UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 28, 2017

 

 

CONSOL Energy Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-38147   82-1954058

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

CNX Center

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Suite 100

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(724) 485-3300

Not applicable

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On November 28, 2017 (the “ Distribution Date ”), CNX Resources Corporation, formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc. (“ CNX ”) completed the previously announced separation of its business into two independent, publicly traded companies, a coal company, CONSOL Energy Inc., formerly known as CONSOL Mining Corporation (the “ Company ”), and CNX, which will retain the natural gas exploration and production (E&P) business (the “ Separation ”). Following the Separation, the Company and its subsidiaries hold coal assets previously held by CNX, including its interest in the Pennsylvania Mining Complex (the “ PAMC ”) and certain related coal assets, terminal operations at the Port of Baltimore and undeveloped coal reserves located in the Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian and Illinois basins, and certain related coal assets and liabilities, and its ownership interest in CONSOL Coal Resources LP (NYSE: CCR), formerly known as CNX Coal Resources LP (the “ Partnership ”), which owns a 25% undivided interest stake in the PAMC.

On the Distribution Date, CNX distributed on a pro rata basis all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock to CNX’s stockholders (the “ Distribution ”). CNX stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2017 (the “ Record Date ”) received one share of Company common stock for every eight shares of CNX common stock held as of the Record Date. CNX did not issue fractional shares of Company common stock in the Distribution. Instead, fractional shares in the Company that CNX stockholders would have otherwise been entitled to receive were aggregated and sold in the public market by the distribution agent. The aggregate net cash proceeds of these sales will be distributed ratably to those stockholders who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share of the Company’s common stock, in accordance with the SDA (defined below).

Separation and Distribution Agreements

On November 28, 2017, in connection with the Separation and the Distribution, the Company and/or certain of its subsidiaries entered into several agreements with CNX and/or the Partnership and/or certain of its subsidiaries that govern the relationship of the various parties following the Distribution, including the following:

 

  Separation and Distribution Agreement (“ SDA ”);

 

  Transition Services Agreement (“ TSA ”);

 

  Tax Matters Agreement (“ TMA ”);

 

  Employee Matters Agreement (“ EMA ”);

 

  Intellectual Property Matters Agreement (“ IPMA ”);

 

  CNX Resources Corporation to CONSOL Energy Inc. Trademark License Agreement (“ TLA 1 ”);

 

  CONSOL Energy Inc. to CNX Resources Corporation Trademark License Agreement (“ TLA 2 ”);

 

  First Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement (“ Omnibus Amendment ”);

 

  First Amendment to Contract Agency Agreement by and among CONSOL Energy Sales Company, CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC (formerly known as CNX Thermal Holdings LLC) and the other parties thereto (“ Contract Agency Amendment ”);

 

  First Amendment to Water Supply and Services Agreement by and between CNX Water Assets LLC and CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC (“ Water Supply Amendment ”); and

 

  Second Amendment to Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement by and among CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, Conrhein Coal Company, CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC (formerly known as CNX Thermal Holdings LLC) and CONSOL Coal Resources LP (the “ Operating Agreement Amendment ”).

Summaries of the material terms of the SDA, TSA, TMA, EMA, Omnibus Amendment, Contract Agency Amendment and Water Supply Amendment may be found under the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in that certain Information Statement of the Company, dated November 3, 2017 (the “ Information Statement ”), which is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which summaries are incorporated herein by reference.

The following is a summary of the material terms of the IPMA, TLA1, TLA2 and the Operating Agreement Amendment:

Pursuant to the terms of the IPMA, certain of the intellectual property rights of CNX not already owned by the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries (the “ Company Group ”) prior to the Distribution, generally including those used primarily in the coal business, and the liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting therefrom were transferred to the Company Group. The IPMA also provides for cross-licensing rights to be afforded to each of CNX and the Company as it relates to the use of certain names and marks historically utilized by the other party.


To address the need to continue to utilize certain marks associated with each of CNX’s and the Company’s historic name usage, and in light of the renaming that was effected in connection with the Separation and Distribution (as described below), the parties entered into license agreements (TLA1 and TLA2), under which each company has granted to the other (and their respective subsidiaries as applicable) certain irrevocable, non-exclusive, worldwide, sublicensable (only in specified circumstances) and royalty-free licenses to certain trademarks and related intellectual property for use in the other’s existing businesses.

Under the terms of TLA1, CNX has granted the Company an evergreen renewable, royalty-free license for a period of one year to use the “CNX” name within certain defined parameters. Additionally, pursuant to the terms of TLA1 and subject to limited exceptions, CNX is not permitted to use, or license others to use, the “CNX” name for a period of five years in the coal business.

Under the terms of TLA2, the Company has granted CNX an evergreen renewable, royalty-free license for a period of one year to use the “CONSOL” name within certain defined parameters. Additionally, pursuant to the terms of TLA2 and subject to limited exceptions, the Company is not permitted to use, or license others to use, the “CONSOL” name for a period of five years in the natural gas business.

On November 28, 2017, in connection with the Separation, CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, Conrhein Coal Company, CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC, an indirect subsidiary of the Partnership formerly known as CNX Thermal Holdings LLC (“ CONSOL Thermal ”), and the Partnership entered into the Operating Agreement Amendment. The Operating Agreement Amendment amends the parties’ existing operating agreement to permit the Partnership to enter into the Credit Facility described below and to make certain other conforming changes with respect thereto.

The foregoing description of each of the SDA, the TMA, the EMA, the IPMA, the TSA, the TLA 1, the TLA 2, the Omnibus Amendment, the Contract Agency Amendment, the Water Supply Amendment and the Operating Agreement Amendment, and the summaries of such agreements in the Information Statement, are not complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the full text of the agreements, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Credit Facility

On November 28, 2017, the Company entered into that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017, among the Company, the various financial institutions from time to time party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association (“ PNC Bank ”), as administrative agent for the Revolving Lenders and Term A Lenders, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Term B Lenders and PNC Bank, as collateral agent for the Lenders and the other Secured Parties referred to therein (the “ Credit Agreement ”), which provides for a revolving credit facility with commitments up to $300 million (the “ Revolving Credit Facility ”), a Term Loan A Facility of up to $100 million (the “ TLA Facility ”) and a Term Loan B Facility of up to $400 million (the “ TLB Facility ,” and together with the Revolving Credit Facility and the TLA Facility, the “ Senior Secured Credit Facilities ”) in connection with the Separation, the proceeds of which, together with the proceeds of the $300 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured second lien notes previously disclosed, were used, among other things, to (i) make a cash distribution of $425 million to CNX, which distribution occurred on November 28, 2017, (ii) refinance as an intercompany loan the existing indebtedness of the Partnership under its senior secured revolving credit facility (the “ Old Partnership Revolver ”), which refinancing occurred on November 28, 2017 as part of the Separation, (iii) to pay related fees and expenses and (iv) otherwise fund the Company’s working capital needs and general corporate purposes following the Separation.

Borrowings under the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facilities bear interest at a floating rate which can be, at the Company’s option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin.

The Revolving Credit Facility and the TLA Facility mature on November 28, 2021. The TLB Facility matures on November 28, 2022.

Starting with the quarter ending March 31, 2018, the TLA Facility will amortize in equal quarterly installments of (i) 3.75% of the original principal amount thereof, for the first eight quarterly installments, (ii) 6.25% of the original principal amount thereof for the subsequent four quarterly installments and (iii) 11.25% of the original principal amount thereof for the quarterly installments thereafter, with the remaining balance due at final maturity.


Starting with the quarter ending March 31, 2018, the TLB Facility will amortize in equal quarterly installments in an amount equal to 0.25% per annum of the original principal amount thereof, with the remaining balance due at final maturity.

Obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are guaranteed by (i) all owners of the 75% undivided economic interest in the PAMC held by the Company, (ii) any other members of the Company Group that own any portion of the collateral securing the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iii) subject to certain customary exceptions and agreed materiality thresholds, all other existing or future direct or indirect wholly owned restricted subsidiaries of the Company (excluding the Partnership and its wholly-owned subsidiaries). As currently contemplated, all obligations are secured by, subject to certain exceptions (including a limitation of pledges of equity interests in certain subsidiaries and certain thresholds with respect to real property), a first-priority lien on (i) the 75% undivided economic interest in the PAMC held by the Company, (ii) the limited partner units of the Partnership held by the Company, (iii) the equity interests in CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC, the general partner of the Partnership, (iv) the Baltimore Dock Facility (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and (v) the 1.6 billion tons of greenfield reserves.

The Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain a number of customary affirmative covenants. In addition, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain a number of negative covenants, that, subject to certain exceptions, include limitations on (among other things): indebtedness, liens, investments, restricted payments, and prepayments of junior indebtedness.

The Revolving Credit Facility and TLA Facility also include financial covenants, including (i) a maximum first lien gross leverage ratio, (ii) a maximum total net leverage ratio and (iii) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain customary events of default, including with respect to a failure to make payments when due, cross-default and cross-judgment default and certain bankruptcy and insolvency events.

The description of the Credit Agreement set forth above is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.8, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

New Partnership Credit Facility

As previously disclosed, on July 7, 2015, the Partnership, as borrower, and certain subsidiaries of the Partnership, as guarantors, entered into a credit agreement for a $400 million revolving credit facility with PNC Bank, as administrative agent, and other lender parties thereto entered into a Senior Term Loan Agreement (the “ Old Partnership Revolver ”). On November 28, 2017, in connection with the Separation and Distribution, the Partnership paid all fees and other amounts outstanding under the Old Partnership Revolver and terminated the Old Partnership Revolver.

On November 28, 2017, the Partnership and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Credit Parties ”) entered into that certain Affiliated Company Credit Agreement (the “ Affiliated Company Credit Agreement ”) by and among the Credit Parties, the Company, as lender and administrative agent, and PNC Bank. The Affiliated Company Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $275 million to be provided by the Company, as lender. In connection with the completion of the Separation and the Partnership’s entry into the Affiliated Company Credit Agreement, the Partnership made an initial draw of $201 million, the net proceeds of which were used to repay the Old Partnership Revolver (as defined below), to provide working capital for the Partnership following the separation and for other general corporate purposes. Additional drawings under the Affiliated Company Credit Agreement are generally available for general partnership purposes. The Affiliated Company Credit Agreement matures on February 27, 2023. The collateral obligations under the Affiliated Company Credit Agreement generally mirror the Old Partnership Revolver, as does the list of entities that will act as guarantors thereunder.

The obligations under Affiliated Company Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Partnership’s subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of the assets of the Partnership and its subsidiaries pursuant to the security agreement and various mortgages.

The Affiliated Company Credit Agreement contains certain covenants and conditions that, among other things, limit the Partnership’s ability to incur or guarantee additional debt, make cash distributions (subject to certain limited exceptions), incur certain liens or permit them to exist, make particular investments and loans, enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates, merge or consolidate with another company, and transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of assets. The Partnership is also subject to covenants that require the Partnership to maintain certain financial ratios. For example, the Partnership is obligated to maintain at the end of each fiscal quarter (a) maximum first lien gross leverage ratio of 2.75 to 1.00 and (b) a maximum total net leverage ratio of 3.25 to 1.00, each of which will be calculated on a consolidated basis for the Partnership and its restricted subsidiaries at the end of each fiscal quarter.


The description set forth above is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Affiliated Company Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.9 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Receivables Financing Agreement

On November 30, 2017, (1)(i) CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC, formerly known as CNX Marine Terminals LLC, as an originator of receivables, (ii) CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC (“ CONSOL Pennsylvania ”), as an originator of receivables and as initial servicer of the receivables for itself and the other originators (collectively, the “ Originators ”), each a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and (iii) CONSOL Funding LLC (the “ SPV ”), a Delaware special purpose entity and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, as buyer, entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “ Purchase and Sale Agreement ”) and (2)(i) CONSOL Thermal, as sub-originator (the “ Sub-Originator ”), a majority owned subsidiary of the Company, and (ii) CONSOL Pennsylvania, as buyer and as initial servicer of the receivables for itself and the Sub-Originator, entered into a Sub-Originator Sale Agreement (the “ Sub-Originator PSA ”). In addition, on that date, the SPV entered into a Receivables Financing Agreement (the “ Receivables Financing Agreement ”) by and among (i) the SPV, as borrower, (ii) CONSOL Pennsylvania, as initial servicer, (iii) PNC Bank, as administrative agent, LC Bank and lender, and (iv) the additional persons from time to time party thereto as lenders. Together, the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Sub-Originator PSA and the Receivables Financing Agreement establish the primary terms and conditions of an accounts receivable securitization program (the “ Securitization ”).

Pursuant to the Securitization, (i) the Sub-Originator will sell current and future trade receivables to CONSOL Pennsylvania and (ii) the Originators will sell and/or contribute current and future trade receivables (including receivables sold to CONSOL Pennsylvania by the Sub-Originator) to the SPV and the SPV will, in turn, pledge its interests in the receivables to PNC Bank, which will either make loans or issue letters of credit on behalf of the SPV. The maximum amount of advances and letters of credit outstanding under the Securitization may not exceed $100 million.

Loans under the Securitization will accrue interest at a reserve-adjusted LMIR rate equal to the one-month Eurodollar rate. Loans and letters of credit under the Securitization also will accrue a program fee and participation fee, respectively, equal to 4.00% per annum . In addition, the SPV paid certain structuring fees to PNC Capital Markets LLC and will pay other customary fees to the lenders, including a fee on unused commitments.

The SPV’s assets and credit are not available to satisfy the debts and obligations owed to the creditors of the Company, the Sub-Originator or any of the Originators. The Sub-Originator, the Originators and CONSOL Pennsylvania as servicer are independently liable for their own customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities. In addition, the Company has guaranteed the performance of the obligations of the Sub-Originator, the Originators and CONSOL Pennsylvania as servicer, and will guarantee the obligations of any additional originators or successor servicer that may become party to the Securitization. However, neither the Company nor its affiliates will guarantee collectability of receivables or the creditworthiness of obligors thereunder.

The Securitization contains various customary representations and warranties, covenants and default provisions which provide for the termination and acceleration of the commitments and loans under the Securitization in circumstances including, but not limited to, failure to make payments when due, breach of representation, warranty or covenant, certain insolvency events or failure to maintain the security interest in the trade receivables, and defaults under other material indebtedness.

The description set forth above is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Sub-Originator PSA and the Receivables Financing Agreement which are filed herewith as exhibits 10.11, 10.12 and 10.13, respectively.

The SDA, the TSA, the TMA, the EMA, the IPMA, the TLA 1, the TLA 2, the Omnibus Amendment, the Contract Agency Amendment, the Water Supply Amendment, the Operating Agreement Amendment, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, the Affiliated Company Credit Agreement, the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Sub-Originator PSA and the Receivables Financing Agreement are being filed herewith solely to provide investors and security holders with information regarding their terms. They are not intended to be a source of financial, business or operational information about the Company, the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in such agreements are made solely for purposes of that agreement and are made as of specific dates; are solely for the benefit of the parties thereto; may be made for the purpose of allocating contractual risk between the parties instead of establishing matters as facts; and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors or security holders. Investors and security holders should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any description thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Company, the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties and covenants may change after the date of such agreements, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in public disclosures.

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

The Company’s preliminary financial results (unaudited) for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 are attached as Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The financial information included in Exhibit 99.3 reflects the predecessor financial information, which is based on historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities of CNX’s coal business. The effects of the Separation and Distribution that occurred on November 28, 2017 are not reflected in these financial results. The predecessor results for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not indicative of the results the Company expects over the next twelve-month period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses may increase due to incremental expenses associated with being a publicly-traded company and increased corporate and management service expenses associated with operating the business on a standalone basis. The Company plans to file a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2017 with the SEC on or before December 15, 2017.

The information in this Item 2.02 and Exhibit 99.3 attached hereto are being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. The information in this Item 2.02 and Exhibit 99.3 hereto shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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

The response to Item 1.01 under the subheadings “Credit Facility”, “New Partnership Credit Facility” and “Receivables Financing Agreement” is incorporated herein by reference to this Item 2.03.

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Board of Directors

In addition and as previously disclosed, upon the occurrence of the Distribution, Messrs. Nicholas J. DeIuliis, Stephen W. Johnson and David M. Khani resigned as directors of the Company. Further, each of Messrs. James A. Brock, Alvin R. Carpenter, Joseph P. Platt, William P. Powell and Edwin S. Roberson were elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Company, immediately prior to the effective time of the Distribution. As a result, the Company’s Board of Directors currently consists of Messrs. James A. Brock, Alvin R. Carpenter, John T. Mills, Joseph P. Platt, William P. Powell (Chair) and Edwin S. Roberson. Biographical and compensation information for each of the directors elected to the Company’s Board of Directors can be found in the Information Statement under the section entitled “Directors—Board of Directors Following the Separation” and is incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference.

In connection with the resignations and elections described above, the committees of the Company’s Board of Directors were reconstituted, effective as of the Distribution, as follows:

Audit Committee :

John T. Mills (Chair)

William P. Powell

Edwin S. Roberson

Compensation Committee :

Joseph P. Platt (Chair)

Alvin R. Carpenter

John T. Mills

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee :

Edwin S. Roberson (Chair)

Joseph P. Platt

William P. Powell


Health, Safety and Environmental Committee :

Alvin R. Carpenter (Chair)

James A. Brock

John T. Mills

Joseph P. Platt

William P. Powell

Edwin S. Roberson

Adoption of CONSOL Energy Inc. Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan

In connection with the SDA and pursuant to the terms of the EMA, the Company adopted, effective as of November 22, 2017, the CONSOL Energy, Inc. Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan (the “ Omnibus Incentive Plan ”). A summary of the principal terms of the Omnibus Incentive Plan is set forth in the section of the Information Statement entitled “CoalCo Incentive Arrangements and Plans—CoalCo Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan”, which summary is incorporated herein by reference. The summary of the Omnibus Incentive Plan does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the Omnibus Incentive Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.10.

Adoption of CONSOL Energy, Inc., Retirement Restoration Plan, CONSOL Energy, Inc., Supplemental Retirement Plan and the CONSOL Energy, Inc., Defined Contribution Restoration Plan (the “Non-qualified Plans”)

In connection with the SDA and pursuant to the terms of the EMA, effective as of the Distribution Date, the Company adopted the Non-qualified Plans, the purpose of which was to mirror the terms of the CNX Divided Non-qualified Plans, and to assume certain liabilities of CNX as more specifically described in the EMA.

Retirement Restoration Plan (the “Restoration Plan”)

Under the Company’s Restoration Plan, the Company will assume the obligations for certain participants from the CNX Restoration Plan.

The Restoration Plan is an unfunded deferred compensation plan maintained by the Company for the benefit of employees whose eligible compensation under the CNX Pension Plan exceeded limits imposed by the federal income tax laws.

Since the CNX Restoration Plan was frozen effective December 31, 2006, under the Restoration Plan, no existing participant accrues additional benefits and no compensation or service is counted for purposes of the Restoration Plan. A participant’s benefit is calculated as of the applicable date with reference to the participant’s benefits under the CONSOL Energy Inc. Employee Retirement Plan (the “ Pension Plan ”) (formerly sponsored by CNX, but now sponsored by the Company) as of that date.

The Company’s Restoration Plan provides that all distributions of benefits accrued and vested under the plan will be paid in a lump sum. Any such lump sum distribution of benefits will be paid no later than 30 days following the later to occur of the end of the month following the month in which the participant turns age 50 or the end of the month following the month in which the participant incurs a separation of service. The benefit will be calculated and actuarially reduced, as necessary (using assumptions specified in the Pension Plan), based on a participant’s benefit being initially expressed as a single life annuity payable commencing on such participant’s normal retirement date.


Payment under the Company’s Restoration Plan may not commence prior to age 50, except in the event of an incapacity retirement or under a termination due to a change in control. Payments commencing prior to age 65 are reduced based on various early reduction schedules depending upon age at the payment commencement date and years of service at the time of termination.

Supplemental Retirement Plan (the “Supplemental Retirement Plan”)

Under the Company’s Supplemental Retirement Plan, the Company will assume the obligations for certain participants from the CNX Supplemental Retirement Plan.

The Supplemental Retirement Plan of CNX was effective January 1, 2007, and was designed primarily for the purpose of providing benefits for a select group of management and highly compensated employees of CNX and its subsidiaries and is intended to qualify as a “top hat” plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The Company’s Supplemental Retirement Plan is an unfunded, unsecured obligation of the Company, the benefits of which will be paid from its general assets.

The Company’s Supplemental Retirement Plan is frozen for current and future employees. No existing participant or future employee accrues benefits and no compensation or service is counted for purposes of calculating benefits under the Company’s Supplemental Retirement Plan. Frozen participants’ years of service will continue to accrue solely for vesting purposes.

The amount of each participant’s benefit under the plan as of age 65 (expressed as an annual amount) will be equal to 50% of “final average compensation” multiplied by the “service fraction” as calculated on the participant’s date of employment termination with the Company. “Final average compensation” means the average of a participant’s five highest consecutive annual compensation amounts (annual base salary plus amounts received under the STIC) while employed by the Company or its subsidiaries. The “service fraction” means a fraction with a numerator equal to a participant’s number of years of service and with a denominator of 20. The service fraction can never exceed one.

The benefit described above will be reduced by a participant’s age 65 vested benefits (including benefits which have been paid or are payable in the future (converted to an annual amount)) under: (i) the Pension Plan; (ii) the Company’s Restoration Plan; and (iii) any other plan or arrangement providing retirement-type benefits, including arrangements with prior employers, to the extent service with such other employer or under such arrangement is credited under the Supplemental Retirement Plan.


No benefit will be vested under the Company’s Supplemental Retirement Plan until a participant has five years of service with CNX, the Company or its participating subsidiaries while the participant meets the eligibility standards in the plan.

Benefits under the Company’s Supplemental Retirement Plan will be paid in the form of a life annuity with a guaranteed term of 20 years (which will be the actuarial equivalent of a single life annuity) commencing in the month following the later to occur of: (a) the end of the month following the month in which the participant turns age 50 or (b) the end of the month following the month in which the employment termination of a participant occurs. In the event the benefits commence prior to the participant’s normal retirement age, the benefit will be actuarially reduced as necessary (using assumptions specified in the Pension Plan).

Defined Contribution Restoration Plan (the “New Restoration Plan”)

Under the Company’s New Restoration Plan, the Company will assume the obligations for certain participants from the CNX New Restoration Plan. In addition, and unlike the Company’s Restoration Plan and the Company’s Supplemental Retirement Plan, current employees of the Company may be eligible for benefits under this plan.

The New Restoration Plan is designed primarily for the purpose of providing benefits for a select group of management and highly compensated employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and is intended to qualify as a “top hat” plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The New Restoration Plan is an unfunded, unsecured obligation of the Company, the benefits of which will be paid from its general assets. The Company’s employees who are eligible to participate and accrue benefits in the Company’s Supplemental Retirement Plan are ineligible to participate in the New Restoration Plan.

The plan reserves the right of the Compensation Committee to terminate an active participant’s continued participation in the New Restoration Plan at any time.

Eligibility for benefits under the New Restoration Plan is determined each calendar year (the “ Award Period ”). Participants whose sum of annual base pay as of December 31 and amounts received under the STIC or other annual incentive program earned for services rendered by the participant during the Award Period exceed the compensation limits imposed by section 401(a)(17) of the United States Internal Revenue Code (the “ Code ) (up to $270,000 for 2017) are eligible for benefits under the Company’s New Restoration Plan for the Award Period. The amount of each eligible participant’s benefit under the plan is equal to 9% times annual base salary as of December 31 and amounts received under the Company’s STIC or other annual incentive program earned for services rendered by the participant during the Award Period less 6% times the lesser of annual base salary as of December 31 or the compensation limit imposed by the Code for the Award Period ($270,000 for 2017).

Benefits under the New Restoration Plan will be paid in the form of two hundred forty (240) equal monthly installments, with each installment equal to the value of the participant’s account at commencement divided by two hundred forty (240). Benefits shall commence in the month immediately following the later to occur of: (i) the month in which the participant turns age 60 or (ii) the month containing the six-month anniversary date of the participant’s separation from service.


Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

An amendment and restatement to the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended (the “ Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation ”) became effective on November 28, 2017. In addition, amended and restated bylaws (the “ Amended and Restated Bylaws ”) of the Company became effective on November 28, 2017, pursuant to which all references to “CONSOL Mining Corporation” in the existing bylaws were replaced with references to “CONSOL Energy Inc.”

The following summarizes the terms of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws are not complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the full text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

Classified Board. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the Company’s Board of Directors is initially divided into three classes, with each director serving for a term ending at the election of directors at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which the director was elected, subject to the provisions described below. For so long as there are three classes of directors, the number of directors in each class shall be as near as possible to one-third of the total number of directors. Each class will initially consist of two directors.

The two directors designated as Class I directors, James A. Brock and Alvin R. Carpenter, will have initial terms expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the Separation, expected to be held in 2018. Directors up for reelection at this annual meeting will be elected to a new three year term expiring in 2021. The two directors designated as Class II directors, Joseph P. Platt and Edwin S. Roberson, will have initial terms expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Separation, expected to be held in 2019. Directors up for reelection at this annual meeting will be elected to a new three year term expiring in 2022. The two directors designated as Class III directors, William P. Powell and John T. Mills, will have initial terms expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Separation, expected to be held in 2020. Each director whose term expires at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders or any annual meeting thereafter (and any other individual who is nominated for election at any such meeting) shall be elected for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders. As a result of these provisions, one-third of our total number of directors will be up for election at each of the first three annual meetings of stockholders following the Separation, two-thirds of the total number will be up for election at the fourth annual meeting of stockholders following the Separation, and beginning with the fifth annual meeting of stockholders following the Separation (expected to be held in 2022), all of our directors will be subject to annual election. Prior to the annual meeting of stockholders held in 2021, it would take at least two elections for any individual or group to gain control of the Board of Directors. Accordingly, these provisions could discourage a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to control the Company. Any amendment to the classified Board provisions in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least three quarters (75%) of the voting power of all outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote thereon.

Size of Board; Vacancies; Removal. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the number of directors on our Board of Directors will be fixed exclusively by our Board of Directors. Any vacancies created in our Board of Directors resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause will be filled by a vote of the majority of the Board of Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum is present, or by a sole remaining director. Any director appointed to fill a vacancy on our Board of Directors will be appointed for a term expiring at the next election of directors and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified.


Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that at any time at which the Board of Directors is divided into classes, stockholders may only remove directors for cause, and only with the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. Upon the Board of Directors no longer being divided into classes, stockholders may remove the Company’s directors with or without cause, with the approval of at least 66 2/3% of shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.

Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that stockholders may not act by written consent unless such written consent is unanimous. Stockholder action must otherwise take place at the annual or a special meeting of our stockholders.

Special Stockholder Meetings. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the chairman of our Board of Directors, our chief executive officer or our Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board of Directors may call special meetings of our stockholders.

Advance Notice for Stockholder Proposals and Nominations . Our Amended and Restated Bylaws will establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors (other than nominations made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors).

Certain Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock . We may issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock without stockholder approval, subject to applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange and Delaware law, for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public or private offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions, and employee benefit plans and equity grants. The existence of unissued and unreserved common and preferred stock may enable us to issue shares to persons who are friendly to current management, which could discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise. We will not solicit approval of our stockholders for issuance of common or preferred stock unless our Board of Directors believes that approval is advisable or is required by applicable stock exchange rules or Delaware law.

No Cumulative Voting. The Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ DGCL ”) provides that stockholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless the company’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.

Exclusive Forum. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, any action asserting a claim for or based on a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director or officer of the Company to the Company or to the Company’s stockholders, including a claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws, any action asserting a claim relating to or involving the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine, or any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL. However, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, the action may be brought in the federal court for the District of Delaware.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD

The response to Item 2.02 is incorporated herein by reference to this Item 7.01.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events

In connection with the Separation, the Company changed its phone number to (724) 485-3300.

On November 29, 2017, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the Distribution and the start of the Company’s operations as an independent company. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.

Furthermore, as a result of the Separation, a pension plan now sponsored by the Company (identified below) experienced a change in contributing sponsor or controlled group, which is a “reportable event” pursuant to section 4043(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Protection Act of 1974, as amended, requiring notice to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“ PBGC ”). As permitted by applicable regulations of the PBGC, specifically, 29 CFR § 4043.29, the Company is filing this Current Report on Form 8-K in order to satisfy the public company notice waiver with respect to the reportable event. Pursuant to PBGC guidance, set forth below is the information required by the PBGC in order to satisfy the public company notice waiver.


    Plan Name: CONSOL Energy Inc. Employee Retirement Plan (the “ Plan ”), EIN is 82-1954058, plan 001, formerly reported under EIN 51-0337383, plan 001

 

    Brief description of the pertinent facts relating to the event: See Item 1.01 above

 

    Date of the event: November 28, 2017

 

    Type of event: Change in contributing sponsor or controlled group

 

    Description of the change in the plan’s controlled group structure: As a result of the Separation the entities listed below under “CNX Controlled Group” are no longer members of the Company’s controlled group (the “ Company Controlled Group ”) and are now members of a separate CNX controlled group (the “ CNX Controlled Group ”).

 

    Name of each plan maintained by any member of the plan’s old and new controlled groups, its contributing sponsor(s) and EIN/PN: Before the Separation and Distribution, the Plan was the only defined benefit pension plan that was sponsored by members of the Company Controlled Group

CNX Controlled Group :

CNX Resources Corporation (a Delaware corporation) (formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc.)

Cardinal States Gathering Company (a Virginia general partnership)

CNX Gas Corporation (a Delaware corporation)

CNX Gas Company LLC (a Virginia limited liability company)

CNX Land LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)

CNX Resource Holdings LLC (a Delaware corporation)

CNX Water Assets LLC (a West Virginia limited liability company)

MOB Corporation (a Pennsylvania corporation)

Pocahontas Gas LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)

Terra Firma Company (a West Virginia corporation)

Company Controlled Group :

CONSOL Energy Inc. (a Delaware Corporation) (formerly known as CONSOL Mining Corporation) (the “Company”)

AMVEST LLC (a Virginia limited liability company)

AMVEST Gas Resources, LLC (a Virginia limited liability company)

AMVEST West Virginia Coal, L.L.C. (a West Virginia limited liability company)

Braxton-Clay Land & Mineral, LLC (a West Virginia limited liability company)

Conrhein Coal Company (a Pennsylvania general partnership)

CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC (a Delaware limited liability company) (formerly “CNX Coal Resources GP LLC”)

CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC (a Delaware limited liability company) (formerly “CNX Marine Terminals LLC”)

CONSOL RCPC LLC (a Delaware limited liability company) (formerly “CNX RCPC LLC”)

CONSOL Amonate Facility LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)

CONSOL Amonate Mining Company LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)

CONSOL Energy Canada Ltd. (a Canadian corporation)

CONSOL Energy Sales Company LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)

CONSOL Financial Inc. (a Delaware corporation)

CONSOL Mining Company LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)

CONSOL Mining Holding Company LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)


CONSOL of Canada LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)

CONSOL of Kentucky LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)

CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)

Fola Coal Company, L.L.C. d/b/a Powellton Coal Company (a West Virginia limited liability company)

Helvetia Coal Company LLC (a Pennsylvania limited liability company)

Island Creek Coal Company LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)

Laurel Run Mining Company LLC (a Virginia limited liability company)

Leatherwood, LLC (a Pennsylvania limited liability company)

Little Eagle Coal Company, L.L.C. (a West Virginia limited liability company)

MTB LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)

Nicholas-Clay Land & Mineral, LLC (a Virginia limited liability company)

R&PCC LLC (a Pennsylvania limited liability company)

TECPART LLC (a Delaware limited liability company)

Terry Eagle Coal Company, L.L.C. (a West Virginia limited liability company)

Terry Eagle Limited Partnership (a West Virginia limited partnership)

Vaughan Railroad Company LLC (a West Virginia limited liability company)

Windsor Coal Company LLC (a West Virginia limited liability company)

Wolfpen Knob Development Company LLC (a Virginia limited liability company)


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

   Description of the Exhibit
2.1    Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017, by and between the Company and CNX*
2.2    Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017, by and between the Company and CNX*
2.3    Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017, by and between the Company and CNX*
2.4    Intellectual Property Matters Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017, by and between the Company and CNX*
3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
10.1    Transition Services Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017, by and between the Company and CNX*
10.2    CNX Resources Corporation to CONSOL Energy Inc. Trademark License Agreement dated as of November 28, 2017, by and between the Company and CNX
10.3    CONSOL Energy Inc. to CNX Resources Corporation Trademark License Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017, by and between the Company and CNX
10.4    First Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement, dated as of November  28, 2017, by and among the Company, CNX, CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC, the Partnership and the other parties thereto
10.5   

First Amendment to Contract Agency Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017, by and among CONSOL Energy Sales Company, CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC (formerly known as CNX Thermal Holdings LLC) and the other parties thereto

10.6   

First Amendment to Water Supply and Services Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017 by and between CNX Water Assets LLC and CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC (formerly known as CNX Thermal Holdings LLC)

10.7    Second Amendment to the Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement, dated November  28, 2017, by and among CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, Conrhein Coal Company, CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC and CONSOL Coal Resources LP
10.8    Credit Agreement, dated as of November  28, 2017, among the Company, the various financial institutions from time to time party thereto, PNC Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Revolving Lenders and Term A Lenders, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Term B Lenders and PNC Bank, N.A., as collateral agent for the Lenders and the other Secured Parties referred to therein
10.9    Affiliated Company Credit Agreement, dated November 28, 2017, by and among CONSOL Coal Resources LP, certain of its affiliates party thereto, CONSOL Energy Inc. and PNC Bank, National Association
10.10   

CONSOL Energy Inc. Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Registrant’s Form S-8 Registration Statement (File No. 333-221727) filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on November 22, 2017)

10.11    Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2017, by and among CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC, CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC and CONSOL Funding LLC
10.12    Sub-Originator Sale Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2017, by and between CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC and CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC
10.13    Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2017, by and among CONSOL Funding LLC, CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC and PNC Bank, N.A.
99.1    Information Statement of the Company, dated November 3, 2017
99.2    Press Release of the Company, dated November 29, 2017
99.3    Preliminary financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017

 

* Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish copies of any of the omitted schedules and exhibits upon request by the SEC.


SIGNATURES

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

 

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

By:   /s/ Martha A. Wiegand
 

Name: Martha A. Wiegand

 

Title: General Counsel and Secretary

Dated: December 4, 2017

Exhibit 2.1

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

AND

CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 28, 2017


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     1  

1.1

 

Table of Definitions

     1  

1.2

 

Other Defined Terms

     3  

ARTICLE II THE SEPARATION

     12  

2.1

 

Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities

     12  

2.2

 

Coal Assets

     14  

2.3

 

Parent Assets

     16  

2.4

 

Coal Liabilities

     16  

2.5

 

Parent Liabilities

     17  

2.6

 

Approvals and Notifications

     18  

2.7

 

Novation of Liabilities

     22  

2.8

 

Release of Guarantees

     23  

2.9

 

Termination of Agreements

     23  

2.10

 

Treatment of Shared Contracts

     24  

2.11

 

Bank Accounts; Cash Balances

     25  

2.12

 

Ancillary Agreements

     25  

2.13

 

Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties

     25  

2.14

 

Financial Information Certifications

     26  

2.15

 

Transition Committee and Other Matters

     26  

2.16

 

CoalCo Financing Arrangements

     26  

2.17

 

Parent Financing Arrangements

     27  

ARTICLE III THE DISTRIBUTION

     27  

3.1

 

Sole and Absolute Discretion; Cooperation

     27  

3.2

 

Actions Prior to the Distribution

     27  

3.3

 

Conditions to the Distribution

     28  

3.4

 

The Distribution

     29  

ARTICLE IV MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION

     30  

4.1

 

Release of Pre-Distribution Claims

     30  

4.2

 

Indemnification by CoalCo

     32  

4.3

 

Indemnification by Parent

     32  

4.4

 

Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts

     33  

4.5

 

Procedures for Indemnification of Third-Party Claims

     33  

4.6

 

Additional Matters

     35  

4.7

 

Right of Contribution

     36  

4.8

 

Covenant Not to Sue

     36  

4.9

 

Remedies Cumulative

     37  

4.10

 

Survival of Indemnities

     37  

4.11

 

Real Property Transfer Documents

     37  

ARTICLE V CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS

     37  

5.1

 

Cooperation With Respect to Insurance Matters

     37  

5.2

 

Access to Insurance Policies

     37  

5.3

 

CoalCo Insurance Policies

     38  

5.4

 

Payments and Reimbursements

     38  

5.5

 

Directors and Officers Policies

     39  

ARTICLE VI EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY

     39  

6.1

 

Agreement for Exchange of Information and Cooperation

     39  

6.2

 

Ownership of Information

     40  

6.3

 

Compensation for Providing Information

     40  

6.4

 

Record Retention

     40  

6.5

 

Limitations of Liability

     40  

6.6

 

Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information

     40  

6.7

 

Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation

     41  

6.8

 

Privileged Matters

     41  

6.9

 

Confidentiality

     43  

6.10

 

Protective Arrangements

     44  

 

i


ARTICLE VII DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     44  

7.1

 

Good-Faith Officer Negotiation

     44  

7.2

 

Mediation

     45  

7.3

 

Arbitration

     45  

7.4

 

Injunctive Relief; Litigation

     46  

7.5

 

Conduct During Dispute Resolution Process

     46  

ARTICLE VIII FURTHER ASSURANCES AND ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

     47  

8.1

 

Further Assurances

     47  

8.2

 

Non-Solicitation; No Hire; Non-Compete; Options

     47  

8.3

 

Late Payments

     49  

8.4

 

Inducement

     49  

8.5

 

Post-Effective Time Conduct

     49  

ARTICLE IX TERMINATION

     50  

9.1

 

Termination

     50  

9.2

 

Effect of Termination

     50  

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS

     50  

10.1

 

Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power

     50  

10.2

 

Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     51  

10.3

 

Assignability

     51  

10.4

 

Third-Party Beneficiaries

     52  

10.5

 

Notices

     52  

10.6

 

Severability

     52  

10.7

 

Force Majeure

     52  

10.8

 

No Set-Off

     53  

10.9

 

Publicity

     53  

10.10

 

Expenses

     53  

10.11

 

Headings

     53  

10.12

 

Survival of Covenants

     53  

10.13

 

Waivers of Default

     53  

10.14

 

Specific Performance

     53  

10.15

 

Amendments

     53  

10.16

 

Interpretation

     54  

10.17

 

Limitations of Liability

     54  

10.18

 

Performance

     54  

10.19

 

Mutual Drafting

     54  

 

ii


EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CoalCo

Exhibit B

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of CoalCo

SCHEDULES

Schedule 1.2(a)

 

Other Coal Contracts

Schedule 1.2(b)

 

Coal Environmental Liabilities

Schedule 1.2(e)

 

Coal Surface Property

Schedule 1.2(f)

 

Employee and Retiree Liability

Schedule 1.2(g)

 

Leatherwood Property

Schedule 1.2(h)

 

ORRIs

Schedule 2.1(a)

 

Plan of Reorganization

Schedule 2.2(b)

 

Transferred Entities

Schedule 2.2(g)(i)

 

Excluded Unmined Coal

Schedule 2.2(g)(ii)

 

Tangible Personal Property in Coal Business

Schedule 2.2(i)

 

Discontinued Business

Schedule 2.2(l)

 

Headquarters Lease

Schedule 2.2(m)

 

Carbon Credits

Schedule 2.2(o)

 

Other Coal Assets

Schedule 2.3

 

Exception to Parent Assets

Schedule 2.4(g)

 

Other Coal Liabilities

Schedule 2.4(h)

 

Shared Environmental Liabilities

Schedule 2.7(a)

 

Exception to Novation of CoalCo Liabilities

Schedule 2.7(b)

 

Exception to Novation of Parent Liabilities

Schedule 2.8(c)

 

Guarantees

Schedule 2.9(b)

 

Related Party Agreements Not Being Terminated

Schedule 4.2(d)

 

Parent Indemnification

Schedule 4.3(d)

 

CoalCo Indemnification

Schedule 4.3(e)

 

Parent Statements in Form 10

Schedule 10.10

 

Expenses

 

iii


SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

This SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of November 28, 2017 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and between CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation to be renamed CNX Resources Corporation (“ Parent ”), and CONSOL Mining Corporation, a Delaware corporation to be renamed CONSOL Energy Inc. (“ CoalCo ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in Article  I .

R E C I T A L S

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent (the “ Parent Board ”) has determined that it is in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders to create a new publicly traded company that will operate the Coal Business;

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the Parent Board has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to separate the Coal Business from the Parent Business (the “ Separation ”) and, following the Separation, make a distribution, on a pro rata basis, to holders of Parent Shares on the Record Date of 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of CoalCo owned by Parent (the “ Distribution ”);

WHEREAS, CoalCo has been incorporated solely for these purposes and has not engaged in activities except in preparation for the Separation and the Distribution;

WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Contribution (as defined herein) and the Distribution, taken together, shall qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code and the Distribution shall be a transaction described in Section 355(a) of the Code, and this Agreement is intended to be, and is hereby adopted as, a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-2(g);

WHEREAS, CoalCo and Parent have prepared, and CoalCo has filed with the SEC, the Form 10, which includes the Information Statement, and which sets forth disclosure concerning CoalCo, the Separation and the Distribution;

WHEREAS, each of Parent and CoalCo has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to set forth the principal corporate transactions required to effect the Separation and the Distribution and certain other agreements that will govern certain matters relating to the Separation and the Distribution and the relationship of Parent, CoalCo and the members of their respective Groups following the Distribution; and

WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge that this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements represent the integrated agreement of Parent and CoalCo relating to the Separation and the Distribution, are being entered into together, and would not have been entered into independently.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1     Table of Definitions . The following terms have the meanings set forth in the section of this Agreement referenced below.


Definition    Section

Affected Business

  

Section 2.6(k)

Affected Real Property

  

Section 2.6(k)

Agreement

  

Preamble

Cash Transfer

  

Section 2.16(a)

Coal Assets

  

Section 2.2

Coal Liabilities

  

Section 2.4

CoalCo

  

Preamble

CoalCo Accounts

  

Section 2.11(a)

CoalCo Financing Arrangements

  

Section 2.16(a)

CoalCo Indemnitees

  

Section 4.3

CoalCo Option

  

Section 8.2(g)

CoalCo Senior Credit Facility

  

Section 2.16(a)

D&O Tail Program

  

Section 5.5(a)

Delayed Coal Asset

  

Section 2.6(c)

Delayed Coal Liability

  

Section 2.6(c)

Delayed Parent Asset

  

Section 2.6(h)

Delayed Parent Liability

  

Section 2.6(h)

Dispute

  

Section 7.1

Distribution

  

Recitals

Facility

  

Section 2.16(a)

Indemnifying Party

  

Section 4.4(a)

Indemnitee

  

Section 4.4(a)

Indemnity Payment

  

Section 4.4(a)

Initial Notice

  

Section 7.1

Linked

  

Section 2.11(a)

Mediation Notice

  

Section 7.2

Notes

  

Section 2.16(a)

Notice of Violation

  

Section 2.6(k)

Option Notice

  

Section 8.2(g)

Optionee

  

Section 8.2(g)

Optionor

  

Section 8.2(g)

Options

  

Section 8.2(g)

Parent

  

Preamble

Parent Accounts

  

Section 2.11(a)

Parent Assets

  

Section 2.3

Parent Board

  

Recitals

Parent Indemnitees

  

Section 4.2

Parent Liabilities

Parent Option

  

Section 2.5

Section 8.2(g)

Partial Use of Proceeds

  

Section 2.16(a)

Plan of Reorganization

  

Section 2.1(a)

Separation

  

Recitals

Shared Contract

  

Section 2.10(a)

Third-Party Claim

  

Section 4.5(a)

Transfer Documents

Transferred Entities

  

Section 2.1(b)

Section 2.2(b)

Transition Committee

  

Section 2.15

Unreleased Coal Liability

  

Section 2.7(b)(ii)

Unreleased Parent Liability

  

Section 2.7(b)(ii)

 

2


1.2     Other Defined Terms . For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Action ” shall mean any demand, action, claim, counterclaim, dispute, suit, countersuit, arbitration, inquiry, subpoena, hearing, proceeding, examination or investigation of any nature (whether criminal, civil, legislative, administrative, regulatory, prosecutorial, appellate or otherwise) by or before any federal, state, local, foreign or international Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal.

Affiliate ” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person, a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specified Person. For the purpose of this definition, “ control ” (including, with correlative meanings, “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”), when used with respect to any specified Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment, undertaking or otherwise. The parties agree that from and after the Effective Time, none of the members of the CoalCo Group are or will be deemed to be Affiliates of any member of the Parent Group and none of the members of the Parent Group are or will be deemed to be Affiliates of any member of the CoalCo Group.

Agent ” shall mean the trust company or bank duly appointed by Parent to act as distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for the CoalCo Shares in connection with the Distribution.

Ancillary Agreements ” shall mean all agreements (other than this Agreement) entered into by the Parties or members of their respective Groups (but as to which no Third Party is a party) in connection with the Separation, the Distribution, or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Transition Services Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the IP Matters Agreement, [the Master Cooperation and Safety Agreements] and the Transfer Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, Ancillary Agreements (i) shall include any Transfer Documents executed in connection with the Plan of Reorganization, regardless of whether such Transfer Documents are executed prior to or after this Agreement, and (ii) shall not include any on-going commercial agreements that were entered into by the Parties or any members of the Parent Group or CoalCo Group, including CNX Coal Resources, relating to operations of CNX Coal Resources prior to the date of Separation.

Approvals or Notifications ” shall mean 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 Party, including any Governmental Authority.

Assets ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the assets, properties, claims and rights (including goodwill) of such Person, wherever located (including in the possession of vendors or other Third Parties or elsewhere), of every kind, character and description, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible, intangible or contingent, in each case whether or not recorded or reflected or required to be recorded or reflected on the books and records or financial statements of such Person, including rights and benefits pursuant to any contract, license, permit, indenture, note, bond, mortgage, agreement, concession, franchise, instrument, undertaking, commitment, guaranty, understanding or other arrangement.

Benefit Plan ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Employee Matters Agreement.

CNX Coal Resources ” shall mean the limited partnership known as CNX Coal Resources, LP.

Coal Business ” shall mean

(i)    the Pennsylvania Mining Complex,

(ii)    ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources and CNX Coal Resources GP, the general partner of CNX Coal Resources,

 

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(iii)    the marine terminal at the Baltimore Port,

(iv)    undeveloped coal reserves located in the Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian and Illinois basins and all other coal reserves and related coal assets in the US and Canada, and certain related coal assets and liabilities, and

(v)    any other business or operation owned or operated by Parent or CoalCo or their respective current or historic Affiliates, including operations that have been terminated, divested or otherwise discontinued, which directly or indirectly relate or are related to (A) the purchase, leasing, ownership, or sale of any interest in coal, (B) the purchase, leasing, ownership, or sale of any interest in any coal, coal mine, coal processing preparation plant, mine pond, mine water treatment plant, train or barge load-out site, coal shipping terminal or coal refuse site or (C) the operation of any coal mine, coal processing or preparation plant, mine pond, mine water treatment plant, train or barge load-out site, coal shipping terminal, coal refuse site or any other activity associated with a coal mine or coal mining.

excluding in each case the business, operations and activities primarily related to the Parent Assets and Parent Liabilities.

Coal Contracts ” shall mean the following contracts and agreements (or relevant portion of an agreement) to which either Party or any member of its Group is a party or by which it or any member of its Group or any of their respective Assets is bound, whether or not in writing; provided that (y) Coal Contracts shall not include any whole contract or agreement (or the relevant portion of such agreement) that is contemplated to be retained by Parent or any member of the Parent Group from and after the Effective Time pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement and (z) to the extent that a contract that relates to the Coal Business is a Shared Contract, only that portion of the contract that relates to the Coal Business will be deemed to be a Coal Contract:

(a)    any vendor contracts or agreements with a Third Party pursuant to which such Third Party provides information technology, human resources or financial services to either Party or any member of its Group primarily in connection with the Coal Business as of the Effective Time;

(b)    (i) any customer, distribution, supply or vendor contract or agreement entered into prior to the Effective Time exclusively related to the Coal Business and (ii) with respect to any customer, distribution, supply or vendor contract or agreement entered into prior to the Effective Time that relates to the Coal Business but is not exclusively related to the Coal Business, only that portion of any such customer, distribution, supply or vendor contract or agreement that relates to the Coal Business;

(c)    other than any vendor contracts or agreements addressed in clauses (a) and (b) above to the extent that they shall constitute a Coal Contract, any lease or license agreement entered into prior to the Effective Time exclusively related to the Coal Business;

(d)    any contract that is, or portion of any contract containing, any guarantee, indemnity, representation, covenant, warranty or other Liability of either Party or any member of its Group in respect of any other Coal Contract, any Coal Liability, or the Coal Business;

(e)    any employment, change of control, retention, consulting, indemnification, termination, severance or other similar agreements with any CoalCo Group Employee (as defined in the Employee Matters Agreement) or consultants of the CoalCo Group that are in effect as of the Effective Time;

(f)    any contract or agreement (or portion thereof) that is expressly contemplated pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements to be assigned to CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group;

(g)    any interest rate, currency, commodity or other swap, collar, cap or other hedging or similar agreements or arrangements related exclusively to the Coal Business or entered into by or on behalf of any division, business unit or member of the CoalCo Group;

(h)    any credit or other financing agreement entered into by CoalCo and/or any member of the CoalCo Group in connection with the Separation;

 

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(i)    (A) any other contract or agreement exclusively related to the Coal Business or Coal Assets, including any CoalCo Financing Arrangements, and (B) to the extent a contract or agreement is not exclusively related to the Coal Business or Coal Assets, that portion(s) of said contract or agreement that is related to the Coal Business or Coal Assets; and

(j)    any contracts, agreements or settlements listed on Schedule  1.2(a) , including the right to recover any amounts under such contracts, agreements or settlements.

Coal Environmental Liabilities ” shall mean all Environmental Liabilities (i) to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Coal Business, (ii) that are otherwise allocated to a member of the CoalCo Group pursuant to this Agreement, or (iii) set forth on Schedule  1.2(b) .

Coal Intellectual Property ” shall mean (a) the CONSOL Name and CONSOL Marks, (b) the Registrable IP set forth in the IP Matters Agreement as being transferred to CoalCo, and (c) all Other IP owned by a member of the CoalCo Group, exclusively used or exclusively held for use in the Coal Business, including any Other IP set forth in the IP Matters Agreement, in each case, excluding Registrable IP and Other IP of Parent.

Coal Know-How ” shall mean all Know-How owned or licensed by either Party or any member of its Group exclusively used or exclusively held for use in the Coal Business as of the Effective Time.

Coal Permits ” shall mean all Permits owned or licensed by either Party or any member of its Group exclusively used or exclusively held for use in the Coal Business as of the Effective Time.

Coal Software ” shall mean all Software owned or licensed by either Party or member of its Group exclusively used or exclusively held for use in the Coal Business as of the Effective Time.

Coal Surface Property ” shall mean (i) all right, title, interest or claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group immediately prior to the Effective Time in (a) the surface tracts owned within the “surface area” boundary depicted on each map attached hereto as Schedule  1.2(e), Part I(1) through Part I(4) , including any interest in those surface tracts described on Schedule  1.2(e), Part II , to the extent located within the depicted “surface area” boundary associated therewith, and (b) the surface tracts set forth on Schedule 1.2(e), Part  III , the locations of such “scheduled surface tracts” being generally depicted on the maps attached hereto as Schedule 1.2(e), Part IV(1) through Part IV(31) , (ii) all right, title, interest or claims in any surface owned or otherwise controlled by CoalCo and/or the members of the CoalCo Group as of immediately prior to the Reorganization in the areas set forth on Schedule 1.2(e), Part V , (iii) those easements or licenses (including roadways) (a) owned or controlled by CoalCo and/or the members of the CoalCo Group and evidenced by instruments, whether recorded or unrecorded, and located within the boundary of the Pennsylvania Mining Complex or (b) set forth on Schedule  1.2(e), Part VI , and (iv) those surface leases set forth on Schedule 1.2(e), Part VII . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties acknowledge and agree that the Schedule 1.2(e), Part IV maps generally depict the property intended to be described on Schedule 1.2(e), Part III , and in the event of a discrepancy between the Schedule 1.2(e), Part III property listing and the Schedule 1.2(e), Part IV maps, the Parties will work together to revise the Schedule 1.2(e), Part III property listing accordingly and make any real property conveyances necessary in accordance with any such revision.

CoalCo Balance Sheet ” shall mean the pro forma combined balance sheet of the Coal Business, including any notes and subledgers thereto, as of June 30, 2017, as presented in the Information Statement mailed to the Record Holders.

CoalCo Bylaws ” shall mean the Amended and Restated Bylaws of CoalCo, substantially in the form of Exhibit  B .

CoalCo Certificate of Incorporation ” shall mean the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CoalCo, substantially in the form of Exhibit  A .

CoalCo Group ” shall mean (a) prior to the Effective Time, CoalCo and each Person that will be a Subsidiary of CoalCo as of immediately after the Effective Time, including the Transferred Entities, even if, prior to the Effective Time, such Person is not a Subsidiary of CoalCo; and (b) on and after the Effective Time, CoalCo and each Person that is a Subsidiary of CoalCo.

 

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CoalCo Shares ” shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of CoalCo.

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Competing Business ” shall mean:

(i)    with respect to Parent as the restricted Party and CoalCo as the other Party, any mining, processing, marketing or selling of coal, coal waste or any interest in either (excluding coalbed methane) in the Restricted Territory; provided , however , that any activities related to or involving oil and natural gas (including coalbed methane and natural gas liquids and any other constituents) or any other aspect of the Parent Business (including any activities contemplated to be performed by Parent or member of Parent Group under the Master Cooperation and Safety Agreements or any other Ancillary Agreement) shall not be deemed to be Competing Business; and

(ii)    with respect to CoalCo as the restricted Party and Parent as the other Party, any exploration and development (including drilling and production activities), marketing or selling, processing, transporting and/or any other production, development or midstream activities relating to oil or natural gas (including coalbed methane and natural gas liquids and any other constituents) in the Restricted Territory; provided, however, that any activities related to or involving any coal, coal waste or any interest in either, or any other aspect of the Coal Business (including any activities contemplated to be performed by CoalCo or member of CoalCo Group under the Master Cooperation and Safety Agreements or any other Ancillary Agreement) shall not be deemed to be a Competing Business.

CONSOL Name and CONSOL Marks ” shall mean the names, marks, trade dress, logos, monograms, domain names and other source or business identifiers of either Party or any member of its Group using or containing “CONSOL,” or any other word or element listed in the IP Matters Agreement (in block letters or otherwise) as Transferred Trademarks (as defined therein), either alone or in combination with other words or elements, and all names, marks, trade dress, logos, monograms, domain names and other source or business identifiers confusingly similar to or embodying any of the foregoing either alone or in combination with other words or elements, together with the goodwill associated with any of the foregoing.

Contribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Disclosure Document ” shall mean any registration statement (including the Form 10) filed with the SEC by or on behalf of any Party or any member of its Group, and also includes any information statement (including the Information Statement), prospectus, offering memorandum, offering circular, periodic report or similar disclosure document, whether or not filed with the SEC or any other Governmental Authority, including the IRS, in each case which describes the Separation or the Distribution or the CoalCo Group or relates to the transactions contemplated hereby.

Distribution Date ” shall mean the date of the consummation of the Distribution, which shall be determined by the Parent Board in its sole and absolute discretion.

Distribution Ratio ” shall mean a number equal to one share of CoalCo common stock for every eight shares of Parent common stock.

Effective Time ” shall mean 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Distribution Date.

Employee and Retiree Liabilities ” shall mean, except as otherwise expressly set forth on Schedule  1.2(f) , hereto, all employment and retirement related Liabilities of the Parent Group (to the extent related to the Coal Business) or otherwise related to the CoalCo Group arising before or after the Effective Time, including, without limitation, (i) all shutdown, layoff, pension, medical and welfare benefits, disability, and other Liabilities of the Parent Group (to the extent related to the Coal Business) or CoalCo Group to, or on behalf of, past, present, or future

 

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employees and retirees (including dependents and heirs of such employee and any other person or entity who asserts a claim derived from such person), including, without limitation, claims based upon any collective bargaining agreement, Benefit Plan, Welfare Plan or otherwise, to which such entities are or were a party, the Coal Act, employment claims, disability claims, workers compensation claims, and claims arising under ERISA, whether arising prior to or subsequent to the Effective Time, and whether such Liabilities exist by reason of contract, statute, or otherwise; (ii) any contribution or other obligations pursuant to any Benefit Plan or Welfare Plan on behalf of any past, present or future employees or retirees of the Parent Group (to the extent related to the Coal Business) or CoalCo Group, (iii) Liabilities for all claims under any state workers’ compensation laws or claims of intentional tort, including, without limitation, tort claims for personal injury or illness giving rise to the potential for damages above and beyond remedies provided for by a state workers’ compensation schedule of benefits, in each case by or on behalf of any past, present or future employees or retirees of the Parent Group (to the extent related to the Coal Business) or CoalCo Group, and all dependents and heirs of all such employees or any other person or entity who asserts a claim derived from such person, based on occupational illnesses or injuries (excluding Black Lung Claims), regardless of whether such illness, injury or the events or circumstances giving rise to any such claim had or shall have occurred before or after the Separation; (iv) Liabilities for all Black Lung Claims by or on behalf of past, present or future employees or retirees of the Parent Group (to the extent related to the Coal Business) or CoalCo Group and any dependents or heirs of all such employees or any other person or entity who asserts a claim derived from such person, regardless of whether the events or circumstances giving rise to such claim had or shall have occurred before or after the Separation; and (v) Liabilities for any disability benefits, including short or long term, to past, present or future employees or retirees of the Parent Group (to the extent related to the Coal Business) or CoalCo Group, in each case whether related to a disability that occurred before or after the Closing Date; (vi) any withdrawal liability related to any Benefit Plan of the Parent Group (to the extent related to the Coal Business) or CoalCo Group, (vii) all Liabilities arising under employment, change of control, retention, consulting, indemnification, termination, severance or other similar agreements with any CoalCo Group Employee (as defined in the Employee Matters Agreement) or consultants of the CoalCo Group that are in effect as of the Effective Time and (viii) Liabilities specifically addressed under the Employee Matters Agreement.

Employee Matters Agreement ” shall mean the Employee Matters Agreement to be entered into by and between Parent and CoalCo or members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.

Environmental Law ” means any and all Laws in effect as of the Separation pertaining to or regulating pollution, environmental protection, natural resource damages, conservation of resources, wildlife, waste management, or the use, storage, generation, production, treatment, emission, discharge, release, remediation, removal, disposal, or transport of Hazardous Substances, including: the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (which includes the Federal Clean Water Act), the Federal Clean Air Act, the Federal Solid Waste Disposal Act (which includes the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act), the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, and the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, the Surface Mining and Control and Reclamation Act, each as amended and any similar state or Law.

Environmental Liabilities ” shall mean all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any Hazardous Substances, Environmental Law or contract or agreement relating to environmental, health or safety matters (including all removal, remediation or cleanup costs, investigatory costs, response costs, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injury damages, costs of compliance with any product take back requirements or with any settlement, judgment or other determination of Liability and indemnity, contribution or similar obligations) and all costs and expenses, interest, fines, penalties or other monetary sanctions in connection therewith.

Environmental Permit ” shall mean any Permit relating to Environmental Laws or Hazardous Substances.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

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Exchange Act ” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Force Majeure ” shall mean, with respect to a Party, an event beyond the reasonable control of such Party (or any Person acting on its behalf), which event (a) does not arise or result from the fault or negligence of such Party (or any Person acting on its behalf) and (b) by its nature would not reasonably have been foreseen by such Party (or such Person), or, if it would reasonably have been foreseen, was unavoidable, and includes acts of God, acts of civil or military authority, embargoes, epidemics, war, riots, insurrections, fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, sudden and unusually severe weather conditions, labor problems or unavailability of parts, or, in the case of computer systems, any significant and prolonged failure in electrical or air conditioning equipment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the receipt by a Party of an unsolicited takeover offer or other acquisition proposal, even if unforeseen or unavoidable, and such Party’s response thereto shall not be deemed an event of Force Majeure.

Form  10 ” shall mean the registration statement on Form 10 filed by CoalCo with the SEC to effect the registration of CoalCo Shares pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the Distribution, as such registration statement may be amended or supplemented from time to time prior to the Distribution.

Governmental Approvals ” shall mean any Approvals or Notifications to be made to, or obtained from, any Governmental Authority.

Governmental Authority ” shall mean any nation or government, any state, municipality or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity, body, agency, commission, department, board, bureau, court, tribunal or other instrumentality, whether federal, state, local, domestic, foreign, supranational, or multinational, exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory, administrative or other similar functions of, or pertaining to, government and any executive official thereof, including the NYSE and any similar self-regulatory body under applicable securities Laws.

Group ” shall mean either the CoalCo Group or the Parent Group, as the context requires.

Hazardous Substances ” shall mean any chemical, material, substance, waste, pollutant, emission, discharge, release or contaminant that could result in Liability under, or that is prohibited, limited or regulated by or pursuant to, any Environmental Law, and any natural or artificial substance (whether solid, liquid or gas, noise, ion, vapor or electromagnetic) that could cause harm to human health or the environment, including petroleum, petroleum products and byproducts, asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, electronic, medical or infectious wastes, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, radioactive substances, chlorofluorocarbons and all other ozone-depleting substances.

Headquarters Lease ” shall collectively mean that certain Lease Agreement between Southpointe Two Lot 2-6 LP, as Landlord and Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company, as Tenant, dated November 27, 2006, as amended and or revised by (i) that certain First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated December 28, 2006, (ii) that certain Second Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated April 28, 2016, and (iii) that certain Assignment and Assumption of Lease, with an effective date of November 1, 2017, as executed and delivered by Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, successor by conversion to Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company, as assignor, and CNX Land LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as assignee.

Information ” shall mean 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, 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, communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), and other technical, financial, employee or business information or data, files, papers, tapes, keys, correspondence, plans, invoices, forms, product data and literature, promotional and advertising materials, operating manuals, instructional documents, quality records and regulatory and compliance records; provided that “Information” shall not include Know-How or Registrable IP.

 

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Information Statement ” shall mean the information statement to be made available to the holders of Parent Shares in connection with the Distribution, as such information statement may be amended or supplemented from time to time prior to the Distribution.

Insurance Proceeds ” shall mean those monies (a) received by an insured from an insurance carrier; or (b) paid by an insurance carrier on behalf of the insured, in any such case net of any applicable premium adjustments (including reserves and retrospectively rated premium adjustments) and net of any costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof; provided , however , that with respect to a captive insurance arrangement, Insurance Proceeds shall only include amounts received by the captive insurer in respect of any reinsurance arrangement.

Intellectual Property ” shall mean all of the following whether arising under the Laws of the United States (or any state or other jurisdiction thereof) or of any foreign or multinational jurisdiction: (a) patents, patent applications (including patents issued thereon), utility models, industrial design registrations and statutory invention registrations, including reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations in part, substitutions, renewals, extensions and reexaminations of any of the foregoing, and all rights in any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, (b) trademarks, service marks, trade names, service names, trade dress, logos and other source or business identifiers, including all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing, and any and all common law rights in and to any of the foregoing, registrations and applications for registration of any of the foregoing, all rights in and to any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, and all reissues, extensions and renewals of any of the foregoing, (c) Internet domain names, accounts or “handles” with Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and similar social media platforms, registrations and related rights, (d) copyrightable works, copyrights, moral rights, mask work rights, database rights and design rights, whether or not registered, and all registrations and applications for registration of any of the foregoing, and all rights in and to any of the foregoing provided by international treaties or conventions, (e) confidential and proprietary information, including trade secrets, invention disclosures, processes and know-how, and (f) any other intellectual property rights, in each case other than Software.

IP Matters Agreement ” shall mean the Intellectual Property Matters Agreement to be entered into by and between Parent and CoalCo or members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.

Know How ” shall mean all technology, designs, formulae, algorithms, procedures, methods, discoveries, processes, techniques, ideas, know-how, research and development, technical data, tools, materials, specifications, processes, inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), apparatus, creations, improvements, works of authorship in any media, confidential, proprietary or nonpublic information, and other similar materials, and all recordings, graphs, drawings, reports, analyses and other writings, and other tangible embodiments of the foregoing in any form whether or not listed herein, in each case, other than Software.

Law ” shall mean any national, supranational, federal, state, provincial, local or similar law (including common law), statute, code, order, ordinance, rule, regulation, treaty (including any income tax treaty), license, permit, authorization, approval, consent, decree, injunction, binding judicial or administrative interpretation or other requirement, in each case, enacted, promulgated, issued or entered by a Governmental Authority.

Leatherwood Property ” shall mean all right, title, and interest of Leatherwood, LLC in (i) those certain oil and natural gas (including coalbed methane and natural gas liquids and any other constituents) leases set forth on Schedule 1.2(g), Part I , TO THE EXTENT AND ONLY TO THE EXTENT such leases are related to formations above the top of the Rhinestreet formation, (ii) all wellbores and associated facilities owned by Leatherwood, LLC as of the Effective Date, including those set forth on Schedule 1.2(g), Part II , and (iii) all deeds, easements, or licenses (including roadways) set forth on Schedule 1.2(g), Part III . For the avoidance of doubt, if any lease set forth on Schedule 1.2(g), Part I covers only depths above the top of the Rhinestreet, all right, title, and interest in such lease shall be Leatherwood Property.

Liabilities ” shall mean all debts, guarantees, assurances, commitments, liabilities, responsibilities, Losses, remediation, deficiencies, damages, fines, penalties, settlements, sanctions, costs, expenses, interest and obligations of any nature or kind, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, accrued or not accrued, asserted or unasserted, liquidated or unliquidated, foreseen or unforeseen, known or unknown, reserved or unreserved, or determined or determinable, including those arising under any Law, claim (including any Third-Party

 

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Claim), demand, Action, or order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Authority or arbitration tribunal, 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 costs and expenses relating thereto.

Losses ” shall mean actual losses (including any diminution in value), costs, damages, penalties and expenses (including legal and accounting fees and expenses and costs of investigation and litigation), whether or not involving a Third-Party Claim.

Master Cooperation and Safety Agreements ” shall mean (i) that certain Amendment and Restatement of Master Cooperation and Safety Agreement dated July 7, 2015, by and among CNX Thermal Holdings LLC, Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, Conrhein Coal Company, CNX Gas Company LLC, CONSOL Energy Inc., and certain subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy Inc., as has been and may in the future be amended and/or restated, and (ii) that certain Second Amendment and Restatement of Master Cooperation and Safety Agreement, dated October 20, 2017, and effective as of 7:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on October 6, 2017, between CONSOL Mining Corporation and its Affiliates, CNX Gas Company, CNX Resource Holdings LLC, and, for the limited purpose expressly set forth therein, CONSOL Energy Inc. and certain of its Affiliates, as may be further amended and/or restated.

NYSE ” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.

Omnibus Agreement ” shall meant the First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement dated September 30, 2016 by and among Parent, CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, CNX Coal Resources and the other parties listed on Exhibit A thereto, as amended by the First Amendment to the Omnibus Agreement dated as of the Effective Date.

Other IP ” shall mean all Intellectual Property, other than Registrable IP, that is owned by, licensed by or to, or sublicensed by or to either Party or any member of its Group as of the Effective Time.

ORRIs ” shall mean (i) with respect to any oil, natural gas (including coalbed methane and natural gas liquids and any other constituents), or other non-coal minerals sold, assigned, transferred, or otherwise conveyed in full by Parent, CoalCo, or any member of their respective Groups to any Third Party prior to the Effective Time, all financial benefits which directly or indirectly relate to any such in-full assignment, transfer, or other conveyance, including all royalty interests, overriding royalty interests, or other financial benefits; and (ii) the override listed in Schedule 1.2(h) . For the avoidance of doubt, other than as set forth on Schedule 1.2(h) , “ORRIs” does not include any royalty interests, overriding royalty interests, or other financial benefits related to any coal sold, assigned, transferred, leased, subleased, or otherwise conveyed to any Third Party prior to the Effective Time, which are Coal Assets.

Parent Business ” shall mean (a) the oil and natural gas (including coalbed methane and natural gas liquids and any other constituents) exploration and production (E&P) business, including production, gathering, processing and acquisition of natural gas properties, as conducted at any time prior to the Effective Time by either Party or any current or former member of its Group (excluding the Leatherwood Property and excluding those assets referenced in Sections 2.2(o) and 2.2(p)) and (b) any terminated, divested or discontinued businesses, operations and activities that, at the time of termination, divestiture or discontinuation, related to the businesses, operations or activities described in clause (a) as then conducted, (c) such other assets and operations of either Party or any member of its Group that are not part of the Coal Business or included within the Coal Assets, including all surface other than Coal Surface Property, the ORRIs, any water, injection, and disposal wells used in connection with clause (a) of this definition, the operation of Buchanan Generation, LLC or the operation of its power plant, known as the “Peaker Plant,” the operation of CNX Water Assets LLC, the operation of Mon-View, LLC, and the escrow account created pursuant to the that certain Membership Interest and Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 26, 2016, between CONSOL Energy Inc., certain of its Affiliates, and Coronado IV, LLC (the “ MIPA ”) and that certain Escrow Agreement entered into pursuant to the MIPA, and remaining escrow funds therein, or any other assets not related to the Coal Business excluding, in the case of each of clauses (a), (b) and (c), the business, operations and activities exclusively related to the Coal Assets.

 

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Parent Group ” shall mean Parent and each Person that is a Subsidiary of Parent (other than CoalCo and any other member of the CoalCo Group).

Parent Shares ” shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent.

Parties ” shall mean the parties to this Agreement.

Permits ” shall mean permits, approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses or certificates issued by any Governmental Authority.

Person ” shall mean an individual, a general or limited partnership, a corporation, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, a limited liability entity, any other entity and any Governmental Authority.

Prime Rate ” shall mean the rate that Bloomberg displays as “Prime Rate by Country United States” or on a Bloomberg terminal at PRIMBB Index.

Privileged Information ” shall mean any information, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, including any communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memoranda and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), as to which a Party or any member of its Group would be entitled to assert or have asserted a privilege, including the attorney-client and attorney work product privileges.

Record Date ” shall mean the close of business on the date to be determined by the Parent Board as the record date for determining holders of Parent Shares entitled to receive CoalCo Shares pursuant to the Distribution.

Record Holders ” shall mean the holders of record of Parent Shares as of the Record Date.

Registrable IP ” shall mean all patents, patent applications, statutory invention registrations, registered trademarks, registered service marks, registered Internet domain names and copyright registrations.

Release ” shall mean any release, spill, emission, discharge, leaking, pumping, pouring, dumping, injection, deposit, disposal, dispersal, leaching or migration of Hazardous Substances into the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater and surface or subsurface strata).

Representatives ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any of such Person’s directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants, advisors, accountants, attorneys or other representatives.

Residual Information ” shall mean information in non-tangible form that may be retained in the unaided memory of Representatives of a Party or members of such Party’s Group who have had access to confidential and proprietary information concerning the other Party or any member of the other Party’s Group.

Restricted Territory ” shall mean Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

SEC ” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Security Interest ” shall mean any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge, claim, option, right to acquire, voting or other restriction, right-of-way, covenant, condition, easement, encroachment, restriction on transfer, or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever.

Software ” shall mean any and all (a) computer programs, including any and all software implementation of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in source code, object code, human readable form or other form, (b) databases and compilations, including any and all data and collections of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, (c) descriptions, flow charts and other work products used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, (d) screens, user interfaces, report formats, firmware, development tools, templates, menus, buttons and icons and (e) documentation, including user manuals and other training documentation, relating to any of the foregoing.

 

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Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, joint venture or partnership of which such Person (a) beneficially owns, either directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of (i) the total combined voting power of all classes of voting securities of such Person, (ii) the total combined equity interests or (iii) the capital or profit interests, in the case of a partnership, or (b) otherwise has voting power, either directly or indirectly, to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body.

Tangible Information ” shall mean information that is contained in written, electronic or other tangible forms.

Tax ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Tax Matters Agreement ” shall mean the Tax Matters Agreement to be entered into by and between Parent and CoalCo or members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.

Tax Return ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement.

Third Party ” shall mean any Person other than the Parties and any members of their respective Groups.

Transition Services Agreement ” shall mean the Transition Services Agreement to be entered into by and between Parent and CoalCo or members of their respective Groups in connection with the Separation, the Distribution or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.

Welfare Plan ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Employee Matters Agreement.

ARTICLE II

THE SEPARATION

2.1     Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities .

(a)    On or prior to the Effective Time, but in any case prior to the Distribution, in accordance with the plan and structure set forth on Schedule  2.1(a) (the “ Plan of Reorganization ”), but subject to Section  2.6 :

(i)     Transfer and Assignment of Coal Assets. Parent shall, and shall cause the applicable members of the Parent Group to, contribute, assign, transfer, convey or deliver to CoalCo, or the applicable member of the CoalCo Group, or take such steps as may be necessary for CoalCo or such member of the CoalCo Group to succeed to, and CoalCo or such member of the CoalCo Group shall accept from Parent and the applicable members of the Parent Group, all of Parent’s and such Parent Group member’s respective direct or indirect right, title and interest in and to all of the Coal Assets (it being understood that if any Coal Asset shall be held by a Transferred Entity or a wholly owned Subsidiary of a Transferred Entity, such Coal Asset shall be assigned, transferred, conveyed and delivered to CoalCo or the applicable member of the CoalCo Group as a result of the transfer of all of the equity interests in such Transferred Entity from Parent or the applicable members of the Parent Group to CoalCo or the applicable member of the CoalCo Group);

(ii)     Acceptance and Assumption of Coal Liabilities. CoalCo and the applicable members of the CoalCo Group shall accept and assume, agree to perform, discharge and fulfill, or succeed to, all the Coal Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms (it being understood that if any Coal Liabilities shall be Liabilities of a Transferred Entity or a wholly owned Subsidiary of a Transferred Entity, such Coal Liabilities shall be assumed by CoalCo or the applicable member of the CoalCo Group as a result of the transfer of all of the equity interests in such Transferred Entity from Parent or the applicable members of the Parent Group to CoalCo or the applicable member of the CoalCo Group). CoalCo and such members of the CoalCo Group shall be responsible for all Coal Liabilities, regardless of when or where such Coal Liabilities arose or arise, or whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to

 

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or subsequent to the Effective Time, regardless of where or against whom such Coal Liabilities are asserted or determined (including any Coal Liabilities arising out of claims made by Parent’s or CoalCo’s respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates against any member of the Parent Group or the CoalCo Group) or whether asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Parent Group or the CoalCo Group, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates;

(iii)     Transfer and Assignment of Parent Assets. Parent and CoalCo shall cause CoalCo and the applicable members of the CoalCo Group to contribute, assign, transfer, convey or deliver to Parent, or the applicable members of the Parent Group designated by Parent, or take such steps as may be necessary for Parent or such members of the Parent Group to succeed to, and Parent or such other members of the Parent Group shall accept from CoalCo and the applicable members of the CoalCo Group, all of CoalCo’s and such CoalCo Group member’s respective direct or indirect right, title and interest in and to all Parent Assets held by CoalCo or a member of the CoalCo Group; and

(iv)     Acceptance and Assumption of Parent Liabilities. Parent and the applicable Parent Group members designated by Parent shall accept and assume, agree to perform, discharge and fulfill, or succeed to, all of the Parent Liabilities held by CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group in accordance with their respective terms, and Parent and the applicable members of the Parent Group shall be responsible for all Parent Liabilities, regardless of when or where such Parent Liabilities arose or arise, whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to or subsequent to the Effective Time, where or against whom such Parent Liabilities are asserted or determined (including any Parent Liabilities arising out of claims made by Parent’s or CoalCo’s respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates against any member of the Parent Group or the CoalCo Group) or whether asserted or determined prior to the date hereof, and regardless of whether arising from or alleged to arise from negligence, recklessness, violation of Law, fraud or misrepresentation by any member of the Parent Group or the CoalCo Group, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

(b)     Transfer Documents. In furtherance of the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance and delivery of and succession to the Assets and the acceptance and assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of and succession to the Liabilities in accordance with Section  2.1(a) , each Party shall execute and deliver, and shall cause the applicable members of its Group to execute and deliver, to the other Party or its designated group member, (i) such bills of sale, quitclaim deeds, stock powers, certificates of title, assignments of contracts and other instruments of contribution, transfer, conveyance, assignment, delivery and succession as and to the extent necessary to evidence the contribution, transfer, conveyance, assignment, delivery and succession of all of such Party’s and the applicable members of its Group’s right, title and interest in and to such Assets to the other Party and the applicable members of its Group in accordance with Section  2.1(a) and (ii) such assumptions of contracts and other instruments of acceptance and assumption, performance, discharge and fulfillment and succession as and to the extent necessary to evidence the valid and effective assumption of the Liabilities by such Party and the applicable members of its Group in accordance with Section  2.1(a) . All of the foregoing documents contemplated by this Section  2.1(b) shall be referred to collectively herein as the “ Transfer Documents .” The Transfer Documents shall effect certain of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, shall not expand or limit any of the obligations, covenants or agreements in this Agreement. It is expressly agreed that in the event of any conflict between the terms of the Transfer Documents and the terms of this Agreement or the Tax Matters Agreement, the terms of this Agreement or the Tax Matters Agreement, as applicable, shall control.

(c)     Misallocations. In the event that at any time or from time to time (whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time), one Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) shall receive or otherwise possess any Asset that is allocated to the other Party (or any member of such other Party’s Group) pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such Party shall promptly transfer, or cause to be transferred, such Asset to the Party (or to any member of such Party’s Group) so entitled thereto, and such Party (or member of such Party’s Group) shall accept such Asset. Prior to any such transfer, the Person receiving or possessing such Asset shall hold such Asset in trust for such other Person. In the event that at any time or from time to time (whether prior to, at or after the Effective Time), one Party hereto (or any member of such Party’s Group)

 

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shall receive or otherwise assume any Liability that is allocated to the other Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such other Party shall promptly assume, or cause to be assumed, such Liability and agree to faithfully perform such Liability.

(d)     Waiver of Bulk-Sale and Bulk-Transfer Laws. CoalCo hereby waives compliance by Parent and each and every member of the Parent 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 Coal Assets to any member of the CoalCo Group. Parent hereby waives compliance by CoalCo and each and every member of the CoalCo 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 Parent Assets to any member of the Parent Group.

2.2     Coal Assets . For purposes of this Agreement, “ Coal Assets ” shall mean:

(a)    all of the Parent Group’s (i) direct and indirect ownership interests (including Parent Group’s general partnership interest, incentive distribution rights, limited partnership interests, and subordinated partnership interests) in CNX Coal Resources LP, which owns a 25% undivided interest (indirectly through Subsidiaries) in the mining complex known as the Pennsylvania Mining Complex and (ii) membership interests in CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, the general partner of CNX Coal Resources;

(b)    all issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of those entities included on Schedule  2.2(b) (“ Transferred Entities ”) that are owned by either Party or any members of its Group as of the Effective Time, including the entities known as Conrhein Coal Company, Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC and CNX Marine Terminals LLC, and any assets of such entities (other than Parent Assets);

(c)    all Assets of either Party or any members of its Group properly included or reflected (i.e. that which has not been included or reflected as a result of error, omission, lack of consent, contravention of consent or similar circumstances) as assets of the CoalCo Group on the CoalCo Balance Sheet, subject to any dispositions of such Assets subsequent to the date of the CoalCo Balance Sheet; provided that the amounts set forth on the CoalCo Balance Sheet with respect to any Assets shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Assets that are included in the definition of Coal Assets pursuant to this clause;

(d)    all Assets of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in such Assets being included as Assets of CoalCo or members of the CoalCo Group on a pro forma combined balance sheet of the CoalCo Group or any notes or subledgers thereto as of the Effective Time (were such balance sheet, notes and subledgers to be prepared on a basis consistent with the determination of the Assets included on the CoalCo Balance Sheet), it being understood that (i) the CoalCo Balance Sheet shall be used to determine the types of, and methodologies used to determine, those Assets that are included in the definition of CoalCo Assets pursuant to this clause and (ii) the amounts set forth on the CoalCo Balance Sheet with respect to any Assets shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Assets that are included in the definition of Coal Assets pursuant to this clause;

(e)    all Coal Contracts as of the Effective Time and all rights, interests or claims of Parent or CoalCo or any member of such Party’s Group arising thereunder as of the Effective Time;

(f)    all Coal Surface Property;

(g)    all of the following Assets of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time:

(i)    all owned, leased, or controlled coal wherever located, and associated mining rights, whether previously mined, currently being mined, or not yet mined, but excluding any unmined coal described on Schedule  2.2(g)(i) ;

 

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(ii)    all buildings, fixtures, systems, equipment, and items of personal property that are used exclusively in the Coal Business; all rental houses that are located on the Coal Surface Property; and all other buildings, fixtures, systems, equipment, and items of personal property designated on Schedule  2.2(g)(ii );

(h)    all Leatherwood Property;

(i)    any terminated, divested or discontinued businesses, operations and activities that, at the time of termination, divestiture or discontinuation, related to the ownership, lease, operation or sale of any interest in coal, coal reserves, or in related surface land, in any coal mine, coal processing preparation plant, mine pond, mine water treatment plant, train or barge load-out site, coal shipping terminal or coal refuse site or any other activity associated with coal reserves, coal mine or coal mining, or as otherwise set forth on Schedule 2.2(i) , but excluding the ORRIs;

(j)    all Coal Intellectual Property, Coal Software and Coal Know-How as of the Effective Time and all rights, interests or claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group thereunder as of the Effective Time;

(k)    all Coal Permits as of the Effective Time and all rights, interests or claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group thereunder as of the Effective Time;

(l)    all rights and benefits under the Headquarters Lease as it relates to that portion assigned to CoalCo or applicable member of the CoalCo Group as set forth in Schedule 2.2(l) , and as such rights and benefits may be limited, modified or otherwise amended pursuant to any agreement listed on Schedule 2.2(l) entered into by CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group and Parent or any member of the Parent Group prior to the Effective Time;

(m)    a fifty percent (50%) share of those existing and future carbon credits and allowances associated with Assets owned by Parent, CoalCo, and/or their respective Group members, as of and prior to the Effective Date, as further set forth in Schedule 2.2(m) ;

(n)    all rights, interests and claims of either Party or any of the members of its Group as of the Effective Time with respect to Information that is exclusively related to the Coal Assets, the Coal Liabilities, the Coal Business or the Transferred Entities and, subject to the provisions of the applicable Ancillary Agreements, a non-exclusive right to all Information that is related to, but not exclusively related to, the Coal Assets, the Coal Liabilities, the Coal Business or the Transferred Entities;

(o)    all wells located within the boundary of the Pennsylvania Mining Complex that were acquired by Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC with the intent to plug for mining operations;

(p)    all oil or natural gas interests (including coalbed methane and natural gas liquids and any other constituents) purchased, leased, or otherwise acquired after July 7, 2015 by Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, Conrhein Coal Company, and/or CNX Thermal Holdings LLC within the boundary of the Pennsylvania Mining Complex, which such interests remain subject to the terms of that certain Amendment and Restatement of Master Cooperation and Safety Agreement dated July 7, 2015, by and among CNX Thermal Holdings LLC, Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, Conrhein Coal Company, CNX Gas Company LLC, CONSOL Energy Inc., and certain subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy Inc., as has been and may in the future be amended and/or restated, including the Gas Party Option set forth in Section 3.5(a) thereof;

(q)    any and all Assets set forth on Schedule  2.2(q) ;

(r)    royalty interests, overriding royalty interests, or other financial benefits related to any coal sold, assigned, transferred, leased, subleased, or otherwise conveyed to any Third Party prior to the Effective Time; and

(s)    any and all Assets that are acquired, or otherwise become Assets of the CoalCo Group after the Effective Time.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Coal Assets shall not in any event include any Asset referred to in Section  2.3 .

