Trustee and Servicing Fees payable pursuant to this Lease.


Schedule 3.6

SCHEDULE OF FEDERAL INCOME TAX ALLOCATION OF BASE RENT & INTEREST

(US $)

 

Semiannual Period Ending

   Allocated Rent      Proportional
Rental Amount
     467 Loan
Balance
Beginning of
Period
     467 Loan
Balance End of
Period
     467 Interest  

14-Aug-2002

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 9,817,815.72       $ 0.00   

14-Feb-2003

   $ 15,385,854.07       $ 16,856,337.95       $ 9,817,815.72       $ 2,939,110.91       $ 297,970.71   

14-Aug-2003

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 2,939,110.91       $ 12,583,267.53       $ 89,202.02   

14-Feb-2004

   $ 12,643,757.53       $ 13,852,168.94       $ 12,583,267.53       $ 8,543,247.51       $ 381,902.17   

14-Aug-2004

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 8,543,247.51       $ 18,108,073.98       $ 259,287.56   

14-Feb-2005

   $ 13,504,415.57       $ 14,795,083.30       $ 18,108,073.98       $ 13,043,401.81       $ 549,580.05   

14-Aug-2005

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 13,043,401.81       $ 22,495,392.30       $ 395,867.24   

14-Feb-2006

   $ 13,234,282.03       $ 14,499,132.08       $ 22,495,392.30       $ 17,610,410.78       $ 682,735.16   

14-Aug-2006

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 17,610,410.78       $ 26,951,594.31       $ 534,475.97   

14-Feb-2007

   $ 13,319,068.47       $ 14,592,021.88       $ 26,951,594.31       $ 21,859,553.04       $ 817,980.89   

14-Aug-2007

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 21,859,553.04       $ 31,080,282.36       $ 663,437.43   

14-Feb-2008

   $ 13,292,456.67       $ 14,562;866.69       $ 31,080,282.36       $ 25,893,286.29       $ 943,286.57   

14-Aug-2008

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 25,893,286.29       $ 32,499,176.53       $ 785,861.24   

14-Feb-2009

   $ 13,300,809.28       $ 14,572,017.59       $ 32,499,176.53       $ 24,682,187.67       $ 986,350.01   

14-Aug-2009

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 24,682,187.67       $ 31,148,620.49       $ 749,104.40   

14-Feb-2010

   $ 13,298,187.65       $ 14,569,145.41       $ 31,148,620.49       $ 23,190,813.85       $ 945,360.63   

14-Aug-2010

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 23,190,813.85       $ 29,509,282.91       $ 703,841.20   

14-Feb-2011

   $ 13,299,010.49       $ 14,570,046.89       $ 29,509,282.91       $ 21,398,120.32       $ 895,606.74   

14-Aug-2011

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 21,398,120.32       $ 27,559,480.55       $ 649,432.95   

14-Feb-2012

   $ 13,298,752.23       $ 14,569,763.95       $ 27,559,480.55       $ 19,286,723.84       $ 836,430.23   

14-Aug-2012

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 19,286,723.84       $ 25,281,302.61       $ 585,352.07   

14-Feb-2013

   $ 9,285,132.23       $ 10,172,547.20       $ 25,281,302.61       $ 21,233,919.37       $ 767,287.53   

14-Aug-2013

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 21,233,919.37       $ 27,184,894.96       $ 644,449.45   

14-Feb-2014

   $ 10,000,436.32       $ 10,956,215.59       $ 27,184,894.96       $ 22,308,916.82       $ 825,061.56   

14-Aug-2014

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 22,308,916.82       $ 26,448,324.94       $ 677,075.63   

14-Feb-2015

   $ 9,775,924.82       $ 10,710,246.68       $ 26,448,324.94       $ 20,003,117.43       $ 802,706.66   

14-Aug-2015

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 20,003,117.43       $ 24,072,544.54       $ 607,094.61   

l4-Feb-2016

   $ 9,846,391.93       $ 10,787,448.60       $ 24,072,544.54       $ 17,478,030.17       $ 730,601.73   

14-Aug-2016

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 17,478,030.17       $ 21,470,820.88       $ 530,458.22   

14-Feb-2017

   $ 9,824,274.51       $ 10,763,217.34       $ 21,470,820.88       $ 14,821,575.46       $ 651,639.41   

14-Aug-2017

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 14,821,575.46       $ 18,733,742.78       $ 449,834.82   

14-Feb-2018

   $ 9,831,216.48       $ 10,770,822.77       $ 18,733,742.78       $ 11,993,821.60       $ 568,569.09   

14-Aug-2018

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 11,993,821.60       $ 15,820,166.59       $ 364,012.49   

14-Feb-2019

   $ 9,829,037.62       $ 10,768,435.67       $ 15,820,166.59       $ 8,994,205.48       $ 480,142.06   

14-Aug-2019

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 8,994,205.48       $ 12,729,512.11       $ 272,974.14   

14-Feb-2020

   $ 9,829,721.49       $ 10,769,184.90       $ 12,729,512.11       $ 5,809,000.41       $ 386,340.69   

14-Aug-2020

   $ 0.00       $ 0.00       $ 5,809,000.41       $ 9,447,636.07       $ 176,303.16   

l4-Feb-2021

   $ 9,829,506.84       $ 10,768,949.74       $ 9,447,636.07       $ 2,427,754.59       $ 286,735.75   

14-Aug-2021

   $ 3,740,705.20       $ 4,098,218.45       $ 2,427,754.59       $ 1,865,550.99       $ 73,682.35   

14-Feb-2022

   $ 4,914,779.06       $ 5,384,502.96       $ 1,865,550.99       $ 0.00       $ 56,619.47   


SCHEDULE 9.1

Insurance Requirements

(a) Lessee covenants and agrees that it will at all times keep in full force and effect the following insurance coverage:

(i) A broad form commercial general liability insurance policy, including but not limited to premises, operations, automobile liability (which may be carried by separate policy) and products liability, personal injury liability, contractual liability, and property damage liability coverage at the Property and the business conducted by Lessee thereon. The policy shall provide coverage limits of not less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence. The commercial general liability policy shall also include a commercial excess or umbrella liability of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) and shall name Lessor and the Indenture Trustee as additional insureds, as their interest may appear. Lessor may reasonably require other types of general liability insurance, based upon (A) the loss history at the Property, and (B) industry standards, and taking into account Lessee’s (or its parent’s, if applicable) insurance program, and other types of coverage being obtained in similar transactions.

(ii) All risk property replacement cost insurance against physical loss or damage by fire, lightning and other risks and supplementary perils from time to time included under all risk policies, with standard and extended coverage or all risk endorsement, including without limitation, vandalism and malicious mischief [with agreed amount endorsements] of all building and other facilities and improvements constructed on the Property and all tenant finish and leasehold improvements and fixtures. This policy shall name Lessor and the Indenture Trustee as loss payees as their interest may appear. To the extent commercially available, such policy shall contain a deductible of not more than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) per occurrence. Lessee shall be responsible for all deductibles.

(iii) To the extent commercially available, a full replacement policy of flood insurance (which may be a part of the policy described in clause (ii)) and subject to the same terms and conditions, covering those improvements located in the Flood Zones containing the letters “A” or “V”.

(iv) Workers’ compensation or other such insurance in accordance with applicable state law requirements covering all of Lessee’s employees.

(b) If the Guarantor (or Lessee if there is no Guarantor) fails to satisfy the conditions necessary to maintain a program of self-insurance adequate to satisfy the requirements set forth herein, Lessee shall have a period of five (5) days in which to obtain the necessary insurance coverage and deliver to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee a certificate of insurance evidencing compliance with the requirements set forth in Section  9.1 .

(c) All policies of insurance described in this Schedule which Lessee is required to procure and maintain will be issued by responsible insurance companies, having a rating of not


less than Best’s A-VIII or better at all times. Unless Lessee elects (and is permitted) to self-insure as provided in Section  9.1(b) , certificates of such insurance will be delivered to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee, and any additional insureds upon execution of this Lease and any renewals or extensions of said policies or certificates of insurance shall be delivered to Lessor and the Indenture Trustee at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration or termination of such policies. Upon request of Lessor or Indenture Trustee, Lessee shall provide certified copies of all policies within thirty (30) days of request. Unless Lessee elects (and is permitted) to self-insure as provided in Section  9.1(b) , all liability and property damage policies will contain the following provisions:

(i) The company writing such policy will agree to give the insured and additionally named insured parties or loss payees not less than thirty (30) days notice in writing prior to any cancellation, reduction, or modification of such insurance;

(ii) Lessor and the Indenture Trustee shall be named as additional insured or loss payees, as their interests may appear, for each insurance policy required to be maintained by Lessee (except (a)(iv) above), with all proceeds under any policy under (a)(ii) and

(iii) to be paid in accordance with the provisions of the Lease.