 

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2.3     Parent Assets . For the purposes of this Agreement, “Parent Assets” shall mean, without duplication:

(a)    at or prior to the Effective Time, all right, title, interest or claims in any Assets of Parent and/or any member of the Parent Group and/or CoalCo and/or any member of the CoalCo Group that are not Coal Assets, including, for the avoidance of doubt:

(i)    any and all oil and natural gas (including coalbed methane and natural gas liquids and any other constituents), and appurtenant rights and associated wellbores and facilities (excluding the Leatherwood Property) and existing carbon credits and allowances other than those contemplated in Section  2.2(m) , and excluding those assets referenced in Sections 2.2(o) and 2.2(p)) ,

(ii)    all surface properties and interests, easements, and licenses (including roadways) other than those expressly described as a “Coal Asset,”

(iii)    the ORRIs;

(iv)    any water, injection, and disposal rights and wells used in connection with the Parent Business,

(iv)    Buchanan Generation LLC and the associated Peaker Plant,

(v)    CNX Water Assets LLC,

(vi)    Mon-View, LLC,

(vii)    the escrow account created pursuant to the MIPA and that certain Escrow Agreement entered into pursuant to the MIPA, and remaining escrow funds therein, and

(viii)    those assets set forth on Schedule 2.3 .

(b)    any and all Assets that are acquired or otherwise become an Asset of the Parent Group after the Effective Time.

2.4     Coal Liabilities . For the purposes of this Agreement, “Coal Liabilities” shall mean the following Liabilities of either Party or any of the members of its Group:

(a)    all Liabilities properly included or reflected (i.e. that which has not been included or reflected as a result of error, lack of consent, contravention of consent or similar circumstances) as liabilities or obligations of CoalCo or the members of the CoalCo Group on the CoalCo Balance Sheet, subject to any discharge of such Liabilities subsequent to the date of the CoalCo Balance Sheet; provided that the amounts set forth on the CoalCo Balance Sheet with respect to any Liabilities shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Liabilities that are included in the definition of Coal Liabilities pursuant to this clause (a);

(b)    all Liabilities that, as of the Effective Time, are of a nature or type that would have resulted in such Liabilities being included or reflected as liabilities or obligations of CoalCo or the members of the CoalCo Group on a pro forma combined balance sheet of the CoalCo Group or any notes or subledgers thereto as of the Effective Time (were such balance sheet, notes and subledgers to be prepared on a basis consistent with the determination of the Liabilities included on the CoalCo Balance Sheet), it being understood that (A) the CoalCo Balance Sheet shall be used to determine the types of, and methodologies used to determine, those Liabilities that are included in the definition of Coal Liabilities pursuant to this clause (A); and (B) the amounts set forth on the CoalCo Balance Sheet with respect to any Liabilities shall not be treated as minimum amounts or limitations on the amount of such Liabilities that are included in the definition of Coal Liabilities pursuant to this clause (B);

(c)    all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time), in each case to the extent that such Liabilities relate to, arise out of or result from the Coal Business or a Coal Asset

(d)    any indemnification obligations arising under the Omnibus Agreement relating to the Coal Business or Coal Assets (but excluding any obligations referenced in Section  2.5(c) below);

 

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(e)    any and all Liabilities that are expressly provided by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be assumed by CoalCo or any other member of the CoalCo Group, and all agreements, obligations and Liabilities of any member of the CoalCo Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, including but not limited to the Employee and Retiree Liabilities;

(f)    all other Liabilities to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the ownership or operation of the Coal Assets, Coal Business, Coal Contracts, the Coal Intellectual Property, the Coal Software, the Coal Know-How, the Coal Permits, Leatherwood Property, or the Coal Surface Property; provided that to the extent a contract that relates to the Coal Business is a Shared Contract, only that portion that relates to the Coal Business will be assumed;

(g)    notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section  2.5 , the applicable portion of any and all Liabilities set forth on Schedule  2.4(g) ;

(h)    notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section  2.5 , (i) all Coal Environmental Liabilities, and the applicable portion of all shared Environmental Liabilities as set forth on Schedule  2.4(h) (the “ Shared Environmental Liabilities ”);

(i)    all Liabilities and obligations under the Headquarters Lease as it relates to that portion assigned to CoalCo or applicable member of the CoalCo Group as set forth in Schedule 2.2(l) , and as such rights and benefits may be limited, modified or otherwise amended pursuant to any agreement listed on Schedule 2.2(l) entered into by CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group and Parent or any member of the Parent Group prior to the Effective Time; and

(j)    all Liabilities arising out of claims made by any Third Party (including Parent’s or CoalCo’s respective directors, officers, stockholders, current or former employees, agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates) against any member of the Parent Group or the CoalCo Group only to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Coal Business, the Coal Assets or otherwise relating to Coal Liabilities (whether such claims arise, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time);

provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree that the Parent Liabilities, including the applicable portion of all Liabilities set forth on Schedules  2.4(g ) and  2.4(h) or under the portion of any Shared Contract assumed or retained by Parent Group and any Liabilities of any member of the Parent Group pursuant to the Ancillary Agreements shall not be Coal Liabilities but instead shall be Parent Liabilities.

2.5     Parent Liabilities . For the purposes of this Agreement, “Parent Liabilities” shall mean, all Liabilities (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time) of any member of the Parent Group and/or any member of the CoalCo Group:

(a)    that are not Coal Liabilities, including Liabilities directly related to the Parent Business;

(b)    relating to, arising out of or resulting from the actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time, in each case to the extent such Liabilities relate to, arise out of or result from the Parent Business or a Parent Asset;

(c)    any indemnification obligations of any member of the Parent Group arising under the Omnibus Agreement (i) as it relates to the Parent Business, or (ii) arising out of the provision of services by Parent or member of Parent Group prior to the Effective Time as contemplated in Section 2.1(g) of the Omnibus Agreement;

(d)    reflected on Schedule  2.4(g) as being apportioned to Parent Group;

(e)    reflected on Schedule  2.4(h) as being Parent Group’s applicable portion of Shared Environmental Liabilities,

(f)    all Liabilities and obligations under the Headquarters Lease as it relates to that portion assigned to and/or retained by Parent or applicable member of the Parent Group as set forth in Schedule 2.2(l) , and as such rights and benefits may be limited, modified or otherwise amended pursuant to any agreement listed on Schedule 2.2(l) entered into by Parent or any member of the Parent Group and CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group prior to the Effective Time, and

 

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(g)    arising out of claims made by any Third Party (including CoalCo’s or Parent’s respective directors, officers, stockholders, current or former employees and agents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates) against any member of the Parent Group or the CoalCo Group to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Parent Business or the Parent Assets (whether such claims arise, in each case, before, at or after the Effective Time).

2.6     Approvals and Notifications .

(a)     Approvals and Notifications for Coal Assets . To the extent that the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any Coal Asset, or the acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of, or succession to any Coal Liability, in each case under Section  2.1 , is determined to be a transfer or assignment that requires any Approvals or Notifications, or to the extent that the Separation or the Distribution requires any Approvals or Notifications, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications as soon as reasonably practicable; provided , however , that, except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements or as otherwise agreed between Parent and CoalCo, neither Parent nor CoalCo, nor any member of their respective Groups, shall be obligated to contribute capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Person in order to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications.

(b)     Delayed CoalCo Transfers. If and to the extent that the valid, complete and perfected contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery to or succession of the CoalCo Group of any Coal Asset or acceptance or assumption by, performance, discharge and fulfillment by, or succession by the CoalCo Group of any Coal Liability in connection with the Separation or the Distribution would be a violation of applicable Law or is determined to be a transfer or assignment that requires any Approvals or Notifications that have not been obtained or made by the Effective Time then, unless the Parties mutually determine otherwise, the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery to or succession of the CoalCo Group of such Coal Assets or the acceptance or assumption by, performance, discharge and fulfillment of, or succession by the CoalCo Group of such Coal Liabilities, as the case may be, shall be automatically deemed deferred and any of the foregoing shall be null and void until such time as all legal impediments are removed or such Approvals or Notifications have been obtained or made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such Coal Assets or Coal Liabilities shall continue to constitute Coal Assets and Coal Liabilities for all other purposes of this Agreement.

(c)     Treatment of Delayed Coal Assets and Delayed Coal Liabilities. (i) If any contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any Coal Asset (or a portion thereof) or any acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of, or succession to any Coal Liability (or a portion thereof) intended to be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, delivered, succeeded to, accepted, assumed, or performed, discharged or fulfilled hereunder, as the case may be, is not consummated on or prior to the Effective Time, whether as a result of the provisions of Section  2.6(b ) or for any other reason, including due to error, and (ii) with respect to any such agreements that shall not be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, delivered, succeeded to, accepted, assumed, or performed, discharged or fulfilled pursuant to Section  2.1(a) (notwithstanding anything therein to the contrary) (any such Coal Asset (or portion thereof), a “ Delayed Coal Asset ” and any such Coal Liability (or portion thereof), a “ Delayed Coal Liability ”), then, insofar as reasonably possible and subject to applicable Law, the member of the Parent Group retaining such Delayed Coal Asset or such Delayed Coal Liability, as the case may be, shall thereafter hold such Delayed Coal Asset or Delayed Coal Liability, as the case may be, for the use and benefit (or the performance and obligation, in the case of a Liability) of the member of the CoalCo Group entitled thereto (at the expense of the member of the CoalCo Group entitled thereto) and such member of the CoalCo Group shall be afforded all the benefits and burdens of such Delayed Coal Asset or Delayed Coal Liability, as applicable. In addition, the member of the Parent Group retaining such Delayed Coal Asset or such Delayed Coal Liability shall, insofar as reasonably possible and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, treat such Delayed Coal Asset or Delayed Coal Liability in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice and take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the member of the CoalCo Group to whom such Delayed Coal Asset is to be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed or succeeded to, or which

 

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is to accept or assume, perform, discharge and fulfill or succeed to, such Delayed Coal Liability, as the case may be, in order to place such member of the CoalCo Group in a substantially similar position as if such Delayed Coal Asset or Delayed Coal Liability had been contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, succeeded to, accepted, assumed or performed, discharged or fulfilled as contemplated hereby and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Delayed Coal Asset or Delayed Coal Liability, as the case may be, including use, risk of loss, potential for gain, and dominion, control and command over such Delayed Coal Asset or Delayed Coal Liability, as the case may be, and all costs and expenses related thereto, shall inure from and after the Effective Time to the CoalCo Group. Except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, neither Parent nor any applicable member of Parent Group shall terminate, dispose of, assign, sublease, encumber, amend, or in any other way modify any Delayed Coal Asset or Delayed Coal Liability without the prior written consent of the applicable CoalCo Group member, which may be withheld in such CoalCo Group member’s sole discretion.

(d)     Transfer of Delayed Coal Assets and Delayed Coal Liabilities. If and when the Approvals or Notifications, the absence of which caused the deferral of contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any Delayed Coal Asset or the deferral of acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to any Delayed Coal Liability pursuant to Section  2.6(b) , are obtained or made, and, if and when any other legal impediments for the transfer or assignment of any Delayed Coal Asset or the assumption of any Delayed Coal Liability have been removed, the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to the applicable Delayed Coal Asset or the acceptance and assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to the applicable Delayed Coal Liability, as the case may be, shall be effected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and/or the applicable Ancillary Agreement.

(e)     Costs for Delayed Coal Assets and Delayed Coal Liabilities. Except as otherwise agreed in writing between the Parties, any member of the Parent Group retaining a Delayed Coal Asset or Delayed Coal Liability due to the deferral of the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to such Delayed Coal Asset or the deferral of the acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to such Delayed Coal Liability, as the case may be, shall not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing, to expend any money unless the necessary funds are advanced (or otherwise made available) by CoalCo or the member of the CoalCo Group entitled to the Delayed Coal Asset or Delayed Coal Liability, other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, attorneys’ fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly reimbursed by CoalCo or the member of the CoalCo Group entitled to such Delayed Coal Asset or Delayed Coal Liability.

(f)     Approvals and Notifications for Parent Assets. To the extent that the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any Parent Asset or the acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment, or succession to any Parent Liability, in each case under Section  2.1 , is determined to be a transfer or assignment that requires any Approvals or Notifications, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications as soon as reasonably practicable; provided , however , that, except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements or as otherwise agreed between Parent and CoalCo, neither Parent nor CoalCo, nor any member of their respective Groups, shall be obligated to contribute capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Person in order to obtain or make such Approvals or Notifications.

(g)     Delayed Parent Transfers. If and to the extent that the valid, complete and perfected contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery to or succession of the Parent Group of any Parent Asset or acceptance or assumption by, performance, discharge and fulfillment by, or succession by the Parent Group of any Parent Liability in connection with the Separation or the Distribution would be a violation of applicable Law or is determined to be a transfer or assignment that requires any Approval or Notification that has not been obtained or made by the Effective Time then, unless the Parties mutually determine otherwise, the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery to or succession of the Parent Group of such Parent Assets or the acceptance or assumption by, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or, or succession by the Parent Group of such Parent Liability, as the case may be, shall be automatically deemed deferred and any of the foregoing shall be null and void until such time as all legal impediments are removed or such Approval or Notification has been obtained or made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such Parent Assets or Parent Liabilities shall continue to constitute Parent Assets and Parent Liabilities for all other purposes of this Agreement.

 

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(h)     Treatment of Delayed Parent Assets and Delayed Parent Liabilities. (i) If any contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any Parent Asset (or a portion thereof) or any acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of, or succession to any Parent Liability (or a portion thereof) intended to be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, delivered, succeeded to, accepted, assumed, or performed, discharged or fulfilled hereunder, as the case may be, is not consummated on or prior to the Effective Time whether as a result of the provisions of Section  2.6(g) or for any other reason, including due to error, and (ii) with respect to any such agreements that shall not be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, delivered, succeeded to, accepted, assumed, or performed, discharged or fulfilled pursuant to Section  2.1(a) (notwithstanding anything therein to the contrary) (any such Parent Asset (or portion thereof), a “ Delayed Parent Asset ” and any such Parent Liability (or portion thereof), a “ Delayed Parent Liability ”), then, subject to applicable Law, the member of the CoalCo Group retaining such Delayed Parent Asset or such Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, shall thereafter hold such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, for the use and benefit (or the performance or obligation, in the case of a Liability) of the member of the Parent Group entitled thereto (with associated costs being for the account of the member of the Parent Group entitled thereto) and such member of the Parent Group shall be afforded all the benefits and burdens of such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability, as applicable. In addition, the member of the CoalCo Group retaining such Delayed Parent Asset or such Delayed Parent Liability shall, insofar as reasonably possible and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, treat such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice. Such member of the CoalCo Group shall also take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the member of the Parent Group to which such Delayed Parent Asset is to be contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed or succeeded to, or which is to accept or assume, perform, discharge and fulfill or succeed to, such Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, in order to place such member of the Parent Group in a substantially similar position as if such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability had been contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed, succeeded to, accepted, assumed or performed, discharged or fulfilled and so that all the benefits and burdens relating to such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, and all costs and expenses related thereto, shall inure from and after the Effective Time to the Parent Group. Except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, neither CoalCo nor any applicable member of CoalCo Group shall terminate, dispose of, assign, sublease, encumber, amend, or in any other way modify any Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability without the prior written consent of the applicable Parent Group member, which may be withheld in such Parent Group member’s sole discretion.

(i)     Transfer of Delayed Parent Assets and Delayed Parent Liabilities. If and when the Approvals or Notifications, the absence of which caused the deferral of contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any Delayed Parent Asset or the deferral of acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to any Delayed Parent Liability, are obtained or made, and, if and when any other legal impediments for the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to any Delayed Parent Asset or the acceptance and assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to any Delayed Parent Liability have been removed, the transfer or assignment of the applicable Delayed Parent Asset or the assumption of the applicable Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, shall be effected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and/or the applicable Ancillary Agreement.

(j)     Costs for Delayed Parent Assets and Delayed Parent Liabilities. Any member of the CoalCo Group retaining a Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability due to the deferral of the contribution, assignment, transfer, conveyance or delivery of or succession to such Delayed Parent Asset or the deferral of the acceptance or assumption of, performance, discharge and fulfillment of or succession to such Delayed Parent Liability, as the case may be, shall not be obligated, in connection with the foregoing, to expend any money unless the necessary funds are advanced (or otherwise made available) by Parent or the member of the Parent Group entitled to the Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability, other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, attorneys’ fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly reimbursed by Parent or the member of the Parent Group entitled to such Delayed Parent Asset or Delayed Parent Liability.

 

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(k)     Coal Permit Transfers .

(i)    To the extent required to effect the transfer of any Coal Permit, the Parties shall endeavor to submit within 10 days following the Closing Date (A) all filings necessary to cause the applicable Governmental Authorities to transfer to CoalCo, or the applicable member of the CoalCo Group, such Coal Permits and (B) any and all replacement bonds or other financial security, if applicable, required to complete the transfer of such Coal Permits. The Parties acknowledge that some Governmental Authorities may not require a permit transfer but may require updated ownership and control information, perhaps with a bond replacement and/or the issuance of a new license or mine number. CoalCo, or applicable member of CoalCo Group, shall use its best efforts to complete the transfer process for any Coal Permits as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event no later than 90 days following the Effective Time (or within such time frame dictated or provided by applicable regulatory requirements). Additionally, with respect to any bonds, guarantees or other financial security which were provided by Parent and/or any members of the Parent Group in connection with the Coal Permits or otherwise, CoalCo, or the applicable CoalCo Group, shall also promptly and in any event no later than 90 days following the Effective Time (or within such time frame dictated or provided by applicable regulatory requirements) replace these bonds, guarantees or other financial security and obtain the release of Parent and/or the applicable members of the Parent Group from any obligation with respect to such bonds, guarantees or other financial security. So long as Parent and/or any members of the Parent Group maintain any such bonds, guarantees or other financial security following the Effective Time, CoalCo shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Parent and the applicable members of the Parent Group against any and all Losses suffered by such Persons related thereto in accordance with Article IV.

(ii)    Until the Coal Permits are transferred to CoalCo, CoalCo or any member of CoalCo Group may mine the coal reserves of the Coal Assets subject to the Coal Permits (the “ Affected Real Property ”) and CoalCo or any such member of CoalCo Group will operate in accordance with any Coal Permit (the “ Affected Business ”) as an “operator” pursuant to this clause (ii) . For as long as CoalCo or any CoalCo Group member operates the Affected Business on any Affected Real Property as the designated “operator” on behalf of Parent or any member of the Parent Group under each Coal Permit pursuant to the terms and conditions of such Coal Permit prior to the transfer of “permittee-liability” and the issuance of a successor permit, CoalCo shall comply, and shall cause such CoalCo Group member to comply with all applicable Laws and conditions of, or pertaining to, such Coal Permits, and CoalCo shall indemnify the Parent and any applicable member of the Parent Group and hold them harmless from and against all Losses incurred or suffered as a result of CoalCo’s or any such member’s act or omissions under or with respect to each Coal Permit in accordance with Article IV. CoalCo or CoalCo Group member, as applicable, shall have exclusive control over compliance with the Coal Permit and is hereby authorized to conduct and perform, in connection with compliance therewith, (i) water sampling, analysis and reporting, (ii) seven-day inspections of impoundments and other inspections, surveys, and reports related to impoundments, (iii) annual sediment pond inspections, (iv) emergency plan updates, and (v) similar matters. At CoalCo’s or CoalCo Group member’s request, Parent shall, and shall cause any applicable member of Parent Group to, assist CoalCo or CoalCo Group member in its obligations hereunder. CoalCo or CoalCo Group member, as applicable, shall provide Parent prompt written notice of any “notice of non-compliance,” “notice of violation,” “cessation order,” “notice of bond forfeiture” or other similar enforcement action (in any such instance, a “ Notice of Violation ”) with respect to the Coal Permits prior to final transfer of the Coal Permits to CoalCo or CoalCo Group member. In the event that any Notice of Violation is issued to Parent or any member of Parent Group, such Person shall provide CoalCo or CoalCo Group member with a copy of the same. All Losses, including all associated remedial work (or other required work) arising as a result of or relating to any Notice of Violation or other notice of default or violation under any Coal Permit, to the extent not resulting from any act or omission of Parent or any member of the Parent Group, shall be the sole and exclusive responsibility of CoalCo and/or member of CoalCo Group and shall be cured by such responsible Persons as soon as reasonably practicable. Parent or any member of Parent Group shall have the right to enter on any Affected Real Property (and to the extent practicable, shall provide reasonable prior notice to CoalCo or CoalCo Group member) for purposes of performing any remediation or reclamation activities necessary to comply with (i) the terms of the Coal Permit(s) and (ii) any applicable Law. Each party shall promptly inform the other party of any material communication between itself and any Governmental Authority with respect to the Coal Permits. If any party receives any formal or informal request, for

 

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supplemental information or documentary material, from any Governmental Authority with respect to the Coal Permits, then such party shall cause to be made, as soon as reasonably practical, a response in compliance with such request, with a copy to the other party.

2.7     Novation of Liabilities .

(a)     Novation of CoalCo Liabilities.

(i)    Except as set forth in Schedule  2.7(a) , each of Parent and CoalCo, at the request of the other, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, as soon as reasonably practicable, any consent, substitution, approval or amendment required to novate or assign all Coal Liabilities and obtain in writing the unconditional release of each member of the Parent Group that is a party to any such arrangements, so that, in any such case, the members of the CoalCo Group shall be solely responsible for such Coal Liabilities; provided , however , that, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, neither Parent nor CoalCo, nor any member of either Party’s Group, shall be obligated to contribute any capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Third Party from whom any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release is requested.

(ii)    If Parent or CoalCo, or the applicable member of either Party’s Group, is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release referred to in clause (i) of this Section  2.7(a) and the applicable member of the Parent Group continues to be bound by such agreement, lease, license or other obligation or Liability (each, an “ Unreleased Coal Liability ”), CoalCo shall, to the extent not prohibited by Law, as indemnitor, guarantor, agent or subcontractor for such member of the Parent Group, as the case may be, (A) pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such member of the Parent Group that constitute Unreleased Coal Liabilities from and after the Effective Time and (B) use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such payment, performance or discharge prior to any demand for such payment, performance or discharge is permitted to be made by the obligor thereunder on any member of the Parent Group. If and when any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release shall be obtained or the Unreleased Coal Liabilities shall otherwise become assignable or able to be novated, the applicable Parent Group member shall promptly assign, or cause to be assigned, and CoalCo or the applicable CoalCo Group member shall assume, such Unreleased Coal Liabilities without exchange of further consideration.

(b)     Novation of Parent Liabilities.

(i)    Except as set forth on Schedule  2.7(b) , each of Parent and CoalCo, at the request of the other, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, as soon as reasonably practicable, any consent, substitution, approval or amendment required to novate or assign all Parent Liabilities and obtain in writing the unconditional release of each member of the CoalCo Group that is a party to any such arrangements, so that, in any such case, the members of the Parent Group shall be solely responsible for such Parent Liabilities; provided , however , that, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, neither Parent nor CoalCo, nor any member of either Party’s Group, shall be obligated to contribute any capital or pay any consideration in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Third Party from whom any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release is requested.

(ii)    If Parent or CoalCo, or the applicable member of either Party’s Group, is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release referred to in clause (i) of this Section  2.7(b) and the applicable member of the CoalCo Group continues to be bound by such agreement, lease, license or other obligation or Liability (each, an “ Unreleased Parent Liability ”), Parent shall, to the extent not prohibited by Law, as indemnitor, guarantor, agent or subcontractor for such member of the CoalCo Group, as the case may be, (A) pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such member of the CoalCo Group that constitute Unreleased Parent Liabilities from and after the Effective Time and (B) use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such payment, performance or discharge prior to any demand for such payment, performance or discharge is permitted to be made by the obligor thereunder on any member of

 

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the CoalCo Group. If and when any such consent, substitution, approval, amendment or release shall be obtained or the Unreleased Parent Liabilities shall otherwise become assignable or able to be novated, the applicable CoalCo Group member shall promptly assign, or cause to be assigned, and Parent or the applicable Parent Group member shall assume, such Unreleased Parent Liabilities without exchange of further consideration.

2.8     Release of Guarantees . In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the obligations set forth in Section  2.7 :

(a)    On or prior to the Effective Time or as soon as practicable thereafter, each of Parent and CoalCo shall, at the request of the other Party and with the reasonable cooperation of such other Party and the applicable member(s) of such other Party’s Group, use commercially reasonable efforts but shall not be obligated to pay any consideration to (i) have any member(s) of the Parent Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any Coal Liability to the extent that it relates to Coal Liabilities, including the removal of any Security Interest on or in any Parent Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such Coal Liability; and (ii) have any member(s) of the CoalCo Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any Parent Liability to the extent that it relates to Parent Liabilities, including the removal of any Security Interest on or in any Coal Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such Parent Liability; provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the replacing party shall be obligated, to the extent required by relevant Law, regulation or contract, to post, supplement or otherwise replace any security, in such amounts and of such type, as had previously been in place with respect to such guarantee or obligation.

(b)    To the extent required to obtain a release from a guarantee of:

(i)    any member of the Parent Group, CoalCo shall execute a guarantee agreement in the form of the existing guarantee or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guarantee agreement, which such agreement shall include the removal of any Security Interest on or in any Parent Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such Parent Liability, except to the extent that such existing guarantee contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (A) with which CoalCo would be reasonably unable to comply or (B) which CoalCo would not reasonably be able to avoid breaching; and

(ii)    any member of the CoalCo Group, Parent shall execute a guarantee agreement in the form of the existing guarantee or such other form as is agreed to by the relevant parties to such guarantee agreement, which agreement shall include the removal of any Security Interest on or in any Coal Asset that may serve as collateral or security for any such Coal Liability, except to the extent that such existing guarantee contains representations, covenants or other terms or provisions either (A) with which Parent would be reasonably unable to comply or (B) which Parent would not reasonably be able to avoid breaching.

(c)    If Parent or CoalCo is unable to (or has agreed not to) obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such removal or release referred to in Section  2.8(a) or (b) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any removal or release of the guarantees set forth on Schedule  2.8(c) ), (i) the Party or the relevant member of its Group that has assumed the Liability (whether fully or in case of Shared Contracts, partially), with respect to which such guarantee relates shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the guarantor or obligor against or from any Liability arising from or relating thereto in accordance with the provisions of Article IV and shall, as agent or subcontractor for such guarantor or obligor, pay, perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such guarantor or obligor thereunder; and (ii) each of Parent and CoalCo, on behalf of itself and the other members of their respective Group, agrees not to renew or extend the term of, increase any obligations under, or transfer to a Third Party, any loan, guarantee, lease, contract or other obligation for which the other Party or a member of such other Party’s Group is or may be liable unless all obligations of such other Party and the members of such other Party’s Group with respect thereto are thereupon terminated by documentation satisfactory in form and substance to such other Party.

2.9     Termination of Agreements .

(a)    Except as set forth in Section  2.9(b) , in furtherance of the releases and other provisions of Section  4.1 , CoalCo and each member of the CoalCo Group, on the one hand, and Parent and each member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, hereby terminate any and all agreements, arrangements, commitments or

 

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understandings, whether or not in writing, between or among CoalCo and/or any member of the CoalCo Group, on the one hand, and Parent and/or any member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, effective as of the Effective Time. No such terminated agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding (including any provision thereof which purports to survive termination) shall be of any further force or effect after the Effective Time. Each Party shall, at the reasonable request of the other Party, take, or cause to be taken, such other actions as may be necessary to effect the foregoing.

(b)    The provisions of Section  2.9(a) shall not apply to any of the following agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings (or to any of the provisions thereof): (i) this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (and each other agreement or instrument expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to be entered into by any of the Parties or any of the members of their respective Groups or to be continued from and after the Effective Time); (ii) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings listed or described on Schedule  2.9(b) ; (iii) any Transfer Documents, leases, subleases, easements, rights of way, licenses, surface use agreements or other real property related agreements between CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group, on the one hand, and Parent or any member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, that was entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices; (iv) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings to which any Third Party is a party; (v) any intercompany accounts payable or accounts receivable accrued as of the Effective Time that are reflected in the books and records of the Parties or otherwise documented in writing in accordance with past practices, which shall be settled in the manner contemplated by Section  2.9(c) ; (vi) any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings to which any non-wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent or CoalCo, as the case may be, is a party (it being understood that directors’ qualifying shares or similar interests shall be disregarded for purposes of determining whether a Subsidiary is wholly owned); and (vii) any Shared Contracts.

(c)    All of the intercompany accounts receivable and accounts payable between any member of the Parent Group, on the one hand, and any member of the CoalCo Group, on the other hand, outstanding as of the Effective Time shall, as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, be repaid, settled or otherwise eliminated by means of cash payments, a dividend, capital contribution, a combination of the foregoing, or otherwise as determined by Parent in its sole and absolute discretion.

2.10     Treatment of Shared Contracts .

(a)    Subject to applicable Law and without limiting the generality of the obligations set forth in Section  2.1 , unless the Parties otherwise agree or the benefits of any contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding described in this Section 2.10 are expressly conveyed to the applicable Party pursuant to this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement, any contract or agreement, a portion of which is a Coal Contract, but the remainder of which is a Parent Asset (any such contract or agreement, a “ Shared Contract ”), shall be assigned in relevant part to the applicable member(s) of the applicable Group, if so assignable, or appropriately amended prior to, on or after the Effective Time, so that each Party or the member of its Group shall, as of the Effective Time, be entitled to the rights and benefits, and shall assume the related portion of any Liabilities, inuring to its respective businesses; provided , however , that (i) in no event shall any member of any Group be required to assign (or amend) any Shared Contract in its entirety or to assign a portion of any Shared Contract which is not assignable (or cannot be amended) by its terms (including any terms imposing consents or conditions on an assignment where such consents or conditions have not been obtained or fulfilled) and (ii) if any Shared Contract cannot be so partially assigned by its terms or otherwise, or cannot be amended or if such assignment or amendment would impair the benefit the parties thereto derive from such Shared Contract, then the Parties shall, and shall cause each of the members of their respective Groups to, take such other reasonable and permissible actions (including by providing prompt notice to the other Party with respect to any relevant claim of Liability or other relevant matters arising in connection with a Shared Contract so as to allow such other Party the ability to exercise any applicable rights under such Shared Contract) to cause a member of the CoalCo Group or the Parent Group, as the case may be, to receive the rights and benefits of that portion of each Shared Contract that relates to the Coal Business or the Parent Business, as the case may be (in each case, to the extent so related), as if such Shared Contract had been assigned to a member of the applicable Group pursuant to this Section  2.10 (or appropriately amended), and to bear the burden of the corresponding Liabilities (including any Liabilities that may arise by reason of such arrangement), as if such Liabilities had been assumed by a member of the applicable Group pursuant to this Section  2.10 (or appropriately amended).

 

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(b)    Each of Parent and CoalCo shall, and shall cause the members of its Group to, (i) treat for all Tax purposes the portion of each Shared Contract inuring to its respective businesses as Assets owned by, and/or Liabilities of, as applicable, such Party, or the members of its Group, as applicable, not later than the Effective Time, and (ii) neither report nor take any Tax position (on a Tax Return or otherwise) inconsistent with such treatment (unless required by applicable Law).

(c)    Nothing in this Section  2.10 shall require any member of either Group to make any non- de minimis payment (except to the extent advanced, assumed or agreed in advance to be reimbursed by any member of the other Group), incur any non- de minimis obligation or grant any non- de minimis concession for the benefit of any member of the other Group in order to effect any transaction contemplated by this Section  2.10 .

2.11     Bank Accounts; Cash Balances .

(a)    Each Party agrees to take, or cause the members of its Group to take, at the Effective Time (or such earlier time as the Parties may agree), all actions necessary to amend all contracts or agreements governing each bank and brokerage account owned by CoalCo or any other member of the CoalCo Group (collectively, the “ CoalCo Accounts ”) and all contracts or agreements governing each bank or brokerage account owned by Parent or any other member of the Parent Group (collectively, the “ Parent Accounts ”) so that each such CoalCo Account and Parent Account, if currently linked (whether by automatic withdrawal, automatic deposit or any other authorization to transfer funds from or to, hereinafter “ Linked ”) to any Parent Account or CoalCo Account, respectively, is no longer Linked to such Parent Account or CoalCo Account, respectively.

(b)    With respect to any outstanding checks issued or payments initiated by Parent, CoalCo or any of the members of their respective Groups prior to the Effective Time, such outstanding checks and payments shall be honored following the Effective Time by the Person or Group owning the account on which the check is drawn or from which the payment was initiated, respectively.

(c)    As between Parent and CoalCo (and the members of their respective Groups), all payments made and reimbursements received after the Effective Time by either Party (or member of its Group) that relate to a business, Asset or Liability of the other Party (or member of its Group), shall be held by such Party in trust for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto and, promptly following receipt by such Party of any such payment or reimbursement, such Party shall, or shall cause the applicable member of its Group to pay over to the other Party the amount of such payment or reimbursement without right of set-off.

2.12     Ancillary Agreements . Effective on or prior to the Effective Time, each of Parent and CoalCo shall, or shall cause the applicable members of their Groups to, execute and deliver all Ancillary Agreements to which it or such member, as applicable, is a party.

2.13     Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties . EACH OF PARENT (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE PARENT GROUP) AND COALCO (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE COALCO GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE, IS REPRESENTING OR WARRANTING IN ANY WAY AS TO THE ASSETS, BUSINESSES OR LIABILITIES TRANSFERRED OR ASSUMED AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, AS TO ANY CONSENTS OR APPROVALS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS OR PERMITS OF ANY KIND), AS TO THE VALUE OR FREEDOM FROM ANY SECURITY INTERESTS OF, OR ANY OTHER MATTER CONCERNING, ANY ASSETS OF SUCH PARTY, OR AS TO THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEFENSES OR RIGHT OF SETOFF OR FREEDOM FROM COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR OTHER ASSET, INCLUDING ANY ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, OF ANY PARTY, OR AS TO THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY OF ANY ASSIGNMENT, DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT DELIVERED HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER TO CONVEY TITLE TO ANY ASSET OR THING OF VALUE UPON THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND FILING HEREOF OR THEREOF. EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, ALL SUCH

 

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ASSETS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED ON AN “AS IS,” “WHERE IS” BASIS (AND, IN THE CASE OF ANY REAL PROPERTY, BY MEANS OF A QUITCLAIM OR SIMILAR FORM OF DEED OR CONVEYANCE) AND THE RESPECTIVE TRANSFEREES SHALL BEAR THE ECONOMIC AND LEGAL RISKS THAT (A) ANY CONVEYANCE WILL PROVE TO BE INSUFFICIENT TO VEST IN THE TRANSFEREE GOOD AND MARKETABLE TITLE, FREE AND CLEAR OF ANY SECURITY INTEREST, AND (B) ANY NECESSARY APPROVALS OR NOTIFICATIONS ARE NOT OBTAINED OR MADE OR THAT ANY REQUIREMENTS OF LAWS OR JUDGMENTS ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH.

2.14     Financial Information Certifications . Parent’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as each is contemplated by the Exchange Act) are currently applicable to CoalCo as its Subsidiary. In order to enable the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of CoalCo to make the certifications required of them under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Parent, within thirty-five (35) days of the end of any fiscal quarter during which CoalCo remains Parent’s Subsidiary, shall provide CoalCo with one or more certifications with respect to such disclosure controls and procedures, its internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness thereof. Such certification(s) shall be provided by Parent (and not by any officer or employee in their individual capacity).

2.15     Transition Committee and Other Matters . The Parties have established a transition committee (the “ Transition Committee ”) that shall consist of an equal number of members from Parent and CoalCo. The Transition Committee shall be responsible for monitoring and managing all matters related to any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreements. The Transition Committee shall have the authority to (a) establish one or more subcommittees from time to time as it deems appropriate or as may be described in any Ancillary Agreements, with each such subcommittee comprised of one or more members of the Transition Committee or one or more employees of either Party or any member of its respective Group, and each such subcommittee having such scope of responsibility as may be determined by the Transition Committee from time to time; (b) delegate to any such committee any of the powers of the Transition Committee; (c) combine, modify the scope of responsibility of, and disband any such subcommittees; and (d) modify or reverse any such delegations. The Transition Committee shall establish general procedures for managing the responsibilities delegated to it under this Section  2.15 , and may modify such procedures from time to time. All decisions by the Transition Committee or any subcommittee thereof shall be effective only if mutually agreed by both Parties. The Parties shall utilize the procedures set forth in Article  VII to resolve any matters as to which the Transition Committee is not able to reach a decision.

2.16     CoalCo Financing Arrangements .

(a)    Prior to the Effective Time and pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, (i) CoalCo or other member(s) of the CoalCo Group shall enter into one or more financing arrangements and agreements pursuant to which it or they shall, prior to the Effective Time, borrow a principal amount of $800 million, consisting of (A) a revolving credit facility with commitments up to $300 million, (B) a Term Loan A Facility of up to $100 million, (C) a Term Loan B Facility of up to $400 million (collectively the “ CoalCo Senior Credit Facility ”), and (D) an offering of up to $300 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured second lien debt instruments (the “ Notes ”, and together with the CoalCo Senior Credit Facility, the “ CoalCo Financing Arrangements ”) and (ii) in connection with the Separation, Contribution and Distribution, CoalCo shall (A) in partial consideration for the assets to be transferred to CoalCo pursuant to the Contribution, transfer $425 million of net proceeds from the CoalCo Senior Credit Facility and the Notes to Parent (the “ Cash Transfer ”), and (B) utilize a portion of the proceeds from the CoalCo Senior Credit Facility and Notes to refinance as an intercompany loan the existing indebtedness of CNX Coal Resources under its then existing revolving credit facility (together with the Cash Transfer the “ Partial Use of Proceeds ”). Parent shall use the proceeds from the Cash Transfer to make payments to third party creditors or stockholders in a manner that is consistent with the terms of the private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service described in Section  3.3(a)(iii) .

(b)    Parent and CoalCo agree to take all necessary actions to assure the full release and discharge of Parent and the other members of the Parent Group from all obligations pursuant to the CoalCo Financing Arrangements as of no later than the Effective Time. The parties agree that CoalCo or another member of the CoalCo Group, as the case may be, and not Parent or any member of the Parent Group, are and shall be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the CoalCo Financing Arrangements.

 

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(c)    Prior to the Effective Time, Parent and CoalCo shall cooperate in the preparation of all materials as may be necessary or advisable to execute the CoalCo Financing Arrangements and implement the Partial Use of Proceeds.

2.17     Parent Financing Arrangements.

(a)    Parent and CoalCo agree to take all necessary actions to assure the release and discharge of CoalCo and the other members of the CoalCo Group under Parent’s existing credit facility as of no later than the Effective Time. The parties agree that Parent or another member of the Parent Group, as the case may be, and not CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group, are and shall be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with any revisions required to Parent’s existing credit facility as a result of or otherwise in connection with, the Separation and Distribution.

ARTICLE III

THE DISTRIBUTION

3.1     Sole and Absolute Discretion; Cooperation.

(a)    Parent shall, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine the terms of the Distribution, including the form, structure and terms of any transaction(s) and/or offering(s) to effect the Distribution and the timing and conditions to the consummation of the Distribution. In addition, Parent may, at any time and from time to time until the consummation of the Distribution, modify or change the terms of the Distribution, including by accelerating or delaying the timing of the consummation of all or part of the Distribution. Nothing shall in any way limit Parent’s right to terminate this Agreement or not to complete the Distribution as set forth in Article  IX or, prior to the Distribution, alter the consequences of any such termination from those specified in Article  IX .

(b)    CoalCo shall cooperate with Parent to accomplish the Distribution and shall, at Parent’s direction, promptly take any and all actions necessary or desirable to effect the Distribution, including in respect of the registration under the Exchange Act of CoalCo Shares on the Form 10. Parent shall select any investment bank or manager in connection with the Distribution, as well as any financial printer, solicitation and/or exchange agent and financial, legal, accounting and other advisors for Parent. CoalCo and Parent, as the case may be, will provide to the Agent any information required in order to complete the Distribution.

3.2     Actions Prior to the Distribution . Prior to the Effective Time and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Parties shall take, or cause to be taken, the following actions in connection with the Distribution:

(a)     Notice to NYSE . Parent shall, to the extent possible, give the NYSE not less than ten (10) days’ advance notice of the Record Date in compliance with Rule 10b-17 under the Exchange Act.

(b)     CoalCo Certificate of Incorporation and CoalCo Bylaws. On or prior to the Distribution Date, Parent and CoalCo shall take all necessary actions so that, as of the Effective Time, the CoalCo Certificate of Incorporation and the CoalCo Bylaws shall become the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of CoalCo, respectively.

(c)     CoalCo Directors and Officers. On or prior to the Distribution Date, Parent and CoalCo shall take all necessary actions so that as of the Effective Time: (i) the directors and executive officers of CoalCo shall be those set forth in the Information Statement made available to the Record Holders prior to the Distribution Date, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties; (ii) each individual referred to in clause (i) shall have resigned from his or her position, if any, as a member of the Parent Board and/or as an executive officer of Parent; and (iii) CoalCo shall have such other officers as CoalCo shall appoint. The parties agree to work collaboratively as it relates to any commensurate changes to the board of directors, board committees or executive officer designations as it relates to CNX Coal Resources GP or any other member of the CoalCo Group or Parent Group, including as it relates to any filings or disclosures that may be triggered in respect thereof.

 

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(d)     NYSE Listing. CoalCo shall prepare and file, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to have approved, an application for the listing of the CoalCo Shares to be distributed in the Distribution on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution.

(e)     Securities Law Matters. CoalCo shall file any amendments or supplements to the Form 10 as may be necessary or advisable in order to cause the Form 10 to become and remain effective as required by the SEC or federal, state or other applicable securities Laws. Parent and CoalCo shall cooperate in preparing, filing with the SEC and causing to become effective registration statements or amendments thereof which are required to reflect the establishment of, or amendments to, any employee benefit and other plans necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. Parent and CoalCo shall prepare, and CoalCo shall, to the extent required under applicable Law, file with the SEC any such documentation and any requisite no-action letters that Parent determines are necessary or desirable to effectuate the Distribution, and Parent and CoalCo shall each use reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary approvals from the SEC with respect thereto as soon as practicable. Parent and CoalCo shall take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate under the securities or blue sky laws of the United States (and any comparable Laws under any foreign jurisdiction) in connection with the Distribution.

(f)     Availability of Information Statement. Parent shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the Form 10 is declared effective under the Exchange Act and the Parent Board has approved the Distribution, cause the Information Statement to be mailed to the Record Holders, or, in connection with the delivery of a notice of Internet availability of the Information Statement to such holders, posted on the Internet.

(g)     The Distribution Agent. Parent shall enter into a distribution agent agreement with the Agent or otherwise provide instructions to the Agent regarding the Distribution.

(h)     Awards Under Equity Incentive Plans. Parent and CoalCo shall take all actions as may be necessary to approve the grants of adjusted equity awards by Parent (in respect of Parent shares) and CoalCo (in respect of CoalCo shares) in connection with the Distribution in order to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

(i)     Name Changes . (i) Parent and CoalCo shall take all actions necessary such that coincident with the Distribution, (A) CoalCo will change its name to CONSOL Energy Inc. and (B) Parent will change its name to CNX Resources Corporation, and (ii) Parent shall prepare and file, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to have approved, a supplemental listing application with the NYSE to facilitate its name change.

3.3     Conditions to the Distribution .

(a)    The consummation of the Distribution shall be subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by Parent in its sole and absolute discretion, of the following conditions:

(i)    The SEC shall have declared effective the Form 10; no order suspending the effectiveness of the Form 10 shall be in effect; and no proceedings for such purposes shall have been instituted or threatened by the SEC.

(ii)    The Information Statement shall have been mailed to the Record Holders or a notice of Internet availability of the Information Statement shall have been delivered to the Record Holders.

(iii)    The private letter ruling, received by Parent on October 16, 2017 from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the federal income tax treatment of the Contribution and the Distribution, shall not have been revoked or modified in any material respect and Parent shall have received one or more opinions from Parent’s tax advisors satisfactory to the Parent Board, including the opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to the effect that the Distribution will be a transaction described in Section 355(a) of the Code, regarding the federal income tax treatment of the Contribution and the Distribution.

(iv)    The transfer of the Coal Assets (other than any Delayed Coal Asset) and Coal Liabilities (other than any Delayed Coal Liability) contemplated to be transferred from Parent (or a member of Parent Group) to CoalCo (or a member of CoalCo Group) on or prior to the Distribution shall have occurred as contemplated by Section  2.1 , and the transfer of the Parent Assets (other than any Delayed Parent Asset) and Parent Liabilities (other than any Delayed Parent Liability) contemplated to be transferred from CoalCo (or a member of CoalCo Group) to Parent (or a member of Parent Group) on or prior to the Distribution Date shall have occurred as contemplated by Section  2.1 , in each case pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization.

 

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(v)    An independent appraisal firm acceptable to Parent shall have delivered one or more opinions to the Parent Board confirming the solvency and financial viability of Parent immediately prior to the Distribution and (ii) of Parent and CoalCo after consummation of the Distribution, and such opinions shall be acceptable to Parent in form and substance in Parent’s sole discretion and such opinions shall not have been withdrawn or rescinded.

(vi)    The actions and filings necessary or appropriate under applicable U.S. federal, U.S. state or other securities Laws or blue sky Laws and the rules and regulations thereunder shall have been taken or made, and, where applicable, have become effective or been accepted by the applicable Governmental Authority.

(vii)    Each of the Ancillary Agreements shall have been duly executed and delivered by the applicable parties thereto.

(viii)    No order, injunction or decree issued by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Separation, the Distribution or any of the transactions related thereto shall be in effect.

(ix)    The CoalCo Shares to be distributed to the Parent stockholders in the Distribution shall have been accepted for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution.

(x)    CoalCo, or members of the CoalCo Group, shall have entered into the CoalCo Financing Arrangements as contemplated in Section  2.16 , Parent shall have received the Cash Transfer, the Partial Use of Proceeds shall have been effectuated, and Parent shall be satisfied in its sole and absolute discretion that, as of the Effective Time, neither Parent or any member of Parent Group shall have any further Liability under the CoalCo Financing Arrangements.

(xi)    No other events or developments shall exist or shall have occurred that, in the judgment of the Parent Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the Separation, the Distribution or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

(b)    The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Parent and shall not give rise to or create any duty on the part of Parent or the Parent Board to waive or not waive any such condition or in any way limit Parent’s right to terminate this Agreement as set forth in Article  IX or alter the consequences of any such termination from those specified in Article  IX . Any determination made by the Parent Board prior to the Distribution concerning the satisfaction or waiver of any or all of the conditions set forth in Section  3.3(a) shall be conclusive and binding on the Parties. If Parent waives any material condition, it shall promptly issue a press release disclosing such fact and file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC describing such waiver.

3.4     The Distribution .

(a)    Subject to Section  3.3 , on or prior to the Effective Time, CoalCo shall deliver to the Agent, for the benefit of the Record Holders, book-entry transfer authorizations for such number of the outstanding CoalCo Shares as is necessary to effect the Distribution, and shall cause the transfer agent for the Parent Shares to instruct the Agent to distribute at the Effective Time the appropriate number of CoalCo Shares to each such Record Holder or designated transferee or transferees of thereof by way of direct registration in book-entry form. CoalCo shall not issue paper stock certificates in respect of the CoalCo Shares. The Distribution shall be effective at the Effective Time.

(b)    Subject to Sections  3.3 and 3.4(c) , each Record Holder will be entitled to receive in the Distribution a number of whole CoalCo Shares equal to the number of Parent Shares held by such Record Holder on the Record Date multiplied by the Distribution Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole number.

(c)    No fractional shares shall be distributed or credited to book-entry accounts in connection with the Distribution, and any such fractional share interests to which a Record Holder would otherwise be entitled shall not entitle such Record Holder to vote or to any other rights as a stockholder of CoalCo. In lieu of any such fractional shares, each Record Holder who, but for the provisions of this Section  3.4(c) , would be entitled

 

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to receive a fractional share interest of a CoalCo Share pursuant to the Distribution, shall be paid cash, without any interest thereon, as hereinafter provided. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall direct the Agent to determine the number of whole and fractional CoalCo Shares allocable to each Record Holder, to aggregate all such fractional shares into whole shares, and to sell the whole shares obtained thereby in the open market at the then-prevailing prices on behalf of each Record Holder who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional share interests (with the Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, determining when, how and through which broker-dealer and at what price to make such sales), and to cause to be distributed to each such Record Holder, in lieu of any fractional share, such Record Holder’s or owner’s ratable share of the total proceeds of such sale, after deducting any Taxes required to be withheld and applicable transfer Taxes, and after deducting the costs and expenses of such sale and distribution, including brokers fees and commissions. None of Parent, CoalCo or the Agent shall be required to guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional CoalCo Shares sold in accordance with this Section  3.4(c) . Neither Parent nor CoalCo shall be required to pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares. Neither the Agent nor the broker-dealers through which the aggregated fractional shares are sold shall be Affiliates of Parent or CoalCo. Solely for purposes of computing fractional share interests pursuant to this Section  3.4(c) and Section  3.4(d) , the beneficial owner of Parent Shares held of record in the name of a nominee in any nominee account shall be treated as the Record Holder with respect to such shares.

(d)    Any CoalCo Shares or cash in lieu of fractional shares with respect to CoalCo Shares that remain unclaimed by any Record Holder one hundred and eighty (180) days after the Distribution Date shall be delivered to CoalCo, and CoalCo or its transfer agent shall hold such CoalCo Shares and cash, if any, for the account of such Record Holder, and the Parties agree that all obligations to provide such CoalCo Shares and cash, if any, in lieu of fractional share interests shall be obligations of CoalCo, subject in each case to applicable escheat or other abandoned property Laws, and Parent shall have no Liability with respect thereto.

(e)    Until the CoalCo Shares are duly transferred in accordance with this Section  3.4 and applicable Law, from and after the Effective Time, CoalCo shall regard the Persons entitled to receive such CoalCo Shares as record holders of CoalCo Shares in accordance with the terms of the Distribution without requiring any action on the part of such Persons. CoalCo agrees that, subject to any transfers of such shares, from and after the Effective Time, (i) each such holder shall be entitled to receive all dividends, if any, payable on, and exercise voting rights and all other rights and privileges with respect to, the CoalCo Shares then held by such holder, and (ii) each such holder will be entitled, without any action on the part of such holder, to receive evidence of ownership of the CoalCo Shares then held by such holder.

ARTICLE IV

MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION

4.1     Release of Pre-Distribution Claims .

(a)     CoalCo Release of Parent . Except as provided in Sections  4.1(c) and (d) , effective as of the Effective Time, CoalCo does hereby, for itself and each other member of the CoalCo Group, and their respective successors and assigns, and, to the extent permitted by Law, all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the CoalCo Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), remise, release and forever discharge (i) Parent and the members of the Parent Group, and their respective successors and assigns, (ii) all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Parent Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and (iii) all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time are or have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of a Transferred Entity and who are not, as of immediately following the Effective Time, directors, officers or employees of CoalCo or a member of the CoalCo Group, in each case from: (A) all Coal Liabilities, (B) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with the transactions and all other activities to implement the Separation and the Distribution (for the avoidance of doubt this clause (B) shall not limit or affect indemnification obligations of the Parties set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement) and (C) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time), in each case to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Coal Business, the Coal Assets or the Coal Liabilities.

 

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(b)     Parent Release of CoalCo . Except as provided in Sections  4.1(c) and (d) , effective as of the Effective Time, Parent does hereby, for itself and each other member of the Parent Group and their respective successors and assigns, and, to the extent permitted by Law, all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Parent Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), remise, release and forever discharge (i) CoalCo and the members of the CoalCo Group and their respective successors and assigns, and (ii) all Persons who at any time prior to the Effective Time have been stockholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the CoalCo Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, from: (A) all Parent Liabilities, (B) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with the transactions and all other activities to implement the Separation and the Distribution (for the avoidance of doubt this clause (B) shall not limit or affect indemnification obligations of the Parties set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement) and (C) all Liabilities arising from or in connection with actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to the Effective Time (whether or not such Liabilities cease being contingent, mature, become known, are asserted or foreseen, or accrue, in each case before, at or after the Effective Time), in each case to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Parent Business, the Parent Assets or the Parent Liabilities.

(c)     Obligations Not Affected . Nothing contained in Section  4.1(a) or (b)  shall impair any right of any Person to enforce this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, or any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings which Section  2.9(b) or the applicable Schedules thereto provide shall not terminate as of the Effective Time, in each case in accordance with their respective terms. Nothing contained in Section  4.1(a) or (b)  shall release any Person from:

(i)    any Liability provided in or resulting from any agreement among any members of the Parent Group or the CoalCo Group which Section  2.9(b) or the applicable Schedules thereto provide shall not terminate as of the Effective Time, or any other Liability which Section  2.9(b) provides shall not terminate as of the Effective Time [or any intercompany account that is not settled as of the Effective Time];

(ii)    any Liability assumed, transferred, assigned or allocated to the Group of which such Person is a member in accordance with, or any other Liability of any member of any Group under, this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;

(iii)    any Liability for the sale, lease, construction or receipt of goods, property or services purchased, obtained or used in the ordinary course of business by a member of one Group from a member of the other Group prior to the Effective Time;

(iv)    any Liability provided in or resulting from any Contract or understanding that is entered into after the Effective Time between any Party (and/or a member of such Party’s Group), on the one hand, and any other Party (and/or a member of the other Party’s Group), on the other hand;

(v)    any Liability that the Parties may have with respect to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;

(vi)    any Liability that the Parties may have with respect to indemnification or contribution for claims brought against the Parties by Third Parties, which Liability shall be governed by the provisions of this Article  IV and Article  V and, if applicable, the appropriate provisions of the Ancillary Agreements; or

(vii)    any Liability the release of which would result in the release of any Person other than a Person released pursuant to this Section  4.1 .

In addition, nothing contained in Section  4.1(a) shall release any member of the Parent Group from honoring its existing obligations to indemnify any director, officer or employee of a member of the CoalCo Group who was a director, officer or employee of any member of the Parent Group on or prior to the Effective Time, to the extent such director, officer or employee becomes a named defendant in any Action with respect to which such director, officer

 

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or employee was entitled to such indemnification pursuant to such existing obligations; it being understood that, if the underlying obligation giving rise to such Action is a Coal Liability, CoalCo shall indemnify Parent for such Liability (including Parent’s costs to indemnify the director, officer or employee) in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Article  IV .

(d)     No Claims . CoalCo shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the CoalCo Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against Parent or any other member of the Parent Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section  4.1(a) , with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section  4.1(a) . Parent shall not make, and shall not permit any other member of the Parent Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification against CoalCo or any other member of the CoalCo Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section  4.1(b ), with respect to any Liabilities released pursuant to Section  4.1(b) .

(e)     Execution of Further Releases . At any time at or after the Effective Time, at the request of either Party, the other Party shall cause each member of its Group to execute and deliver releases reflecting the provisions of this Section  4.1 .

4.2     Indemnification by CoalCo . Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, CoalCo shall, and shall cause the other members of the CoalCo Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Parent, each member of the Parent Group and each of their respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees and agents, in each case in their respective capacities as such, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ Parent Indemnitees ”), from and against any and all Liabilities of the Parent Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly, any of the following items (without duplication):

(a)    any Coal Liability;

(b)    any failure of CoalCo, any other member of the CoalCo Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Coal Liabilities in accordance with their terms, whether prior to, on or after the Effective Time;

(c)    any breach by CoalCo or any other member of the CoalCo Group of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;

(d)    except to the extent it relates to a Parent Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation, surety bond or other credit support agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding (i) for the benefit of any member of the CoalCo Group made or given by any member of the Parent Group, which survives following the Distribution or (ii) which is set forth on Schedule 4.2(d) ; and

(e)    any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all information contained in the Form 10, the Information Statement or any other Disclosure Document (other than the matters described in clause (e) of Section  4.3) .

4.3     Indemnification by Parent . Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, Parent shall, and shall cause the other members of the Parent Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless CoalCo, each member of the CoalCo Group and each of their respective past, present and future directors, officers, employees or agents, in each case in their respective capacities as such, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “ CoalCo Indemnitees ”), from and against any and all Liabilities of the CoalCo Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from, directly or indirectly, any of the following items (without duplication):

(a)    any Parent Liability;

(b)    any failure of Parent, any other member of the Parent Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Parent Liabilities in accordance with their terms, whether prior to, on or after the Effective Time;

(c)    any breach by Parent or any other member of the Parent Group of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;

 

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(d)    except to the extent it relates to a Coal Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation, surety bond or other credit support agreement, arrangement, commitment or understanding (i) for the benefit of any member of the Parent Group made or given by any member of the CoalCo Group, which survives following the Distribution or (ii) which is set forth on Schedule  4.3(d) ; and

(e)    any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to statements made explicitly in Parent’s name in the Form 10, the Information Statement or any other Disclosure Document; it being agreed that the statements set forth on Schedule  4.3(e) shall be the only statements made explicitly in Parent’s name in the Form 10, the Information Statement or any other Disclosure Document, and all other information contained in the Form 10, the Information Statement or any other Disclosure Document shall be deemed to be information supplied by CoalCo.

4.4     Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds and Other Amounts .

(a)    The Parties intend that any Liability subject to indemnification, contribution or reimbursement pursuant to this Article  IV or Article  V will be net of Insurance Proceeds or other amounts actually recovered (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) from any Person by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in respect of any indemnifiable Liability. Accordingly, the amount that either Party (an “ Indemnifying Party ”) is required to pay to any Person entitled to indemnification or contribution hereunder (an “ Indemnitee ”) shall be reduced by any Insurance Proceeds or other amounts actually recovered (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) from any Person by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in respect of the related Liability. If an Indemnitee 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 amounts in respect of such Liability, then, within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of such Insurance Proceeds, the Indemnitee shall pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to the excess of the Indemnity Payment received over the amount of the Indemnity Payment that would have been due if the Insurance Proceeds or such other amounts (net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof) had been received, realized or recovered before the Indemnity Payment was made.

(b)    It is expressly agreed and understood that all rights to indemnification, contribution and reimbursement pursuant to this Article IV are in excess of all available insurance. Without limiting the foregoing, the Parties agree that an insurer that would otherwise be obligated to pay any claim shall not be relieved of the responsibility with respect thereto or, solely by virtue of any provision contained in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, have any subrogation rights with respect thereto, it being understood that no insurer or any other Third Party shall be entitled to a “windfall” ( i.e. , a benefit they would not be entitled to receive in the absence of the indemnification provisions) by virtue of the indemnification and contribution provisions hereof. Accordingly, any provision herein that could have the result of giving any insurer or other Third Party such a “windfall” shall be suspended or amended to the extent necessary to not provide such “windfall.” Each Party shall, and shall cause the members of its Group to, use commercially reasonable efforts (taking into account the probability of success on the merits and the cost of expending such efforts, including attorneys’ fees and expenses) to collect or recover, or allow the Indemnifying Party to collect or recover, any Insurance Proceeds that may be collectible or recoverable respecting the Liabilities for which indemnification or contribution may be available under this Article  IV . Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Indemnifying Party may not delay making any indemnification payment required, or otherwise satisfy any indemnification obligation, under the terms of this Agreement pending the outcome of any Action to collect or recover Insurance Proceeds, and an Indemnitee need not attempt to collect any Insurance Proceeds prior to making a claim for indemnification or contribution or receiving any Indemnity Payment otherwise owed to it under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

4.5     Procedures for Indemnification of Third-Party Claims .

(a)     Notice of Claims . If, at or following the date of this Agreement, an Indemnitee shall receive notice or otherwise learn of the assertion by a Person (including any Governmental Authority) who is not a member of the Parent Group or the CoalCo Group of any claim or of the commencement by any such Person of any Action (collectively, a “ Third-Party Claim ”) with respect to which an Indemnifying Party may be obligated to provide indemnification to such Indemnitee pursuant to Section  4.2 or 4.3 , or any other Section of this

 

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Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, such Indemnitee shall give such Indemnifying Party written notice thereof as soon as practicable, but in any event within fourteen (14) days (or sooner if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires) after becoming aware of such Third-Party Claim. Any such notice shall describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail, to the extent set forth in or readily apparent from the notices and documents received by the Indemnified Party, including the facts and circumstances giving rise to such claim for indemnification, and include copies of all notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third-Party Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of an Indemnitee to provide notice in accordance with this Section  4.5(a) shall not relieve an Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent to which the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by the Indemnitee’s failure to provide notice in accordance with this Section  4.5(a) .

(b)     Control of Defense . An Indemnifying Party may elect to defend (and seek to settle or compromise), at its own expense and with its own counsel, any Third-Party Claim; provided that, prior to the Indemnifying Party assuming and controlling the defense of such Third-Party Claim, it shall first confirm to the Indemnitee in writing that, assuming the facts presented to the Indemnifying Party by the Indemnitee are true, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify the Indemnitee for any such Losses to the extent resulting from, or arising out of, such Third-Party Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense and, in the course of defending such Third-Party Claim, (i) the Indemnifying Party discovers that the facts presented at the time the Indemnifying Party acknowledged its indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim were not true and (ii) such untruth provides a reasonable basis for asserting that the Indemnifying Party does not have an indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim, then (A) the Indemnifying Party shall not be bound by such acknowledgment, (B) the Indemnifying Party shall promptly thereafter provide the Indemnitee written notice of its assertion that it does not have an indemnification obligation in respect of such Third-Party Claim and (C) the Indemnitee shall have the right to assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim. Within thirty (30) days after the receipt of a notice from an Indemnitee in accordance with Section  4.5(a) (or sooner, if the nature of the Third-Party Claim so requires), the Indemnifying Party shall provide written notice to the Indemnitee indicating whether the Indemnifying Party shall assume responsibility for defending the Third-Party Claim. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending any Third-Party Claim or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice from an Indemnitee as provided in Section  4.5(a) , then the Indemnitee that is the subject of such Third-Party Claim shall be entitled to continue to conduct and control the defense of such Third-Party Claim.

(c)     Allocation of Defense Costs . 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 Indemnitee for any such fees or expenses incurred by the Indemnifying Party during the course of the defense of such Third-Party Claim by such Indemnifying Party, regardless of any subsequent decision by the Indemnifying Party to reject or otherwise abandon its assumption of such defense. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for defending any Third-Party Claim or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election within thirty (30) days after receipt of a notice from an Indemnitee as provided in Section  4.5(a) , and the Indemnitee conducts and controls the defense of such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party has an indemnification obligation with respect to such Third-Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for all reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim.

(d)     Right to Monitor and Participate . An Indemnitee that does not conduct and control the defense of any Third-Party Claim, or an Indemnifying Party that has failed to elect to defend any Third-Party Claim as contemplated hereby, nevertheless shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel as necessary) of its own choosing to monitor and participate in (but not control) the defense of any Third-Party Claim for which it is a potential Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party, as applicable, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party, as the case may be, and the provisions of Section  4.5(c) shall not apply to such fees and expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Sections  6.7 and 6.8 , such Party shall cooperate with the Party entitled to conduct and control the defense of such Third-Party Claim in such defense and make available to the controlling Party, at the non-controlling Party’s expense, all witnesses, information and materials in such Party’s possession or under such Party’s control relating thereto as are reasonably required by the controlling Party (with the reasonable out-of-

 

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pocket costs associated with such cooperation being at the expense of the non-controlling party). In addition to the foregoing, if any Indemnitee shall in good faith determine that such Indemnitee and the Indemnifying Party have actual or potential differing defenses or conflicts of interest between them that make joint representation in connection with a Third-Party Claim inappropriate, then the Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel as necessary) 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 such counsel for all Indemnitees.

(e)     No Settlement . Neither Party may settle or compromise any Third-Party Claim for which either Party is seeking to be indemnified hereunder without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, unless such settlement or compromise is solely for monetary damages that are fully payable by the settling or compromising Party, does not involve any admission, finding or determination of wrongdoing or violation of Law by the other Party and provides for a full, unconditional and irrevocable release of the other Party from all Liability in connection with the Third-Party Claim. The Parties hereby agree that if a Party presents the other Party with a written notice containing a proposal to settle or compromise a Third-Party Claim for which either Party is seeking to be indemnified hereunder and the Party receiving such proposal does not respond in any manner to the Party presenting such proposal within twenty (20) days or such longer period, not to exceed thirty (30) days, as may be agreed by the Parties (or within any such shorter time period that may be required by applicable Law or court order) of receipt of such proposal, then the Party receiving such proposal shall be deemed to have consented to the terms of such proposal.

(f)     Tax Matters Agreement Coordination. The provisions of Section  4.2 through Section  4.10 hereof (other than this Section  4.5(f) ) do not apply with respect to Taxes or Tax matters (it being understood and agreed that Taxes and Tax matters, including the control of Tax-related proceedings, shall be governed by the Tax Matters Agreement). In the case of any conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and the Tax Matters Agreement in relation to any matters addressed by the Tax Matters Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement shall prevail.

4.6     Additional Matters .

(a)     Timing of Payments . Indemnification or contribution payments in respect of any Liabilities for which an Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Article  IV shall be paid reasonably promptly (but in any event within thirty (30) days of the final determination of the amount that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this Article  IV ) by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnitee as such Liabilities are incurred upon demand by the Indemnitee, 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 that actually reduce the amount of such Liabilities. The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Article  IV shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnitee, and (ii) the knowledge by the Indemnitee of Liabilities for which it might be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

(b)     Notice of Direct Claims . Any claim for indemnification or contribution under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement that does not result from a Third-Party Claim shall be asserted by written notice given by the Indemnitee to the applicable Indemnifying Party. Such Indemnifying Party shall have a period of thirty (30) days 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 specified claim shall be conclusively deemed a Liability of the Indemnifying Party under this Section  4.6(b) or, in the case of any written notice in which the amount of the claim (or any portion thereof) is estimated, on such later date when the amount of the claim (or such portion thereof) becomes finally determined. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such thirty (30)-day period or rejects such claim in whole or in part, such Indemnitee shall, subject to the provisions of Article  VII , be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to such party as contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, as applicable, without prejudice to its continuing rights to pursue indemnification or contribution hereunder.

(c)     Pursuit of Claims Against Third Parties . If (i) a Party incurs any Liability arising out of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; (ii) an adequate legal or equitable remedy is not available for any

 

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reason against the other Party to satisfy the Liability incurred by the incurring Party; and (iii) a legal or equitable remedy may be available to the other Party against a Third Party for such Liability, then the other Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the incurring Party, at the incurring Party’s expense, to permit the incurring Party to obtain the benefits of such legal or equitable remedy against such Third Party.

(d)     Subrogation . In the event of payment by or on behalf of any Indemnifying Party to any Indemnitee in connection with any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee as to any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnitee 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 Indemnitee 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.

(e)     Substitution . In the event of an Action for which a Party is entitled to indemnification hereunder and in which the Indemnifying Party is not a named defendant, if either the Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party shall so request, the Parties shall endeavor to substitute the Indemnifying Party for the named defendant. If such substitution or addition cannot be achieved for any reason or is not requested, the named defendant shall allow the Indemnifying Party to manage the Action as set forth in Section  4.5 and this Section  4.6 , and the Indemnifying Party shall fully indemnify the named defendant against all costs of defending the Action (including court costs, sanctions imposed by a court, attorneys’ fees, experts fees and all other external expenses), the costs of any judgment or settlement and the cost of any interest or penalties relating to any judgment or settlement.

4.7     Right of Contribution .

(a)     Contribution . If any right of indemnification contained in Section  4.2 or 4.3 is held unenforceable or is unavailable for any reason, or is insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnitee in respect of any Liability for which such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, then the Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amounts paid or payable by the Indemnitees (including any costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, expert and consulting fees and costs related thereto or to the investigation or defense thereof) as a result of such Liability (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and the members of its Group, on the one hand, and the Indemnitees entitled to contribution, on the other hand, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

(b)     Allocation of Relative Fault . Solely for purposes of determining relative fault pursuant to this Section  4.7 : (i) any fault associated with the business conducted with the Delayed Coal Assets or Delayed Coal Liabilities (except for the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of a member of the Parent Group) or with the ownership, operation or activities of the Coal Business prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to be the fault of CoalCo and the other members of the CoalCo Group, and no such fault shall be deemed to be the fault of Parent or any other member of the Parent Group; (ii) any fault associated with the business conducted with Delayed Parent Assets or Delayed Parent Liabilities (except for the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of a member of the CoalCo Group) shall be deemed to be the fault of Parent and the other members of the Parent Group, and no such fault shall be deemed to be the fault of CoalCo or any other member of the CoalCo Group; and (iii) any fault associated with the ownership, operation or activities of the Parent Business prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to be the fault of Parent and the other members of the Parent Group, and no such fault shall be deemed to be the fault of CoalCo or any other member of the CoalCo Group.

4.8     Covenant Not to Sue . Each Party hereby covenants and agrees that none of it, the members of its Group or any Person claiming through it or them shall bring suit or otherwise assert any claim against any Indemnitee, or assert a defense against any claim asserted by any Indemnitee, before any court, arbitrator, mediator or administrative agency anywhere in the world, alleging that: (a) the assumption of any Coal Liabilities by CoalCo or a member of the CoalCo Group on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements is void or unenforceable for any reason; (b) the retention of any Parent Liabilities by Parent or a member of the Parent Group on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements is void or unenforceable for any reason, or (c) the provisions of this Article  IV are void or unenforceable for any reason.

 

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4.9     Remedies Cumulative . The remedies provided in this Article  IV shall be cumulative and, subject to the provisions of Article  VIII , shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.

4.10     Survival of Indemnities . The rights and obligations of each of Parent and CoalCo and their respective Indemnitees under this Article  IV shall survive (a) the sale or other transfer by either Party or any member of its Group of any assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any liabilities; or (b) any merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of all or substantially all of its Assets, restructuring, recapitalization, reorganization or similar transaction involving either Party or any member of its Group.

4.11     Real Property Transfer Documents . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of the Transfer Documents entered into in connection with the transfer of real property, no warranty or any other provision contained therein shall act to increase either Party’s Liability beyond as set forth in this Agreement. The terms of, and all covenants and agreements contained in, this Agreement, shall survive any execution and delivery of any Ancillary Agreements (including any deeds) and shall not be merged into any such instruments.

ARTICLE V

CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS

5.1     Cooperation With Respect to Insurance Matters . Parent and CoalCo agree to cooperate in good faith to provide for an orderly transition of insurance coverage from the date hereof through the Effective Time. In no event shall any member of the Parent Group or any Parent Indemnitee have Liability or obligation whatsoever to any member of the CoalCo Group in the event that any insurance policy or other contract or policy of insurance shall be terminated or otherwise cease to be in effect for any reason, shall be unavailable or inadequate to cover any Liability of any member of the CoalCo Group for any reason whatsoever or shall not be renewed or extended beyond the current expiration date of any such insurance policy or other contract of insurance.

5.2     Access to Insurance Policies .

(a)    From and after the Effective Time, with respect to any actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts, circumstances, losses, damages and Liability which occurred or are alleged to have occurred, or were incurred or claimed to have been incurred by any member of either Group prior to the Effective Time, the other Party will provide the requesting Party with access to, and such requesting Party may, upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice to the other Party, make claims under, the other Party’s insurance policies in place immediately prior to the Effective Time and the other Party’s historical policies of insurance, but solely to the extent that such policies provided coverage for members of the requesting Party prior to the Effective Time; provided that such access to, and the right to make claims under, such insurance policies, shall be subject to the terms and conditions of such insurance policies, including but not limited to any limits on coverage or scope, and any deductibles, self-insured retentions, retrospectively rated insurance plans and other fees, costs and expenses, and shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(i)    The requesting Party shall report any claim to the other Party as promptly as reasonably practicable, and in any event in sufficient time so that such claim may be made in accordance with the policies’ terms and conditions;

(ii)    The requesting Party and the other members of its Group shall be responsible for making payments directly to insurers where possible, and shall indemnify, hold harmless and reimburse the other Party and the members of its Group for any deductibles, self-insured retention, retrospective premium payments, and fees and expenses incurred by any member of such Group to the extent resulting from any access to, or any claims made by the requesting Party or any other members of its Group under, any insurance provided pursuant to this Section  5.2 , including claims previously reported and any indemnity payments, settlements, judgments, legal fees and allocated claims expenses and claim handling fees, whether such claims are made by a member of the requesting Party’s Group, employees or Third Parties; and

 

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(iii)    The requesting Party shall exclusively bear (and no member of the other Party’s Group shall have any obligation to repay or reimburse any member of the such requesting Party’s Group for) and shall be liable for all uninsured, uncovered, unavailable or uncollectible amounts of all such claims made by any member of the requesting Party’s Group under the policies as provided for in this Section  5.2 . In the event an insurance policy aggregate limit is exhausted, or believed likely to be exhausted, due to noticed claims, the requesting Party’s Group, on the one hand, and the other Party’s Group, on the other hand, shall be responsible for their pro rata portion of the reinstatement premium, if any, based upon the losses of such Group submitted to the other Party’s insurance carrier(s) (including any submissions prior to the Effective Time). To the extent that either Group is allocated more than its pro rata portion of such premium due to the timing of losses submitted to the other Party’s insurance carrier(s), the other Party shall promptly pay the first Party an amount so that each Group has been properly allocated its pro rata portion of the reinstatement premium. Subject to the following sentence, the other Party may elect not to reinstate the policy aggregate. In the event that the other Party elects not to reinstate the policy aggregate, it shall provide prompt written notice to the requesting Party, and the requesting Party may direct the other Party in writing to, and the other Party shall, in such case, reinstate the policy aggregate; provided that the requesting Party shall be responsible for all reinstatement premiums and other costs associated with such reinstatement.

(b)    No member of the requesting Party’s Group, in connection with making a claim under any insurance policy of any member of the other Party’s Group pursuant to this Section  5.2 , shall take any action that would be reasonably likely to (i) have an adverse impact on the then-current relationship between any member of the other Party’s Group, on the one hand, and the applicable insurance company, on the other hand; (ii) result in the applicable insurance company terminating or reducing coverage, or increasing the amount of any premium owed by any member of the other Party’s Group under the applicable insurance policy or (iii) otherwise compromise, jeopardize or interfere with the rights of any member of the other Party’s Group under the applicable insurance policy, provided that, for avoidance of doubt that this Section  5.2(b) shall not preclude or otherwise restrict any member of the requesting Party’s Group from reporting claims to insurers in the ordinary course of business.

(c)    This Agreement shall not be considered as an attempted assignment of any policy of insurance or as a contract of insurance and shall not be construed to waive any right or remedy of any member of the other Party’s Group in respect of any insurance policy or any other contract or policy of insurance.

(d)    Each Party does hereby, for itself and each other member of the its Group, agree that no member of the other Group shall have any Liability whatsoever as a result of the insurance policies and practices of the members of the other Party’s Group as in effect at any time, including as a result of the level or scope of any such insurance, the creditworthiness of any insurance carrier, the terms and conditions of any policy, the adequacy or timeliness of any notice to any insurance carrier with respect to any claim or potential claim or otherwise.

5.3     CoalCo Insurance Policies . Except as provided in Section 5.2, from and after the Effective Time, no member of the CoalCo Group shall have any rights to or under any of the insurance policies of any member of the Parent Group. At the Effective Time, the members of the CoalCo Group shall have in effect all insurance programs required to comply with the CoalCo Group’s contractual obligations and such other insurance policies required by Law or as reasonably necessary or appropriate for companies operating a business similar to the Coal Business. Such insurance programs shall include, among other programs: general liability, excess liability, all risk property damage (including equipment breakdown), marine and excess marine liability, commercial automobile liability, workers compensation and employers liability, excess workers compensation and employers liability, excess U.S. longshore and harbor workers, jurisdictional boiler inspection, director and officer, fiduciary liability, special risk coverage, blanket crime, employment practices, excess employment practices and surety.

5.4     Payments and Reimbursements . All payments and reimbursements by the requesting Party pursuant to Section  5.2 will be made within fifteen (15) days after the requesting Party’s receipt of an invoice therefor from the other Party. In the event that the requesting Party makes payments to insurance companies directly, then the requesting Party shall make payments in compliance with the requirements and policies and procedures with respect

 

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to insurance payments in effect prior to the Effective Time. If the other Party incurs costs to enforce the requesting Party’s obligations herein, the requesting Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other Party for such enforcement costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees pursuant to Section  4.8 . The other Party shall retain the exclusive right to control its insurance policies and programs, including the right to exhaust, settle, release, commute, buy back or otherwise resolve disputes with respect to any of its insurance policies and programs and to amend, modify or waive any rights under any such insurance policies and programs, notwithstanding whether any such policies or programs apply to any Liabilities and/or claims the requesting Party has made or could make in the future. No member of the requesting Party’s Group shall, without the prior consent of the other Party or otherwise as expressly permitted under this Agreement, erode, exhaust, settle, release, commute, buyback or otherwise resolve disputes with such other Party’s insurers with respect to any of such other Party’s insurance policies and programs, or amend, modify or waive any rights under any such insurance policies and programs. The requesting Party shall cooperate with the other Party and share such information as is reasonably necessary in order to permit the other Party to manage and conduct its insurance matters as it deems appropriate. No member of the other Party’s Group shall have any obligation to secure extended reporting for any claims under any Liability policies of any member of such Group for any acts or omissions by any member of the requesting Party’s Group incurred prior to the Effective Time.

5.5     Directors and Officers Policies . Prior to the Distribution Date, Parent may obtain “tail” directors and officers liability insurance policies having a policy period of six years from and after the Distribution Date with respect to acts or omissions that were committed prior to the Effective Time (“ D&O Tail Program ”). Such D&O Tail Program shall be consistent in all material respects and shall have material terms and conditions no less favorable than those contained in the policies comprising the Parent Directors and Officers liability insurance program in effect prior to the Effective Time (except for policy period, premium and provisions excluding coverage for wrongful acts post-dating the Effective Time). Each of the Parent Group and the CoalCo Group shall be responsible for obtaining its own Directors and Officers liability insurance policy for acts or omissions occurring on or after the Distribution Date.

ARTICLE VI

EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY

6.1     Agreement for Exchange of Information and Cooperation .

(a)    Subject to Section  6.9 and any other applicable confidentiality obligations, each of Parent and CoalCo, on behalf of itself and each member of its respective Group, agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide or make available, or cause to be provided or made available, to the other Party and the members of such other Party’s Group, at any time before, on or after the Effective Time, as soon as reasonably practicable after written request therefor, any information and documents or other materials (or a copy thereof) in the possession or under the control of such Party or its Group that the requesting Party or its Group requests to the extent that (i) such information relates to the Coal Business, or any Coal Asset or Coal Liability, if CoalCo is the requesting Party, or to the Parent Business, or any Parent Asset or Parent Liability, if Parent is the requesting Party; (ii) such information is reasonably requested in connection with the requesting Party’s compliance with its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, or under any contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, bond, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment, guaranty or undertaking to which it or any member of its Group is a party or by which any of their respective properties or assets are bound; or (iii) such information is reasonably requested in connection with the requesting Party’s compliance with any obligation imposed by any Governmental Authority or under any applicable Law or securities exchange rule; provided , however , that, in the event that the Party to whom the request has been made determines that any such provision of information could be commercially detrimental to the Party providing the information, violate any Law or agreement, or waive any privilege available under applicable Law, including any attorney-client privilege, then the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to permit compliance with such obligations to the extent and in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence. The Party providing information pursuant to this Section  6.1 shall only be obligated to provide such information in the form, condition and format in which it then exists, and in no event shall such Party be required to perform any improvement, modification, conversion, updating or reformatting of any such information, and nothing in this Section  6.1 shall expand the obligations of a Party under Section  6.4 .

 

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(b)    Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, following the Effective Time and until the first CoalCo fiscal year end occurring after the Effective Time (and for a reasonable period of time afterwards as required for each Party to prepare consolidated financial statements or complete a financial statement audit for the fiscal year during which the Distribution Date occurs), each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate, and to cause its Representatives to cooperate, with the other Party in its information requests and other reasonable requests to enable (i) the other Party to meet its applicable financial reporting and related obligations under applicable Laws and securities exchange rules and timetable for dissemination of its earnings releases, financial statements, periodic reports, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures and its internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Items 307 and 308, respectively, of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act; (ii) the other Party’s accountants to timely complete their review of the quarterly financial statements and audit of the annual financial statements, including, to the extent applicable to such Party, its auditor’s audit of its internal control over financial reporting and management’s assessment thereof in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC’s and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s rules and auditing standards thereunder and any other applicable Laws; and (iii) the other Party to meet its other applicable obligations imposed by any Governmental Authority or under any applicable Law or securities exchange rule.

6.2     Ownership of Information . The provision of any information pursuant to Section  6.1 or 6.7 shall not affect the ownership of such information (which shall be determined solely in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements), or constitute a grant of rights in or to any such information.

6.3     Compensation for Providing Information . A Party requesting information shall reimburse the other Party for any non-de minimis , reasonable costs, if any, of creating, gathering, copying, transporting and otherwise complying with the request with respect to such information (including any reasonable costs and expenses incurred in any review of information for purposes of protecting the Privileged Information of the providing Party or in connection with the restoration of backup media for purposes of providing the requested information). Except as may be otherwise specifically provided elsewhere in this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any other agreement between the Parties, such costs shall be computed in good faith in accordance with the providing Party’s standard methodology and procedures.

6.4     Record Retention . To facilitate the possible exchange of information pursuant to this Article  VI and other provisions of this Agreement after the Effective Time, each Party agrees to use reasonable best efforts, which shall be no less rigorous than those used for retention of such Party’s own information, to retain (and not destroy) all information in its possession or control at the Effective Time in accordance with the policies of Parent as in effect at the Effective Time or such other policies as may be adopted by Parent after the Effective Time ( provided that Parent notifies CoalCo in writing of any such change); provided , however , that in the case of any information relating to Taxes, employee benefits or Environmental Liabilities, such retention period shall be extended to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (giving effect to any extensions thereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Tax Matters Agreement shall exclusively govern the retention of Tax-related records and the exchange of Tax-related information, and the Employee Matters Agreement shall exclusively govern the retention of employment and benefits related records.

6.5     Limitations of Liability . Neither Party shall have any Liability to the other Party in the event that any information exchanged or provided pursuant to this Agreement is found to be inaccurate in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct by the Party providing such information. Neither Party shall have any Liability to any other Party if any information is destroyed after commercially reasonable efforts by such Party to comply with the provisions of Section  6.4 .

6.6     Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information .

(a)    The rights and obligations granted under this Article  VI are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange, retention or confidential treatment of information set forth in any Ancillary Agreement.

(b)    Any party that receives, pursuant to a request for information in accordance with this Article  VI , Tangible Information that is not relevant to its request shall, at the request of the providing Party, (i) return it to the providing Party or destroy it, at the providing Party’s election; and (ii) deliver to the providing Party a written confirmation that such Tangible Information was returned or destroyed, as the case may be, which confirmation shall be signed by an authorized representative of the requesting Party.

 

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6.7     Production of Witnesses; Records; Cooperation .

(a)    After the Effective Time, except in the case of an adversarial Action or Dispute between Parent and CoalCo, or any members of their respective Groups, each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the other Party, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of the members of its Group as witnesses and any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available without unreasonable burden, 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 (or member of its Group) may from time to time be involved, regardless of whether such Action is a matter with respect to which indemnification may be sought hereunder. The requesting Party shall bear all costs and expenses in connection therewith.

(b)    If an Indemnifying Party elects to defend or to seek to compromise or settle any Third-Party Claim, the other Party shall make available to such Indemnifying 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 without unreasonable burden, 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 such defense or any related settlement or compromise, or such prosecution, evaluation or pursuit, as the case may be, and shall otherwise cooperate in such defense or any related settlement or compromise, or such prosecution, evaluation or pursuit, as the case may be.

(c)    Without limiting the foregoing, the Parties shall cooperate and consult to the extent reasonably necessary with respect to any Actions.

(d)    Without limiting any provision of this Section  6.7 , each Party agrees to cooperate, and to cause the members of its Group to cooperate, with the other Party and the members of its Group in the defense of any infringement or similar claim with respect to any Intellectual Property, and each Party agrees not to, and not to permit any member of its respective Group to, claim to acknowledge, the validity or infringing use of any Intellectual Property of a Third Parties in a manner that would hamper or undermine the defense of such infringement or similar claim.

(e)    The obligation of the Parties to provide witnesses pursuant to this Section  6.7 is intended to be interpreted in a manner so as to facilitate cooperation and shall include the obligation to provide as witnesses directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents without regard to whether such person could assert a possible business conflict (subject to the exception set forth in the first sentence of Section  6.7(a) ).

6.8     Privileged Matters .

(a)    The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services that have been and will be provided prior to the Effective Time have been and will be rendered for the collective benefit of each of the members of the Parent Group and the CoalCo Group, and that each of the members of the Parent Group and the CoalCo Group should be deemed to be the client with respect to such services for the purposes of asserting all privileges and immunities that may be asserted under applicable Law in connection therewith. The Parties recognize that legal and other professional services will be provided following the Effective Time, which services shall be rendered solely for the benefit of the Parent Group or the CoalCo Group, as the case may be. In furtherance of the foregoing, each Party shall authorize the delivery to and/or retention by the other Party of materials existing as of the Effective Time that are necessary for such other Party to perform such services.

 

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(b)    The Parties agree as follows:

(i)    Parent shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates solely to the Parent Business and not to the Coal Business, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the Parent Group or any member of the CoalCo Group. Parent shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates solely to any Parent Liabilities resulting from any Actions that are now pending or may be asserted in the future, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the Parent Group or any member of the CoalCo Group.

(ii)    CoalCo shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates solely to the Coal Business and not to the Parent Business, whether or not the Privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the CoalCo Group or any member of the Parent Group. CoalCo shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any Privileged Information that relates solely to any Coal Liabilities resulting from any Actions that are now pending or may be asserted in the future, whether or not the privileged Information is in the possession or under the control of any member of the CoalCo Group or any member of the Parent Group.

(iii)    If the Parties do not agree as to whether certain information is Privileged Information, then such information shall be treated as Privileged Information, and the Party that believes that such information is Privileged Information shall be entitled to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges and immunities in connection with any such information until such time as it is finally judicially determined that such information is not Privileged Information or unless the Parties otherwise agree. The Parties shall use the procedures set forth in Article  VII to resolve any disputes as to whether any information relates solely to the Parent Business, solely to the Coal Business, or to both the Parent Business and the Coal Business.

(c)    Subject to the remaining provisions of this Section  6.8 , the Parties agree that they shall have a shared privilege or immunity with respect to all privileges and immunities not allocated pursuant to Section  6.8(b) and all privileges and immunities relating to any Actions or other matters that involve both Parties (or one or more members of their respective Groups) and in respect of which both Parties have Liabilities under this Agreement, and that no such shared privilege or immunity may be waived by either Party without the consent of the other Party.

(d)    If any dispute arises between the Parties or any members of their respective Groups regarding whether a privilege or immunity should be waived to protect or advance the interests of either Party and/or any member of its Group, each Party agrees that it shall (i) negotiate with the other Party in good faith; (ii) endeavor to minimize any prejudice to the rights of the other Party; and (iii) not unreasonably withhold consent to any request for waiver by the other Party. In addition, each Party specifically agrees that it shall not withhold its consent to the waiver of a privilege or immunity for any purpose except to protect its own legitimate interests.

(e)    In the event of any adversarial Action between Parent and CoalCo, or any members of their respective Groups, either Party may waive a privilege in which the other Party or member of such other Party’s Group has a shared privilege, without obtaining consent pursuant to Section  6.8(c ); provided that such waiver of a shared privilege shall be effective only as to the use of information with respect to the Action between the Parties and/or the applicable members of their respective Groups, and shall not operate as a waiver of the shared privilege with respect to any Third Party.

(f)    Upon receipt by either Party, or by any member of its Group, of any subpoena, discovery or other request that may reasonably be expected to result in the production or disclosure of Privileged Information subject to a shared privilege or immunity or as to which the other Party has the sole right hereunder to assert a privilege or immunity, or if either Party obtains knowledge that any of its, or any member of its respective Group’s, current or former directors, officers, agents or employees has received any subpoena, discovery or other request that may reasonably be expected to result in the production or disclosure of such Privileged

 

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Information, such Party shall promptly notify the other Party of the existence of the request (which notice shall be delivered to such other Party no later than five (5) business days following the receipt of any such subpoena, discovery or other request) and shall provide the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review the Privileged Information and to assert any rights it or they may have under this Section  6.8 or otherwise to prevent the production or disclosure of such Privileged Information.

(g)    Any furnishing of, or access or transfer of, any information pursuant to this Agreement is made in reliance on the agreement of Parent and CoalCo set forth in this Section  6.8 and in Section  6.9 to maintain the confidentiality of Privileged Information and to assert and maintain all applicable privileges and immunities. The Parties agree that (i) their respective rights to any access to information, witnesses and other Persons, the furnishing of notices and documents and other cooperative efforts between the Parties contemplated by this Agreement, and the transfer of Privileged Information between the Parties and members of their respective Groups pursuant to this Agreement, shall not be deemed a waiver of any privilege or immunity that has been or may be asserted under this Agreement or otherwise, and (ii) in the event of any exchange by one Party to the other Party of any Privileged Information that should not have been transferred pursuant to the terms of this Article  VI , the Party receiving such Privileged Information shall promptly return such Privileged Information to and at the request of the Party that has the right to assert the privilege or immunity.

(h)    In connection with any matter contemplated by Section  6.7 or this Section  6.8 , the Parties agree to, and to cause the applicable members of their Group to, use reasonable efforts to maintain their respective separate and joint privileges and immunities, including by executing joint defense and/or common interest agreements to implement and/or supersede the provisions of Section  6.7 or this Section  6.8 where necessary or useful for this purpose.

6.9     Confidentiality .

(a)     Confidentiality . Subject to Section  6.10 and, and without prejudice to any longer period that may be provided for in any of the Ancillary Agreements, from and after the Effective Time until the five-year anniversary of the Effective Time, each of Parent and CoalCo, on behalf of itself and each member of its Group, agrees to hold, and to cause its respective Representatives to hold, in strict confidence, with at least the same degree of care that applies to Parent’s confidential and proprietary information pursuant to policies in effect as of the Effective Time, all confidential and proprietary information concerning the other Party or any member of the other Party’s Group or their respective businesses that is either in its possession (including confidential and proprietary information in its possession prior to the date hereof) or furnished by any such other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group or their respective Representatives at any time pursuant to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or otherwise, and shall not use such confidential and proprietary information other than for such purposes as shall be expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder, except, in each case, to the extent that such confidential and proprietary information has been (i) in the public domain or generally available to the public, other than as a result of a disclosure by such Party or any member of such Party’s Group or any of their respective Representatives in violation of this Agreement, (ii) later lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party (or any member of such Party’s Group) which sources are not themselves bound by a confidentiality obligation or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality with respect to such confidential and proprietary information, or (iii) independently developed or generated without reference to or use of any proprietary or confidential information of such other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group. If any confidential and proprietary information of one Party or any member of its Group is disclosed to the other Party or any member of such other Party’s Group in connection with providing services to such first Party or any member of its Group under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, then such disclosed confidential and proprietary information shall be used only as required to perform such services.

(b)     No Release; Return or Destruction . Each Party agrees not to release or disclose, or permit to be released or disclosed, any information addressed in Section  6.9(a) to any other Person, except its Representatives who need to know such information in their capacities as such (who shall be advised of their obligations hereunder with respect to such information), and except in compliance with Section  6.10 . Without limiting the foregoing, when any such information is no longer needed for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and is no longer subject to any legal hold or other document preservation obligation, each Party shall promptly, at the request of the other Party, either return to the other

 

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Party all such information in a tangible form (including all copies thereof and all notes, extracts or summaries based thereon) or notify the other Party in writing that it has destroyed such information (and such copies thereof and such notes, extracts or summaries based thereon); provided , that the Parties and its Representatives may retain electronic back-up versions of such information maintained on routine computer system backup tapes, disks or other backup storage devices or as otherwise (and to the extent) required by applicable Law; provided further , that any such information so retained shall remain subject to the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

(c)     Third-Party Information; Privacy or Data Protection Laws . Each Party acknowledges that it and the members of its Group may presently have and, following the Effective Time, may gain access to or possession of confidential or proprietary information of, or legally-protected personal information relating to, Third Parties (i) that was received under privacy policies and/or confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements entered into between such Third Parties, on the one hand, and the other Party or members of such other Party’s Group, on the other hand, prior to the Effective Time; or (ii) that, as between the two Parties, was originally collected by the other Party or members of such other Party’s Group and that may be subject to and protected by privacy policies, as well as privacy, data protection or other applicable Laws. Each Party agrees that it shall hold, protect and use, and shall cause the members of its Group and its and their respective Representatives to hold, protect and use, in strict confidence the confidential and proprietary information of, or legally-protected personal information relating to, Third Parties in accordance with privacy policies and privacy, data protection or other applicable Laws and the terms of any agreements that were either entered into before the Effective Time or affirmative commitments or representations that were made before the Effective Time by, between or among the other Party or members of the other Party’s Group, on the one hand, and such Third Parties, on the other hand.

(d)     Residual Information . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, each Party and the members of such Party’s Group shall be free to use for any purpose the Residual Information resulting from access Representatives of such Party or the members of its Group have had to confidential and proprietary information concerning the other Party or any member of the other Party’s Group. The Parties acknowledge and understand that the foregoing does not constitute a license under any Intellectual Property.

6.10     Protective Arrangements . In the event that a Party or any member of its Group either determines on the advice of its counsel that it is required to disclose any information pursuant to applicable Law or receives any request or demand under lawful process or from any Governmental Authority to disclose or provide information of the other Party (or any member of the other Party’s Group) that is subject to the confidentiality provisions hereof, such Party shall notify the other Party (to the extent legally permitted) as promptly as practicable under the circumstances prior to disclosing or providing such information and shall cooperate, at the expense of the other Party, in seeking any appropriate protective order requested by the other Party. In the event that such other Party fails to receive such appropriate protective order in a timely manner and the Party receiving the request or demand reasonably determines that its failure to disclose or provide such information shall actually prejudice the Party receiving the request or demand, then the Party that received such request or demand may thereafter disclose or provide information to the extent required by such Law (as so advised by its counsel) or by lawful process or such Governmental Authority, and the disclosing Party shall promptly provide the other Party with a copy of the information so disclosed, in the same form and format so disclosed, together with a list of all Persons to whom such information was disclosed, in each case to the extent legally permitted.

ARTICLE VII

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

7.1     Good-Faith Officer Negotiation . Subject to Section  7.4 and except as otherwise provided in any Ancillary Agreement, either Party seeking resolution of any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (including regarding whether any Assets are Coal Assets, any Liabilities are Coal Liabilities or the validity, interpretation, breach or termination of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement) (a “ Dispute ”), shall provide written notice thereof to the other Party (the “ Initial Notice ”), and within thirty (30) days of the delivery of the Initial Notice, the Parties shall attempt in good faith to negotiate a resolution of the Dispute. The negotiations shall be conducted by executives who hold, at a minimum, the title of vice president and who have authority to settle the Dispute. All such negotiations shall be confidential and shall be

 

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treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of applicable rules of evidence. If the Parties are unable for any reason to resolve a Dispute within thirty (30) days after the delivery of such notice or if a Party reasonably concludes that the other Party is not willing to negotiate as contemplated by this Section  7.1 , the Dispute shall be submitted to mediation in accordance with Section  7.2 .

7.2     Mediation . Any Dispute not resolved pursuant to Section  7.1 shall, at the written request of a Party (a “ Mediation Notice ”), be submitted to nonbinding mediation in accordance with the then current International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (“ CPR ”) Mediation Procedure, except as modified herein. The mediation shall be held in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania or such other place as the Parties may mutually agree in writing. The Parties shall have twenty (20) days from receipt by a Party of a Mediation Notice to agree on a mediator. If no mediator has been agreed upon by the Parties within twenty (20) days of receipt by a party of a Mediation Notice, then a Party may request (on written notice to the other Party), that CPR appoint a mediator in accordance with the CPR Mediation Procedure. All mediation pursuant to this clause shall be confidential and shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of applicable rules of evidence, and no oral or documentary representations made by the Parties during such mediation shall be admissible for any purpose in any subsequent proceedings. No Party shall disclose or permit the disclosure of any information about the evidence adduced or the documents produced by the other Party in the mediation proceedings or about the existence, contents or results of the mediation without the prior written consent of such other Party, except in the course of a judicial or regulatory proceeding or as may be required by Law or requested by a Governmental Authority or securities exchange. Before making any disclosure permitted by the preceding sentence, the Party intending to make such disclosure shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, give the other Party reasonable written notice of the intended disclosure and afford the other Party a reasonable opportunity to protect its interests.

7.3     Arbitration .

(a)    In the event that a Dispute relating primarily to a claim for monetary damages has not been resolved within sixty (60) days of the appointment of a mediator in accordance with Section  7.2 , or within ninety (90) days after receipt by a Party of a Mediation Notice (whichever occurs sooner), or within such longer period as the Parties may agree to in writing, then such Dispute shall, upon the written request of a Party (the “ Arbitration Request ”) and subject to the exceptions set forth in Section  7.4 below, be submitted to be finally resolved by binding arbitration pursuant to the CPR arbitration procedure; provided, however, that no demand for arbitration may be made after the date when the institution of legal or equitable proceedings based on the claim or dispute would be barred by the applicable statute of limitations. The arbitration shall be held in the same location as the mediation pursuant to Section  7.2 . In all arbitration proceedings conducted pursuant to this Section  7.3 , the arbitrator(s) shall require exchange by the parties of (i) the names, addresses and phone numbers of each person likely to have knowledge of relevant information, identifying the subjects of the information.

(b)    Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties in writing, any Dispute to be decided pursuant to this Section  7.3 shall be decided (i) before a sole arbitrator if the amount in dispute, inclusive of all claims and counterclaims, totals less than $3 million; or (ii) by a panel of three (3) arbitrators if the amount in dispute, inclusive of all claims and counterclaims, totals at least $3 million but less than $20 million. In the event that the Parties are unable to agree, after at least ten (10) days of good faith discussion, as to whether the amount in controversy hereunder is greater or less than the applicable thresholds, then the good faith determination of the party bringing the claim shall control.

(c)    The panel of three (3) arbitrators will be chosen as follows: (i) within fifteen (15) days from the date of the receipt of the Arbitration Request, each Party shall name an arbitrator; and (ii) the two (2) Party-appointed arbitrators shall thereafter, within thirty (30) days from the date on which the second of the two (2) arbitrators was named, name a third, independent arbitrator who shall act as chairperson of the arbitral tribunal. In the event that either Party fails to name an arbitrator within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of the Arbitration Request, then upon written application by either Party, that arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the CPR arbitration procedure. In the event that the two (2) Party-appointed arbitrators fail to appoint the third, then the third, independent arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the CPR arbitration procedure. If the arbitration shall be before a sole independent arbitrator, then the sole independent arbitrator shall be appointed by agreement of the Parties within fifteen (15) days of the date of receipt of the Arbitration Request. If the Parties cannot agree to a sole independent arbitrator during such fifteen (15)-day period, then upon written application by either Party, the sole independent arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the CPR arbitration procedure.

 

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(d)    In the case of arbitration before a single arbitrator (in matters less than $3 million), the Parties shall produce non-privileged documents that are relevant to the issues raised by any claim, defense or counterclaim or on which the producing party may rely in support or in opposition to any claim, defense or counterclaim, and the arbitrator shall limit such production based on considerations of unreasonable expense, duplication and undue burden. As it relates to arbitration before a panel of three arbitrators (in matters greater than $3 million), the Parties shall produce non-privileged documents that are relevant to the issues raised by any claim, defense or counterclaim or on which the producing party may rely in support or in opposition to any claim, defense or counterclaim, including the disclosure of active electronic information maintained by no more than five custodians per party, from primary storage facilities (excluding backup facilities and tapes). The arbitrators shall limit such production based on considerations of unreasonable expense, duplication and undue burden. A maximum of three depositions per party, each for a maximum of four hours duration may be taken. The panel may allow such additional other discovery as it determines is reasonably necessary for a fair determination of the dispute. Any disputes or objections regarding discovery or the relevance of evidence shall be determined by the panel. All discovery shall be completed within 120 days of the appointment of the panel, unless the panel shall otherwise determine.

(e)    The arbitrator(s) shall issue a reasoned award. The arbitrator(s) have the right to award, on an interim basis, or include in the final award, money damages which it deems proper in the circumstances (with interest on unpaid amounts from the due date); provided that the arbitrator(s) shall not award any relief not specifically requested by the Parties and, in any event, shall not award any injunctive relief or specific performance, or any indirect, punitive, exemplary, remote, speculative or similar damages in excess of compensatory damages of the other arising in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (other than any such Liability with respect to a Third-Party Claim); and provided further that each party shall bear its own respective attorneys’ fees and costs. The award of the arbitrator(s) shall be final and binding on the Parties, and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. The initiation of mediation or arbitration pursuant to this Article VII shall toll the applicable statute of limitations for the duration of any such proceedings.

7.4     Injunctive Relief; Litigation .

(a)    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article  VII , the following categories of Disputes shall not be submitted to arbitration pursuant to Section  7.3 , but instead may be pursued through the initiation of litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery or a federal court in the District of Delaware:

(i)    any Dispute in which the claimed monetary damages exceed $20 million, or

(ii)    any Dispute which involves primarily non-monetary or injunctive relief;

(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article VII , a Party may seek preliminary provisional or injunctive judicial relief with respect to a Dispute without first complying with the procedures set forth in Sections  7.1 , or 7.2 if such action is reasonably necessary to avoid irreparable damage;

(c)    each Party agrees that it shall bring any action or proceeding in respect of any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement, whether in tort or contract or at law or in equity, in accordance with the provisions of Section  10.2(b) .

(d)    In the event that the Parties are unable to agree, after at least ten (10) days of good faith discussion, as to whether the amount in controversy pursuant to this Section 7.4 is greater or less than the applicable thresholds or whether the claim involves primarily non-monetary or injunctive relief, then the good faith determination of the Party bringing the claim shall control.

7.5     Conduct During Dispute Resolution Process . Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Parties shall, and shall cause the respective members of their Groups to, continue to honor all commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to the extent required by such agreements during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article  VII unless such commitments are the specific subject of the Dispute at issue.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

FURTHER ASSURANCES AND ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

8.1     Further Assurances .

(a)    In addition to the actions specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, each of the Parties shall use its reasonable best efforts, prior to, on and after the Effective Time, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

(b)    Without limiting the foregoing, prior to, on and after the Effective Time, each Party shall cooperate with the other Party, and without any further consideration, but at the expense of the requesting Party, to execute and deliver, or use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments, including instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer, and to make all filings with, and to obtain all Approvals or Notifications of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person under any permit, license, agreement, indenture or other instrument (including any consents or Governmental Approvals), and to take all such other actions as such Party may reasonably be requested to take by the other Party from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, in order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the transfers of the Coal Assets and the Parent Assets and the assignment and assumption of the Coal Liabilities and the Parent Liabilities and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Without limiting the foregoing, each Party shall, at the reasonable request, cost and expense of the other Party, take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to vest in such other Party good and marketable title to the Assets allocated to such Party under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements, free and clear of any Security Interest, if and to the extent it is practicable to do so.

(c)    On or prior to the Effective Time, Parent and CoalCo in their respective capacities as direct and indirect stockholders of the members of their Groups, shall each ratify any actions that are reasonably necessary or desirable to be taken by Parent, CoalCo or any of the members of their respective Groups, as the case may be, to effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

(d)    Parent and CoalCo, and each of the members of their respective Groups, waive (and agree not to assert against any of the others) any claim or demand that any of them may have against any of the others for any Liabilities or other claims relating to or arising out of: (i) the failure of CoalCo or any other member of the CoalCo Group, on the one hand, or of Parent or any other member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, to provide any notification or disclosure required under any state Environmental Law in connection with the Separation or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the transfer by any member of any Group to any member of the other Group of ownership or operational control of any Assets not previously owned or operated by such transferee; or (ii) any inadequate, incorrect or incomplete notification or disclosure under any such state Environmental Law by the applicable transferor. To the extent any Liability to any Governmental Authority or any Third Party arises out of any action or inaction described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence, the transferee of the applicable Asset hereby assumes and agrees to pay any such Liability.

(e)    To the extent required and permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall also constitute a “deed,” “bill of sale,” or “assignment” of the Assets and Liabilities referenced herein.

8.2     Non-Solicitation; No Hire; Non-Compete; Options .

(a)    From the Effective Time until the date that is 18 months after the Effective Time, each Party shall not, and shall cause the members of its Group not to, without the prior written consent of the other Party (which consent may be withheld for any reason), directly or indirectly, (i) hire or solicit for employment any employee of such other Party or (ii) induce or encourage any such employee to no longer be employed by such

 

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other Party; provided , however , that nothing in this Section shall prohibit a Party or the members of its Group from (A) engaging in general solicitations to the public or general advertising not targeted at employees of the other Party, (B) soliciting or hiring any employee whose employment has been terminated by the other Party following the Effective Time or (C) soliciting or hiring any employee whose employment with the other Party has been terminated by the employee following the Effective Time (but only after at least ninety (90) days have passed since the date of termination of employment).

(b)    From the Effective Time until the date that is 30 months after the Effective Time, each Party shall not, and shall cause the members of its Group not to, without the prior written consent of the other Party (which consent may be withheld for any reason), directly or indirectly, (i) engage in a Competing Business anywhere in the Restricted Territory, (ii) own any equity interest, or operate, control or participate (including as a joint venture partner, agent, representative, consultant or lender) in any Person that engages directly or indirectly in a Competing Business in the Restricted Territory (subject to any such relationship existing on the date of this Agreement); provided , however , that this Section  8.2(b) shall not apply to Leatherwood, LLC as long as Leatherwood, LLC’s operations remain substantially similar to its operations as of the Effective Date, with the primary purpose of such operations being the acquisition and maintenance of shallow oil and natural gas (including coalbed methane and natural gas liquids and any other constituents) wells for the ultimate purpose of plugging such wells for mine through.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the prohibitions in Section  8.2 shall not apply to:

(i)    any acquisition (whether through the acquisition of assets, securities or other ownership interests or a merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction) by a Party or any member of its Group of all or any part of a business or Person that is engaged in a Competing Business where the revenues of the acquired Competing Business represent no more than ten percent (10%) of the aggregate consolidated revenues of such acquired business or Person, as applicable, for such business’s or Person’s most recently completed fiscal year; or

(ii)    the ownership by a Party or any member of its Group, directly or indirectly, of less than five percent (5%) of any class of the securities of any Person traded on a national or international securities exchange;

(d)    In the event that a Party or any of its successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and is not the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and other assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, such Party shall cause proper provision to be made so that such successor or assign shall expressly assume the obligations set forth in this Section.

(e)    Each Party acknowledges that (i) the covenants set forth in this Section  8.2 are an essential element of this Agreement and that, but for these covenants, the Parties would not have entered into this Agreement, and (ii) this Section  8.2 constitutes an independent covenant and shall not be affected by performance or nonperformance of any other provision of this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any other document contemplated by this Agreement.

(f)    It is the intention of the Parties that if any restriction or covenant contained in this Section  8.2 is held to cover a geographic area or to be for a length of time which is not permitted by applicable Law, or in any way construed to be too broad or to any extent invalid, such restriction or covenant shall not be construed to be null, void and of no effect, but to the extent such restriction or covenant would be valid or enforceable under applicable Law, a court of competent jurisdiction shall construe and interpret or reform this Section  8.2 to provide for a covenant having the maximum enforceable geographic area, time period and other provisions (not greater than those contained in this Section  8.2 ) that would be valid and enforceable under such applicable Law.

(g)    Subject to, or to the extent restricted or limited by, or to the extent not prohibited by existing permits or agreements, the CoalCo Group members grant to Parent the sole, exclusive, and irrevocable right and option (“ Parent Option ”) to purchase and acquire, or cause a member of the Parent Group to purchase and acquire, any and all oil and natural gas interests (including natural gas liquids and any other constituents), and all associated rights to produce, that are purchased, leased, or otherwise acquired or controlled by any such CoalCo Group member via an express grant thereof within the 30 month period after the Effective Date in the

 

48


Restricted Territory; provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Parent Option set forth herein does not give Parent (or member of Parent Group) any rights to purchase and acquire coalbed methane contained in any coal seam. Subject to, or to the extent not restricted by or limited to, or to the extent not prohibited by existing permits or agreements, the Parent Group members grant to CoalCo the sole, exclusive, and irrevocable right and option (“ CoalCo Option ,” and together with the Parent Option, the “ Options ”) to purchase and acquire, or to cause a member of the CoalCo Group to purchase and acquire, any and all coal interests (excluding coalbed methane), and all associated mining rights, that are purchased, leased, or otherwise acquired or controlled by any such Parent Group member via an express grant thereof within the 30 month period after the Effective Date in the Restricted Territory. The CoalCo Group members (or any of them, as applicable), with respect to the Parent Option, and the Parent Group members (or any of them, as applicable), with respect to the CoalCo Option, shall be referred to herein as the “ Optionor ,” and Parent, with respect to the Parent Option, and CoalCo, with respect to the CoalCo Option, shall be referred to as the “ Optionee .” The applicable Optionor shall provide written notice to the applicable Optionee not more than thirty (30) Business Days after such Optionor’s purchase, lease, or other acquisition of any interest subject to the relevant Option (each, an “ Option Notice ”), and, at such Optionee’s written election delivered to the applicable Optionor within thirty (30) Business Days after the Optionee’s receipt of such Option Notice, the relevant Optionor and Optionee, or Optionee’s designee, shall enter into an agreement for the purchase of such covered interests in a mutually agreeable form. The purchase price to be paid to the relevant Optionor shall be determined by a good faith allocation of the consideration paid by the pertinent Optionor(s) for each of the estates purchased, leased, or otherwise acquired as part of the same transaction, and the amount of consideration allocated to the interests that are subject to the relevant Option shall be the purchase price; provided , however , that if no consideration is paid, a good faith estimate of fair market value shall be utilized in the allocation; provided further , that to the extent the interests that are subject to the relevant Option are not freely conveyable, assignable, or transferrable, the applicable Optionor shall promptly offer to provide the beneficial ownership of such interests to the Optionee or its designee, and the Optionor and Optionee, or its designee, agree to attempt to negotiate in good faith a mutually acceptable means by which the Optionee, or its designee, will reimburse the applicable Optionor for not more than such Optionor’s fair share of the costs associated with obtaining such interests. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parent Option shall not apply to any interests purchased, leased or otherwise acquired or controlled by any CoalCo Group member after the thirtieth (30th) month following the Effective Date and shall expire and be of no further force and effect sixty (60) Business Days after such thirty (30) month period, and the CoalCo Option shall not apply to any interests purchased, leased or otherwise acquired or controlled by any Parent Group member after the thirtieth (30th) month following the Effective Date and shall expire and be of no further force and effect sixty (60) Business Days after such thirty (30) month period. This Parent Option is personal to Parent and may not be assigned by Parent, and this CoalCo Option is personal to CoalCo and may not be assigned by CoalCo, except to the extent that Parent and CoalCo may designate a designee to take title to interests acquired pursuant to the Options.

8.3     Late Payments . Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, any amount not paid when due pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (and any amounts billed or otherwise invoiced or demanded and properly payable that are not paid within thirty (30) days of such bill, invoice or other demand) shall accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to Prime Rate plus two (2%) percent, compounded semiannually, from such due date to the date paid.

8.4     Inducement . Each of CoalCo and Parent acknowledges and agrees that the other’s willingness to cause, effect and consummate the Separation and the Distribution has been conditioned upon and induced by its covenants and agreements in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, including its assumption and/or retention of the Coal Liabilities or the Parent Liabilities, as applicable, pursuant to the Separation and the provisions of this Agreement and its covenants and agreements contained in Article  IV .

8.5     Post-Effective Time Conduct . The Parties acknowledge that, after the Effective Time, each Party shall be independent of the other Party, with responsibility for its own actions and inactions and its own Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the conduct of its business, operations and activities following the Effective Time, except as may otherwise be provided in any Ancillary Agreement, and each Party shall (except as otherwise provided in Article  IV ) use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent such Liabilities from being inappropriately borne by the other Party.

 

49


ARTICLE IX

TERMINATION

9.1     Termination . This Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements (except as otherwise provided therein), may be terminated and the Distribution may be amended, modified or abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by Parent, in its sole and absolute discretion, without the approval or consent of any other Person, including CoalCo or Parent’s stockholders. After the Effective Time, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of each of the Parties.

9.2     Effect of Termination . In the event of any termination of this Agreement prior to the Effective Time, no Party (nor any of its directors, officers or employees) shall have any Liability or further obligation to the other Party by reason of this Agreement.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

10.1     Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power .

(a)    This Agreement and (except as otherwise provided therein) all Ancillary Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties hereto or the parties thereto, respectively, and delivered to the other Party hereto or parties thereto, respectively or when otherwise deemed effective as provided therein.

(b)    This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Exhibits, Schedules and appendices hereto and thereto contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements together govern the arrangements in connection with the Separation and Distribution and would not have been entered into independently.

(c)    Parent represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the Parent Group, and CoalCo represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the CoalCo Group, as follows:

(i)    each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and

(ii)    this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement to which it is a party has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms thereof.

(d)    Each Party acknowledges that it and each other Party is executing certain of the Ancillary Agreements by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp or mechanical signature) by facsimile or by e-mail in portable document format (PDF) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Each Party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier, by facsimile or by e-mail in portable document format (PDF)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it shall not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such Party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other Party at any time, it shall as promptly as reasonably practicable cause each such Ancillary Agreement to be manually executed (any such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.

 

50


10.2     Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

(a)    This Agreement and, unless expressly provided therein, each Ancillary Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or thereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby or to the inducement of any party to enter herein and therein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware irrespective of the choice of laws principles of the State of Delaware including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.

(b)    Subject to the provisions of Article  VII , each of the Parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement for recognition or enforcement of any judgment relating hereto, and each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees not to commence any such action or proceeding except in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, (ii) agrees that any claim in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or, if (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, (iii) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in such courts and (iv) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in such courts.

(c)    EACH PARTY UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT.

10.3     Assignability . Except as set forth in any Ancillary Agreement, this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and the parties thereto, respectively, and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided , however , that neither Party nor any such party thereto may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other Party hereto or other parties thereto, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such consent shall be required for the assignment of a Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and under all Ancillary Agreements (unless and except to the extent specifically provided for in such Ancillary Agreement) in whole (i.e., the assignment of a party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements all at the same time) in connection with a change of control of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant party thereto by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party. Nothing herein is intended to, or shall be construed to, prohibit either Party or any member of its Group from being party to or undertaking a change of control.

10.4     Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except for any Parent Indemnitee or CoalCo Indemnitee (in their respective capacities as such) expressly entitled to indemnification rights under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, (a) the provisions of this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties hereto and parties thereto, respectively, and are not intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies hereunder, and (b) there are no third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement and neither this Agreement nor any Ancillary 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 Ancillary Agreement.

 

51


10.5     Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement and, to the extent, applicable and unless otherwise provided therein, under each of the Ancillary Agreements shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail postage prepaid, return receipt requested, by facsimile or electronic transmission with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section  10.5 ):

If to Parent, to:

CONSOL Energy Inc.

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

Facsimile:                                              

If to CoalCo, to:

CONSOL Mining Corporation

Attn: Chief Legal Officer

Facsimile:                                              

A Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

10.6     Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof or thereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

10.7     Force Majeure . No Party shall be deemed in default of this Agreement or, unless otherwise expressly provided therein, any Ancillary Agreement for any delay or failure to fulfill any obligation (other than a payment obligation) hereunder or thereunder so long as and to the extent to which any delay or failure in the fulfillment of such obligation is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure. In the event of any such excused delay, the time for performance of such obligations (other than a payment obligation) shall be extended for a period equal to the time lost by reason of the delay unless this Agreement has previously been terminated under Article  IX . A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event, (a) provide written notice to the other Party of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition; and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, as applicable, as soon as reasonably practicable.

10.8     No Set-Off . Except as expressly set forth in any Ancillary Agreement or as otherwise mutually agreed to in writing by the Parties, neither Party nor any member of such Party’s Group shall have any right of set-off or other similar rights with respect to (a) any amounts received pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; or (b) any other amounts claimed to be owed to the other Party or any member of its Group arising out of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

10.9     Publicity . Prior to the Effective Time, each of CoalCo and Parent shall consult with each other prior to issuing any press releases or otherwise making public statements with respect to the Separation, the Distribution or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby or under any Ancillary Agreement and prior to making any filings with any Governmental Authority with respect thereto, and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation, except as may be required by applicable Law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities exchange or national securities quotation system, or except as in the common course of placing transfer documents and other instruments of record in the applicable county or state real property records systems.

 

52


10.10     Expenses . Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement (including Section  2.16(b) ) or any Ancillary Agreement, or as otherwise agreed to in writing by the Parties, all fees, costs and expenses incurred (a) on or prior to the Effective Time in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery and implementation of this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, the Separation, the Distribution, the Form 10 and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including third party fees and expenses incurred on a non-recurring basis as a result of such transactions) and (b) after the Effective Time, in each case, shall be borne by the Party or its applicable Subsidiary incurring such fees, costs or expenses; provided , that the costs and expenses set forth on Schedule  10.10 shall be allocated between the Parties as set forth therein.

10.11     Headings . The article, section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement and in the Ancillary Agreements are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

10.12     Survival of Covenants . Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the covenants, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement, and Liability for the breach of any obligations contained herein, shall survive the Separation and the Distribution and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.

10.13     Waivers of Default . Waiver by a Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement must be in writing and shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default, nor shall it prejudice the rights of the other Party. No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof prejudice any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

10.14     Specific Performance . Subject to the provisions of Article  VII , in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the Party hereto or parties thereto, respectively, who are, or are to be, thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief in respect of their respective rights under this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement, as applicable, 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, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived by each of the Parties.

10.15     Amendments . No provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

10.16     Interpretation . In this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, (a) words in the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be deemed to include the other genders as the context requires; (b) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” and “herewith” and words of similar import shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement) as a whole (including all of the Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices hereto and thereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement (or such Ancillary Agreement); (c) Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit and Appendix references are to the Articles, Sections, Schedules, Exhibits and Appendices to this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement) unless otherwise specified; (d) unless otherwise stated, all references to any agreement (including this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement) shall be deemed to include the exhibits, schedules and annexes to such agreement (including all Schedules, Exhibits and Appendixes); (e) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement (or the applicable Ancillary Agreement) shall mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified; (f) the word “or” shall not be exclusive; (g) unless otherwise specified in a particular case, the word “days” refers to calendar days; (h) references to “business day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are generally authorized or required by law to close in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or New York, New York; (i) references herein to this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated herein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement or such other agreement as of the date on which it is executed and as it may be amended, modified or supplemented thereafter, unless otherwise specified; (j) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if” ; and (k) unless expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement, all references to “the date hereof,” “the date of this Agreement,” “hereby” and “hereupon” and words of similar import shall all be references to the date set forth on the cover page of this Agreement.

 

53


10.17     Limitations of Liability . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group, on the one hand, nor Parent or any member of the Parent Group, on the other hand, shall be liable under this Agreement to the other for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, exemplary, remote, speculative or similar damages in excess of compensatory damages of the other (including lost profits or lost revenues) arising in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (other than any such Liability to the extent awarded to a Third Party with respect to a Third-Party Claim).

10.18     Performance . Parent shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement to be performed by any member of the Parent Group. CoalCo shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement to be performed by any member of the CoalCo Group. Each Party (including its permitted successors and assigns) further agrees that it shall (a) give timely notice of the terms, conditions and continuing obligations contained in this Agreement and any applicable Ancillary Agreement to all of the other members of its Group and (b) cause all of the other members of its Group not to take any action or fail to take any such action inconsistent with such Party’s obligations under this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

10.19     Mutual Drafting . This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall be deemed to be the joint work product of the Parties and any rule of construction that a document shall be interpreted or construed against a drafter of such document shall not be applicable.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

54


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Separation and Distribution Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

By:

 

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

Name:   Stephen W. Johnson
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
CONSOL MINING CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   James A. Brock
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Separation and Distribution Agreement]

Exhibit 2.2

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

AND

CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 28, 2017


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section 1.

 

Definition of Terms.

     2  

Section 2.

 

Allocation of Tax Liabilities.

     9  
 

Section 2.01 General Rule

     9  
 

Section 2.02 Allocation of United States Federal Income Tax

     10  
 

Section 2.03 Allocation of State Income and State Other Taxes

     10  
 

Section 2.04 Allocation of Foreign Taxes

     10  
 

Section 2.05 Certain Transaction and Other Taxes

     11  

Section 3.

 

Proration of Taxes for Straddle Periods and Certain Other Periods.

     11  

Section 4.

 

Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns.

     13  
 

Section 4.01 General

     13  
 

Section 4.02 Parent’s Responsibility

     13  
 

Section 4.03 CoalCo’s Responsibility

     13  
 

Section 4.04 Tax Accounting Practices

     13  
 

Section 4.05 Consolidated or Combined Tax Returns

     13  
 

Section 4.06 Right to Review Tax Returns

     14  
 

Section 4.07 CoalCo Carryback Items and Claims for Refund

     14  
 

Section 4.08 Apportionment of Earnings and Profits and Tax Attributes

     14  

Section 5.

 

Tax Payments.

     15  
 

Section 5.01 Payment of Taxes with Respect to Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Returns and Parent State Combined Income Tax Returns

     15  
 

Section 5.02 Payment of Taxes with Respect to Joint Returns (Other Than a Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return or Parent State Combined Income Tax Return) and Certain Returns of Other Taxes

     15  
 

Section 5.03 Payment of Separate Company Taxes

     16  
 

Section 5.04 Indemnification Payments

     16  

Section 6.

 

Tax Benefits.

     16  
 

Section 6.01 Tax Benefits

     16  
 

Section 6.02 Parent and CoalCo Income Tax Deductions in Respect of Certain Equity Awards and Incentive Compensation

     16  

Section 7.

 

Tax-Free Status.

     17  
 

Section 7.01 Representations

     17  
 

Section 7.02 Restrictions on CoalCo

     17  
 

Section 7.03 Restrictions on Parent

     18  
 

Section 7.04 Procedures Regarding Opinions and Post-Distribution Rulings

     18  
 

Section 7.05 Liability for Tax-Related Losses

     19  
 

Section 7.06 Section 336(e) Election

     20  

 

i


Section 8.

 

Assistance and Cooperation.

     20  
 

Section 8.01 Assistance and Cooperation

     20  
 

Section 8.02 Income Tax Return Information

     21  
 

Section 8.03 Reliance by Parent

     21  
 

Section 8.04 Reliance by CoalCo

     21  

Section 9.

 

Tax Records.

     21  
 

Section 9.01 Retention of Tax Records

     21  
 

Section 9.02 Access to Tax Records

     21  
 

Section 9.03 Preservation of Privilege

     22  

Section 10.

 

Tax Contests.

     22  
 

Section 10.01 Notice

     22  
 

Section 10.02 Control of Tax Contests

     22  

Section 11.

 

Effective Date; Termination of Prior Intercompany Tax Allocation Agreements.

     24  

Section 12.

 

Survival of Obligations.

     24  

Section 13.

 

Treatment of Payments; Tax Gross Up.

     24  
 

Section 13.01 Treatment of Tax Indemnity and Tax Benefit Payments

     24  
 

Section 13.02 Tax Gross Up

     24  
 

Section 13.03 Interest

     24  

Section 14.

 

Disagreements.

     24  
 

Section 14.01 Interaction with Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement

     24  
 

Section 14.02 Dispute Resolution

     25  

Section 15.

 

Late Payments.

     25  

Section 16.

 

Expenses.

     25  

Section 17.

 

General Provisions.

     25  
 

Section 17.01 Addresses and Notices

     25  
 

Section 17.02 Assignability

     26  
 

Section 17.03 Waiver

     26  
 

Section 17.04 Severability

     26  
 

Section 17.05 Authority

     26  
 

Section 17.06 Further Action

     26  
 

Section 17.07 Integration

     26  
 

Section 17.08 Construction

     26  
 

Section 17.09 No Double Recovery

     26  

 

ii


 

Section 17.10 Counterparts

    27  
 

Section 17.11 Governing Law

    27  
 

Section 17.12 Jurisdiction

    27  
 

Section 17.13 Amendment

    27  
 

Section 17.14 CoalCo Subsidiaries

    27  
 

Section 17.15 Successors

    27  
 

Section 17.16 Injunctions

    27  

 

iii


TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

This TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of November 28, 2017, by and between CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ”), and CONSOL Mining Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“ CoalCo ”) (collectively, the “ Companies ” and each a “ Company ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Parent and CoalCo have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017 (the “ Separation and Distribution Agreement ”), providing for the separation of the Parent Group from the CoalCo Group;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Parent will, among other things, (i) transfer the Coal Assets to CoalCo and its Subsidiaries, in actual or constructive exchange for (a) the issuance by CoalCo to Parent of CoalCo Common Stock, (b) the assumption by CoalCo and its Subsidiaries of the CoalCo Liabilities, and (c) the transfer by CoalCo to Parent of cash in an amount equal to $425 million (the “ Cash Payment ”), (ii) transfer the Cash Payment to third-party creditors or stockholders of Parent in connection with the reorganization and as contemplated by the Ruling Request (the “ Creditor Repayment ”), and (iii) effect the Distribution;

WHEREAS, for U.S. Federal Income Tax purposes, it is intended that the Contribution and Distribution shall qualify as transactions that are generally tax free pursuant to Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code;

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Parent is the common parent of an affiliated group (as defined in Section 1504 of the Code) of corporations, including CoalCo, which has elected to file consolidated Federal Income Tax Returns;

WHEREAS, as a result of the Distribution, CoalCo and its subsidiaries will cease to be members of the affiliated group of which Parent is the common parent (the “Deconsolidation” );

WHEREAS, the parties desire to provide for and agree upon the allocation between the parties of liabilities for Taxes arising prior to, as a result of, and subsequent to the Distribution, and to provide for and agree upon other matters relating to Taxes;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

Section  1. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this agreement (including the recitals hereof), the following terms have the following meanings, and capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Separation and Distribution Agreement:

“Accounting Cutoff Date” shall mean, with respect to CoalCo, any date as of the end of which there is a closing of the financial accounting records for such entity.

“Adjustment Request” shall mean any formal or informal claim or request filed with any Tax Authority, or with any administrative agency or court, for the adjustment, Refund, or credit of Taxes, including (a) any amended Tax Return claiming adjustment to the Taxes as reported on the Tax Return or, if applicable, as previously adjusted, (b) any claim for equitable recoupment or other offset, and (c) any claim for Refund or credit of Taxes previously paid.

“Affiliate” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person, a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such specified Person. The status of an Affiliate shall be determined immediately after the Distribution. For the purpose of this definition, “ control ” (including, with correlative meanings, “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”), when used with respect to any specified Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract, agreement, obligation, indenture, instrument, lease, promise, arrangement, release, warranty, commitment, undertaking or otherwise. It is expressly agreed that, prior to, at and after the Effective Time, for purposes of this Agreement, (a) no member of the CoalCo Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the Parent Group and (b) no member of the Parent Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the CoalCo Group.

“Agreement” shall mean this Tax Matters Agreement.

“Ancillary Agreements” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

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“Approvals or Notifications” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“business day” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“CFO Certificate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.02(e) of this Agreement.

“Coal Asset” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“CoalCo” shall have the meaning set forth in the first sentence of this Agreement, and references herein to CoalCo shall include any entity treated as a successor to CoalCo.

“CoalCo Active Trade or Business” shall mean the active conduct (as defined in Section 355(b)(2) of the Code and the regulations thereunder) of the Coal Active Business by CoalCo’s “separate affiliated group” (as defined in Section 355(b)(3)(B) of the Code) and (in respect of the portion of the Coal Active Business comprising the MLP Business) through CNX Coal Resources (“Coal Active Business” and “MLP Business” each having the meaning set forth with respect to such term in the Representation Letters supporting the opinion of Parent’s Tax Advisors issued in connection with the closing of the Distribution).

“CoalCo Capital Stock” shall mean all classes or series of capital stock of CoalCo, including (i) the CoalCo Common Stock, (ii) all options, warrants and other rights to acquire such capital stock and (iii) all instruments properly treated as stock in CoalCo for U.S. Federal Income Tax purposes.

“CoalCo Carryback Item” shall mean any net operating loss, net capital loss, excess tax credit, or other similar Tax item of any member of the CoalCo Group which may or must be carried from one Tax Period to another prior Tax Period under the Code or other applicable Tax Law.

“CoalCo Common Stock” shall have the meaning ascribed to the term “CoalCo Shares” in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“CoalCo Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return” shall mean any Federal Income Tax Return for the affiliated group (as that term is defined in Section 1504 of the Code) of which CoalCo is the common parent.

“CoalCo Group” shall mean (a) prior to the Effective Time, CoalCo and each Person that will be an Affiliate of CoalCo as of immediately after the Effective Time, including the Transferred Entities, even if, prior to the Effective Time, such Person is not an Affiliate of CoalCo; and (b) on and after the Effective Time, CoalCo and each Person that is an Affiliate of CoalCo.

“CoalCo Retained Other Taxes” shall mean Other Taxes incurred in the ordinary course of business that have been accrued on the financial statements of any member of the CoalCo Group as of the Distribution Date, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Other Taxes imposed with respect to the Transactions.

“CoalCo Separate Return” shall mean any Separate Return of CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group.

“Code” shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Combined Tax Ticket” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  3(c)(i) of this Agreement.

“Companies” and “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the first sentence of this Agreement.

“Compensatory Equity Interests” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  6.02(a) of this Agreement.

“Contribution” shall mean the transfer of Coal Assets by Parent to CoalCo and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement in actual or constructive exchange for (i) the issuance by CoalCo to Parent of shares of CoalCo Common Stock, (ii) the assumption by CoalCo and its Subsidiaries of the CoalCo Liabilities and (iii) the transfer by CoalCo to Parent of the Cash Payment.

“Deconsolidation” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Deconsolidation Date” shall mean the last date on which CoalCo qualifies as a member of the affiliated group (as defined in Section 1504 of the Code) of which Parent is the common parent.

 

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“DGCL” shall mean the Delaware General Corporation Law.

“Distribution” shall mean the distribution by Parent of all the common stock of CoalCo pro rata to holders of Parent common stock as more fully described in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“Distribution Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“Distribution-Related Tax Contest ” shall mean any Tax Contest in which the IRS, another Tax Authority or any other party asserts a position that could reasonably be expected to (i) adversely affect the Tax-Free Status of the Contribution and Distribution or (ii) jeopardize or prevent a Separation Transaction having the tax treatment described in the Tax Opinions/Rulings.

Due Date” means 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.

“Effective Time” shall mean 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Distribution Date.

“Employee Matters Agreement ” shall mean the Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017, by and between Parent and CoalCo.

“Federal Income Tax” shall mean any Tax imposed by Subtitle A of the Code, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

“Federal Income Tax Return” shall mean any Tax Return of (i) any member of the CoalCo Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), or (ii) any member of the Parent Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), in each case, with respect to Federal Income Taxes, including any Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return and any CoalCo Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return.

“Federal Other Tax” shall mean any Tax imposed by the federal government of the United States of America other than any Federal Income Taxes, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

“Federal Tax” shall mean any Federal Income Tax or Federal Other Tax.

“Federal Tax Return” shall mean any Tax Return of (i) any member of the CoalCo Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), or (ii) any member of the Parent Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), in each case, with respect to Federal Taxes.

“Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term for purposes of Sections 355(d) and (e) of the Code.

“Filing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  7.05(d) of this Agreement.

“Final Determination” shall mean the final resolution of liability for any Tax, which resolution may be for a specific issue or adjustment or for a Tax Period, (a) by IRS Form 870 or 870-AD (or any successor forms thereto), on the date of acceptance by or on behalf of the taxpayer, or by a comparable form under the laws of a State, local, or foreign taxing jurisdiction, except that a Form 870 or 870-AD or comparable form shall not constitute a Final Determination to the extent that it reserves (whether by its terms or by operation of law) the right of the taxpayer to file a claim for Refund or the right of the Tax Authority to assert a further deficiency in respect of such issue or adjustment or for such Tax Period (as the case may be); (b) by a decision, judgment, decree, or other order by a court of competent jurisdiction, which has become final and unappealable; (c) by a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Section 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the laws of a State, local, or foreign taxing jurisdiction; (d) by any allowance of a Refund or credit in respect of an overpayment of Income Tax or Other Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such Refund may be recovered (including by way of offset) by the jurisdiction imposing such Income Tax or Other Tax; or (e) by any other final disposition, including by reason of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or by mutual agreement of the parties.

“Foreign Income Tax” shall mean any Tax imposed by any foreign country or any possession of the United States, or by any political subdivision of any foreign country or United States possession, which is an income tax as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.901-2, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

 

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“Foreign Other Tax” shall mean any Tax imposed by any foreign country or any possession of the United States, or by any political subdivision of any foreign country or United States possession, other than any Foreign Income Taxes, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

“Foreign Tax” shall mean any Foreign Income Taxes or Foreign Other Taxes.

“Foreign Tax Return” shall mean any Tax Return of (i) any member of the CoalCo Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), or (ii) any member of the Parent Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), in each case, with respect to Foreign Taxes.

“Governmental Authority” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“Group” shall mean the Parent Group or the CoalCo Group, or both, as the context requires.

“Income Tax” shall mean any Federal Income Tax, State Income Tax or Foreign Income Tax.

“Indemnitee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  13.03 of this Agreement.

“Indemnitor” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  13.03 of this Agreement.

“IRS” shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“Joint Return” shall mean any Tax Return of a member of the Parent Group or the CoalCo Group that is not a Separate Return.

“Notified Action” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  7.04(a) of this Agreement.

“Other Tax” shall mean any Federal Other Tax, State Other Tax, or Foreign Other Tax.

“Parent” shall have the meaning set forth in the first sentence of this Agreement.

“Parent Adjustment” shall mean any proposed adjustment by a Tax Authority or claim for Refund asserted in a Tax Contest to the extent Parent would be exclusively liable for any resulting Tax under this Agreement or exclusively entitled to receive any resulting Tax Benefit under this Agreement.

“Parent Affiliated Group” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return.”

“Parent Asset” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return” shall mean any Federal Income Tax Return for the affiliated group (as that term is defined in Section 1504 of the Code and the regulations thereunder) of which Parent is the common parent (the “ Parent Affiliated Group ”).

“Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Return” shall mean a consolidated, combined or unitary or other similar Foreign Income Tax Return or any Foreign Income Tax Return with respect to any profit and/or loss sharing group, group payment or similar group or fiscal unity that actually includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the Parent Group together with one or more members of the CoalCo Group.

“Parent Group” shall mean Parent and each Person that is an Affiliate of Parent (other than CoalCo and any other member of the CoalCo Group).

“Parent Separate Return” shall mean any Separate Return of Parent or any member of the Parent Group.

“Parent State Combined Income Tax Return” shall mean a consolidated, combined or unitary or other similar State Income Tax Return that actually includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the Parent Group together with one or more members of the CoalCo Group.

“Party” shall mean any party to this Agreement as the context requires.

 

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“Past Practices” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  4.02(a) of this Agreement.

“Payment Date” shall mean (i) with respect to any Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, the Due Date for any required installment of estimated taxes determined under Section 6655 of the Code, the Due Date (determined without regard to extensions) for filing the return determined under Section 6072 of the Code, and the date the return is filed, and (ii) with respect to any other Tax Return, the corresponding dates determined under the applicable Tax Law.

“Payor” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  5.04(a) of this Agreement.

“Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, joint stock company, trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof, without regard to whether any entity is treated as disregarded for U.S. Federal Income Tax purposes.

“Post-Deconsolidation Period” shall mean any Tax Period beginning after the Deconsolidation Date, and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period beginning the day after the Deconsolidation Date.

“Post-Distribution Ruling” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  7.02(d) of this Agreement.

“Pre-Deconsolidation Period” shall mean any Tax Period ending on or before the Deconsolidation Date, and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period ending on the Deconsolidation Date.

“Prime Rate” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“Privilege” shall mean any privilege that may be asserted under applicable law, including, any privilege arising under or relating to the attorney-client relationship (including the attorney-client and work product privileges), the accountant-client privilege and any privilege relating to internal evaluation processes.

“Proposed Acquisition Transaction” shall mean a transaction or series of transactions (or any agreement, understanding or arrangement, within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7, or any other regulations promulgated thereunder, to enter into a transaction or series of transactions), whether such transaction is supported by CoalCo management or shareholders, is a hostile acquisition, or otherwise, as a result of which CoalCo would merge or consolidate with any other Person or as a result of which any Person or Persons would (directly or indirectly) acquire, or have the right to acquire, from CoalCo and/or one or more holders of outstanding shares of CoalCo Capital Stock, a number of shares of CoalCo Capital Stock that would, when combined with any other changes in ownership of CoalCo Capital Stock pertinent for purposes of Section 355(e) of the Code, comprise 40% or more of (A) the value of all outstanding shares of stock of CoalCo as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series, or (B) the total combined voting power of all outstanding shares of voting stock of CoalCo as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Proposed Acquisition Transaction shall not include (A) the adoption by CoalCo of a shareholder rights plan or (B) issuances by CoalCo that satisfy “Safe Harbor VIII” (relating to acquisitions in connection with a person’s performance of services) or “Safe Harbor IX” (relating to acquisitions by a retirement plan of an employer) of Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(d). For purposes of determining whether a transaction constitutes an indirect acquisition, any recapitalization resulting in a shift of voting power or any redemption of shares of stock shall be treated as an indirect acquisition of shares of stock by the non-exchanging shareholders. This definition and the application thereof is intended to monitor compliance with Section 355(e) of the Code and shall be interpreted accordingly. Any clarification of, or change in, the statute or regulations promulgated under Section 355(e) of the Code shall be incorporated into this definition and its interpretation.

“Recipient” shall mean, with respect to the transfers occurring pursuant to the Transactions, the Party receiving assets and/or liabilities.

“Refund” shall mean any refund of Taxes, including any refund or reduction in Tax Liabilities by means of a credit or offset.

“Representation Letters” shall mean the statements of facts and representations, officer’s certificates, representation letters and any other materials (including, without limitation, a Ruling Request and any related supplemental submissions to the IRS or other Tax Authority) delivered by, or on behalf of, Parent, CoalCo or others to a Tax Advisor or Tax Authority in connection with the issuance by such Tax Advisor and/or the issuance by the IRS or other Tax Authority of the Tax Opinions/Rulings.

“Required Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  5.04(a) of this Agreement.

 

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“Responsible Company” shall mean, with respect to any Tax Return, the Company having responsibility for preparing and filing such Tax Return under this Agreement.

“Restriction Period” shall mean the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the day after the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date.

“Retained PAMC Business” shall have the meaning set forth with respect to such term in the Representation Letters supporting the opinion of Parent’s Tax Advisors issued in connection with the closing of the Distribution.

“Retention Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  9.01 of this Agreement.

“Ruling Request” shall mean any letter filed by Parent with the IRS or other Tax Authority requesting a ruling regarding certain tax consequences of any of the Separation Transactions (including all attachments, exhibits, and other materials submitted with such ruling request letter) and any amendments or supplements to such ruling request letter.

“Section  336(e) Election” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  7.06 of this Agreement.

“Section  7.02(e) Acquisition Transaction” shall mean any transaction or series of transactions that is not a Proposed Acquisition Transaction but would be a Proposed Acquisition Transaction if the percentage reflected in the definition of Proposed Acquisition Transaction were 25% instead of 40%.

“Separate Return” shall mean (a) in the case of any Tax Return of any member of the CoalCo Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the Parent Group and (b) in the case of any Tax Return of any member of the Parent Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the CoalCo Group.

“Separate Tax Ticket” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  3(c)(i) of this Agreement.

“Separation and Distribution Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Separation Transactions” shall mean the Contribution, the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“State Income Tax” shall mean any Tax imposed by any State of the United States (or by any political subdivision of any such State) or the District of Columbia, or any city or municipality located therein, which is imposed on or measured by net income, including state and local franchise or similar Taxes measured by net income, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

“State Income Tax Return” shall mean any Tax Return with respect to State Income Taxes.

“State Other Tax” shall mean any Tax imposed by any State of the United States (or by any political subdivision of any such State) or the District of Columbia, or by any city or municipality located therein, other than any State Income Taxes, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

“State Tax” shall mean any State Income Taxes or State Other Taxes.

“State Tax Return” shall mean any Tax Return of (i) any member of the CoalCo Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), or (ii) any member of the Parent Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary return), in each case, with respect to State Taxes.

“Straddle Period” shall mean any Tax Period that begins on or before and ends after the Deconsolidation Date.

“Subsidiary” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“Tax” or “Taxes” shall mean any income, gross income, gross receipts, profits, capital stock, franchise, withholding, property, ad valorem , stamp, excise, severance, occupation, service, sales, use, license, lease, transfer, import, export, value added, alternative minimum, estimated or other tax (including any fee, assessment, or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any tax) imposed by any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

 

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“Tax Advisor” shall mean a United States tax counsel or accountant of recognized national standing.

“Tax Advisor Dispute” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  14 of this Agreement.

“Tax Attribute” or “Attribute” shall mean a net operating loss, net capital loss, unused investment credit, unused foreign tax credit, excess charitable contribution, general business credit or any other Tax Item that could reduce a Tax.

“Tax Authority” shall mean, with respect to any Tax, the governmental entity or political subdivision thereof that imposes such Tax, and the agency (if any) charged with the collection of such Tax for such entity or subdivision.

“Tax Benefit” shall mean any loss, deduction, Refund, credit, or other item reducing Taxes otherwise payable.

“Tax Contest” shall mean an audit, review, examination, or any other administrative or judicial proceeding with the purpose or effect of redetermining Taxes (including any administrative or judicial review of any claim for Refund).

“Tax-Free Status” shall mean the qualification of the Contribution and Distribution, taken together, (a) as a transaction described in Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, (b) as a transaction in which the stock distributed thereby is “qualified property” for purposes of Sections 355(c)(2) and 361(c)(2) of the Code, and (c) as a transaction in which Parent, CoalCo and the members of their respective Groups recognize no income or gain for U.S. Federal Income Tax purposes pursuant to Sections 355, 361 and 1032 of the Code, other than (x) gain recognized pursuant to Section 361(b) with respect to any portion of the Cash Payment that is not transferred to shareholders or creditors of Parent in connection with the Contribution and Distribution or (y) intercompany items or excess loss accounts taken into account pursuant to the Treasury Regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 1502 of the Code.

“Tax Item” shall mean, with respect to any Income Tax, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit.

“Tax Law” shall mean the law of any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof relating to any Tax.

“Tax Opinions/Rulings” shall mean each opinion of a Tax Advisor and/or the rulings by the IRS or other Tax Authorities delivered to Parent in connection with and regarding the Federal Income Tax treatment of the Contribution and the Distribution, or otherwise with respect to the Separation Transactions.

“Tax Period” shall mean, with respect to any Tax, the period for which the Tax is reported as provided under the Code or other applicable Tax Law.

“Tax Records” shall mean any Tax Returns, Tax Return workpapers, documentation relating to any Tax Contests, and any other books of account or records (whether or not in written, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms and whether or not stored on electronic or any other medium) required to be maintained under the Code or other applicable Tax Laws or under any record retention agreement with any Tax Authority.

“Tax-Related Losses” shall mean (i) all federal, state, local and foreign Taxes (including interest and penalties thereon) imposed pursuant to any settlement, Final Determination, judgment or otherwise; (ii) all reasonable accounting, legal and other professional fees, and court costs incurred in connection with such Taxes; and (iii) all reasonable costs and expenses and any damages associated with stockholder litigation or controversies and any amount required to be paid by Parent (or any Parent Affiliate) or CoalCo (or any CoalCo Affiliate) in respect of the liability of shareholders, whether paid to shareholders or to the IRS or any other Tax Authority, in each case, resulting from (x) the failure of the Contribution and the Distribution to have Tax-Free Status or (y) the failure of any Separation Transaction to have the tax treatment described in the Tax Opinions/Rulings; provided , that amounts shall be treated as having been required to be paid for purposes of clause (iii) of this definition to the extent they are paid in a good faith compromise of an asserted claim.

“Tax Return” or “Return” shall mean any report of Taxes due, any claim for Refund of Taxes paid, any information return with respect to Taxes, or any other similar report, statement, declaration, or document filed or required to be filed under the Code or other Tax Law, including any attachments, exhibits, or other materials submitted with any of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing. A Tax Return shall not be construed to include a Separate Tax Ticket, a Combined Tax Ticket or any other tax ticket described in Section  3(c) of this Agreement.

“Transactions” shall mean the Contribution, the Distribution, the Creditor Repayment, and the other transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

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“Transferee Party” shall mean (i) CoalCo or the applicable member(s) of the CoalCo Group to which Coal Assets are contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed or delivered by Parent or applicable members of the Parent Group, pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization set forth in Section 2.1(a) of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, and (ii) Parent or the applicable member(s) of the Parent Group to which Parent Assets are contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed or delivered by CoalCo or applicable members of the CoalCo Group, pursuant to such Plan of Reorganization; in each case, as applicable.

“Transferor” shall mean, with respect to the transfers occurring pursuant to the Transactions, the Party transferring assets and/or liabilities.

“Transferred Assets” shall mean (i) the Coal Assets that are contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed or delivered to CoalCo, or the applicable member(s) of the CoalCo Group, by Parent or applicable members of the Parent Group, pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization set forth in Section 2.1(a) of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, and (ii) the Parent Assets that are contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed or delivered to Parent, or member(s) of the Parent Group designated by Parent, by CoalCo or the applicable members of the CoalCo Group, pursuant to such Plan of Reorganization; in each case, as applicable. “Transferred Asset” shall be accordingly construed to mean each of the Transferred Assets, individually. For the absence of doubt, any entity (and the equity interests in any entity) shall not be construed to be a “Transferred Asset.”

“Transferred Entities” shall have the meaning in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

“Transferring Party” shall mean (i) the Parent or applicable member(s) of the Parent Group that contribute, assign, transfer, convey or deliver one or more Coal Assets to CoalCo or applicable members of the CoalCo Group, pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization set forth in Section 2.1(a) of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, and (ii) CoalCo or applicable member(s) of the CoalCo Group that contribute, assign, transfer, convey or deliver one or more Parent Assets to Parent or the applicable member(s) of the Parent Group, pursuant to such Plan of Reorganization; in each case, as applicable.

“Treasury Regulations” shall mean the regulations promulgated from time to time under the Code as in effect for the relevant Tax Period.

“Unqualified Tax Opinion” shall mean an unqualified opinion of a Tax Advisor on which Parent may rely to the effect that a transaction (i) will not affect the Tax-Free Status of the Contribution and the Distribution, and (ii) will not adversely affect any of the conclusions set forth in the Tax Opinions/Rulings; provided, that any tax opinion obtained in connection with a proposed acquisition of CoalCo Capital Stock entered into during the Restriction Period shall not qualify as an Unqualified Tax Opinion unless such tax opinion concludes that such proposed acquisition will not be treated as “part of a plan (or series of related transactions),” within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, that includes the Distribution. Any such opinion must assume that the Contribution and Distribution would have qualified for Tax-Free Status if the transaction in question did not occur.

Section 2. Allocation of Tax Liabilities.

Section 2.01 General Rule.

(a) Parent Liability . Parent shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the CoalCo Group from and against any liability for, Taxes that are allocated to Parent, or for which Parent is responsible, under this Section  2 .

(b) CoalCo Liability . CoalCo shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Parent Group from and against any liability for, Taxes that are allocated to CoalCo, or for which CoalCo is responsible, under this Section  2 .

(c) Costs and Expenses . The amounts for which Parent or CoalCo, as applicable, is liable pursuant to Sections 2.01(a) and (b) , respectively, or for which either Company or a member of its Group is liable pursuant to Section  2.05 , shall include all accounting, legal and other professional fees, and court costs incurred in connection with the relevant Taxes.

(d) Final Determination Taxes . For the avoidance of doubt, any reference to any Taxes due with respect to, attributable to or required to be reported on any Tax Return contained in Section  2.02 , Section  2.03 or Section  2.04 , and any reference to any Taxes in Section  2.05 , shall include, unless specifically excluded, a reference to any such Taxes imposed or payable as a result of a Final Determination.

 

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Section  2.02 Allocation of United States Federal Income Tax and Federal Other Tax . Except as otherwise provided in Section  2.05 , Federal Income Tax and Federal Other Tax shall be allocated as follows:

(a) Allocation of Tax Relating to Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Returns . With respect to any Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, Parent shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any such Income Tax Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination).

(b) Allocation of Tax Relating to Federal Separate Income Tax Returns . (i) Parent shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return (and any and all Federal Income Tax of Parent or any member of the Parent Group imposed by way of withholding by a member of the CoalCo Group), including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination; (ii) CoalCo shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any CoalCo Separate Return (and any and all Federal Income Tax of CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group imposed by way of withholding by a member of the Parent Group), including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination.

(c) Allocation of Federal Other Tax . Parent shall be responsible for any and all Federal Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination) or otherwise imposed on any member of the Parent Group; (ii) CoalCo shall be responsible for any and all Federal Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any CoalCo Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination) or otherwise imposed on any member of the CoalCo Group.

Section  2.03 Allocation of State Income and State Other Taxes . Except as otherwise provided in Section  2.05 , State Income Tax and State Other Tax shall be allocated as follows:

(a) Allocation of Tax Relating to Parent State Combined Income Tax Returns . Parent shall be responsible for any and all State Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent State Combined Income Tax Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination).

(b) Allocation of State Income Tax Relating to Separate Returns . (i) Parent shall be responsible for any and all State Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return (and any and all State Income Tax of Parent or any member of the Parent Group imposed by way of withholding by a member of the CoalCo Group), including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination; (ii) CoalCo shall be responsible for any and all State Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any CoalCo Separate Return (and any and all State Income Tax of CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group imposed by way of withholding by a member of the Parent Group), including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination.

(c) Allocation of State Other Tax . Parent shall be responsible for any and all State Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination) or otherwise imposed on any member of the Parent Group and CoalCo shall be responsible for any and all State Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any CoalCo Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination) or otherwise imposed on any member of the CoalCo Group; provided, however , that (i) any sales, use or severance Taxes imposed for any Pre-Deconsolidation Period with respect to any Transferred Assets with respect to which Leatherwood Inc. is the Transferring Party shall be the responsibility of the relevant Transferee Party; (ii) any ad valorem and other property Taxes imposed with respect to a Transferred Asset for a taxable period that includes but does not end on the date of any transfer of such Transferred Asset from the Parent Group to the CoalCo Group (or from the CoalCo Group to the Parent Group, as applicable) in connection with the Separation Transactions (the “Asset Transfer Date”) shall be allocated between the Parent Group and the CoalCo Group pursuant to Section  3(c) below and (iii) any ad valorem and other property Taxes imposed for any taxable period ending on or prior to the relevant Asset Transfer Date with respect to any well property that is a Transferred Asset with respect to which Leatherwood Inc. is the Transferring Party and that have not been paid on or prior to such Asset Transfer Date shall be the responsibility of the relevant Transferee Party with respect to such well property.

Section  2.04 Allocation of Foreign Taxes. Except as otherwise provided in Section  2.05 , Foreign Income Tax and Foreign Other Tax shall be allocated as follows:

(a) Allocation of Tax Relating to Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Returns . Parent shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination).

(b) Allocation of Foreign Income Tax Relating to Separate Returns . (i) Parent shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return (and any and all Foreign Income Tax of

 

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Parent or any member of the Parent Group imposed by way of withholding by a member of the CoalCo Group), including any increase in such Foreign Income Tax as a result of a Final Determination; (ii) CoalCo shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any CoalCo Separate Return (and any and all Foreign Income Tax of CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group imposed by way of withholding by a member of the Parent Group), including any increase in such Foreign Income Tax as a result of a Final Determination.

(c) Allocation of Foreign Other Tax . Parent shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Parent Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination) or otherwise imposed on any member of the Parent Group; (ii) CoalCo shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Other Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any CoalCo Separate Return (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination) or otherwise imposed on any member of the CoalCo Group.

Section 2.05 Certain Transaction and Other Taxes.

(a) CoalCo Liability . CoalCo shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Parent Group from and against any liability for:

(i) any stamp, sales and use, gross receipts, value-added or other transfer Taxes imposed by any Tax Authority on any member of the CoalCo Group (if such member is primarily liable for such Tax) on the transfers occurring pursuant to the Transactions; provided, however, in the case of any applicable state, county, or other local real estate transfer Tax, grantor Tax, or documentary transfer Tax imposed on the transfer of Transferred Assets, the relevant Transferee Party shall be liable for any such Tax notwithstanding which Party may be primarily liable under the applicable Tax Law;

(ii) any Tax resulting from a breach by CoalCo of any representation or covenant in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement, any Representation Letters or any Tax Opinions/Rulings; and

(iii) any Tax-Related Losses for which CoalCo is responsible pursuant to Section  7.05 of this Agreement.

(b) Parent Liability . Parent shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the CoalCo Group from and against any liability for:

(i) any stamp, sales and use, gross receipts, value-added or other transfer Taxes imposed by any Tax Authority on any member of the Parent Group (if such member is primarily liable for such Tax) on the transfers occurring pursuant to the Transactions; provided, however , in the case of any applicable state, county, or other local real estate transfer Tax, grantor Tax, or documentary transfer Tax imposed on the transfer of Transferred Assets, the relevant Transferee Party shall be liable for any such Tax notwithstanding which Party may be primarily liable under the applicable Tax Law;

(ii) any Tax resulting from a breach by Parent of any representation or covenant in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement, any Representation Letters or any Tax Opinions/Rulings; and

(iii) any Tax-Related Losses for which Parent is responsible pursuant to Section  7.05 of this Agreement.

Section 3. Proration of Taxes for Straddle Periods and Certain Other Periods.

(a) General Method of Proration . Except as provided in Section  3(c) below, in the case of any Straddle Period, Tax Items shall be apportioned between Pre-Deconsolidation Periods and Post-Deconsolidation Periods in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76(b) as reasonably interpreted and applied by Parent. With respect to the Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return for the taxable year that includes the Distribution, Parent shall determine in its sole discretion whether to make an election under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(ii). If the Deconsolidation Date is not an Accounting Cutoff Date, the provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(iii) will be applied to ratably allocate the items (other than extraordinary items) for the month which includes the Deconsolidation Date.

(b) Transactions Treated as Extraordinary Item . In determining the apportionment of Tax Items between Pre-Deconsolidation Periods and Post-Deconsolidation Periods, any Tax Items relating to the Transactions shall be treated as extraordinary items described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(ii)(C) and shall (to the extent occurring on or prior to the Deconsolidation Date) be allocated to Pre-Deconsolidation Periods, and any Taxes related to such items shall be treated under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(iv) as relating to such extraordinary item and shall (to the extent occurring on or prior to the Deconsolidation Date) be allocated to Pre-Deconsolidation Periods.

 

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(c) Ad Valorem and Other Property Taxes . Ad valorem and other property taxes imposed or assessed with respect to a Transferred Asset with respect to the taxable period during which the transfer of such Transferred Asset occurs (the “ Current Property Taxes ”) shall be prorated between the Transferring Party and the Transferee Party with respect to such Transferred Asset based on (x) in the case of a Transferred Asset that, prior to the Asset Transfer Date, (I) was not reflected on a tax bill or (II) formed a part of a Combined Tax Ticket (as defined below) that was subsequently separated into a Transferred Asset and a Parent Asset or a Coal Asset, as applicable, (A) the relative taxable values as of the Asset Transfer Date, of the Transferred Asset, on the one hand, and the Parent Asset or Coal Asset, as applicable, into which such asset was separated as a result of the transfer, on the other hand, and (B) the number of days during such taxable period that such Transferred Asset was owned, respectively, by the Transferring Party and by the Transferee Party, and (y) in the case of a Transferred Asset that, prior to the Asset Transfer Date, had a Separate Tax Ticket (as defined below), the number of days during such taxable period that such Transferred Asset was owned by the Transferring Party and the Transferee Party, respectively. The Transferring Party shall be responsible for the Current Property Taxes to the extent that they are attributable to such Transferred Asset for periods prior to the Asset Transfer Date and the Transferee Party shall be responsible for the Current Property Taxes to the extent that they are attributable to such Transferred Asset for periods on and after the Asset Transfer Date.

(i) Itemization. Within ninety (90) days following the Asset Transfer Date, or at least thirty (30) days prior to the date that the relevant Current Property Taxes become due and payable, whichever is earlier, the Transferring Party shall furnish the Transferee Party with a written list setting out, for each Transferred Asset that such Transferring Party contributed, assigned, transferred, conveyed or delivered unto such Transferee Party, the Transferring Party’s determination regarding whether there is or is not a separate tax ticket or bill that covers such Transferred Asset (each, a “Separate Tax Ticket ”), a tax ticket or bill that covers both the Transferred Asset and a real property interest being retained by the Transferring Party (each, a “Combined Tax Ticket ” that will need to be “split”), or any tax ticket or bill whatsoever that covers the Transferred Asset, and stating for each such Transferred Asset whether the Current Property Taxes have been paid in full as well as, if not paid in full, the amount of such Current Property Taxes that are, at the time, outstanding. The following payment obligations shall apply based upon such determination:

(A) If Separate Tax Ticket Exists . If at the Asset Transfer Date a Separate Tax Ticket exists for the Transferred Asset, the Transferee Party with respect to such Transferred Asset shall timely pay any outstanding, unpaid Current Property Taxes assessed against such Transferred Asset in full, so as to avoid any delinquency, penalty or forfeiture;

(B) If No Tax Ticket Exists . If at the Asset Transfer Date there is no tax ticket or bill that covers the Transferred Asset, the Transferee Party with respect to such Transferred Asset shall (x) cause the Transferred Asset to be entered for assessment of ad valorem or other applicable property taxes, and (y) pay any back ad valorem or other applicable property taxes, fees, penalties or interest relating thereto or necessary in order to preserve the rights of the Transferee Party relative to the Transferred Asset; and

(C) If a Combined Tax Ticket Exists . If at the Asset Transfer Date a Combined Tax Ticket exists with respect to the Transferred Asset, the Transferring Party with respect to such Transferred Asset shall timely pay any outstanding, unpaid Current Property Taxes shown on such Combined Tax Ticket in full, so as to avoid any delinquency, penalty or forfeiture.

(ii) Cooperation . The Transferring Party shall cooperate in good faith with the Transferee Party, including without limitation by furnishing copies of tax tickets, tax account numbers and other relevant tax information requested by the Transferee Party, in order to ensure that the Transferee Party has the information needed to timely pay the Current Property Taxes that the Transferee Party is required to pay pursuant to this Section  3(c) . The Transferring Party and the Transferee Party shall cooperate in good faith with each other (each at its own cost and expense), including without limitation by (1) upon request executing, filing, submitting or delivering to the other Party such Approvals or Notifications, information or applications as are necessary or reasonably required, and (2) participating in and taking such actions as are necessary or reasonably requested, in each case, in order to obtain from any pertinent Tax Authority such Separate Tax Tickets or accounts as are needed for purposes of having any Transferred Asset for which there was no such Separate Tax Ticket at the Asset Transfer Date separately assessed in the name of the Transferee Party for the next taxable period beginning after such Asset Transfer Date or in order to have the Transferred Asset entered for assessment.

(iii) Reimbursement . Indemnity payments required for the payment of Current Property Taxes shall be invoiced and paid in accordance with Section  5.04 . The Transferring Party shall reimburse the Transferee Party for (1) the Transferring Party’s pro rata share of any Current Property Taxes that the Transferee Party is obligated to timely pay pursuant to Section  3(c)(i)(A) hereof, and (2) all amounts paid to any Tax Authority by the Transferee Party pursuant to Section  3(c)(i)(B)(y) hereof, in each case, that are shown on such invoice. The Transferee Party shall reimburse the Transferring Party for (1) the Transferee Party’s pro rata share of any Current Property Taxes that the Transferring Party is obligated to timely pay pursuant to Section  3(c)(i)(C) hereof, and (2) the Transferee Party’s share as determined pursuant to this Section  3(c) of any Current Property Taxes that were paid by Transferring Party prior to the Asset Transfer Date but are attributable to periods on and after that date, in each case, that are shown on such invoice.

 

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Section 4. Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns.

Section  4.01 General . Except as otherwise provided in this Section  4 , Tax Returns shall be prepared and filed when due (taking into account extensions) by the Person obligated to file such Tax Returns under the Code or applicable Tax Law. The Companies shall provide, and shall cause their Affiliates to provide, assistance and cooperation to one another in accordance with Section  8 with respect to the preparation and filing of Tax Returns, including by providing information required to be provided pursuant to Section  8 .

Section  4.02 Parent’s Responsibility . Parent has the exclusive obligation and right to prepare and file, or to cause to be prepared and filed:

(a) Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Returns for any Tax Periods ending on, before or after the Deconsolidation Date;

(b) Parent State Combined Income Tax Returns, Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Returns and any other Joint Returns which Parent reasonably determines are required to be filed (or which Parent chooses to be filed) by the Companies or any of their Affiliates for Tax Periods ending on, before or after the Deconsolidation Date; provided, however , that Parent shall provide advance written notice of such determination to file such Parent State Combined Income Tax Returns, Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Returns or other Joint Returns to CoalCo if the Tax Returns in such jurisdiction for such type of Tax for the immediately preceding taxable year were not filed on a consolidated, combined, unitary or other joint basis; and

(c) Parent Separate Returns and CoalCo Separate Returns which Parent reasonably determines are required to be filed by the Companies or any of their Affiliates for Tax Periods ending on, before or after the Deconsolidation Date (limited, in the case of CoalCo Separate Returns, to such Returns for which the Due Date is on or before the Deconsolidation Date).

Section  4.03 CoalCo’s Responsibility . CoalCo shall prepare and file, or shall cause to be prepared and filed, all Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to members of the CoalCo Group other than those Tax Returns which Parent is required or entitled to prepare and file under Section  4.02 . The Tax Returns required to be prepared and filed by CoalCo under this Section  4.03 shall include (a) any CoalCo Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return for Tax Periods ending after the Deconsolidation Date and (b) CoalCo Separate Returns for which the Due Date is after the Deconsolidation Date.

Section 4.04 Tax Accounting Practices.

(a) General Rule . Except as otherwise provided in Section  4.02(b) , with respect to any Tax Return that CoalCo has the obligation and right to prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, for any Pre-Deconsolidation Period or Straddle Period (or any Tax Period beginning after the Deconsolidation Date to the extent items reported on such Tax Return could reasonably be expected to affect items reported on any Tax Return that Parent has the obligation or right to prepare and file for any Pre-Deconsolidation Period or any Straddle Period), such Tax Return shall be prepared in accordance with past practices, accounting methods, elections or conventions (“ Past Practices ”) used with respect to the Tax Returns in question except to the extent otherwise required by applicable law. Except as otherwise provided in Section  4.02(b) , Parent shall prepare any Tax Return which it has the obligation and right to prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, under Section  4.02 , in accordance with reasonable Tax accounting practices selected by Parent.

(b) Reporting of Transactions . Except to the extent otherwise required by a change in applicable law or as a result of a Final Determination, (A) neither Parent nor CoalCo shall, and shall not permit or cause any member of its respective Group to, take any position that is inconsistent with either (x) the treatment of the Contribution and Distribution, taken together, as having Tax-Free Status (or analogous status under state or local law) or (y) the tax treatment of any of the Separation Transactions as having the treatment described in the Tax Opinions/Rulings and, (B) CoalCo shall not, and shall not permit or cause any member of the CoalCo Group to, take any position with respect to an item of income, deduction, gain, loss, or credit on a Tax Return, or otherwise treat such item in a manner which is inconsistent with the manner such item is reported on a Tax Return required to be prepared or filed by Parent pursuant to Section  4.02 hereof (including, without limitation, the claiming of a deduction previously claimed on any such Tax Return).

Section  4.05 Consolidated or Combined Tax Returns . CoalCo will elect and join, and will cause its respective Affiliates to elect and join, in filing any Parent State Combined Income Tax Returns, Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Returns and any other Joint Returns that Parent reasonably determines are required to be filed (or that Parent chooses to file) by the Companies or any of their Affiliates for Tax Periods ending on or before the Deconsolidation Date. With respect to any CoalCo Separate Returns relating to any Tax Period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Distribution Date, CoalCo will elect and join, and will cause its respective Affiliates to elect and join, in filing consolidated, unitary, combined, or other similar Joint Returns, to the extent each entity is eligible to join in such Tax Returns, if Parent reasonably determines that the filing of such Tax Returns is consistent with past reporting practices, or, in the absence of applicable past practices, will result in the minimization of the net present value of the aggregate Tax to the entities eligible to join in such Tax Returns.

 

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Section 4.06 Right to Review Tax Returns.