(d) Any insurance required by the Lease (excluding, however, the coverage identified in Section (a)(iv) above) may be brought within the coverage of a so-called blanket policy or policies of insurance carried by and maintained by the insuring party insuring the combined operations at the Property with other premises leased or owned by Lessee, so long as the insured party and the additional insureds required hereunder are named under such policies as their interest may appear with coverage at least as good as required herein.

(e) If Lessee fails to acquire or maintain the insurance required pursuant to this Schedule and Article  9 or to pay the premiums for such insurance and deliver the required certificates, Lessor may, in addition to other rights and remedies available to Lessor, acquire such insurance and/or pay the requisite premiums therefor. Such premiums so paid by Lessor will be reimbursable and payable by Lessee immediately upon written demand therefor made to Lessee by Lessor, plus interest at the Default Rate from the date paid by Lessor until reimbursement by Lessee.

(f) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the Lease, the parties hereto release each other, and their respective representatives, agents, contractors and employees from any claims for damage to any Person or to the Property and all improvements located in the Property, and to the fixtures, personal property, improvements, and alteration of either Lessor or Lessee in or upon the Property, that are caused by or result from risks insured against under any insurance policies carried by the parties (or which should have been carried by the parties pursuant to the terms hereof) or, in the case of Lessee’s self-insurance, all risks that would otherwise be insured against under the policies identified herein; provided, however, the foregoing shall not impair any claim against Lessee in its capacity as self insurer. Each party shall cause each insurance policy obtained by it (recognizing that Lessor may not in fact obtain any insurance) to provide that the insurance company waives in writing all right of recovery by way of subrogation against

 

2


the other party in connection with any damage covered by such policy. Neither party shall be liable to the other for any damage caused by fire or any of the risks insured against (or to be insured against) under any insurance policy required by the Lease or self-insurance maintained in lieu of any such required insurance.

 

3


SCHEDULE 12.1

SCHEDULE OF STIPULATED LOSS VALUES*

(US $)

 

Stipulated Loss Value Date

   Stipulated
Loss Value
 

11-Aug-2002

   $ 145,284,711.97   

11-Feb-2003

   $ 141,631,823.64   

11-Aug-2003

   $ 137,978,412.16   

11-Feb-2004

   $ 134,322,857.84   

11-Aug-2004

   $ 130,666,597.68   

11-Feb-2005

   $ 127,009,677.75   

11-Aug-2005

   $ 123,353,183.07   

11-Feb-2006

   $ 119,697,245.35   

11-Aug-2006

   $ 116,042,664.29   

11-Feb-2007

   $ 112,389,642.52   

11-Aug-2007

   $ 108,738,590.97   

11-Feb-2008

   $ 105,089,586.82   

11-Aug-2008

   $ 103,930,794.79   

11-Feb-2009

   $ 102,773,269.45   

11-Aug-2009

   $ 101,618,766.24   

11-Feb-2010

   $ 100,467,802.54   

11-Aug-2010

   $ 99,320,821.78   

11-Feb-2011

   $ 98,178,577.52   

11-Aug-2011

   $ 97,041,011.40   

11-Feb-2012

   $ 95,908,674.59   

11-Aug-2012

   $ 94,779,266.31   

11-Feb-2013

   $ 93,650,854.20   

11-Aug-2013

   $ 92,523,538.10   

11-Feb-2014

   $ 91,396,780.09   

11-Aug-2014

   $ 92,012,535.68   

11-Feb-2015

   $ 92,628,194.36   

11-Aug-2015

   $ 93,245,050.27   

11-Feb-2016

   $ 93,862,877.85   

11-Aug-2016

   $ 94,482,091.63   

11-Feb-2017

   $ 95,102,505.84   

11-Aug-2017

   $ 95,724,699.82   

11-Feb-2018

   $ 96,348,753.77   

11-Aug-2018

   $ 96,975,192.26   

11-Feb-2019

   $ 97,604,246.18   

11-Aug-2019

   $ 98,236,111.38   

11-Feb-2020

   $ 98,870,877.70   

11-Aug-2020

   $ 99,508,709.81   

11-Feb-2021

   $ 100,149,747.36   

11-Aug-2021

   $ 100,794,186.21   

11-Feb-2022

   $ 101,500,000.00   

 

* Rent and Make-Whole Premiums, if any, are payable in addition to Stipulated Loss Value.


SCHEDULE 14.1

Existing Subleases

 

1. Lease Agreement dated as of October 1, 1994, by and between Texas Utilities Properties Inc. (now known as TXU Properties Company), as landlord, and Texas Utilities Services Company, now known as TXU Business Services Company, as tenant, as amended by those Lease Amendment Agreements effective as of January 1, 1997, March 15, 1998, August 1, 1998, August 1, 1998, and February 14, 2002.

 

2. Lease Agreement dated May 1, 1995, by and between Texas Utilities Properties, Inc., as landlord, and Worsham, Forsythe & Wooldridge, L.L.P. (predecessor in interest to Hunton & Williams), as tenant, as amended by that First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated December 1, 1999.

 

3. Lease Agreement dated January 1, 2000, by and between TXU Properties, Inc., as landlord, and AROMA Coffee and Vending, Inc., as tenant.


SCHEDULE 21.1

SCHEDULE OF TERMINATION VALUES*

(US $)

 

Termination Value Date

   Termination
Value
 

11-Aug-2014

   $ 104,252,270.04   

11-Feb-2015

   $ 104,971,344.73   

 

* Rent and Make-Whole Premiums, if any, are payable in addition to Termination Value.


SCHEDULE 25.27

State Specific Provisions

NONE


EXHIBIT A

TRACT ONE

SITUATED in the City of Dallas, Dallas County, State of Texas, being a part of the John Grigsby Survey, Abstract No. 495, and being a part of Block 237 of Bullington Addition to said City of Dallas, including a portion of former Bryan Street conveyed by the City of Dallas to Atlantic Richfield Company pursuant to City Ordinance No. 16679, as recorded in Volume 81092, Page 3598 and described in deeds recorded in Volume 81092, Page 3594 and Volume 81078, page 2627, Deed Records, Dallas County, Texas, and being the property which is now occupied by the “Arco Tower” building, and being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows:

BEGINNING at a point in a steel monument found at the intersection of the Southwesterly right-of-way line of Ervay Street, (60 foot right-of-way), with the Southeasterly right-of-way line of Federal Street, (37.5 foot right-of-way);

THENCE South 45 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds East with said Southwesterly right-of-way line of Ervay Street a distance of 228.31 feet to a 1/2 inch steel rod set in the Northwesterly right-of-way of Bryan Street, as defined in said City Ordinance 16679; (currently under construction);

THENCE South 44 degrees 59 minutes 57 seconds West with said right-of-way line a distance of 261.83 feet to an “X” cut in the Northeasterly right-of-way line of Bullington Street, (now Bullington Plaza, platted as a 40 foot right-of-way);

THENCE North 45 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West along said right-of-way line a distance of 224.90 feet to a point in a steel monument found in the Southeasterly right-of-way line of Federal Street, (a 40 foot right-of-way);

THENCE North 44 degrees 48 minutes 00 seconds East with said right-of-way line a distance of 150.00 feet to a point in a steel monument found at an “L” corner;

THENCE North 45 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds West a distance of 2.50 feet to a point in a steel monument found at an “L” corner;

THENCE North 44 degrees 48 minutes 00 seconds East continuing with said right-of-way line of Federal Street a distance of 111.83 feet to the Point of Beginning and containing 59,283 square feet or 1.361 acres of land more or less.