(a) General . The Responsible Company with respect to any material Tax Return shall make such Tax Return (or the relevant portions thereof), related workpapers and other supporting documents available for review by the other Company, to the extent (i) such Tax Return relates to Taxes for which such other Company is or would reasonably be expected to be liable, (ii) such other Company is or would reasonably be expected to be liable in whole or in part for any additional Taxes owing as a result of adjustments to the amount of Taxes reported on such Tax Return, (iii) such Tax Return relates to Taxes for which the other Company would reasonably be expected to have a claim for Tax Benefits under this Agreement, or (iv) reasonably necessary for the other Company to confirm compliance with the terms of this Agreement. The Responsible Company shall use reasonable efforts to make such Tax Return, workpapers and other supporting documents available for review as required under this paragraph promptly once such Tax Return is materially complete, but in any event no later than three (3) weeks in advance of the Due Date for filing of such Tax Return, such that the other Party has a meaningful opportunity to review and comment on such Tax Return, and shall use reasonable efforts to have such Tax Return modified before filing, taking into account the person responsible for payment of the Tax (if any) reported on such Tax Return. The Companies shall attempt in good faith to resolve any disagreement arising out of the review of such Tax Return and, failing such resolution, any disagreement shall be resolved in accordance with the disagreement resolution provisions of Section  14 as promptly as practicable.

(b) Execution of Tax Returns Prepared by Other Party . In the case of any Tax Return which is required to be prepared and filed by one Company under this Agreement and which is required by law to be signed by the other Company (or by its authorized representative), the Company which is legally required to sign such Tax Return shall not be required to sign such Tax Return under this Agreement unless there is at least a greater than 50% likelihood of prevailing on the merits for the Tax treatment of each item reported on the Tax Return.

Section  4.07 CoalCo Carryback Items and Claims for Refund. CoalCo hereby agrees that, unless Parent consents in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), (i) no Adjustment Request with respect to any Tax Return with respect to which Parent is the Responsible Company (including any Joint Return) or any other Tax Return reflecting Taxes for which Parent is responsible under Section  2 or 3 hereof shall be filed, and (ii) any available elections to waive the right to claim in any Pre-Deconsolidation Period with respect to any Tax Return with respect to which Parent is the Responsible Company (including any Joint Return) or any Tax Return reflecting both Taxes for which Parent is responsible under Section  2 or 3 hereof and Taxes for which CoalCo is responsible under Section  2 or 3 hereof any CoalCo Carryback Item arising in a Post-Deconsolidation Period shall be made by CoalCo and any of its Affiliates, and no affirmative election shall be made by CoalCo or any of its Affiliates to claim any such CoalCo Carryback Item; provided, however, that the parties agree that any such Adjustment Request shall be made with respect to any CoalCo Carryback Item related to U.S. federal or State Income Taxes, upon the reasonable request of CoalCo, if (x) such CoalCo Carryback Item is necessary to prevent the loss of the federal and/or state income Tax Benefit of such CoalCo Carryback Item (including, but not limited to, an Adjustment Request with respect to a CoalCo Carryback Item of a federal or State capital loss arising in a Post-Deconsolidation Period to a Pre-Deconsolidation Period) and (y) such Adjustment Request, based on Parent’s sole, reasonable determination, will cause no Tax detriment to Parent, the Parent Group or any member of the Parent Group. Any Adjustment Request which Parent consents to make under this Section  4.07 shall be prepared and filed by the Responsible Company for the Tax Return to be adjusted; provided , however , that, prior to the filing of any such Adjustment Request, Parent shall have the right to review such Adjustment Request together with any related workpapers and other supporting documentation.

Section 4.08 Apportionment of Earnings and Profits and Tax Attributes.

(a) If the Parent Affiliated Group has a Tax Attribute, the portion, if any, of such Tax Attribute apportioned to CoalCo or the members of the CoalCo Group and treated as a carryover to the first Post-Deconsolidation Period of CoalCo (or such member) shall be determined by Parent in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 1.1502-21, 1.1502-21T, 1.1502-22, 1.1502-79 and, if applicable, 1.1502-79A.

(b) No Tax Attribute with respect to consolidated Federal Income Tax of the Parent Affiliated Group, other than those described in Section  4.08(a) , and no Tax Attribute with respect to consolidated, combined or unitary state, local, or foreign Income Tax, in each case, arising in respect of a Joint Return shall be apportioned to CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group, except as Parent (or such member of the Parent Group as Parent shall designate) determines is otherwise required under applicable law.

(c) Parent (or its designee) shall determine the portion, if any, of any Tax Attribute which must (absent a Final Determination to the contrary) be apportioned to CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group in accordance with this Section  4.08 and applicable law and the amount of tax basis, earnings and profits, and “tax pools” to be apportioned to CoalCo or any member of

 

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the CoalCo Group in accordance with this Section  4.08 and applicable law, and shall provide written supporting documentation of the calculation thereof to CoalCo as soon as reasonably practicable after the information necessary to make such calculation becomes available to Parent. For the avoidance of doubt, Parent shall not be liable to CoalCo or any member of the CoalCo Group for any failure of any determination under this Section  4.08 to be accurate under applicable law.

(d) The written documentation delivered by Parent pursuant to Section  4.08(c) shall be binding on CoalCo and each member of the CoalCo Group and shall not be subject to dispute resolution. Except to the extent otherwise required by applicable law or pursuant to a Final Determination, CoalCo shall not take any position (whether on a Tax Return or otherwise) that is inconsistent with the information contained in such written documentation.

Section 5. Tax Payments.

Section  5.01 Payment of Taxes with Respect to Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Returns, Parent State Combined Income Tax Returns and Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Returns. Parent shall pay (a) to the IRS any Tax due with respect to any Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return (including any Federal Income Tax due from the Parent Affiliated Group that is required to be paid as a result of an adjustment to a Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return) and (b) to the applicable Tax Authority any Tax due with respect to any Parent State Combined Income Tax Return or Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Returns (including any State Income Tax due that is required to be paid as a result of an adjustment to a Parent State Combined Income Tax Return or Foreign Income Tax due that is required to be paid as a result of an adjustment to a Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Returns).

Section  5.02 Payment of Taxes with Respect to Joint Returns (Other Than a Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, Parent State Combined Income Tax Return or Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Return) and Certain Returns of Other Taxes . In the case of (I) any Joint Return (other than a Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, Parent State Combined Income Tax Return, or Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Return) and (II) any Tax Return of Other Taxes reflecting Taxes for which both Parent and CoalCo are responsible under Section  2 (other than Tax Returns described in Section 2.03(c)(ii), which shall be governed by Section 3(c)):

(a) Payment of Tax Due. The Responsible Company shall compute the amount of Tax required to be paid to the applicable Tax Authority (taking into account the requirements of Section  4.04 relating to consistent accounting and reporting practices, as applicable) with respect to any Tax Return on the Payment Date for such Tax Return. The Responsible Company shall pay such amount to such Tax Authority on or before such Payment Date. The Responsible Company shall provide notice to the other Company setting forth such other Company’s responsibility for the amount of Taxes paid to the Tax Authority and provide proof of payment of such Taxes.

(b) Computation and Payment of Liability With Respect To Tax Due. Within 30 days following the earlier of (i) the Due Date for filing any such Tax Return (excluding any Tax Return with respect to payment of estimated Taxes or Taxes due with a request for extension of time to file) or (ii) the date on which such Tax Return is filed, if Parent is the Responsible Company, then CoalCo shall pay to Parent the amount, if any, allocable to the CoalCo Group under the provisions of this Agreement, and if CoalCo is the Responsible Company, then Parent shall pay to CoalCo the amount, if any, allocable to the Parent Group under the provisions of this Agreement, in each case, plus interest computed at the Prime Rate on the amount of the payment based on the number of days from the earlier of (i) the Due Date of the Tax Return or (ii) the date on which such Tax Return is filed, to the date of payment. For the avoidance of doubt, however, (x) the 30-day period described herein shall not commence unless and until the Responsible Company notifies the other Company pursuant to Section  5.02(a) hereof, and (y) interest shall not accrue during any time period where such notification has not been received, unless such notification is received within the 30-day period described herein, in which case interest shall accrue beginning on the earlier of (i) the Due Date of the Tax Return or (ii) the date on which such Tax Return is filed.

(c) Adjustments Resulting in Underpayments. In the case of any adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination with respect to any such Tax Return, the Responsible Company shall pay to the applicable Tax Authority when due any additional Tax due with respect to such Tax Return required to be paid as a result of such adjustment pursuant to such Final Determination. The Responsible Company shall compute the amount attributable to the CoalCo Group or the Parent Group (as the case may be) in accordance with this Agreement and CoalCo shall pay to Parent any amount due Parent (or Parent shall pay CoalCo any amount due CoalCo) under this Agreement within 30 days from the later of (i) the date the additional Tax was paid by the Responsible Company or, in an instance where no cash payment is due to a Tax Authority, the date of such Final Determination, or (ii) the date of receipt of a written notice and demand from the Responsible Company for payment of the amount due, accompanied by evidence of payment and a statement detailing the Taxes paid and describing in reasonable detail the particulars relating thereto. Any payments required under this Section  5.02(c) shall include interest computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date the additional Tax was paid by the Responsible Company (or, in an instance where no cash payment is due to a Tax Authority, the date of such Final Determination) to the date of the payment under this Section  5.02(c) .

 

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(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the amount to be paid pursuant to Section  5.02(b) or (c)  (in each case, excluding interest) is in excess of $1 million, then, no later than the later of (i) 5 business days after the date of receipt of a written notice and demand from the Responsible Company for payment of the amount due, accompanied by a statement detailing the Taxes required to be paid and (ii) 3 business days prior to the Due Date for the payment of such Tax, CoalCo shall pay to Parent any amount due Parent (or Parent shall pay CoalCo any amount due CoalCo) under Section  2 hereof.

Section  5.03 Payment of Separate Company Taxes. Each Company shall pay, or shall cause to be paid, to the applicable Tax Authority when due all Taxes owed by such Company or a member of such Company’s Group with respect to a Separate Return of Income Taxes and with respect to a Separate Return of Other Taxes (provided that Separate Returns of Other Taxes described in clause (II) of Section  5.02 shall be governed by Section  5.02 ).

Section 5.04 Indemnification Payments.

(a) If any Company (the “ Payor ”) is required under applicable Tax Law to pay to a Tax Authority a Tax that another Company (the “ Required Party ”) is liable for under this Agreement, the Required Party shall reimburse the Payor within 90 days of delivery by the Payor to the Required Party of an invoice for the amount due, accompanied by evidence of payment and a statement detailing the Taxes paid and describing in reasonable detail the particulars relating thereto. The reimbursement shall include interest on the Tax payment computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date of the payment to the Tax Authority to the date of reimbursement under this Section  5.04 . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the amount to be paid pursuant to this Section  5.04 excluding interest is in excess of $10 million, then, no later than the later of (i) five business days after delivery by the Payor to the Required Party of an invoice for the amount due, sent by Federal Express or the equivalent with tracking receipt, accompanied by a statement detailing the Taxes required to be paid and describing in reasonable detail the particulars relating thereto, and (ii) three business days prior to the Due Date for the payment of such Tax, the Required Party shall pay the Payor.

(b) All indemnification payments under this Agreement shall be made by Parent directly to CoalCo and by CoalCo directly to Parent; provided, however, that if the Companies mutually agree with respect to any such indemnification payment, any member of the Parent Group, on the one hand, may make such indemnification payment to any member of the CoalCo Group, on the other hand, and vice versa.

Section 6. Tax Benefits.

Section 6.01 Tax Benefits.

(a) Except as set forth below, Parent shall be entitled to any Refund (and any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority) of Income Taxes and Other Taxes for which Parent is liable hereunder, CoalCo shall be entitled to any Refund (and any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority) of Income Taxes and Other Taxes for which CoalCo is liable hereunder and a Company receiving a Refund to which another Company is entitled hereunder in whole or in part shall pay over such Refund (or portion thereof) to such other Company within 90 days after such Refund is received (together with interest computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date the Refund was received to the date the Refund was paid over).

(b) CoalCo shall be entitled to any Refund that is attributable to, and would not have arisen but for, a CoalCo Carryback Item pursuant to the proviso set forth in Section  4.07 ; provided, however , CoalCo shall indemnify and hold the members of the Parent Group harmless from and against any and all collateral Tax consequences resulting from or caused by any such Carryback, including (but not limited to) the loss or postponement of any benefit from the use of Tax Attributes generated by a member of the Parent Group or an Affiliate thereof if (x) such Tax Attributes expire unutilized, but would have been utilized but for such Carryback, or (y) the use of such Tax Attributes is postponed to a later Tax Period than the Tax Period in which such Tax Attributes would have been utilized but for such Carryback. Any such payment of such Refund made by Parent to CoalCo pursuant to this Section  6.01(b) shall be recalculated in light of any Final Determination (or any other facts that may arise or come to light after such payment is made, such as a carryback of a Parent Group Tax Attribute to a Tax Period in respect of which such Refund is received) that would affect the amount to which CoalCo is entitled, and an appropriate adjusting payment shall be made by CoalCo to Parent such that the aggregate amount paid pursuant to this Section  6.01(b) equals such recalculated amount (with interest computed at the Prime Rate).

Section  6.02 Parent and CoalCo Income Tax Deductions in Respect of Certain Equity Awards and Incentive Compensation. The allocation of Tax deductions and obligations related to Tax reporting and withholding, in each case, with respect to options to purchase Parent or CoalCo stock or settlement of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units or performance stock unit awards, in each case, following the Distribution, with respect to Parent stock or SpinCo stock shall be governed by the Employee Matters Agreement.

 

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Section 7. Tax-Free Status.

Section 7.01 Representations.

(a) Each of Parent and CoalCo hereby represents and warrants that (A) it has reviewed the Ruling Request, the Representation Letters, and the Tax Opinions/Rulings, and (B) subject to any qualifications therein, all information, representations and covenants contained in such Representation Letters that relate to such Company or any member of its Group are true, correct and complete.

(b) Each of Parent and CoalCo hereby represents and warrants that it has no plan or intention of taking any action, or failing to take any action (or causing or permitting any member of its Group to take or fail to take any action), in each case, from and after the Distribution Date that could reasonably be expected to cause any representation or factual statement made in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Ruling Request, the Representation Letters or any of the other Ancillary Agreements to be untrue.

(c) CoalCo hereby represents and warrants that, during the two-year period ending on the Distribution Date, there was no “agreement,” “understanding,” “arrangement,” “substantial negotiations” or “discussions” (as such terms are used or defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of any member of the CoalCo Group or by any other person or persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more of such officers or directors regarding an acquisition of all or a significant portion of the CoalCo Capital Stock (or any predecessor); provided , however , that no representation is made regarding any such “agreement,” “understanding,” “arrangement,” “substantial negotiations” or “discussions” (as such terms are used or defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of Parent.

Section 7.02 Restrictions on CoalCo.

(a) CoalCo agrees that it will not take or fail to take, or cause or permit any member of the CoalCo Group to take or fail to take, any action where such action or failure to act would be inconsistent with or cause to be untrue any material information, covenant or representation in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any of the other Ancillary Agreements, the Ruling Request, any Representation Letter, or the Tax Opinions/Rulings. CoalCo agrees that it will not take or fail to take, or permit any member of the CoalCo Group to take or fail to take, any action which prevents or could reasonably be expected to prevent (i) Tax-Free Status or (ii) any Separation Transaction from having the tax treatment described in the Tax Opinions/Rulings.

(b) Reserved.

(c) CoalCo agrees that, from the date hereof until the first day after the Restriction Period, it will (i) maintain its status as a company engaged in the CoalCo Active Trade or Business for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code and (ii) not engage in any transaction that would result in it ceasing to be a company engaged in the CoalCo Active Trade or Business for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code.

(d) CoalCo agrees that, from the date hereof until the first day after the Restriction Period, it will not (i) enter into any Proposed Acquisition Transaction or, to the extent CoalCo has the right to prohibit any Proposed Acquisition Transaction, permit any Proposed Acquisition Transaction to occur (whether by (a) redeeming rights under a shareholder rights plan, (b) finding a tender offer to be a “permitted offer” under any such plan or otherwise causing any such plan to be inapplicable or neutralized with respect to any Proposed Acquisition Transaction, or (c) approving any Proposed Acquisition Transaction, whether for purposes of Section 203 of the DGCL or any similar corporate statute, any “fair price” or other provision of CoalCo’s charter or bylaws or otherwise), (ii) merge or consolidate with any other Person or liquidate or partially liquidate, (iii) in a single transaction or series of transactions (A) sell or transfer (other than sales or transfers of inventory in the ordinary course of business) all or substantially all of the assets that were transferred to CoalCo pursuant to the Contribution, (B) sell or transfer, or cause or permit to be sold or transferred, 30% or more of the gross assets of the CoalCo Active Trade or Business, (C) sell or transfer 30% or more of the gross assets of the Retained PAMC Business, or (D) sell or transfer 30% or more of the consolidated gross assets of CoalCo and its Affiliates (in each case, such percentages to be measured based on fair market value as of the Distribution Date), (iv) redeem or otherwise repurchase (directly or through a CoalCo Affiliate) any CoalCo stock, or rights to acquire stock, except to the extent such repurchases satisfy Section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30 (as in effect prior to the amendment by Revenue Procedure 2003-48), (v) amend its certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents), or take any other action, whether through a stockholder vote or otherwise, affecting the voting rights of CoalCo Capital Stock (including, without limitation, through the conversion of one class of CoalCo Capital Stock into another class of CoalCo Capital Stock), or (vi) take any other action or actions (including any action or transaction that would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with any representation or covenant made in the Ruling Request, the Representation Letters, or the Tax Opinions/Rulings) which in the aggregate (and taking into account any other transactions described in this subparagraph (d)) would be reasonably likely to have the effect of causing or permitting one or more persons to acquire, directly or indirectly, stock representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest in CoalCo or otherwise jeopardize the Tax-Free Status of

 

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the Contribution or the Distribution unless, in each case, prior to taking any such action set forth in the foregoing clauses (i) through (vi), (A) CoalCo shall have requested that Parent obtain a private letter ruling (or, if applicable, a supplemental private letter ruling) from the IRS and/or any other applicable Tax Authority (a “ Post-Distribution Ruling ”) in accordance with Section  7.04(b) and (d)  of this Agreement to the effect that such transaction will not affect the Tax-Free Status and Parent shall have received such a Post-Distribution Ruling in form and substance satisfactory to Parent in its sole and absolute discretion (and in determining whether a Post-Distribution Ruling is satisfactory, Parent may consider, among other factors, the appropriateness of any underlying assumptions and management’s representations made in connection with such Post-Distribution Ruling), or (B) CoalCo shall provide Parent with an Unqualified Tax Opinion in form and substance satisfactory to Parent in its sole and absolute discretion (and in determining whether an opinion is satisfactory, Parent may consider, among other factors, the appropriateness of any underlying assumptions and management’s representations if used as a basis for the opinion and Parent may determine that no opinion would be acceptable to Parent) or (C) Parent shall have waived the requirement to obtain such Post-Distribution Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion.

(e) Certain Issuances of CoalCo Capital Stock . If CoalCo proposes to enter into any Section  7.02(e) Acquisition Transaction or, to the extent CoalCo has the right to prohibit any Section  7.02(e) Acquisition Transaction, proposes to permit any Section  7.02(e) Acquisition Transaction to occur, in each case, during the period from the date hereof until the first day after the Restriction Period, CoalCo shall provide Parent, no later than ten days following the signing of any written agreement with respect to the Section  7.02(e) Acquisition Transaction, with a written description of such transaction (including the type and amount of CoalCo Capital Stock to be issued in such transaction) and a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of CoalCo to the effect that the Section  7.02(e) Acquisition Transaction is not a Proposed Acquisition Transaction or any other transaction to which the requirements of Section  7.02(d) apply (a “ CFO Certificate ”).

Section  7.03 Restrictions on Parent . Parent agrees that it will not take or fail to take, or cause or permit any member of the Parent Group to take or fail to take, any action where such action or failure to act would be inconsistent with or cause to be untrue any material information, covenant or representation in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any of the other Ancillary Agreements, the Ruling Request, any Representation Letters, or the Tax Opinions/Rulings. Parent agrees that it will not take or fail to take, or cause or permit any member of the Parent Group to take or fail to take, any action which prevents or could reasonably be expected to prevent (i) Tax-Free Status or (ii) any Separation Transaction from having the tax treatment described in the Tax Opinions/Rulings.

Section 7.04 Procedures Regarding Opinions and Post-Distribution Rulings.

(a) If CoalCo notifies Parent that it desires to take one of the actions described in clauses (i) through (vi) of Section  7.02(d) (a “ Notified Action ”), Parent and CoalCo shall reasonably cooperate to attempt to obtain the Post-Distribution Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion referred to in Section  7.02(d) , unless Parent shall have waived the requirement to obtain such Post-Distribution Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion.

(b) Post-Distribution Rulings or Unqualified Tax Opinions at CoalCo’s Request . At the reasonable request of CoalCo pursuant to Section  7.02(d) , Parent shall cooperate with CoalCo and use its reasonable best efforts to seek to obtain, as expeditiously as possible, a Post-Distribution Ruling from the IRS (and/or any other applicable Tax Authority, or if applicable, a supplemental private letter ruling) or cooperate with CoalCo to enable CoalCo to obtain an Unqualified Tax Opinion for the purpose of permitting CoalCo to take the Notified Action. Further, in no event shall Parent be required to file any request for a Post-Distribution Ruling under this Section  7.04(b) unless CoalCo represents that (A) it has reviewed the request for such Post-Distribution Ruling, and (B) all information and representations, if any, relating to any member of the CoalCo Group, contained in the related Post-Distribution Ruling documents are (subject to any qualifications therein) true, correct and complete. CoalCo shall reimburse Parent for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Parent Group in obtaining a Post-Distribution Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion requested by CoalCo within ten business days after receiving an invoice from Parent therefor.

(c) Post-Distribution Rulings or Unqualified Tax Opinions at Parent’s Request . Parent shall have the right to obtain a Post-Distribution Ruling (or, if applicable, a supplemental private letter ruling) from the IRS and/or any other applicable Tax Authority or an Unqualified Tax Opinion at any time in its sole and absolute discretion. If Parent determines to obtain a Post-Distribution Ruling or an Unqualified Tax Opinion, CoalCo shall (and shall cause each Affiliate of CoalCo to) cooperate with Parent and take any and all actions reasonably requested by Parent in connection with obtaining the Post-Distribution Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion (including, without limitation, by making any representation or covenant or providing any materials or information requested by the IRS, or other applicable Tax Authority, or Tax Advisor; provided that CoalCo shall not be required to make (or cause any Affiliate of CoalCo to make) any representation or covenant that is inconsistent with historical facts or as to future matters or events over which it has no control). Parent shall reimburse CoalCo for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the CoalCo Group in obtaining a Post-Distribution Ruling or Unqualified Tax Opinion requested by Parent within ten business days after receiving an invoice from CoalCo therefor.

 

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(d) CoalCo hereby agrees that Parent shall have sole and exclusive control over the process of obtaining any Post-Distribution Ruling pursuant to Section  7.04(b) or (c) , and that only Parent shall apply for such a Post-Distribution Ruling. In connection with obtaining a Post-Distribution Ruling pursuant to Section  7.04(b) , (A) Parent shall keep CoalCo informed in a timely manner of all material actions taken or proposed to be taken by Parent in connection therewith; (B) Parent shall (1) reasonably in advance of the submission of any related Post-Distribution Ruling documents provide CoalCo with a draft copy thereof, (2) reasonably consider CoalCo’s comments on such draft copy, and (3) provide CoalCo with a final copy; and (C) Parent shall provide CoalCo with notice reasonably in advance of, and CoalCo shall have the right to attend, any formally scheduled meetings with the IRS or other applicable Tax Authority (subject to the approval of the IRS or other applicable Tax Authority) that relate to such Post-Distribution Ruling. Neither CoalCo nor any CoalCo Affiliate directly or indirectly controlled by CoalCo shall seek any guidance from the IRS or any other Tax Authority (whether written, verbal or otherwise) at any time concerning the Contribution or the Distribution (including the impact of any transaction on the Contribution or Distribution, as applicable).

Section 7.05 Liability for Tax-Related Losses.

(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement to the contrary, subject to Section  7.05(c) , CoalCo shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Parent and its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, one hundred percent (100%) of any Tax-Related Losses that are attributable to or result from any one or more of the following: (A) the acquisition (other than pursuant to the Contribution or the Distribution) of all or a portion of CoalCo’s Capital Stock and/or its or its subsidiaries’ assets by any means whatsoever by any Person, (B) any “agreement,” “understanding,” “arrangement,” “substantial negotiations” or “discussions” (as such terms are used or defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of any member of the CoalCo Group or by any other person or persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more of such officers or directors regarding transactions or events that cause the Distribution to be treated as part of a plan pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire, directly or indirectly, stock of CoalCo representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest therein, (C) any action or failure to act by CoalCo after the Distribution (including, without limitation, any amendment to CoalCo’s certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents), whether through a stockholder vote or otherwise) affecting the voting rights of CoalCo stock (including, without limitation, through the conversion of one class of CoalCo Capital Stock into another class of CoalCo Capital Stock), (D) any act or failure to act by CoalCo or any CoalCo Affiliate described in Section  7.02 (regardless whether such act or failure to act is covered by a Post-Distribution Ruling, Unqualified Tax Opinion or waiver described in clause (A) , (B)  or (C)  of Section  7.02(d) or a CFO Certificate described in Section  7.02(e) ) or (E) any breach by CoalCo of its agreements and representations set forth in Section  7.01 .

(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement to the contrary, subject to Section  7.05(c) , Parent shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless CoalCo and its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, one hundred percent (100%) of any Tax-Related Losses that are attributable to, or result from any one or more of the following: (A) the acquisition (other than pursuant to the Contribution or the Distribution) of all or a portion of Parent’s stock and/or its or its subsidiaries’ assets by any means whatsoever by any Person, (B) any “agreement”, “understanding”, “arrangement”, “substantial negotiations” or “discussions” (as such terms are defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(h)) by any one or more officers or directors of any member of the Parent Group or by any other person or persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more of such officers or directors regarding transactions or events that cause the Distribution to be treated as part of a plan pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire, directly or indirectly, stock of Parent representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest therein, (C) any act or failure to act by Parent or a member of the Parent Group described in Section  7.03 or (D) any breach by Parent of its agreements and representations set forth in Section  7.01(a) .

(c) Miscellaneous .

(i) To the extent that any Tax-Related Loss is subject to indemnity under both Sections 7.05(a) and (b) , responsibility for such Tax-Related Loss shall be shared by Parent and CoalCo according to relative fault.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything in Section  7.05(b) or (c)(i) or any other provision of this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement to the contrary:

(A) with respect to (I) any Tax-Related Loss resulting from the application of Section 355(e) or Section 355(f) of the Code (other than as a result of an acquisition of a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest in Parent) and (II) any other Tax-Related Loss resulting, in whole or in part, from an acquisition after the Distribution of any stock or assets of CoalCo (or any CoalCo Affiliate) by any means whatsoever by any Person or any action or failure to act by CoalCo affecting the voting rights of CoalCo (or the application of Section 355(h) by reason of any action or fact relating to CoalCo), CoalCo shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Parent and its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, one hundred percent (100%) of such Tax-Related Loss;

 

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(B) for purposes of calculating the amount and timing of any Tax-Related Loss for which CoalCo is responsible under this Section  7.05 , Tax-Related Losses shall be calculated by assuming that Parent, the Parent Affiliated Group and each member of the Parent Group (I) pay Tax at the highest marginal corporate Tax rates in effect in each relevant taxable year and (II) have no Tax Attributes in any relevant taxable year; and

(C) for purposes of calculating the amount and timing of any Tax-Related Loss for which Parent is responsible under this Section  7.05 , Tax-Related Losses shall be calculated by assuming that CoalCo, the CoalCo Group and each member of the CoalCo Group (I) pay Tax at the highest marginal corporate Tax rates in effect in each relevant taxable year and (II) have no Tax Attributes in any relevant taxable year.

(d) CoalCo shall pay Parent the amount of any Tax-Related Losses for which CoalCo is responsible under this Section  7.05 : (A) in the case of Tax-Related Losses described in clause (i) of the definition of Tax-Related Losses no later than two business days prior to the date Parent files, or causes to be filed, the applicable Tax Return for the year of the Contribution or Distribution, as applicable (the “ Filing Date ”) ( provided that if such Tax-Related Losses arise pursuant to a Final Determination described in clause (a), (b) or (c) of the definition of “Final Determination,” then CoalCo shall pay Parent no later than two business days prior to the Due Date for making payment with respect to such Final Determination) and (B) in the case of Tax-Related Losses described in clause (ii) or (iii) of the definition of Tax-Related Losses, no later than two business days after the date Parent pays such Tax-Related Losses. Parent shall pay CoalCo the amount of any Tax-Related Losses (described in clause (ii) or (iii) of the definition of Tax-Related Loss) for which Parent is responsible under this Section  7.05 no later than two business days after the date CoalCo pays such Tax-Related Losses. Each Party shall have the right to review the calculation of any Tax-Related Losses prepared by the other Party, including any related workpapers and other supporting documentation.

Section  7.06 Section  336(e) Election. If Parent determines, in its sole discretion, that a protective election under Section 336(e) of the Code (a “Section  336(e) Election” ) shall be made with respect to the Distribution, CoalCo shall (and shall cause the relevant member of the CoalCo Group to) join with Parent or the relevant member of the Parent Group in the making of such election and shall take any action reasonably requested by Parent or that is otherwise necessary to give effect to such election (including making any other related election). If a Section 336(e) Election is made with respect to the Distribution, then this Agreement shall be amended in such a manner as is determined by Parent in good faith to take into account such Section 336(e) Election (including by requiring that, in the event the Contribution and Distribution fail to have Tax-Free Status and Parent is not entitled to indemnification for the Tax-Related Losses arising from such failure, CoalCo shall pay over to Parent any Tax Benefits actually realized in cash by the CoalCo Group or any member of the CoalCo Group arising from the step-up in Tax basis resulting from the Section 336(e) Election); provided , such amounts payable shall be reduced by all reasonable costs incurred by CoalCo to amend any Tax Returns or other governmental filings related to such Section 336(e) Election.

Section 8. Assistance and Cooperation.

Section 8.01 Assistance and Cooperation.

(a) Each of the Companies shall provide (and cause its Affiliates to provide) the other and its agents, including accounting firms and legal counsel, with such cooperation or information as such other Company reasonably requests in connection with Tax matters relating to the Companies and their Affiliates, including (i) preparation and filing of Tax Returns, (ii) determining the liability for and amount of any Taxes due (including estimated Taxes) or the right to and amount of any Refund of Taxes, (iii) examinations of Tax Returns, and (iv) any administrative or judicial proceeding in respect of Taxes assessed or proposed to be assessed. Such cooperation shall include making available, upon reasonable notice, all information and documents in their possession relating to the other Company and its Affiliates as provided in Section  9 . Each of the Companies shall also make available to the other, as reasonably requested and available, personnel (including officers, directors, employees and agents of the Companies or their respective Affiliates) responsible for preparing, maintaining, and interpreting information and documents relevant to Taxes, and personnel reasonably required as witnesses for purposes of providing information or documents in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to Taxes.

(b) Any information or documents provided under this Section  8 or Section  9 shall be kept confidential by the Company receiving the information or documents, except as may otherwise be necessary in connection with the filing of Tax Returns or in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to Taxes. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other agreement, (i) neither Parent nor any Parent Affiliate shall be required to provide CoalCo or any CoalCo Affiliate or any other Person access to or copies of any information (including the proceedings of any Tax Contest) other than information that relates solely to CoalCo, the business or assets of CoalCo, or any CoalCo Affiliate and (ii) in no event shall either of the Companies or any of its respective Affiliates be required to provide the other Company or any of its respective Affiliates or any other Person access to or copies of any information if such action could reasonably be expected to result in the waiver of any Privilege. In addition, in the event that either Company determines that the provision of any information to the other Company or its Affiliates could be commercially

 

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detrimental, violate any law or agreement or waive any Privilege, the parties shall use reasonable best efforts to permit compliance with its obligations under this Section  8 or Section  9 in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence.

Section  8.02 Income Tax Return Information. CoalCo and Parent acknowledge that time is of the essence in relation to any request for information, assistance or cooperation made by Parent or CoalCo pursuant to Section  8.01 or this Section  8.02 . CoalCo and Parent acknowledge that failure to conform to the deadlines set forth herein or reasonable deadlines otherwise set by Parent or CoalCo could cause irreparable harm. Each Company shall provide to the other Company information and documents relating to its Group required by the other Company to prepare Tax Returns. Any information or documents the Responsible Company requires to prepare such Tax Returns shall be provided in such form as the Responsible Company reasonably requests and in sufficient time for the Responsible Company to file such Tax Returns on a timely basis.

Section  8.03 Reliance by Parent . If any member of the CoalCo Group supplies information to a member of the Parent Group in connection with a Tax liability and an officer of a member of the Parent Group signs a statement or other document under penalties of perjury in reliance upon the accuracy of such information, then upon the written request of such member of the Parent Group identifying the information being so relied upon, the chief financial officer of CoalCo (or any officer of CoalCo as designated by the chief financial officer of CoalCo) shall certify in writing that to his or her knowledge (based upon consultation with appropriate employees) the information so supplied is accurate and complete. CoalCo agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Parent Group and its directors, officers and employees from and against any fine, penalty, or other cost or expense of any kind attributable to a member of the CoalCo Group having supplied, pursuant to this Section  8 , a member of the Parent Group with inaccurate or incomplete information in connection with a Tax liability.

Section  8.04 Reliance by CoalCo. If any member of the Parent Group supplies information to a member of the CoalCo Group in connection with a Tax liability and an officer of a member of the CoalCo Group signs a statement or other document under penalties of perjury in reliance upon the accuracy of such information, then upon the written request of such member of the CoalCo Group identifying the information being so relied upon, the chief financial officer of Parent (or any officer of Parent as designated by the chief financial officer of Parent) shall certify in writing that to his or her knowledge (based upon consultation with appropriate employees) the information so supplied is accurate and complete. Parent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each member of the CoalCo Group and its directors, officers and employees from and against any fine, penalty, or other cost or expense of any kind attributable to a member of the Parent Group having supplied, pursuant to this Section  8 , a member of the CoalCo Group with inaccurate or incomplete information in connection with a Tax liability.

Section 9. Tax Records.

Section  9.01 Retention of Tax Records . Each Company shall preserve and keep all Tax Records (including emails and other digitally stored materials) exclusively relating to the assets and activities of its Group for Pre-Deconsolidation Periods, and Parent shall preserve and keep all other Tax Records relating to Taxes of the Groups for Pre-Deconsolidation Periods, for so long as the contents thereof may become material in the administration of any matter under the Code or other applicable Tax Law, but in any event until the later of (i) the expiration of any applicable statutes of limitations, or (ii) seven years after the Deconsolidation Date (such later date, the “Retention Date ”). After the Retention Date, each Company may dispose of such Tax Records upon 90 days’ prior written notice to the other Company. If, prior to the Retention Date, a Company reasonably determines that any Tax Records which it would otherwise be required to preserve and keep under this Section  9 are no longer material in the administration of any matter under the Code or other applicable Tax Law and the other Company agrees, then such first Company may dispose of such Tax Records upon 90 days’ prior notice to the other Company. Any notice of an intent to dispose given pursuant to this Section  9.01 shall include a list of the Tax Records to be disposed of describing in reasonable detail the files, books, or other records being disposed. The notified Company shall have the opportunity, at its cost and expense, to copy or remove, within such 90-day period, all or any part of such Tax Records, and the other Company will then dispose of the same Tax Records. If, at any time prior to the Retention Date, a Company determines to decommission or otherwise discontinue any computer program or information technology system used to access or store any Tax Records, then such Company may decommission or discontinue such program or system upon 90 days’ prior notice to the other Company, and the other Company shall have the opportunity, at its cost and expense, to copy, within such 90-day period, all or any part of the underlying data relating to the Tax Records accessed by or stored on such program or system.

Section  9.02 Access to Tax Records . The Companies and their respective Affiliates shall make available to each other for inspection and copying during normal business hours upon reasonable notice all Tax Records (and, for the avoidance of doubt, any pertinent underlying data accessed or stored on any computer program or information technology system) in their possession and shall permit the other Company and its Affiliates, authorized agents and representatives and any representative of a Tax Authority or other Tax auditor direct access during normal business hours upon reasonable notice to any computer program or information technology system used to access or store any Tax Records, in each case, to the extent reasonably required by the other Company in connection with the preparation

 

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of Tax Returns or financial accounting statements, audits, litigation, or the resolution of items under this Agreement. To the extent any Tax Records are required to be or are otherwise transferred by the Companies or their respective Affiliates to any Person other than an Affiliate, the Company or its respective Affiliates shall transfer such records to the other Company at such time.

Section  9.03 Preservation of Privilege . The parties hereto agree to (and to cause the applicable members of their respective Groups to) cooperate and use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain Privilege with respect to any documentation relating to Taxes existing prior to the Distribution Date or Tax-Related Losses to which Privilege may reasonably be asserted (any such documentation, “ Privileged Documentation ”), including by executing joint defense and/or common interest agreements where necessary or useful for this purpose. No member of the CoalCo Group shall provide access to or copies of, or otherwise disclose to any Person, any Privileged Documentation without the prior written consent of Parent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. No member of the Parent Group shall provide access to or copies of or otherwise disclose to any Person any Privileged Documentation without the prior written consent of CoalCo, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, in the event that (x) any Governmental Authority requests, outside of normal working hours, that either Company (or any of its Affiliates) provide to such Governmental Authority access to or copies of or otherwise disclose any Privileged Documentation, (y) immediate compliance with such request is required under applicable Law, and (z) such Company attempts in good faith to obtain the prior written consent of the other Company but is not able to do so, then such Company shall be permitted to comply with such request by such Governmental Authority without obtaining the prior written consent of the other Company and shall as promptly as practicable inform the other Company of such request and the access and/or disclosure provided pursuant thereto.

Section 10. Tax Contests.

Section  10.01 Notice . Each of the Companies shall provide prompt notice, within five business days, by Federal Express or the equivalent with tracking receipt, to the other Company of any written communication from a Tax Authority regarding any pending or threatened Tax audit, assessment or proceeding or other Tax Contest of which it becomes aware related to Taxes for which it may be entitled to indemnification by the other Company hereunder. Such notice shall include copies of the pertinent portion of any written communication from a Tax Authority and contain factual information (to the extent known) describing any asserted Tax liability in reasonable detail and shall be accompanied by copies of any notice and other documents received from any Tax Authority in respect of any such matters. The failure of one Company to notify the other of such communication in accordance with the immediately preceding sentences shall not relieve such other Company of any liability or obligation to pay such Tax or make indemnification payments under this Agreement, except to the extent that the failure timely to provide such notification actually prejudices the ability of such other Company to contest such Tax liability or increases the amount of such Tax liability.

Section 10.02 Control of Tax Contests.

(a) Separate Company Tax Returns .

(i) Pre-Deconsolidation Date and Straddle Period Separate Returns . In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Separate Return (including any Separate Return with respect to Other Taxes) for any Tax Period ending on or prior to the Distribution Date or any Straddle Period, Parent (in the case of any such Separate Return filed with respect to any Person that, following the Distribution, is a member of the Parent Group) or CoalCo (in the case of any such Separate Return filed with respect to any Person that, following the Distribution, is a member of the CoalCo group), as applicable, shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Sections 10.02(d) , 10.02(e) , and 10.02(f) below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, in the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Separate Return described in the proviso in Section  2.03(c) , if as a result of such Tax Contest, the Party who is not responsible for filing such Separate Return pursuant to Section  4.02(c) or Section  4.03 , as applicable, could reasonably be expected to become liable for an amount of Tax pursuant to Section  2.03(c) or Section  3(c) , then the Party expected to bear the greater Tax liability as a result of the Tax Contest shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Sections 10.02(d) and 10.02(e) below.

(ii) Post-Deconsolidation Date Separate Returns . In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Separate Return (including any Separate Return with respect to Other Taxes) for any Tax Period beginning after the Distribution Date, the Responsible Company shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Section  10.02(e) below.

 

22


(b) Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Returns. In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Parent Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, Parent shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Sections 10.02(d) and 10.02(f)(i) below.

(c) Parent State Combined Income Tax Returns, Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Returns, and Other Joint Returns. In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Parent State Combined Income Tax Return, any Parent Foreign Combined Income Tax Return or any Joint Return with respect to Other Taxes, Parent shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Section  10.02(d) and 10.02(f)(i) below.

(d) CoalCo Rights. In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Tax Return described in Section  10.02(a) , (b) , or (c)  (other than any Separate Return described in Section  10.02(a)(ii) ), if (x) as a result of such Tax Contest, CoalCo could reasonably be expected to become liable for an amount of Tax in excess of $1 million and (y) Parent has control of such Tax Contest pursuant to Section  10.02(a) , (b) , or (c) , as applicable, then (i) Parent shall consult with CoalCo reasonably in advance of taking any significant action in connection with such Tax Contest, (ii) Parent shall consult with CoalCo and offer CoalCo a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such Tax Contest, (iii) Parent shall defend such Tax Contest diligently and in good faith as if it were the only party in interest in connection with such Tax Contest, and (iv) CoalCo shall be entitled to participate in such Tax Contest and receive copies of any written materials relating to such Tax Contest received from the relevant Tax Authority.

(e) Parent Rights . In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Tax Return described in Section  10.02(a) , if (x) as a result of such Tax Contest, Parent could reasonably be expected to become liable for an amount of Tax in excess of $1 million and (y) CoalCo has the right to control such Tax Contest pursuant to Section  10.02(a) , then (i) CoalCo shall consult with Parent reasonably in advance of taking any significant action in connection with such Tax Contest, (ii) CoalCo shall consult with Parent and offer Parent a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such Tax Contest, (iii) CoalCo shall defend such Tax Contest diligently and in good faith as if it were the only party in interest in connection with such Tax Contest, (iv) Parent shall be entitled to participate in such Tax Contest and receive copies of any written materials relating to such Tax Contest received from the relevant Tax Authority, and (v) CoalCo shall not settle, compromise or abandon any such Tax Contest without obtaining the prior written consent of Parent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(f) Distribution-Related Tax Contests.

(i) In the event of any Distribution-Related Tax Contest as a result of which CoalCo could reasonably be expected to become liable for any Tax or Tax-Related Losses and which Parent has the right to administer and control pursuant to Section  10.02(a) , (b) , or (c)  above, (A) Parent shall consult with CoalCo reasonably in advance of taking any significant action in connection with such Tax Contest, (B) Parent shall offer CoalCo a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such Tax Contest, (C) Parent shall defend such Tax Contest diligently and in good faith as if it were the only party in interest in connection with such Tax Contest, and (D) Parent shall provide CoalCo copies of any written materials relating to such Tax Contest received from the relevant Tax Authority. Notwithstanding anything in the preceding sentence to the contrary, the final determination of the positions taken, including with respect to settlement or other disposition, in any Distribution-Related Tax Contest shall be made in the sole discretion of Parent and shall be final and not subject to the dispute resolution provisions of Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement or Section  14 hereof.

(ii) In the event of any Distribution-Related Tax Contest with respect to any CoalCo Separate Return, (A) CoalCo shall consult with Parent reasonably in advance of taking any significant action in connection with such Tax Contest, (B) CoalCo shall consult with Parent and offer Parent a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such Tax Contest, (C) CoalCo shall defend such Tax Contest diligently and in good faith as if it were the only party in interest in connection with such Tax Contest, (D) Parent shall be entitled to participate in such Tax Contest and receive copies of any written materials relating to such Tax Contest received from the relevant Tax Authority, and (E) CoalCo shall not settle, compromise or abandon any such Tax Contest without obtaining the prior written consent of Parent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

23


(g) Power of Attorney .

(i) Each member of the CoalCo Group shall execute and deliver to Parent (or such member of the Parent Group as Parent shall designate) any power of attorney or other similar document reasonably requested by Parent (or such designee) in connection with any Tax Contest (as to which Parent is the Controlling Party) described in this Section  10 .

(ii) Each member of the Parent Group shall execute and deliver to CoalCo (or such member of the CoalCo Group as CoalCo shall designate) any power of attorney or other similar document reasonably requested by CoalCo (or such designee) in connection with any Tax Contest (as to which CoalCo is the Controlling Party) described in this Section  10 .

Section  11. Effective Date; Termination of Prior Intercompany Tax Allocation Agreements . This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Time. As of the Effective Time, (i) all prior intercompany Tax allocation agreements or arrangements solely between or among one or more members of the Parent Group, on the one hand, and one or more members of the CoalCo Group, on the other hand, shall be terminated, and (ii) amounts due under such agreements as of the date on which the Effective Time occurs shall be settled as of the Effective Time. Upon such termination and settlement, no further payments by or to any member of the Parent Group or by or to any member of the CoalCo Group, with respect to such agreements shall be made, and all other rights and obligations resulting from such agreements between the Companies and their Affiliates shall cease at such time. Any payments pursuant to such agreements shall be disregarded for purposes of computing amounts due under this Agreement; provided that to the extent appropriate, as determined by Parent, payments made pursuant to such agreements shall be credited to CoalCo or Parent, respectively, in computing their respective obligations pursuant to this Agreement, in the event that such payments relate to a Tax liability that is the subject matter of this Agreement for a Tax Period that is the subject matter of this Agreement.

Section  12. Survival of Obligations. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement shall be unconditional and absolute and shall remain in effect without limitation as to time.

Section 13. Treatment of Payments; Tax Gross Up.

Section  13.01 Treatment of Tax Indemnity and Tax Benefit Payments. In the absence of any change in Tax treatment under the Code or other applicable Tax Law, for all Income Tax purposes, the Companies agree to treat, and to cause their respective Affiliates to treat, (i) any indemnity payment required by this Agreement or by the Separation and Distribution Agreement as either a contribution by Parent to CoalCo or a distribution by CoalCo to Parent, as the case may be, occurring immediately prior to the Distribution; and (ii) any payment of interest or State Income Taxes by or to a Tax Authority, as taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the Company entitled under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under this Agreement to make such payment.

Section  13.02 Tax Gross Up. If notwithstanding the manner in which Tax indemnity payments and Tax Benefit payments were reported, there is an adjustment to the Tax liability of a Company as a result of its receipt of a payment pursuant to this Agreement or the Separation and Distribution Agreement, such payment shall be appropriately adjusted so that the amount of such payment, reduced by the amount of all Income Taxes payable with respect to the receipt thereof (but taking into account all correlative Tax Benefits resulting from the payment of such Income Taxes), shall equal the amount of the payment which the Company receiving such payment would otherwise be entitled to receive.

Section  13.03 Interest. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, to the extent one Company ( “Indemnitor” ) makes a payment of interest to another Company (“ Indemnitee ”) under this Agreement with respect to the period from the date that the Indemnitee made a payment of Tax to a Tax Authority to the date that the Indemnitor reimbursed the Indemnitee for such Tax payment, the interest payment shall be treated as interest expense to the Indemnitor (deductible to the extent provided by law) and as interest income by the Indemnitee (includible in income to the extent provided by law). The amount of the payment shall not be adjusted to take into account any associated Tax Benefit to the Indemnitor or increase in Tax to the Indemnitee.

Section 14. Disagreements.

Section  14.01 Interaction with Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement. In the event of any dispute between any member of the Parent Group and any member of the CoalCo Group as to any matter covered by this Agreement, the Companies shall

 

24


agree as to whether such dispute shall be governed by the procedures set forth in Section  14.02 of this Agreement or in Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement. If the Parties cannot agree within thirty (30) days from the time such dispute arises as to which procedure will govern such dispute, such disagreement shall be resolved pursuant to Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Section  14.02 Dispute Resolution. With respect to any dispute governed by this Section  14.02 , the Companies shall appoint a nationally recognized “Big Four” independent public accounting firm (other than the current auditing firm of Parent or CoalCo) (the “Accounting Firm”) to resolve such dispute. The Companies shall cooperate in good faith in jointly selecting the Accounting Firm. In this regard, the Accounting Firm shall make determinations with respect to the disputed items based solely on representations made by Parent and CoalCo and their respective Representatives, and not by independent review, shall function only as an expert and not as an arbitrator and shall be required to make a determination in favor of one Company only. The Companies shall require the Accounting Firm to resolve all disputes no later than fifteen (15) days after the submission of such dispute to the Accounting Firm, but in no event later than the relevant Payment Date, and agree that all decisions by the Accounting Firm with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive and binding on the Companies. The Accounting Firm shall resolve all disputes in a manner consistent with this Agreement. To the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement, the Accounting Firm shall resolve all disputes in a manner consistent with the Past Practices of Parent and the members of the Parent Group, except as otherwise required by applicable Law. The Companies 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 paid by the non-prevailing Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section  14 , a Party may seek preliminary provisional or injunctive judicial relief with respect to any dispute under this Agreement without first complying with the procedures set forth in this Section  14 (or Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement) if such action is reasonably necessary to avoid irreparable damage.

Section  15. Late Payments. Any amount owed by one Party to another Party under this Agreement which is not paid when due shall bear interest at the Prime Rate plus two percent, compounded semiannually, from the due date of the payment to the date paid. To the extent interest required to be paid under this Section  15 duplicates interest required to be paid under any other provision of this Agreement, interest shall be computed at the higher of the interest rate provided under this Section  15 or the interest rate provided under such other provision.

Section  16. Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each Party and its Affiliates shall bear their own expenses incurred in connection with preparation of Tax Returns, Tax Contests, and other matters related to Taxes under the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 17. General Provisions.

Section  17.01 Addresses and Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service, by facsimile or electronic transmission with receipt confirmed (followed by delivery of an original via overnight courier service or by registered or certified mail postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section  17.01 ):

If to Parent, to: Stephanie Gill

CONSOL Energy Inc.

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive

Canonsburg, PA 15317

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

Phone: (724) 485-4234

If to CoalCo, to: Martha Wiegand

CONSOL Mining Corporation

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive

Canonsburg, PA 15317

Attn: Chief Legal Officer

Phone: (724) 485-4009

 

25


A Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

Section  17.02 Assignability. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns; provided , that neither Party nor any such Party thereto may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other Party hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such consent shall be required for the assignment of a Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement in whole ( i.e. , the assignment of a Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement all at the same time) in connection with a change of control of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant Party thereto by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party.

Section  17.03 Waiver. Waiver by a Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default, nor shall it prejudice the rights of the other Party. No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof prejudice any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

Section  17.04 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

Section  17.05 Authority. Parent represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the Parent Group, and CoalCo represents on behalf of itself and each other member of the CoalCo Group, as follows: (i) each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (ii) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms thereof.

Section  17.06 Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information, and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement, including the execution and delivery to the other parties and their Affiliates and representatives of such powers of attorney or other authorizing documentation as is reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with Tax Contests (or portions thereof) under the control of such other parties in accordance with Section  10 .

Section  17.07 Integration. This Agreement, the other Ancillary Agreements and the Exhibits, Schedules and appendices hereto and thereto contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement, or any other agreements relating to the transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement, with respect to matters addressed herein, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

Section  17.08 Construction. The language in all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed according to its fair meaning and shall not be strictly construed for or against any Party. The captions, titles and headings included in this Agreement are for convenience only, and do not affect this Agreement’s construction or interpretation. Unless otherwise indicated, all “Section” references in this Agreement are to sections of this Agreement.

Section  17.09 No Double Recovery. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to provide an indemnity or other recovery for any costs, damages, or other amounts for which the damaged Party has been fully compensated under any other provision of this Agreement or under any other agreement or action at law or equity. Unless expressly required in this Agreement, a Party shall not be required to exhaust all remedies available under other agreements or at law or equity before recovering under the remedies provided in this Agreement.

 

26


Section  17.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party. Each Party acknowledges that it and each other Party may be executing this Agreement by facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature, and that delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement (whether executed by manual, stamp or mechanical signature) by facsimile or by email in portable document format (PDF) shall be effective as delivery of such executed counterpart of this Agreement. Each Party expressly adopts and confirms each such facsimile, stamp or mechanical signature (regardless of whether delivered in person, by mail, by courier, by facsimile or by email in portable document format (PDF)) made in its respective name as if it were a manual signature delivered in person, agrees that it will not assert that any such signature or delivery is not adequate to bind such Party to the same extent as if it were signed manually and delivered in person and agrees that, at the reasonable request of the other Party at any time, it will as promptly as reasonably practicable cause this Agreement to be manually executed (such execution to be as of the date of the initial date thereof) and delivered in person, by mail or by courier.

Section  17.11 Governing Law. This Agreement (and any claims or disputes arising out of or related hereto or to the transactions contemplated hereby or to the inducement of any Party to enter herein, whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether predicated on common law, statute or otherwise) shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware irrespective of the choice of laws principles of the State of Delaware including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies.

Section  17.12 Jurisdiction. If any dispute arises out of or in connection with this Agreement, except as expressly contemplated by another provision of this Agreement, the parties irrevocably (and the parties will cause each other member of their respective Group to irrevocably) (a) consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of federal and state courts located in Delaware, (b) waive any objection to that choice of forum based on venue or to the effect that the forum is not convenient, and (c) WAIVE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL OR ADJUDICATION BY JURY.

Section  17.13 Amendment. No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

Section  17.14 CoalCo Subsidiaries. If, at any time, CoalCo acquires or creates one or more subsidiaries that are includable in the CoalCo Group, they shall be subject to this Agreement and all references to the CoalCo Group herein shall thereafter include a reference to such subsidiaries.

Section  17.15 Successors. This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of any successor by merger, acquisition of assets, or otherwise, to any of the parties hereto (including but not limited to any successor of Parent, or CoalCo succeeding to the Tax attributes of either under Section 381 of the Code), to the same extent as if such successor had been an original Party to this Agreement.

Section  17.16 Injunctions. The parties acknowledge that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. The parties hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court having jurisdiction, such remedy being in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity.

[Remainder of this Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

27


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by a duly authorized officer on the date first set forth above.

 

CONSOL ENERGY INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

Name:   Stephen W. Johnson
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
CONSOL MINING CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   James A. Brock
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Tax Matters Agreement]

 

28

Exhibit 2.3

EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

AND

CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 28, 2017


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

Article I DEFINITIONS

     1  

Section 1.01

 

Definitions

     1  

Section 1.02

 

Interpretation

     6  

Article II GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR ALLOCATION OF LIABILITIES

     7  

Section 2.01

 

General Principles

     7  

Section 2.02

 

Transition Services

     8  

Section 2.03

 

Service Credit

     8  

Section 2.04

 

Benefit Plans

     8  

Section 2.05

 

Individual Agreements

     9  

Section 2.06

 

Collective Bargaining

     10  

Article III ASSIGNMENT OF EMPLOYEES

     10  

Section 3.01

 

Active Employees

     10  

Section 3.02

 

Nonsolicitation

     11  

Article IV EQUITY, INCENTIVE AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     12  

Section 4.01

 

Generally

     12  

Section 4.02

 

Equity Incentive Awards

     12  

Section 4.03

 

Nonequity Incentive Plans

     16  

Section 4.04

 

Severance Benefits

     16  

Section 4.05

 

Director Compensation

     16  
Article V QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS      17  

Section 5.01

 

Parent Pension Plan

     17  

Section 5.02

 

CoalCo Investment Plan

     17  

Article VI NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS

     18  

Section 6.01

 

CoalCo Nonqualified Plans

     18  

Section 6.02

 

Participation; Distributions

     19  

Article VII WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS

     19  

Section 7.01

 

Welfare Plans

     19  

Section 7.02

 

COBRA

     20  

Section 7.03

 

Vacation, Holidays and Leaves of Absence

     20  

Section 7.04

 

Severance and Unemployment Compensation

     20  

Section 7.05

 

Workers’ Compensation; Black Lung

     20  

 

i


Section 7.06

 

Insurance Contracts

     20  

Section 7.07

 

Third-Party Vendors

     20  

Section 7.08

 

Nondivided Welfare Plans

     20  

Article VIII MISCELLANEOUS

     21  

Section 8.01

 

Employee Records

     21  

Section 8.02

 

Preservation of Rights to Amend

     22  

Section 8.03

 

Fiduciary Matters

     22  

Section 8.04

 

Further Assurances

     22  

Section 8.05

 

Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power

     22  

Section 8.06

 

Governing Law

     22  

Section 8.07

 

Assignability

     22  

Section 8.08

 

Third-Party Beneficiaries

     23  

Section 8.09

 

Notices

     23  

Section 8.10

 

Severability

     23  

Section 8.11

 

Force Majeure

     23  

Section 8.12

 

Headings

     23  

Section 8.13

 

Survival of Covenants

     23  

Section 8.14

 

Waivers of Default

     23  

Section 8.15

 

Dispute Resolution

     23  

Section 8.16

 

Specific Performance

     24  

Section 8.17

 

Amendments

     24  

Section 8.18

 

Interpretation

     24  

Section 8.19

 

Mutual Drafting

     24  

Section 8.20

 

Provisions Incorporated by Reference

     24  

 

ii


EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT, dated as of November 28, 2017 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and between CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ”), and CONSOL Mining Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ CoalCo ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in Article I.

R E C I T A L S:

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent (the “ Parent Board ”) has determined that it is in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders to create a new publicly traded company that will operate the Coal Business;

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the foregoing, the Parent Board has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to separate the Coal Business from the Parent Business (the “ Separation ”) and, following the Separation, make a distribution, on a pro rata basis, to holders of Parent Shares on the Record Date of 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of CoalCo owned by Parent (the “ Distribution ”);

WHEREAS, CoalCo has been incorporated solely for these purposes and has not engaged in activities except in preparation for the Separation and the Distribution;

WHEREAS, to effectuate the Separation and Distribution, Parent and CoalCo have entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2017 (the “ Separation and Distribution Agreement ”); and

WHEREAS, in addition to the matters addressed by the Separation and Distribution Agreement, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions of certain employment, compensation and benefit matters.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01     Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Action ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Affiliate ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall include all Schedules hereto and all amendments, modifications, and changes hereto entered into pursuant to Section  8.17 .

Ancillary Agreements ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Assets ” shall mean Coal Assets and Parent Assets.

Benefit Plan ” shall mean any contract, agreement, policy, practice, program, plan, trust, commitment or arrangement providing for benefits, perquisites or compensation of any nature from an employer to any Employee, or to any family member, dependent, or beneficiary of any such Employee, including pension plans, thrift plans,


supplemental pension plans and welfare plans, and contracts, agreements, policies, practices, programs, plans, trusts, commitments and arrangements providing for terms of employment, fringe benefits, severance benefits, change in control protections or benefits, travel and accident, life, accidental death and dismemberment, disability and accident insurance, tuition reimbursement, travel reimbursement, vacation, sick, personal or bereavement days, leaves of absences, shutdown, layoff and holidays; provided , however , that the term “Benefit Plan” does not include any government-sponsored benefits, such as workers’ compensation, unemployment or any similar plans, programs or policies.

Coal Assets ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Coal Business ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Coal Liability ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, or any of the Liabilities described in Section  2.01(a) .

CoalCo ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

CoalCo Annual Bonus Plans ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  4.03(a) .

CoalCo Awards ” shall mean GasCo Options, CoalCo RSU Awards, CoalCo PSU Awards and CoalCo DSU Awards, collectively.

CoalCo Benefit Plan ” shall mean any Benefit Plan established, sponsored, maintained or contributed to by a member of the CoalCo Group as of or after the Distribution Date.

CoalCo Board ” shall mean the Board of Directors of CoalCo.

CoalCo DSU Award ” shall mean a deferred stock unit award granted by CoalCo pursuant to the CoalCo Equity Plan in accordance with Section  4.02(g) .

CoalCo Equity Plan ” shall mean the CONSOL Mining Corporation Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan.

CoalCo Group ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

CoalCo Group Employees ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  3.01(a) .

CoalCo Investment Plan ” shall mean the CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company Investment Plan.

CoalCo Nonemployee Director ” means each member of the CoalCo Board as of immediately prior to the Effective Time who is not a CoalCo Group Employee.

CoalCo Nonqualified Plans ” shall mean the plans established by the CoalCo Group pursuant to Section  6.01(a) that correspond to the Parent Divided Nonqualified Plans.

CoalCo PSU Award ” shall mean a performance share unit award granted pursuant to the CoalCo Equity Plan in accordance with Section  4.02(e) .

CoalCo Ratio ” shall mean the quotient obtained by dividing the Parent Stock Value by the CoalCo Stock Value.

CoalCo RSU Award ” shall mean a restricted stock unit award granted pursuant to the CoalCo Equity Plan in accordance with Section  4.02(c) .

CoalCo Shares ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

 

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CoalCo Stock Value ” shall mean the simple average of the volume weighted average per share price of CoalCo Shares, trading on the New York Stock Exchange during Regular Trading Hours on the first three Trading Days following the Distribution Date.

CoalCo Welfare Plans ” shall mean the Welfare Plans established, sponsored, maintained or contributed to by any member of the CoalCo Group for the benefit of CoalCo Group Employees and Former CoalCo Group Employees, including each such Welfare Plan that corresponds to a Parent Welfare Plan.

COBRA ” shall mean the U.S. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as codified in Section 601 et seq . of ERISA and in Section 4980B of the Code.

Code ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Dispute ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Distribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Distribution Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Distribution Ratio ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Effective Time ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Employee ” shall mean any GasCo Group Employee or CoalCo Group Employee.

ERISA ” shall mean the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

FICA ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  3.01(e) .

Force Majeure ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Former CoalCo Group Employee ” shall mean (i) any individual who is a former employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or former Subsidiaries as of the Distribution Date, in each case, whose most recent employment with Parent was with a member of the CoalCo Group or the Coal Business, and (ii) any individual who is a former employee of Parent or its Subsidiaries or former Subsidiaries whose most recent employment was at a work location that has been sold or otherwise closed prior to the Distribution Date and who is identified as a Former CoalCo Group Employee on the master list prepared by Parent prior to the Distribution Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else herein to the contrary, any individual who has received a written communication from the Parent Group prior to the Distribution Date indicating that such individual will be classified as a former employee of the CoalCo Group for purposes of compensation and benefits will be treated as a Former CoalCo Group Employee for purposes of this Agreement.

Former Employees ” shall mean Former GasCo Group Employees and Former CoalCo Group Employees.

Former Nonemployee Director ” shall mean each former member of the Parent Board whose service on the Parent Board ended prior to the Effective Time, other than the Transferred Directors.

Former Parent Group Employee ” shall mean any individual who is a former employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or former Subsidiaries as of the Distribution Date and who is not a Former CoalCo Group Employee, including any individual whose most recent employment was at a location that was sold or otherwise closed prior to the Distribution Date and who is identified as a Former Parent Group Employee on the master list prepared by Parent prior to the Distribution Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else herein to the contrary, any individual who has received a written communication from the Parent Group prior to the Distribution Date indicating that such individual will be classified as a former employee of the Parent Group for purposes of compensation and benefits will be treated as a Former Parent Group Employee for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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FUTA ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  3.01(e) .

GasCo ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.01(b) .

GasCo Awards ” shall mean GasCo Options, GasCo RSU Awards, GasCo PSU Awards, and GasCo DSU Awards, collectively.

GasCo DSU Award ” shall mean a Parent DSU Award adjusted as of the Effective Time in accordance with Section  4.02(f) .

GasCo Group Employees ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  3.01(a) .

GasCo Option ” shall mean a Parent Option adjusted as of the Effective Time in accordance with Section  4.02(a) .

GasCo Nonemployee Director ” shall mean each member of the Parent Board as of immediately after the Effective Time who is not a GasCo Group Employee.

GasCo PSU Award ” shall mean a Parent PSU Award adjusted as of the Effective Time in accordance with Section  4.02(d) .

GasCo Ratio ” shall mean the quotient obtained by dividing the Parent Stock Value by the GasCo Stock Value.

GasCo RSU Award ” shall mean a Parent RSU Award adjusted as of the Effective Time in accordance with Section  4.02(b) .

GasCo Shares ” shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of CONSOL Energy Inc. (to be renamed CNX Resources Corporation) following the Distribution.

GasCo Stock Value ” shall mean the simple average of the volume weighted average per share price of GasCo Shares, trading on the New York Stock Exchange during Regular Trading Hours on the first three Trading Days following the Distribution Date.

Governmental Authority ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

HIPAA ” shall mean the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Individual Agreement ” shall mean any individual (i) employment contract, (ii) retention, severance or change of control agreement, or (iii) other agreement containing restrictive covenants (including confidentiality, noncompetition and nonsolicitation provisions) between a member of the Parent Group and a CoalCo Group Employee or GasCo Group Employee, as in effect immediately prior to the Distribution Date.

IRS ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.

Law ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Liabilities ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

NYSE ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Parent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

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Parent Assets ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Parent Awards ” shall mean Parent Options, Parent RSU Awards, Parent PSU Awards and Parent DSU Awards, collectively.

Parent Benefit Plan ” shall mean any Benefit Plan established, sponsored or maintained by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Distribution Date, excluding any CoalCo Benefit Plan.

Parent Board ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Parent Business ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Parent Compensation Committee ” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Parent Board.

Parent Divided Nonqualified Plans ” shall mean the Retirement Restoration Plan of CONSOL Energy Inc., the CONSOL Energy Inc. Supplemental Retirement Plan, and the CONSOL Energy Inc. Defined Contribution Restoration Plan.

Parent DSU ” shall mean a deferred stock unit award granted pursuant to the Parent Equity Plan that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Parent Equity Plan ” shall mean the CONSOL Energy Inc. Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated.

Parent Group ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Parent Investment Plan ” shall mean the CONSOL Energy Inc. Investment Plan for Salaried Employees, as amended.

Parent Liability ” shall mean any Parent Liability, as such term is defined in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, or any of the Liabilities described in Section  2.01(b) .

Parent Option ” shall mean an option to purchase Parent Shares granted pursuant to the Parent Equity Plan that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Parent Pension Plan ” shall mean the CONSOL Energy Inc. Employee Retirement Plan, as amended.

Parent Pension Trust ” shall mean the CONSOL Energy Inc. Employee Retirement Plan Trust, as amended.

Parent PSU Award ” shall mean a performance share unit award granted pursuant to the Parent Equity Plan that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Parent RSU Award ” shall mean a restricted stock unit award granted pursuant to the Parent Equity Plan that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Parent Share Fund ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  5.02(b) .

Parent Shares ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Parent STIC ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  4.03(a) .

Parent Stock Value ” shall mean the simple average of the volume weighted average per share price of Parent Shares, trading on the New York Stock Exchange on a “regular way” basis during Regular Trading Hours for the three Trading Days ending on the last Trading Day prior to the Distribution Date.

 

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Parent Welfare Plan ” shall mean any Welfare Plan established, sponsored, maintained or contributed to by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of Employees or Former Employees, including the CONSOL Energy Inc. Health and Welfare Plan, but excluding each Welfare Plan identified in Section 7.08 and any CoalCo Welfare Plan.

Party ” shall mean a party to this Agreement.

Person ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Providing Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.03(b) .

Record Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Regular Trading Hours ” means the period beginning at 9:30 A.M. New York City time and ending at 4:00 P.M. New York City Time.

Requesting Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.03(b) .

Securities Act ” shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Separation ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Separation and Distribution Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Severance Benefits ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  4.04 .

Subsidiary ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Third Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Trading Day ” shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for the buying and selling of securities.

Transferred Director ” shall mean a Parent Nonemployee Director who becomes a CoalCo Nonemployee Director immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Transition Services Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

U.S. ” shall mean the United States of America.

Welfare Plan ” shall mean any “welfare plan” (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) or a “cafeteria plan” under Section 125 of the Code, and any benefits offered thereunder, and any other plan offering health benefits (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse and retiree health), disability benefits, or life, accidental death and dismemberment, and business travel insurance, pre-tax premium conversion benefits, dependent care assistance programs, employee assistance programs, paid time-off programs, contribution funding toward a health savings account, flexible spending accounts or cashable credits.

Section 1.02     Interpretation . Section 10.16 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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ARTICLE II

GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR ALLOCATION OF LIABILITIES

Section 2.01     General Principles .

(a)     Acceptance and Assumption of Coal Liabilities . Except as otherwise noted herein, effective as of the Distribution Date, CoalCo and the applicable members of the CoalCo Group shall accept, assume or retain, as applicable, and agree to faithfully perform, discharge and fulfill all of the following Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms (each of which shall be considered a Coal Liability for purposes of this Agreement):

(i)    any and all wages, salaries, incentive compensation (as the same may be modified by this Agreement), equity compensation (as the same may be modified by this Agreement), commissions, bonuses and any other employee compensation or benefits payable to or on behalf of any CoalCo Group Employees and Former CoalCo Group Employees as of and after the Distribution Date, including as it relates to any payment obligations pursuant to any Individual Agreements that are in place as of the Effective Time with respect to any CoalCo Employee or Former CoalCo Employee, without regard to when such wages, salaries, incentive compensation, equity compensation, commissions, bonuses or other employee compensation, benefits or payments are or may have been awarded or earned;

(ii)    except as expressly provided in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, any and all Liabilities whatsoever with respect to claims made by or with respect to any CoalCo Group Employees or Former CoalCo Group Employees in connection with or otherwise in relation to (A) any Individual Agreements that are in place as of the Effective Time with respect to any CoalCo Employee or Former CoalCo Employee, or (B) Benefit Plan not retained or assumed by any member of the Parent Group pursuant to this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, including any such Liabilities relating to actions or omissions of or by any member of the CoalCo Group or any officer, director, employee or agent thereof prior to, on or after the Distribution Date; and

(iii)    any and all Liabilities expressly assumed or retained by any member of the CoalCo Group pursuant to this Agreement.

(b)     Acceptance and Assumption of Parent Liabilities . Except as otherwise noted herein, effective as of the Distribution Date, Parent, which shall be renamed CNX Resources Corporation following the Effective Time (“ GasCo ”), and certain members of the Parent Group designated by Parent shall assume or retain, as applicable, and agree to faithfully perform, discharge and fulfill all of the following Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms (each of which shall be considered a Parent Liability for purposes of this Agreement):

(i)    any and all wages, salaries, incentive compensation (as the same may be modified by this Agreement), equity compensation (as the same may be modified by this Agreement), commissions, bonuses and any other employee compensation or benefits payable to or on behalf of any GasCo Group Employees and Former Parent Group Employees as of and after the Distribution Date, including as it relates to any payment obligations pursuant to any Individual Agreements that are in place as of the Effective Date with respect to any GasCo Group Employee or Former Parent Group Employee, without regard to when such wages, salaries, incentive compensation, equity compensation, commissions, bonuses or other employee compensation or benefits are or may have been awarded or earned;

(ii)    any and all Liabilities whatsoever with respect to claims made by or with respect to any GasCo Group Employees or Former Parent Group Employees in connection with or otherwise in

 

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relation to any (A) any Individual Agreements that are in place as of the Effective Time with respect to any GasCo Group Employee or Former Parent Group Employee, or (B) Benefit Plan not retained or assumed by any member of the CoalCo Group pursuant to this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, including any such Liabilities relating to actions or omissions of or by any member of the Parent Group or any officer, director, employee or agent thereof prior to, on or after the Distribution Date; and

(iii)    any and all Liabilities expressly assumed or retained by any member of the Parent Group pursuant to this Agreement.

(c)     Unaddressed Liabilities. To the extent that this Agreement does not address particular Liabilities under any Benefit Plan and the Parties later determine that they should be allocated in connection with the Distribution, the Parties shall agree in good faith on the allocation, taking into account the handling of comparable Liabilities under this Agreement.

Section 2.02     Transition Services.

The Parties acknowledge that the Parent Group and/or the CoalCo Group may provide administrative services for certain of the other Party’s compensation and benefit programs for a transitional period under the terms of the Transition Services Agreement. The Parties agree to cooperate in good faith to negotiate a business associate agreement (if required by HIPAA or other applicable health information privacy Laws) in connection with such Transition Services Agreement.

Section 2.03     Service Credit .

(a)     Service for Eligibility, Vesting and Benefit Purposes . The CoalCo Benefit Plans shall, and CoalCo shall cause each member of the CoalCo Group to, recognize each CoalCo Group Employee’s and each Former CoalCo Group Employee’s full service with Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or predecessor entities at or before the Distribution Date, to the same extent that such service was credited by Parent or its Subsidiary for similar purposes prior to the Distribution Date as if such full service had been performed for a member of the CoalCo Group, for purposes of eligibility, vesting and determination of level of benefits under any such CoalCo Benefit Plan. The Parent Benefit Plans shall, and GasCo shall cause each member of the Parent Group to, recognize each GasCo Group Employee’s and each Former Parent Group Employee’s full service with CoalCo or any of its Subsidiaries or predecessor entities at or before the Distribution Date, to the same extent that such service was credited by CoalCo or its Subsidiary for similar purposes prior to the Distribution Date as if such full service had been performed for a member of the Parent Group, for purposes of eligibility, vesting and determination of level of benefits under any such Parent Benefit Plan.

(b)     Evidence of Prior Service . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, but subject to Section  3.02 and applicable Law, upon reasonable request by either Party (the “ Requesting Party ”), the other Party (the “ Providing Party ”) will provide to the Requesting Party copies of any records available to the Providing Party to document the service, plan participation and membership of former Employees of the Providing Party who are then Employees of the Requesting Party, and will cooperate with the Requesting Party to resolve any discrepancies or obtain any missing data for purposes of determining benefit eligibility, participation, vesting and calculation of benefits with respect to any such Employee.

Section 2.04     Benefit Plans .

(a)     Establishment of Plans . As of or prior to the Distribution Date, CoalCo shall, or shall cause an applicable member of the CoalCo Group to, adopt Benefit Plans (and related trusts, if applicable), with terms comparable (or such other standard as is specified in this Agreement with respect to any particular Benefit Plan) to those of the corresponding Parent Benefit Plans; provided , however , that CoalCo may limit participation in any such CoalCo Benefit Plan to CoalCo Group Employees and Former CoalCo Group Employees who participated in the corresponding Parent Benefit Plan immediately prior to the Distribution Date.

 

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(b)     Information and Operation . GasCo shall provide CoalCo with information describing each Parent Benefit Plan election made by a CoalCo Group Employee or a Former CoalCo Group Employee that may have application to CoalCo Benefit Plans from and after the Distribution Date, and CoalCo shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to administer the CoalCo Benefit Plans using those elections. Each Party shall, upon reasonable request, provide the other Party and the other Party’s respective Affiliates, agents, and vendors all information reasonably necessary to the other Party’s operation or administration of its Benefit Plans.

(c)     No Duplication or Acceleration of Benefits. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, no participant in any CoalCo Benefit Plan shall receive service credit or benefits to the extent that receipt of such service credit or benefits would result in duplication of benefits provided to such participant by the corresponding Parent Benefit Plan or any other plan, program or arrangement sponsored or maintained by a member of the Parent Group. Furthermore, unless expressly provided for in this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement or required by applicable Law, no provision in this Agreement shall be construed to create any right to accelerate vesting or entitlements under any compensation or Benefit Plan, program or arrangement sponsored or maintained by a member of the Parent Group or member of the CoalCo Group on the part of any Employee or Former Employee.

(d)     No Expansion of Participation . Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, determined or agreed to by GasCo and CoalCo, required by applicable Law, or explicitly set forth in a CoalCo Benefit Plan, a CoalCo Group Employee or a Former CoalCo Group Employee shall be entitled to participate in the CoalCo Benefit Plans on or after the Distribution Date only to the extent that such CoalCo Group Employee or a Former CoalCo Group Employee was entitled to participate in the corresponding Parent Benefit Plan as in effect immediately prior to the Distribution Date (to the extent that such CoalCo Group Employee or a Former CoalCo Group Employee does not participate in the respective CoalCo Benefit Plan immediately prior to the Distribution Date), it being understood that this Agreement does not expand (i) the number of CoalCo Group Employees or Former CoalCo Group Employees entitled to participate in any CoalCo Benefit Plan, or (ii) the participation rights of CoalCo Group Employees or Former CoalCo Group Employees in any CoalCo Benefit Plans beyond the rights of such CoalCo Group Employees or Former CoalCo Group Employees under the corresponding Parent Benefit Plans, in each case, after the Distribution Date.

(e)     Beneficiaries . As it relates to Benefit Plans, references herein to GasCo Group Employees, Former Parent Group Employees, CoalCo Group Employees, Former CoalCo Group Employees, and nonemployee directors of either Parent, GasCo or CoalCo (including Transferred Directors), shall be deemed to refer to their beneficiaries, dependents, survivors and alternate payees, as applicable.

Section 2.05     Individual Agreements .

(a)     Assignment by Parent . To the extent necessary, Parent shall assign, or cause an applicable member of the Parent Group to assign, to CoalCo or another member of the CoalCo Group, as designated by CoalCo, all Individual Agreements pertaining to CoalCo Group Employees in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, with such assignment to be effective as of the Distribution Date; provided , however , that to the extent that assignment of any such Individual Agreement is not permitted by the terms of such agreement or by applicable Law, effective as of the Distribution Date, each member of the CoalCo Group shall be considered to be a successor to each member of the Parent Group for purposes of, and a third-party beneficiary with respect to, such Individual Agreement, such that each member of the CoalCo Group shall enjoy all of the rights and benefits under such agreement (including rights and benefits as a third-party

 

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beneficiary), with respect to the business operations of the CoalCo Group; provided , further , that in no event shall (i) GasCo be permitted to enforce any Individual Agreement after the Distribution Date (including any agreement containing noncompetition or nonsolicitation covenants) against a CoalCo Group Employee or a Former CoalCo Group Employee for action taken after the Distribution Date in such individual’s capacity as a CoalCo Group Employee or a Former CoalCo Group Employee and (ii) CoalCo be permitted to enforce any Individual Agreement after the Distribution Date (including any agreement containing noncompetition or nonsolicitation covenants) against a GasCo Group Employee or a Former Parent Group Employee for action taken after the Distribution Date in such individual’s capacity as a GasCo Group Employee or a Former Parent Group Employee.

(b)     Assumption by CoalCo. Effective as of the Distribution Date, CoalCo will assume, honor and undertake responsibility for all payment obligations with respect to, or will cause a member of the CoalCo Group to assume, honor and undertake responsibility for all payment obligations with respect to, any Individual Agreement to which any CoalCo Group Employee or Former CoalCo Group Employee is a Party with any member of the Parent Group, including any Individual Agreement which has not otherwise been terminated by the parties prior to the Distribution Date.

Section 2.06     Collective Bargaining . Effective as of the Distribution Date, to the extent necessary, CoalCo shall cause the appropriate member of the CoalCo Group to (a) assume or retain all collective bargaining agreements (including any national, sector or local collective bargaining agreement) that cover CoalCo Group Employees or Former CoalCo Group Employees, including any such agreements negotiated in connection with the Separation or which are otherwise in the process of being negotiated and the Liabilities arising under any such collective bargaining agreements, and (b) join any industrial, employer or similar association or federation if membership is required for the relevant collective bargaining agreement to continue to apply. In the event of any conflict between a provision of this Agreement and the requirements of a collective bargaining agreement applicable to either Party, the requirements of the collective bargaining agreement shall control and the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to modify the applicable provision of this Agreement to the minimum extent necessary to permit compliance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement requirements while preserving to the maximum extent possible the originally intended result of such modified provision.

ARTICLE III

ASSIGNMENT OF EMPLOYEES

Section 3.01     Active Employees .

(a)     Assignment and Transfer of Employees. Effective not later than immediately prior to the Distribution Date and except as otherwise required by applicable Law or agreed to by the Parties in writing, (i) each applicable member of the Parent Group shall have taken such actions as are necessary to ensure that each individual who is intended to be an employee of the CoalCo Group as of the Distribution Date (including any such individual who is not actively working as of the Distribution Date as a result of an illness, injury or approved leave of absence (or leave of absence otherwise taken in accordance with applicable Law) (collectively, the “ CoalCo Group Employees ”) is, as of the Distribution Date, employed by a member of the CoalCo Group and (ii) each applicable member of the Parent Group shall have taken such actions as are necessary to ensure that each individual who is intended to be an employee of the Parent Group as of the Distribution Date (including any such individual who is not actively working as of the Distribution Date as a result of an illness, injury or approved leave of absence (or leave of absence otherwise taken in accordance with applicable Law) and any other individual employed by the Parent Group as of the Distribution Date who is not a CoalCo Group Employee (collectively, the “ GasCo Group Employees ”) is, as of the Distribution Date, employed by a member of the Parent Group. Each of the Parties agrees to execute, and to seek to have the applicable Employees execute, such documentation, if any, as may be necessary to reflect such assignment and/or transfer.

 

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(b)     At-Will Status. Nothing in this Agreement shall create any obligation on the part of any member of the Parent Group or any member of the CoalCo Group to (i) continue the employment of any Employee or permit the return from a leave of absence for any period after the date of this Agreement (except as required by applicable Law), or (ii) change the employment status of any Employee from “at-will,” to the extent that such Employee is an “at-will” employee under applicable Law.

(c)     Severance. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Distribution and the assignment, transfer or continuation of the employment of Employees as contemplated by this Section  3.01 shall not be deemed an involuntary termination of employment that entitles any CoalCo Group Employee or GasCo Group Employee to severance payments or benefits.

(d)     Not a Change of Control/Change in Control. The Parties acknowledge and agree that, except as otherwise specifically contemplated by and expressed in an Individual Agreement set forth on Schedule 3.01(d) , neither the consummation of the Distribution nor any transaction contemplated by this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement shall be deemed a “change of control,” “change in control,” or term of similar import for purposes of any Benefit Plan sponsored or maintained by any member of the Parent Group or member of the CoalCo Group.

(e)     Payroll and Related Taxes. With respect to any CoalCo Group Employee or group of CoalCo Group Employees, the Parties shall, or shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to, (i) treat CoalCo (or the applicable member of the CoalCo Group) as a “successor employer” and Parent (or the applicable member of the Parent Group) as a “predecessor,” within the meaning of Sections 3121(a)(1) and 3306(b)(1) of the Code, for purposes of taxes imposed under the United States Federal Insurance Contributions Act, as amended (“ FICA ”), or the United States Federal Unemployment Tax Act, as amended (“ FUTA ”), (ii) cooperate with each other to avoid, to the extent possible, the restart of FICA and FUTA upon or following the Distribution Date, with respect to each such CoalCo Group Employee for the tax year during which the Distribution Date occurs, and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to implement the alternate procedure described in Section 5 of Revenue Procedure 2004-53; provided , however , that to the extent that CoalCo (or the applicable member of the CoalCo Group) cannot be treated as a “successor employer” to Parent (or the applicable member of the Parent Group) within the meaning of Sections 3121(a)(1) and 3306(b)(1) of the Code with respect to any CoalCo Group Employee or group of CoalCo Group Employees, (x) with respect to the portion of the tax year commencing on January 1, 2017 and ending on the Distribution Date GasCo will (A) be responsible for all payroll obligations, tax withholding and reporting obligations for such CoalCo Group Employees, and (B) furnish a Form W-2 or similar earnings statement to all such CoalCo Group Employees for such period, and (y) with respect to the remaining portion of such tax year, CoalCo will (A) be responsible for all payroll obligations, tax withholding and reporting obligations regarding such CoalCo Group Employees, and (B) furnish a Form W-2 or similar earnings statement to all such CoalCo Group Employees.