TRACT TWO (NON-EXCLUSIVE LICENSE FOR SUB-SURFACE UTILIZATION)

Estate created pursuant to that grant of a non-exclusive private license to Atlantic Richfield Company by the City of Dallas pursuant to City of Dallas Ordinance No. 21356, passed October 12, 1992, a certified copy of which appears of record in Volume 92242, Page 6253, Deed Records, DALLAS County, Texas, in and to the following described parcels of land, to-wit:

PARCEL A

BEING all that certain lot, tract or parcel of land lying and being situated in the City and County of DALLAS, Texas, more particularly described as follows:

BEING a part of Bryan Street as dedicated by BULLINGTON’S ADDITION, according to the map or plat thereof recorded in. Volume 32, Page 83, of the Deed Records of DALLAS County, Texas, and a part of the land acquired by the City of Dallas for the widening of said Bryan Street by deed recorded in Volume 1661, Page 356 of said Deed Records, and being more particularly described as follows:

BEGINNING at a point on the northwest line of Bryan Street as established by the City of Dallas by Ordinance No. 16679, said point being 63.64 feet northeastward along said northwest line from its intersection with the northeast line of Bullington Plaza (formerly Bullington Street);

THENCE in a northeasterly direction along said northwest line, a distance of 26.85 feet to a point for corner;

THENCE deflect right 120 degrees 00 minutes and in a southeasterly direction, a distance of 65.07 feet to a point on the curving southeast line of Bryan Street as established by the City of Dallas by Ordinance No. 14461;

THENCE deflect right 61 degrees 59 minutes 47 seconds from the last described course to the tangent of said curving southeast line and in a southwesterly direction curving to the left through a central angle of 4 degrees 42 minutes 10 seconds and a radius of 527.96 feet, an arc distance of 47.03 feet to a point for corner;

THENCE deflect right 122 degrees 42 minutes 23 seconds from the tangent of the last described curve and in a northwesterly direction, a distance of 25.99 feet to a point for corner;

THENCE deflect right 60 degrees 00 minutes and in a northeasterly direction, a distance of 20.00 feet to a point for corner;

THENCE deflect left 60 degrees 00 minutes and in a northwesterly direction, a distance of 39.42 feet to the PLACE OF BEGINNING and CONTAINING approximately 1949 square feet of land.

PARCEL B

BEING a part of Federal Street (formerly Cottage Lane) as dedicated by BULLINGTON’S ADDITION, according to the map or plat thereof recorded in Volume 32, Page 83, of the Deed Records of DALLAS County, Texas, and being adjacent to Block 237, Official City of Dallas numbers, and being more particularly described as follows:

BEGINNING at a point on the southeast line of Federal Street, 94.75 feet northeastward along same from its intersection with the northeast line of Bullington Plaza (formerly Bullington Street);

 

Page 2 of 4


THENCE in a northeasterly direction along said southeast line, a distance of 55.25 feet to an offset in said southeast line of Federal Street;

THENCE deflect left 89 degrees 48 minutes and in a northwesterly direction, a distance of 2.50 feet to a point for corner;

THENCE deflect right 89 degrees 48 minutes and in a northeasterly direction along said southeast line of Federal Street, a distance of 54.25 feet to a point for corner;

THENCE deflect left 89 degrees 48 minutes and in a northwesterly direction, a distance of 6.40 feet to a point for corner;

THENCE deflect left 90 degrees 00 minutes and in a southwesterly direction, a distance of 109.50 feet to a point for corner;

THENCE deflect 90 degrees 00 minutes left and in a southeasterly direction, a distance of 9.28 feet to the PLACE OF BEGINNING and CONTAINING approximately 860 square feet of land.

PARCEL C

BEING a part of Federal Street (formerly Cottage Lane) as dedicated by BULLINGTON’S ADDITION, according to the map or plat thereof recorded in Volume 32, Page 83 of the Deed Records of DALLAS County, Texas, and being adjacent to Block 237, Official City of Dallas numbers, and being more particularly described as follows:

BEGINNING at a point in the southeast line of Federal Street, 13.08 feet southwestward along same from its intersection with the southwest line of Ervay Street;

THENCE in a Southwesterly direction along said southeast line, a distance of 37.00 feet to a point for corner;

THENCE deflect right 90 degrees 12 minutes and in a northwesterly direction, a distance of 0.38 feet to a point for corner;

THENCE deflect right 90 degrees 00 minutes and in a northeasterly direction, a distance of 37.00 feet to a point for corner;

THENCE deflect right 90 degrees 00 minutes and in a southeasterly direction, a distance of 0.25 feet to the PLACE OF BEGINNING, and CONTAINING approximately 13.1 square feet of land.

TRACT THREE

Situated in the City of Dallas, Dallas County, State of Texas, and being all of Lot 58 and part of Lot 59 of City of Dallas Block No. 230, and being the same tract of land conveyed to Atlantic Richfield by deed recorded in Volume 79002, Page 2564, Deed Records, Dallas County, Texas, and being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows:

Beginning at an “X” cut in concrete at the intersection of the Westerly right-of-way line of Akard Street with the Northerly right-of-way line of Patterson Avenue, said “X” maintaining the Southeast corner of said Block 230;

 

Page 3 of 4


THENCE South 50 degrees 04 minutes 19 seconds West with said Northerly right-of-way line of Patterson Avenue and the South line of Block 230 a distance of 131.25 feet to a 1/2 inch steel rod found at the Southwest corner of said Lot 58;

THENCE North 40 degrees 32 minutes 30 seconds West with the West line of Lot 58 a distance of 164.87 feet to a 1/2 inch steel rod found at the Northwest corner of said Lot 58;

THENCE North 45 degrees 00 minutes 56 seconds East a distance of 50.02 feet to a point for corner in the face of a building wall;

THENCE South 44 degrees 57 minutes 26 seconds East with said building wall a distance of 23.36 feet to the corner of said building wall;

THENCE North 75 degrees 52 minutes 37 seconds East continuing with said face of building wall a distance of 136.57 feet to a 5/8 inch steel rod found in the said Westerly right-of-way line of Akard Street;

THENCE South 14 degrees 08 minutes 34 seconds East with said right-of-way line and the East line of said Lot 59 a distance of 96.12 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING and containing 20,987 square feet or 0.481 acres of land more or less.

 

Page 4 of 4


EXHIBIT B

Form of Estoppel Agreement

            , the of              [Lessee][Lessor] hereby certifies that as of              (the “ Certification Date ”), the following is true and correct:

(a) the Lease dated as February             , 2002 is unmodified and in force and effect [(or if there have been modifications, that the Lease is in force and effect as modified, and identifying the modification agreements];

(b) the date to which Base Rent has been paid is                  ,         ;

(c) there is no default by Lessee in the payment of Base Rent or any other Rent payable to Lessor hereunder, and there is no other existing default by either party with respect to which a notice of default or notice of termination (by Lessor) has been served, [and, if there is any such default, specifying the nature and extent thereof], and, to the actual knowledge of the property or asset manager of Lessee having responsibility for the Lease and Property, and the officer to which he or she reports, there are no acts under the Lease that have occurred that would constitute a Lease Event of Default with notice, and the passage of time;

(d) to the knowledge of the signer, there are no setoffs, defenses or counterclaims against enforcement of the obligations to be performed hereunder existing in favor of the party executing such certificate.

(e) the term of the Lease commenced on                 , 2002, and is scheduled to expire on                 , 2022, unless renewed or terminated in accordance with the terms of the Lease. Pursuant to the Lease, Lessee is entitled to renew the Lease for three (3) terms of ten (10) years each.

[(f) Lessee [and the Guarantor] is not the subject of any filing for bankruptcy or reorganization under any applicable law.] 1

 

[LESSOR/LESSEE]

 

 

1   Only if Lessee is delivering estoppel certificate.

Exhibit 10.28

FIRST AMENDMENT TO LEASE AGREEMENT

This First Amendment to Lease Agreement (this “Amendment”) is dated as of June 1, 2007, by and between U.S. Bank, N.A. (as successor-in-interest to State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association), as owner trustee of ZSF/Dallas Tower Trust, a Delaware grantor trust (as trustee only, and not individually) (“Lessor”), and TXU Properties Company, a Texas corporation (“Lessee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, by that certain Lease Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2002 (the “Lease”) between Lessor and Lessee, Lessor demised and leased to Lessee and Lessee rented and leased from Lessor the Property (as defined in the Lease); and

WHEREAS, Lessor and Lessee desire to make certain modifications to the Lease subject to the terms hereof.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the sum of Ten Dollars ($10.00) and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby mutually acknowledged, Lessor and Lessee hereby agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms . Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment shall have the same meanings as are ascribed to them in the Lease, unless otherwise noted.

2. Modifications to Lease . The Lease is hereby amended, modified and supplemented as follows:

(a) Section  7.1 is hereby modified by deleting the words “Guarantor (or Lessee if there is no Guarantor)” appearing in line 10 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the word “Lessee”.

(b) Section  8.5(a) is hereby modified by: (i) deleting the words “(or Guarantor)” appearing in lines 16-17 thereof; and (ii) deleting the words “Guarantor (or Lessee if there is no Guarantor)” appearing in line 31 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the word “Lessee”.

(c) Section  8.6 is hereby modified by deleting the words “(or Guarantor)” appearing in line 26 thereof.