Section 3.02     Nonsolicitation . Each Party agrees that, for a period of five (5) years from the Distribution Date, such Party shall not solicit for employment or otherwise hire any individual who is a GasCo Group Employee, in the case of a CoalCo, or a CoalCo Group Employee, in the case of GasCo; provided , however , that without limiting the generality of the foregoing prohibition on solicitation of Employees of the other Party, this Section  3.02 shall not prohibit (a) generalized solicitations that are not directed to specific Persons or Employees of the other Party, (b) the solicitation of a Person whose employment was involuntarily terminated by the other Party, or (c) the solicitation of a Person after receipt by the soliciting Party (in advance of any solicitation or, in the case of a response to a general solicitation as permitted under the foregoing clause (a), in advance of any subsequent solicitation in connection with the recruiting process) of the express written consent of the Party that employs the Person who is to be solicited.

 

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ARTICLE IV

EQUITY, INCENTIVE AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Section 4.01     Generally . Parent Awards that are outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be adjusted or converted as described below; provided, however, that effective immediately prior to the Effective Time, the Parent Compensation Committee may provide for different adjustments with respect to some or all Parent Awards to the extent that the Parent Compensation Committee deems such adjustments necessary and appropriate, consistent with the terms of the Parent Equity Plan. Any adjustments made by the Parent Compensation Committee pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be deemed incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth below and shall be binding on the Parties and their respective Affiliates. Before the Effective Time, the CoalCo Equity Plan shall be established, with such terms as are necessary to permit the implementation of the provisions of Section  4.02 .

Section 4.02     Equity Incentive Awards .

(a)     Outstanding Parent Options Each Parent Option that is outstanding and unexercised as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become a GasCo Option (as defined below) and be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to the corresponding Parent Option immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that certain restrictions may be imposed on such GasCo Option after the Effective Time if necessary and appropriate to comply with applicable Law or existing policies or determinations of Parent, including with respect to any blackout period applicable to the exercise of such Parent Option that may be instituted immediately prior to, and for a designated period following, the Effective Time; and further provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time:

(i)    the number of GasCo Shares subject to such GasCo Option (as defined below), rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares, shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the number of Parent Shares subject to such Parent Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the GasCo Ratio; and

(ii)    the per share exercise price of such GasCo Option, rounded up to the nearest whole cent, shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the per share exercise price of such Parent Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the GasCo Ratio (each such option, a “ GasCo Option ”);

provided, however, that with respect to any GasCo Option held by a CoalCo Employee or Transferred Director, continued employment by, or service with, the CoalCo Group shall be treated as continued employment by, or service with, the Parent Group for purposes of vesting and exercisability.

(b)     Outstanding Parent RSU Awards Held by GasCo Group Employees, GasCo Nonemployee Directors, Former Nonemployee Directors and Former Employees .

(i)    Except as may be otherwise provided in Section  4.02(a)(ii) , each Parent RSU Award held by a GasCo Group Employee, GasCo Nonemployee Director, Former Nonemployee Director or a Former Employee that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become a GasCo RSU (as defined below) and be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to the corresponding Parent RSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time, including any deferral election applicable to the delivery of vested shares; provided, however, that certain restrictions may be imposed on the GasCo RSU Award after the Effective Time if necessary and appropriate to comply with applicable Law; and further provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time, the number of GasCo Shares to which such GasCo RSU Award relates shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the number of Parent Shares to which such Parent RSU Award related immediately prior to the Effective Time by (ii) the GasCo Ratio (with any resulting fractional share rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares) (each such restricted stock unit, a “ GasCo RSU Award ”).

 

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(ii)    Any outstanding Parent RSU Awards held by GasCo Group Employees and Former Employees that contain early vesting provisions upon Parent’s common stock equaling or exceeding $55 over a designated period shall be equitably adjusted such that such stock price shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) $55 by (B) the GasCo Ratio.

(c)     Outstanding Parent RSU Awards Held by CoalCo Group Employees and Transferred Directors.

(i)    Except as may be otherwise provided in Section  4.02(c)(ii) , each Parent RSU Award held by a CoalCo Group Employee or Transferred Director that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into a CoalCo RSU Award, and, except as provided in Section 4.02(k), shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to the corresponding Parent RSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time, including any deferral election applicable to the delivery of vested shares (except that references to Parent in the applicable plan and award agreement shall be deemed to refer to CoalCo, unless clearly dictated otherwise by context); provided, however, that certain restrictions may be imposed on the CoalCo RSU Award after the Effective Time if necessary and appropriate to comply with applicable Law; and further provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time, the number of CoalCo Shares to which such CoalCo RSU Award relates shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the number of Parent Shares to which the corresponding Parent RSU Award related immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the CoalCo Ratio (with any resulting fractional share rounded up to the nearest whole share).

(ii)    With respect to outstanding Parent RSU Awards granted in 2015 and held by CoalCo Group Employees classified as Grade 14 or lower immediately prior to the Record Date, each such Parent RSU Award granted in 2015 shall vest three days prior to the Record Date, such that the holder of the Parent RSU Award shall be a holder of Parent Shares (with respect to those shares underlying the relevant Parent RSU Award) as of the Record Date, with payment in settlement of such Parent RSU Award granted in 2015 to be made on or as soon as practicable following the Effective Time; provided that no such payment acceleration shall be made for any such CoalCo Group Employee classified as Grade 14 or lower who made a prior deferral election with respect to the delivery of vested shares.

(iii)    Any outstanding Parent RSU Awards Held by CoalCo Group Employees that contain early vesting provisions upon Parent’s common stock equaling or exceeding $55 over a designated period shall be equitably adjusted such that the applicable stock price will be based on CoalCo’s rather than Parent’s stock price and that such stock price shall be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) $55 by (B) the CoalCo Ratio.

(d)     Outstanding Parent PSU Awards Held by GasCo Group Employees and Former Employees . Each Parent PSU Award held by a Parent Group Employee or a Former Employee that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall become a GasCo PSU Award (as defined below) and be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to the corresponding Parent PSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that certain restrictions may be imposed on the GasCo PSU Award after the Effective Time if necessary and appropriate to comply with applicable Law; and further provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time:

(i)    the number of GasCo Shares to which such GasCo PSU Award relates shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the number of Parent Shares to which such Parent PSU Award (at target) related immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the GasCo Ratio (with any resulting fractional share rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares); and

 

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(ii)    the performance conditions applicable to each such GasCo PSU Award shall be (A) for any performance period ending in 2017 (including any separate annual performance period ending on December 31, 2017 under a GasCo PSU Award with separate annual performance periods) with respect to any such GasCo PSU Award, the conditions previously established by the Parent Compensation Committee with such adjustments as approved by the Parent Compensation Committee and (B) for any performance period ending after 2017, as adjusted to the conditions previously established by the Parent Compensation Committee following the Effective Time (each such performance share unit, a “ GasCo PSU Award ”).

(e)     Outstanding Parent PSU Awards Held by CoalCo Group Employees . Each Parent PSU Award held by a CoalCo Group Employee that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into a CoalCo PSU Award and, except as provided in Section 4.02(k), shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to the corresponding Parent PSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time (except that references to Parent in the applicable plan and award agreement shall be deemed to refer to CoalCo, unless clearly dictated otherwise by context); provided, however, that certain restrictions may be imposed on the CoalCo PSU Award after the Effective Time if necessary and appropriate to comply with applicable Law; and further provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time:

(i)    the number of CoalCo Shares to which such CoalCo PSU Award relates shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the number of Parent Shares to which the corresponding Parent PSU Award (at target) related immediately prior to the Effective Time by (B) the CoalCo Ratio (with any resulting fractional share rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares); and

(ii)    the performance conditions applicable to each such CoalCo PSU Award shall be (A) for the performance period ending in 2017 (including any separate annual performance period ending on December 31, 2017 under a CoalCo PSU Award with separate annual performance periods), those conditions previously established by the Parent Compensation Committee (and approved by the CoalCo Compensation Committee) with such adjustments as approved by such committees and (B) for any performance period ending after 2017, as adjusted by the CoalCo Compensation Committee following the Effective Time to those conditions previously established by the Parent Compensation Committee (and approved by the CoalCo Compensation Committee).

(f)     Outstanding Deferred Stock Unit Awards Held by GasCo Nonemployee Directors and Former Nonemployee Directors . Each Parent DSU Award held by a GasCo Nonemployee Director or a Former Nonemployee Director that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become a GasCo DSU Award (as defined below) and be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to such Parent DSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time, including any deferral election applicable to the delivery of vested shares; provided, however, that certain restrictions may be imposed on the GasCo DSU Award after the Effective Time if necessary and appropriate to comply with applicable Law; and further provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time, the number of Parent Shares to which such GasCo DSU Award relates shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the number of Parent Shares to which such Parent DSU Award related immediately prior to the Effective Time by (ii) the GasCo Ratio (with any resulting fractional share rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares) (each such deferred stock unit, a “ GasCo DSU Award ”).

(g)     Outstanding Deferred Stock Unit Awards Held by Transferred Directors . Each Parent DSU Award held by a Transferred Director that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into a CoalCo DSU Award (as defined below), and shall otherwise be subject to the same terms and conditions after the Effective Time as the terms and conditions applicable to the corresponding Parent

 

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DSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time, including any deferral election applicable to the delivery of vested shares (except that references to Parent in the applicable plan and award agreement shall be deemed to refer to CoalCo, unless clearly dictated otherwise by context); provided, however, that certain restrictions may be imposed on the CoalCo DSU Award after the Effective Time if necessary and appropriate to comply with applicable Law; and further provided, however, that from and after the Effective Time, the number of CoalCo Shares to which such CoalCo DSU Award relates shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the number of Parent Shares to which the corresponding Parent DSU Award related immediately prior to the Effective Time by (ii) the CoalCo Ratio (with any resulting fractional share rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares) (each such deferred stock unit, a “ CoalCo DSU Award ”).

(h)     Miscellaneous Award Terms . None of the Separation, the Distribution or any employment transfer described in Section  3.01(a) shall constitute a termination of employment or separation from service for any Employee or nonemployee directors of either Parent (including GasCo) or CoalCo, or their respective Groups (including Transferred Directors) for purposes of any GasCo Award or any CoalCo Award. After the Effective Time, for any award adjusted under this Section  4.02 , any reference to a “change in control,” “change of control” or similar definition in an award agreement, employment agreement or Parent Equity Plan applicable to such award (A) with respect to GasCo Awards, shall be deemed to refer to a “change in control,” “change of control” or similar definition as set forth in the applicable award agreement, employment agreement or Parent Equity Plan, and (B) with respect to CoalCo Awards, shall be deemed to refer to a “Change in Control” as defined in the CoalCo Equity Plan.

(i)     Tax Reporting and Withholding. Unless prohibited by applicable Law or as otherwise expressly contemplated herein, following the Effective Time, (i) GasCo shall be solely responsible for all Liabilities, including all income, payroll and other tax remittance and reporting, and entitled to all tax deductions, associated with GasCo Awards, including all GasCo Option Awards, regardless of whether the same are held by GasCo Group Employees or CoalCo Group Employees, and (ii) CoalCo shall be solely responsible for all Liabilities, including all income, payroll and other tax remittance and reporting, and entitled to all tax deductions associated with, CoalCo Awards, other than GasCo Option Awards. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, as it relates to unvested GasCo Options held by CoalCo Employees, the parties hereby acknowledge and agree that CoalCo shall provide reimbursement to GasCo, upon such terms and utilizing such concepts as are set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, with respect to costs and expenses (including any finance expense) incurred by GasCo following the Effective Time in connection with such GasCo Options held by CoalCo Employees. GasCo shall provide periodic invoices to CoalCo that reflect all such costs and expenses that are to be reimbursed and GasCo and CoalCo further agree to enter into any necessary agreements regarding the subject matter of this Section  4.02( i ) to enable GasCo and CoalCo to fulfill their respective obligations hereunder, including but not limited to compliance with all applicable Laws regarding the reporting, withholding or remitting of income and/or taxes.

(j)     Registration and Other Regulatory Requirements . CoalCo agrees to file Forms S-1, S-3 and/or S-8 registration statements with respect to, and to cause to be registered pursuant to the Securities Act, the CoalCo Shares authorized for issuance under the CoalCo Equity Plan, as required pursuant to the Securities Act, before the date of issuance of any CoalCo Shares pursuant to the CoalCo Equity Plan. The Parties shall take such additional actions as are deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate the foregoing provisions of this Section  4.02(j) . Parent agrees to facilitate the adoption and approval of the CoalCo Equity Plan consistent with the requirements of Treasury Regulations Section 1.162-27(f)(4)(iii).

(k)     Vesting of Equity Rights Pursuant to an Individual Agreements . Notwithstanding the foregoing, if and to the extent that any CoalCo Group Employee is a party to an Individual Agreement with Parent (and/or other parties) that provides for any conflicting vesting terms than those set forth in this Section  4.02 upon a “change in control” (as defined in such agreement) that is triggered by the Separation or upon a certain date, then the vesting and other terms approved by the Parent Compensation Committee or provided for under such agreement shall control.

 

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Section 4.03     Nonequity Incentive Plans .

(a)     Annual STIC . Immediately prior to the Effective Time, CoalCo Group Employees shall cease participating in each Parent annual bonus plan or policy, including without limitation the Amended and Restated CONSOL Energy Inc. Executive Annual Incentive Plan (the “ Parent STIC ”) and, as of the Effective Time, CoalCo Group Employees who were eligible to participate in the Parent STIC shall thereafter be eligible to participate (to the extent they are not already participating therein) in any CoalCo annual bonus plans or policies existing as of, or implemented by CoalCo following, the Effective Time (the “ CoalCo Annual Bonus Plans ”). All GasCo Group Employees shall continue participation in each Parent annual bonus plan or policy to which they were entitled to participate prior to the Effective Time, including without limitation the Parent STIC.

(b)     Payment under Annual Nonequity Incentive Plans . Payment to CoalCo Group Employees with respect to participation in the 2017 Parent STIC shall be measured based on relevant performance metrics of Parent with respect to the first nine months of the year, and CoalCo (and all members of the CoalCo Group) with respect to the last three months of 2017 (such proration to be eight months and four months in the case of David Khani and Katharine Fredriksen, respectively). The obligation and responsibility for funding, paying and discharging all obligations under the Parent STIC, any CoalCo Annual Bonus Plans or other nonequity incentive plans that may be in place in respect of the calendar year in which the Effective Time occurs shall be undertaken and borne by the respective employer (GasCo or CoalCo) that employs the Employee following the Effective Time (whether GasCo Group Employee or CoalCo Group Employee) that is entitled to receipt of such payment amount, regardless of which entity was the sponsor or creator of said nonequity incentive plan, or whose metrics were utilized in determining the relative performance level and payment entitlement.

(c)     Incentive Plans. As of the Effective Time, (i) the Parent Group shall retain (or assume to the extent necessary) sponsorship of any commission bonus and sales incentive plans covering GasCo Group Employees, and, from and after the Effective Time, all Liabilities thereunder shall be Liabilities of the Parent Group, and (ii) the CoalCo Group shall retain (or assume to the extent necessary) sponsorship of any commission bonus and sales incentive plans covering CoalCo Group Employees, and, from and after the Effective Time, all Liabilities thereunder shall be Liabilities of the CoalCo Group.

Section 4.04     Severance Benefits . CoalCo shall be solely responsible for all Liabilities in respect of all of the costs of providing benefits under any applicable severance, separation, redundancy, termination or similar plan, program, practice, contract, agreement, law or regulation (such benefits to include, if applicable, any medical or other welfare benefits, outplacement benefits, accrued vacation, and taxes) (collectively, “ Severance Benefits ”) relating to the termination or alleged termination of employment of any Former CoalCo Group Employee and of any CoalCo Group Employee that occurs on or after the Distribution Date. Parent (or GasCo, as applicable) shall be solely responsible for all Liabilities in respect of all the costs of providing the Severance Benefits relating to the termination or alleged termination of employment of any (i) CoalCo Group Employee or Former CoalCo Group Employee that occurred prior to the Distribution Date and (ii) Former Parent Group Employee and of any GasCo Group Employee that occurs prior to, on or after the Distribution Date.

Section 4.05     Director Compensation .

(a)     Parent Director Deferred Fee Plan . Parent (and GasCo, as applicable) shall continue to be responsible for Liabilities in respect of the GasCo Nonemployee Directors, Former Nonemployee Directors and each applicable Transferred Director under the Parent Director Deferred Fee Plan. For avoidance of any doubt, the Parent Director Deferred Fee Plan shall continue to implement any outstanding irrevocable deferral election of a Transferred Director in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time until the end of applicable board year covered by such election, and CoalCo shall be responsible for the remittance of any deferred amounts pursuant to such election to the trust agreement established in connection with the Parent Director Deferred Fee Plan.

 

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(b)     Director Compensation. Parent (or GasCo, as applicable) shall be responsible for the payment of any fees for service on the Parent Board or GasCo Board, as applicable, that are earned at, before, or after the Effective Time, and CoalCo shall not have any responsibility for any such payments. With respect to any CoalCo Nonemployee Director, including any Transferred Director, CoalCo shall be responsible for the payment of any fees for service on the CoalCo Board that are earned at any time after the Effective Time and GasCo shall not have any responsibility for any such payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CoalCo shall commence paying quarterly cash retainers to CoalCo Nonemployee Directors in respect of all payments due and owing as of November 1, 2017; provided that, in no event shall any compensation be paid that would be in excess of that to which said Nonemployee Director would otherwise be entitled.

(c)     Tax Reporting and Withholding. Unless prohibited by applicable Law, following the Effective Time, (i) GasCo shall be solely responsible for all Liabilities, including all income, payroll and other tax remittance and reporting, associated with compensation and benefits for GasCo Nonemployee Directors and Former Nonemployee Directors (other than Transferred Directors), and (ii) CoalCo shall be solely responsible for all Liabilities, including all income, payroll and other tax remittance and reporting, associated with compensation and benefits for the CoalCo Nonemployee Directors (including the Transferred Directors). Parent (and GasCo, as applicable) and CoalCo agree to enter into any necessary agreements regarding the subject matter of this Section  4.05(a) to enable Parent (and GasCo, as applicable) and CoalCo to fulfill their respective obligations hereunder, including but not limited to compliance with all applicable Laws regarding the reporting, withholding or remitting of income and/or taxes.

ARTICLE V

QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS

Section 5.01     Parent Pension Plan .

(a)     Transfer of Parent Pension Plan . As of the Distribution Date, Parent shall transfer, and CoalCo shall accept sponsorship of, the Parent Pension Plan. Upon completion of such transfer, GasCo shall be relieved of the Liabilities for the Parent Pension Plan. Said transfer shall be evidenced by resolutions of the Parent Board and the CoalCo Board. Parent (or GasCo, as applicable) and/or Coal Co shall file any notice required under Section 4043 of ERISA, unless waived.

(b)     Amendment to Trust; Retitling of Assets . On, or as soon as practicable after, the Distribution Date and after receipt by GasCo of a copy of certified resolutions of the CoalCo Board (or its authorized committee or other delegate) evidencing adoption of the Parent Pension Plan and the Parent Pension Plan Trust, GasCo and CoalCo shall amend the Parent Pension Trust to transfer sponsorship of the Parent Pension Plan. GasCo and CoalCo will provide the trustee of the Parent Pension Plan Trust with appropriate documentation necessary to retitle the trust assets.

(c)     Parent Pension Plan Provisions . The Parent Pension Plan shall be amended, effective as of or prior to the Effective Date, to provide for the change in sponsorship. The Plan Administrator shall distribute a Summary of Material Modifications in accordance with law.

(d)     Plan Fiduciaries . For all periods after the Distribution Date, the Parties agree that the applicable fiduciaries of the Parent Pension Plan shall have the authority with respect to the Parent Pension Plan to determine the plan investments and such other matters as are within the scope of their duties under ERISA and the terms of the applicable plan documents. CoalCo will appoint members to the Retirement Board under the Parent Pension Plan as of the Distribution Date.

Section 5.02     CoalCo Investment Plan .

(a)     Establishment of Plans. CoalCo has established the CoalCo Investment Plan effective September 1, 2017, which initially has substantially the same terms as those of the corresponding Parent Investment

 

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Plan as in effect immediately prior to the Distribution Date. CoalCo ceased participation in the Parent Investment Plan as of September 1, 2017, generally, provided, however, that certain CoalCo Employees (i) at the CNX Marine Terminal and CONSOL Mining Company ceased participation in the Parent Investment Plan as of November 1,2017 and (ii) at Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company ceased participation in the Parent Investment Plan as of September 1, 2017.

(b)     Transfer of Account Balances . No balances will be transferred directly from the Parent Investment Plan to the CoalCo Investment Plan through a trustee transfer or otherwise. Distributions will be made to participants from the Parent Investment Plan in accordance with the terms of the Parent Investment Plan and to the extent such participant has met the eligibility requirements for distribution under and in accordance with the terms of the Parent Investment Plan.

(c)     CoalCo Share Fund in Parent Investment Plan. CoalCo Shares distributed in connection with the Distribution in respect of Parent Shares held in Parent Investment Plan accounts of GasCo Group Employees or Former Parent Group Employees who participate in the Parent Investment Plan shall be deposited in a CoalCo Share Fund under the Parent Investment Plan. Such participants in the Parent Investment Plan will be prohibited from increasing their holdings in such CoalCo Share Fund under the Parent Investment Plan After the Effective Time, all outstanding investments in the CoalCo Share Fund under the Parent Investment Plan may be liquidated and reinvested in other investment funds offered under the Parent Investment Plan, on such dates and in accordance with such procedures as are determined by the administrator and the named fiduciary of the Parent Investment Plan.

(d)     Determination Letter Request . CoalCo shall submit an application to the IRS as soon as practicable after the Plan’s effective date (but no later than the last day of the applicable remedial amendment period as defined in applicable Code provisions) requesting a determination letter regarding the qualified status of the CoalCo Savings Plans under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code and the tax-exempt status of their related trust under Section 501(a) of the Code and shall make any amendments reasonably requested by the IRS to receive such a favorable determination letter.

(e)     Parent Investment Plan after Distribution Date . From and after the Distribution Date, (i) the Parent Investment Plan shall continue to be responsible for Liabilities in respect of GasCo Group Employees and Former Parent Group Employees under the Plan, and (ii) no CoalCo Group Employees or Former CoalCo Group Employees shall accrue any benefits under the Parent Investment Plan.

(f)     Plan Fiduciaries . For all periods after September 1, 2017, the Parties agree that the applicable fiduciaries of each of the Parent Investment Plan and the CoalCo Investment Plan, respectively, shall have the authority with respect to the Parent Investment Plan and the CoalCo Investment Plan, respectively, to determine the investment alternatives, the terms and conditions with respect to those investment alternatives and such other matters as are within the scope of their duties under ERISA and the terms of the applicable plan documents.

(g)     No Distributions . The transfer of any CoalCo Group Employee’s employment to the CoalCo Group will not entitle any CoalCo Group Employee to a distribution of his or her benefit under the Parent Investment Plan or CoalCo Investment Plan as a result of such transfer of employment.

ARTICLE VI

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS

Section 6.01     CoalCo Nonqualified Plans.

(a)     Establishment of CoalCo Nonqualified Plans . Effective as of the Distribution Date, CoalCo shall establish the CoalCo Nonqualified Plans. Each of the CoalCo Nonqualified Plans shall initially have substantially the same terms as those of the corresponding Parent Divided Nonqualified Plan as in effect immediately prior to the Distribution Date.

 

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(b)     Assumption of Liabilities from Parent . As of the Distribution Date, CoalCo shall, and shall cause each CoalCo Nonqualified Plan to, assume all Liabilities under the corresponding Parent Divided Nonqualified Plan for the account balances and accrued benefits of CoalCo Group Employees and Former CoalCo Group Employees and their respective beneficiaries and/or alternate payees determined as of immediately prior to the Distribution Date, and the Parent Group and the Parent Divided Nonqualified Plans shall be relieved of all such Liabilities.

(c)     Parent Divided Nonqualified Plans. GasCo shall retain all Liabilities under the Parent Divided Nonqualified Plans for the benefits for GasCo Group Employees and Former Parent Group Employees and their respective beneficiaries and/or alternate payees. As of and after the Effective Time, CoalCo Group Employees and Former CoalCo Group Employees shall cease to be participants in the Parent Divided Nonqualified Plans.

Section 6.02     Participation; Distributions . The Parties acknowledge that none of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement will trigger a payment or distribution of compensation under any of the Parent Divided Nonqualified Plans or CoalCo Nonqualified Plans for any participant and, consequently, that the payment or distribution of any compensation to which such participant is entitled under any of the Parent Divided Nonqualified Plans or CoalCo Nonqualified Plans will occur upon such participant’s separation from service from the CoalCo Group or at such other time as provided in the applicable CoalCo Nonqualified Plan or participant’s deferral election (if any).

ARTICLE VII

WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS

Section 7.01     Welfare Plans .

(a)     Establishment of CoalCo Welfare Plans . As of or prior to the Distribution Date, CoalCo shall, or shall cause the applicable member of the CoalCo Group to, establish the CoalCo Welfare Plans, which shall initially have terms substantially similar in the aggregate those of the corresponding Parent Welfare Plans as in effect immediately prior to the Distribution Date. To the extent CoalCo is unable to cause one or more Welfare Plans to be established and for all CoalCo Group Employees (and Former CoalCo Group Employees as applicable) to be enrolled with respect thereto as of the Distribution Date, the parties agree to enter into such arrangements and agreements pursuant to Section  2.02 as may be necessary or desirable to ensure an equitable reimbursement of costs and obligations incurred by GasCo during that period following the Distribution Date for which CoalCo Group Employees and Former CoalCo Group Employees have benefits provided through Parent Welfare Plans

(b)     Health Savings Accounts . As of January 1, 2018, CoalCo shall establish a CoalCo Welfare Plan that will provide health savings account benefits to CoalCo Group Employees. After the Distribution Date and for the remainder of the 2017 calendar year, CoalCo Employees shall continue to participate in Parent’s Welfare Plans, which include health savings benefits. After December 31, 2017, such CoalCo employee shall participate in the CoalCo Welfare Plans.

(c)     Allocation of Welfare Assets and Liabilities . Effective as of the Distribution Date, the CoalCo Group shall assume all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from health and welfare coverage or claims incurred by or on behalf of CoalCo Group Employees or Former CoalCo Group Employees or their covered dependents under the Parent Welfare Plans or CoalCo Welfare Plans before, at, or after the Distribution Date. Except as may be expressly set forth on Schedule 7.01 hereto, no Parent Welfare Plan shall provide coverage to any CoalCo Group Employee or Former CoalCo Group Employee after the Distribution Date

 

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Section 7.02     COBRA . The Parent Group shall continue to be responsible for complying with, and providing coverage pursuant to, the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, and the corresponding provisions of the Parent Welfare Plans with respect to any GasCo Group Employees and any Former Parent Group Employees (and their covered dependents) who incur a qualifying event under COBRA before, as of, or after the Distribution Date. Effective as of the Distribution Date, except as may be specifically set forth on Schedule 7.02 hereto, the CoalCo Group shall assume responsibility for complying with, and providing coverage pursuant to, the health care continuation requirements of COBRA, and the corresponding provisions of the CoalCo Welfare Plans with respect to any CoalCo Group Employees or Former CoalCo Group Employees (and their covered dependents) who incur a qualifying event or loss of coverage under the Parent Welfare Plans and/or the CoalCo Welfare Plans before, as of, or after the Distribution Date. The Parties agree that the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall not constitute a COBRA qualifying event for any purpose of COBRA.

Section 7.03     Vacation, Holidays and Leaves of Absence . Effective as of the Distribution Date, the CoalCo Group shall assume all Liabilities of the Parent Group with respect to vacation, holiday, annual leave or other leave of absence, and required payments related thereto, for each CoalCo Group Employee. The Parent Group shall retain all Liabilities with respect to vacation, holiday, annual leave or other leave of absence, and required payments related thereto, for each GasCo Group Employee.

Section 7.04     Severance and Unemployment Compensation . Without limiting the generality of Section  4.04 , effective as of the Distribution Date, the CoalCo Group shall assume any and all Liabilities to, or relating to, CoalCo Group Employees and Former CoalCo Group Employees in respect of severance and unemployment compensation, regardless of whether the event giving rise to the Liability occurred before, at or after the Distribution Date. The Parent Group shall be responsible for any and all Liabilities to, or relating to, GasCo Group Employees and Former Parent Group Employees in respect of severance and unemployment compensation, regardless of whether the event giving rise to the Liability occurred before, at or after the Distribution Date.

Section 7.05     Workers Compensation; Black Lung . With respect to claims for workers’ compensation, black lung or other similar benefits in the United States, (a) the CoalCo Group shall be responsible for claims in respect of CoalCo Group Employees and Former CoalCo Group Employees, whether occurring before, at or after the Distribution Date, and (b) the Parent Group shall be responsible for all claims in respect of GasCo Group Employees and Former Parent Group Employees, whether occurring before, at or after the Distribution Date. The treatment of workers’ compensation claims by CoalCo with respect to Parent (and GasCo, as applicable) insurance policies shall be governed by Section 5.1 and Section 5.2 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Section 7.06     Insurance Contracts . To the extent that any Parent Welfare Plan is funded through the purchase of an insurance contract or is subject to any stop loss contract, the Parties will cooperate and use their commercially reasonable efforts to replicate such insurance contracts for CoalCo (except to the extent that changes are required under applicable state insurance Laws or filings by the respective insurers) and to maintain any pricing discounts or other preferential terms for both Parent and CoalCo for a reasonable term. Neither Party shall be liable for failure to obtain such insurance contracts, pricing discounts, or other preferential terms for the other Party. Each Party shall be responsible for any additional premiums, charges, or administrative fees that such Party may incur pursuant to this Section  7.06 .

Section 7.07     Third-Party Vendors . Except as provided below, to the extent that any Parent Welfare Plan is administered by a third-party vendor, the Parties will cooperate and use their commercially reasonable efforts to replicate any contract with such third-party vendor for CoalCo and to maintain any pricing discounts or other preferential terms for both GasCo and CoalCo for a reasonable term. Neither Party shall be liable for failure to obtain such pricing discounts or other preferential terms for the other Party. Each Party shall be responsible for any additional premiums, charges, or administrative fees that such Party may incur pursuant to this Section  7.07 .

Section 7.08     Nondivided Welfare Plans . As of the Distribution Date, (a) the CoalCo Group shall retain (or assume to the extent necessary) sponsorship of the CONSOL Energy Inc. Retiree Health and Welfare Plan (which includes as component parts the Coal Act Benefit Plan for Eligible Pensioners and Dependents of CONSOL Energy

 

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Inc. and its subsidiaries and the 2017 Benefit Plan for Retirees Formerly Represented by the United Mine Workers of America) and, from and after the Distribution Date, all Assets and Liabilities thereunder shall be Assets and Liabilities of the CoalCo Group, and the Parent Group shall no responsibility for any costs or expenses incurred from and after the Distribution Date that is in any way related to such plans.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.01     Employee Records .

(a)     Sharing of Information. Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable Law, Parent (and GasCo, as applicable) and CoalCo (acting directly or through members of the Parent Group or the CoalCo Group, respectively) shall provide to the other and their respective authorized agents and vendors all information necessary for the Parties to perform their respective duties under this Agreement. The provision of any information pursuant to Section  8.01 shall not affect the ownership of such information (which shall be determined solely in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Separation and Distribution Agreement), or constitute a grant of rights in or to any such information.

(b)     Transfer of Personnel Records and Authorization . Subject to any limitation imposed by applicable Law and to the extent that it has not done so before the Distribution Date, (i) Parent (and GasCo, as applicable) shall transfer to CoalCo any and all employment records (including any Form I-9, Form W-2 or other IRS forms) with respect to CoalCo Group Employees and Former CoalCo Group Employees and other records reasonably required by CoalCo to enable CoalCo properly to carry out its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) CoalCo shall transfer to Parent (and GasCo, as applicable) any and all employment records (including any Form I-9, Form W-2 or other IRS forms) with respect to GasCo Group Employees and Former Parent Group Employees and other records reasonably required by Parent (and GasCo, as applicable) to enable Parent (and GasCo, as applicable) properly to carry out its obligations under this Agreement. Such transfer of records generally shall occur as soon as administratively practicable at or after the Distribution Date, provided that the Parties shall cooperate, subject to applicable Law, to effectuate such transfer at such later date as may be necessary or appropriate with respect to any Delayed Transfer Employee. Each Party will permit the other Party reasonable access to Employee records, to the extent reasonably necessary for such accessing Party to carry out its obligations hereunder.

(c)     Access to Records. To the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any applicable privacy protection Laws or regulations, reasonable access to Employee-related records after the Separation will be provided to members of the Parent Group and members of the CoalCo Group pursuant to the terms and conditions of Article VI of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

(d)     Maintenance of Records. With respect to retaining, destroying, transferring, sharing, copying and permitting access to all Employee-related information, Parent (and GasCo, as applicable) and CoalCo shall comply with all applicable Laws, regulations and internal policies, and shall indemnify and hold harmless each other from and against any and all Liability, claims, actions, and damages that arise from a failure (by the indemnifying Party or its Subsidiaries or their respective agents) to so comply with all applicable Laws, regulations and internal policies applicable to such information.

(e)     Cooperation. After the Effective Time, except in the case of an adversarial Action or Dispute between GasCo and CoalCo, or any members of their respective Groups, each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate and work together to unify, consolidate and share (to the extent permissible under applicable privacy/data protection laws) all relevant documents, resolutions, government filings, data, payroll, employment and benefit plan information on regular timetables and cooperate as needed with respect to (i) any litigation with respect to any employee benefit plan, policy or arrangement contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) efforts to seek a determination letter, private letter ruling or advisory opinion from

 

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the IRS or U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of any employee benefit plan, policy or arrangement contemplated by this Agreement, and (iii) any submissions, filings, responses or communications that are required to be made or supplemented to the IRS, U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, U.S. Department of Labor or any other Governmental Authority; provided , however , that requests for cooperation must be reasonable and not interfere with daily business operations.

(f)     Confidentiality. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all confidential records and data relating to Employees to be shared or transferred pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to Section 6.9 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the requirements of applicable Law.

Section 8.02     Preservation of Rights to Amend . The rights of each member of the Parent Group and each member of the CoalCo Group to amend, waive, or terminate any plan, arrangement, agreement, program, or policy referred to herein shall not be limited in any way by this Agreement.

Section 8.03     Fiduciary Matters . Each of the Parties acknowledges that actions required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement may be subject to fiduciary duties or standards of conduct under ERISA or other applicable Law, and no Party shall be deemed to be in violation of this Agreement if it fails to comply with any provisions hereof based upon its good-faith determination (as supported by advice from counsel experienced in such matters) that to do so would violate such a fiduciary duty or standard. Each Party shall be responsible for taking such actions as are deemed necessary and appropriate to comply with its own fiduciary responsibilities and shall fully release and indemnify the other Party for any Liabilities caused by the failure to satisfy any such responsibility.

Section 8.04     Further Assurances . Each Party hereto shall take, or cause to be taken, any and all reasonable actions, including the execution, acknowledgment, filing and delivery of any and all documents and instruments that any other Party hereto may reasonably request in order to effect the intent and purpose of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 8.05     Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power .

(a)    This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party.

(b)    This Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the Exhibits, Schedules and appendices hereto and thereto contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein.

Section 8.06     Governing Law . Section 10.2 (Governing Law) of the Separation and Distribution Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference and shall apply as if fully set forth herein mutatis mutandis.

Section 8.07     Assignability . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither Party may assign its rights or delegate its obligations under this Agreement without the express prior written consent of the other Party hereto; provided, however, that each Party may assign all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of its Subsidiaries; and provided, further, that no such assignment shall release the assigning Party from any of its liabilities or obligations under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no consent for assignment shall be required for the assignment of a Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Separation and Distribution Agreement and all other Ancillary Agreements in whole ( i.e ., the assignment of a party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements all at the same time) in connection with a change of control of a Party so long as the resulting,

 

22


surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant Party by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party. Nothing herein is intended to, or shall be construed to, prohibit either Party or any of its Subsidiaries from being party to or undertaking a transaction that would result in a change of control.

Section 8.08     Third-Party Beneficiaries . The provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties and are not intended to confer upon any other Person except the Parties any rights or remedies hereunder. There are no other third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement shall not provide any other Third Party with any remedy, claim, Liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to amend any employee benefit plan or affect the applicable plan sponsor’s right to amend or terminate any employee benefit plan pursuant to the terms of such plan. The provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties, and no current or former Employee, officer, director, or independent contractor or any other individual associated therewith shall be regarded for any purpose as a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.

Section 8.09     Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be delivered in accordance with Section 10.5 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Section 8.10     Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of any such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

Section 8.11     Force Majeure . No Party shall be deemed to be in default of this Agreement or, unless otherwise expressly provided therein, any Ancillary Agreement for any delay or failure to fulfill any obligation hereunder or thereunder so long as and to the extent to which any delay or failure in the fulfillment of such obligations is prevented, frustrated, hindered or delayed as a consequence of circumstances of Force Majeure. In the event of any such excused delay, the time for performance shall be extended for a period equal to the time lost by reason of the delay. A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event, (a) provide written notice to the other Party of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure condition; and (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, as applicable, as soon as reasonably practicable.

Section 8.12     Headings . The Article, Section and Paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 8.13     Survival of Covenants . Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the covenants, representations and warranties and other agreements contained in this Agreement, and Liability for the breach of any obligations contained herein, shall survive the Effective Time and shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.

Section 8.14     Waivers of Default . Waiver by any Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default, nor shall it prejudice the rights of the waiving Party. No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof prejudice any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

Section 8.15     Dispute Resolution . The dispute resolution procedures set forth in Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement shall apply to any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

 

23


Section 8.16     Specific Performance . Subject to Article VII of the Separation and Distribution Agreement, 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) in respect of its rights or their 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 waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived by each of the Parties.

Section 8.17     Amendments . No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by a Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of the Party against whom it is sought to enforce such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification.

Section 8.18     Interpretation . Section 10.16 (Interpretation) of the Separation and Distribution Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference and shall apply as if fully set forth herein mutatis mutandis.

Section 8.19     Mutual Drafting . This Agreement shall be deemed to be the joint work product of the Parties and any rule of construction that a document shall be interpreted or construed against a drafter of such document shall not be applicable to this Agreement.

Section 8.20     Provisions Incorporated by Reference . The following provisions of the Separation and Distribution Agreement are hereby incorporated herein by reference and shall apply as if fully set forth herein mutatis mutandis: (a) Section 6.3 (Compensation for Providing Information), (b) Section 6.5 (Limitations of Liability); and (c) Section 6.9 (Confidentiality).

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Employee Matters Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives.

 

CONSOL ENERGY INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

Name:   Stephen W. Johnson
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
CONSOL MINING CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   James. A. Brock
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit 2.4

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MATTERS AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

AND

CONSOL MINING CORPORATION.

DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 28, 2017


Table of Contents

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     1  

1.01

 

Definitions

     1  
ARTICLE II TRANSFERRED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND TECHNOLOGY AND ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES      5  

2.01

 

Assignment of Intellectual Property Rights

     5  

2.02

 

Common Infrastructure Copyrights

     6  

2.03

 

Common Infrastructure Trade Secrets

     7  

2.04

 

Acceptance and Assumption of Transferred Intellectual Property Liabilities.

     7  

2.05

 

Acceptance and Assumption by Parent of Common Infrastructure Liabilities

     7  

2.06

 

Delayed Transfers; Wrong Pockets

     7  

2.07

 

Trademarks To Be Surrendered

     9  

2.08

 

Description of Services in Retained Trademarks

     9  

2.09

 

Description of Services in Transferred Trademarks

     9  

ARTICLE III LICENSES FROM PARENT TO COALCO

     9  

3.01

 

License Grants

     9  

3.02

 

Change of Corporate Name

     10  

ARTICLE IV LICENSES FROM COALCO TO PARENT

     10  

4.01

 

License Grants

     10  

4.02

 

Change of Corporate Name

     10  

ARTICLE V ADDITIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RELATED MATTERS

     10  

5.01

 

Assignments and Licenses

     10  

5.02

 

Assistance By Employees

     10  

5.03

 

Inventor Compensation

     10  

5.04

 

No Implied Licenses

     11  

5.05

 

No Obligation To Prosecute or Maintain Patents

     11  

5.06

 

Technical Assistance

     11  

5.07

 

Third-Party Infringement

     11  

5.08

 

No Challenge to Title

     11  

ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND WARRANTY DISCLAIMER

     12  

6.01

 

Limitation of Liability

     12  

6.02

 

Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties

     12  

 

ii


ARTICLE VII TRANSFERABILITY AND ASSIGNMENT

     13  

7.01

 

No Assignment or Transfer Without Consent

     13  

7.02

 

Divested Businesses

     13  

ARTICLE VIII REVOCATION AND TERMINATION OF LICENSE RIGHTS; TERMINATION

     13  

8.01

 

Termination by Both Parties

     13  

8.02

 

Termination prior to the Distribution

     13  

8.03

 

Effect of Termination; Survival

     13  

ARTICLE IX FURTHER ASSURANCES

     13  

9.01

 

Further Assurances

     13  

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS

     14  

10.01

 

Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power

     14  

10.02

 

Governing Law; Jurisdiction

     14  

10.03

 

Third-Party Beneficiaries

     15  

10.04

 

Notices

     15  

10.05

 

Export Control

     15  

10.06

 

Bankruptcy

     15  

10.07

 

Severability

     15  

10.08

 

Expenses

     16  

10.09

 

Headings

     16  

10.10

 

Survival of Covenants

     16  

10.11

 

Waivers of Default

     16  

10.12

 

Specific Performance

     16  

10.13

 

Amendments

     16  

10.14

 

Interpretation

     16  

 

iii


INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MATTERS AGREEMENT

THIS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MATTERS AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is dated as of November 28, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ”), and CONSOL Mining Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ CoalCo ”).

R E C I T A L S

WHEREAS, in connection with the contemplated Separation of CoalCo from Parent, Parent and CoalCo are entering into a Separation and Distribution Agreement (the “ Separation and Distribution Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, following the Separation and Distribution CoalCo, which will be renamed CONSOL Energy Inc., will be a separate, independent, publicly traded company, and Parent will be renamed CNX Resources Corporation;

WHEREAS it is the intent of the Parties that as part of the Separation, Parent assign certain intellectual property rights and certain technology to CoalCo pertinent to the Coal Business; and

WHEREAS it is the intent of the Parties that following the Separation, Parent license certain other intellectual property rights to CoalCo and that following the Separation, CoalCo license certain other intellectual property rights to Parent.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.01     Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

3POCM ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  2.02(b) .

Administrative IP Proceedings ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  5.02 .

Affiliate ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Ancillary Agreements ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Coal Business ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Coal Business Technology ” shall mean all Technology used in designing, developing, manufacturing, selling, providing or supporting products, services and offerings of the Coal Business as they exist as of immediately prior to the Distribution.

CoalCo Commercial Software ” shall mean software that, as of immediately prior to the Distribution, the Coal Business had (a) released to one or more third parties for commercial sale, licensing, distribution or (if applicable) beta testing, or (b) used to offer or provide a commercial service to one or more third parties, including software as a service and hosted solutions.

 

1


CoalCo Common Infrastructure Liability Percentage ” shall mean 50%.

CoalCo Group ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Common Infrastructure Copyrights ” shall mean copyrightable subject matter embodied in works that relate to the common internal business operations of the Parent Business and the Coal Business as of or prior to the Distribution Date, including software, corporate policies, operating procedures, manager toolkits and employee training materials. Common Infrastructure Copyrights do not include (a) Copyrights in Parent Commercial Software or CoalCo Commercial Software; (b) Copyrights in works that are used exclusively in or relate exclusively to Parent Business; or (c) Copyrights in works that are used exclusively in or relate exclusively to the Coal Business.

Common Infrastructure Liabilities ” shall mean any Liabilities of either Party (a) to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from (1) any Common Infrastructure Copyrights or (2) any Common Infrastructure Trade Secrets, and (b) arising or accrued at or prior to the Distribution.

Common Infrastructure Rights ” shall mean Common Infrastructure Copyrights and Common Infrastructure Trade Secrets.

Common Infrastructure Trade Secrets ” shall mean Trade Secrets that relate to the common internal business operations of the Parent Business and the Coal Business as of or prior to the Distribution Date. Common Infrastructure Trade Secrets do not include (a) trade secrets that are used in or relate to Parent Commercial Software or CoalCo Commercial Software (including source code); (b) Trade Secrets that are used exclusively in or relate exclusively to Parent Business; or (c) Trade Secrets that are used exclusively in or relate exclusively to the Coal Business.

Copyrights ” shall mean copyrights, copyright registrations and applications therefor, moral rights and all other rights corresponding to the foregoing.

Database Rights ” shall mean statutory and common law rights in databases and data collections (including knowledge databases, customer lists and customer databases) arising under the laws of any jurisdiction, whether registered or unregistered, and any applications for registration therefor.

Distribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Distribution Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Docket Files ” shall mean electronic and paper copies (including originals) of the following items to the extent they are in possession or control of Parent as of the Distribution with respect to each Transferred Patent: (a) assignment agreements from inventors to Parent, (b) declarations and powers of attorney relating to the prosecution of the Transferred Patents, (c) invention submissions, (d) correspondence with all patent offices together with a list, including contact information, of each counsel and agent responsible for the prosecution or maintenance of the Transferred Patents known to be in possession of Docket Files, and the original ribbon copy issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or, for foreign Patents, the original ribbon copy or certificate issued by the applicable Governmental Authority.

 

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Excluded Intellectual Property Rights ” shall mean the Intellectual Property Rights to be retained by Parent set forth on Schedule  C .

Governmental Approvals ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Governmental Authority ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Improvemen t” to any Intellectual Property Right or Technology shall mean (a) with respect to Copyrights, any modifications, derivative works and translations of works of authorship in any medium, (b) with respect to Database Rights, any database that is created by extraction or use of another database and (c) with respect to Technology, any improvement or modification to the Trade Secrets that cover or are otherwise incorporated into such Technology.

Indemnitee ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Intellectual Property Liabilities ” shall mean all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from Intellectual Property Rights.

Intellectual Property Rights ” shall mean the rights associated with the following anywhere in the world: (a) Trademarks; (b) Patents; (c) Trade Secrets; (d) Copyrights; (e) Internet Properties; (f) Database Rights; and (g) any similar, corresponding or equivalent rights to any of the foregoing. Intellectual Property Rights specifically excludes contractual rights (including license grants from third parties) and also excludes the tangible embodiment of any of the foregoing in subsections (a) – (g).

Internet Properties ” shall mean uniform resource locators and registered internet domain names (including social media handles and Internet user names).

Law ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Liabilities ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Licensor ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  5.07 .

Notifying Party ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  5.07 .

Parent Business ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Parent Commercial Software ” shall mean software that, as of immediately prior to the Distribution, the Parent Business had (a) released to one or more third parties for commercial sale, licensing, distribution or (if applicable) beta testing, or (b) used to offer or provide a commercial service to one or more third parties, including software as a service and hosted solutions as set forth on Schedule  E .

Parent Common Infrastructure Liability Percentage ” shall mean 50%.

Parent Group ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Party ” shall mean either party hereto, and “ Parties ” shall mean both parties hereto.

 

3


Patents ” shall mean patents, designs and utility models, and applications therefor (including any continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, reissues, renewals, extensions or modifications for any of the foregoing).

Person ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Security Interes t” shall mean any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge, claim, option, right to acquire, voting or other restriction, right-of-way, covenant, condition, easement, encroachment, restriction on transfer or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever.

Separation ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Software Derivatives ” shall mean a revision, reparation, adaptation, enhancement, modification, translation, localization, abridgment, condensation, expansion and any other form into which software may be transformed or ported.

Subsidiary ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

Technology ” shall mean tangible embodiments, whether in electronic, written or other media, of copyrightable works, technology (including designs, design and manufacturing documentation, engineering drawings, such as bill of materials, build instructions and test reports), sales documentation (such as marketing materials, installation manuals, service manuals, user manuals) schematics, algorithms, routines, software, databases, laboratory notebooks, development and lab equipment, processes, prototypes and devices. Technology does not include Intellectual Property Rights, including any Intellectual Property Rights in any of the foregoing.

TLA1 ” shall mean the Trademark License Agreement dated as of the date of this Agreement between CoalCo (the licensor) and Parent (the licensee).

TLA2 ” shall mean the Trademark License Agreement dated as of the date of this Agreement among Parent (the licensor) and CoalCo (the licensee).

Trade Secrets ” shall mean information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique or process, that (i) derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use, and (ii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy, and all other rights in or to confidential business or technical information.

Trademarks ” shall mean trademarks and service marks, including common law marks, trade names, business names, designs, logos and trade dress, whether registered or unregistered, and the goodwill appurtenant to each of the foregoing.

Transferred Copyrights ” shall mean Copyrights in and to the Coal Business Technology, whether registered or unregistered, that are owned by Parent as of immediately prior to the Distribution and that are primarily used in the Coal Business, including the Copyrights (if any) listed on Schedule  B . For the avoidance of doubt, Transferred Copyrights do not include (a) Copyrights in Parent Commercial Software; (b) Copyrights in works that are used exclusively in or relate exclusively to Parent Business; or (c) the Common Infrastructure Copyrights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transferred Copyrights shall not include any Excluded Intellectual Property Rights.

 

4


Transferred Database Rights ” shall mean Database Rights in and to the Coal Business Technology that are owned by Parent as of immediately prior to the Distribution and that are primarily used in the Coal Business, including the Database Rights (if any) listed on Schedule  B . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transferred Database Rights shall not include any Excluded Intellectual Property Rights.

Transferred Intellectual Property Liabilities ” shall mean (a) all Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Transferred Intellectual Property Rights and (b) the CoalCo Common Infrastructure Liability Percentage of any Common Infrastructure Liabilities.

Transferred Intellectual Property Rights ” shall mean (a) the Transferred Trademarks, (b) the Transferred Patents, (c) the Transferred Copyrights, (d) the Transferred Internet Properties, (e) the Transferred Database Rights, and (f) the Transferred Trade Secrets.

Transferred Internet Properties ” shall mean Internet Properties (a) listed on Schedule  B or (b) primarily used by the Coal Business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transferred Internet Properties shall not include any Excluded Intellectual Property Rights.

Transferred Patents ” shall mean the Patents identified on Schedule  B hereto.

Transferred Trade Secrets ” shall mean the Trade Secrets known to the Parties that are owned by Parent as of immediately prior to the Distribution and that are primarily used by the Coal Business, including the Trade Secrets listed on Schedule  B . For the avoidance of doubt, Transferred Trade Secrets do not include: (a) any Trade Secrets that are used exclusively in or relate exclusively to Parent Business or (b) Common Infrastructure Trade Secrets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transferred Trade Secrets shall not include any Excluded Intellectual Property Rights.

Transferred Trademarks ” shall mean all Trademarks which prior to the Distribution Date were used solely with regard to products, services and offerings of the Coal Business, including those trademarks identified on Schedule  B . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transferred Trademarks shall not include any Excluded Intellectual Property Rights.

ARTICLE II

TRANSFERRED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

RIGHTS AND TECHNOLOGY AND ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES

2.01     Assignment of Intellectual Property Rights . (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, effective as of the Separation, Parent hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to CoalCo all of the right, title and interest of the Parent and any member of the Parent Group, in, to and under all Transferred Intellectual Property Rights, subject to the licenses granted to Parent in Article IV below and all other licenses granted under any such Intellectual Property Rights existing and in full force and effect as of immediately prior to the Distribution (subject to the terms and conditions contained in each such license). The Transferred Intellectual Property Rights include all of Parent’s right, title and interest in and to any and all proceeds, causes of action and rights of recovery against third parties for past and future infringement, misappropriation or other violation or impairment of any of the Transferred Intellectual Property Rights. The Parties shall execute intellectual property assignments in a form substantially similar to that attached as Schedule  A1 (the “Patent Assignment Agreement”), Schedule  A2 (the “Trademark Assignment Agreement”), and Schedule  A3 (the “Copyright Assignment”), as well as such additional case specific assignments as deemed appropriate to carry out the intent of the Parties, as applicable (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Assignment Agreements”), for recordation with the appropriate Governmental Authority.

 

5


(b)     Recording Change of Ownership of the Transferred Intellectual Property Rights . CoalCo, or such member of the CoalCo Group designated by CoalCo, shall have the sole responsibility, at its sole cost and expense, to file the Intellectual Property Assignment Agreements and any other forms or documents as required to record the assignment of the Transferred Intellectual Property Rights from Parent to CoalCo; provided, however, that, upon written request, Parent shall provide reasonable assistance to CoalCo to record the assignment, at CoalCo’s sole cost and expense.

(c)     Responsibility for Transferred Patents . Parent shall pay all fees incurred and respond to all office actions due with respect to the Transferred Patents up to and including the Distribution Date. CoalCo shall, in its sole discretion, pay or cause to be paid, all fees incurred and respond to all office actions due with respect to the Transferred Patents after the Distribution Date. At or prior to the Distribution, Parent shall provide CoalCo with a listing, in a form to be agreed upon by the Parties, of: (i) all known responses to office actions and fees due with respect to the Transferred Patents in all relevant jurisdictions with due dates within 120 days of the Distribution Date; and (ii) a copy of all hard-copy or digitally stored Docket Files relating to the Transferred Patents, unless such files are in the possession of Parent’s outside counsel or agents, in which case Parent shall send written instructions to its counsel and agents directing them to act in accordance with CoalCo’s instructions with respect to such files.

2.02     Common Infrastructure Copyrights . (a) Common Infrastructure Copyrights shall be co-owned by Parent and CoalCo. Accordingly, each Party transfers and assigns (as assignor) to the other Party (as assignee), effective as of date of Distribution, an undivided one-half part of the whole right, title, and interest in Common Infrastructure Copyrights owned by the assignor as of the Distribution Date, such undivided one-half part to be held and enjoyed by the assignee, as fully and entirely as the same would have been held and enjoyed by the assignor if this transfer had not been made. Upon a Party’s written request, the other Party shall execute documents confirming the assignment of such co-ownership interest to the requesting Party. Subject to Article VI, each co-owner shall be free to exploit the Common Infrastructure Copyrights without further consent and without accounting to the other co-owner. Each Party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other Party and each of their respective former and current directors, officers and employees, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing from and against any and all Liabilities arising out of or resulting from such indemnifying Party’s exploitation of the Common Infrastructure Copyrights following the Distribution.

(b)    The Parties acknowledge that some of the materials associated with Common Infrastructure Copyrights (e.g., documents, PowerPoint slides, photo libraries, etc.) may also contain third party-owned copyrighted material (“ 3POCM ”) such as fonts, images and graphics, which are licensed to a Party. This Section 2.02 therefore does not extend to such 3POCM, and each Party is solely responsible for obtaining its own licenses to the 3POCM. Each Party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other Party and each of their respective former and current directors, officers and employees, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing from and against any and all claims by third parties arising out of or relating to such indemnifying Party’s use or exploitation of 3POCM following the Distribution.

(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as expressly permitted by either TLA1 or TLA2, the use of any Common Infrastructure Copyrights by or for one Party, and any works related to, or based upon, any of the Common Infrastructure Copyrights, may not contain any references to the other Party (or any of its marks, names, trade dress, logos or other source or business identifiers), the other Party’s publications, personnel (including senior management) or management structures, or any other indication (other than the verbatim or paraphrased reproduction of the content) that such works are based upon any Common Infrastructure Copyrights that originated with the other Party.

 

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(d)    Neither Parent nor CoalCo, nor any member of their respective Groups, shall have any obligation to the other to (i) notify of any changes or proposed changes to any of the Common Infrastructure Copyrights, (ii) include the other in any consideration of proposed changes to any of the Common Infrastructure Copyrights, (iii) provide draft changes of any of the Common Infrastructure Copyrights to the other for review or comment or (iv) provide the other with any updated materials relating to any of the Common Infrastructure Copyrights.

2.03     Common Infrastructure Trade Secrets . Common Infrastructure Trade Secrets shall be co-owned by Parent and CoalCo. Accordingly, each Party transfers and assigns (as assignor) to the other Party (as assignee), effective as of the date of Distribution, an undivided one-half part of the whole right, title, and interest in Common Infrastructure Trade Secrets owned by the assignor as of the date of Distribution, such undivided one-half part to be held and enjoyed by the assignee, as fully and entirely as the same would have been held and enjoyed by the assignor if this transfer had not been made. Upon a Party’s written request, (including a member of such Party’s respective Group), the other Party shall or if applicable shall cause the relevant member of their Group, execute documents confirming the assignment of such co-ownership interest to the requesting Party. Subject to Article VI, below, each co-owner shall be free to exploit the Common Infrastructure Trade Secrets without further consent and without accounting to the other co-owner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither of the joint owners (CoalCo, Parent) shall make a Common Infrastructure Trade Secret public or otherwise destroy or impair the Trade Secret status of a Common Infrastructure Trade Secret without the prior, written consent of the other joint owner. Each Party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other Party and each of their respective former and current directors, officers and employees, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing from and against any and all Liabilities arising out of or resulting from such indemnifying Party’s exploitation or disclosure of the Common Infrastructure Trade Secrets following the Distribution.

2.04     Acceptance and Assumption of Transferred Intellectual Property Liabilities . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, effective as of the Distribution, CoalCo shall accept, assume and agree faithfully to perform, discharge and fulfill the Transferred Intellectual Property Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms. CoalCo shall be responsible for all Transferred Intellectual Property Liabilities, regardless of when or where such Transferred Intellectual Property Liabilities arose or arise, or whether the facts on which they are based occurred prior to, at or subsequent to the Distribution, regardless of where or against whom such Transferred Intellectual Property Liabilities are asserted or determined or whether asserted or determined prior to the date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, the scope of CoalCo’s obligations with respect to any Common Infrastructure Liabilities shall be co-extensive with, and not greater than, the scope of Parent’s obligations with respect to Common Infrastructure Liabilities.

2.05     Acceptance and Assumption by Parent of Common Infrastructure Liabilities . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, effective as of the Distribution, Parent shall accept, assume and agree faithfully to perform, discharge and fulfill the Parent Common Infrastructure Liability Percentage of any Common Infrastructure Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms. Parent shall be responsible for the Parent Common Infrastructure Liability Percentage of any Common Infrastructure Liabilities, regardless of where such Common Infrastructure Liabilities arose, or whether such Common Infrastructure Liabilities are asserted or determined prior to or after the date of this Agreement.

2.06     Delayed Transfers; Wrong Pockets . (a) In the event that it is discovered after the Distribution that there was an omission of (i) the transfer or conveyance by Parent or the acceptance or assumption by CoalCo of any Transferred Intellectual Property Right, Transferred Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability, as the case may be, or (ii) the

 

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transfer or conveyance by one Party to, or the acceptance or assumption by, the other Party of any Intellectual Property Right, Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability, as the case may be, that, had the Parties given specific consideration to such Intellectual Property Right, Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability prior to the Distribution, would have otherwise been so transferred, conveyed, accepted or assumed, as the case may be, pursuant to this Agreement, the Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to promptly effect such transfer, conveyance, acceptance or assumption of such Intellectual Property Right, Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability. Any transfer, conveyance, acceptance or assumption made pursuant to this Section  2.06(a) shall be treated by the Parties for all purposes as if it had occurred as of the Distribution, except as otherwise required by applicable Law.

(b)    In the event that it is discovered after the Distribution that there was a transfer or conveyance by Parent to, or the acceptance or assumption by, CoalCo of any Transferred Intellectual Property Right, Transferred Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability, as the case may be, that should not have been transferred, the Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to promptly transfer or convey such Transferred Intellectual Property Right, Transferred Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability back to the transferring or conveying Party or to rescind any acceptance or assumption of such Transferred Intellectual Property Right, Transferred Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability, as the case may be. Any transfer or conveyance made or acceptance or assumption rescinded pursuant to this Section  2.06(b) shall be treated by the Parties for all purposes as if such Transferred Intellectual Property Right, Transferred Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability had never been originally transferred, conveyed, accepted or assumed, as the case may be, except as otherwise required by applicable Law.

(c)    To the extent that any transfer or conveyance of any Intellectual Property Right or Common Infrastructure Right acceptance or assumption of any Intellectual Property Liability or Common Infrastructure Liability required by this Agreement to be so transferred, conveyed, accepted or assumed shall not have been effected as of the Distribution Date, the Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to effect such transfer, conveyance, acceptance or assumption as promptly following the Distribution Date as shall be practicable. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to require the transfer or conveyance of any Intellectual Property Rights or Common Infrastructure Rights or the acceptance or assumption of any Intellectual Property Liabilities or Common Infrastructure Liabilities which by their terms or operation of Law cannot be so transferred, conveyed, accepted or assumed; provided, however, that the Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain any necessary consents for the transfer, conveyance, acceptance or assumption (as applicable) of all Transferred Intellectual Property Rights, Transferred Intellectual Property Liabilities, Common Infrastructure Rights and Common Infrastructure Liabilities required by this Agreement to be so transferred, conveyed, accepted or assumed; provided further that neither Party shall be required to contribute capital, pay or grant any consideration or concession in any form (including providing any letter of credit, guaranty or other financial accommodation) to any Person in order to obtain or make any such consent. In the event that any such transfer, conveyance, acceptance or assumption (as applicable) has not been completed effective as of and after the Distribution Date, the Party retaining such Transferred Intellectual Property Right, Transferred Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability shall thereafter hold such Intellectual Property Right or Common Infrastructure Right for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto (at the expense of the Party entitled thereto) and retain such Intellectual Property Liability or Common Infrastructure Liability for the account, and at the expense, of the Party by whom such Intellectual Property Liability or Common Infrastructure Liability should have been assumed or accepted pursuant to this Agreement, and take such other actions as may be reasonably requested by the

 

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Party to which such Intellectual Property Right or Common Infrastructure Right should have been transferred or conveyed, or by whom such Intellectual Property Liability or Common Infrastructure Liability should have been assumed or accepted, as the case may be, in order to place such Party, insofar as reasonably possible, in the same position as would have existed had such Transferred Intellectual Property Right, Transferred Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability been transferred, conveyed, accepted or assumed (as applicable) as contemplated by this Agreement, including possession, use, risk of loss, potential for gain/loss and control over such Transferred Intellectual Property Right, Transferred Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability. As and when any such Transferred Intellectual Property Right, Transferred Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability becomes transferable, the Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to promptly effect such transfer, conveyance, acceptance or assumption (as applicable). Any transfer, conveyance, acceptance or assumption made pursuant to this Section  2.06(c) shall be treated by the Parties for all purposes as if it had occurred as of the Distribution Date, except as otherwise required by applicable Law.

(d)    The Party retaining any Transferred Intellectual Property Right, Transferred Intellectual Property Liability, Common Infrastructure Right or Common Infrastructure Liability due to the deferral of the transfer and conveyance of such Intellectual Property Right or Common Infrastructure Right or the deferral of the acceptance and assumption of such Intellectual Property Liability or Common Infrastructure Liability pursuant to this Section  2.06 or otherwise shall not be obligated by this Agreement, in connection with this Section  2.06 , to expend any money or take any action that would require the expenditure of money (other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, attorneys’ fees and recording or similar fees, all of which shall be promptly reimbursed by the Party entitled to such Intellectual Property Right or Common Infrastructure Right or intended to assume such Intellectual Property Liability or Common Infrastructure Liability, as applicable) unless and to the extent the Party entitled to such Intellectual Property Right or Common Infrastructure Right or intended to assume such Intellectual Property Liability or Common Infrastructure Liability, as applicable, advances or agrees to reimburse it for the applicable expenditures.

2.07     Trademarks To Be Surrendered . Within thirty (30) days of the termination of TLA2, CoalCo shall surrender the trademark registrations listed in Schedule  D .

2.08     Description of Services in Retained Trademarks . For each of the Excluded Trademarks, at the time of the next maintenance filing if the Excluded Trademark is registered, or within 30 days after Separation if the Excluded Trademark is the subject of a pending application, Parent shall amend the description of goods and services to delete references to “coal” and any goods or services associated with the Coal Business.

2.09     Description of Services in Transferred Trademarks . For each of the Transferred Trademarks, at the time of the next maintenance filing if the Transferred Trademark is registered, or within 30 days after Separation if the Transferred Trademark is the subject of a pending application, CoalCo shall amend the description of goods and services to delete references to “gas” and any goods or services associated with the Parent Business.

ARTICLE III

LICENSES FROM PARENT TO COALCO

3.01     License Grants . Parent hereby grants to CoalCo and the Affiliates of CoalCo a prospective license to certain Trademarks and Internet Properties as set forth in TLA1. To the extent there is a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and TLA1, the terms of TLA1 shall control with respect to the Trademarks and Internet Properties set forth in TLA1.

 

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3.02     Change of Corporate Name . Within sixty (60) days of the date of Distribution, CoalCo shall cause the applicable members of the CoalCo Group to change their corporate names so that the CoalCo Group no longer uses the term “CNX”. The interim use of any “CNX”-based corporate name by any member of the CoalCo Group will be subject to the terms of TLA1 with respect to the Trademarks and Internet Properties set forth in TLA2.

ARTICLE IV

LICENSES FROM COALCO TO PARENT

4.01     License Grants . CoalCo hereby grants to Parent and the Affiliates of Parent a prospective license to certain Trademarks as set forth in TLA2. To the extent there is a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and TLA2, the terms of TLA2 shall control.

4.02     Change of Corporate Name . Within sixty (60) days of the date of Distribution, Parent shall cause the applicable members of the Parent Group to change their corporate names so that the Parent Group no longer uses the term “CONSOL”. The interim use of any “CONSOL”-based corporate name by any member of the Parent Group will be subject to the terms of TLA2 with respect to the Trademarks set forth in TLA1.

ARTICLE V

ADDITIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RELATED MATTERS

5.01     Assignments and Licenses . No Party may directly or indirectly assign or grant a license in or to any of its Intellectual Property Rights licensed to the other Party pursuant to Article III or Article IV, unless such assignment or grant is made subject to the licenses granted herein. For the avoidance of doubt, a non-exclusive license grant shall be deemed to be made subject to the licenses granted herein.

5.02     Assistance By Employees . Each of Parent and CoalCo agree to use and to cause each member of their respective groups to use, reasonable best efforts to make available, upon written request, the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, and any books, records or other documents within its control or that it otherwise has the ability to make available, to the extent that 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 Administrative IP Proceeding or threatened or contemplated Administrative IP Proceeding (including preparation for any such Administrative IP Proceeding) in which either Parent or CoalCo, as applicable, may from time to time be involved. Any actual and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with such assistance shall be borne by the Party involved in the Administrative IP Proceeding. For the purposes of this Section  5.02 , “ Administrative IP Proceedings ” shall mean the prosecution of, and other patent or trademark office proceedings (e.g., reissue, reexamination, interference, inter partes review, opposition or cancellation proceeding, post-grant review, etc.) regarding, the other Party’s Patent applications, Patents, Trademarks and other Intellectual Property Rights.

5.03     Inventor Compensation . Each Party will be responsible for providing inventor incentive compensation, if any, to its employees or the employees of any member of their respective Groups, in accordance with its own internal policies and any applicable laws and regulations. To the extent that a Party bases an inventor’s incentive compensation on a Patent or a Patent application of the other Party, the Parties will reasonably cooperate by providing to each other relevant information about their Patents for which one or more inventors are employees of the other Party. To the extent that inventor compensation is specified by local law, the Parties will reasonably cooperate in providing information to each other in

 

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order to enable each Party to calculate inventor compensation. No Party shall have any obligation to provide any inventor incentive compensation to an employee of the other Party except as required by law. Any information provided under this Section  5.03 shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions Section  6.09 of the Separation and Distribution Agreement.

5.04     No Implied Licenses . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring any rights (including the right to sublicense) by implication, estoppel or otherwise, under any Intellectual Property Rights, other than as expressly granted in this Agreement, and all other rights under any Intellectual Property Rights licensed to a Party hereunder are expressly reserved by the Party granting the license. The Party receiving the license hereunder acknowledges and agrees that the Party granting the license is the sole and exclusive owner of the Intellectual Property Rights so licensed.

5.05     No Obligation To Prosecute or Maintain Patents . Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, no Party shall have any obligation to seek, perfect or maintain any protection for any of its Intellectual Property Rights. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, no Party shall have any obligation to file any Patent application, to prosecute any Patent, or secure any Patent rights or to maintain any Patent in force.

5.06     Technical Assistance . Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, in the Separation and Distribution Agreement or any other mutually executed agreement between the Parties, no Party shall be required to provide the other Party with any technical assistance or to furnish any other Party with, or obtain on their behalf, any documents, materials or other information or Technology.

5.07     Third-Party Infringement . No Party shall have any obligation hereunder to institute or maintain any action or suit against third parties for infringement or misappropriation of any Intellectual Property Rights in or to any Technology licensed to the other Party hereunder, or to defend any action or suit brought by a third party which challenges or concerns the validity of any of such Intellectual Property Rights or which claims that any Technology licensed to the other Party hereunder infringes or constitutes a misappropriation of any Intellectual Property Rights of any third party. Except as set forth in Section 2 of TLA1 and TLA2, each Party (the “ Notifying Party ”) may, but shall not be required to, notify the other Party (the “ Licensor ”) in writing upon learning that a third party may be infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating or impairing any Intellectual Property Rights of the Licensor that are licensed to the Notifying Party under this Agreement. Such notification shall set forth in reasonable specificity the identity of the suspected infringing third party and the nature of the suspected infringement. The Notifying Party shall not take any steps to contact any such third party without the Licensor’s prior written permission, and the Licensor shall have the sole discretion to determine whether and in what manner to address any actual or suspected unauthorized third-party use and shall be exclusively entitled to any remedies, including monetary damages, related thereto or resulting therefrom. In the event that the Licensor decides to initiate any claim against any third party, the Notifying Party shall reasonably cooperate with the Licensor, subject to Section  5.05 . Any actual and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with such cooperation shall be borne by the Licensor, expressly excluding the value of the time of the Notifying Party’s personnel (regarding which the Parties shall agree on a case by case basis with respect to reasonable compensation).

5.08     No Challenge to Title . Each Party agrees that it shall not, for any reason, during the term of the licenses granted in Article III and Article IV, either itself do or authorize any third party to do any of the following anywhere in the world with respect to any Intellectual Property Rights licensed to it hereunder: (a) represent to any third party in any manner that it owns or has any ownership rights in such Intellectual Property Rights (other than to the extent of the license granted hereunder); (b) apply for any registration of such Intellectual Property Rights (including federal, state and national registrations); or (c) impair, dispute or contest the validity or enforceability of the other Party’s right, title and interest in and to such Intellectual Property Rights.

 

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ARTICLE VI

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND WARRANTY DISCLAIMER

6.01     Limitation of Liability . Except as may expressly be set forth in this Agreement, neither Parent nor CoalCo shall in any event have any Liability to the other, or to any Affiliate of the other, as applicable, under this Agreement as a result of any information exchanged or provided pursuant to this Agreement that is found to be inaccurate in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct by the party providing such information; provided , however , that the provisions of this Section  6.01  shall not limit (a) a Party’s indemnification obligations with respect to any Liability any Indemnitee may have to any third party for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages, or (b) the damages available to a Party for infringement or misappropriation of its Intellectual Property Rights by the other Party.

6.02     Disclaimer of Representations and Warranties . EACH OF PARENT (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE PARENT GROUP) AND COALCO (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH MEMBER OF THE COALCO GROUP) UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, NO PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE, IS REPRESENTING OR WARRANTING IN ANY WAY AS TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, REGISTRABILITY, ALLOWABILITY, ENFORCEABILITY OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, AS TO ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LIABILITIES TRANSFERRED OR ASSUMED AS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AS TO THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LIABILITIES TRANSFERRED OR ASSUMED HEREBY FOR THE CONDUCT AND OPERATIONS OF THE COAL BUSINESS OR THE PARENT BUSINESS, AS APPLICABLE, AS TO ANY GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS OR OTHER CONSENTS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY PAST TRANSFERS OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OR ASSUMPTIONS OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LIABILITIES, AS TO THE VALUE OR FREEDOM FROM ANY SECURITY INTERESTS OF, OR ANY OTHER MATTER CONCERNING, ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LIABILITIES OF SUCH PARTY, OR AS TO THE ABSENCE OF ANY DEFENSES OR RIGHTS OF SET-OFF OR FREEDOM FROM COUNTERCLAIM WITH RESPECT TO ANY CLAIM OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, OF ANY SUCH PARTY, OR AS TO THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY OF ANY ASSIGNMENT, DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT DELIVERED HEREUNDER TO CONVEY TITLE TO ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OR THING OF VALUE UPON THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND FILING HEREOF OR THEREOF. EXCEPT AS MAY EXPRESSLY BE SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, ANY SUCH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ARE BEING TRANSFERRED ON AN “AS IS,” “WHERE IS” BASIS AND THE RESPECTIVE TRANSFEREES SHALL BEAR THE ECONOMIC AND LEGAL RISKS THAT (A) ANY CONVEYANCE WILL PROVE TO BE INSUFFICIENT TO VEST IN THE TRANSFEREE GOOD AND MARKETABLE TITLE, FREE AND CLEAR OF ANY SECURITY INTEREST, AND (B) ANY NECESSARY APPROVALS OR NOTIFICATIONS ARE NOT OBTAINED OR MADE OR THAT ANY REQUIREMENTS OF LAWS OR JUDGMENTS ARE NOT COMPLIED WITH.

 

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ARTICLE VII

TRANSFERABILITY AND ASSIGNMENT

7.01     No Assignment or Transfer Without Consent . Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement, including the Intellectual Property Rights licenses granted pursuant to this Agreement, shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of Law or otherwise by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party. Any purported assignment without such consent shall be void. Subject to the preceding sentences, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no consent for assignment shall be required for the assignment of a Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement in connection with a change of control of a Party so long as the resulting, surviving or transferee Person assumes all the obligations of the relevant Party by operation of Law or pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the other Party. Nothing herein is intended to, or shall be construed to, prohibit either Party or any of its Subsidiaries from being party to or undertaking a transaction that would result in a change of control. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event will the licenses granted in this Agreement extend to products, product lines, services, apparatus, devices, systems, components, hardware, software, processes, solutions, any combination of the foregoing, or other offerings of the assignee existing on or before the date of the transaction described in clauses (a) or (b) of the preceding sentence, except to the extent that they were licensed under the terms of this Agreement prior to such transaction.

7.02     Divested Businesses . In the event a Party divests a business by selling or otherwise transferring a line of business to a third party, the licenses granted to the divested entity/line of business shall terminate as of the date the divested entity/line of business is divested.

ARTICLE VIII

REVOCATION AND TERMINATION OF LICENSE RIGHTS; TERMINATION

8.01     Termination by Both Parties . Subject to Section  8.02 , this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of each of the Parties.

8.02     Termination Prior to the Distribution . This Agreement may be terminated by Parent at any time, in its sole discretion, prior to the time of the Distribution. In the event of any termination of this Agreement prior to the time of the Distribution, neither Party (nor any of its directors or officers) shall have any Liability or further obligation to the other Party under this Agreement.

8.03     Effect of Termination; Survival . Except with respect to termination of the Agreement under Section  8.02 , notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Article  VI , this Section  8.03 and Article  X shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE IX

FURTHER ASSURANCES

9.01     Further Assurances . (a) In addition to the actions specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, each of the Parties shall use reasonable best efforts, prior to, on and after the Distribution Date, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws and agreements to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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(b)    Without limiting the foregoing, prior to, on and after the Distribution Date, each Party shall cooperate with the other Party, without any further consideration, but at the expense of the requesting Party, (i) to execute and deliver, or use reasonable best efforts to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments, including any instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer as such Party may reasonably be requested to execute and deliver by the other Party, (ii) to make, or cause to be made, all filings with, and to obtain, or cause to be obtained, all consents of any Governmental Authority or any other Person under any permit, license, agreement, indenture or other instrument, and (iii) to take, or cause to be taken, all such other actions as such Party may reasonably be requested to take by the other Party from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and any transfers of Intellectual Property Rights or assignments and assumptions of Transferred Intellectual Property Liabilities and Common Infrastructure Liabilities hereunder.

(c)    On or prior to the time of the Distribution, Parent and CoalCo, in their respective capacities as direct and indirect owners of their respective Subsidiaries, shall each ratify any actions that are reasonably necessary or desirable to be taken by Parent or CoalCo, as the case may be, to effectuate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

10.01     Counterparts; Entire Agreement; Corporate Power . (a) This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which counterparts shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each Party and delivered to the other Party. This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or PDF signature and scanned and exchanged by electronic mail, and such facsimile or PDF signature or scanned and exchanged copies shall constitute an original for all purposes.

(b)    This Agreement and the Appendices, Exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all previous agreements, negotiations, discussions, writings, understandings, commitments and conversations with respect to such subject matter, and there are no agreements or understandings between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein.

(c)    Parent represents on behalf of itself, and CoalCo represents on behalf of itself, as follows:

(i)    each such Person has the requisite corporate or other power and authority and has taken all corporate or other action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and

(ii)    this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes, or will constitute, a valid and binding agreement of it enforceable in accordance with the terms thereof.

10.02     Governing Law; Jurisdiction . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware irrespective of the choice of laws, principles of the State of Delaware including all matters of validity, construction, effect, enforceability, performance and remedies. Each of the Parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and of the Parties hereto herby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its

 

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property, to the exclusive jurisdiction Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or if (on only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Federal court of the United States of America sitting in Delaware, and appellate courts thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement for recognition or enforcement of any judgment relating hereto.

EACH PARTY UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

10.03     Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, the provisions of this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the Parties hereto and are not intended to confer upon any Person except the Parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder, and there are no third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement shall not provide any third person with any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.

10.04     Notices . All notices or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given when (a) delivered in person, (b) on the date received, if sent by a nationally recognized delivery or courier service or (c) upon the earlier of confirmed receipt or the fifth business day following the date of mailing if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to Parent:    If to CoalCo
Name: Stephanie Gill    Name: Martha Wiegand
Address: 1000 CONSOL Energy    Address: 1000 CONSOL Energy
Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317    Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317
Attn: General Counsel    Attn: General Counsel
Phone No.: 724-485-4234    Phone No.: 724-485-4009

Either Party may, by notice to the other Party, change the address to which such notices are to be given.

10.05     Export Control . Each Party agrees that it shall comply with all applicable national and international laws and regulations relating to export control in its country(ies), if any, involving any commodities, software, services or technology within the scope of this Agreement.

10.06     Bankruptcy . The Parties acknowledge and agree that all rights and licenses granted by the other under or pursuant to this Agreement are, and shall otherwise be deemed to be, for purposes of Section 365(n) of the United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended (the “ Bankruptcy Code ”), licenses of rights to “intellectual property” as defined under Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code. The Parties agree that, notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, Parent and CoalCo, as licensees of such intellectual property rights under this Agreement, shall retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the Bankruptcy Code (including Parent’s and CoalCo’s right to the continued enjoyment of the rights and licenses respectively granted under this Agreement).

10.07     Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances or in jurisdictions other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. Upon any such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon such a suitable and equitable provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

 

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10.08     Expenses . Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, all third-party fees, costs and expenses paid or incurred in connection with the provisions of this Agreement will be paid by the Party incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not the Distribution is consummated, or as otherwise agreed by the Parties.

10.09     Headings . The article, section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

10.10     Survival of Covenants . Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the covenants in this Agreement and the Liabilities for the breach of any obligations in this Agreement shall survive the Separation and shall remain in full force and effect.

10.11     Waivers of Default . No failure or delay of any Party in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, or any course of conduct, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. Waiver by any Party of any default by the other Party of any provision of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver by the waiving Party of any subsequent or other default.

10.12     Specific Performance . Notwithstanding the procedures set forth in Article IX, in the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the affected Party shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief 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 other Party shall not oppose the granting of such relief on the basis that money damages are an adequate remedy. The Parties agree that the remedies at Law for any breach or threatened breach hereof, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at Law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived.

10.13     Amendments . No provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed waived, amended, supplemented or modified by any Party, unless such waiver, amendment, supplement or modification is in writing and signed by the authorized representative of each Party.

10.14     Interpretation . Words in the singular shall be held to include the plural and vice versa and words of one gender shall be held to include the other gender as the context requires. The terms “hereof”, “herein”, “herewith” and words of similar import, unless otherwise stated, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole (including all of the schedules hereto) and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. Article, Section or Schedule references are to the articles, sections and schedules of or to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any capitalized terms used in any Schedule to this Agreement but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. Any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein (including any reference herein to this Agreement) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein). The word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall mean “including, without limitation,” unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise specified. The word “or” shall not be exclusive.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

CONSOL ENERGY INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

Name:   Stephen W. Johnson
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief
  Administrative Officer
CONSOL MINING CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   James A. Brock
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to IP Matters Agreement]

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

CONSOL Mining Corporation (hereinafter called the “ Corporation ”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as it may be amended from time to time, the “ DGCL ”), hereby certifies as follows:

1. The Corporation filed its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware under the name “CONSOL Mining Corporation” on June 21, 2017, and the First Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation on November 2, 2017.

2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which restates and amends the original Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and changes the Corporation’s name to CONSOL Energy Inc., was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL by the written consent of the Corporation’s sole stockholder in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.

3. The text of the original Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, is hereby amended and restated to read herein as set forth in full.

4. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective at 6:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on November 28, 2017.

Article I – Name of the Corporation

The name of the corporation is CONSOL Energy Inc.

Article II –Registered Office; Registered Agent

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, County of New Castle. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

Article III - Purpose

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

Article IV - Capital Stock

4.1.     Authorized Capital Stock . (a) The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is sixty-three million (63,000,000), which shall be divided into two classes, consisting of sixty-two million five hundred thousand (62,500,000) shares of Common Stock, par value of $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), and five hundred thousand (500,000) shares of Preferred Stock, par value of $0.01 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”).

(b) Subject to the rights of the holders of any then outstanding class or series of Preferred Stock provided by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time, this “ Certificate of Incorporation ”), the number of authorized shares of any of the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL or any corresponding provision hereinafter enacted, and no vote of the holders of any of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor.


4.2     Terms of the Common Stock . All shares of Common Stock will be identical in all respects and will entitle the holder(s) thereof to the same rights, privileges and preferences, except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or by the DGCL.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or by the DGCL, each holder of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled, with respect to each share of Common Stock held by such holder, to one vote in person or by proxy on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock, whether voting separately as a class or otherwise.

(b) Except as may be provided under the Certificate of Designation with respect to any then outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions in cash, property, stock or otherwise, as may be declared thereon by the Board of Directors at any time and from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

(c) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, and except as may be provided under the Certificate of Designation with respect to any then outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.

(d) The holders of shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights.

4.3     Designation of Classes, Series and Terms of Preferred Stock . (a) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued at any time and from time to time in one or more series as determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is hereby authorized to provide, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, for the issuance of all or any of the shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and, by filing a certificate of designation pursuant to the applicable provisions of the DGCL (hereinafter referred to as a “ Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation ”), to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designations, , preferences and the relative participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of each such series, including, without limitation, dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, exchange rights, voting rights (whether full, limited or no voting rights), terms of redemption and liquidation preferences.

(b) The Common Stock shall be subject to the express terms of any then outstanding series of Preferred Stock.