(d) Section  9.1(b) is hereby modified by deleting the words “Guarantor (or Lessee if there is no Guarantor)” appearing in line 2 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the word “Lessee”.


(e) Section  11.1 is hereby modified by deleting the terms of the section in their entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

Assignment by Lessee . So long as no Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Lessee may, at Lessee’s sole expense, without the consent of Lessor, assign this Lease for a period that does not extend beyond the Lease Term, to any Affiliate of Lessee that is not, and will at no time be, an Obligor, provided , however , that any such Affiliate is not (I) a tax-exempt entity (within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code) or (II) a debtor or debtor-in-possession in a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding at the commencement of the assignment. For purposes hereof, an assignment shall be deemed any merger or consolidation of Lessee which would violate the provisions of (I) or (II) above. Any assignee shall assume in writing any obligations of Lessee arising from and after the effective date of the assignment, provided , however , that no such assignment shall become effective until (i) a fully executed copy of an assignment and assumption agreement, reasonably acceptable to Lessor, Servicer, Indenture Trustee and Lessee, shall have been delivered to Lessor, the Servicer and the Indenture Trustee, and (ii) such assignee shall have executed such instruments and other documents and provided such further assurances as the Indenture Trustee shall reasonably request to ensure that such assignment is subject to the Assignment of Lease, the other Debt Documents and this Lease and is enforceable. Notwithstanding any such assignment, Lessee shall not be released from its primary liability hereunder and shall continue to be obligated for all of its obligations in this Lease, which obligations shall continue in full effect as obligations of a principal and not of a guarantor or surety, as though no assignment had been made. Lessee will have the right, subsequent to any assignment (a) to receive a duplicate copy of each notice of default sent by Lessor to Lessee or any assignee (but such notice shall be effective as against the Lessee, as well as any subsequent assignees, even if a copy has not been delivered to such requesting assignee), and (b) to cure any default by Lessee or other assignee under the Lease within the cure period provided for hereunder. Lessee’s liability hereunder shall continue notwithstanding the rejection of this Lease by an assignee or any sublease of this Lease pursuant to Section 365 of Title 11 of the United States Code, any other provision of the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or the rights of creditors, which arises subsequent to such assignment. In the event Lessee assigns this Lease and it shall thereafter be rejected in a bankruptcy or similar proceeding, a new lease identical to this Lease shall be reinstituted as between Lessor and Lessee without further act of either party, provided Lessor shall not be obligated to deliver to Lessee possession of the Property free of any tenancy created or caused by Lessee or any entity holding by or through Lessee. Nothing herein shall be construed to permit Lessee to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise collaterally assign in any manner or nature whatsoever Lessee’s interest under this Lease in whole or in part. Lessee shall provide written notice to Lessor, the Servicer and the Indenture Trustee of any proposed assignment of this Lease at least thirty (30) Business Days prior to the effective date thereof and an executed copy of the approved agreement of assignment and assumption within thirty (30) days after the execution thereof. To the extent an assignee of this Lease fails to perform on behalf of Lessee the obligations of Lessee hereunder, and Lessee performs such obligations, then Lessee shall be subrogated to the rights of Lessor as against such assignee in respect of such performance.”

(f) Section  12.1 is hereby modified by deleting the word “Guarantor” appearing in line 67 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the word “Lessee”.

(g) Article  13 is hereby restated in its entirety as follows:

 

2


“ARTICLE 13

LETTER OF CREDIT

Section 13.1. Letter of Credit . Throughout the Base Term and all applicable Renewal Terms, the Lessee shall cause the Applicant to provide a Qualified Letter of Credit satisfying the requirements set forth in this Article 13; provided that in the event of a draw pursuant to Section 13.3(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) below, the Lessee shall no longer have an obligation to cause the Applicant to provide a Qualified Letter of Credit. In addition, the Lessee shall cause each Obligor to waive all direct or indirect rights of reimbursement, subrogation or other claims against the Lessee with respect to such Qualified Letter of Credit.

Section 13.2. Replacements . The Applicant shall have the right at any time to replace any outstanding Qualified Letter of Credit with another Qualified Letter of Credit that meets all of the requirements set forth in this Article 13. Each replacement Qualified Letter of Credit shall be accompanied by a certificate executed by Lessee confirming (a) each Obligor has waived all direct or indirect rights of reimbursement, subrogation or other claims against the Lessee with respect to such replacement Qualified Letter of Credit, (b) Lessee is not an Obligor with respect to such replacement Qualified Letter of Credit, and (c) such replacement Qualified Letter of Credit is not collateralized with any asset in which the Lessee has an ownership or other interest.

Section 13.3. Draw Events . With respect to any Qualified Letter of Credit, the Beneficiary shall be permitted thereunder:

(a) from time to time, if the Lessee fails to make any payment of Base Rent on an applicable Rent Payment Date, to draw upon such Qualified Letter of Credit an amount equal to or less than the amount of Base Rent that on such Rent Payment Date was due and payable but not paid and that remains unpaid on the date of such drawing;

(b) if Lessee fails to make a Stipulated Loss Value Payment due and payable on a Stipulated Loss Value Date pursuant to Section 12.1, to draw upon such Qualified Letter of Credit an amount equal to or less than the Stipulated Loss Value Payment that on such Stipulated Loss Value Date was due and payable but not paid and that remains unpaid on the date of such drawing;

(c) if any Lease Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to draw upon such Qualified Letter of Credit an amount equal to the maximum remaining amount available to be drawn thereunder;

(d) if (i) an Obligor makes any general arrangement or assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii) an Obligor becomes a “debtor” as defined in 11 U.S.C. § 101 of the Bankruptcy Code or any successor statute thereto (unless, in the case of a petition filed against such Obligor, the same is dismissed within ninety (90) days or such Obligor ceases to be an “Obligor” within ninety (90) days); (iii) the appointment of a trustee or receiver to take possession of substantially all of the assets of an Obligor where possession is not restored to such Obligor within ninety (90) days and such Obligor does not cease to be an “Obligor” within ninety (90) days; (iv) the attachment, execution or other judicial seizure of substantially all of the assets of an Obligor where such attachment, execution or other judicial seizure is not discharged within ninety

 

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(90) days and such Obligor does not cease to be an “Obligor” within ninety (90) days; (v) an Obligor admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (vi) an Obligor files a petition in bankruptcy or a petition to take advantage of any insolvency act; (vii) an Obligor files a petition or answer seeking reorganization or arrangement or other protection under the Federal bankruptcy laws or any other applicable law or statute of the United States of America or any State thereof; (viii) an Obligor is liquidated or dissolved, or placed under conservatorship or other protection under any applicable federal or state law or begins proceedings toward such liquidation or dissolution; (ix) any petition is filed by or against an Obligor under Federal bankruptcy laws, or any other proceeding is instituted by or against an Obligor seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for an Obligor, or for any substantial part of the property of an Obligor, and such proceeding is not dismissed within ninety (90) days after institution thereof and such Obligor does not cease to be an “Obligor” within ninety (90) days after institution thereof; or (x) an Obligor shall take any action to authorize or effect any of the actions set forth above in this subsection (d), to draw to draw upon such Qualified Letter of Credit an amount equal to the maximum remaining amount available to be drawn thereunder;

(e) if (i) an Obligor has any rights of reimbursement, subrogation or other claims against the Lessee with respect to such Qualified Letter of Credit, (ii) Lessee is an Obligor with respect to such Qualified Letter of Credit, or (iii) such Qualified Letter of Credit is collateralized with any asset in which the Lessee has an ownership or other interest, to draw upon such Qualified Letter of Credit an amount equal to the maximum remaining amount available to be drawn thereunder;

(f) if thirty (30) or fewer days remain prior to the current expiry date of such Qualified Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank has given a notice of non-extension referred to in the definition of “Qualified Letter of Credit”, and the Beneficiary has not received a replacement Qualified Letter of Credit under Section 13.2, to draw upon such Qualified Letter of Credit an amount equal to the maximum remaining amount available to be drawn thereunder; and

(g) if the Lessee fails to cause the Applicant to provide a required Qualifying Letter of Credit (as defined in the Master Letter Agreement) by May 15, 2022 in accordance with Section 5(a) of the Master Letter Agreement, and the Beneficiaryhas not received a Qualifying Letter of Credit, to draw upon such Qualified Letter of Credit an amount equal to or less than the amount of the Qualifying Letter of Credit that was required to be provided pursuant to Section 5(a) of the Master Letter Agreement;

provided that an authorized representative or officer of the Beneficiary delivers to the Issuing Bank a certificate as to the occurrence of the condition allowing such draw.