(c) Except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation that alters or changes the powers, preferences, rights or other terms of one or more then outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other then outstanding series of Preferred Stock, to vote thereon pursuant to a Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation or pursuant to the DGCL as currently in effect or as the same may hereafter be amended.

4.4     References to Certificate of Incorporation . For purposes hereof and the bylaws of the Corporation (as they may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “ Bylaws ”), the term “Certificate of Incorporation” includes this Certificate of Incorporation as it may be amended by any Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation from time to time.

Article V – Term

The term of existence of the Corporation shall be perpetual.

 

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Article VI – Board of Directors

6.1     Number of Directors . Subject to any rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors that the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies (the “ Whole Board ”).

6.2     Classes of Directors .

(a) Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the Board of Directors shall initially be and is divided into classes, as nearly equal in number as is reasonably possible, with directors in each class having the terms of office specified in Section 6.2(b) of this Article VI. Commencing with the election of directors at the annual meeting to be held in 2020, and, subject to the rights of any holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, all directors up for election shall thereupon be elected for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders as provided in Section 6.2(b) of this Article VI.

(b) Subject to the rights of holders of any then outstanding class or series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, each director shall serve for a term ending at the election of directors at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which such director was elected; provided that each director assigned to Class I shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders held after the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation; each director assigned to Class II shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporation’s second annual meeting of stockholders held after the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation; and each director assigned to Class III shall serve for an initial term expiring at the Corporation’s third annual meeting of stockholders held after the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, commencing with the election of directors at the annual meeting to be held in 2020, each director whose term expires at such meeting and any director who is newly up for election at such meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders; and for the election of directors at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2021, each director whose term expires at such meeting and any director who is newly up for election at such meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders, and for the election of directors at each annual meeting thereafter, each director shall be elected for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting. The term of each director shall continue until the election and qualification of his or her successor and be subject to his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

(c) Subject to any rights granted to the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, (x) for so long as the directors are divided into classes, any director may be removed from office only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) in voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in an election of such director and (y) from and after the time at which the directors are no longer divided into classes, any director may be removed at any time, either with or without cause, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote in an election of such director.

(d) Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need not be by written ballot.

6.3     Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies . Subject to any rights granted to the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors,

 

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though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, and directors so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Whole Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

6.5     Rights of Holders of Preferred Stock . Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VI, whenever the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately or together by series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorship shall be governed by the rights of such Preferred Stock as set forth in the Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation governing such series.

Article VII – Stockholder Action

7.1     Stockholder Action by Written Consent . Subject to the rights of the holders of any then outstanding series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote, only if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the stockholders entitled to vote with respect to the action that is the subject of the consent.

7.2     Special Meetings of Stockholders . Subject to the rights of the holders of any then outstanding series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by or at the direction of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, and any power of stockholders to call a special meeting is specifically denied.

Article VIII – Indemnification; Advancement of Expenses; Director Liability

8.1     Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses . The Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall indemnify and advance expenses to any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action, suit or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director of the Corporation, or, while serving as a director of the Corporation, serves or served at any other enterprise as a director or officer at the request of the Corporation; provided, however, that, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Bylaws, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized in advance by the Board of Directors. Such rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or an advancement of expenses hereunder may be entitled under the Bylaws, any agreement between the Corporation and such person, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

8.2     Limitation of Liability of Directors . To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable either to the Corporation or to any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing immediately prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal. If the DGCL hereafter is amended to further eliminate or limit the liability of a director, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be further limited or eliminated to the full extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended.

 

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Article IX - Amendments to Bylaws

The Board of Directors shall have the power, without the assent or vote of the stockholders, to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws.

Article X Forum and Venue

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum (an “ Alternative Forum Consent ”), the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim for or based on a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or to its stockholders, including any claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach of fiduciary duty, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, (iv) any action asserting a claim related to or involving the Corporation that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, or (v) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL shall be a state court located within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal court for the District of Delaware). The existence of an Alternative Forum Consent as to one action or claim shall not act as a waiver of the Corporation’s ongoing consent right as set forth above in this Article X with respect to any other action or claim. Any person or entity that acquires any interest in any security of the Corporation will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article.

Article XI - Amendments

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL, and all rights, preferences and privileges herein conferred upon stockholders by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its current form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article XI. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least three quarters (75%) of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with Section 6.2.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, this 27th day of November, 2017.

 

CONSOL Mining Corporation
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   James A. Brock
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

BYLAWS

OF

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

Incorporated under the Laws of the State of Delaware

(effective November 28, 2017)

ARTICLE I

OFFICES AND RECORDS

SECTION 1.1. Delaware Office . The registered office of CONSOL Energy Inc. (the “ Corporation ”) in the State of Delaware shall be located in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, and the name and address of its registered agent is The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.

SECTION 1.2. Other Offices . The Corporation may have such other offices, either inside or outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “ Board of Directors ”) may from time to time designate or as the business of the Corporation may require.

SECTION 1.3. Books and Records . The books and records of the Corporation may be kept inside or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS

SECTION 2.1. Annual Meeting . An annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation for the purpose of electing directors and conducting such other proper business as may come before the meeting shall be held at such date, time and place (if any) as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2.2. Special Meetings . Subject to the rights of the holders of any then outstanding series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock of the Corporation as to dividends, voting or upon liquidation (“ Preferred Stock ”) with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by or at the direction of (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies (the “ Whole Board ”), and any power of stockholders to call a special meeting is specifically denied. The record date for, and the date and time of, any special meeting, shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2.3. Place of Meeting . The Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board of Directors, as the case may be, may designate the place of meeting for any annual or special meeting of the stockholders. If no designation is so made, the place of meeting shall be the principal office of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may also, in its sole discretion, determine that any meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”). If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt and in accordance with the DGCL, stockholders and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication (a) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and (b) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication.

 

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SECTION 2.4. Notice of Meeting . Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take action at a meeting, written or printed notice stating the place (if any), date, time, the means of remote communications (if any) by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes, of such meeting, shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. All such notices shall be delivered, either personally or by mail, or by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL (except to the extent prohibited by Section 232(e) of the DGCL) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Corporate Secretary, and if mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at his, her or its address as the same appears on the records of the Corporation. In the case of notice given by commercial delivery service, such notice shall be deemed to be given when delivered into the control of the persons charged with effecting such delivery, the delivery charge to be paid by the Corporation or the person sending such notice and not by the addressee. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the stockholder attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. A stockholder may also waive notice of a meeting as provided in Section  7.4 of these Bylaws. Any previously scheduled meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, and (unless the Certificate of Incorporation otherwise provides) any special meeting of the stockholders may be cancelled, by resolution of the Board of Directors upon public notice given prior to the date previously scheduled for such meeting of stockholders.

SECTION 2.5. Quorum; Adjournment and Postponement . Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”), the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, when a specified item of business requires a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series of stock, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of such business. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or chairman of a meeting may adjourn or postpone the meeting from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum. No notice of the time, date and place, if any, of adjourned meetings need be given except as required by applicable law. The stockholders present at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment or postponement, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

SECTION 2.6. Conduct of Meetings . Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by such person as the Board of Directors may designate as chairman of the meeting, or in the absence of such a person, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or if none or in the Chairman of the Board of Directors’ absence or inability to act, the Chief Executive Officer, or if none or in the Chief Executive Officer’s absence or inability to act, the President, or if none or in the President’s absence or inability to act, a Vice President, or, if none of the foregoing is present or able to act, by a chairman to be chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at the meeting. The Secretary, or in the Secretary’s absence, an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint any person

 

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present to act as secretary of the meeting. The Board of Directors shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting and matters which are to be voted on by ballot. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

SECTION 2.7. Proxies . At all meetings of stockholders, a stockholder may vote by proxy executed in writing (or in such manner prescribed by the DGCL) by the stockholder, or by such stockholder’s duly authorized attorney in fact.

SECTION 2.8. Notice of Nominations and Stockholder Business .

(A) Annual Meetings of Stockholders . At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors shall be made, and only such other business shall be conducted or considered, as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For nominations to be properly made at an annual meeting, and for proposals of other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting, such nominations and proposals of other business must be: (a) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise properly made at the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) otherwise properly requested to be brought before the annual meeting by a stockholder of the Corporation in accordance with these Bylaws. For nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors or proposals of other business to be properly requested by a stockholder to be made at an annual meeting, a stockholder must (i) be a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice of such annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors and at the time of the annual meeting, (ii) be entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (iii) comply with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws as to such business or nomination. The immediately preceding sentence shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or bring other business proposals (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”) and included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

(B) Special Meetings of Stockholders . At any special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted or considered as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before a special meeting, proposals of business must be (i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) otherwise properly brought before the special meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; provided , however , that nothing herein shall prohibit the Board of Directors from submitting additional matters to stockholders at any such special meeting.

Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who (1) is a stockholder of

 

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record at the time of giving of notice of such special meeting and at the time of the special meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (3) complies with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws as to such nomination. This Section  2.8(B) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or bring other business proposals (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting) before a special meeting of stockholders.

(C) General . Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the chairman of any annual or special meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or other business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that no action shall be taken on such nomination or other proposal and such nomination or other proposal shall be disregarded. Unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this paragraph, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

SECTION 2.9. Advance Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations .

(A) Annual Meeting of Stockholders . Without qualification or limitation, subject to Section  2.9(C)(4) of these Bylaws, for any nominations or any other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section  2.8(A) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof (including, in the case of nominations, the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section  2.10 of these Bylaws), and timely updates and supplements thereof, in each case in proper form, in writing to the Secretary, and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action.

To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred and twentieth (120 th ) day and not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90 th ) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) in the case of the first annual meeting held after the effectiveness of these Bylaws or (b) if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, then, to be timely, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred and twentieth (120 th ) day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90 th ) day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than one hundred (100) days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the tenth (10 th ) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

Notwithstanding anything in the immediately preceding paragraph to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased by the Board of Directors, and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of

 

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the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section  2.9(A) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10 th ) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

In addition, to be considered timely, a stockholder’s notice shall further be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date, and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these Bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or under any other provision of the Bylaws or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder or under any other provision of the Bylaws to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding nominees, matters, business and or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the stockholders.

(B) Special Meetings of Stockholders . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been properly brought before the meeting pursuant to Section  2.8(B) of these Bylaws.

Subject to Section  2.9(C)(4) of these Bylaws, in the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, provided that the stockholder gives timely notice thereof (including the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section  2.10 of these Bylaws), and timely updates and supplements thereof in each case in proper form, in writing, to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such special meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such special meeting is less than one hundred (100) days prior to the date of such special meeting, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a special meeting of stockholders, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. In addition, to be considered timely, a stockholder’s notice pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph shall further be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date, and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

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(C) Disclosure Requirements .

(1) To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice given pursuant to this Section  2.9 to the Secretary must include the following, as applicable:

(a) As to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made: (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of such beneficial owner, if any, and of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (ii) (A) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (B) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, any derivative or synthetic arrangement having the characteristics of a long position in any class or series of shares of the Corporation, or any contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions designed to produce economic benefits and risks that correspond substantially to the ownership of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, including due to the fact that the value of such contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions is determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument, contract or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of shares of the Corporation, through the delivery of cash or other property, or otherwise, and without regard to whether the stockholder of record, the beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, may have entered into transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such instrument, contract or right, or any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a “ Derivative Instrument ”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, and/or any affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (C) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith has any right to vote any class or series of shares of the Corporation, (D) any agreement, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, including any repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement (regardless of the purpose or effect of such repurchase or “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement), involving such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, directly or indirectly, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) of any class or series of the shares of the Corporation by, manage the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith with respect to any class or series of the shares of the Corporation, or which provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the price or value of any class or series of the shares of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a “ Short Interest ”), (E) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (F) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner of such general or limited partnership, (G) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) to which such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith is entitled based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, including without

 

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limitation any such interests held by members of the immediate family sharing the same household of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (H) any significant equity interests or any Derivative Instruments or Short Interests in any principal competitor of the Corporation held by such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith and (I) any direct or indirect interest of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith in any contract with the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation or any principal competitor of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), (iii) all information that would be required to be set forth in a Schedule 13D filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(a) or an amendment pursuant to Rule 13d-2(a) if such a statement were required to be filed under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, and (iv) any other information relating to such stockholder, such beneficial owner and/or any of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement and form of proxy or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

(b) If the notice relates to any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in paragraph (a) above, also set forth: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and each of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, in such business, (ii) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such proposal or business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the text of the proposed amendment), and (iii) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between or among any of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and each of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder;

(c) As to each individual, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in paragraph (a) above, also set forth: (i) all information relating to such individual that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such individual’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected) and (ii) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three (3) years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 of Regulation S-K or any successor provision promulgated under the Exchange Act if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and

 

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(d) With respect to each individual, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in paragraphs (a) and (c) above, also include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement as required by Section  2.10 of these Bylaws. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws, including without limitation Sections 2.9 , 2.10 and 2.11 hereof, shall be eligible for election as directors.

(2) For purposes of these Bylaws, “ public announcement ” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of these Bylaws, “affiliate” and “associate” shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in Rule 405 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that the term “partner” as used in the definition of “associate” shall not include any limited partner that is not involved in the management of the relevant partnership.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of these Bylaws, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Bylaw; provided , however , that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the separate and additional requirements set forth in these Bylaws with respect to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered.

(4) Nothing in this Section  2.9 shall be deemed to affect any rights (i) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (ii) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock if and to the extent provided for under law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. Subject to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, nothing in this Section  2.9 shall be construed to permit any stockholder, or give any stockholder the right, to include or have disseminated or described in the Corporation’s proxy statement any nomination of director or directors or any other business proposal.

SECTION 2.10. Submission of Questionnaire, Representation and Agreement . To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation, a person nominated by a stockholder for election or reelection to the Board of Directors must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section  2.9 of these Bylaws) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such individual and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf, directly or indirectly, the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request), and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such individual (A) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “ Voting Commitment ”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation, or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such individual’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such individual’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, (C) will comply with the Corporation’s corporate governance guidelines and other policies applicable to its directors, and has disclosed therein whether all or

 

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any portion of securities of the Corporation were purchased with any financial assistance provided by any other person and whether any other person has any interest in such securities, (D) in such individual’s personal capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf, directly or indirectly, the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply, with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation publicly disclosed from time to time, (E) consents to being named as a nominee in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-4(d) under the Exchange Act and any associated proxy card of the Corporation and agrees to serve if elected as a director and (F) will abide by the requirements of Section  2.11 of these Bylaws.

SECTION 2.11. Procedure for Election of Directors; Required Vote .

(A) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present shall elect directors. The Board of Directors or chairman of the meeting may, in their or his or her sole discretion, require that any votes cast for the election of directors at such meeting be cast by written ballot.

(B) If a nominee for director who is an incumbent director receives a greater number of votes “withheld” from his or her election than votes “for” such director nominee’s election shall promptly tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors following certification of the election results. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall make a recommendation to the Board of Directors as to whether to accept or reject the tendered resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Board of Directors shall act on the tendered resignation, taking into account the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation, and publicly disclose (by a press release, a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other broadly disseminated means of communication) its decision regarding the tendered resignation and the rationale behind the decision within ninety (90) days from the date of the certification of the election results. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in making its recommendation, and the Board of Directors in making its decision, may each consider any factors or other information that it considers appropriate and relevant. The director who tenders his or her resignation shall not participate in the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or the decision of the Board of Directors with respect to his or her resignation. If such incumbent director’s resignation is not accepted by the Board of Directors, such director shall continue to serve until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected, or his or her earlier resignation or removal. If a director’s resignation is accepted by the Board of Directors pursuant to these Bylaws, or if a nominee for director is not elected and the nominee is not an incumbent director, then the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may fill any resulting vacancy pursuant to the provisions of Section  3.10 .

(C) Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting at which is quorum is present and entitled to vote on the matter shall be the act of the stockholders. The Board of Directors or chairman of a meeting may, in their or his or her sole discretion, require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

(D) Any individual who is nominated for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting shall, if requested by the Corporation, tender an irrevocable resignation in advance of the annual meeting. Such resignation shall become effective upon a determination by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof that (1) the information provided to the Corporation by such individual or, if applicable, by any stockholder who nominated such individual, was untrue in any material respect or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (2) such individual or, if applicable, any stockholder who nominated such individual, shall have breached any representations or obligations owed to the Corporation under these Bylaws.

 

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SECTION 2.12. Inspectors of Elections; Opening and Closing the Polls . The Board of Directors by resolution shall appoint one or more inspectors, which inspector or inspectors may, but does not need to, include individuals who serve the Corporation in other capacities, including, without limitation, as officers, employees, agents or representatives, to act at the meetings of stockholders and make a written report thereof. One or more persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to act or is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by law. The chairman of the meeting shall be appointed by the inspector or inspectors to fix and announce at the meeting the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting.

SECTION 2.13. No Stockholder Action by Written Consent . Subject to the rights of the holders of any then outstanding series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote, only if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the stockholders entitled to vote with respect to the action that is the subject of the consent.

ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 3.1. General Powers . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities by these Bylaws expressly conferred upon it, the Board of Directors shall have and may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

SECTION 3.2. Number, Tenure and Classes of Directors .

(A) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors that the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies (the “ Whole Board ”). No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Whole Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

(B) Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the Board of Directors shall initially be and is divided into classes, with directors in each class having the terms of office specified in Section 6.2(b) of the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and restated. Commencing with the election of directors at the annual meeting to be held in 2020, and, subject to the rights of any holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, all directors up for election shall be elected for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders.

SECTION 3.3. Election of Directors . The directors shall be elected at the annual meetings of stockholders as specified in the Certificate of Incorporation, except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or in these Bylaws, and each director of the Corporation shall hold office until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

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SECTION 3.4. Regular Meetings . A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after, and at the same place, if any, as, the annual meeting of stockholders, or such other date, time and place as the Board of Directors may provide by resolution without other notice than this Bylaw, or such resolution, as applicable. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, provide the date, time and place, if any, for the holding of additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.

SECTION 3.5. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called at the request of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the Board of Directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the place, if any, date and time of the meetings.

SECTION 3.6. Notice of Meeting . Notice of any special meeting of directors shall be given to each director at such person’s business or residence in writing by hand delivery, first-class or overnight mail or courier service, email or facsimile transmission, or orally by telephone. If mailed by first-class mail, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when deposited in the United States mails so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least five (5) days before such meeting. If by overnight mail or courier service, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is delivered to the overnight mail or courier service company at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. If by email, facsimile transmission, telephone or by hand, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is transmitted at least twelve (12) hours before such meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section  7.4 of these Bylaws.

SECTION 3.7. Action by Consent of Board of Directors . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or applicable committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

SECTION 3.8. Conference Telephone Meetings . Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

SECTION 3.9. Quorum . Subject to Section  3.10 of these Bylaws, a whole number of directors equal to at least a majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided that such directors represent at least one-third of the Whole Board. If at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or the DGCL. The directors present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less than a quorum.

 

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SECTION 3.10. Vacancies . Subject to applicable law and the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, and each director so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been appointed expires and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Whole Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

SECTION 3.11. Chairman of the Board . The Board of Directors may appoint, by the affirmative vote of the majority of the directors then in office, a Chairman of the Board of Directors from among the directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors and stockholders at which he or she is present. The Chairman of the Board of Directors may also be the Chief Executive Officer.

SECTION 3.12. Committees . The Board of Directors may designate any such committee as the Board of Directors considers appropriate, which shall consist of one or more directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such committee may to the extent permitted by law exercise such powers and shall have such responsibilities as shall be specified in the designating resolution. Each committee shall keep written minutes of its proceedings and shall report such proceedings to the Board of Directors as appropriate.

A majority of any committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its meetings, unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each member of the committee in the manner provided for in Section  3.6 of these Bylaws. The Board of Directors shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve, any such committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board of Directors from appointing one or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not directors of the Corporation; provided , however , that no such committee shall have or may exercise any authority of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3.13. Removal . Subject to any rights granted to the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, (x) for so long as the directors are divided into classes, any director may be removed from office only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) in voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in an election of such director and (y) from and after the time at which the directors are no longer divided into classes, any director may be removed at any time, either with or without cause, upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote in an election of such director.

SECTION 3.14. Records . The Board of Directors shall cause to be kept a record containing the minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Board and of the stockholders, appropriate stock books and registers and such books of records and accounts as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

SECTION 4.1. Elected Officers . The officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and shall include a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents (including, without limitation, Senior Vice Presidents), a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers as the Board of Directors from time to time may deem proper. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. All officers appointed by the Board of Directors shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article IV . Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or by any committee thereof. The Board or any committee thereof may from time to time elect, or the Chief Executive Officer may appoint, such other officers (including one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, and Assistant Treasurers) and such agents, as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be provided in these Bylaws or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or such committee or by the Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be. For the avoidance of doubt, such other officers and agents shall have the powers and perform the duties as are customarily incident to the position they hold.

SECTION 4.2. Term of Office . Each officer shall hold office until such officer’s successor shall have been duly appointed and shall have qualified or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

SECTION 4.3. Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and perform the duties incident to that position. Subject to the powers of the Board of Directors, he or she shall be in the general and active charge of the entire business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall be its chief policy-making officer. The Chief Executive Officer is authorized to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the Corporation, except where required by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly and exclusively delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or as may be provided in these Bylaws. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation may also serve as President, if so appointed by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4.5. President . The President of the Corporation shall have general charge of the business, affairs and property of the Corporation, and control over its officers, agents and employees; and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer are carried into effect. The President shall, in the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer, act with all of the powers and be subject to all the restrictions of the Chief Executive Officer. The President is authorized to execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the Corporation, except where required by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly and exclusively delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the Corporation. The President shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors or as may be provided in these Bylaws.

SECTION 4.6. Vice Presidents . Each Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to such Vice President by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

SECTION 4.7. Chief Financial Officer . The Chief Financial Officer shall act in an executive financial capacity. The Chief Financial Officer shall assist the Chief Executive Officer and the President in the general supervision of the Corporation’s financial policies and affairs.

 

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SECTION 4.8. Treasurer . The Treasurer shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and disbursement of corporate funds. The Treasurer shall cause the funds of the Corporation to be deposited in such banks as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or in such banks as may be designated as depositaries in the manner provided by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall have such further powers and duties as shall be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

SECTION 4.9. Secretary . The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for that purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, the committees of the Board of Directors and the stockholders; the Secretary shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and as required by applicable law; the Secretary shall be custodian of the records and the seal of the Corporation and affix and attest the seal to all stock certificates of the Corporation (unless the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided) and affix and attest the seal to all other documents to be executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal; and the Secretary shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by applicable law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and in general, the Secretary shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such Secretary by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

SECTION 4.10. Removal . Any officer or agent appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed from office at any time with or without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors then in office. Any officer or agent appointed by the Chief Executive Officer may be removed by the Chief Executive Officer at any time with or without cause. No elected officer shall have any contractual rights against the Corporation for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of his or her successor, his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan.

SECTION 4.11. Vacancies . A newly created elected office and a vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Board of Directors. Any vacancy in an office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer.

ARTICLE V

STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERS

SECTION 5.1. Form . Shares of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution that some or all of any or all classes or series of stock shall be uncertificated. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is presented to the Corporation. If any shares of stock of the Corporation are represented by a certificate, every holder of stock in the Corporation represented by a certificate shall be entitled to have the certificate signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by any two authorized officers of the Corporation representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. If the Board of Directors shall direct that any shares of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Corporate Secretary, any Assistant Corporate Secretary and any other officer designated by the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be authorized for purposes of this Section  5.1 to sign certificates representing shares of the Corporation’s capital stock. Any or all of the signatures on any certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed, or whose facsimile signature or

 

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signatures have been placed on, any such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may nevertheless be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

SECTION 5.2. Transfers . Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these Bylaws. In the case of any shares represented by certificates, transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the person named in the certificate or by his, her or its attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the certificate therefor, which shall be canceled before a new certificate shall be issued. Upon the receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner of uncertificated shares, such uncertificated shares shall be cancelled, issuance of new equivalent uncertificated shares shall be made to the stockholder entitled thereto and the transaction shall be recorded upon the books of the Corporation. If the Corporation has a transfer agent or registrar acting on its behalf, the signature of any officer or representative thereof may be in facsimile. The Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may appoint a transfer agent and one or more co-transfer agents and registrar and one or more co-registrars and may make or authorize such agent to make all such rules and regulations deemed expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of the Corporation’s capital stock.

SECTION 5.3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . The Corporation may issue a new certificate or certificates or uncertificated shares in place of any certificate or certificates previously issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates or uncertificated shares, the Corporation may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

SECTION 5.4. Fixing a Record Date for Stockholder Meetings . In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the next day preceding the day on which notice is first given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting; and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

SECTION 5.5. Fixing a Record Date for Other Purposes . In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

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SECTION 5.6. Registered Stockholders . The Corporation may treat the registered owner of any shares of its stock as the person entitled to receive dividends, to vote, to receive notifications, and otherwise to exercise all the rights and powers of an owner. The Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof.

ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 6.1. Indemnification .

(A) Each person who was or is a party to, or is otherwise threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including involvement as a witness) in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “ Proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative is or was, at any time during which this Bylaw is in effect (whether or not such person continues to serve in such capacity at the time any indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant hereto is sought or at the time any Proceeding relating thereto exists or is brought), a director or officer of the Corporation or, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the Corporation (each such director or officer, a “ Covered Person ”), whether the basis of such Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, shall be (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right to be) indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide greater indemnification rights than the DGCL permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with such Proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner 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 his or her conduct was unlawful; provided , however , that, except as provided in Section  6.3 , the Corporation shall indemnify any such Covered Person seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Covered Person only if such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which 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 reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

(B) To obtain indemnification under this Article VI, a Covered Person shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the Covered Person and as is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the Covered Person is entitled to indemnification. Upon written request by a Covered Person

 

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for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 6.1(B), a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to the Covered Person’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case (i) if a Change of Control (as defined in the Corporation’s current equity compensation plan) shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Covered Person, or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Covered Person, or (D) if so directed by the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by (i) the Board of Directors if a Change of Control shall not have occurred or (ii) by the Covered Person if a Change of Control shall have occurred, unless the Covered Person shall request that such selection be made by the Board of Directors. If it is so determined that the Covered Person is entitled to indemnification, payment to the Covered Person shall be made within 10 days after such determination.

(C) To the extent that a Covered Person is a party to or a participant in and is successful (on the merits or otherwise) in defense of any action, suit or proceeding, the Corporation shall indemnify the Covered Person against all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Covered Person or on the Covered Person’s behalf in connection therewith. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if the Covered Person is not wholly successful in such action, suit or proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such action, suit or proceeding, the Corporation shall indemnify the Covered Person to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Covered Person or on the Covered Person’s behalf in connection with or related to each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter.

SECTION 6.2. Advance of Expenses . To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide greater rights to advancement of expenses than the DGCL permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), each Covered Person shall have (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right to have) the right, without the need for any action by the Board of Directors, to be paid by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) the expenses incurred in connection with any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition, such advances to be paid by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time; provided , that if the DGCL requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not, except to the extent specifically required by applicable law, in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter, the “ Undertaking ”) by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right of appeal (a “ final disposition ”) that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Bylaw or otherwise.

SECTION 6.3. Claims . If a determination by the Corporation that the Covered Person is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article VI is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty (60) days to a written request for indemnification, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request. If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnification or advance of expenses to a Covered Person, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within forty-five

 

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(45) days after a written claim submitted pursuant to Section  6.1(b) of these Bylaws (or, in the case of an advance of expenses, twenty (20) days after provision of a statement pursuant to Section  6.2 of these Bylaws and any required Undertaking), the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article VI shall be enforceable by such Covered Person in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such Covered Person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advance of expenses where the Undertaking, if required by the DGCL, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the Covered Person has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the Covered Person for the amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including by its Board of Directors, Independent Counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the Covered Person is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including by its Board of Directors, Independent Counsel or its stockholders) that the Covered Person has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the Covered Person has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

SECTION 6.4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights . The rights conferred on any person in this Article VI , shall not be exclusive of any other right that such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote or consent of stockholders or the Board of Directors. In addition, nothing in this Article VI shall limit the ability of the Corporation, in its discretion, to indemnify or advance expenses to persons whom the Corporation is not obligated to indemnify or advance expenses pursuant to this Article VI . The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate to such officer or other person as the Board of Directors shall specify the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any person pursuant to this Section  6.4 .

SECTION 6.5. Insurance . The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and 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 expense, liability or loss asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expenses, liability or loss under the DGCL.

SECTION 6.6. Indemnification Contracts . The Board of Directors is authorized to cause the Corporation to enter into indemnification contracts with any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or any person serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including employee benefit plans, providing indemnification rights to such person. Such rights may be greater than those provided in this Article VI .

SECTION 6.7. Continuation of Indemnification . The rights to indemnification and to advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VI shall continue notwithstanding that the person has ceased to be a Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of his or her estate, heirs, executors, administrators, legatees and distributees; provided , however , that, except as set forth in Section  6.3 , the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnity in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.

 

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SECTION 6.8. Effect of Amendment or Repeal . The provisions of this Article VI shall constitute a contract between the Corporation, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, each individual who serves or has served as a Covered Person (whether before or after the adoption of these Bylaws), in consideration of such person’s performance of such services, and pursuant to this Article VI , the Corporation intends to be legally bound to each such current or former Covered Person. With respect to current and former Covered Persons, the rights conferred under this Article VI are present contractual rights and such rights are fully vested, and shall be deemed to have vested fully, immediately upon adoption of these Bylaws. With respect to any Covered Persons who commence service following adoption of these Bylaws, the rights conferred under this Article VI shall be present contractual rights, and such rights shall fully vest, and be deemed to have vested fully, immediately upon such Covered Person’s service in the capacity which is subject to the benefits of this Article VI .

SECTION 6.9. Notice . Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the Corporation under this Article VI shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by telecopy, overnight mail or courier service, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Secretary of the Corporation and shall be effective only upon receipt by the Secretary.

SECTION 6.10. Severability . If any provision or provisions of this Article VI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

SECTION 6.11 Definitions . For purposes of this Article VI :

(A) “ Disinterested Director ” means a director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to the matter in respect of which indemnification is sought by the Covered Person;

(B) “ Independent Counsel ” means a law firm, a member of a law firm, or an independent practitioner, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and shall include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would not have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or the Covered Person in an action to determine the Covered Person’s rights under this Article VI .

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 7.1. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December of each year. The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.

SECTION 7.2. Dividends . The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

SECTION 7.3. Seal . The corporate seal, if the Corporation shall have a corporate seal, shall have inscribed thereon the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware,” the name of the Corporation and the year of its organization. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

 

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SECTION 7.4. Waiver of Notice . Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder or director of the Corporation under the provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or the Board of Directors or committee thereof need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting.

SECTION 7.5. Resignations . Any director or any officer, whether elected or appointed, may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Secretary, and such resignation shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the date said notice is received by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Secretary, or at such later time as is specified therein. Except to the extent specified in such notice, no formal action shall be required of the Board of Directors or the stockholders to make any such resignation effective.

ARTICLE VIII

CONTRACTS, PROXIES, ETC.

SECTION 8.1. Contracts . In addition to the powers otherwise granted to officers pursuant to Article IV hereof, the Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer may authorize any officer or officers, or any agent or agents, of the Corporation to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Without limiting the foregoing, unless otherwise provided by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Secretary and the Treasurer may enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation.

SECTION 8.2. Proxies . Unless otherwise provided by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any other officer delegated such power by the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of the Corporation, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to cast the votes which the Corporation may be entitled to cast as the holder of stock or other securities in any other corporation, any of whose stock or other securities may be held by the Corporation, at meetings of the holders of the stock or other securities of such other corporation, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such other corporation, and may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting such votes or giving such consent, and may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, all such written proxies or other instruments as he or she may deem necessary or proper in the premises.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have the power without the assent or vote of the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal these Bylaws. Unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, the stockholders shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal these Bylaws by an affirmative vote of shares representing a majority of the voting power of all the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class; provided , however , that in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any

 

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particular class or series of the capital stock of the Corporation required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of shares representing at least three quarters (75%) of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, Section  3.2 and Section  3.13 of these Bylaws.

 

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Exhibit 10.1

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of November 28, 2017, by and among CONSOL Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ”), and CONSOL Mining Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ CoalCo ” and, together with Parent, the “ Parties ” and each a “ Party ”).

RECITALS

A.    The Parties have entered into that certain Separation and Distribution Agreement dated November 28, 2017 (the “ Separation Agreement ”), pursuant to which one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding common stock of CoalCo will be distributed to the stockholders of Parent and CoalCo will become a separate public company, all as more fully described therein.

B.    In order to ensure an orderly transition of the Coal Business (as defined in the Separation Agreement) to CoalCo and as a condition to consummating the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement, CoalCo has requested to receive from Parent certain services and Parent has requested to receive from CoalCo certain services, in each case, on a transitional basis and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

AGREEMENT

In consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1     Definitions . Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Separation Agreement. In the case of capitalized terms defined herein by definitions inconsistent with the definitions ascribed to such terms in the Separation Agreement, the definitions provided herein shall be regarded as controlling for the purposes of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

SERVICES

Section 2.1     Description of Initial Services . On the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (i) Parent shall provide to CoalCo, or cause to be provided to CoalCo, the initial transition services set forth on Exhibit A and (ii) CoalCo shall provide to Parent, or cause to be provided to Parent, the initial transition services set forth on Exhibit B (the services designated therein, as adjusted in accordance with this Agreement and as supplemented by Exhibit C, collectively, the “ Transition Services ”), in each case, subject to the completion of the Distribution and following the Closing. The Party providing a Transition Service under this Agreement is referred to herein as the “ Service Provider ” and the Party receiving such a Transition Service is referred to herein as the “ Recipient .”


Section 2.2     Omitted, Additional or Modified Services .

(a)    If during the 60 day period following Closing, either Parent or CoalCo reasonably determines that services that have previously been provided by a Service Provider to a Recipient which are necessary to effect an orderly transition of the separation of the Coal Business from other operations of Parent and its Affiliates (each such service an “ Omitted Service ”) have been omitted from the initial Transition Services listed on Exhibit A and Exhibit B , as supplemented by Exhibit C, then the applicable Service Provider will be obligated to provide any Omitted Service and the Parties hereto will negotiate in good faith an amendment to Exhibit A or Exhibit B , as supplemented by Exhibit C, as applicable, setting forth the Omitted Service and the terms and conditions for the provision of such Omitted Service.

(b)    During the 60 day period following Closing, a Recipient may also identify services in addition to the Omitted Services, which services are of the type previously provided by a Service Provider to a Recipient and that are necessary to conduct the Coal Business or Parent Business, as applicable, in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to Closing (each such service an “ Additional Service ”). Similarly, during the 60 day period following Closing, a Recipient may request modifications to any Transition Services currently being provided (a “ Modified Service ”). Upon receipt by the Service Provider of written notice from the Recipient requesting Additional Services or Modified Services during the applicable time period set forth above, the Parties hereto will negotiate in good faith an amendment to Exhibit A or Exhibit B , as applicable, setting forth the Additional Service or Modified Service and the terms and conditions for the provision of such Additional Service or Modified Service.

(c)    If, during the Term, the Recipient anticipates needing any of the Transition Services beyond the original term of such service, the Recipient may notify the Service Provider of such anticipated need and the Parties shall negotiate an extension to provide such services, provided that, no such extension may extend beyond 30 days of the original term for such service.

Section 2.3     Third Party Services . The Parties have set forth on Exhibit A or Exhibit B or Exhibit C their expectations as to any initial Transition Services to be provided by a Person that is neither a Party nor an Affiliate or employee of any Party or its Affiliates (a “ Third Party ”) (it being understood that the absence of a Transition Service to be designated as a Transition Service to be provided by a Third Party on Exhibit A or Exhibit B , as supplemented by Exhibit C, shall not preclude the Service Provider from using a Third Party to provide such Transition Service). The Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts, at the Recipient’s sole cost and expense, to cause such Third Party to provide such Transition Services to Recipient. In addition, one or more Third Parties may provide Omitted Services, Additional Services or Modified Services to a Recipient. If any such Third Party is unable or unwilling to provide any such Transition Services, the Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide such Transition Services in an alternative manner that is reasonably acceptable

 

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to the Recipient. A Recipient shall have the right to pre-approve any Third Party to the extent that such Third Party is not providing services to any Party prior to the date of this Agreement. If the Service Provider intends to engage a Third Party that would be subject to the pre-approval right set forth in the immediately preceding sentence to provide one or more Transition Services, the Service Provider shall provide advance notice to the Recipient, and the Recipient shall promptly notify the Service Provider whether the Recipient consents to such engagement (such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Service Provider will advise any Third Party of its obligations to comply with the confidentiality provisions in Article VI and use reasonable efforts to include similar confidentiality obligations in any agreement with such Third Party.

Section 2.4     Consents; Resources . A Service Provider shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, use commercially reasonable efforts, at the Recipient’s sole cost and expense, to obtain all consents, approvals or authorizations (i) for any software or other Intellectual Property necessary to enable the Service Provider, its designee or a Third Party to perform the Transition Services in accordance with this Agreement and (ii) necessary to allow the Service Provider to provide the Transition Services and to allow the Recipient to access and use the Transition Services. Unless otherwise expressly agreed under the terms of a Transition Schedule as set forth in Exhibit A or Exhibit B or Exhibit C , as applicable, or otherwise agreed to by the Parties in writing, in providing the Transition Services, neither the Service Provider, nor any of its Affiliates, shall be obligated to: (i) expend funds and other resources beyond levels that would be customary and commercially reasonable for any similar service provider (all such expenses to be reimbursed by the Recipient in accordance with this Agreement); (ii) maintain the employment of any specific employee or subcontractor; (iii) purchase, lease or license any additional equipment or materials; or (iv) pay any of the Recipient’s costs related to its receipt of such Transition Services.

Section 2.5     Standard of Services . Each Service Provider shall provide, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause any relevant Third Party to provide, the Transition Services in a manner and to the extent that is substantially similar in scope, nature, quality and timeliness to the services provided to (or with respect to) the Coal Business or Parent Business, as applicable, prior to the Closing Date, provided that, in any case, the Transition Services shall be provided (i) in a professional and workmanlike manner with the same degree of care, skill, and prudence that the Service Provider would exercise when performing such services on its own behalf and (ii) in compliance with all applicable Laws. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, neither the Service Provider nor any of its Affiliates will be responsible for the quality of any services provided by a Third Party or the non-compliance with Laws by such Third Party. In the event that a Third Party providing Transition Services on behalf of a Service Provider breaches or fails to perform under any agreement a Service Provider or any of its Affiliates has with such Third Party and such breach or non-performance has a material adverse impact on the Recipient, Service Provider will use commercially reasonable efforts, at the Recipient’s sole cost and expense, to enforce any claims the Service Provider (or its Affiliate) has against such Third Party for such breach or non-performance in the same manner with which the Service Provider would seek to enforce such claim in respect of a breach adversely affecting

 

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the Service Provider (or its Affiliate) and Service Provider will pay to Recipient from the damages or other amounts that Service Provider or its Affiliates, as the case may be, recoup from such Third Party with respect to such breach or non-performance an amount equal to the losses suffered by Recipient as a result of such breach or non-performance.

Section 2.6     Provision of Services

(a)     Employment and Supervision . Except for reimbursement of employee costs by the Recipient as set forth herein, the Service Provider shall have the sole responsibility to employ, pay, supervise, direct and discharge all of its employees used in the provision of Transition Services hereunder. Except for reimbursement of employee costs by the Recipient as set forth herein, the Service Provider shall be solely responsible for the payment of all employee benefits and any other direct and indirect compensation for any of such Service Provider’s employees assigned to perform services under this Agreement, as well as such personnel’s worker’s compensation insurance, employment taxes, and other employer liabilities relating to such personnel as required by Law.

(b)     Independence . The Service Provider shall be an independent contractor in connection with the performance of Transition Services hereunder for any and all purposes (including federal or state Tax purposes), and the employees performing Transition Services in connection herewith shall not be deemed to be employees or agents of the Recipient or any of its Affiliates and nothing contained herein shall be deemed to create a joint venture or partnership.

(c)     Coordination . The Recipient shall provide the Service Provider with any and all information on a timely basis as is reasonably necessary and requested by the Service Provider to enable the performance by the Service Provider (or any Third Party) of the Transition Services. In the event of a conflict in scheduling of available employees, contractors or other resources by the Service Provider between the internal needs of the Service Provider (and its Affiliates) and the requirements of providing the Transition Services, the Service Provider shall allocate such available employees, contractors and resources in a commercially reasonable manner using a substantially similar allocation as if it were performing the Transition Services for itself.

(d)     Access . In order to enable the provision of the Transition Services by a Service Provider, the Recipient agrees that it shall provide to the Service Provider and any Third Party providing Transition Services on behalf of a Service Provider, at no cost to the Service Provider, reasonable access to the facilities, assets and books and records of the Recipient during regular and normal business hours to the extent necessary for the Service Provider to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that each Service Provider, consistent with Section 6.1, will ensure that access to technology systems is reasonably limited to those individuals or entities for whom access to such information is essential to perform their job, so as to minimize and avoid the inadvertent unauthorized access to sensitive employee information or other data.

 

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Section 2.7     Cooperation . During the Term, the Parties shall, and shall cause each of their respective Affiliates and each of the foregoing entities’ respective employees, agents, auditors and representatives to, cooperate with each other in good faith (a) to implement or give effect to this Agreement and (b) to facilitate an orderly and efficient transition of services, processes and functions contemplated in this Agreement, and in each case in a manner consistent with the intent of this Agreement and without undue burden on any Party thereto.

Section 2.8     Service Interruption . Except as provided in this Section  2.8 and subject to the terms of Section  2.9 , the Transition Services shall be provided during regular and normal business hours during the Term. Upon reasonable prior written notice to the Recipient given the circumstances (provided such notice shall be no less than 72 hours), the Service Provider may temporarily interrupt the provision of any Transition Services only when, and for such period of time, it is the commercially reasonable judgment of the Service Provider (or the relevant Third Party providing such Transition Services for the Service Provider) that such action is necessary, including for routine maintenance purposes. With respect to any Transition Services provided by any Third Party, the Service Provider shall forward promptly (which will be within two business days after Service Provider’s receipt of) any notice received from any such Third Party regarding the interruption of such Transition Services. In the event of any temporary interruptions, the Service Provider shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the impact on the Recipient of such interruption, including by minimizing each period of interruption and scheduling such period of interruption so as to not inconvenience or impair the conduct of the Recipient’s business. Subject to the notice provisions set forth in this Section  2.8 , the Service Provider shall consult with the Recipient prior to temporary interruptions to the extent reasonably practicable or, if not reasonably practicable, promptly thereafter.

Section 2.9     Force Majeure .

(a)    No Party will be held liable or responsible to another Party or be deemed to have defaulted under or breached this Agreement for failure or delay in fulfilling or performing any term of this Agreement when such failure or delay is caused by or results from events beyond the reasonable control of the non-performing Party, including war, acts of war, riot, rebellion, civil disturbances, terrorism, power failures, embargos, shortages, epidemics, pandemics, quarantines, shortage of fuel, raw materials or components, nuclear accident, strikes, lockouts or other labor disturbances, flood, storm, fire and earthquake or other natural disasters or acts of God or acts, omissions or delays in acting by any governmental authority, or any breach by any Third Party of any of such Third Party’s obligations to the Service Provider or any of its Affiliates (solely caused by the failure of such Third Party to perform its obligations and not due to the failure of a Party to provide necessary instructions or information or to otherwise perform under any arrangement such Party has with the relevant Third Party) (collectively, each of the foregoing a “ Force Majeure Event ”). The suspension of performance as a result of a Force Majeure Event shall be of no greater in scope or longer in duration than is necessary. The non-performing Party will use commercially reasonable efforts to remedy its inability to perform and will keep the other Party reasonably informed with respect thereto. The other Party will agree to cooperate with the non-performing Party to seek other solutions that may be mutually satisfactory.

 

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(b)    The Recipient shall be free to acquire any Transition Services from an alternate source for the period and to the extent reasonably necessitated by such non-performance pursuant to Section  2.9(a) , and the Service Provider shall cooperate with, provide information to and take such other actions as may be reasonably required to assist such alternate source to provide such Transition Services. The Recipient shall not be obligated to pay for any Transition Services during any period when such Transition Services are not being provided to the Recipient; provided, however that the Recipient shall pay Fees in accordance with Section 3.1 hereof for the assistance provided by the Service Provider to an alternative source.

(c)    Subject to Section  2.9(b) , the Parties hereto agree that this Section  2.9 shall not otherwise be construed so as to excuse a Party hereto of its obligations to otherwise perform in accordance with Article III at all other times during the term of this Agreement.

Section 2.10     Service Coordinators . Each of Parent and CoalCo shall identify one of its employees to serve as the primary point of contact (the “ Service Coordinator ”) for the other Party hereto with respect to the Transition Services. Each of Parent and CoalCo shall cause its Service Coordinator to be reasonably available to the other Party hereto to facilitate communication among the Parties and the identification, awareness and resolution of any interruption, deficiency or concern with respect to the Transition Services.

ARTICLE III

FEES AND PAYMENT

Section 3.1     Fees . The fees payable for any Transition Service (the “ Fees ”) shall be as set forth for such Transition Service on Exhibit A and Exhibit B , exclusive of any applicable taxes, including any value added tax, sales tax or duty of any kind (other than taxes based on the Service Provider’s income), which as applicable shall be added to the Fees. It is the intent that the Recipient shall also reimburse the Service Provider and its Affiliates for all actual expenses, which shall expressly include any employee or subcontractor wage, benefit or other employment expenses related to the time spent providing the Transition Services not otherwise expressly included in the Fees, which the Service Provider or any of its Affiliates incur in connection with performing the Transition Services, including actual and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred and paid by the Service Provider or any of its Affiliates to any Third Party (other than expenses expressly included in the Fees) (“ Third-Party Expenses ”) in connection with performing the Transition Services (collectively, “ Expenses ”). With respect to any health or welfare benefits that CoalCo requests Parent to continue following the Closing and which are self-insured by Parent, CoalCo shall promptly reimburse Parent upon Parent’s payment of claims for such health or welfare benefits.

Section 3.2    Invoice and Payment. The Fees for the Transition Services, along with any Omitted Services, Additional Services, or Modified Services, shall be paid on a monthly basis in advance starting on the date of this Agreement and any Fees owed by one Party may be netted against Fees owed by the other Party. The Service Provider shall prepare and send an invoice to the Recipient by the 15th day of each month reflecting the Fees for the Transition

 

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Services, along with any Omitted Services, Additional Services, or Modified Services to be incurred in the upcoming month. The Service Provider shall also invoice the Recipient for the Expenses incurred in connection with the Transition Services as such Expenses are incurred. Each such invoice shall be accompanied by a statement properly supported and reasonably itemized, including the names of and containing copies of invoices from any Third Party with respect to any Third-Party Expenses included in the invoiced Expenses and any other documentation reasonably requested by Recipient to evidence any out-of-pocket expenses included therein. The Recipient shall pay all undisputed amounts of any invoice no later than ten (10) days after the Recipient’s receipt of a properly submitted invoice (the “ Invoice Due Date ”). Any amounts outstanding after the Invoice Due Date shall accrue interest at a rate which is the lower of one and one half percent (1.5%) per month or the highest monthly rate allowed by law.

Section 3.3     Disputes and Resolution . The Recipient shall promptly notify the Service Provider in writing of any amounts billed to the Recipient that the Recipient, in good faith, determines to be in dispute along with a reasonable description of the Recipient’s reason for disputing such amounts. Upon receipt of such notice, the Service Provider will research the items in question in a reasonably prompt manner and cooperate with the Service Provider to resolve any such dispute for a period of five (5) days. In the event that the Parties agree, or a court of competent jurisdiction determines, that any amount that was paid was not properly owed, the Service Provider shall refund such amount to the Recipient within five (5) business days of such agreement (or, alternatively, at the option of the Service Provider, such amount may be deducted from the amount payable under the next invoice submitted for payment). The Service Provider shall continue providing the Transition Services in accordance with this Agreement pending resolution of any dispute.

ARTICLE IV

DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Section 4.1     Disclaimer of Warranties . EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN OR IN THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS-IS” BASIS, AND THAT EACH PARTY MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSITION SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY IT OR OTHERWISE WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 4.2     Limitation on Certain Damages . NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER OR ANY AFFILIATES OF THE OTHER FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, EVEN IF SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OTHER THAN IN THE CASE OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE, FRAUD OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT AND EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF ANY SUCH LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO A THIRD-PARTY CLAIM.

 

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ARTICLE V

OWNERSHIP OF ASSETS

Section 5.1     Parent Systems and Data . Any information system, software, computer network, database, data file, record or other information owned, licensed, leased or provided by Parent or any of its Affiliates that is used by Parent, or any of its Affiliates or provided to, or stored or accessed by, CoalCo or any of its Affiliates in connection with provision of any Transition Service shall remain the sole and exclusive property of Parent or its Affiliates, as the case may be.

Section 5.2     CoalCo Systems and Data . Any information system, software, computer network, database, data file, record or other information owned, licensed, leased or provided by CoalCo or any of its Affiliates that is used by CoalCo, or any of its Affiliates, or provided to, or stored or accessed by, Parent or any of its Affiliates in connection with any Transition Service shall remain the sole and exclusive property of CoalCo or its Affiliates, as the case may be.

Section 5.3     Other Assets . All procedures, methods, systems, strategies, tools, equipment, facilities and other resources owned, licensed or leased by any Party or its Affiliates and used or provided by such Party, any of its Affiliates or any relevant Third Party in connection with this Agreement shall remain the property of such Party or its Affiliates and, except as otherwise provided herein, shall at all times be under the sole direction and control of such Party, its Affiliates or such Third Party.

ARTICLE VI

CONFIDENTIALITY

Section 6.1     Confidentiality . Each Party acknowledges and agrees that the provisions on confidentiality set forth in Section 6.9 of the Separation Agreement shall be incorporated into this Agreement by reference. The Parties further agree that confidential information shall also include any other confidential information or data received in the course of providing or receiving any Transition Services.

ARTICLE VII

INSURANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 7.1     Insurance . During the Term, each Party shall maintain insurance coverage substantially similar to the insurance maintained by such Party on the date of this Agreement.

Section 7.2     Parent Indemnification . Parent shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless CoalCo and its Affiliates from and against any Losses suffered or incurred by CoalCo or any of its Affiliates arising out of or relating to any breach of applicable Law or the willful misconduct or gross negligence of Parent or its Affiliates related to this Agreement or the performance or

 

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non-performance of the Transition Services (including any performance or non-performance by any Third Party engaged by Parent or any of its Affiliates solely to the extent the Losses from performance or non-performance arise from any willful misconduct or gross negligence by Parent or such Affiliate under such Third Party agreement or arrangement).

Section 7.3     CoalCo Indemnification . CoalCo shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Parent and its Affiliates from and against any Losses suffered or incurred by Parent or any of its Affiliates arising out of or relating to any breach of applicable Law or the willful misconduct or gross negligence of CoalCo or its Affiliates related to this Agreement or the performance or non-performance of the Transition Services (including any performance or non-performance by any Third Party engaged by CoalCo or any of its Affiliates solely to the extent the Losses from performance or non-performance arise from any willful misconduct or gross negligence by CoalCo or such Affiliate under such Third Party agreement or arrangement).

ARTICLE VIII

TERM AND TERMINATION

Section 8.1     Term .

(a)     Term of Agreement . The term of this Agreement (the “ Term ”) shall commence on the date hereof and shall end on the earliest of: (i) the date all Service Terms have expired in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (ii) the date all Transition Services have been terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or (iii) the date on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section  8.3 .

(b)     Term of Services . The applicable Service Provider shall provide each Transition Service beginning on the date hereof, or as otherwise set forth in Exhibit A, or Exhibit B or Exhibit C , as applicable, or agreed to by each of the Parties hereto in writing, and continuing for a period equal to the service term set forth in Exhibit A, or Exhibit B or Exhibit C , as applicable (the “ Service Term ”), or as otherwise agreed to by each of the Parties hereto in writing, unless renewed or sooner terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 8.2     Termination of Services .

(a)     Voluntary Termination . A Recipient may terminate its right to receive any particular Transition Services for any or no reason, by providing the Service Provider written notice of termination (the “ Termination Notice ”), not less than ten (10) days prior to the date on which such Transition Services shall be terminated (the “ Termination Date ”) setting forth in reasonable detail such Transition Services to be terminated (the “ Terminated Services ”) and the Termination Date for each Terminated Service.

(b)     Termination for Breach . If a Recipient materially breaches any of its obligations under this Agreement with respect to any Transition Services received by such

 

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Recipient, and does not cure such default within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice thereof from the Service Provider, then the Service Provider may, at its option, terminate any Transition Services affected by such breach by providing written notice of such termination to the Service Provider, for which termination the effective Termination Date shall be the date of receipt of such written notice.

(c)     Termination for Illegal Agreement . If a final and non-appealable order has been entered determining that the provision or use of any of the Transition Services hereunder violates any applicable Law, then any Party hereto may terminate such Transition Services by providing written notice of such termination to the other Party, for which termination the effective Termination Date shall be the date of receipt of such written notice.

(d)     Procedures on Termination of Services . Beginning on the Termination Date, the Recipient shall not be obligated to pay any Fees in connection with such Terminated Services other than Fees owed by such Recipient to the Service Provider for such Terminated Services rendered prior to the Termination Date for which payment has not yet been made; provided, that, if the Service Provider (or its Affiliate) entered into a contract with a Third Party service provided to provide such services to the Recipient, the Recipient shall reimburse the Service Provider for any Losses incurred by the Service Provider in connection with the early termination of such services.

Section 8.3     Termination of the Transition Services Agreement .

(a)     By Mutual Consent . This Agreement may be terminated by mutual written consent of the Parties in writing at any time.

(b)     Termination for Non-Payment . A Party may terminate this Agreement if such other Party fails to pay any undisputed Fees by the applicable Invoice Due Date; provided that the terminating Party has given the breaching Party written notice of such failure to pay, and the breaching Party has not cured such failure to pay within five (5) days following the date of such written notice.

(c)     Bankruptcy Termination . This Agreement may be terminated by either Party hereto upon at least thirty (30) days prior written notice if the other Party hereto is declared insolvent or bankrupt, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or a receiver is appointed or any proceeding is demanded by, for or against the other under any provision of the Federal Bankruptcy Act. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section  8.3(c) shall be without prejudice to any rights or obligations of the Parties hereto accruing prior to such termination including the right to payment of unpaid Fees and reimbursable costs owing for Transition Services performed prior to termination.

Section 8.4     Procedures on Termination of the Agreement . Following any termination of this Agreement or termination of any services to be rendered hereunder, each Party hereto will cooperate with the other Party as reasonably necessary to avoid material disruption of the ordinary course of the other Party’s and its Affiliates’ businesses.

 

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Section 8.5     Effect of Termination; Survival . Upon the expiration of the Term, this Agreement will be of no further force and effect; provided that no Party shall be relieved of any liability for any breach or nonfulfillment of any provision of this Agreement or any obligations under Article  VII prior to the expiration of the Term (including any liability to pay for Transition Services provided, or expenses incurred in connection therewith, prior to termination); provided , further , that any claims relating to breach or nonfulfillment or for indemnification under Article  VII shall have been made in writing prior to the expiration of the Term. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Articles  III , IV , V , and IX , and this Section  8.5 shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement. Article VI shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement until the second anniversary of the date of the Separation Agreement.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1     Amendment and Modification . This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented in any manner, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, except by an instrument in writing specifically designated as an amendment hereto, signed on behalf of each Party and making specific reference to this Agreement.

Section 9.2     Waiver . No failure or delay of either Party in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, or any course of conduct, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Parties hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have hereunder. Any agreement on the part of either Party to any such waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written instrument executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer on behalf of such Party. No course of dealing between or among any Persons having an interest in this Agreement shall be deemed effective to amend, supplement, modify or waive any part of this Agreement or any rights or obligations of any Person under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 9.3     Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be given or made and shall be deemed to have been given in accordance with the notice provision set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Section 9.4     Interpretation and Conflicts . When a reference is made in this Agreement to a Section, Article or Exhibit such reference shall be to a Section, Article or Exhibit of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The headings contained in this Agreement or in any Exhibit are for convenience of reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require. Any capitalized terms used in any Exhibit but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. All Exhibits annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth herein. The word “including” and words of similar import when

 

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used in this Agreement will mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified. This Agreement is being executed pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement. In the event that any provision in this Agreement conflicts with or inconsistent with any provision in the Separation Agreement, the provisions of the Separation Agreement will control. In the event that the Distribution does not occur, then no Party will have any further obligation under this Agreement.

Section 9.5     Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto) together with the Separation Agreement constitute the entire agreement, and supersedes all prior written agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings and all prior and contemporaneous oral agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

Section 9.6     No Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except as provided in Article VII , 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 under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 9.7     Governing Law . It is the intent of the Parties that the laws which govern this Agreement be consistent with the governing law set forth in the Separation Agreement. As such, the provision of the Separation Agreement which sets forth governing law is incorporated herein by reference.

Section 9.8     Assignment . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any such assignment without such prior written consent shall be null and void. This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Party may assign any or all of its rights, interests and obligations under this Agreement to any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary without the consent of the other party so long as such assignment does not have any adverse consequences to the other Party or its Affiliates. No assignment will relieve the assigning Party from any of its obligations under this Agreement and the assigning Party will remain primarily liable for all of its obligations under this Agreement.

Section 9.9     Severability . Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion of any provision had never been contained herein.

 

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Section 9.10     Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 9.11     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, including electronic counterparts, all of which shall be considered 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 party.

Section 9.12     Nonrecourse . This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or causes of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of the Agreement may only be made against, the entities that are expressly identified as parties hereto. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, member, partner, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney or representative of any party or its Affiliates shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of such party under this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

[Signature page follows on next page]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have executed or caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, each with the intent to be legally bound, as of the date first written above.

 

PARENT:
    CONSOL ENERGY INC.
    By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

    Name:   Stephen W. Johnson
    Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

 

COALCO:
    CONSOL MINING CORPORATION
    By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

    Name:   James A. Brock
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Transition Services Agreement]


Exhibit A

Transition Services Provided by Parent

 

Functional

Area

  

Service Component Description

 

Service Term

Accounts Receivable   

•       Bifurcate any remaining shared accounts and receive and process cash receipts in accordance with standard internal control procedures

  30 days with an option for an additional 30 days.
Purchasing   

•       Facilitate system support for requisition and ordering of any materials, supplies or services as needed for day-to-day operations of the Coal Business as directed by CoalCo.

  30 days with an option for an additional 30 days.
Accounts Payable   

•       Bifurcate any remaining shared accounts and receive and process vendor invoices for payments in accordance with standard internal control procedures.

 

•       Provide all supporting documentation and/or electronic files to CoalCo for procurement from and payments to vendors.

  30 days with an option for an additional 30 days.
Benefits   

•       Assist in the transition of employee benefits and related vendors to CoalCo. Provide appropriate supporting documentation and electronic files to CoalCo related to employee and benefit (vendor) payments made on behalf of CoalCo, including reporting for ACA.

 

•       Maintain those employee benefits set forth on Exhibit C during the term that these benefit transition services are provided.

 

•       Coordinate benefits.

 

•       Assist in implementation of new system.

 

•       Ensure the continuation of the Baltimore hourly employee benefit plans through April 1, 2018.

 

•       Provide access to systems and maintain appropriate licenses to enable CoalCo. personnel to operate payroll, payment and benefits systems on Exhibit C.

  180 days with an option for an additional 30 days, subject to approval from any third party necessary for such extension and subject to certain exceptions on Exhibit C.
Information Technology – System Support   

•       Assist in the development and execution of a system transition plan.

  360 days with an option for an additional 30 days.
Information Technology – Data Support   

•       Share data and support for the HR data and systems until June 30, 2018, including Retiree Medical Benefits and Pension payroll data and processing.

 

•       Provide CoalCo with appropriate data files to facilitate uploading to CoalCo’s systems including, by way of example, all transaction activity consummated on behalf of CoalCo post-closing, historical and set-up information for vendors, fixed assets, warehouse materials and supplies, employee records and other financial related information.

 

•       Provide CoalCo with data and records such as land records, drill hole data and other engineering and operational information.

  360 days with an option for an additional 30 days.


Functional

Area

  

Service Component Description

 

Service Term

Information Technology – Infrastructure Support   

•       Facilitate the transition from Parent’s existing software, hardware, telephone, security, internet and other systems to CoalCo’s systems.

  360 days with an option for an additional 30 days.
Information Technology – Equipment Rentals   

•       Cost of ongoing equipment rentals

  240 days with an option for an additional 60 days.
Information Technology – Professional Services   

•       Professional services and support on infrastructure components.

  240 days with an option for an additional 60 days.
Information Technology – Telephone   

•       Ongoing telephone and telegraph support until transferred.

  240 days with an option for an additional 60 days.
Information Technology – Quorum   

•       Support for Quorum.

  240 days with an option for an additional 60 days.
Land Data Systems   

•       Facilitate the transition of data from Parent’s existing hard records and software related to the Coal Assets, including data pertaining to mineral, real estate and personal property taxes, other land related payments (including royalties) and other systems to CoalCo’s systems.

  180 days with an option for an additional 60 days.
Land Data Systems - ERC   

•       Facilitate RoW, surface use and associated agreement coordination for surface properties transitioning to CoalCo.

  180 days with an option for an additional 60 days.


Functional

Area

  

Service Component Description

 

Service Term

Land Related Taxed   

•       Facilitate the transition of current property tax preparation and filing responsibility.

  300 days with an option for an additional 90 days.
Legal/Litigation   

•       Ensuring the continuation of any current and implement any new Litigation holds in effect at the time of the spin transaction.

 

•       Provide general administrative assistance for the transfer of the legal files.

  150 days with an option for an additional 30 days.
Leatherwood   

•       Facilitate the transition of billing, royalty payments, field services, gas marketing services, and other services related to the ongoing activities of the Leatherwood entity and associated wells.

  180 days with an option for an additional 60 days.
Tax   

•       Assist in the annual tax preparation

 

•       Assist in the 2017 CNXC MLP K-1 preparation

  330 days with an option for an additional 60 days.
Business Processes and Controls   

•       Ensure master data maintenance and testing in the accounting system.

  240 days with an option for an additional 60 days.
Health, Safety and Environmental Data   

•       Facilitate the transition of the Health, Safety and Environmental data.

 

•       Support for filing federal and state HSE obligations.

  30 days with an option for an additional 30 days.


Exhibit B

Transition Services Provided by CoalCo

 

Functional

Area

  

Service Component Description

 

Service Term

Payroll and Benefits   

•       Assist in the transition of employee benefits and related vendors to ParentCo. Provide appropriate supporting documentation and electronic files to ParentCo related to employee and benefit (vendor) payments made on behalf of ParentCo, including reporting for ACA.

 

•       Coordinate payroll payment and benefits.

 

•       Assist in the implementation of payroll function of Parent. Provide appropriate supporting documentation and electronic files to Parent related to this Service component.

 

•       Assist and facilitate the transition of existing payroll, payment and benefit functions to new Parent personnel.

  180 days with an option for an additional 30 days, subject to approval from any third party necessary for such extension and subject to certain exceptions on Exhibit C.
Accounts Receivable   

•       Bifurcate any remaining shared accounts and receive and process cash receipts in accordance with standard internal control procedures

  30 days with an option for an additional 30 days.
Legal/Litigation   

•       Ensuring the continuation of any current and implement and new Litigation holds in effect at the time of the spin transaction.

 

•       Provide general administrative assistance for the transfer of legal files.

  150 days with an option for an additional 30 days.
Land Permitting   

•       Support for gas permitting when drilling through coal pillars.

  60 days with an option for an additional 30 days.


Exhibit C

Benefits to be Maintained

This Exhibit is qualified in its entirety by the Employee Matters Agreement (EMA).

Health and Welfare

Long Term Disability

 

I. Active Benefits Parent to Maintain the following benefit programs for Coal until 1/1/2018 and until 3/31/18 for Baltimore Terminal Employees:

Medical

Drug

Vision

Dental

HSA – Administration

HRA – Administration

Benefit Eligibility Administration

Company provided HSA/HRA dollars

Life

Short Term Disability (Coal to assume for Coal personnel 1/1/18 per EMA)

Long Term Disability (Coal to assume for Coal personnel 1/1/18 per EMA)

Voluntary Benefits

 

II. COBRA Parent to maintained for COBRA for select COBRA enrollees for COBRA period for certain employees (per EMA)

 

III. Payroll/Payment/Benefit Processing Coal to provide these services for the following benefits:

401(k)

Pension

LTIC

Active payroll and other compensation

Nonqualified Plan

Equity Compensation

Reporting/Disclosure assistance for health and welfare


Maintenance Period: As needed, with anticipated end date not later than July 1, 2018, with an exception for 2018 year end reporting matters.

 

IV. Benefit transitioning- operations of payroll/payment/benefit processes to new Parent Personnel.

Coal personnel to assist new parent personnel in operation of arrangements in Section III for up to one benefit plan cycle, with anticipated services decreasing over time.

 

V. All Maintenance periods herein are subject to reasonable extension as circumstances may warrant.

Exhibit 10.2

TLA1

THIS TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), made and entered into as of this 28 th day of November, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between CNX RESOURCES CORPORATION, a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware (“ Licensor ”) and CONSOL ENERGY INC. , a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware (“ Licensee ”).

WHEREAS , Licensor owns all right, title, and interest to the trademarks identified and set forth in Schedule 1 annexed hereto and made a part hereof (collectively, the “Licensed Marks ”);

WHEREAS , Licensor further owns all right, title, and interest to the domain names identified and set forth in Schedule 2 annexed hereto and made a part hereof (collectively, the “Domain Names ”);

WHEREAS , Licensor and Licensee and other businesses formerly operated as, or as businesses of, Licensor;

WHEREAS , Licensor and Licensee are now two, separate, publically traded companies;

WHEREAS , Licensor and Licensee entered into a Separation Agreement having an effective date of November 28, 2017 (“Separation Agreement”); unless specifically defined in this Agreement, any capitalized term in this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

WHEREAS , Licensee continues to sell, and offer for sale products and services related to the coal industry, in conjunction with the Licensed Marks as of the Effective Date (“ Licensed Products ”) (the license terms of each of which are set forth in Schedule 3);

WHEREAS , Licensee wishes to obtain from Licensor, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the right and license to use, have used, manufacture, have manufactured, sell, have sold, advertise, have advertised, import, have imported, export, have exported, offer for sale, and have offered for sale the Licensed Products using the Licensed Marks (the “ Licensed Purpose ”);

WHEREAS , Licensor is willing to grant such rights, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1.     GRANT AND SCOPE OF LICENSE .

(a)     Grant of License . Licensor hereby grants to Licensee the limited licenses to use and have used the Licensed Marks for the Licensed Products as set forth on Schedule 3 under the terms set forth in Schedule 3.

(b)     Domain Names . Licensor hereby grants to Licensee the limited right to use the Domain Names under the terms set forth in Schedule 3.

(c)     Goodwill. Licensee expressly recognizes and acknowledges that its use of the Licensed Marks shall inure solely to the benefit of Licensor, and shall not confer on Licensee any ownership rights to the Licensed Marks. Licensee agrees and covenants that it shall not challenge, contest, or take any actions inconsistent with Licensor’s exclusive rights of ownership of the Licensed Marks.

(d)     Trademark Notices. All print and electronic displays of the Licensed Marks by Licensee shall include at Licensor’s option, a notice to the effect that the Licensed Marks is owned by Licensor and used by Licensee under license from Licensor.

(e)     Licensee Cooperation. Licensee agrees to reasonably cooperate with Licensor in achieving registration of the Licensed Marks worldwide, and in maintaining and protecting existing registrations therefor at Licensor’s sole expense. Licensee shall execute any and all documents which Licensor may reasonably request in support of such registrations, and, at Licensor’s request, Licensee shall provide use evidence, testimony, and documentation that may be required in any ex parte or inter partes administrative proceedings and prosecutions, maintenance and renewals involving registrations of the Licensed Marks, at Licensee’s sole expense.

 

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(f)     Quality Control, Licensor Approvals. Licensor as owner of the Licensed Marks shall have the right at all times to control and approve the nature and quality of the Licensed Products, and to inspect Licensee’s business operations upon reasonable prior notice for the purpose of ensuring that a high level of quality of the Licensed Products is being maintained by Licensee. At Licensor’s reasonable request during each calendar year, Licensee shall submit samples of Licensed Products to Licensor, at no cost to Licensor, and shall not materially depart therefrom without Licensor’s prior express written consent. The Licensed Products, as well as all promotional, packaging and advertising material relative thereto, shall include all appropriate legal notices as required by Licensor. No more frequently than once per year, a third party auditor chosen by Licensor and approved by Licensee, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, shall be entitled at any time on reasonable notice to the Licensee to enter, during regular business hours, any premises used by the Licensee or its manufacturers for the manufacture, packaging, storage, or performance of the Licensed Products, to inspect such premises, all plant, workforce and machinery used for manufacture, packaging, storage, or performance of Licensed Products and all other aspects of the manufacture, packaging, storage, and performance of Licensed Products (“Access Rights”). Prior to exercising such Access Rights, the third party auditor shall enter into a nondisclosure agreement with Licensee that, among other terms deemed acceptable by Licensee and such third party auditor, shall: (a) limit the content of any report made by the third party auditor to Licensor to a description of the manner in which, and the conditions under which, the Licensed Marks is used by Licensee or its manufacturers; and (b) prevent the disclosure of any of Licensee’s trade secrets and/or Confidential Information. To the extent reasonably practicable, all Licensed Products shall include notices on labeling, packaging, adverting, and other promotion material for the Licensed Products stating that the Licensed Marks are owned by Licensor and used by Licensee under license from Licensor. The Licensed Products shall be of a quality commensurate with previous products and services provided by Licensee prior to execution of the Separation Agreement. If the quality of a class of the Licensed Products falls below such standards, Licensee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to restore such quality. In the event that Licensee has not taken appropriate steps to restore such quality within ninety (90) days after notification by Licensor, Licensor shall have the right to terminate this Agreement.

(g)     Compliance with Trademark Usage Guidelines. Licensee agrees to comply with Licensor’s trademark usage guidelines and any other policies and requirements applicable to the Licensed Marks.

2.     ENFORCEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

(a)     Third Party Infringement. In the event that Licensee becomes aware that any third party is infringing the Licensed Marks, Licensee shall promptly notify Licensor and provide pertinent details. Licensor shall have the right in its sole discretion to bring a legal action for infringement against the third party, together with the right to enforce and collect any judgment thereon. If Licensor elects to exercise such right, Licensee shall, at Licensor’s request, provide reasonable assistance to Licensor, at the sole expense of Licensor. In the event that Licensor declines to bring a legal action for infringement against a third party operating in the coal business identified by Licensee, Licensee shall have the right to bring a legal action for infringement against the third party upon receiving the prior written approval of Licensor, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

3.     INDEMNIFICATION.

(a)    Licensee shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Licensor and its officers, directors, employees, agents, corporate subsidiaries, parents, and affiliates ( “Licensor Indemnitees” ) from and against any and all demands, claims, actions or causes of action, assessments, deficiencies, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable expenses of investigation and attorneys’ fees and expenses), incurred in conjunction with or arising out of or relating to any third-party claim concerning the Licensed Products and any acts or omissions of Licensee, including without limitation Licensee’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement. The Licensor Indemnitees agree to cooperate with Licensee, at Licensee’s expense, to provide copies of any documents or materials reasonably requested by Licensee in support of its defense of the Licensor Indemnitees.

4.     TERM AND TERMINATION.

(a)     Term. The Term of this Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and shall continue for the time periods set forth in Schedule 2 unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b)     Termination for Breach. Licensor and Licensee will be entitled to terminate this Agreement by written notice to the other party in the event the other party is in material breach of any of its obligations hereunder and shall fail to remedy any such default within ninety (90) days after notice thereof by the non-breaching party.

 

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(c)     Termination Upon Bankruptcy. Either party may terminate this Agreement by written notice to the other in the event of: (a) the other party’s making assignment for the benefit of its creditors or filing a voluntary petition under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, under the reorganization or arrangement provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, or under the provisions of any law of like import; or (b) the filing of an involuntary petition against the other party under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, under the reorganization or arrangement provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, or under any law of like import; or (c) the appointment of a trustee or receiver for the party or its property.

(d)     Survival of Obligations; Return of Confidential Information. Notwithstanding any expiration or termination of this Agreement, Sections 1(d), 3(a), 4(d), 5(a), 5(b), and 6(a) through 6(j) shall survive and continue to be enforceable as set forth herein. Upon any expiration or termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall promptly return to Licensor, or at Licensor’s direction, destroy all confidential information and all copies thereof in Licensee’s possession.

5.     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

(a)    Licensor represents and warrants to Licensee that Licensor’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement is not in conflict with, and will not result in a breach of or constitute a default under, any other contract, instrument, rule of law or order of any court or governmental agency to which Licensor is a party or by which Licensor is bound.

(b)    Licensee represents and warrants to Licensor that Licensee’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement are not in conflict with, and will not result in a breach of or constitute a default under, any other contract, instrument, rule of law or order of any court or governmental agency to which Licensee is a party or by which Licensee is bound.

6.     MISCELLANEOUS.

(a)     Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

(b)     Waive r. The waiver by any party of a breach or a default of any provision of this Agreement by any other party shall not be construed as a waiver of any succeeding breach of the same or any other provision, nor shall any delay or omission on the part of a party to exercise or avail itself of any right, power or privilege that it has or may have hereunder operate as a waiver of any right, power or privilege by such party.

(c)     Waiver of Jury Trial. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law each party hereby irrevocably waives all right of trial by jury in any action, proceeding, claim, or counterclaim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any matter arising hereunder.

(d)     No Agency. Nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute Licensor, on the one hand, or Licensee, on the other hand, as the agent or representative of the other, or as joint venturers or partners for any purpose. Neither Licensor, on the one hand, nor Licensee, on the other hand, shall be responsible for the acts or omissions of the other. No party will have authority to speak for, represent or obligate the other party in any way without prior written authority from such other party.

(e)     Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Separation Agreement together contain the full understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings and writings relating thereto. No waiver, alteration or modification of any of the provisions hereof shall be binding unless made in writing and signed by the parties.

(f)     Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be considered in construing this Agreement.

 

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(g)     Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed facsimile transmission if sent during normal business hours of the recipient; if not, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications will be sent to the party to be notified at the address as set forth below or at such other address as such party may designate by written notice to the other parties hereto. Notices shall be provided to the addresses set forth below:

 

If to Licensor: Stephanie Gill   If to Licensee: Martha Wiegand
CNX Resources Corporation   CONSOL Energy Inc.

Address: 1000 CONSOL Energy

Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317

 

Address: 1000 CONSOL Energy

Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317

Attn: General Counsel   Attn: General Counsel
Phone No.: 724-485-4234   Phone No.: 724-485-4009

(h)     Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable because it is invalid or in conflict with any law of any relevant jurisdiction, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and the invalid provision shall be severed herefrom.

(i)     Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned or otherwise transferred by Licensee in any manner without the prior written consent of Licensor in its sole discretion, including without limitation by operation of law, a change of control, merger, acquisition, or otherwise. Licensor may freely assign any or all of its rights or obligations under this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement will inure to the benefit of and will be binding on the parties hereto and their respective permitted assigns.

(j)     Counterparts ; Images Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of such together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Scanned PDF copies of signatures and facsimile copies of signatures may be deemed original signatures.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective authorized officers as of the Effective Date.

 

CNX RESOURCES CORPORATION     CONSOL ENERGY INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

    By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   Stephen W. Johnson     Name:   James A. Brock
Date:   November 28, 2017     Date:   November 28, 2017

 

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SCHEDULE 1

LICENSED MARKS

United States Trademarks

 

Word Mark

  Serial Number     Reg. Number  

CNXC

    86/656,210    

CNX COAL RESOURCES LP

    86/655,972    

 

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SCHEDULE 2

DOMAIN NAMES

 

  cnxcoalresources.com  
  cnxcoalresourceslp.com  
  cnxmetcoalinternational.com  
  cnxmetcoalinternationalinc.com  
  cnxcresources.com  
  cnxlp.com  
  cnxcoal.com  
  cnxmarineterminals.com  

 

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SCHEDULE 3

LICENSE TERMS

1.    The license granted to use and have used the Licensed Marks with respect to, and in conjunction with, the manufacture, offer for sale, sale, importation, exportation, and provision of Licensed Products is non-exclusive, worldwide and royalty-free and includes the right to sublicense to Licensee’s subsidiaries and affiliates.

2.    Licensor further grants Licensee the right to sublicense the Licensed Marks to any third party which currently is licensed to use the Licensed Marks in connection with any Licensee related business. The term of this grant will be 1 year.

3.    Licensee is expressly prohibited from using the Licensed Marks with respect to, in conjunction with, the manufacture, offer for sale, sale, importation, exportation, or provision of products or services in the natural gas business.

4.    The term of the license granted for Licensed Products is 1 year from the Effective Date.

5.    Licensor agrees that for a term of 5 years, it shall not use nor license others to use the Licensed Marks in the coal business.

6.    The license granted herein shall not include any right for Licensee, nor any sublicensee, to use any corporate name, fictitious name, or other corporate identifier that includes or comprises the Licensed Marks. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting Licensee from making factually accurate statements concerning its contractual relationship with Licensor, provided that the wording of such statements shall be subject to Licensor’s prior written approval, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

7.    The term of the license granted for Domain Names is 1 year from the Effective Date.

8.    Upon the termination of the license to use the Domain Name, Licensee shall disable and cease using the domain name and transfer administrative control to Licensor.

 

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Exhibit 10.3

TLA2

THIS TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), made and entered into as of this 28 th day of November, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between CONSOL ENERGY INC. , a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware (“ Licensor ”) and CNX RESOURCES CORPORATION, a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware (“ Licensee ”).

WHEREAS , Licensor owns all right, title, and interest to the trademarks “CONSOL” and certain other trademarks identified and set forth in Schedule 1 annexed hereto and made a part hereof (collectively, the “Licensed Marks ”);

WHEREAS , Licensor and Licensee and other businesses formerly operated as, or as businesses of, Licensee;

WHEREAS , Licensor and Licensee are now two, separate, publically traded companies;

WHEREAS , Licensor and Licensee entered into a Separation Agreement having an effective date of November 28, 2017 (“Separation Agreement”); unless specifically defined in this Agreement, any capitalized term in this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

WHEREAS , Licensee continues to sell, and offer for sale products and services related to the natural gas industry in conjunction with the Licensed Marks as of the Effective Date (“ Licensed Products ”) (the license terms of each of which are set forth in Schedule 2);

WHEREAS , Licensee wishes to obtain from Licensor, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the right and license to use, have used, manufacture, have manufactured, sell, have sold, advertise, have advertised, import, have imported, export, have exported, offer for sale, and have offered for sale the Licensed Products using the Licensed Marks (the “ Licensed Purpose ”);

WHEREAS , Licensor is willing to grant such rights, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

1. GRANT AND SCOPE OF LICENSE.

(a)     Grant of License . Licensor hereby grants to Licensee the limited licenses to use and have used the Licensed Marks for the Licensed Products as set forth on Schedule 2 under the terms set forth in Schedule 2.

(b)     Goodwill. Licensee expressly recognizes and acknowledges that its use of the Licensed Marks shall inure solely to the benefit of Licensor, and shall not confer on Licensee any ownership rights to the Licensed Marks. Licensee agrees and covenants that it shall not challenge, contest, or take any actions inconsistent with Licensor’s exclusive rights of ownership of the Licensed Marks.

(c)     Trademark Notices. All print and electronic displays of the Licensed Marks by Licensee shall include at Licensor’s option, a notice to the effect that the Licensed Marks is owned by Licensor and used by Licensee under license from Licensor.

(d)     Licensee Cooperation. Licensee agrees to reasonably cooperate with Licensor in achieving registration of the Licensed Marks worldwide, and in maintaining and protecting existing registrations therefor at Licensor’s sole expense. Licensee shall execute any and all documents which Licensor may reasonably request in support of such registrations, and, at Licensor’s request, Licensee shall provide use evidence, testimony, and documentation that may be required in any ex parte or inter partes administrative proceedings and prosecutions, maintenance and renewals involving registrations of the Licensed Marks, at Licensee’s sole expense.

 

1


(e)     Quality Control, Licensor Approvals. Licensor as owner of the Licensed Marks shall have the right at all times to control and approve the nature and quality of the Licensed Products, and to inspect Licensee’s business operations upon reasonable prior notice for the purpose of ensuring that a high level of quality of the Licensed Products is being maintained by Licensee. At Licensor’s reasonable request during each calendar year, Licensee shall submit samples of Licensed Products to Licensor, at no cost to Licensor, and shall not materially depart therefrom without Licensor’s prior express written consent. The Licensed Products, as well as all promotional, packaging and advertising material relative thereto, shall include all appropriate legal notices as required by Licensor. No more frequently than once per year, a third party auditor chosen by Licensor and approved by Licensee, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, shall be entitled at any time on reasonable notice to the Licensee to enter, during regular business hours, any premises used by the Licensee or its manufacturers for the manufacture, packaging, storage, or performance of the Licensed Products, to inspect such premises, all plant, workforce and machinery used for manufacture, packaging, storage, or performance of Licensed Products and all other aspects of the manufacture, packaging, storage, and performance of Licensed Products (“Access Rights”). Prior to exercising such Access Rights, the third party auditor shall enter into a nondisclosure agreement with Licensee that, among other terms deemed acceptable by Licensee and such third party auditor, shall: (a) limit the content of any report made by the third party auditor to Licensor to a description of the manner in which, and the conditions under which, the Licensed Marks is used by Licensee or its manufacturers; and (b) prevent the disclosure of any of Licensee’s trade secrets and/or Confidential Information. To the extent reasonably practicable, all Licensed Products shall include notices on labeling, packaging, adverting, and other promotion material for the Licensed Products stating that the Licensed Marks are owned by Licensor and used by Licensee under license from Licensor. The Licensed Products shall be of a quality commensurate with previous products and services provided by Licensee prior to execution of the Separation Agreement. If the quality of a class of the Licensed Products falls below such standards, Licensee shall use commercially reasonable efforts to restore such quality. In the event that Licensee has not taken appropriate steps to restore such quality within ninety (90) days after notification by Licensor, Licensor shall have the right to terminate this Agreement.

(f)     Compliance with Trademark Usage Guidelines. Licensee agrees to comply with Licensor’s trademark usage guidelines and any other policies and requirements applicable to the Licensed Marks.