Section 13.4. Letter of Credit Proceeds . Upon a draw on a Qualified Letter of Credit by the Beneficiary, the proceeds shall be deposited and handled as set forth in that certain Master Letter Agreement dated as of even date herewith (the “ Master Letter Agreement ”).

 

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Section 13.5. Lessor Payment Obligation . Notwithstanding any provision in the Master Letter Agreement to the contrary, the Lessor shall be obligated to pay to the Applicant within ninety (90) days after the termination of this Lease an amount equal to the portion of the LOC Account Excess Amount (as defined in the Master Letter Agreement) received by the Lessor, if any, that is not required to be used to satisfy the Lessee’s unpaid obligations under this Lease. In no event shall the amount of such payment exceed an amount equal to the LOC Account Excess Amount actually received by the Lessor. The Lessor hereby covenants and agrees that it will continue to comply with its covenants and agreements set forth in Section 5.01 and Section 5.02 of the Indenture, as in effect on the date hereof, until such time as any amount due and payable to the Applicant under this Section 13.5 or under Section 4(b)(vi)(B) of the Master Letter Agreement is paid to the Applicant.

Section 13.6. Quarterly Compliance Certificate . Within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter in each calendar year during the Base Term and all applicable Renewal Terms, the Lessee shall deliver to the Lessor, the Indenture Trustee and the Beneficiary a certificate executed by Lessee confirming (a) each Obligor has waived all direct or indirect rights of reimbursement, subrogation or other claims against the Lessee with respect to any outstanding Qualified Letter of Credit, (b) Lessee is not an Obligor with respect to any such Qualified Letter of Credit, and (c) such Qualified Letter of Credit is not collateralized with any asset in which the Lessee has an ownership or other interest.”

(h) Section  15.1 is hereby modified by deleting the words “or Guarantor” appearing in line 29 thereof.

(i) Section  16.1(a) is hereby modified by deleting the terms of the section in their entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

Lessee shall fail to make any Termination Value Payment or Stipulated Loss Value Payment within three (3) Business Days after the same shall become due;

(j) Section  16.1(b) is hereby modified by deleting the terms of the section in their entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

Lessee shall fail to make any payment of Base Rent, Supplemental Rent or any other payment required to be made under this Lease and such failure shall continue for a period of ten (10) days after written notice thereof from Lessor or the Servicer;

(k) Section  16.1(c) is hereby modified by: (i) deleting the words “any of Guarantor or” appearing in line 1 thereof; and (ii) deleting the words “Guarantor or Lessee (as applicable)” appearing in line 7 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the word “Lessee”.

(l) Section  16.1(e) is hereby modified by: (i) deleting the words “the Guarantor or” appearing in line 1 thereof; and (ii) deleting the words “Guarantor or” appearing in line 2 thereof.

(m) Section  16.1(f) is hereby modified by deleting the words “or Guarantor” appearing in lines 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7-8 (both occurrences), 9-10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 24 thereof.

 

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(n) Section  16.1(g) is hereby modified by deleting the terms of the section in their entirety.

(o) Section  19.1(a) is hereby modified by: (i) deleting the words “or Guarantor” appearing in line 32 thereof; and (ii) deleting the words “or the Guaranty, as applicable,” appearing in line 33 thereof.

(p) Appendix  A is hereby modified by:

i. adding the following definition of “Acceptable Bank”:

“Acceptable Bank” shall mean any bank or trust company (i) which is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof, (ii) which has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating at least $1,000,000,000, and (iii) which has a Debt Rating issued by Standard & Poor’s of at least of at least AA- and a Debt Rating issued by Moody’s of at least Aa3 (or such bank or trust company must have either of such Debt Ratings in the event that either Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s (including their respective successors) shall have ceased to exist).”

ii. restating the definition of “Address” as follows:

“Address” shall mean, subject to the rights of the party in question to change its Address in accordance with the terms of the Operative Documents:

(i) with respect to Lessee: TXU Properties Company, 1601 Bryan Street, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attention: Treasurer.

(ii) with respect to Lessor: c/o U.S. Bank, N.A. (as successor-in-interest to State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association), as Owner Trustee, 1 Federal Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration;

with a copy to the Owner Participant: ZSF/Dallas Tower LLC, c/o Zurich Structured Finance, Inc., 105 East 17th Street, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Mr. Christian Halabi;

with an additional copy to the Owner Participant: ZSF/Dallas Tower LLC, c/o Zurich Structured Finance, Inc., 105 East 17th Street, New York, New York 10005, Attention: General Counsel;

with an additional copy to Neil Tucker: Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Mr. Neil Tucker.

(iii) with respect to the Indenture Trustee: LaSalle Bank National Association, 135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1625, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attention: GSTS - TXU Pass-Through Trust, Series 2002-1;

 

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with a copy to the Servicer: Wachovia Bank, National Association, 301 South College Street, NC 0606, Charlotte, NC 28288;

with an additional copy to each of the following holders of Pass-Through Trust Certificates (so long as such holders continue to own Pass-Through Trust Certificates): (a) The Prudential Insurance Company of America, c/o Prudential Capital Group, 2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 4200E, Dallas, TX 75201; (b) Allstate Life Insurance Company, Private Placements Department, 3075 Sanders Road, STE G5D, Northbrook, Illinois 60062-7127; (c) Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York, Private Placements Department, 3075 Sanders Road, STE G5D, Northbrook, Illinois 60062-7127; (d) Nationwide Life Insurance Company, One Nationwide Plaza (1-33-07), Columbus, Ohio 43215-2220; (e) Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company, One Nationwide Plaza (1-33-07), Columbus, Ohio 43215-2220; (f) Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Attn: Al Onstad, 625 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415.

(iv) with respect to the Servicer: Wachovia Bank, National Association, 301 South College Street, NC 0606, Charlotte, NC 28288;

with a copy to the Indenture Trustee: LaSalle Bank National Association, 135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1625, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attention: GSTS - TXU Pass-Through Trust, Series 2002-1;

iii. adding the following definition of “Applicant”:

“Applicant” shall mean TXU Corp. or any Affiliate of TXU Corp. other than the Lessee.”

iv. adding the following definition of “Beneficiary”:

“Beneficiary” shall mean the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee, as assignee of the Lessor’s rights under the Lease, and its successors and assigns, including any permitted assignees of its rights and obligations with respect to any Qualified Letter of Credit.”

v. adding the following definition of “Debt Rating”:

“Debt Rating” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the rating applicable to such Person’s senior, unsecured non-credit enhanced long-term indebtedness for borrowed money issued by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s, as applicable. A Debt Rating, whether public or private, issued by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s shall be deemed to be in effect on the date of announcement or publication by Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s, as the case may be, of such Debt Rating or, in the absence of such announcement or publication, on the effective date of such Debt Rating and will remain in effect until the date when any change in such Debt Rating is deemed to be in effect.”

vi. deleting the definition of “Guarantor.”

 

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vii. deleting the definition of “Guaranty.”

viii. adding the following definition of “Issuing Bank”:

“Issuing Bank” shall mean an Acceptable Bank that issues a Qualified Letter of Credit.”

ix. restating the following definition of “Lease”:

“Lease” shall mean the Lease Agreement dated as of the Closing Date between Lessor, as lessor, and Lessee, as lessee, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated as of June 1, 2007.”

x. within the definition of “Lease Operative Documents”, deleting reference therein to “the Guaranty”;

xi. adding the following definition of “Majority in Interest of the Certificateholders”:

“Majority in Interest of the Certificateholders” shall mean the “Majority in Interest of the Holders” as such term is defined in the Pass-Through Trust Agreement.”

xii. adding the following definition of “Master Latter Agreement”:

“Master Letter Agreement” shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.4 of the Lease.”

xiii. within the definition of “Net Casualty Proceeds”, deleting the words “, the Guarantor” appearing in line 4 thereof;

xiv. within the definition of “Net Condemnation Proceeds”, deleting the words “, the Guarantor” appearing in line 3 thereof;

xv. adding the following definition of “Obligor”:

“Obligor” shall mean, with respect to any Qualified Letter of Credit that is outstanding, each entity that is directly or indirectly obligated to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any amounts drawn under such Qualified Letter of Credit; provided, however , that the term “Obligor” shall not include any entity which, on the day on which Beneficiary would otherwise be entitled to draw on such Qualified Letter of Credit, is not directly or indirectly obligated to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any amounts drawn under such Qualified Letter of Credit.”

xvi. within sub-item (c) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”, deleting the word “Guarantor” appearing in line 7 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the word “Lessee”;