 

2. ENFORCEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

(a)     Third Party Infringement. In the event that Licensee becomes aware that any third party is infringing the Licensed Marks, Licensee shall promptly notify Licensor and provide pertinent details. Licensor shall have the right in its sole discretion to bring a legal action for infringement against the third party, together with the right to enforce and collect any judgment thereon. If Licensor elects to exercise such right, Licensee shall, at Licensor’s request, provide reasonable assistance to Licensor, at the sole expense of Licensor. In the event that Licensor declines to bring a legal action for infringement against a third party operating in the gas business identified by Licensee, Licensee shall have the right to bring a legal action for infringement against the third party upon receiving the prior written approval of Licensor, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

3. INDEMNIFICATION.

(a)    Licensee shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Licensor and its officers, directors, employees, agents, corporate subsidiaries, parents, and affiliates ( “Licensor Indemnitees” ) from and against any and all demands, claims, actions or causes of action, assessments, deficiencies, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable expenses of investigation and attorneys’ fees and expenses), incurred in conjunction with or arising out of or relating to any third-party claim concerning the Licensed Products and any acts or omissions of Licensee, including without limitation Licensee’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement. The Licensor Indemnitees agree to cooperate with Licensee, at Licensee’s expense, to provide copies of any documents or materials reasonably requested by Licensee in support of its defense of the Licensor Indemnitees.

 

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4. TERM AND TERMINATION.

(a)     Term. The Term of this Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and shall continue for the time periods set forth in Schedule 2 unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b)     Termination for Breach. Licensor and Licensee will be entitled to terminate this Agreement by written notice to the other party in the event the other party is in material breach of any of its obligations hereunder and shall fail to remedy any such default within ninety (90) days after notice thereof by the non-breaching party.

(c)     Termination Upon Bankruptcy. Either party may terminate this Agreement by written notice to the other in the event of: (a) the other party’s making assignment for the benefit of its creditors or filing a voluntary petition under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, under the reorganization or arrangement provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, or under the provisions of any law of like import; or (b) the filing of an involuntary petition against the other party under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, under the reorganization or arrangement provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, or under any law of like import; or (c) the appointment of a trustee or receiver for the party or its property.

(d)     Survival of Obligations; Return of Confidential Information. Notwithstanding any expiration or termination of this Agreement, Sections 1(d), 3(a), 4(d), 5(a), 5(b), and 6(a) through 6(j) shall survive and continue to be enforceable as set forth herein. Upon any expiration or termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall promptly return to Licensor, or at Licensor’s direction, destroy all confidential information and all copies thereof in Licensee’s possession.

 

5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

(a)    Licensor represents and warrants to Licensee that Licensor’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement is not in conflict with, and will not result in a breach of or constitute a default under, any other contract, instrument, rule of law or order of any court or governmental agency to which Licensor is a party or by which Licensor is bound.

(b)    Licensee represents and warrants to Licensor that Licensee’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement are not in conflict with, and will not result in a breach of or constitute a default under, any other contract, instrument, rule of law or order of any court or governmental agency to which Licensee is a party or by which Licensee is bound.

 

6. MISCELLANEOUS.

(a)     Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

(b)     Waive r. The waiver by any party of a breach or a default of any provision of this Agreement by any other party shall not be construed as a waiver of any succeeding breach of the same or any other provision, nor shall any delay or omission on the part of a party to exercise or avail itself of any right, power or privilege that it has or may have hereunder operate as a waiver of any right, power or privilege by such party.

(c)     Waiver of Jury Trial. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law each party hereby irrevocably waives all right of trial by jury in any action, proceeding, claim, or counterclaim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any matter arising hereunder.

(d)     No Agency. Nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute Licensor, on the one hand, or Licensee, on the other hand, as the agent or representative of the other, or as joint venturers or partners for any purpose. Neither Licensor, on the one hand, nor Licensee, on the other hand, shall be responsible for the acts or omissions of the other. No party will have authority to speak for, represent or obligate the other party in any way without prior written authority from such other party.

 

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(e)     Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Separation Agreement together contain the full understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings and writings relating thereto. No waiver, alteration or modification of any of the provisions hereof shall be binding unless made in writing and signed by the parties.

(f)     Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not be considered in construing this Agreement.

(g)     Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed facsimile transmission if sent during normal business hours of the recipient; if not, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications will be sent to the party to be notified at the address as set forth below or at such other address as such party may designate by written notice to the other parties hereto. Notices shall be provided to the addresses set forth below:

 

If to Licensor: Martha Wiegand

   If to Licensee: Stephanie Gill

CONSOL Energy Inc.

   CNX Resources Corporation

Address: 1000 CONSOL Energy

Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317

  

Address: 1000 CONSOL Energy

Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317

Attn: General Counsel

   Attn: General Counsel

Phone No.: 724-485-4009

   Phone No.: 724-485-4234

(h)     Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable because it is invalid or in conflict with any law of any relevant jurisdiction, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and the invalid provision shall be severed herefrom.

(i)     Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned or otherwise transferred by Licensee in any manner without the prior written consent of Licensor in its sole discretion, including without limitation by operation of law, a change of control, merger, acquisition, or otherwise. Licensor may freely assign any or all of its rights or obligations under this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement will inure to the benefit of and will be binding on the parties hereto and their respective permitted assigns.

(j)     Counterparts ; Images Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of such together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Scanned PDF copies of signatures and facsimile copies of signatures may be deemed original signatures.

[Remainder of this Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective authorized officers as of the Effective Date.

 

CONSOL ENERGY INC.     CNX RESOURCES CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

    By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

Name:   James A. Brock     Name:   Stephen W. Johnson
Date:   November 28, 2017     Date:   November 28, 2017

 

5


SCHEDULE 1

LICENSED MARKS

United States Trademarks

 

Word Mark

   Serial Number      Reg. Number  

CONSOL ENERGY

     77/799,873        4,242,300  

CONSOL ENERGY

     75/924,231        2,756,594  

 

LOGO

  

 

 

 

77/799,903

 

 

  

 

 

 

4,242,301

 

 

LOGO

     75/924,232        2,756,595  

 

6


SCHEDULE 2

LICENSE TERMS

1.    The license granted to use and have used the Licensed Marks with respect to, and in conjunction with, the manufacture, offer for sale, sale, importation, exportation, and provision of Licensed Products is non-exclusive, worldwide and royalty-free and includes the right to sublicense to Licensee’s subsidiaries and affiliates.

2.    Licensor further grants Licensee the right to sublicense the Licensed Marks to any third party which currently is licensed to use the Licensed Marks in connection with any Licensee related business. The term of this grant will be 1 year.

3.    Licensee is expressly prohibited from using the Licensed Marks with respect to, in conjunction with, the manufacture, offer for sale, sale, importation, exportation, or provision of products or services in the coal business.

4.    The term of the license granted for Licensed Products is 1 year from the Effective Date.

5.    Licensor agrees that for a term of 5 years, it shall not use nor license others to use the Licensed Marks in the natural gas business.

6.    The license granted herein shall not include any right for Licensee, nor any sublicensee, to use any corporate name, fictitious name, or other corporate identifier that includes or comprises the Licensed Marks. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting Licensee from making factually accurate statements concerning its contractual relationship with Licensor, provided that the wording of such statements shall be subject to Licensor’s prior written approval, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

7

Exhibit 10.4

FIRST AMENDMENT TO

THE FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED OMNIBUS AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED OMNIBUS AGREEMENT (the “ Amendment ”) is made as of this 28 th day of November, 2017 by and among CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ CONSOL ”), CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”), CNX Coal Resources LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Limited Partnership ”), CONSOL Mining Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ CONSOL Mining ”), and the other parties on the signature pages to this Amendment (the “ Exhibit A Parties ”) and together, with CONSOL, the General Partner, the Partnership and CONSOL Mining, the “ Parties ” and each a “ Party ”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS , CONSOL, the General Partner, the Limited Partnership and the Exhibit A Parties (collectively, the “ Original Parties ”) are party to that certain First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement dated as of September 30, 2016 (the “ Original Omnibus Agreement ”);

WHEREAS , Section 6.3 of the Original Omnibus Agreement provides that the Original Omnibus Agreement may be immediately terminated upon a Partnership Change of Control by either CONSOL or the Partnership; provided that all indemnification obligations under Article II of the Original Omnibus Agreement will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, survive any termination of the Original Omnibus Agreement in accordance with their respective terms;

WHEREAS , although the Spin-Off (as defined below), when consummated, will result in a Partnership Change of Control, CONSOL, the Partnership and the other Original Parties (1) have agreed not to terminate the Original Omnibus Agreement in connection with the Spin-Off, and (2) desire to amend the Original Omnibus Agreement as more fully described herein;

WHEREAS , this Amendment is being entered into in connection with the Spin-Off, and shall become effective as of the effective date of the consummation of the Spin-Off (the “ Spin-Off Date ”).

AGREEMENTS:

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants, and conditions herein contained, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

AMENDMENT

1.1     New Party to Omnibus Agreement . The Parties agree that CONSOL Mining be, and it hereby is, made a party to the Omnibus Agreement, and by its signature below CONSOL Mining agrees to be bound by the Omnibus Agreement, as amended hereby (the “ Omnibus Agreement ”). For the avoidance of doubt, all references to “Parties” and a “Party” in the Omnibus Agreement following the Spin-Off Date shall be deemed to include a reference to CONSOL Mining, as applicable, but will exclude any reference to CONSOL (other than with respect to Article II).


1.2     Assignment of Rights and Obligations . The Parties agree that CONSOL hereby assigns all of its rights and obligations under the Original Omnibus Agreement (except for all rights or obligations remaining with CONSOL under Article II of the Original Omnibus Agreement, as modified by Section 1.4 of this Amendment) to CONSOL Mining, and CONSOL Mining hereby accepts all such rights and assumes all such obligations under the Original Omnibus Agreement (except for all rights or obligations remaining with CONSOL under Article II of the Original Omnibus Agreement, as modified by Section 1.4 of this Amendment). Following the Spin-Off Date and except with respect to Article II of the Original Omnibus Agreement, as amended by Section 1.4 of this Amendment, CONSOL shall no longer be a party to the Omnibus Agreement and CONSOL shall no longer have any rights or obligations thereunder. Except for any references in Article II, which are solely addressed by Section 1.4 of this Amendment, the term “CONSOL Group” as it appears in the Original Omnibus Agreement shall be replaced wherever such term appears by the term “Parent Group” (as defined below) and the term “CONSOL Group Member” as it appears in the Original Omnibus Agreement shall be replaced wherever such term appears by the term “Parent Group Member” (as defined below).

1.3     New Definitions added to Appendix 1 . The following defined terms be, and they hereby are, added to Appendix 1 of the Original Omnibus Agreement:

(a) “ Parent ” shall mean CONSOL Mining Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

(b) “ Parent Group ” shall mean the Parent and each of its Subsidiaries, (other than

a Partnership Group Member).

(c) “ Parent Group Member ” shall mean a member of the Parent Group.

(d) “ Spin-Off ” shall mean that certain separation and distribution of CONSOL’s coal business from its gas business, as more fully described in that certain Registration Statement on Form 10 filed by Parent with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 11, 2017, as amended from time to time.

1.4     Article II – Indemnification .

 

  (a) From and after the Spin-Off Date, (i) Sections 2.1(h)(iii) and 2.1(h)(v) are deleted in their entirety and the remainder of 2.1(h) is renumbered accordingly and (ii) Sections 2.2(b)(v) and 2.2(b)(viii) are hereby deleted in their entirety and the remainder of 2.2(b) is renumbered accordingly.

 

  (b) From and after the Spin-Off Date, CONSOL Mining will replace CONSOL to the extent that any indemnification right or obligation under Article II arises out of or is related to any facts, circumstances or events that occur on or after the Spin-Off Date.

 

  (c) CONSOL affirms that it shall continue to have all of the rights and obligations under Article II to the extent that any indemnification right or obligation under Article II arises out of or is related to any facts, circumstances or events that occur before the Spin-Off Date.

 

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1.5     Article III – Services; Reimbursements . All references to “CONSOL” in Article III of the Original Omnibus Agreement be, and they hereby are, deleted and replaced with “Parent”.

1.6     Article IV – Right of First Offer . Article IV of the Original Omnibus Agreement will terminate in its entirety on the Spin-Off Date.

1.7     Article V – Tax Matters . All references to “CONSOL” in Article V of the Original Omnibus Agreement be, and they hereby are, deleted and replaced with “Parent”.

1.8     Section 6.3 – Termination . Section 6.3 of the Original Omnibus Agreement be, and it hereby is, deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

6.3 Termination of Agreement . This Agreement, other than the provisions set forth in Article II hereof, may be terminated (a) by the written agreement of all of the Parties (other than CONSOL) or (b) by the Parent or the Partnership immediately upon a Partnership Change of Control by written notice given to the other Parties to this Agreement; provided, however, that the Parties agree that the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Spin-Off shall not give rise to any right to terminate this Agreement by CONSOL, the Parent or any other Party. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties’ indemnification obligations under Article II shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, survive the termination of this Agreement in accordance with their respective terms.

1.9     Section 6.4 – Notice . Section 6.4 of the Original Omnibus Agreement be, and it hereby is, amended to include the following after the notice information for any Partnership Group Member:

If to Parent:

CONSOL Mining Corporation

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

Attention: General Counsel and Secretary

E-mail: marthawiegand@cnxlp.com

1.10.     Section 6.7(b) – Loan Documents . Section 6.7(b) of the Original Omnibus Agreement be, and it hereby is, deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

(b) Each of the Parties (i) acknowledges that the Partnership Group and the Parent Group (and in each case, as applicable, any Substitute Owner) has entered into or will enter into one or more credit agreements, security agreements, and other security instruments (collectively, the “ Loan Documents ”) with the administrative agent, collateral agent or other agent party thereto (the “ Agent ”)

 

3


for the benefit of certain lenders, (ii) consents in all respects to the collateral assignment under the Loan Documents of all of the Partnership Group’s and/or the Parent Group’s (or, in each case, as applicable, any Substitute Owner’s) right, title and interest in, to and under this Agreement, (iii) acknowledges the right of the Agent or its designee(s) or assignee(s), in the exercise of the Agent’s rights and remedies under the Loan Documents, to make all demands, give all notices, take all actions and exercise all rights of the Partnership Group and/or the Parent Group under this Agreement (the “ Assigned Interests ”) and (iv) acknowledges that the Agent, its initial or subsequent designee(s) or assignee(s) and any other purchaser of the Assigned Interests in or following a judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure, insolvency, bankruptcy or similar sale (each, a “ Substitute Owner ”) shall be substituted for and have all of the rights and obligations of the Partnership Group and/or the Parent Group, as applicable, for all purposes under this Agreement. In the case of any assignment pursuant to this Section 6.7(b), the non-assigning Parties acknowledge that the assignee shall be substituted for and have all of the rights and obligations of the assignor under this Agreement and shall continue to perform, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to continue to perform, its obligations under this Agreement in favor of such assignor.

ARTICLE II

MISCELLANEOUS

2.1     Definitions . For purposes hereof, the capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Omnibus Agreement.

2.2     Amendment Compliance . The Parties acknowledge that this Amendment complies with the requirements to amend the Omnibus Agreement, as stated in Section 6.6 of the Omnibus Agreement.

2.3     References . All references to the Omnibus Agreement in any document, instrument or agreement shall hereafter be deemed to refer to the Omnibus Agreement as amended hereby.

2.4     Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all of such counterparts shall constitute for all purposes one agreement. Any signature hereto delivered by a Party by electronic mail shall be deemed an original signature hereto.

2.5     Ratification . The Original Omnibus Agreement, as amended herein, is ratified and confirmed and, except as otherwise amended herein, all terms of the Original Omnibus Agreement as set forth in the Omnibus Agreement remain in full force and effect.

2.6     Miscellaneous . The Articles and Sections of the Omnibus Agreement referenced in Article I of this Amendment are incorporated herein by this reference as if set out fully herein and shall apply in all respects to this Amendment, mutatis mutandis .

 

4


2.7     Governing Law . This Amendment shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding any conflicts-of-law rule or principle that might refer the construction or interpretation of this Amendment to the laws of another state.

[signature page follows]

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the Spin-Off Date.

 

CONSOL ENERGY INC.     CNX COAL RESOURCES GP LLC
By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

    By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   Stephen W. Johnson     Name:   James A. Brock
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer     Title:   Chief Executive Officer
CNX COAL RESOURCES LP     CNX OPERATING LLC
By:   CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, its general partner      
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

    By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   James A. Brock     Name:   James A. Brock
Title:   Chief Executive Officer     Title:   Chief Executive Officer
CNX THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC     CONRHEIN COAL COMPANY
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

    By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   James A. Brock     Name:   James A. Brock
Title:   Chief Executive Officer     Title:   Manager
CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC     CNX GAS COMPANY LLC
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

    By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

Name:   James A. Brock     Name:   Stephen W. Johnson
Title:   President     Title:   Senior Vice President
CNX MARINE TERMINALS, LLC     CNX WATER ASSETS LLC
By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

    By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

Name:   Stephen W. Johnson     Name:   Stephen W. Johnson
Title:   President and Chairman     Title:   President
CONSOL ENERGY SALES COMPANY     CONSOL MINING CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

    By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   James A. Brock     Name:   James A. Brock
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer     Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

6

Exhibit 10.5

FIRST AMENDMENT TO

CONTRACT AGENCY AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT AGENCY AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is made as of this 28 th day of November, 2017 (the “ Execution Date ”), by and among CONSOL ENERGY SALES COMPANY a Delaware corporation ( CONSOL”), acting in its individual capacity and its capacity as agent for and on behalf of each of the parties set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Marketing Parties”) and CNX THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ CTH ”). CONSOL, the Marketing Parties and CTH may be referred to herein separately as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .”

RECITALS:

WHEREAS , CONSOL and CTH are party to that certain Contract Agency Agreement dated as of July 7, 2015 (the “ Contract Agency Agreement ”), and the Parties desire to amend the Contract Agency Agreement as more fully reflected herein.

AGREEMENTS:

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants, and conditions herein contained, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

AMENDMENT

1.1 Elimination of Certain Defined Terms . The following party is hereby deleted as a Marketing Party from Exhibit A to the Contract Agency Agreement: CNX Gas Company LLC.

1.2 Amendment to Exhibit B . Exhibit B to the Contract Agency Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following parenthetical after Item 4 on Exhibit B:

(provided, however, that to the extent any gas-related services are requested under the foregoing Fuel Purchase Agreement, CONSOL Energy Sales Company shall have no obligation under the Contract Agency Agreement to provide any services thereunder with respect to such requested gas-related services)

ARTICLE 2

MISCELLANEOUS

2.1 Definitions . For purposes hereof, the capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Contract Agency Agreement.

2.2 Amendment Compliance . The Parties acknowledge that this Amendment complies with the requirements to amend the Contract Agency Agreement, as stated in Section 5.7 of the Contract Agency Agreement.


2.3 References . All references to the Contract Agency Agreement in any document, instrument or agreement shall hereafter be deemed to refer to the Contract Agency Agreement as amended hereby.

2.4 Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all of such counterparts shall constitute for all purposes one agreement. Any signature hereto delivered by a Party by electronic mail shall be deemed an original signature hereto.

2.5 Ratification . The Contract Agency Agreement, as amended herein, is ratified and confirmed.

2.6 Miscellaneous . Section 1.2 of the Contract Agency Agreement and Section 5.8 of the Contract Agency Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference as if set out fully herein and shall apply in all respects to this Amendment, mutatis mutandis .

[signature page follows]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Amendment to be effective as of the Execution Date.

 

CONSOL :

CONSOL ENERGY SALES COMPANY LLC

By:

 

/s/ James A. Brock

Name: James A. Brock

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

CTH:

   

 

CNX THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

/s/ Martha A. Wiegand

Name:   Martha A. Wiegand
Title:   General Counsel and Secretary

 

CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   James A. Brock
Title:   President

 

CONSOL OF KENTUCKY LLC
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   James A. Brock
Title:   President

 

CNX GAS COMPANY LLC
By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

Name:   Stephen W. Johnson
Title:   Senior Vice President

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Contract Agency Agreement

Exhibit 10.6

FIRST AMENDMENT TO

WATER SUPPLY AND SERVICES AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO WATER SUPPLY AND SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is made as of this 28 th day of November, 2017 (the “ Execution Date ”), by and among CNX WATER ASSETS LLC, a West Virginia limited liability company ( CONSOL”) and CNX THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ CTH ”). CONSOL and CTH may be referred to herein separately as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .”

RECITALS:

WHEREAS , CONSOL and CTH are party to that certain Water Supply and Services Agreement dated as of July 7, 2015 (the “ Water Agreement ”), and the Parties desire to amend the Water Agreement to revise the Water Services as more fully defined herein.

AGREEMENTS:

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants, and conditions herein contained, CONSOL and CTH hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

AMENDMENT

1.1 Appendix I - Defined Terms.

(a) Appendix I of the Water Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the following defined terms and their associated definitions: (i) Operational Services; (ii) Treatment Fee; (iii) Treatment Services; (iv) Treatment Water; (v) Receipt Points; and (vi) Capital Expenses;

(b) Appendix I of the Water Agreement is hereby amended by modifying the definition of “Water Services” to read as follows:

Water Services ” means the Supply Services.

1.2 Deletion of Sections 2.2 and 2.3 . Sections 2.2 and 2.3 of the Water Agreement are hereby deleted from the Water Agreement in their entirety and shall be replaced with the following:

2.2 [intentionally omitted]

2.3 [intentionally omitted]

1.3 Section 2.7(a) – Payment Terms; Disputed Charges. Section 2.7(a) of the Water Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

(a) No later than 30 days after the end of each calendar month, CONSOL shall prepare and deliver to CTH, an invoice for the Supply Fee incurred during such calendar month (or, in the case of the Shortfall Fee, the applicable quarter).


1.4 Section 2.9 – Arbitrator . Section 2.9 of the Water Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

2.9 Arbitrator . In the event that the Parties cannot reach agreement regarding any disputes regarding (i) amounts invoiced hereunder pursuant to Section 2.7 or Section 2.8 or (ii) the Water Sales Credit applicable to any Water Sales Agreement during each succeeding Term Year following the initial Term Year, either Party may refer the remaining matters in dispute to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office of a mutually agreeable nationally recognized accounting firm (the “Arbitrator”) for review and final determination by arbitration. Should such selected firm fail or refuse to agree to serve as Arbitrator within ten Business Days after receipt of a written request from any Party to serve, and should the Parties fail to agree in writing on another replacement Arbitrator within five Business Days after the end of that ten-day period, or should no replacement Arbitrator agree to serve within 30 days after the original written request pursuant to this Section 2.9, the Arbitrator shall be a nationally recognized accounting firm appointed by the Philadelphia office of the American Arbitration Association. The Arbitrator’s determination shall be made within 30 days after submission of the matters in dispute and shall be final and binding on the Parties, without right of appeal. The Arbitrator shall act as an expert for the limited purpose of determining the specific disputed matters submitted by the Parties and may not award damages or penalties to the Parties with respect to any matter. Each Party shall each bear its own legal fees and other costs of presenting its case. The fees, costs and expenses of the Arbitrator, shall be allocated between the Parties based upon the percentage which the portion of the disputed matters not awarded to such Party bears to the amount actually contested by such Party. The provisions of this Section 2.9 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

1.5 Section 2.11 – Notices . Section 2.11 of the Water Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

2.11 Notices . In the event either Party receives (a) a notice of non-compliance with, or violation of, any permit related to the Water Services or (b) any other notice or information related to the Water Services or terms of this Agreement (collectively, “ Notices ”), the receiving Party shall, as soon as reasonably practical, forward such Notice to the other Party.

 

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ARTICLE 2

MISCELLANEOUS

2.1 Definitions . For purposes hereof, the capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Water Agreement.

2.2 Amendment Compliance . The Parties acknowledge that this Amendment complies with the requirements to amend the Water Agreement, as stated in Section 6.7 of the Water Agreement.

2.3 References . All references to the Water Agreement in any document, instrument or agreement shall hereafter be deemed to refer to the Water Agreement as amended hereby.

2.4 Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all of such counterparts shall constitute for all purposes one agreement. Any signature hereto delivered by a Party by electronic mail shall be deemed an original signature hereto.

2.5 Ratification . The Water Agreement, as amended herein, is ratified and confirmed.

2.6 Miscellaneous . Section 1.2 of the Water Agreement and Section 6.8 of the Water Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference as if set out fully herein and shall apply in all respects to this Amendment, mutatis mutandis .

[signature page follows]

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Amendment to be effective as of the Execution Date.

 

CONSOL:

CNX WATER ASSETS LLC

By:

 

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

Name: Stephen W. Johnson

Title: President

 

CTH:

CNX THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC

By:

 

/s/ Martha A. Wiegand

Name: Martha A. Wiegand

Title: General Counsel and Secretary

Signature Page to First Amendment to

Water Supply and Services Agreement

 

Exhibit 10.7

SECOND AMENDMENT TO

PENNSYLVANIA MINE COMPLEX OPERATING AGREEMENT

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO PENNSYLVANIA MINE COMPLEX OPERATING AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is made as of this 28 th day of November 2017 (the “ Execution Date ”), by and among CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ CPCC ”), CONRHEIN COAL COMPANY , a Pennsylvania general partnership (“ Conrhein ,” and together with CPCC, the “ CONSOL Parties ”), CONSOL THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC (formerly known as CNX Thermal Holdings LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (“ Operator ”), and, for purposes of Sections 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.6 and 3.7 hereof, CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP (formerly known as CNX Coal Resources LP), a Delaware limited partnership (“ CNXC ”). CONSOL Parties and Operator may be referred to herein separately as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .”

RECITALS:

WHEREAS , the CONSOL Parties and Operator own undivided interests in those certain coal mines in Greene and Washington Counties, Pennsylvania and Marshall County, West Virginia, commonly known as the Bailey Mine, the Enlow Fork Mine, the Harvey Mine, and the related preparation plant commonly known as the Bailey preparation plant (the “ Pennsylvania Mine Complex ”); and

WHEREAS , the CONSOL Parties and Operator are party to that certain Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2016 (as so amended by such First Amendment, the “ Operating Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Owning Parties (as defined in the Operating Agreement) designated Operator as the operator of the Assets (as defined in the Operating Agreement) and in connection therewith engaged Operator as an independent contractor to provide, directly or indirectly, certain services with respect to the operation of the Assets, subject to and upon the terms and conditions as further described in the Operating Agreement; and

WHEREAS , the CONSOL Parties and Operator desire to further amend the Operating Agreement as set forth herein.

AGREEMENTS:

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants, and conditions herein contained, the CONSOL Parties and Operator hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

AMENDMENT

1.1 New Defined Terms. The following new defined terms are hereby added to the Operating Agreement in the appropriate alphabetical order therein:


Administrative Agents ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Parent Credit Agreement.

Affiliated Company Loan Agreement ” shall mean that certain Affiliated Company Credit Agreement, dated on or about the Execution Date, by and among Parent, as lender, CNXC, as borrower, the guarantors party thereto, Parent or its Affiliate, as administrative agent, and PNC Bank, National Association, as collateral agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time, but not including a Specified Refinancing Facility.

Affiliated Company Loan Documents ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Parent Credit Agreement.

Affiliated Company Loan Facility Repayment Date ” shall mean the date on which all commitments under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement have been terminated, all loans thereunder have been repaid, and all interest, fees, expenses and all other obligations payable thereunder (other than unasserted contingent indemnity obligations) have been paid.

ALF Collateral Agent ” shall mean the Collateral Agent (as defined in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement).

Capital Lease Cap ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(b)(i) of this Agreement.

CONSOL Financing Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(c) of this Agreement.

CONSOL Financing Assigned Interests ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(c) of this Agreement.

CONSOL Financing Documents ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(c) of this Agreement.

CONSOL Financing Substitute Owner ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(c) of this Agreement.

Form 10 ” shall mean the Form 10 (File No. 001-38147) of Parent filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor entity thereto) on November 2, 2017.

Indebtedness ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement as of the Execution Date.

Lien ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement as of the Execution Date.

 

2


Operator Financing Agent ” shall mean (i) the collateral agent under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement, (ii) any collateral agent or collateral trustee for Indebtedness permitted under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement, (iii) from and after the Affiliated Company Loan Facility Repayment Date, the collateral agent or collateral trustee for the Permitted Debt, and (iv) from and after the Affiliated Company Loan Facility Repayment Date if it occurs in connection with a Specified Refinancing Facility, the collateral agent or collateral trustee under a Specified Refinancing Facility.

Operator Financing Assigned Interests ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement.

Operator Financing Documents ” shall mean (i) the Affiliated Company Loan Documents and any documents governing Indebtedness permitted under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement, (ii) following the Affiliated Company Loan Facility Repayment Date, the documents governing Permitted Debt, and (iii) from and after the Affiliated Company Loan Facility Repayment Date if it occurs in connection with a Specified Refinancing Facility, the documents governing a Specified Refinancing Facility.

Operator Financing Substitute Owner ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement.

Parent ” shall mean CONSOL Energy Inc., formerly known as CONSOL Mining Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

Parent Credit Agreement ” shall mean that certain Credit Agreement, dated on or about the Execution Date, by and among Parent, as borrower, the guarantors party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent for the Revolving Lenders and the Term A Lenders (each as defined therein) and as collateral agent, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Term B Lenders (as defined therein), and the lenders party thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented, refinanced or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in each case, providing for loans, letters of credit, debt securities, receivables financings (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or other forms of indebtedness, and whether or not with the original or new agents and/or lenders or a trustee or other representative, purchasers and/or holders.

Parent Credit Agreement Lenders ” shall mean the “Lenders” under and as defined in the Parent Credit Agreement.

Parent Credit Agreement Repayment Date ” shall mean the date on which all commitments under the Parent Credit Agreement have been terminated, all loans thereunder have been repaid, all letters of credit issued thereunder have been terminated, have expired or cash collateralized or otherwise in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the issuers of such letters of credit, and all interest, fees, premium, expenses and all other obligations payable thereunder (other than unasserted contingent indemnity obligations) have been paid in full in cash.

 

3


Permitted Debt ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.8 of this Agreement.

Permitted Encumbrances ” shall mean “Permitted Liens” as set forth in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement as of the Execution Date; provided that clauses (2) and (5) of such definition shall not apply.

Qualified Receivables Transaction ” shall mean any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by (a) Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary (as defined in the Parent Credit Agreement as of the Execution Date) in which Parent or any such Restricted Subsidiary may sell, contribute, convey or otherwise transfer to a Receivables Subsidiary (as defined in the Parent Credit Agreement as of the Execution Date) or any other person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary (as defined in the Parent Credit Agreement)), or may grant a security interest in, any Qualified Receivables Assets (as defined in the Parent Credit Agreement), or (b) CNXC or any of its subsidiaries, in which CNXC or any such subsidiary may, directly or indirectly through a Restricted Subsidiary (as defined in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement as of the Execution Date) of Parent, sell, contribute, convey or otherwise transfer to a Receivables Subsidiary (as defined in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement as of the Execution Date) of Parent, or may grant a security interest in, any Qualified Receivables Assets (as defined in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement), in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

Second Lien Notes ” shall mean the senior secured second lien notes issued prior to the Execution Date by Parent and guarantied by certain of its subsidiaries.

Second Lien Notes Documents ” shall mean (i) Second Lien Notes, (ii) the indenture governing the Second Lien Notes and (iii) each security document or pledge agreement to grant a security interest in any property as collateral for the obligations in respect of the Second Lien Notes, and all financing statements or instruments of perfection filed with respect to such security interests, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented, refinanced or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in each case, providing for debt securities, loans, letters of credit, receivables financings (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or other forms of indebtedness, and whether or not with the original or new trustee or an agent, other representative, lender, purchasers and/or holders.

Specified Refinancing Facility ” shall mean a loan, credit facility or debt securities incurred or issued, as applicable, by CNXC and/or one or more of its subsidiaries that was entered into when all of the following conditions were met:

 

  (1) CNXC made a borrowing request in accordance with the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement and all conditions to such borrowing were satisfied as of the date such borrowing request was made;

 

  (2) the lender(s) under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement defaulted on its/their obligation to lend under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement, and such default continued for at least three Business Days after the proposed borrowing date set forth in such borrowing request;

 

4


  (3) CNXC provided written notice to the Parent Credit Agreement Lenders that (a) it intended to seek a Specified Refinancing Facility and (b) the Parent Credit Agreement Lenders are entitled (but not obligated) to take the funding obligations under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement by assignment from the lender(s) under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement or provide the Specified Refinancing Facility on terms to be agreed with CNXC; and

 

  (4) the Parent Credit Agreement Lenders did not agree in good faith to exercise the rights described in clause (3)(b) above within 10 Business Days after receipt of such notice or declined in writing to exercise the rights set forth in such clause 3(b);

provided that the Specified Refinancing Facility shall (A) have (1) a maturity date that is later than the 91st day following the maturity of the Term B Loans at the time that the Specified Refinancing Facility is entered into and (2) a weighted average life to maturity that is not shorter than the Term B Loans at the time that the Specified Refinancing Facility is entered into; (B) contain financial covenants that are not less restrictive than the financial covenants in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement in effect at the time that the Specified Refinancing Facility is entered into; (C) contain, at a minimum, covenants substantially similar to (or at least as restrictive as, when taken as a whole) the covenants covered by Sections 8.1.1 through 8.1.19 (other than Sections 8.1.6, 8.1.8, 8.1.9, 8.1.11, 8.1.12, 8.1.14(b), 8.1.15, 8.1.17 and 8.1.18) and Sections 8.2.3 through 8.2.15 (other than Section 8.2.13) of the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement as most recently in effect at the time that the Specified Refinancing Facility is entered into (section references herein being to such covenants in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement as of the Execution Date); (D) contain reporting requirements and visitation rights substantially similar to those set forth in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement as most recently in effect prior to the Affiliated Company Loan Facility Repayment Date, with notices of default being deemed to reference defaults under the Specified Refinancing Facility (the deliveries of which shall be delivered to, and visitation rights shall be granted to, the collateral agent under the Parent Credit Agreement) and (E) contain provisions substantially the same as Section 6.6, the third sentence of Section 8.5 and Section 8.14(a) of the Security Agreement that is part of the Affiliated Company Loan Documents, as such Sections are in effect as of the Execution Date.

Term B Loans ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Parent Credit Agreement as of the Execution Date.

Transactions ” shall mean (1) the execution and delivery of the agreements and contracts contemplated by the Form 10 to be effective as of the Execution Date by and of the parties thereto, (2) the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents (as defined in the Parent Credit Agreement) to be entered into as of the Execution Date by the parties thereto, (3) to the extent required, the cash collateralization, and/or cash

 

5


collateralization of letters of credit issued to support, surety bonds outstanding for the benefit of Parent and its subsidiaries as of the Execution Date, (4) the entry by CNXC, Parent and the other parties thereto into the Affiliated Company Loan Documents, (5) the effectiveness of any Qualified Receivables Transaction (to the extent entered into on or prior to the Execution Date), (6) the issuance of Second Lien Notes and the execution and delivery of the Second Lien Notes Documents, and (7) the borrowing of Term Loans under (and as defined in) the Parent Credit Agreement to be made on the Execution Date.

1.2 Amendment and Restatement of Section  3.6(b)(i). Section 3.6(b)(i) of the Operating Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:

(i) CNXC shall not, and shall not cause or permit any of its subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens on any property or assets of CNXC or any of its subsidiaries, other than (A) liens securing the Obligations (as defined in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement); (B) liens permitted by the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement; and (C) from and after the Affiliated Company Loan Facility Repayment Date, (x) liens securing (1) Permitted Debt, (2) capital leases up to $5,000,000 (the “ Capital Lease Cap ”) in aggregate principal amount; provided that such liens under this subclause (2) shall attach only to the property which is the subject of such capital leases and (3) if the Affiliated Company Loan Facility Repayment Date occurs in connection with a Specified Refinancing Facility, the obligations in respect of the Specified Refinancing Facility and (y) Permitted Encumbrances.

1.3 Amendment and Restatement of Section  3.6(b)(ii) . Section 3.6(b)(ii) of the Operating Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:

(ii) As of the Execution Date, the Parties and CNXC agree that partition in kind of the Pennsylvania Mine Complex is impracticable, and the sale of Percentage Interests held by the Non-Operating Parties or Operator would realize significantly less for the estate of the Non-Operating Parties or Operator, as applicable, than the sale of the Pennsylvania Mine Complex free of the interests of the applicable co-owners.

1.4 New Section  3.8 . A new Section 3.8 is added to the Operating Agreement as follows:

3.8 Debt and Other Covenants.

(a) CNXC shall not, and shall not cause or permit any of its subsidiaries to, incur or guarantee any Indebtedness, except (x) borrowings under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement and Indebtedness permitted by the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement or (y) from and after the Affiliated Company Loan Facility Repayment Date, (i) Indebtedness not in excess of $105,000,000 aggregate principal amount (all debt permitted by clause (y)(i), “ Permitted Debt ”); provided that any such Indebtedness (A) shall have a maturity date that is later than the 91st day following the maturity of the Term B Loans at the time of incurrence of such Permitted Debt, (B) shall have a weighted average life to maturity that is not shorter than the Term B Loans at the time of

 

6


incurrence of such Permitted Debt, and (C) shall not have mandatory prepayments or requirements to offer to purchase (other than (I) mandatory prepayments or offers to purchase permitted by clause (5) of the definition of “Required Debt Terms” in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement as of the Execution Date and (II) other types of mandatory prepayments or offers approved by the Administrative Agents (if any) in their reasonable discretion), (ii) capital leases in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Capital Lease Cap, (iii) Indebtedness described in clauses (b) (with respect to Indebtedness existing on the Execution Date and refinancings thereof only that are permitted by such clause (b) of the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement as in effect on the Execution Date), (c), (f) and (g) of Section 8.2.1 of the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement as of the Execution Date; and (iv) if the Affiliated Company Loan Facility Repayment Date occurs in connection with a Specified Refinancing Facility, borrowings and letters of credit under the Specified Refinancing Facility in an aggregate amount not exceeding the total commitments under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement immediately prior to the Affiliated Company Loan Facility Repayment Date.

(b) If a Specified Refinancing Facility is entered into, CNXC agrees that it will not amend, waive or modify the Specified Refinancing Facility in a manner that would result in the Specified Refinancing Facility not satisfying the requirements of the definition of “Specified Refinancing Facility” after giving effect to such amendment, waiver or modification.

1.5 Amendment of Section  9.1(b) . Section 9.1(b) of the Operating Agreement is hereby amended and restated as follows:

(b) The CONSOL Parties (i) acknowledge that the Operator has entered into or will enter into the Affiliated Company Loan Documents and may enter into documents governing Indebtedness permitted under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents, Permitted Debt and/or a Specified Refinancing Facility, (ii) consent in all respects to the collateral assignment under the Operator Financing Documents of all of Operator’s right, title and interest in, to and under this Agreement, (iii) acknowledge the right of each Operator Financing Agent or its designee(s) or assignee(s), in the exercise of such Operator Financing Agent’s rights and remedies under the Operator Financing Documents, to make all demands, give all notices, take all actions and exercise all rights of Operator under this Agreement (the “ Operator Financing Assigned Interests ”) and (iv) acknowledge that if an Operator Financing Agent or its designee(s) or assignee(s) has elected to exercise the rights and remedies set forth in the Operator Financing Documents, then such Operator Financing Agent, its designee(s) or assignee(s) or any other purchaser of the Operator Financing Assigned Interests in a judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure sale (an “ Operator Financing Substitute Owner ”) shall be substituted for Operator under this Agreement. In the event described in clause (iv), the CONSOL Parties shall recognize such Operator Financing Substitute Owner in its capacity as such and shall continue to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement in favor of such Operator Financing Substitute Owner.

 

7


1.6 New Section  9.1(c). A new Section 9.1(c) is added to the Operating Agreement as follows:

(c) The Operator (i) acknowledges that the CONSOL Parties have entered into or will enter into one or more credit agreements, notes, indentures, other secured or unsecured debt instruments, security agreements, other security instruments, or other agreements, instruments or documents related thereto, including in connection with the Parent Credit Agreement and the Second Lien Notes Documents (collectively, the “ CONSOL Financing Documents ”) with the administrative agent(s), lender(s) (in certain cases, to the extent such lenders are not represented by an administrative agent, collateral agent, collateral trustee or other agent), collateral agent(s), collateral trustee(s) or other agent(s) party thereto (each, a “ CONSOL Financing Agent ”), (ii) consents in all respects to the collateral assignment under the CONSOL Financing Documents of all of the CONSOL Parties’ right, title and interest in, to and under this Agreement, (iii) acknowledges the right of each CONSOL Financing Agent or its designee(s) or assignee(s), in the exercise of such CONSOL Financing Agent’s rights and remedies under the CONSOL Financing Documents, to make all demands, give all notices, take all actions and exercise all rights of the CONSOL Parties under this Agreement (the “ CONSOL Financing Assigned Interests ”) and (iv) acknowledges that if a CONSOL Financing Agent or its designee(s) or assignee(s) has elected to exercise the rights and remedies set forth in the CONSOL Financing Documents, then such CONSOL Financing Agent, its designee(s) or assignee(s) or any other purchaser of the CONSOL Financing Assigned Interests in a judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure sale (a “ CONSOL Financing Substitute Owner ”) shall be substituted for the CONSOL Parties under this Agreement. In the event described in clause (iv), the CONSOL Parties shall recognize such CONSOL Financing Substitute Owner in its capacity as such and shall continue to perform its obligations under this Agreement in favor of such CONSOL Financing Substitute Owner.

ARTICLE 2

INSTRUCTION

Operating Committee Approval . To the extent such action is required by Section 4.2(k) of the Operating Agreement, each Party hereby instructs its representative on the Operating Committee to take all action necessary to approve, and by the execution of this Amendment, the Operating Committee hereby approves, the Transactions.

ARTICLE 3

MISCELLANEOUS

3.1 Definitions . For purposes hereof, the capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Operating Agreement.

3.2 Amendment Compliance . The Parties acknowledge that this Amendment complies with the requirements to amend the Operating Agreement, as stated in Section 9.7 of the Operating Agreement.

3.3 References . All references to the Operating Agreement in any document, instrument or agreement shall hereafter be deemed to refer to the Operating Agreement as amended hereby.

 

8


3.4 Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all of such counterparts shall constitute for all purposes one agreement. Any signature hereto delivered by a Party by electronic mail shall be deemed an original signature hereto.

3.5 Ratification . The Operating Agreement, as amended herein, is ratified and confirmed.

3.6 Third Party Beneficiaries . The Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that each of (i) the Administrative Agents (for the benefit of themselves and the Parent Credit Agreement Lenders), (ii) the collateral agent under the Parent Credit Agreement (for the benefit of itself and the Parent Credit Agreement Lenders) and (iii) the ALF Collateral Agent is an express third party beneficiary of this Amendment and the Operating Agreement, and each of the Parties and CNXC agrees not to challenge or contest or support any other Person in challenging or contesting the status of any Person referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) as a third party beneficiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is expressly agreed that the Parties and CNXC may amend the Operating Agreement to terminate or otherwise modify this Amendment if (A) the Parent Credit Agreement Repayment Date has occurred (for the avoidance of doubt, other than in connection with an amendment, restatement, refinancing or replacement thereof) or (B) the Parent Credit Agreement is being refinanced or replaced in its entirety in a transaction in which the Parent Credit Agreement Repayment Date would occur and such termination or modification is approved in writing by the parties to such refinancing or replacement of the Parent Credit Agreement; provided that, in the case of clause (B), the CONSOL Parties agree, for the benefit of CNXC and its subsidiaries, to use commercially reasonable efforts (or shall cause Parent to use commercially reasonable efforts) to request that such parties to such refinancing or replacement of the Parent Credit Agreement approve such a termination or modification.

3.7 Miscellaneous . Section 1.2 of the Operating Agreement and Section 9.8 of the Operating Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference as if set out fully herein and shall apply in all respects to this Amendment, mutatis mutandis .

[signature page follows]

 

9


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties and CNXC have executed this Amendment to be

effective as of the Execution Date.

 

CPCC :
CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC
By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

Name: Stephen W. Johnson
Title: Vice President and Secretary
CONRHEIN :
CONRHEIN COAL COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Stephen W. Johnson

Name: Stephen W. Johnson
Title: Vice President
OPERATOR :
CONSOL THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC
(f/k/a CNX THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC)
By:  

/s/ Martha A. Wiegand

Name: Martha A. Wiegand
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
For purposes of Sections 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.6 and 3.7 hereof:
CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP
(f/k/a CNX COAL RESOURCES LP)
By:   CONSOL COAL RESOURCES GP LLC
(f/k/a CNX COAL RESOURCES GP LLC),
             its general partner
By:  

/s/ Martha A. Wiegand

Name: Martha A. Wiegand
Title: General Counsel and Secretary

Signature Page to Second Amendment to

Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement

 


Operating Committee Signatories :
By:  

/s/ Nicholas J. DeIuliis

Name: Nicholas J. DeIuliis
Title: Non-Operating Representative
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name: James A. Brock
Title: Operator Representative

Signature Page to Second Amendment to

Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement

[Operating Committee]

Exhibit 10.8

BORROWER CUSIP #20855DAH8

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY CUSIP #20855DAL9

TERM A LOAN CUSIP #20855DAK1

TERM B LOAN CUSIP #20855DAJ4

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

by and among

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

(formerly known as CONSOL MINING CORPORATION),

as Borrower

THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as TLB Administrative Agent

and

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Collateral Agent

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Revolving/TLA Syndication Agent

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as TLB Syndication Agent

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. and

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK,

as Co-Documentation Agents

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED and

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC and

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,

as Bookrunners

Dated as of November 28, 2017

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

                  Page  
1.     CERTAIN DEFINITIONS      1  
  1.1   Certain Definitions      1  
  1.2   Construction      61  
  1.3   Accounting Principles      62  
  1.4   Valuations      62  
  1.5   Letter of Credit Amounts      63  
  1.6   Pro Forma Financial Covenant Compliance      63  
2.     FACILITIES      63  
  2.1   Commitments      63  
    2.1.1    Revolving Credit Loans      63  
    2.1.2    Swing Loans      64  
    2.1.3    Term A Loans      64  
    2.1.4    Term B Loans      64  
  2.2   Lenders’ Obligations Several      64  
  2.3   Commitment Fees      64  
  2.4   Commitment Reductions and Terminations      65  
    2.4.1    Revolving Credit Commitments      65  
    2.4.2    Term Loan Commitments      65  
  2.5   Loan Requests      65  
    2.5.1    Loan Requests      65  
    2.5.2    Swing Loan Requests      66  
  2.6   Making Loans; Presumptions by Administrative Agent; Repayment of Revolving Credit Loans; Borrowings to Repay Swing Loans      67  
    2.6.1    Making Loans      67  
    2.6.2    Presumptions by the Administrative Agent      67  
    2.6.3    Making Swing Loans      67  
    2.6.4    Repayment of Loans      68  
  2.7   Notes      68  
    2.7.1    Revolving Credit Notes      68  
    2.7.2    Swing Loan Note      68  
    2.7.3    Term Notes      68  
  2.8   Use of Proceeds      68  
  2.9   Letters of Credit      68  
    2.9.1    Issuance of Letters of Credit      68  
    2.9.2    Letter of Credit Fees      70  
    2.9.3    Participations, Disbursements, Reimbursement      71  
    2.9.4    Repayment of Participation Advances      72  
    2.9.5    Documentation      72  
    2.9.6    Determinations to Honor Drawing Requests      73  
    2.9.7    Nature of Participation and Reimbursement Obligations      73  
    2.9.8    Indemnity      74  
    2.9.9    Liability for Acts and Omissions      74  
    2.9.10    Cash Collateral Prior to the Revolving Maturity Date      76  
    2.9.11    Issuing Lender Reporting Requirements      76  

 

-i-


                  Page  
 

2.10

 

Borrowings to Repay Swing Loans

     76  
 

2.11

 

Incremental Facilities

     77  
    2.11.1   

Establishment of Incremental Facilities

     77  
    2.11.2   

Conditions

     77  
    2.11.3   

Terms of Revolving Commitment Increases

     78  
    2.11.4   

Terms of Incremental Term B Loan Commitment

     78  
    2.11.5   

Notes

     79  
    2.11.6   

Approval of Incremental Lenders

     79  
    2.11.7   

Documentation

     79  
    2.11.8   

Syndication

     79  
    2.11.9   

Treatment of Outstanding Loans and Letters of Credit

     80  
 

2.12

 

Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments

     80  
 

2.13

 

Refinancing Term Loans

     83  
 

2.14

 

Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments

     84  
 

2.15

 

Defaulting Lenders

     86  
 

2.16

 

Discounted Prepayment Offers

     87  

3.

 

AMORTIZATION OF TERM LOANS

     91  
 

3.1

 

Scheduled Amortization of Initial Term A Loans

     91  
 

3.2

 

Scheduled Amortization of Initial Term B Loans

     91  

4.

 

INTEREST RATES

     92  
 

4.1

 

Interest Rate Options

     92  
    4.1.1   

Interest Rate Options; Swing Line Interest Rate

     92  
    4.1.2   

Rate Quotations

     92  
 

4.2

 

Interest Periods

     92  
 

4.3

 

Interest After Default

     93  
 

4.4

 

LIBOR Rate Unascertainable; Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available

     93  
    4.4.1   

Unascertainable

     93  
    4.4.2   

Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available

     94  
    4.4.3   

Administrative Agent’s and Lender’s Rights

     94  
 

4.5

 

Selection of Interest Rate Options

     95  

5.

 

PAYMENTS

     95  
 

5.1

 

Payments

     95  
 

5.2

 

Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders

     95  
 

5.3

 

Sharing of Payments by Lenders

     96  
 

5.4

 

Presumptions by Administrative Agents

     96  
 

5.5

 

Interest Payment Dates

     97  
 

5.6

 

Voluntary Prepayments

     97  
    5.6.1   

Right to Prepay

     97  
    5.6.2   

Replacement of a Lender

     98  
    5.6.3   

Designation of a Different Lending Office

     99  
    5.6.4   

Prepayment Premium

     99  
 

5.7

 

Mandatory Prepayments

     100  
    5.7.1   

Revolving Credit Commitments

     100  
    5.7.2   

Dispositions

     100  
    5.7.3   

Issuance of Debt

     100  

 

-ii-


                  Page
    5.7.4    Excess Cash Flow    101
    5.7.5    Refinancing of Affiliated Company Loan Facility    101
    5.7.6    Application of Payments; Application Among Interest Rate Options    101
  5.8   Increased Costs    101
    5.8.1    Increased Costs Generally    101
    5.8.2    Capital Requirements    102
    5.8.3    Certificates for Reimbursement; Repayment of Outstanding Loans; Borrowing of New Loans    102
    5.8.4    Delay in Requests    102
  5.9   Taxes    103
    5.9.1    Payments Free of Taxes    103
    5.9.2    Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower    103
    5.9.3    Indemnification by the Borrower    103
    5.9.4    Evidence of Payments    103
    5.9.5    Status of Lenders    104
    5.9.6    Refunds    105
    5.9.7    Definition of Lender    106
    5.9.8    Administrative Agent Forms    106
  5.10   Indemnity    106
  5.11   Settlement Date Procedures    107
6.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES    107
  6.1   Organization and Qualification    107
  6.2   EEA Financial Institutions    108
  6.3   Subsidiaries    108
  6.4   Power and Authority    108
  6.5   Validity and Binding Effect    108
  6.6   No Conflict    108
  6.7   Litigation    109
  6.8   Title to Properties    109
  6.9   Financial Statements    109
  6.10   Use of Proceeds    110
  6.11   Liens in the Collateral    110
  6.12   Full Disclosure    111
  6.13   Taxes    111
  6.14   Consents and Approvals    111
  6.15   No Event of Default; Compliance with Instruments    111
  6.16   Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Licenses, Permits, Etc.    111
  6.17   Solvency    112
  6.18   Real Property    112
  6.19   Insurance    112
  6.20   Compliance with Laws    112
  6.21   Material Contracts; Burdensome Restrictions    112
  6.22   Investment Companies; Regulated Entities    113
  6.23   ERISA Compliance    113
  6.24   Employment Matters; Coal Act; Black Lung Act    113
  6.25   Environmental Matters    114
  6.26   Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws    114
  6.27   Margin Regulations    115

 

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                  Page  
 

6.28

 

Affiliated Company Loan Documents

     115  

7.

 

CONDITIONS OF LENDING AND ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT

     116  
 

7.1

 

First Loans and Letters of Credit.

     116  
    7.1.1   

Deliveries

     116  
    7.1.2   

Payment of Fees

     118  
    7.1.3   

PATRIOT Act

     119  
    7.1.4   

No Debt or Preferred Stock Outstanding

     119  
    7.1.5   

Transactions

     119  
    7.1.6   

Liquidity

     119  
    7.1.7   

Affiliated Company Loan Agreement Related Conditions

     119  
 

7.2

 

Each Additional Loan or Letter of Credit

     120  

8.

 

COVENANTS

     120  
 

8.1

 

Affirmative Covenants

     120  
    8.1.1   

Preservation of Existence, Etc.

     121  
    8.1.2   

Payment of Liabilities, Including Taxes, Etc.

     121  
    8.1.3   

Maintenance of Insurance

     121  
    8.1.4   

Maintenance of Properties and Equipment

     122  
    8.1.5   

Maintenance of Patents, Trademarks, Etc.

     122  
    8.1.6   

Visitation Rights

     122  
    8.1.7   

Keeping of Records and Books of Account

     123  
    8.1.8   

Further Assurances

     123  
    8.1.9   

Additional Guarantors

     123  
    8.1.10   

Compliance with Laws

     123  
    8.1.11   

Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations

     124  
    8.1.12   

Subordination of Intercompany Loans

     124  
    8.1.13   

Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws

     124  
    8.1.14   

Compliance with Certain Contracts

     125  
    8.1.15   

Accounts

     125  
    8.1.16   

ERISA Compliance

     125  
    8.1.17   

Collateral

     126  
    8.1.18   

Title

     129  
    8.1.19   

Maintenance of Permits

     129  
    8.1.20   

Preparation of Environmental Reports

     129  
    8.1.21   

Post-Closing Matters

     130  
    8.1.22   

Maintenance of Ratings

     130  
 

8.2

 

Negative Covenants

     130  
    8.2.1   

Indebtedness

     130  
    8.2.2   

Liens

     132  
    8.2.3   

Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries

     132  
    8.2.4   

Loans and Investments

     133  
    8.2.5   

Restricted Payments

     135  
    8.2.6   

Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions

     137  
    8.2.7   

Dispositions

     138  
    8.2.8   

Affiliate Transactions

     139  
    8.2.9   

Change in Business

     142  
    8.2.10   

Fiscal Year

     142  

 

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                  Page
    8.2.11    Amendments to Certain Documents    142
    8.2.12    Swaps    142
    8.2.13    Financial Covenants    143
    8.2.14    Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries    144
    8.2.15    Negative Pledge Agreements    146
    8.2.16    Permitted Activities of CNXC GP    148
    8.2.17    Pennsylvania Mining Complex    148
  8.3   Reporting Requirements    148
    8.3.1    Quarterly Financial Statements    148
    8.3.2    Annual Financial Statements    149
    8.3.3    SEC Website    149
    8.3.4    Certificate of the Borrower    149
    8.3.5    Notice of Default    150
    8.3.6    Certain Events    150
    8.3.7    Budgets, Forecasts, Other Reports and Information    150
    8.3.8    Lender Calls    151
9.   DEFAULT    151
  9.1   Events of Default    151
    9.1.1    Payments Under Loan Documents    151
    9.1.2    Breach of Warranty    152
    9.1.3    Breach of Certain Covenants    152
    9.1.4    Breach of Other Covenants    152
    9.1.5    Defaults in Other Agreements or Indebtedness    152
    9.1.6    Final Judgments or Orders    153
    9.1.7    Loan Document Unenforceable    153
    9.1.8    Inability to Pay Debts    153
    9.1.9    ERISA    153
    9.1.10    Change of Control    153
    9.1.11    CNXC Ownership    153
    9.1.12    Involuntary Proceedings    154
    9.1.13    Voluntary Proceedings    154
    9.1.14    Material Contracts    154
    9.1.15    Affiliated Company Loan Agreement    154
  9.2   Consequences of Event of Default    155
    9.2.1    Events of Default Other Than Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings    155
    9.2.2    Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings    155
    9.2.3    Set-off    156
    9.2.4    Applicable Prepayment Premium    156
    9.2.5    Application of Proceeds    157
    9.2.6    Collateral Agent    158
    9.2.7    Other Rights and Remedies    158
  9.3   Notice of Sale    158
10.   THE AGENTS    158
  10.1   Appointment and Authority    158
  10.2   Rights as a Lender    159

 

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                  Page
  10.3   Exculpatory Provisions    159
  10.4   Reliance by Agents    160
  10.5   Delegation of Duties    160
  10.6   Resignation of Agents    161
  10.7   Non-Reliance on Administrative Agents and Other Lenders    162
  10.8   No Other Duties, Etc.    162
  10.9   Administrative Agent’s Fee    162
  10.10   Authorization to Release Collateral and Guarantors    162
  10.11   No Reliance on Administrative Agents’ Customer Identification Programs    163
  10.12   Withholding Tax    163
  10.13   Certain ERISA Matters    164
  10.14   PNC as Collateral Agent Under Affiliated Company Loan Documents    165
11   MISCELLANEOUS    166
  11.1   Modifications, Amendments or Waivers    166
    11.1.1    Required Consents    166
    11.1.2    Certain Amendments    167
    11.1.3    Amendments Affecting the Agents, Etc.    167
    11.1.4    Non-Consenting Lenders    168
    11.1.5    Defaulting Lenders    168
  11.2   No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies    168
  11.3   Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver    168
    11.3.1    Costs and Expenses    168
    11.3.2    Indemnification by the Borrower    169
    11.3.3    Reimbursement by Lenders    169
    11.3.4    Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc.    170
    11.3.5    Payments    170
  11.4   Holidays    170
  11.5   Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication    170
    11.5.1    Notices Generally    170
    11.5.2    Electronic Communications    171
    11.5.3    Change of Address, Etc    171
  11.6   Severability    171
  11.7   Duration; Survival    171
  11.8   Successors and Assigns    172
    11.8.1    Successors and Assigns Generally    172
    11.8.2    Assignments by Lenders    172
    11.8.3    Register    175
    11.8.4    Participations    175
    11.8.5    Certain Pledges; Successors and Assigns Generally    176
  11.9   Confidentiality    177
    11.9.1    General    177
    11.9.2    Sharing Information With Affiliates of the Lenders    177
  11.10   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness    177
  11.11   Governing Law, Etc.    178
    11.11.1    Governing Law    178
    11.11.2    SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION    178
    11.11.3    WAIVER OF VENUE    179
    11.11.4    SERVICE OF PROCESS    179

 

-vi-


                  Page
    11.11.5    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL    179
  11.12   Certain Collateral Matters    179
  11.13   USA PATRIOT Act Notice    179
  11.14   No Fiduciary Duty    180
  11.15   Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions    180

 

-vii-


LIST OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1.1(A)   Pricing Grid
Schedule 1.1(B)   Commitments of Lenders
Schedule 1.1(C)   Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 1.1(D)   Specified Material Contracts
Schedule 6.1   Qualifications To Do Business
Schedule 6.3   Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.11   Pledged Securities
Schedule 7.1.1(i)   Lien Searches
Schedule 8.1.18   Title Requirements
Schedule 8.1.21   Post-Closing Matters
Schedule 8.2.1   Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 8.2.2   Existing Liens
Schedule 8.2.4(x)   Existing Investments
Schedule 8.2.4(y)   Existing Investments by GasCo
Schedule 8.2.8   Existing Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 8.2.14   Existing Restrictions on Subsidiaries
Schedule 8.2.15   Existing Negative Pledge Agreements
Schedule 8.2.16   Assets of CNXC GP
Schedule 11.5.1   Notice Information

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit 1.1(A)(1)   Affiliated Company Loan Agreement
Exhibit 1.1(A)(2)   Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Exhibit 1.1(G)(1)   Guarantor Joinder
Exhibit 1.1(G)(2)   Guaranty Agreement
Exhibit 1.1(I)(1)   Indemnity
Exhibit 1.1(I)(2)   Intercompany Subordination Agreement
Exhibit 1.1(M)   Mortgage
Exhibit 1.1(N)(1)   Revolving Credit Note
Exhibit 1.1(N)(2)   Swing Loan Note
Exhibit 1.1(N)(3)   Term Note
Exhibit 1.1(P)(1)   Perfection Certificate
Exhibit 1.1(P)(2)   Perfection Certificate Supplement
Exhibit 2.5.1   Loan Request
Exhibit 2.5.2   Swing Loan Request
Exhibit 2.16(a)   Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation
Exhibit 2.16(b)   Discounted Prepayment Offer
Exhibit 5.9.5   United States Tax Compliance Certificate
Exhibit 8.2.6   Acquisition Certificate
Exhibit 8.3.4   Quarterly Compliance Certificate

 

 

-viii-


CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is dated as of November 28, 2017 and is made by and among CONSOL ENERGY INC. (formerly known as CONSOL MINING CORPORATION), a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), EACH OF THE GUARANTORS (as hereinafter defined), the LENDERS (as hereinafter defined), PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , as administrative agent for the Revolving Lenders and Term A Lenders in their capacities as such under this Agreement (in such capacity, the “ Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent ”), CITIBANK, N.A. , as administrative agent for the Term B Lenders in their capacities as such under this Agreement (in such capacity, the “ TLB Administrative Agent ”) and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , as collateral agent for the Lenders and the other Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

The Borrower has requested the Lenders to provide a revolving credit facility and term loan facilities to the Borrower. In consideration of their mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

1.1 Certain Definitions .

In addition to words and terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context hereof clearly requires otherwise:

Account ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Security Agreement.

Additional Credit Extension Amendment ” shall mean an amendment to this Agreement (which may, at the option of the applicable Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower, be in the form of an amendment and restatement of this Agreement) providing for any Incremental Facilities pursuant to Section 2.11 [Incremental Facilities], Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.12 [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments], Refinancing Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.13 [Refinancing Term Loans], and/or Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.14 [Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments], which shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of this Agreement and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the parties thereto. Each Additional Credit Extension Amendment shall be executed by (i) each applicable Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of any Revolving Commitment Increase, Extended Revolving Credit Commitment or Replacement Revolving Credit Commitment, the Issuing Lenders that would be entitled, under Section 11.8.2(c) [Assignments by Lenders], to consent to an assignment to the Lenders providing such Revolving Commitment Increase, Extended Revolving Credit Commitment or Replacement Revolving Credit Commitment as if such transaction were an assignment, (iii) in the case of any Revolving Commitment Increase, Extended Revolving Credit Commitment or Replacement Revolving Credit Commitment, the Swingline Lender, (iv) the Loan Parties and (v) the other parties specified in the applicable Section of this Agreement (but not any other Lender not specified in the applicable Section of this Agreement) and acknowledged by the Collateral Agent, but shall not effect any amendments that would require the consent of each affected Lender or all Lenders pursuant to the proviso in Section 11.1.1 [Required Consents] (other than amendments relating to provisions of Incremental Term B Loans, Extended Revolving Credit Commitments, Extended Term Commitments, Extended Term Loans or Refinancing Term Loans that are expressly permitted to be different from those of the Loans or Commitments under the terms of Section 2.11 [Incremental Facilities], Section 2.12 [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments] or Section 2.13 [Refinancing Term Loans], as applicable). Any Additional Credit Extension Amendment may include conditions for delivery of


customary opinions of counsel and other documentation consistent with the conditions in Section 7.1.1 [Deliveries] and certificates confirming satisfaction of conditions consistent with Section 7.2 [Each Additional Loan or Letter of Credit], all to the extent reasonably requested by any applicable Agent or the other parties to such Additional Credit Extension Amendment; provided that the effectiveness of each Additional Credit Extension Amendment shall be subject to the Required Flood Materials having been made available to the Lenders not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the effective date of such Additional Credit Extension Amendment. In addition, each Additional Credit Extension Amendment shall include a certification by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower that, after giving effect to such Additional Credit Extension Amendment and assuming that any Revolving Commitment Increase (if at the time of such Revolving Commitment Increase any Incremental Facility is being established in whole or in part on clause (2) of the definition of “Incremental Cap”) is fully drawn (and, notwithstanding the definition of “Indebtedness,” all letters of credit (including Letters of Credit) being deemed to have a principal amount of outstanding Indebtedness equal to the maximum potential liability of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder), the aggregate amount of Indebtedness under this Agreement shall not exceed the Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap; provided that (x) at any Administrative Agent’s request, the Borrower shall provide such Administrative Agent calculations and supporting information reasonably satisfactory to such Administrative Agent showing compliance with the Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap and (y) notwithstanding the foregoing clause (x), no Administrative Agent shall have any obligation to request such calculation or information or to determine compliance with the Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap, and shall be fully entitled to assume (without any further investigation) that each borrowing of Loans and each issuance, amendment, extension or increase of a Letter of Credit complies with the Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap if the Borrower makes a Loan Request for such borrowing or application or request with respect to any such Letter of Credit.

Administrative Agent’s Fee ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.9 [Administrative Agent’s Fee].

Administrative Agent’s Letter ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.9 [Administrative Agent’s Fee].

Administrative Agents ” shall mean the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent and the TLB Administrative Agent. The term “Administrative Agent” shall mean either of the Administrative Agents.

Affiliate ” of any specified Person shall mean any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “ control ,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “ controlling ,” “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ” have correlative meanings. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Persons that serves as an Agent or the collateral agent under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents or is a Secured Party shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates solely by virtue of serving or being in such capacity.

Affiliate Transaction ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.2.8 [Affiliate Transactions].

Affiliated Company Loan Agreement ” shall mean the revolving credit facility credit agreement dated the date hereof among the ALF Lender, as lender, PNC, as collateral agent, and CNXC, as borrower, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit  1.1(A)(1) .

 

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Affiliated Company Loan Agreement Loan Parties ” shall mean each Person that is a borrower, guarantor and grantor of collateral under any Affiliated Company Loan Document.

Affiliated Company Loan Agreement Security Documents ” shall mean, collectively, each security document or pledge agreement delivered in accordance with applicable local Law to grant a valid, perfected security interest in favor of the collateral agent under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement for the benefit of such collateral agent and the ALF Lender in any property as collateral for the obligations under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement or any such security document or pledge agreement, and all UCC or other financing statements or instruments of perfection required by this Agreement or the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement or any other such security document or pledge agreement to be filed with respect to the security interests in property and fixtures created pursuant to any document or instrument utilized to pledge or grant or purport to pledge or grant a security interest or lien on any property as collateral for the obligations under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement, and amendments, supplements or joinders to the foregoing, in each case to the extent permitted hereunder and by the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement.

Affiliated Company Loan Documents ” shall mean the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement, the Affiliated Company Notes and each Affiliated Company Loan Agreement Security Document.

Affiliated Company Note ” shall mean each promissory note evidencing loans made under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement.

Agents ” shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agents and the Collateral Agent. The term “Agent” shall mean any of the Agents.

Agreement ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

ALF Lender ” shall initially be the Borrower and may, after the Closing Date, include one or more other Loan Parties.

All-In Yield ” shall mean, as to any Indebtedness, the yield thereof, whether in the form of interest rate, margin, original issue discount, upfront fees, a LIBOR or Base Rate floor, or other index rate floor, or otherwise, in each case, incurred or payable by the Borrower generally to all the lenders of such Indebtedness; provided that (a) upfront fees and original issue discount shall be equated to interest rate based upon an assumed four-year average life to maturity (e.g., 100 basis points of original issue discount equals 25 basis points of interest rate margin) and (b) “All-In Yield” shall exclude any customary commitment, amendment, underwriting and arranger fees and other similar fees in each case to the extent not paid generally to all lenders in the primary syndication of such Indebtedness.

Anti-Corruption Laws ” shall mean (a) the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and rules and regulations thereunder, (b) the UK Bribery Act and (c) other anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws and regulations of any applicable jurisdiction.

Anti-Terrorism Laws ” shall mean any Laws relating to terrorism, trade sanctions programs and embargoes, import/export licensing, money laundering or bribery, and any regulation, order, or directive promulgated, issued or enforced pursuant to such Laws, including the USA PATRIOT Act and regulations of OFAC.

 

-3-


Applicable Account ” shall mean a Deposit Account, a Securities Account or a Commodity Account (each as defined in the UCC), but excluding any Deposit Account that is an Excluded Account.

Applicable ECF Percentage ” shall mean, with respect to (x) the fiscal year of the Borrower ending December 31, 2018, 75% and (y) any fiscal year of the Borrower ending after December 31, 2018: (a) if the Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the end of such fiscal year is greater than or equal to 2.00:1.00, 75%, (b) if the Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the end of such fiscal year is less than 2.00:1.00 but greater than or equal to 1.50:1.00, 50%, (c) if the Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the end of such fiscal year is less than 1.50:1.00, but greater than or equal to 1.00:1.00, 25%, and (d) if the Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the end of such fiscal year is less than 1.00:1.00, 0%.

Applicable Letter of Credit Fee Rate ” shall mean the percentage rate per annum based on the Total Net Leverage Ratio according to the pricing grid on Schedule  1.1(A) below the heading “LIBOR Loans.”

Applicable Margin ” shall mean, as applicable:

(a) for Revolving Credit Loans and Term A Loans:

(1) the percentage spread to be added to the Base Rate applicable to such Loans under the Base Rate Option based on the Total Net Leverage Ratio according to the pricing grid on Schedule  1.1(A) below the heading “Base Rate Loans,” or

(2) the percentage spread to be added to the LIBOR Rate applicable to such Loans under the LIBOR Rate Option based on the Total Net Leverage Ratio according to the pricing grid on Schedule  1.1(A) below the heading “LIBOR Loans”; and

(b) (1) for Term B Loans under the Base Rate Option, 5.00% and (2) for Term B Loans under the LIBOR Rate Option, 6.00%.

Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap ” shall mean the maximum amount of Indebtedness (and, notwithstanding the definition of “Indebtedness,” with letters of credit (including Letters of Credit) being deemed to have an outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness equal to the maximum potential liability of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) permitted under Section 3.2(1) of the Second Lien Notes Indenture (or analogous provisions of indentures or other documentation governing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2.1(i) or (m)), as such provision is in effect from time to time; provided that if any such provision in any such indentures or documentation permits different amounts of Indebtedness, the most restrictive provision shall govern for purposes of this definition.

Applicable Prepayment Premium ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.6.4 [Prepayment Premium].

Approved Fund ” shall mean any fund that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Assignment and Assumption Agreement ” shall mean an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an assignee permitted under Section 11.8 [Successors and Assigns], in substantially the form of Exhibit  1.1(A)(2) .

 

-4-


Authorized Officer ” shall mean, with respect to any Loan Party, the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of such Loan Party or such other individuals, designated by written notice to each Agent from the Borrower, authorized to execute notices, reports and other documents on behalf of the Loan Parties required hereunder. The Borrower may amend such list of individuals from time to time by giving written notice of such amendment to each Agent.

Auto-Extension Letter of Credit ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.9.1(c) [Issuance of Letters of Credit].

Bail-In Action ” shall mean the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation ” shall mean, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Baltimore Dock Facility ” shall mean that certain terminal, storage, loading and dock facility, including all facilities and equipment supporting such facility, located in Baltimore, Maryland owned as of the Closing Date by CONSOL Marine Terminals, Inc. (f/k/a CNX Marine Terminals, Inc.), including all related easements, rights of way and the similar interests used in connection with such facility.

Bankruptcy Code ” shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code.

Base Rate ” shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating per annum rate of interest equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Open Rate, plus 0.5%, (b) the Prime Rate, and (c) the LIBOR Rate for an Interest Period of one month, plus 100 basis points (1.0%). Any change in the Base Rate (or any component thereof) shall take effect at the opening of business on the day such change occurs.

Base Rate Option ” shall mean the option of the Borrower to have Loans bear interest at the rate and under the terms set forth in Section 4.1.1(a)(i) [Base Rate Option].

Beneficial Owner ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “Person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “Person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “Person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “ Beneficially Owns ” and “ Beneficially Owned ” have corresponding meanings. For purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed not to Beneficially Own securities that are the subject of a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement, amalgamation agreement, arrangement agreement or similar agreement until consummation of the transactions or, as applicable, series of related transactions contemplated thereby.

Benefit Plan ” shall mean any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code) or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan.”

Black Lung Act ” shall mean, collectively, the Black Lung Benefits Revenue Act of 1977, as amended and the Black Lung Benefits Reform Act of 1977, as amended.

 

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Board of Directors ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, (a) if the Person is a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board or a similar governing body, (b) if the Person is a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board or a similar governing body and (c) with respect to any other Person, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.

Board Resolution ” shall mean a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Borrower and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.

Bookrunners ” shall mean PNC Capital Markets LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, The Huntington National Bank, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Goldman Sachs Bank USA in their capacities as bookrunners of the revolving credit and term loan facilities hereunder.

Borrower ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Borrowing Date ” shall mean, with respect to any Loan, the date for the making thereof or the renewal or conversion thereof at or to the same or a different Interest Rate Option, which shall be a Business Day.

Borrowing Tranche ” shall mean specified portions of Loans of any Class outstanding as follows: (a) any Loans of such Class to which a LIBOR Rate Option applies which become subject to the same Interest Rate Option under the same Loan Request by the Borrower and which have the same Interest Period shall constitute one Borrowing Tranche, and (b) all Loans of such Class to which a Base Rate Option applies shall constitute one Borrowing Tranche.

Builder Multiplier ” shall mean, with respect to any calculation (a) as of March 31, 2018, four, (b) as of June 30, 2018, two, (c) as of September 30, 2018, 4/3 and (d) as of the end of any fiscal quarter thereafter, one.

Building Period ” shall mean with respect to any calculation (a) as of March 31, 2018, the fiscal quarter ending as of such date, (b) as of June 30, 2018, the two fiscal quarters ending as of such date, (c) as of September 30, 2018, the three fiscal quarters ending as of such date and (d) as of the end of any fiscal quarter thereafter, the four quarter period then ended.

“Building” shall mean a walled and roofed structure, other than a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground and affixed to a permanent site, and a walled and roofed structure while in the course of construction, alteration or repair or shall have such other meaning ascribed to such term in the Flood Laws.

Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday on which commercial banks are authorized or required to be closed for business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and if the applicable Business Day relates to any Loan to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies, such day must also be a day on which dealings are carried on in the Relevant Interbank Market.

Capital Expenditures ” shall mean for any period, with respect to any Person, the aggregate of all expenditures by such Person for the acquisition or leasing (in the case of leasing, pursuant to a capital lease) of fixed or capital assets or additions to equipment (including replacements, capitalized repairs and improvements during such period) which are required to be capitalized under GAAP on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person.

 

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Capital Lease Obligation ” shall mean an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease or financing lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any lease (whether entered into before or after the Closing Date) that would have been classified as an operating lease pursuant to GAAP as in effect on the Closing Date will be deemed not to represent a Capital Lease Obligation.

Capital Stock ” of any Person shall mean (a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; (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 interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; 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, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

Cash Collateralize ” shall mean to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, for the benefit of each applicable Issuing Lender, as collateral for the Letter of Credit Obligations, cash or deposit account balances pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuing Lender (which documents are hereby consented to by the Lenders). Such cash collateral shall be maintained in blocked deposit accounts at the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent. At the option of the applicable Issuing Lender, in lieu of cash collateral, the applicable Letter of Credit Obligations may be supported by one or more back-to-back letters of credit in form and from institutions reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Lender, and such arrangement shall also be within the meaning of Cash Collateralize. The term “ Cash Collateral ” shall have a correlative meaning.

Cash on Hand ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and Temporary Cash Investments of the Loan Parties as of such date and (ii) the aggregate amount of cash and Temporary Cash Investments of the Loan Parties pledged solely (x) to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure the Obligations as of such date and (y) subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, to the collateral agent for the benefit of the secured parties under Indebtedness incurred under Section 8.2.1(i) [Indebtedness], in each case, after giving effect to all incurrences and repayments of Indebtedness, issuances of Equity Interests, Investments and Restricted Payments to occur on such date; provided that Cash on Hand shall exclude any Cash Collateral or any other cash collateral pledged to secure obligations under any letters of credit.

Casualty Event ” shall mean, with respect to any assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, any damage to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking (including by any Official Body) of, any such assets that occurs after the Closing Date for which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary receives insurance proceeds or proceeds of a condemnation award or any other compensation. Casualty Event shall include but not be limited to any taking of all or any part of any real property of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in or by condemnation or other eminent domain proceedings pursuant to any Law, or by reason of the temporary requisition or the use or occupancy of all or any part of any real property by any Official Body, civil or military.

 

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CFC ” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a “controlled foreign corporation” as defined in Section 957 of the Code.

CFC Holdco ” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower that owns no material assets other than Equity Interests in one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs.

Change in Law ” shall mean the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, (b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Official Body or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) by any Official Body; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith (whether or not having the force of Law) and (y) all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities (whether or not having the force of Law), in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law,” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued, promulgated or implemented.

Change of Control ” shall mean:

(a) the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation or the acquisition of any Capital Stock) the result of which is that any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Borrower;

(b) the holders of Capital Stock of the Borrower shall have approved any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Borrower;

(c) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower (including Equity Interests of Restricted Subsidiaries) and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than a Loan Party; or

(d) a “change of control” or similar event occurred under any agreement governing any Indebtedness incurred under Section 8.2.1(i) or (m) [Indebtedness].

CIP Regulations ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.11 [No Reliance on Administrative Agents’ Customer Identification Programs].

Citi ” shall mean Citibank, N.A., its successors and assigns.

Class ” shall mean (a) with respect to any Commitment, its character as a Revolving Credit Commitment, an Initial Term A Loan Commitment, an Initial Term B Loan Commitment or any other group of Commitments (whether established by way of new Commitments or by way of conversion or extension of existing Commitments or Loans) designated as a “Class” in an Additional Credit Extension Amendment and (b) with respect to any Loans, its character as a Revolving Credit Loan, a Swing Loan, an Initial Term A Loan, an Initial Term B Loan or any other group of Loans (whether made pursuant to new Commitments or by way of conversion or extension of existing Loans) designated as a “Class” in an Additional Credit Extension Amendment; provided that (i) in no event shall there be more than two Classes of Revolving Credit Commitments or Revolving Credit Loans outstanding at any time, (ii)

 

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notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the borrowing and repayment of Revolving Credit Loans shall be made on a pro rata basis across all Classes of Revolving Credit Loans (except to the extent that any applicable Additional Credit Extension Amendment provides that the Class of Revolving Credit Loans established thereunder shall be entitled to less than pro rata repayments), and any termination of Revolving Credit Commitments shall be made on a pro rata basis across all Classes of Revolving Credit Commitments (except to the extent that any applicable Additional Credit Extension Amendment provides that the Class of Revolving Credit Commitments established thereunder shall be entitled to less than pro rata treatment) and (iii) the repayment of the Term Loans of any Class shall be made on a pro rata basis among Term Loans of such Class except as specifically set forth in Section 2.12 [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments] or 2.13 [Refinancing Term Loans]. Commitments or Loans that have different maturity dates, pricing (other than upfront fees) or other terms shall be designated as separate Classes.

Clearing Prepayment Price ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(b)(ii) [Procedures].

Clearing Prepayment Price Notice ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(b)(iii) [Procedures].

Closing Date ” shall mean the date of this Agreement.

Closing Date Distribution ” shall mean payment of a cash distribution by the Borrower to GasCo on the Closing Date (or promptly thereafter in respect of Transactions consummated on the Closing Date but from which such proceeds are not immediately available) in an amount not to exceed $475,000,000.

Closing Date Refinancing and Releases ” shall mean (a) the repayment in full and termination of the CNXC Credit Agreement, (b) the release of all guarantees and collateral under the CNXC Credit Agreement and (c) the release of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from any of their guarantees under the GasCo Credit Agreement and the release of their assets from the Liens securing the GasCo Credit Agreement.

CNXC ” shall mean CONSOL Coal Resources LP, a Delaware limited partnership (f/k/a CNX Coal Resources LP).

CNXC Credit Agreement ” shall mean that certain Revolving Credit Facility Credit Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and among CNXC, certain of its Subsidiaries, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as syndication agent, and PNC Bank, National Association, in its capacity as administrative agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the Closing Date).

CNXC GP ” shall mean CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (f/k/a CNX Coal Resources GP LLC).

CNXC Internally Generated Cash ” shall mean any cash of CNXC or its Subsidiaries that is not generated from an asset sale (excluding sales of inventory and dispositions of cash and Temporary Cash Investments, in each case, in the ordinary course of business), a casualty or condemnation event, an incurrence of Indebtedness, an issuance of Equity Interests or a capital contribution to CNXC.

Co-Documentation Agents ” means the entities listed as Co-Documentation Agents on the cover page to this Agreement.

 

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Coal ” shall mean all types of solid naturally occurring hydrocarbons (other than oil shale or Gilsonite), including bituminous and sub-bituminous coal, and lignite.

Coal Act ” shall mean the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefits Act of 1992.

Coal Gas ” shall mean occluded methane gas and all associated natural gas and other hydrocarbons of whatever quality or quantity, whether known or unknown, that are, can be, or historically have been produced or emitted from coalbeds, coal formations, coal seams, mined out areas, gob areas, or any related, associated, or adjacent rock material or strata, together with all substances produced with each of the foregoing or refined therefrom. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Coal Gas” shall expressly include all substances commonly known as “coalbed methane,” “coal mine methane,” and “gob gas.”

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Collateral ” shall mean the property of whatever kind and nature subject or purported to be subject from time to time to a Lien under any Security Document, but shall not include (i) any asset that shall have been released, pursuant to Section 10.10 [Authorization to Release Collateral and Guarantors] or Section 11.1.1(d) [Required Consents], from the Liens created under such Security Document or (ii) any Excluded Assets.

Collateral Agent ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto, and shall include any successor collateral agent.

Commercial Letter of Credit ” shall mean any letter of credit which is a commercial letter of credit issued in respect of the purchase of goods or services by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

Commitment ” shall mean as to any Lender its Revolving Credit Commitment, commitment to provide a Revolving Commitment Increase, Extended Revolving Credit Commitment, Replacement Revolving Credit Commitment, Initial Term A Loan Commitment, Initial Term B Loan Commitment, Incremental Term B Loan Commitment, Extended Revolving Credit Commitment, Extended Term Commitment, commitment to provide Refinancing Term Loans or any combination thereof (as the context requires), and “ Commitments ” shall mean the aggregate Commitments of the appropriate Class or any combinations thereof (as the context requires) of all of the Lenders.

Commitment Fee ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.3 [Commitment Fees].

Commitment Fee Rate ” shall mean 0.50% per annum.

Commodity Exchange Act ” shall mean the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).

Compliance Certificate ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.3.4 [Certificate of the Borrower].

Conrhein ” shall mean Conrhein Coal Company, a Pennsylvania general partnership.

Consideration ” shall mean, with respect to any acquisition, without duplication, the aggregate of (i) the cash paid by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the seller in connection therewith, (ii) the Indebtedness assumed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection therewith and (iii) any other consideration given by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection therewith.

 

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Consolidated Cash Interest Expense ” shall mean, for any period, Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, excluding the portion thereof not paid or payable in cash.

Consolidated Current Assets ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the total assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries which may properly be classified as current assets on a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, excluding cash and Temporary Cash Investments.