 

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xvii. within sub-item (d) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”, (1) deleting the words “Guarantor (or Lessee if there is no Guarantor)” appearing in lines 4-5 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the word “Lessee”, and (2) deleting the word “Guarantor” appearing in line 7 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the word “Lessee”;

xviii. within the final paragraph of the definition of “Permitted Liens”, deleting the words “Guarantor’s and” appearing in line 4 thereof;

xix. adding the following definition of “Qualified Letter of Credit”:

“Qualified Letter of Credit” shall mean an irrevocable, standby letter of credit issued, at the request of Applicant, by an Acceptable Bank in favor of the Beneficiary, substantially in form of Exhibit D attached to the Master Letter Agreement, or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lessor and the Majority in Interest of the Certificateholders and satisfying all of the following criteria:

(A) at no time shall the Lessee be an Obligor with respect to such letter of credit;

(B) such letter of credit shall at no time be collateralized with any asset in which the Lessee has an ownership or other interest;

(C) such letter of credit shall at all times be at least equal to (1) $5,000,000, plus (2) the greater of (I) the aggregate Base Rent then remaining to be paid over the remainder of the scheduled Base Term and (II) the largest Stipulated Loss Value listed on Schedule 12.1 to the Lease that may become payable by the Lessee during the remainder of the scheduled Base Term, provided that in the event of a partial draw pursuant to clause (E)(I) below that reduces the amount of such letter of credit below the required minimum amount described above, Applicant shall have thirty (30) days to increase or replace such letter of credit so that the amount of such letter of credit or the replacement letter of credit is equal to or greater than the required minimum amount described above;

(D) (I) with respect to the Base Term, such letter of credit shall have a stated expiry date which is the sooner to occur of (a) May 31, 2022 or (b) a date that is at least one year from date of the issuance thereof, and, if such expiry date is prior to May 31, 2022, which shall be automatically extended pursuant to the terms of such letter of credit for a period of at least one year from the date of such expiration (but in no event beyond May 31, 2022) unless the Issuing Bank shall, not later than 60 days prior to the stated expiry date, provide written notice to the Applicant, the Servicer, acting on behalf of the Indenture Trustee (as assignee of the Lessor’s rights under the Lease), and the Lessor, stating that the Issuing Bank elects not to automatically extend such letter of credit for any additional period; or (II) with respect to any Renewal Term, such letter of credit shall have a stated expiry date which is the sooner to occur of (a) ninety (90) days after the expiration of such Renewal Term or (b) a date that is at least one year from date of the issuance thereof, and, if such expiry date is prior to the date that is ninety (90) days after the expiration of such Renewal Term, which shall be automatically extended pursuant to the terms of such letter of credit for a period of at least one year from the date of such

 

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expiration (but in no event beyond the date that is ninety (90) days after the expiration of such Renewal Term) unless the Issuing Bank shall, not later than 60 days prior to the stated expiry date, provide written notice to the Applicant and the Lessor, stating that the Issuing Bank elects not to automatically extend such letter of credit for any additional period;

(E) such letter of credit shall provide that it may be drawn in whole or in part, with funds under such letter of credit being available to the Beneficiary against presentation at the Issuing Bank’s office, in person, via courier or other delivery service, on or before the expiry date of such letter of credit, of the Beneficiary’s sight draft(s) drawn on the Issuing Bank and accompanied by a written statement signed by an authorized representative or officer of the Beneficiary reading as one of the following (with the blanks filled in):

(I) “WE HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE LESSEE FAILED TO MAKE PAYMENT OF BASE RENT DUE AND PAYABLE ON              PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN LEASE AGREEMENT DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 2002, AS AMENDED, FOR THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS ENERGY PLAZA IN DALLAS, TEXAS, AND THE AMOUNT OF THIS DRAWING, $            , AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN THE AMOUNT OF BASE RENT THAT ON SUCH DATE WAS DUE AND PAYABLE PURSUANT TO THE LEASE BUT NOT PAID, REMAINS UNPAID AS OF THE DATE HEREOF.”

OR

(II) “WE HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE LESSEE FAILED TO MAKE A STIPULATED LOSS VALUE PAYMENT DUE AND PAYABLE ON              PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN LEASE AGREEMENT DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 2002, AS AMENDED, FOR THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS ENERGY PLAZA IN DALLAS, TEXAS, AND THE AMOUNT OF THIS DRAWING, $            , AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN THE STIPULATED LOSS VALUE PAYMENT THAT ON SUCH DATE WAS DUE AND PAYABLE PURSUANT TO THE LEASE BUT NOT PAID, REMAINS UNPAID AS OF THE DATE HEREOF.”

OR

(III) “WE HEREBY CERTIFY THAT A LEASE EVENT OF DEFAULT HAS OCCURRED AND IS CONTINUING PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN LEASE AGREEMENT DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 2002, AS AMENDED, FOR THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS ENERGY PLAZA IN DALLAS, TEXAS, AND THE BENEFICIARY HEREBY DRAWS $            , THE MAXIMUM REMAINING AMOUNT AVAILABLE TO BE DRAWN UNDER THE LETTER OF CREDIT.”

 

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OR

(IV) “WE HEREBY CERTIFY THAT (A) AN “OBLIGOR” (AS DEFINED IN THAT CERTAIN LEASE AGREEMENT DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 2002, AS AMENDED, FOR THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS ENERGY PLAZA IN DALLAS, TEXAS) HAS MADE A GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OR ASSIGNMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF CREDITORS; (B) AN OBLIGOR HAS BECOME A “DEBTOR” AS DEFINED IN 11 U.S.C. § 101 OF THE BANKRUPTCY CODE OR ANY SUCCESSOR STATUTE THERETO (AND, IN THE CASE OF A PETITION FILED AGAINST SUCH OBLIGOR, THE PETITION WAS FILED AT LEAST NINETY (90) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THIS DRAWING AND HAS NOT BEEN DISMISSED); (C) AT LEAST NINETY (90) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THIS DRAWING THERE WAS AN APPOINTMENT OF A TRUSTEE OR RECEIVER TO TAKE POSSESSION OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE ASSETS OF AN OBLIGOR AND POSSESSION HAS NOT BEEN RESTORED; (D) THERE OCCURRED AN ATTACHMENT, EXECUTION OR OTHER JUDICIAL SEIZURE OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE ASSETS OF AN OBLIGOR AT LEAST NINETY (90) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THIS DRAWING AND SUCH ATTACHMENT, EXECUTION OR OTHER JUDICIAL SEIZURE HAS NOT BEEN DISCHARGED; (E) AN OBLIGOR HAS ADMITTED IN WRITING ITS INABILITY TO PAY ITS DEBTS GENERALLY AS THEY BECOME DUE; (F) AN OBLIGOR HAS FILED A PETITION IN BANKRUPTCY OR A PETITION TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY INSOLVENCY ACT; (G) AN OBLIGOR HAS FILED A PETITION OR ANSWER SEEKING REORGANIZATION OR ARRANGEMENT OR OTHER PROTECTION UNDER THE FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE LAW OR STATUTE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR ANY STATE THEREOF; (H) AN OBLIGOR HAS LIQUIDATED OR DISSOLVED, OR BEEN PLACED UNDER CONSERVATORSHIP OR OTHER PROTECTION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE LAW OR BEGAN PROCEEDINGS TOWARD SUCH LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION; (I) A PETITION HAS BEEN FILED AT LEAST NINETY (90) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THIS DRAWING BY OR AGAINST AN OBLIGOR UNDER FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY LAWS, OR ANOTHER PROCEEDING HAS BEEN INSTITUTED AT LEAST NINETY (90) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THIS DRAWING BY OR AGAINST AN OBLIGOR SEEKING TO ADJUDICATE IT BANKRUPT OR INSOLVENT, OR SEEKING LIQUIDATION, REORGANIZATION, ARRANGEMENT, ADJUSTMENT OR COMPOSITION OF IT OR ITS DEBTS UNDER ANY LAW RELATING TO BANKRUPTCY, INSOLVENCY OR REORGANIZATION OR RELIEF OF DEBTORS, OR SEEKING THE ENTRY OF AN ORDER FOR RELIEF OR THE APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER,

 

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TRUSTEE, CUSTODIAN OR OTHER SIMILAR OFFICIAL FOR SUCH OBLIGOR, OR FOR ANY SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE PROPERTY OF SUCH OBLIGOR, AND SUCH PROCEEDING HAS NOT BEEN DISMISSED; OR (J) AN OBLIGOR HAS TAKEN AN ACTION TO AUTHORIZE OR EFFECT ANY OF THE ACTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE, AND THE BENEFICIARY HEREBY DRAWS $            , THE MAXIMUM REMAINING AMOUNT AVAILABLE TO BE DRAWN UNDER THE LETTER OF CREDIT.”

OR

(V) “WE HEREBY CERTIFY THAT (A) AN “OBLIGOR” (AS DEFINED IN THAT CERTAIN LEASE AGREEMENT DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 2002, AS AMENDED, FOR THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS ENERGY PLAZA IN DALLAS, TEXAS) HAS RIGHTS OF REIMBURSEMENT, SUBROGATION OR OTHER CLAIMS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT AGAINST THE LESSEE UNDER SUCH LEASE AGREEMENT, (II) THE LESSEE IS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OBLIGATED TO REIMBURSE BANK FOR ANY AMOUNTS DRAWN UNDER BANK IRREVOCABLE STANDYBY LETTER OF CREDIT NO.             , OR (III) SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT IS COLLATERALIZED WITH ANY ASSET IN WHICH THE LESSEE HAS AN OWNERSHIP OR OTHER INTEREST, AND THE BENEFICIARY HEREBY DRAWS $            , THE MAXIMUM REMAINING AMOUNT AVAILABLE TO BE DRAWN UNDER THE LETTER OF CREDIT.”

OR

(VI) “WE HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIRTY (30) OR FEWER DAYS REMAIN PRIOR TO THE CURRENT EXPIRY DATE OF THIS LETTER OF CREDIT, BANK HAS GIVEN NOTICE OF NON-EXTENSION AND THE SERVICER ON BEHALF OF THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE HAS NOT RECEIVED A QUALIFIED LETTER OF CREDIT AND BENEFICIARY IS ENTITLED TO DRAW $            , THE MAXIMUM REMAINING AMOUNT AVAILABLE TO BE DRAWN UNDER THE LETTER OF CREDIT.”

OR

(VII) “WE HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE LESSEE WAS REQUIRED TO DELIVER A QUALIFYING LETTER OF CREDIT ON OR BEFORE MAY 15, 2022, PURSUANT TO THAT CERTAIN MASTER LETTER AGREEMENT DATED AS OF JUNE     , 2007, THE LESSEE FAILED TO DELIVER SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT BY SUCH DATE AND HAS NOT DELIVERED SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT AS OF THE DATE OF THIS DRAWING, AND THE BENEFICIARY IS ENTITLED TO DRAW $            , AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT OF SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED.”

 

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(F) such letter of credit shall provide that any draw will be honored in same day funds, wired in accordance with the Issuing Bank’s normal practices, but in no event no later than the next business day after the date of demand; and

(G) such letter of credit shall be transferable in its entirety, but not in part, on one or more occasions at no cost to Lessor or Beneficiary, and such transfer must be acknowledged by the Issuing Bank if requested by either Lessor or Beneficiary.”

xx. restating the definition of “Servicer” as follows:

“Servicer” shall mean Wachovia Bank, National Association, as successor to First Union National Bank, as servicer under the Indenture and its successors and assigns.”

xxi. deleting the definition of “TXU Guaranty Agreement.”

(q) Schedule  9.1, part (b)  is hereby modified by deleting the words “Guarantor (or Lessee if there is no Guarantor)” appearing in line 1 thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the word “Lessee”.

(r) Exhibit B, part (f)  is hereby modified by deleting the words “[and the Guarantor]” appearing in line 1 thereof.

(s) Any references in the Lease to “Guarantor” or “Guaranty” not hereinabove referenced are hereby deleted and the terms of the Lease are hereby accordingly modified to reflect the termination of the Guaranty and Guarantor.

3. Lessee’s Required Rating . Lessee acknowledges that certain rights and obligations of Lessee under the Lease, as modified by this Amendment, are contingent upon whether Lessee has a Required Rating equal to or greater than the Trigger Rating. Such rights and obligations include, without limitation, those included in Sections 7.1, 8.5, 8.6, 9.1 and 12.1 of the Lease, among others, and in certain definitions contained in Appendix A to the Lease including, among others, the definition of “Permitted Liens”. Lessee further acknowledges that it has no rating from any NSRO, and that unless and until it has a Required Rating equal to or greater than the Trigger Rating from at least two (2) NSROs, all of such rights referenced hereinabove shall not be available to Lessee and all of such obligations referenced hereinabove shall be imposed upon Lessee.

4. Representations and Warranties . Lessee represents and warrants to Lessor that the following are true and correct as of the date of this Amendment:

(a) Due Organization . Lessee is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in the State of Texas and is qualified to do business in the State of Texas. Lessee has the corporate power and authority to conduct its business as now conducted, to own or hold under lease its property, to lease the Property and to enter into and perform its obligations under the Lease, as amended by this Amendment, and the Master Letter Agreement.

 

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Lessee is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where the failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on its ability to perform its obligations under the Lease, as amended by this Amendment, and the Master Letter Agreement.

(b) Due Authorization; No Conflict . Each of the Lease, as amended by this Amendment, and the Master Letter Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Lessee and has been duly executed and delivered by Lessee, and the execution, delivery and performance thereof by Lessee will not, (i) require any approval of the stockholder of Lessee (except as heretofore obtained) or any approval or consent of any trustee or holder of any indebtedness or obligation of Lessee or of any Affiliate of Lessee, other than such consents and approvals as have been obtained, (ii) contravene any Applicable Law binding on Lessee or (iii) contravene or result in any breach of or constitute any default under Lessee’s charter or by-laws or other organizational documents, or any indenture, judgment, order, mortgage, loan agreement, contract, partnership or joint venture agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which Lessee is a party or by which Lessee is bound, or result in the creation of any Lien (other than pursuant to the Operative Documents) upon any of the property of Lessee.

(c) Enforceability . Each of the Lease, as amended by this Amendment, and the Master Letter Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Lessee, enforceable against Lessee in accordance with the terms thereof, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, general principles of equity or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights in general.

5. Full Force and Effect . Except as herein expressly amended, modified and supplemented, all of the terms, conditions and provisions of the Lease remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in every respect. Lessee takes the occasion of the execution of this Amendment to confirm that, to the best of Lessee’s knowledge: (i) Lessor is not in default under the Lease and Lessor has fully and properly fulfilled all of its obligations under the Lease; (ii) Lessee has no dispute with respect to any payments of Base Rent and/or Supplemental Rent heretofore made by Lessee nor any other claims against Lessor under or in connection with the Lease or otherwise; and (iii) Lessee is in possession of the Property and is satisfied with the condition of the Property and that Lessor shall have no obligation to perform any work and/or installations, supply any materials or equipment and/or otherwise incur any cost or expense in order to prepare same for Lessee’s continued occupancy or otherwise. Lessor takes the occasion of the execution of this Amendment to confirm that, to the best of Lessor’s knowledge: (i) Lessee is not in default under the Lease and Lessee has fully and properly fulfilled all of its obligations under the Lease; and (ii) Lessor has no dispute with respect to any payments of Base Rent and/or Supplemental Rent heretofore made by Lessee nor any other claims against Lessee under or in connection with the Lease or otherwise.

6. Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which counterparts together shall constitute one agreement with the same effect as if the parties had signed the same signature page. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by facsimile shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart.

 

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7. Effectiveness . This Amendment shall be effective as of the date first above written.

8. Governing Law . This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas and shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors in interest and assigns.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lessor and Lessee have executed this Amendment as of date first above written.

 

Lessor:     U.S. BANK, N.A. (as successor-in-interest to State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association), not in its individual capacity but solely as owner trustee of ZSF/Dallas Tower Trust
    By:  

/s/ EARL W. DENNISON JR.

      Name:   EARL W. DENNISON JR.
      Title:   Vice President
Lessee:     TXU PROPERTIES COMPANY
    By:  

/s/ ANTHONY HORTON

      Name:   Anthony Horton
      Title:   Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

Exhibit 10.29

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October 25, 2016, is entered into by and between TCEH Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and the undersigned (the “ Purchaser ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue and Purchaser desires to acquire (the “ Acquisition ”) shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”).

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES

1.1 Purchase of Shares . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in reliance on the representations and warranties of the parties contained herein, the Company agrees to sell and Purchaser agrees to purchase the number of shares (the “ Shares ”) of Common Stock set forth opposite Purchaser’s name on the signature page hereto, for the cash purchase price set forth opposite Purchaser’s name on the signature page hereto (the “ Purchase Price ”).

1.2 Closing .

(a) The sale and purchase of the Shares shall take place at a closing (the “ Closing ”) to be held remotely via the exchange of documents and signature pages at 6:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas time, on the date of this Agreement, or at such other date as the Company and the Purchaser mutually may agree in writing. The day on which the Closing takes place is referred to as the “ Closing Date .”

(b) At the Closing:

(A) The Purchaser shall deliver the Purchase Price to the Company via cash or check; and

(B) the Company shall cause the Shares to be registered in book-entry form on the books and records of the Company in the name of Purchaser.


ARTICLE II

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

The Company makes the following representations and warranties to Purchaser, each and all of which shall be true and correct as of the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:

2.1 Corporate Existence . The Company is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite corporate power to own its assets and carry on its business as now being conducted and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

2.2 Authorization . The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement, issue the Shares and perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, and this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company. This Agreement (assuming the due execution and delivery thereof by Purchaser) constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms subject, as to enforceability, to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general applicability affecting the rights of creditors and to general principles of equity.

2.3 Validity of Securities . The Shares to be purchased and sold pursuant to this Agreement, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with its terms for the consideration expressed herein, shall be duly and validly issued and shall be fully paid and non-assessable.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

Purchaser makes the following representations and warranties to the Company, each and all of which shall be true and correct as of the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:

3.1 Investment Intent and Eligibility .

(a) Purchaser is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a) under Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Securities Act ”).

(b) The Shares to be acquired by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement are being acquired for Purchaser’s own account, not as a nominee or agent for any other person and without a view to the distribution of such Shares or any interest therein in violation of the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and Purchaser has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in or otherwise distributing the Shares. Purchaser does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement, or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participation to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of the Shares.

 

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(c) Purchaser (i) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its prospective investment and is able, without materially impairing Purchaser’s financial condition, to hold the Shares for an indefinite period of time and to suffer a complete loss on such investment and has prior investment experience.

(d) Purchaser has made the representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements contained in this Agreement with the expectation that they will be relied upon by the Company in determining whether (i) Purchaser is a suitable as an investor in the Shares and (ii) the Shares may be issued to Purchaser without first registering the Shares under the Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws.

3.2 Authorization . Purchaser has the right and power to execute, deliver and perform Purchaser’s obligations under this Agreement, and this Agreement is enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforceability, to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general applicability affecting the rights of creditors and to general principles of equity.

3.3 Material Changes . Purchaser shall promptly notify the Company in writing of any material change in any of the representations or warranties set forth in this Agreement prior to the acceptance of this Agreement by the Company.

3.4 Receipt of Information . Purchaser has carefully evaluated the risks involved in investing in the Shares. Purchaser has been afforded the opportunity to ask such questions as Purchaser has deemed necessary of, and to receive answers from, representatives of the Company concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares and the merits and risks of investing in the Shares. Purchaser has received all documents and information relating to an investment in the Shares requested by or on behalf of Purchaser to the satisfaction of Purchaser, including such information relating to the Company as Purchaser has deemed appropriate in making an investment decision with respect to the Shares. Purchaser is not relying on the Company or its affiliates with respect to economic considerations involved in the investment in the Shares. Purchaser has made, independently and without reliance on the Company or its affiliates (except to the extent Purchaser has relied on the express representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement), its own analysis of the Shares and the Company for the purpose of acquiring the Shares.

3.5 No Brokers . No broker, finder or agent will have any claim against the Company for any fees or commissions in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on arrangements made by or on behalf of Purchaser.

3.6 Non-Reliance . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary and except for those representations and warranties expressly set forth herein, it is the explicit intent of each party, and the parties hereby agree, that none of the Company or any of its affiliates or their respective representatives has made or is making any representation or warranty whatsoever, express or implied, at common law, statutory or otherwise, written or oral with respect to (i) the Shares or the Company or (ii) the accuracy or completeness of the information, records, and data now, heretofore, or hereafter made available to Purchase in connection with

 

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this Agreement (including any description of Company, the Shares, revenue, price and expense assumptions, financial projections or forecasts, or any other information furnished to Purchaser by the Company or any affiliate of the Company (or any of the respective representatives thereof)) and any such other representations or warranties (and reliance thereon) are hereby expressly disclaimed. Purchaser has not executed or authorized the execution of this Agreement in reliance upon any such promise, representation or warranty not expressly set forth herein. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, and without limiting the foregoing, none of the Company or any of its Affiliates or any other person or party is making or has made, and Purchaser is not relying on, any representation or warranty regarding the Company, any of its Affiliates or any other matter whatsoever in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, except for those representations and warranties expressly set forth herein.

ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS

4.1 Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers . This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties, and supersedes all prior agreements and all other arrangements and communications, whether oral or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof. Amendments or modifications to this Agreement may only be made, and compliance with any term, covenant, agreement, condition or provision set forth herein may only be omitted or waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), upon the written consent of Purchaser and the Company. Such waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with such term, covenant, agreement, condition or provision shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any other failure.

4.2 Further Assurances . From time to time, as and when requested by the Company, Purchaser will execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and instruments as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

4.3 Transfer Restrictions . Purchaser acknowledges, understands and agrees that:

(a) the offering and sale of the Shares is intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act, by virtue of the provisions of either Section 4(2) of the Securities Act or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act by the SEC;

(b) none of the Shares have been registered under the Securities Act or any securities or “blue sky” laws of any state; and

(c) the Shares may not be offered, sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise assigned unless (i) registered under the Securities Act or any securities or “blue sky” laws of any state or (ii) an exemption from such registration is available.

4.4 Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given upon the earlier of delivery thereof if by hand or upon receipt if sent by mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested) or on the second next day (not including a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the City of

 

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Dallas, Texas shall be permitted or required by law or executive order to be closed) after deposit if sent by a recognized overnight delivery service or upon transmission if sent by facsimile transmission as follows:

 

If to the Company:

  

TCEH Corp.

  

1601 Bryan Street, 22nd Floor

  

Dallas, Texas 75201

  

Attention: General Counsel

  

Facsimile: 214.875.8306

4.5 Governing Law . This Agreement and all matters relating to, arising out of or in connection herewith shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without regard to the conflicts-of-laws rules thereof.

4.6 Assignment; Binding Effect . Purchaser is not permitted to assign his, her or its rights under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company, Purchaser and each of their respective successors and permitted assigns.

4.7 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any facsimile or portable document format (pdf) copies hereof or signature hereon shall, for all purposes, be deemed originals.

4.8 Headings . The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the agreement of the parties and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

4.9 Severability . If any provision in this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

4.10 No Recourse . Notwithstanding any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, each of Purchaser on the one hand, and the Company on the other hand, agrees that neither it nor any person acting on its behalf may assert any claims or cause of action against any officer or director of the other party or partner, member or shareholder of any such other party in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby except to the extent that any of the foregoing are parties to this Agreement.

4.11 Consent to Jurisdiction . Each party hereto, by its, his or her execution hereof, (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the Dallas County, Texas for the purposes of any claim or action arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof, (ii) hereby waives, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such claim or action, any claim that it, he or she is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its, his or her property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such proceeding brought in the above-named court is improper

 

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or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court and (iii) hereby agrees not to commence any claim or action arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof other than before the above-named courts nor to make any motion or take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of any such claim or action to any court other than the above-named courts whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise. The Company and Purchaser hereby consent to service of process in any such proceeding, and agree that service of process by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified pursuant to Section  4.4 is reasonably calculated to give actual notice. Each party hereto shall pay its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with any dispute arising out of this Agreement.

4.12 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW THAT CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE OR ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), INQUIRY, PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED BY THE OTHER PARTY HERETO THAT THIS SECTION 4.12 CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH THEY ARE RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT. ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION  4.12 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

Signature pages follow.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

    Purchaser:

Number of Shares

to be Purchased:

  80,231  

/s/ Curtis Morgan

    Name:   Curtis Morgan
Price Per Share:   $15.58  
Aggregate Purchase Price:   $1,250,000   Address of Purchaser’s principal residence or principal place of business:
   

 

   

 

    Purchaser’s telephone number:
   

 

    Purchaser’s email address:
   

 

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]


Company:

 

TCEH CORP.

 

By:    

/s/ Stephanie Zapata Moore

Name:    

Stephanie Zapata Moore

Title:    

EVP and General Counsel

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use in this Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 333-215288 of our report dated March 30, 2017, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Vistra Energy Corp. (Successor Company) and Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC (Predecessor Company) (which report expresses an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding emergence from bankruptcy and the non-comparability to prior periods), appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Dallas, Texas

April 5, 2017