Consolidated Current Liabilities ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the total liabilities of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries which may properly be classified as current liabilities (other than Revolving Credit Loans and the current portion of (i) any Term Loans or (ii) any Indebtedness with a scheduled final maturity longer than one year at the time of incurrence) on a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated EBITDA ” shall mean, for any period, the sum of Consolidated Net Income, plus (a) other than in the case of clause (8) below, to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income (without duplication):

(1) Consolidated Interest Expense, net of interest income (other than income arising out of payments of interest under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents);

(2) provision for taxes based on income or profits (including state franchise taxes accounted for as income taxes in accordance with GAAP) of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period;

(3) depletion, depreciation and impairment charges and expenses of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period;

(4) amortization expense (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period;

(5) losses (or minus gains) for such period from the early extinguishment of Indebtedness;

(6) (i) non-recurring transaction costs expensed (in accordance with GAAP) by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions and (ii) to the extent permitted hereunder, any (A) amendments, restatements and other modifications of the Loan Documents, (B) acquisition, investment, disposition, issuance or repayment of debt, issuance of equity securities, refinancing transaction or amendment or other modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and (C) charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each, case whether or not successful, in an aggregate amount under this subclause (ii) not to exceed, in any four-quarter period, $10,000,000;

(7) non-cash charges related to legacy employee liabilities; and

 

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(8) net cash proceeds of insurance received, or recognized as a receivable in accordance with GAAP, for such period in respect of a casualty event (to the extent such amount is reducing an expense on the statement of operations of the Borrower for such period relating to such casualty event) or business interruption; provided that to the extent such amount is actually not received in cash, the amount not received that increased Consolidated EBITDA shall be deducted from Consolidated EBITDA in the period in which it is determined that such amount has not been or is not likely to be received;

minus (b) (1) to the extent increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period, gains for such period from the early extinguishment of Indebtedness and (2) except to the extent already reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period, cash payments made in such period by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries related to legacy employee liabilities. Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis except for purposes of calculating Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for purposes of compliance with Section 8.2.13(c) [Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio] and Excess Cash Flow.

Consolidated First Lien Debt ” shall mean Consolidated Indebtedness other than any Consolidated Indebtedness that is (i) unsecured or (ii) secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is contractually junior to the Lien securing the Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated First Lien Debt includes the Obligations under the documents described in clause (i) of the definition of “Obligations” and the obligations under any Qualified Receivables Transaction.

Consolidated Fixed Charges ” shall mean, for any period, calculated on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (i) (x) the sum of (a) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for such period, (b) the amount of cash payments made (net of cash refunds received) during such period by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Taxes based on income or profits (including state franchise taxes accounted for as income taxes in accordance with GAAP) during such period, (c) the aggregate amount of scheduled repayments of principal during such period in respect of any Consolidated Indebtedness, (d) dividends and distributions paid in cash during such period by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and (e) Maintenance Capital Expenditures for such period times (y) the Builder Multiplier for such period, minus (or plus) (ii) net cash repayments of principal received from (or net cash loans made to) CNXC during such period under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement; provided that the amount deducted from Consolidated Fixed Charges for any period pursuant to this clause (ii), to the extent such amounts received from CNXC are not funded by CNXC Internally Generated Cash, shall not exceed the aggregate principal amount of the payments required to be made with respect to the Term A Loans under Section 3.1 [Scheduled Amortization of Initial Term A Loans] during such period.

Consolidated Indebtedness ” shall mean the sum (without duplication) of (a) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries of the type referenced under the first instances of clause (1), (2) or (3) of the definition of “Indebtedness” outstanding on such date and (b) all obligations of Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries under (i) any drawn letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar credit transactions that are not reimbursed within one Business Day following receipt by Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary of a demand for reimbursement following payment on such letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction and (ii) to the extent that the aggregate face amount thereof exceeds $250,000,000, undrawn letters of credit (including Letters of Credit issued hereunder), bankers’ acceptances or similar credit transactions, in each case of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding as of such date, in each case under clause (a) or (b), after giving effect to all incurrences and repayments of such Indebtedness occurring on such date.

 

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Consolidated Interest Expense ” shall mean, for any period, the total interest expense of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (excluding (i) write-off of deferred financing costs and (ii) accretion of interest charges on future plugging and abandonment obligations, future retirement benefits and other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness), plus, to the extent not included in such total interest expense, and to the extent incurred by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, without duplication:

(1) interest expense attributable to Capital Lease Obligations;

(2) capitalized interest;

(3) non-cash interest expense; and

(4) net costs (including amortization of fees and up-front payments) associated with Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements that, at the time entered into, resulted in the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries being net payees as to future payouts under such Interest Rate Agreements or Currency Agreements, and Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements for which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has paid a premium;

provided that “Consolidated Interest Expense” shall not include any amortization of costs relating to original debt issuances other than the amortization of debt discount related to the issuance of zero coupon securities or other securities with an original issue price of not more than 90% of the principal thereof. Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

Consolidated Net Income ” shall mean the aggregate net income (loss) attributable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

(1) any net income of any other Person if such other Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that:

(a) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (4) of this definition, the Borrower’s equity in the net income of such other Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such other Person during such period to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution paid to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (2) of this definition); and

(b) the Borrower’s equity in a net loss of any such other Person for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;

(2) any net income of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) if such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Borrower, except that:

(a) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (4) below, the Borrower’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution paid to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause); and

 

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(b) the Borrower’s equity in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;

(3) any income or loss attributed to discontinued operations;

(4) any extraordinary gains or losses, together with any related provision for taxes on such gains or losses;

(5) any gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such gains or losses, on Dispositions outside the ordinary course of business;

(6) any non-cash compensation expense realized for grants of performance shares, stock, stock options or other equity-based awards;

(7) unrealized losses and gains under derivative instruments included in the determination of Consolidated Net Income, including those resulting from the application of FASB ASC 815;

(8) any non-cash asset impairment or write-downs (other than of any current assets) under GAAP or SEC guidelines; provided that any reversal or other benefit of any such impairment or write-down in any future period shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income in such future period;

(9) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles; and

(10) any income arising out of payments of principal under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents.

Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment ” shall mean, for any period on a consolidated basis, the amount (which may be a negative number) by which Net Working Capital as of the beginning of such period exceeds (or is less than) Net Working Capital as of the end of such period.

Contractual Requirement ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.6 [No Conflict].

Co-Owners ” shall mean, collectively, CPCC and Conrhein.

Covered Entity ” shall mean (a) the Borrower, each of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, all Guarantors and all pledgors of Collateral, and (b) each Person that, directly or indirectly, is an Affiliate of a Person described in clause (a) above.

CPCC ” shall mean Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

CTA ” shall mean, at any time, the amount which, in accordance with GAAP, would be set forth under the caption “Total Assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, excluding the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries and all assets that are considered to be intangible assets under GAAP, as of (unless otherwise specified) the end of the latest fiscal period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements] or 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements] at or prior to such time.

 

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Cumulative Credit ” shall mean, at any time, an amount, determined on a cumulative basis equal to, without duplication:

(1) for each Excess Cash Flow Period, (x) Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Period minus (y) the Applicable ECF Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Period; plus

(2) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower following the Closing Date from the issuance or sale of equity of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock, Net Cash Proceeds applied pursuant to Section 8.2.5(d) [Restricted Payments] and Net Cash Proceeds received from an issuance or sale of such Capital Stock to a Subsidiary of the Borrower or an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or guaranteed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination)); plus

(3) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary following the Closing Date from the incurrence of Indebtedness following the Closing Date (other than Net Cash Proceeds received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower) that has been converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower (less the amount of any cash, or the Fair Market Value of any other property, distributed by the Borrower upon such conversion or exchange), together with the net proceeds, if any, received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower upon such conversion or exchange; plus

(4) any dividends or distributions received in cash by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than any payment under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents) after the Closing Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary; plus

(5) $50,000,000; minus

(6) the aggregate amount of Investments made using the Cumulative Credit pursuant to Section 8.2.4(r)(y) [Loans and Investments] after the Closing Date and prior to such time; minus

(7) the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 8.2.5(h)(y) [Restricted Payments] after the Closing Date and prior to such time.

Currency Agreement ” shall mean in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

Current Lender ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11.1 [Establishment of Incremental Facilities].

Customary Recourse Exceptions ” shall mean, with respect to any Non-Recourse Debt of any Person, exclusions from the exculpation provisions with respect to such Non-Recourse Debt for the voluntary bankruptcy of such Person, fraud, misapplication of cash, environmental claims, waste, willful destruction and other circumstances customarily excluded by lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements in non-recourse financings.

 

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Defaulting Lender ” shall mean any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) in the case of a Revolving Lender, fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Loans or (iii) pay over to any Agent, any Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or any Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the applicable Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or the applicable Administrative Agent in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within two Business Days after request by the applicable Administrative Agent or the Borrower, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and, if applicable, participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swing Loans under this Agreement; provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon the applicable Administrative Agent’s or the Borrower’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to the applicable Administrative Agent or the Borrower, as the case may be, (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or (e) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, become the subject of a Bail-In Action.

As used in this definition and in Section 2.15 [Defaulting Lenders], the term “ Bankruptcy Event ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, such Person or such Person’s direct or indirect parent company becoming the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or having had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the applicable Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment; provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of (i) any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person or such Person’s direct or indirect parent company by an Official Body or instrumentality thereof if, and only if, such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Official Body or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person or (ii) the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator with respect to a Person or a Person’s direct or indirect parent company under the Dutch Financial Supervision Act 2007 (as amended from time to time and including any successor legislation) if applicable law prohibits the public disclosure of such appointment and so long as such appointment has in fact not been publicly disclosed.

Deposit Accounts ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the UCC.

Designated Non-Cash Consideration ” shall mean the Fair Market Value of non-cash Consideration received by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower in connection with a Disposition that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Temporary Cash Investments received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

 

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Discounted Prepayment ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(a)(i) [Discounted Prepayment Offers].

Discounted Prepayment Effective Date ” shall mean five (5) Business Days following the Discounted Prepayment Response Date in accordance with Section 2.16(b) [Procedures], unless a shorter period is agreed to between the Borrower and the applicable Administrative Agent.

Discounted Prepayment Offer ” shall mean the irrevocable written offer by a Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.16(b) , submitted in response to an invitation to submit offers following the applicable Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation.

Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation ” shall mean a written notice of the Borrower’s solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.16(a) [Discounted Prepayment Offer] substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.16(a) .

Discounted Prepayment Proration ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(b)(iii) [Procedures].

Discounted Prepayment Response Date ” shall mean, with respect to any Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation, the date and time specified in such Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation, which shall be no less than three (3) full Business Days after delivery of such notice to applicable Lenders, as such date may be extended upon notice by the Borrower to the applicable Administrative Agent and each Lender holding the applicable Class of Loans before the previously announced Discounted Prepayment Response Date.

Disposition ” or “ Dispose ” shall mean the sale, conveyance, assignment, lease, sale and leaseback, abandonment or other transfer or disposal of, voluntarily or involuntarily, of any property or assets, tangible or intangible, including the sale, assignment, discount or other disposition of Accounts, equipment or general intangibles with or without recourse, the issuance or sale of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary or granting of options or rights of first refusal in such assets. In the case of the grant of an option or right of first refusal with respect to any asset, the date of such grant shall be deemed to be the date of Disposition of such asset.

Disqualified Person ” shall mean (a) a Person whose primary business competes with that of the Borrower and is identified by the Borrower in writing prior to October 6, 2017 to the Administrative Agents as a “Disqualified Person” and (b) any Affiliate of a Person referred to in clause (a), which Affiliate is identified by the Borrower in writing prior to October 6, 2017 to the Administrative Agents as a “Disqualified Person” or identified by the applicable Administrative Agent as an Affiliate of a Person referred to in clause (a) solely on the basis of its name; provided that any Affiliate of a Disqualified Person that is (i) a bank, (ii) a bona fide diversified debt fund or (iii) an investment vehicle that is engaged in the making, purchasing, holding or investing in, acquiring or trading commercial loans, bonds or similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course, is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a Disqualified Person. The Borrower may supplement the list of Disqualified Persons to add competitors (and their respective Affiliates) of the Borrower from time to time in writing to the Administrative Agents; provided that (a) each supplement shall only be given effect two Business Days after it is provided to the Lenders and (b) the Borrower may not supplement the list of Disqualified Persons to add any Person that is referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above.

 

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Disqualified Stock ” shall mean any Equity Interests of a Person or any Restricted Subsidiary that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable, in either case at the option of the holder thereof) or otherwise (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (b) is or may become redeemable or repurchaseable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part or (c) is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, on or prior to the earlier of, in the case of clause (a), (b) or (c) above, (i) 91 days after the then Latest Maturity Date and (ii) upon Payment In Full ( provided that only the portion of Equity Interests which is mandatorily redeemable or matures or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock), in each case other than in exchange for Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock).

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence:

(1) any Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Borrower to repurchase such Equity Interests upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset disposition will not constitute Disqualified Stock if such Equity Interests provide that the issuer thereof will not redeem any such Equity Interests pursuant to such provisions prior to the repayment in full of the Obligations (other than unasserted contingent obligations);

(2) any Equity Interests issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations; and

(3) any Equity Interests held by any future, current or former employee, director, manager or consultant (or their respective trusts, estates, investment funds, investment vehicles or immediate family members) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case upon the termination of employment or death of such person pursuant to any stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

Dollars ,” “ U.S. Dollars ” and the symbol “ $ ” shall each mean lawful money of the United States of America.

EEA Financial Institution ” shall mean (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clause (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country ” shall mean any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, or any other country that is a member of the European Economic Area.

EEA Resolution Authority ” shall mean any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

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Eligibility Date ” shall mean, with respect to each Loan Party and each Swap, the date on which this Agreement or any other Loan Document becomes effective with respect to such Swap (for the avoidance of doubt, the Eligibility Date shall be the effective date of such Swap if this Agreement or any other Loan Document is then in effect with respect to such Loan Party, and otherwise it shall be the Closing Date).

Eligible Contract Participant ” shall mean an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and regulations thereunder.

Environment ” shall mean ambient air, indoor air, surface water, groundwater, drinking water, land surface and sub-surface strata and natural resources such as wetlands, flora and fauna.

Environmental Laws ” shall mean any and all applicable current and future federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental restrictions or common law causes of action relating to (a) protection of the Environment or to emissions, discharges, Releases or threatened Releases of Hazardous Materials, (b) human health as affected by Hazardous Materials, or (c) mining operations and activities to the extent relating to protection of the Environment or reclamation, including the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act or to occupational or miner health and safety, pr o vided that “Environmental Laws” do not include any laws relating to worker or retiree benefits, including benefits arising out of occupational diseases.

Environmental Liability ” shall mean any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities) directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage or treatment of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Equity Interests ” of any Person shall mean (1) any and all Capital Stock of such Person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such Capital Stock of such Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into Equity Interests, regardless of whether such debt securities include any right of participation with Equity Interests.

ERISA ” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in effect.

ERISA Affiliate ” shall mean, at any relevant time, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

ERISA Event ” shall mean (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or

 

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notification to the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or experienced a mass withdrawal within the meaning of Section 4219 of ERISA; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan, or the treatment of a plan amendment as a termination of a Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, respectively; (e) the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (f) an event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA; (h) Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate is informed that any Multiemployer Plan to which Borrower or the ERISA Affiliate contributes is in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (i) the failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of a Pension Plan, whether or not waived, or a failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; or (j) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” shall mean the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

European Interbank Market ” shall mean the European interbank market for Euro operating in Participating Member States.

Event of Default ” shall mean any of the events described in Section 9.1 [Events of Default] and referred to therein as an “Event of Default.”

Excess Cash Flow ” shall mean, for any Excess Cash Flow Period, the excess, if any, of:

(a) the sum, without duplication, of:

(i) Consolidated EBITDA for such Excess Cash Flow Period;

(ii) the Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment for such Excess Cash Flow Period,

(iii) to the extent not otherwise increasing Consolidated EBITDA during such Excess Cash Flow Period, cash interest income received during such Excess Cash Flow Period; and

(iv) the amount related to items that were deducted from or not added to net income when calculating Consolidated Net Income or were deducted from or not added to Consolidated Net Income in calculating Consolidated EBITDA to the extent either (i) such items represented cash received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) such items do not represent cash paid by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case on a consolidated basis during such Excess Cash Flow Period;

over

(b) the sum, without duplication, of

 

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(i) to the extent not otherwise reducing Consolidated EBITDA in such Excess Cash Flow Period, Consolidated Fixed Charges for such Excess Cash Flow Period (but without giving effect to the proviso in the definition thereof);

(ii) Capital Expenditures (without duplication of Maintenance Capital Expenditures included in Consolidated Fixed Charges) and Investments made pursuant to Section 8.2.4(a), (c), (d), (h), (l), or (r)(x) [Loans and Investments], in each case made with Internally Generated Cash during such Excess Cash Flow Period;

(iii) (x) voluntary prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans (to the extent that such prepayment is accompanied by a permanent and simultaneous equivalent reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments) and Term A Loans in such Excess Cash Flow Period (in each case, other than from proceeds of long-term Indebtedness (other than revolving Indebtedness)) pursuant to Section 5.6.1 [Right to Prepay], (y) payments of the principal of any Indebtedness during such Excess Cash Flow Period (other than Indebtedness under this Agreement) otherwise permitted hereunder to the extent paid using Internally Generated Cash other than the prepayment of any Indebtedness under any revolving credit arrangement that are not accompanied by a permanent equivalent reduction in the related revolving commitments and (z) amounts expended using Internally Generated Cash in connection with prepayments of Term Loans made pursuant to Section 2.16 [Discounted Prepayment Offers] during such Excess Cash Flow Period;

(iv) the aggregate amount of any cash payments made by Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such Excess Cash Flow Period in respect of expenses and losses (minus the aggregate amount of any cash received in respect of gains) referred to in clause (4) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income” included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such Excess Cash Flow Period, which aggregate amount may be a negative number, determined on a consolidated basis; and

(v) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash amounts that increased Consolidated EBITDA for such Excess Cash Flow Period.

Excess Cash Flow Period ” shall mean each fiscal year of the Borrower commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Excluded Account ” shall mean a Deposit Account (i) which is used solely for making payroll and withholding tax payments related thereto and other employee wage and benefit payments and accrued and unpaid employee compensation (including salaries, wages, bonuses, benefits and expense reimbursements), (ii) which is used solely for paying or remitting taxes, including sales taxes, (iii) which is used solely as an escrow account or as a fiduciary or trust account, in each case, for the benefit of unaffiliated third parties or (iv) the aggregate average daily balance in which (in each case determined for the most recently completed calendar month) does not at any time exceed $250,000; provided that the average daily balance in all Deposit Accounts referred to in this clause (iv) shall not exceed $3,000,000.

Excluded Assets ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.1.17(b) [Collateral].

 

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Excluded Subsidiaries ” shall mean (a) each Unrestricted Subsidiary, (b) each CFC and each CFC Holdco, (c) each Immaterial Subsidiary, (d) each Receivables Subsidiary, (e) CNXC GP, and (f) each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not directly or indirectly wholly-owned by the Borrower; provided that (i) a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party shall not become an Excluded Subsidiary by virtue of a transfer of a portion of the equity in such Restricted Subsidiary (except pursuant to a bona fide joint venture transaction permitted hereunder) until a majority of the Equity Interests in such Restricted Subsidiary are Disposed of in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments] or Section 8.2.7 [Dispositions] and (ii) in no event shall (x) any owner of any portion of the Required Collateral or (y) any Co-Owners, in each case, be an Excluded Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Person that is an obligor or guarantor under any Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2.1(i) or (m) [Indebtedness] shall not be an Excluded Subsidiary and, if not already a Guarantor, shall become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 8.1.9 [Additional Guarantors].

Excluded Swap Obligation ” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an Eligible Contract Participant at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps of such Guarantor for which such Guaranty or security interest is or becomes illegal.

Excluded Taxes ” shall mean, with respect to any Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by such recipient’s net income or profits (however denominated), and franchise Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), by a jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) as a result of such recipient being organized or having its principal office located or, in the case of any Lender, applicable lending office in such jurisdiction or that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) any branch profits Taxes imposed under section 884(a) of the Code, or any similar Tax, imposed by any jurisdiction described in clause (a) above, (c) in the case of a Lender, any U.S. federal withholding Tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Lender pursuant to a Law in effect at the time such Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, immediately prior to the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 5.9.1 [Payments Free of Taxes], (d) any withholding Tax attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with Section 5.9.5 [Status of Lenders] and (e) any Tax imposed pursuant to FATCA.

Existing Class ” shall mean a Class of Existing Term Loans or a Class of Existing Revolving Credit Commitments.

Existing Letter of Credit ” shall mean the Letters of Credit originally issued under the GasCo Credit Agreement and set forth on Schedule 1.1(C) ; provided that, from and after the Specified Receivables Transaction Closing Date, the Existing Letters of Credit shall exclude the Specified Receivables Transaction Letters of Credit.

Existing Revolving Credit Commitments ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(b) [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments].

Existing Term Loans ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(a) [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments].

 

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Extended Class ” shall mean a Class of Extended Term Loans or a Class of Extended Revolving Credit Commitments.

Extended Revolving Credit Commitments ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(b) [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments].

Extended Term A Loans ” shall mean Extended Term Loans that extend existing Term A Loans.

Extended Term B Loans ” shall mean Extended Term Loans that extend existing Term B Loans.

Extended Term Commitment ” shall mean as to any Lender its commitment to provide Extended Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.12 [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments].

Extended Term Loans ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(a) [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments].

Extending Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(c) [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments].

Extension Effective Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(c) [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments].

Extension Election ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(c) [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments].

Extension Request ” shall mean a Revolving Extension Request or a Term Extension Request.

Fair Market Value ” shall mean the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Borrower in the case of amounts of at least the Threshold Amount and otherwise by a Responsible Officer, any such determination being conclusive for all purposes under this Agreement. In determining the Fair Market Value of any Real Property, a subsurface interest of a Loan Party shall be deemed part of the same Real Property as other subsurface interests of such Loan Party or other Loan Parties when such subsurface interest is, or could reasonably be, part of the same operating complex as such other subsurface interests.

FATCA ” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as of the date hereof (and any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to the current Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code (and any amended or successor version described above), and any intergovernmental agreements (and any related laws or official administrative guidance) implementing the foregoing.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” for any day shall mean the rate per annum (based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed and rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any successor) on such day as being the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions on the previous trading day, as computed and announced

 

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by such Federal Reserve Bank (or any successor) in substantially the same manner as such Federal Reserve Bank computes and announces the weighted average it refers to as the “Federal Funds Effective Rate” as of the date of this Agreement; provided , if such Federal Reserve Bank (or its successor) does not announce such rate on any day, the “Federal Funds Effective Rate” for such day shall be the Federal Funds Effective Rate for the last day on which such rate was announced. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, in the event the rate determined pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be less than zero, then (for the avoidance of doubt) the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

Federal Funds Open Rate ” for any day shall mean the rate per annum (based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) which is the daily federal funds open rate as quoted by ICAP North America, Inc. (or any successor) as set forth on the Bloomberg Screen BTMM for that day opposite the caption “OPEN” (or on such other substitute Bloomberg Screen that displays such rate), or if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Screen BTMM (or any substitute screen), as set forth on such other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying such rate as selected by the applicable Administrative Agent (for the purposes of this definition only, an “ Alternate Source ”) or if such rate for such day does not appear on the Bloomberg Screen BTMM (or any substitute screen) or on any Alternate Source, or if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Screen BTMM (or any substitute screen) or any Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate determined by the applicable Administrative Agent at such time (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error); provided , however , that if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Open Rate for such day shall be the “open” rate on the immediately preceding Business Day. If and when the Federal Funds Open Rate changes, the rate of interest with respect to any advance to which the Federal Funds Open Rate applies will change automatically without notice to the Borrower, effective on the date of any such change.

Finance Co. ” shall mean any direct, wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower incorporated to become or otherwise serving as a co-issuer or co-borrower of Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement, which Subsidiary meets the following conditions at all times: (a) the provisions of Section 8.1.9 [Additional Guarantors] have been complied with in respect of such Subsidiary, and such Subsidiary is a Restricted Subsidiary and a Loan Party, (b) such Subsidiary shall be a domestic Subsidiary that is a corporation, and (c) such Subsidiary does not (i) incur, directly or indirectly any Indebtedness or any other obligation or liability whatsoever other than Indebtedness of the Borrower for which it serves as co-issuer or co-borrower, (ii) engage in any business, activity or transaction, or own any property, assets or Equity Interests, other than (A) performing its obligations and activities incidental to the co-issuance or co-borrowing of Indebtedness of the Borrower and (B) other activities incidental to the maintenance of its existence, including legal, tax and accounting administration, (iii) consolidate with or merge with or into any Person, or (iv) fail to hold itself out to the public as a legal entity separate and distinct from all other Persons.

Financial Covenants ” shall mean the covenants set forth in Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants].

Financial Projections ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.9(b) [Financial Projections].

First Lien Gross Leverage Ratio ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (without duplication): (A) (x) Consolidated First Lien Debt as of such date to (B) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of four fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended on or prior to the date of determination.

 

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Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” shall mean, on any date of determination, the ratio of (1) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of four fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended on or prior to the date of determination to (2) Consolidated Fixed Charges for the applicable Building Period.

Flood Laws ” shall mean (i) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1994 (which comprehensively revised the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973) as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (iii) the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, and (iv) all other applicable Laws relating to policies and procedures that address requirements placed on federally regulated lenders relating to flood matters, in each case, as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

Foreign Lender ” shall mean any Lender that is not a “United States person” as defined in section 7701 of the Code.

Foreign Subsidiaries ” shall mean, for any Person, each Subsidiary of such Person that is incorporated or organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

Form 10 ” shall mean the Form 10 (File No. 001-38147) of the Borrower filed with the SEC on November 2, 2017.

GAAP ” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles as are in effect from time to time, subject to the provisions of Section 1.3 [Accounting Principles], and applied on a consistent basis both as to classification of items and amounts.

GasCo ” shall mean CNX Resources Corporation, a Delaware corporation (f/k/a CONSOL Energy Inc.).

GasCo Credit Agreement ” shall mean that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2014, as amended prior to the Closing Date, by and among GasCo, certain of its Subsidiaries, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as syndication agent, and PNC Bank, National Association, in its capacity as administrative agent.

GasCo Indentures ” shall mean the indentures governing the 8.00% Senior Notes due 2023 and the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2022 of GasCo.

Guarantor ” shall mean each of the parties to this Agreement that is designated as a “Guarantor” on the signature page hereof and each other Person that joins this Agreement as a Guarantor after the date hereof, in each case, until such Person ceases to be a Guarantor in accordance with this Agreement.

Guarantor Joinder ” shall mean a joinder by a Person as a Guarantor under the Loan Documents in the form of Exhibit  1.1(G)(1) .

Guaranty ” of any Person shall mean any obligation of such Person guarantying or in effect guarantying any liability or obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any agreement to indemnify or hold harmless any other Person, any performance bond or other suretyship arrangement and any other form of assurance against loss, including letters of credit issued for the account of Persons other than Loan Parties, except endorsement of negotiable or other instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. “ Guarantied ” shall have a correlative meaning.

 

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Guaranty Agreement ” shall mean the Continuing Agreement of Guaranty and Suretyship in substantially the form of Exhibit  1.1(G)(2) executed and delivered by the Borrower and each of the Guarantors.

Hazardous Materials ” shall mean (i) any explosive substances or wastes and (ii) any chemicals, pollutants or contaminants, substances, materials or wastes, in any form, regulated under, or that could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law, including asbestos and asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea-formaldehyde insulation, mining waste (including tailings), gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any Coal Gas, coal ash, coal combustion by-products or waste, boiler slag, scrubber residue or flue desulphurization residue.

Hedging Obligations ” of any Person shall mean the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Swap Agreement.

Historical Statements ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.9(a) [Historical Statements].

Hydrocarbon Swap Agreement ” shall mean any cap, floor, collar, exchange transaction, hedging contract, forward contract, swap agreement, futures contract, call or put option or any other similar agreement or other exchange or protection agreement relating to Hydrocarbons or power or any other inputs in the production or processing processes for Hydrocarbons (specifically excluding contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business for the future sale and delivery of commodities, including but not limited to take-or-pay contracts).

Hydrocarbons ” shall mean coal, oil, natural gas, casing head gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, diesel, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

Identified Participating Lenders ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.16(b) [Procedures].

Immaterial Real Property ” shall mean Real Property (other than coal reserves) with a Fair Market Value less than $3,000,000.

Immaterial Subsidiary ” shall mean as of any date, any Restricted Subsidiary that does not (i) have assets having an aggregate book value, as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal year of the Borrower, exceeding $1,000,000 or Consolidated Net Income exceeding $1,000,000 for the most recently ended fiscal year of the Borrower, in each case, that is certified in the Perfection Certificate delivered as of the Closing Date or shown in the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate; (ii) have, in the aggregate with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries existing as of such date, (A) an aggregate book value, as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal year of the Borrower, exceeding $3,000,000 or (B) Consolidated Net Income exceeding $3,000,000 for the most recently ended fiscal year of the Borrower, in each case, as shown in the most recently delivered combined or consolidated annual financial statements of the Borrower; provided that, solely with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary that has been acquired or created by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries subsequent to the Closing Date or the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate, (x) the assets and Consolidated Net Income determinations set

 

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forth in clauses (i) and (ii) shall be made by the Borrower based on information concerning such Restricted Subsidiary that is reasonably available to the Borrower at the date of determination and (y) the certification referred to in clause (i) above may take the form of an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agents at any time during the fiscal year in which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired or created (as applicable) and subsequent to the Closing Date or the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate; provided , further , that if any of the thresholds in clause (i) or (ii) would be exceeded, the Borrower shall give written notice to the Administrative Agents that Subsidiaries specified in such notice shall no longer be deemed Immaterial Subsidiaries so that none of the thresholds in clause (i) or (ii) shall be exceeded; or (iii) directly or indirectly Guaranty or otherwise provide credit support for any Indebtedness of a Loan Party. For the avoidance of doubt, the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate in accordance with the first proviso to the immediately preceding sentence shall not be required to include a recertification with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries designated as Immaterial Subsidiaries in the Perfection Certificate delivered as of the Closing Date or as shown the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate.

Incremental Cap ” shall mean, at any time, the greater of (1) $50,000,000 and (2) such amount that immediately after giving effect to the incurrence thereof on a Pro Forma Basis (assuming any Revolving Commitment Increase established at such time has been fully drawn as Revolving Credit Loans) would not result in the First Lien Gross Leverage Ratio exceeding 1.50:1.00; provided that the aggregate amount of Revolving Commitment Increases shall not exceed $100,000,000.

Incremental Effective Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.11.1 [Establishment of Incremental Facilities].

Incremental Facilities ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11 [Incremental Facilities].

Incremental Lender ” shall mean any Person that provides an Incremental Facility.

Incremental Term B Loan Commitment ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11.1 [Establishment of Incremental Facilities].

Incremental Term B Loans ” shall mean term loans established pursuant to an Incremental Term B Loan Commitment or a Term B Loan Increase.

Indebtedness ” shall mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

(1) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of (a) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed, (b) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable and (c) cash borrowings under any Qualified Receivables Transaction;

(2) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;

(3) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property (which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of taking delivery of title to such property), including all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business);

 

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(4) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (1) through (3) of this paragraph) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the first Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit);

(5) Hedging Obligations;

(6) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5) of this paragraph of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons with respect to Preferred Stock and Disqualified Stock for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guaranty; and

(7) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6) of this paragraph of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such first-mentioned Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such first-mentioned Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the Fair Market Value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured.

The “amount” or “principal amount” of any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or other Preferred Stock outstanding at any time of determination as used herein shall be as set forth below or, if not set forth below, determined in accordance with GAAP:

(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness;

(3) in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and (b) the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person;

(4) in the case of any Capital Lease Obligation, the amount determined in accordance with the definition thereof;

(5) in the case of any Preferred Stock, (a) if other than Disqualified Stock, the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and its maximum fixed redemption price or repurchase price or (b) if Disqualified Stock, as specified in the definition thereof;

(6) in the case of any Swap Agreements permitted by Section 8.2.1(f) [Indebtedness], zero;

(7) in the case of all other unconditional obligations, the amount of the liability thereof determined in accordance with GAAP;

(8) in the case of all other contingent obligations, the maximum liability at such date of such Person; and

 

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(9) in the case of a Qualified Receivables Transaction, solely the aggregate amount of cash borrowings thereunder.

For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness, Guaranties of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such amount shall not also be included. If Indebtedness is secured by a letter of credit that serves only to secure such Indebtedness, then the total amount deemed incurred shall be equal to the greater of (a) the principal of such Indebtedness and (b) the amount that may be drawn under such letter of credit.

None of the following shall constitute Indebtedness:

(1) Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification or adjustment of purchase price or from Guaranties securing any obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Subsidiary of the Borrower, other than Guaranties or similar credit support by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

(2) obligations to pay accrued expenses, any trade payables or other similar liabilities to trade creditors and other accrued current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business as the deferred purchase price of property;

(3) any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person;

(4) obligations to pay royalties and other amounts due in the ordinary course of business to royalty and working interest owners;

(5) obligations arising from Guaranties to suppliers, lessors, licensees, contractors, franchisees or customers incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(6) obligations (other than express Guaranties of Indebtedness for borrowed money) in respect of Indebtedness of other Persons arising in connection with (a) trade acceptances and (b) endorsements of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

(7) obligations arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such obligation is extinguished within two Business Days of its incurrence;

(8) obligations in respect of any obligations under workers’ compensation laws and similar legislation;

(9) any unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of FASB ASC 815);

(10) Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in customary amounts consistent with the operations and business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(11) any repayment or reimbursement obligation of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to Customary Recourse Exceptions, unless and until an event or circumstance occurs that triggers the Person’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s direct repayment or reimbursement obligation (as opposed to contingent or performance obligations) to the lender or other Person to whom such obligation is actually owed, in which case the amount of such direct payment or reimbursement obligation shall constitute Indebtedness; and

(12) earn-out obligations in respect of Consideration in an acquisition permitted hereunder until such obligations would be required to be reflected on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP ( provided that the amount of such earn-out obligations reflected on a balance sheet shall be counted in the Consideration at such time).

Indemnified Taxes ” shall mean (a) all Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a) above, all Other Taxes.

Indemnitee ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.3.2 [Indemnification by the Borrower].

Indemnity ” shall mean the Regulated Substances Certificate and Indemnity Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(I)(1) , executed and delivered by each of the Loan Parties to each Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Information ” shall mean all information received from the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries relating to the Loan Parties or any of such Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to any Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries.

Initial Term A Loan ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1.3 [Term A Loans].

Initial Term A Loan Commitment ” shall mean, as to any Person at any time, the amount initially set forth opposite such Person’s name on Schedule 1.1(B) in the column labeled “Initial Term A Loan Commitment,” as such Commitment is thereafter assigned or modified, and “ Initial Term A Loan Commitments ” shall mean the aggregate Initial Term A Loan Commitments of all of such Persons.

Initial Term B Loan ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.1.4 [Term B Loans].

Initial Term B Loan Commitment ” shall mean, as to any Person at any time, the amount initially set forth opposite such Person’s name on Schedule 1.1(B) in the column labeled “Initial Term B Loan Commitment,” as such Commitment is thereafter assigned or modified, and “ Initial Term B Loan Commitments ” shall mean the aggregate Initial Term B Loan Commitments of all of the such Persons.

Insolvency Proceeding ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, (a) a case, action or proceeding with respect to such Person (i) before any court or any other Official Body under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar Law now or hereafter in effect, or (ii) for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or similar official) of any Loan Party or otherwise relating to the liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or relief of such Person, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, marshaling of assets for creditors, or other, similar arrangement in respect of such Person’s creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors undertaken under any Law.

 

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Intercompany Subordination Agreement ” shall mean the Subordination Agreement among the Loan Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries, dated as of the Closing Date, in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(I)(2) , executed and delivered by the Loan Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

Intercreditor Agreement ” shall mean the Intercreditor Agreement dated as of the date hereof, among the Collateral Agent, the Second Lien Notes Collateral Agent and the Second Lien Notes Trustee.

Interest Period ” shall mean the period of time selected by the Borrower in connection with (and to apply to) any election permitted hereunder by the Borrower to have Loans bear interest under the LIBOR Rate Option. Subject to the last sentence of this definition, such period shall be two weeks, one, two, three or six Months or, to the extent agreed to by all applicable Lenders, 12 Months; provided that an Interest Period of two weeks shall be available exclusively for Revolving Credit Loans; provided further that if a period of two weeks is selected, the LIBOR Rate for such period shall be the LIBOR Rate that is applicable to a period of one Month. Such Interest Period shall commence on the effective date of such Interest Rate Option, which shall be the Borrowing Date. Notwithstanding the second sentence hereof: (a) any Interest Period which would otherwise end on a date which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, and (b) the Borrower shall not select, convert to or renew an Interest Period for any portion of any Loans that would end after the Maturity Date of such Loans.

Interest Rate Agreement ” shall mean any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement relating to fluctuations in interest rates.

Interest Rate Option ” shall mean any LIBOR Rate Option or Base Rate Option.

Internally Generated Cash ” shall mean any cash of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not generated from a Disposition outside the ordinary course of business, a Casualty Event, an incurrence of Indebtedness, an issuance of Equity Interests or a capital contribution to the Borrower.

Investment ” in any Person shall mean any (1) direct or indirect advance, loan or other extensions of credit (including by way of Guaranty or similar arrangement), or capital contribution to such Person (including any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others but excluding (a) advances to customers and contract miners or joint interest partners in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender, and (b) trade payables and extensions of trade credit on commercially reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade practices), (2) all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet or (3) any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar securities issued by such Person. Except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, the amount of an Investment shall be its Fair Market Value at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value. If the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise Disposes of any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Restricted Subsidiary issues any Capital Stock, in either case, such that, after giving effect to any such sale or Disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or other disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Capital Stock of and all other Investments in such Person retained.

 

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For purposes of Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments] with respect to Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries:

(1) “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Borrower’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Borrower at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and upon a redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the aggregate amount of Investments outstanding under Section 8.2.4(h) [Loans and Investments] shall be reduced (but not below zero) by an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Borrower’s proportionate interest in such Subsidiary immediately following such redesignation; and

(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer.

IRS ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.

ISP ” shall mean, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance of such Letter of Credit).

Issuer Documents ” shall mean with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the applicable Issuing Lender and any Loan Party or in favor of the applicable Issuing Lender and relating to such Letter of Credit.

Issuing Lenders ” shall mean each Revolving Lender (or Affiliate thereof designated as an Issuing Lender by such Revolving Lender).

Joint Venture ” shall mean any Person that is not a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower in which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary makes any equity Investment.

Labor Contracts ” shall mean all employment agreements, employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements and other agreements among the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and its employees.

Latest Maturity Date ” shall mean, at any date of determination, the latest Maturity Date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, including after giving effect to any Additional Credit Extension Amendment.

Law ” shall mean any law (including common law), constitution, statute, treaty, regulation, rule, ordinance, opinion, issued guidance, release, ruling, order, executive order, injunction, writ, decree, bond, judgment, authorization or approval, lien or award of or any settlement arrangement, by agreement, consent or otherwise, with any Official Body, foreign or domestic.

LC Disbursement ” shall mean a payment made by an Issuing Lender pursuant to a Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender.

Lead Arrangers ” shall mean PNC Capital Markets LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (or any other registered broker-dealer wholly-owned by Bank of America Corporation to which all or substantially all of Bank of America Corporation’s or any of its subsidiaries’ investment banking, commercial lending services or related businesses may be transferred following the date of this Agreement) and The Huntington National Bank in their capacities as joint lead arrangers of the revolving credit and term loan facilities hereunder.

 

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Lenders ” shall mean the Revolving Lenders, the Swingline Lenders, the Term A Lenders and the Term B Lenders and the holders of any Class of Term Loans or Commitments established after the Closing Date.

Letter of Credit ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.9.1(a) [Issuance of Letters of Credit] and shall include the Existing Letters of Credit.

Letter of Credit Aggregate Sublimit ” shall mean, at any time, the amount equal to 100% of the Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

Letter of Credit Fee ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.9.2 [Letter of Credit Fees].

Letter of Credit Issuing Lender Sublimit ” shall mean, with respect to each Issuing Lender, an amount equal to such Issuing Lender’s (or its designated Affiliate’s) Ratable Share of the Letter of Credit Aggregate Sublimit or, if lesser, the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Issuing Lender (or its Affiliate that is the Revolving Lender).

Letter of Credit Maturity Date ” shall mean the date which is 10 Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date, but, as to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by any Issuing Lender, without giving effect to the parenthetical phrase in the definition of “Revolving Maturity Date” unless the applicable Additional Credit Extension Amendment has been consented to in writing by such Issuing Lender.

Letter of Credit Obligations ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit on such date (if any Letter of Credit shall increase in amount automatically in the future, such aggregate amount available to be drawn shall currently give effect to any such future increase) plus the aggregate outstanding Reimbursement Obligations on such date. The Letter of Credit Obligations of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Ratable Share of the total Letter of Credit Obligations at such time. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.5 [Letter of Credit Amounts]. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.13 or Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

LIBOR Rate ” shall mean, with respect to the Loans comprising any Borrowing Tranche to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies for any Interest Period, the interest rate per annum determined by the applicable Administrative Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1% per annum) (i) the rate which appears on the Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or on such other substitute Bloomberg page that displays rates at which US dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market), or the rate which is quoted by another source selected by the applicable Administrative Agent as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying rates at which U.S. Dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market (an “ LIBOR Alternate Source ”), at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period as the Relevant Interbank Market offered rate for U.S. Dollars for an amount comparable to such Borrowing Tranche and having a borrowing date and a

 

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maturity comparable to such Interest Period (or if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or any substitute page) or any LIBOR Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate determined by the applicable Administrative Agent at such time (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error)), by (ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the LIBOR Reserve Percentage. LIBOR may also be expressed by the following formula:

 

LIBOR Rate =   

London interbank offered rates quoted by Bloomberg

or appropriate successor as shown on Bloomberg Page BBAM1

1.00 - LIBOR Reserve Percentage

The LIBOR Rate shall be adjusted with respect to any Loan to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies that is outstanding on the effective date of any change in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage as of such effective date. The applicable Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower of the LIBOR Rate as determined or adjusted in accordance herewith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the LIBOR Rate be less than (i) in the case of Revolving Credit Loans or Term A Loans, 0.00% and (ii) in the case of Term B Loans, 1.00%.

LIBOR Rate Option ” shall mean the option of the Borrower to have Loans bear interest at the rate and under the terms set forth in Section 4.1.1(a)(ii) [LIBOR Rate Option].

LIBOR Reserve Percentage ” shall mean as of any day the maximum percentage in effect on such day, as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the reserve requirements (including supplemental, marginal and emergency reserve requirements) with respect to eurocurrency funding.

Lien ” shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien, security interest, charge or other similar encumbrance or security arrangement of any nature whatsoever, whether voluntarily or involuntarily given, including any conditional sale or title retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of, security and any filed financing statement or other notice of any of the foregoing (whether or not a lien or other encumbrance is created or exists at the time of the filing), but shall not include any operating lease.

LLC Interests ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.3 [Subsidiaries].

Loan Documents ” shall mean this Agreement, each Administrative Agent’s Letter, the Guaranty Agreement, the Indemnity, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, the Notes, the Security Documents and amendments, supplements, joinders or assignments to the foregoing and any other instruments, certificates or documents (expressly excluding any Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product, any Specified Swap Agreements or any other Swap Agreements) delivered or contemplated to be delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, and Loan Document shall mean any of the Loan Documents.

Loan Parties ” shall mean the Borrower and the Guarantors.

Loan Request ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.5.1 [Loan Requests].

Loans ” shall mean the loans made to the Borrower under this Agreement.

Maintenance Capital Expenditures ” shall mean, for any period, the portion of the Borrower’s and the Restricted Subsidiaries’ Capital Expenditures required to maintain the operating capacity of the Borrower’s and the Restricted Subsidiaries’ capital assets for such period as determined in good

 

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faith by the Borrower, specifically excluding the Capital Expenditures for the refuse disposal expansion project for areas 7 and 8 located at the Pennsylvania Mining Complex preparation plant; provided that the Borrower shall provide to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent a brief written explanation of such determination no less than five (5) Business Days prior to the earlier of each time that the Borrower delivers or is required to deliver financial statements pursuant to Sections 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements] and 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements] (or such shorter period as the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent shall agree in its sole discretion), and the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent shall have the right to approve (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) such determination; provided further that if the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent shall not have responded to the Borrower with respect to such explanation within two (2) Business Days after the Borrower delivers it, then such approval will not be deemed to be required.

Make-Whole Premium ” shall mean, with respect to a prepayment of Initial Term B Loans, an amount equal to the present value, as determined by the TLB Administrative Agent in its sole judgment in accordance with accepted financial practice at the date of such prepayment, of (i) all required interest payable on the aggregate principal amount of the Initial Term B Loans subject to such prepayment from the date of such prepayment through and including the first anniversary of the Closing Date calculated using an interest rate equal to (x) the LIBOR Rate for an Interest Period of three months in effect on the third Business Day prior to such prepayment (the “ Three Month LIBO Rate ”) plus (y) the Applicable Margin for Initial Term B Loans bearing interest at the LIBOR Rate Option in effect as of such prepayment date, plus (ii) any prepayment premium that would be payable pursuant to Section 5.6.4 [Prepayment Premium] on the aggregate principal amount of the Initial Term B Loans subject to such prepayment if such prepayment were to be made on the date following the first anniversary of the Closing Date, in each case, discounted to the date of prepayment using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such prepayment date plus 0.50%.

Margin Stock ” shall have the meaning provided in Regulation U.

Margin Stock Regulation ” shall mean Regulation U, T or X as promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended from time to time.

Material Acquisition/Disposition ” shall mean any Investment, Permitted Acquisition or Disposition that involves (a) an acquisition or disposition of assets, the Fair Market Value of which assets exceeds $25,000,000 or (b) a change in Consolidated EBITDA that exceeds $10,000,000 per four fiscal quarter period.

Material Adverse Change ” shall mean any set of circumstances or events that (a) has or would reasonably be expected to have any material adverse effect whatsoever upon the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) is or would reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to the business, properties, assets, financial condition, or results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than CNXC and its Subsidiaries) taken as a whole, (c) impairs materially or would reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of the Loan Parties taken as a whole to duly and punctually pay their Indebtedness under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (d) impairs materially or would reasonably be expected to impair materially the rights and remedies of any Agent or any of the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Material Contract ” shall mean any contract, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is or becomes party, the termination, breach or non-renewal of which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Specified Material Contracts and Permitted Replacement Contracts thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Affiliated Company Loan Documents shall constitute Material Contracts.

 

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Maturity Date ” shall mean (a) with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitments, Swing Loans and Revolving Credit Loans, the Revolving Maturity Date, (b) with respect to the Term A Loans, the Term A Loan Maturity Date and (c) with respect to the Term B Loans, the Term B Loan Maturity Date.

Maximum Prepayment Price ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(b)(i) [Procedures].

Month ,” with respect to an Interest Period under the LIBOR Rate Option, shall mean the interval between the days in consecutive calendar months numerically corresponding to the first day of such Interest Period. If any LIBOR Rate Interest Period begins on a day of a calendar month for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the month in which such Interest Period is to end, the final month of such Interest Period shall be deemed to end on the last Business Day of such final month.

Moody’s ” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

Mortgages ” shall mean collectively, (i) the mortgages or deeds of trust with respect to Real Property in which a security interest has been granted on the Closing Date (if any) and (ii) the mortgages or deeds of trust with respect to Real Property in which a security interest is granted after the Closing Date in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(M) , in each case, executed and delivered by the applicable Loan Parties to the Collateral Agent to secure the Obligations, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and “ Mortgage ” shall mean, individually, any of the Mortgages.

Multiemployer Plan ” shall mean any employee benefit plan which is a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or, within the preceding five plan years, has made or had an obligation to make such contributions or has any ongoing obligation with respect to withdrawal liability (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA).

Net Cash Proceeds ” shall mean:

(a) with respect to any Disposition (other than any Permitted Undivided Interests Sale), the cash proceeds received by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (including cash proceeds subsequently received (as and when received by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries) in respect of non-cash consideration initially received), net of (i) selling expenses (including reasonable brokers’ fees or commissions, legal, accounting and other professional and transactional fees, transfer and similar taxes and the Borrower’s good faith estimate of income taxes actually paid or payable in connection with such sale); (ii) amounts provided as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against (x) any liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Disposition or (y) any other liabilities retained by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries associated with the properties sold in such Disposition ( provided that, to the extent and at the time any such amounts are released from such reserve, such amounts shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds); (iii) the Borrower’s good faith estimate of payments required to be made with respect to unassumed liabilities relating to the properties sold within 90 days of such Disposition ( provided that, to the extent such cash proceeds are not used to make payments in respect of such unassumed liabilities within 90 days of such Disposition, such cash proceeds shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds); and (iv) the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest and other amounts on any Indebtedness for borrowed money which is secured by a Lien

 

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(senior to the Lien securing the Obligations) on the properties sold in such Disposition (so long as such Lien was permitted to encumber such properties under the Loan Documents at the time of such sale) and which is repaid with such proceeds (other than any such Indebtedness assumed by the purchaser of such properties);

(b) with respect to any Permitted Undivided Interests Sale, all cash proceeds received from such Permitted Undivided Interests Sale, net of reasonable and customary out-of-pocket legal, accounting, financial advisory and other similar professional and transactional fees and transfer and similar taxes incurred in connection with such Permitted Undivided Interests Sale;

(c) with respect to any incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash proceeds thereof, net of customary fees, commissions, underwriting discounts, costs and other expenses incurred in connection therewith; and

(d) with respect to any Casualty Event, the cash insurance proceeds, condemnation awards and other compensation received in respect thereof, net of (i) all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the collection of such proceeds, awards or other compensation in respect of such Casualty Event, including the Borrower’s good faith estimate of income taxes actually paid or payable in connection with the receipt of such proceeds, awards or other compensation and (ii) the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest and other amounts on any Indebtedness for borrowed money which is secured by a Lien (senior to the Lien securing the Obligations) on the property damaged, destroyed, condemned or taken in such Casualty Event (so long as such Lien was permitted under the Loan Documents at the time of such Casualty Event) and which is repaid with such proceeds (other than any such Indebtedness assumed by any other Person in connection with such Casualty Event).

Net Working Capital ” shall mean, at any time, Consolidated Current Assets at such time minus Consolidated Current Liabilities at such time.

Non-Consenting Lender ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.1.4 [Non-Consenting Lenders].

Non-Recourse Debt ” shall mean, with respect to Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture, Indebtedness:

(1) as to which neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, except for Customary Recourse Exceptions and except by the pledge of (or a Guaranty limited in recourse solely to) the Equity Interests of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture; and

(2) as to which the lenders will not have any recourse to the Capital Stock or assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the Equity Interests of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture), except for Customary Recourse Exceptions.

Non-Extension Notice Date ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.9.1(c) [Issuance of Letters of Credit].

Notes ” shall mean Revolving Credit Notes, the Swing Loan Notes and the Term Notes.

 

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Obligation ” shall mean any obligation or liability of any of the Loan Parties, howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due (including interest, fees, premiums (including any Applicable Prepayment Premium) and other monetary obligations accruing and/or incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), under or in connection with (i) this Agreement, the Loans, the Notes, the Letters of Credit, each Administrative Agent’s Letter or any other Loan Document whether to any Agent, any Issuing Lender, any of the Lenders or their Affiliates or other Persons provided for under such Loan Documents, (ii) any Specified Swap Agreement (other than, with respect to any Guarantor that is not a Qualified ECP Loan Party, Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor) or (iii) any Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product.

OFAC ” shall mean the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Officer’s Certificate ” shall mean a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

Official Body ” shall mean the government of the United States of America or any other nation, or in each case any political subdivision thereof, whether state, local, county, provincial or otherwise, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank) and any group or body charged with setting financial accounting or regulatory capital rules or standards (including the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision or any successor or similar authority to any of the foregoing).

Operating Agreement ” shall mean the Pennsylvania Mining Complex Operating Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, as amended as of the Closing Date, among the Co-Owners and the Operator.

Operator ” shall mean CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (f/k/a CNX Thermal Holdings LLC).

Order ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.9(b) [Liability for Acts and Omissions].

Other Connection Taxes ” shall mean, with respect to any recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to and/or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Note or Loan Document).

Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product ” shall mean agreements or other arrangements under which any Agent, any Lender or Affiliate of any Agent or a Lender (or any Person that was an Agent or a Lender or Affiliate of an Agent or Lender at the time such agreement or arrangement was entered into) provides any of the following products or services to any of the Loan Parties: (a) credit cards, (b) credit card processing services, (c) debit cards, (d) purchase cards, (e) ACH transactions, (f) cash management, including controlled disbursement, accounts or services, or (g) foreign currency exchange.

 

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Other Taxes ” shall mean all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender]).

Participant ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.8.4 [Participations].

Participating Lender ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.16(b) [Procedures].

Participating Member State ” shall mean any member State of the European Communities that adopts or has adopted the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Community relating to Economic and Monetary Union.

Participation Advance ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.4(a) [Repayment of Participation Advances].

Partnership Agreement ” shall mean the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CNXC, dated as of September 30, 2016, among CNXC GP, GasCo and the other parties thereto.

Partnership Interests ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.3 [Subsidiaries].

Patent, Trademark and Copyright Security Agreement ” shall mean the Patent, Trademark and Copyright Security Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, executed and delivered by each of the Loan Parties to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Payment Date ” shall mean the first Business Day of each calendar quarter after the date hereof and on the Maturity Date for the applicable Loans or Commitments or upon termination of the Commitments.

Payment In Full ” and “ Paid in Full ” shall mean the payment in full in cash of the Loans and other Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations not then due) under the Loan Documents, termination of the Commitments and expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (or with respect to any Letter of Credit with an expiration date that extends beyond the Revolving Maturity Date, the pledge of Cash Collateral for such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.9.10 [Cash Collateral Prior to the Revolving Maturity Date]).

PBGC ” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA or any successor.

Pennsylvania Mining Complex ” shall mean those certain coal mines in Greene and Washington Counties, Pennsylvania and Marshall County, West Virginia, commonly known as the Bailey Mine, the Enlow Fork Mine, the Harvey Mine, and the related preparation plant commonly known as the Bailey preparation plant.

 

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Pension Funding Rules ” shall mean the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in Sections 412 and 430 of the Code and Sections 302 and 303 of ERISA.

Pension Plan ” shall mean any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or the Pension Funding Rules and is sponsored or maintained by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or to which Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any times during the immediately preceding five plan years.

Perfection Certificate ” shall mean a certificate in the form of Exhibit 1.1(P)(1) or any other form reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent.

Perfection Certificate Supplement ” shall mean a certificate supplement in the form of Exhibit 1.1(P)(2) or any other form reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent.

Permitted Acquisition ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.2.6(b) [Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions].

Permitted Business ” shall mean the businesses conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Transactions) and any activity that is ancillary or complementary to or necessary or desirable for, or otherwise reasonably related to, such businesses.

Permitted Liens ” shall mean:

(1) Liens existing on the Closing Date and described on Schedule 8.2.2 ;

(2) Liens securing the Obligations in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties;

(3) Liens on cash or Temporary Cash Investments securing Letter of Credit Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit that have an expiration date that extends beyond the Letter of Credit Maturity Date in favor of the applicable Issuing Lender of such Letters of Credit;

(4) Liens in favor of (a) the Borrower or a Guarantor or (b) by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor in favor of any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor;

(5) [reserved];

(6) Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges not yet delinquent or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, promptly instituted and diligently conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been established to the extent required by GAAP as in effect at such time, and which proceedings (or orders entered in connection with such proceedings) have the effect of suspending the enforcement or collection of such Liens;

(7) Liens incurred to secure appeal bonds and judgment Liens not constituting an Event of Default or Potential Default, in each case in connection with litigation or legal proceedings that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

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(8) Liens upon real or personal property other than the Collateral, including any attachment of personal property or real property or other legal process prior to adjudication of a dispute on the merits, (a) if the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently conducted so long as levy and execution thereon have been stayed or bonded and continue to be stayed or bonded, (b) if a final judgment is entered and such judgment is discharged within thirty (30) days of entry, or (c) the payment of which is covered in full (subject to customary deductible) by insurance;

(9) inchoate Liens arising by operation of law;

(10) Liens securing Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings, equipment leases, purchase money obligations or other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2.1(d) [Indebtedness]; provided that such Liens shall attach only to the property (a) acquired with the proceeds of such Indebtedness or (b) which is the subject of such Capital Lease Obligations;

(11) Liens on Collateral securing obligations in respect of Indebtedness incurred or outstanding pursuant to Section 8.2.1(i) [Indebtedness]; provided that such Liens are subordinated to the Liens of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement;

(12) Liens on the Equity Interests of a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary to secure obligations of such Person;

(13) claims, Liens or encumbrances upon, and defects of title to, real or personal property, including any attachment of personal or real property or real property or other legal process prior to adjudication of a dispute on the merits, (a) if the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently conducted so long as levy and execution thereon have been stayed and continue to be stayed, (b) if a final judgment is entered and such judgment is discharged within thirty (30) days of entry, or (c) the payment of which is covered in full (subject to customary deductible) by insurance;

(14) precautionary filings under the UCC by a lessor with respect to personal property leased to such Person;

(15) Liens on insurance policies and proceeds thereof, or other deposits, to secure insurance premium financings;

(16) Liens on Qualified Receivables Assets securing obligations under Indebtedness permitted by Section 8.2.1(j) [Indebtedness];

(17) Liens on cash or Temporary Cash Investments arising in connection with the defeasance, discharge or redemption of Indebtedness permitted hereunder;

(18) [reserved];

(19) other Liens not otherwise permitted hereunder with respect to Indebtedness or other obligations that do not in the aggregate exceed at any one time outstanding the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 1.0% of CTA at such time;

(20) Liens to renew, extend, refinance or refund a Lien referred to in clause (1) above; provided that (i) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property (including future improvements thereon and accessions thereto) subject to the original Lien and (ii) the obligations secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the amount permitted by Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

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(21) statutory and common law banker’s Liens and rights of setoff on bank deposits;

(22) option agreements and rights of first refusal granted with respect to assets that are permitted to be Disposed of pursuant to the terms of Section 8.2.7 [Dispositions];

(23) [reserved];

(24) any leases of assets permitted by Section 8.2.7 [Dispositions];

(25) [reserved];

(26) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary use of such property;

(27) pledges, deposits or bonds made in the ordinary course of business to secure payment of reclamation liabilities or workers’ compensation, or to participate in any fund in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security programs (including pledges or deposits of cash securing letters of credit that secure payment of such workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security programs);

(28) Liens of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen, carriers, or other like Liens (including any other statutory nonconsensual or common law Liens), securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business that are not yet due and payable and Liens of landlords securing obligations to pay lease payments that are not yet due and payable or in default (including pledges or deposits of cash securing letters of credit that secure such Liens of landlords securing obligations to make lease payments that are not yet due and payable or in default) or, with respect to any of the foregoing, that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP and which proceedings (or orders entered in connection with such proceedings) have the effect of suspending the enforcement or collection of such Liens;

(29) good-faith pledges or deposits made or other Liens granted in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or leases, not in excess of the aggregate amount due thereunder or other amounts as may be customary, or to secure statutory obligations, or surety, appeal, indemnity, performance or other similar bonds required in the ordinary course of business (including pledges or deposits of cash securing letters of credit that secure such performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or leases, not in excess of the aggregate amount due thereunder or other amounts as may be customary, or that secure such statutory obligations, or such surety, appeal, indemnity, performance or other similar bonds required in the ordinary course of business);

(30) Liens on cash and Temporary Cash Investments securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 8.2.1(f) [Indebtedness] in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any one time outstanding; and

 

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(31) deposits and escrows of cash pursuant to customary purchase price adjustment, indemnity or similar obligations under agreements related to acquisitions and Dispositions permitted hereunder;

provided that Permitted Liens shall not include any Liens on the Equity Interests of CNXC GP or CNXC other than Liens pursuant to clauses (2) and (11) above.

Permitted Replacement Contract ” shall mean a written agreement, contract or other arrangement that replaces any Specified Material Contract or other Material Contract existing immediately prior to such replacement; provided that the terms are either no less favorable, taken as a whole, to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than CNXC and its Subsidiaries) or are otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agents.

Permitted Undivided Interests Sale ” shall mean a sale that results in the Co-Owners owning a lower percentage of the Undivided Interests and CNX Thermal Holdings LLC owning a higher percentage of the Undivided Interests; provided that (a) not less than 75% of the consideration therefor shall consist of cash and is received by a Loan Party, (b) such Disposition is for Fair Market Value, (c) the proceeds of such Disposition are applied in accordance with Section 5.7.2(b) [Dispositions], (d) no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing or would result therefrom, (e) after giving effect to such Disposition, the Borrower shall be in compliance with the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis and (f) the Borrower shall have delivered to each Administrative Agent prior to such Disposition a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower certifying as to compliance with the requirements of this definition and setting forth in reasonable detail calculations of compliance with the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis.

Permitted Unsecured Notes ” shall mean any unsecured notes issued by the Borrower and/or Finance Co. in one or more transactions; provided that (i) no payment of principal in respect of such notes shall be required prior to six months after the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of issuance (except for customary offers to purchase with proceeds of asset sales or upon the occurrence of a change of control), (ii) such notes shall not include any financial maintenance covenants, and the covenants and events of default shall be customary for high yield debt securities but in any event shall not be more restrictive than the covenants and events of default in the Second Lien Notes Indenture, taken as a whole, and (iii) no Subsidiary of the Borrower shall Guaranty such notes unless such Subsidiary is (or concurrently with any such Guaranty becomes) a Guarantor hereunder.

Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, joint venture, Official Body, or any other entity.

Pledged Securities ” shall mean all of the property described as “Pledged Securities” in the Security Agreement.

Pledgor ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Security Agreement.

PNC ” shall mean PNC Bank, National Association, its successors and assigns.

Potential Default ” shall mean any event or condition which with notice or passage of time, or any combination of the foregoing, would constitute an Event of Default.

Preferred Stock ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of such Person of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

 

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Prime Rate ” shall mean the interest rate per annum announced from time to time by the applicable Administrative Agent at its Principal Office as its then prime rate, which rate may not be the lowest or most favorable rate then being charged to commercial borrowers or others by such Administrative Agent. Any change in the Prime Rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day such change is announced.

Principal Amortization Payment ” shall mean a scheduled payment on the Term Loans of the applicable Class pursuant to Section 3 [Amortization of Term Loans].

Principal Office ” shall mean the main banking office of the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or the main banking office of the TLB Administrative Agent in New Castle, Delaware, as applicable.

Pro Forma Basis ” shall mean:

(1) any Material Acquisition/Disposition and any dividend or distribution on, or repurchases or redemptions of, Capital Stock of the Borrower made or to be made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during the applicable reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the date of determination will be given pro forma effect as if it had occurred on the first day of the applicable reference period;

(2) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the date of determination will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such reference period;

(3) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the date of determination will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such reference period;

(4) other than for purposes of compliance with Section 8.2.13(c) [Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio], Consolidated Fixed Charges shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to incurrences and repayments of Indebtedness (other than ordinary course working capital borrowings and repayments under revolving credit facilities) during the applicable reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the date of determination to the extent in connection with any transaction referred to in clause (1) above as if it had occurred on the first day of the applicable reference period; and

(5) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the calculation date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account the effect on such interest rate of any Specified Swap Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness).

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and in a manner consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, as set forth in a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower (with supporting calculations) and reasonably acceptable to each applicable Administrative Agent. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility (to the extent required to be computed on a pro forma basis) shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or

 

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similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Borrower may designate. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for purposes of compliance with Section 8.2.13(c) [Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio] nor Excess Cash Flow shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

Properties ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.25(b) [Environmental Matters].

PTE ” shall mean a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Qualified ECP Loan Party ” shall mean each Loan Party that on the Eligibility Date is (a) an Eligible Contract Participant (after giving effect to Section 22 of the Guaranty Agreement and any and all other Guaranties of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by the Borrower and any other Guarantor), or (b) an Eligible Contract Participant that can cause another Person to qualify as an Eligible Contract Participant on the Eligibility Date under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act by entering into or otherwise providing a “letter of credit or keepwell, support, or other agreement” for purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Qualified Receivables Assets ” shall mean Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Related Security and proceeds of such Receivables and Related Security that are customarily transferred or in which security interests are granted in connection with asset securitization or factoring transactions involving Receivables.

Qualified Receivables Transaction ” shall mean any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in which the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary may sell, contribute, convey or otherwise transfer to a Receivables Subsidiary or any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any Qualified Receivables Assets, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Specified Receivables Transaction.

Qualifying Offer ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(b)(ii) [Procedures].

Quarterly Payment Date ” shall mean the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December.

Ratable Share ” shall mean:

(i) with respect to a Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans, participate in Swing Loans, issue Letters of Credit, participate in Letters of Credit and other Letter of Credit Obligations, and receive payments, interest, and fees related thereto and for purposes of Section 2.15(a)(iii) and (b) [Defaulting Lenders], (a) the proportion that such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment bears to the Revolving Credit Commitments of all of the Lenders, (b) the proportion that the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s participation in Swing Loans bears to the aggregate Swingline Exposure or (c) as such term is used in the definition of “Letter of Credit Issuing Lender Sublimit,” the proportion that a Lender’s Commitment bears to the Commitments of all the Issuing Lenders (or of their Affiliates that are the Revolving Lenders); provided that in the case of Section 2.15 [Defaulting Lenders] when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Ratable Share” shall mean (x) the percentage of the aggregate Commitments (disregarding any Defaulting

 

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Lender’s Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Commitment and (y) the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Swing Loans (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Swing Loans) represented by such Lenders’ participation in Swing Loans. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Ratable Shares for purposes of this clause shall be determined based upon the Revolving Credit Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments;

(ii) with respect to a Lender’s obligation to make Term A Loans of any Class and receive payments, interest, and fees related thereto, the proportion that the principal amount of such Lender’s Term A Loans bears to the aggregate principal amount of Term A Loans of all of the Lenders of such Class;

(iii) with respect to a Lender’s obligation to make Term B Loans of any Class and receive payments, interest, and fees related thereto, the proportion that the principal amount of such Lender’s Term B Loans bears to the aggregate principal amount of Term B Loans of all of the Lenders of such Class; and

(iv) with respect to all other matters as to a particular Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment plus Term Loans, by (y) the sum of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments plus the Term Loans of all Lenders; provided , however , that if the Revolving Credit Commitments have terminated or expired, the computation in this clause shall be determined based upon the Revolving Credit Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.

Real Property ” shall mean, individually as the context requires, real property that is owned or leased by any Loan Party, including, but not limited to, the surface, Coal, methane gas and other mineral rights, interests and coal leases associated with such property, and “ Real Properties ” shall mean, collectively, as the context requires, all of the foregoing.

Receivable Contract ” shall mean, with respect to any Receivable, any and all contracts, instruments, agreements, leases, invoices, notes or other writings pursuant to which such Receivable arises or that evidence such Receivable or under which the Person obligated to make payments pursuant to such contracts, instruments, agreements, leases, invoices, notes or other writings relating to such Receivable becomes or is obligated to make payment in respect of such Receivable.

Receivables ” shall mean any right to payment of a monetary obligation, whether or not earned by performance, owed to the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary or any Receivables Subsidiary, whether constituting an account, as-extracted collateral, chattel paper, payment intangible, instrument or general intangible, in each instance arising in connection with the sale of goods that have been or are to be sold or for services rendered or to be rendered by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (or, if purchased by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 8.2.8(o) [Affiliate Transactions], by CNXC or any of its Subsidiaries), and includes the obligation to pay any finance charges, fees and other charges with respect thereto. Any such right to payment arising from any one transaction, including any such right to payment represented by an individual invoice or agreement, shall constitute a Receivable separate from a Receivable consisting of any such right to payment arising from any other transaction.

Receivables Related Standstill Agreement ” shall mean an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, pursuant to which the Collateral Agent shall agree with the collateral agent (or person serving a similar function) in respect of the Qualified Receivables Transaction on limitations on Collateral Agent’s exercise of remedies or foreclosure on Collateral constituting Equity Interests of, or subordinated notes issued by, any Receivables Subsidiary.

 

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Receivables Subsidiary ” shall mean a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Borrower (or another Person formed for the purpose of engaging in a Qualified Receivables Transaction with the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary makes an Investment and to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary transfers Receivables) that engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of Receivables, all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets, in each case, relating to such Receivables, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and that is designated by the Borrower’s Board of Directors (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary and

(1) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which:

(a) is Guarantied by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (excluding Guaranties of obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;

(b) is recourse to or obligates the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings; or

(c) subjects any property or asset of the Borrower or of any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;

(2) with which neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms no less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Borrower, other than agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing Receivables; and

(3) with which neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such Receivables Subsidiary’s financial condition or cause such Receivables Subsidiary to achieve certain levels of operating results.

Any designation of a Receivables Subsidiary by the Borrower’s Board of Directors after the Closing Date shall be evidenced to each Administrative Agent by delivering to each Administrative Agent a Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions.

Recipient ” shall mean (i) any Administrative Agent, (ii) any Lender and (iii) any Issuing Lender, as applicable.

Refinance ” shall mean, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, replace, defease or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness. “ Refinanced ” and “ Refinancing ” shall have correlative meanings.

Refinanced Term Loans ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13.1(i) [Refinancing Term Loans].

 

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Refinanced Term Loan Class ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13.1(i) [Refinancing Term Loans].

Refinancing Indebtedness ” shall mean Indebtedness that Refinances any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Closing Date or incurred in compliance with this Agreement, including Indebtedness that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that:

(1) such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

(2) such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

(3) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an aggregate principal amount (or if incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding (plus fees and expenses, including any premium and defeasance costs) under the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

(4) if the refinanced Indebtedness was (A) subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations or the Guaranties thereof, as the case may be, then such Refinancing Indebtedness, by its terms, is subordinate in right of payment to the Obligations or the Guaranties thereof, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being Refinanced or (B) secured by a Lien on Collateral that was contractually junior to the Lien on such Collateral securing the Obligations, then such Refinancing Indebtedness may be secured by such Collateral only to the extent the Liens on such Collateral securing such Refinancing Indebtedness are contractually junior to the Liens on such Collateral securing the Obligations to at least the same extent as in the Indebtedness being Refinanced; and

(5) if the refinanced Indebtedness is purchase money obligations, (a) the holders of such Refinancing Indebtedness agree that they will look solely to the fixed assets so acquired which secure such Refinancing Indebtedness, and neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary (i) is directly or indirectly liable for such Refinancing Indebtedness or (ii) provides credit support, including any undertaking, Guaranty, agreement or instrument, related to such Refinancing Indebtedness that would constitute Indebtedness (other than the grant of a Lien on such acquired fixed assets) and (b) no default or event of default with respect to such Refinancing Indebtedness would cause, or permit (after notice or passage of time or otherwise), any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Guarantor to declare a default or event of default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to any scheduled principal payment, scheduled sinking fund payment or maturity;

provided further , however , that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include:

(a) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of the Borrower;

(b) Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that Refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

 

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(c) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party which Refinances Indebtedness of a Loan Party.

Refinancing Term A Loans ” shall mean Refinancing Term Loans that refinance Term A Loans.

Refinancing Term B Loans ” shall mean Refinancing Term Loans that refinance Term B Loans.

Refinancing Term Lender ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.13.2 [Refinancing Term Loans].

Refinancing Term Loan Effective Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.13.2 [Refinancing Term Loans].

Refinancing Term Loans ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.13.1 [Refinancing Term Loans].

Reimbursement Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.3(b) [Participations, Disbursements, Reimbursement].

Reimbursement Obligation ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.3(b) [Participations, Disbursements, Reimbursement].

Related Parties ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, trustees, administrators, managers and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Related Security ” shall mean, with respect to any Receivable subject to a Qualified Receivables Transaction:

(1) all of the Loan Parties’ interests in any goods (including returned goods), and documentation of title evidencing the shipment or storage of any goods (including returned goods), relating to any sale giving rise to such Receivable,

(2) all instruments and chattel paper that may evidence such Receivable,

(3) all other security interests or liens and property subject thereto from time to time purporting to secure payment of such Receivable, whether pursuant to the contract related to such Receivable or otherwise, together with all UCC financing statements or similar filings relating thereto,

(4) all of the Loan Parties’ rights, interests and claims under the contracts and all guaranties, indemnities, insurance and other agreements (including the related contract) or arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of such Receivable or otherwise relating to such Receivable, whether pursuant to the contract related to such Receivable or otherwise;

(5) all of the Loan Parties’ rights, remedies, powers, privileges, title and interest (but not obligations) under any agreement pursuant to which such Loan Party purchases Receivables from CNXC or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction;

 

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(6) all books and records of the Loan Parties to the extent related to any of the foregoing, and all rights, remedies, powers, privileges, title and interest (but not obligations) in and to each lockbox account and collection account used solely for depositing proceeds of such Receivables, and any related investment property acquired with any such proceeds (as such term is defined in the applicable UCC); and

(7) all proceeds (as defined in the UCC) of any of the foregoing that are or were received by any Loan Party, including all funds which either are received by a Loan Party from or on behalf of the Person(s) obligated to make payments pursuant to the Receivable Contract relating to such Receivable in payment of any amounts owed (including invoice price, finance charges, interest and all other charges) in respect of any of the above Receivables or are applied to such amounts owed by such Person(s) (including any insurance payments that any Loan Party applies in the ordinary course of its business to amounts owed in respect of any of the above Receivables, and net proceeds of sale or other disposition of repossessed goods or other collateral or property of such Person(s) in respect of any of the above Receivables or any other parties directly or indirectly liable for payment of such Receivables).

Release ” shall mean any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharge, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing into or migration into or through the Environment, or into, from or through any building or structure.

Relevant Interbank Market ” shall mean in relation to Euro, the European Interbank Market, and, in relation to any other currency, the London interbank market or other applicable offshore interbank market.

Reorganization Plan ” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.8.2(f)(ii) [No Assignment to Disqualified Person].

Replaced Revolving Credit Commitments ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.14.1 [Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments].

Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.14.1 [Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments].

Replacement Revolving Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14.2 [Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments].

Reportable Compliance Event ” shall mean that any Covered Entity becomes a Sanctioned Person, or is charged by indictment, criminal complaint or similar charging instrument, arraigned, or custodially detained in connection with any Anti-Terrorism Law or any predicate crime to any Anti-Terrorism Law, or has knowledge of facts or circumstances to the effect that it is reasonably likely that any aspect of its operations is in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law.

Reportable Event ” shall mean a reportable event described in Section 4043 of ERISA or regulations thereunder with respect to a Pension Plan.

Required Class  Lenders ” shall mean, with respect to any Class, (i) in the case of any Class of Term Loans, the Lenders of such Class holding more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans of such Class then outstanding and (ii) in the case of any Class of Revolving Credit Commitments, the Lenders of such Class holding more than 50% of the Revolving Credit Commitments of such Class or, after the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments of such Class, the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Ratable Share of Letter of Credit Obligations of such Class; provided that the Revolving Credit Commitment, Loans and Ratable Share of Letter of Credit Obligations of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded.

 

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Required Collateral ” shall mean (a) all Equity Interests of CNXC (other than general partnership interests) owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than CNXC or any of its Subsidiaries), (b) all Equity Interests of CNXC GP, (c) the Undivided Interests in the Pennsylvania Mining Complex owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than CNXC or any of its Subsidiaries), (d) the Baltimore Dock Facility, (e) the Specified Coal Reserves and (f) all rights in the obligations of the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement Loan Parties under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents, including all rights in all Affiliated Company Notes.

Required Flood Materials ” shall mean, at any time of determination, with respect to each Real Property that is improved with a Building and is subject to a Mortgage at such time, or is the subject of a Mortgage to be delivered at such time, (i) a “Life-of-Loan” flood hazard determination with respect to such Real Property and (ii) if such Real Property is located in a special flood hazard area, (a) a notification to the Borrower of that fact and evidence of the receipt by the Borrower of such notice and (b) evidence of flood insurance on such Real Property that complies with Section 8.1.3 [Maintenance of Insurance].

Required Lenders ” shall mean, collectively, (a) Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of (i) the Revolving Credit Commitments or, after the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Ratable Share of Letter of Credit Obligations and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of any Term Loans then outstanding and (b) the Required Revolving/TLA Lenders; provided that the Revolving Credit Commitment, Loans and Ratable Share of Letter of Credit Obligations of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded.

Required Permits ” shall mean all permits, licenses, authorizations, plans, approvals and bonds necessary under the applicable Laws for the Loan Parties to continue to conduct coal mining and related operations on, in or under such parties’ real property, and any and all other mining properties owned or leased by the Borrower or any such Loan Party (collectively, “ Mining Property ”) substantially in the manner as such operations had been authorized immediately prior to such Loan Party’s acquisition of its interests in such real property and as may be necessary for such Loan Party to conduct, in all material respects, coal mining and related operations on, in or under the Mining Property as described in any plan of operation.

Required Revolving Lenders ” shall mean Lenders holding more than 50% of the Revolving Credit Commitments or, after the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Ratable Share of Letter of Credit Obligations; provided that the Revolving Credit Commitment, Revolving Credit Loans and Ratable Share of Letter of Credit Obligations of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded.

Required Revolving/TLA Lenders ” shall mean Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of (a) the Revolving Credit Commitments or, after the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Ratable Share of Letter of Credit Obligations and (b) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Term A Loans; provided that the Revolving Credit Commitment, Loans and Ratable Share of Letter of Credit Obligations of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded.

Required Share ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11 [Settlement Date Procedures].

 

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Responsible Officer ” shall mean, with respect to any Loan Party, each of the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, chief administrative officer, general counsel, secretary, treasurer and assistant treasurer of such Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

Restricted Payment ” shall mean:

(1) the declaration or payment of any dividends or any other distributions of any sort in respect of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) or similar payment to the direct or indirect holders of such Equity Interests, other than:

(a) dividends or distributions payable solely in Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock);

(b) dividends or distributions payable solely to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; and

(c) pro rata dividends or other distributions made by a Restricted Subsidiary to minority stockholders (or owners of an equivalent interest in the case of a Subsidiary that is an entity other than a corporation);

(2) the purchase, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary held by any other Person (other than any acquisition or retirement for value from, or payment to, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary); or

(3) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment of any Specified Junior Obligations (other than any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary).

Restricted Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Revenue Bonds ” shall mean the aggregate principal amount of $102,865,000 of 5.75% Port Facilities Refunding Revenue Bonds (CONSOL Marine Terminals Inc. (f/k/a CNX Marine Terminals Inc.) Port of Baltimore Facility) Series 2010 due September 2025 issued pursuant to the Revenue Bonds Indenture.

Revenue Bonds Indenture ” shall mean that certain indenture of trust dated as of September 1, 2010 by and among Maryland Economic Development Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee.

Revolving Commitment Increase ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11.1 [Establishment of Incremental Facilities].

 

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Revolving Credit Commitment ” shall mean, as to any Lender at any time, the amount initially set forth opposite its name on Schedule  1.1(B) in the column labeled “Revolving Credit Commitment,” as such Commitment is thereafter assigned pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, increased pursuant to Section 2.11 [Incremental Facilities], extended pursuant to Section 2.12 [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments], replaced pursuant to Section 2.14 [Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments] or decreased pursuant to Section 2.4 [Commitment Reductions and Terminations], and “ Revolving Credit Commitments ” shall mean the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments of all of the Lenders.

Revolving Credit Loans ” shall mean collectively and “ Revolving Credit Loan ” shall mean separately all Revolving Credit Loans or any Revolving Credit Loan made by the Revolving Lenders or one of the Revolving Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1.1 [Revolving Credit Loans] or Section 2.9.3 [Participations, Disbursements, Reimbursement].

Revolving Credit Notes ” shall mean collectively and “ Revolving Credit Note ” shall mean separately all the promissory notes of the Borrower in the form of Exhibit 1.1(N)(1) evidencing the Revolving Credit Loans.

Revolving Exposure ” shall mean, with respect to any Revolving Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Credit Loans and its Letter of Credit Obligations and Swingline Exposure at such time.

Revolving Extension Request ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(b) [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments].

Revolving Facility Usage ” shall mean at any time the sum of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, the outstanding Swing Loans, and the Letter of Credit Obligations.

Revolving Lender ” shall mean a Person with a Revolving Credit Commitment or, if the Revolving Credit Commitments have terminated or expired, a Person with Revolving Exposure.

Revolving Maturity Date ” shall mean the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date (or with respect to any Revolving Credit Commitments established pursuant to an Additional Credit Extension Amendment, the maturity date established for such Revolving Credit Commitments as specified therein); provided that if the Revolving Maturity Date is not a Business Day, such date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.

Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

S&P ” shall mean Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business, and any successor thereto.

Sanctioned Country ” shall mean a country, territory or region subject to a sanctions program maintained under any Anti-Terrorism Law.

Sanctioned Person ” shall mean any individual person, group, regime, entity or thing listed or otherwise recognized as a specially designated, prohibited, sanctioned or debarred person, group, regime, entity or thing, or subject to any limitations or prohibitions (including but not limited to the blocking of property or rejection of transactions), under any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

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SEC ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Official Body succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Second Lien Notes ” shall mean the 11.00% second lien notes due 2025 issued on November 13, 2017, by the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000.

Second Lien Notes Collateral Agent ” shall mean UMB Bank, N.A., in its capacity as collateral agent for the holders of Second Lien Notes and the Second Lien Notes Trustee.

Second Lien Notes Documents ” shall mean the Second Lien Notes Indenture, the Second Lien Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement and each security document or pledge agreement delivered in accordance with applicable local Law to grant a valid, perfected security interest in any property as collateral for the obligations in respect of the Second Lien Notes, and all UCC or other financing statements or instruments of perfection required by the Second Lien Notes Indenture or any other such security document or pledge agreement to be filed with respect to the security interests in property and fixtures created pursuant thereto.

Second Lien Notes Indenture ” shall mean the indenture governing the Second Lien Notes.

Second Lien Notes Trustee ” shall mean UMB Bank, N.A., in its capacity as trustee under the Second Lien Notes Indenture.

Secured Parties ” shall mean collectively, the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agents, the Swingline Lender, the Issuing Lenders, the Lenders, the Indemnitees and any provider of a Specified Swap Agreement or Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product.

Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933.

Security Agreement ” shall mean the Security Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, executed and delivered by each of the Loan Parties to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Security Documents ” shall mean, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Mortgages, the Patent, Trademark and Copyright Security Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement and each other security document or pledge agreement delivered in accordance with applicable local Law to grant a valid, perfected security interest in any property as Collateral for the Obligations, and all UCC or other financing statements or instruments of perfection required by this Agreement or any other such security document or pledge agreement to be filed with respect to the security interests in property and fixtures created pursuant to any document or instrument utilized to pledge or grant or purport to pledge or grant a security interest or lien on any property as Collateral for the Obligations, and amendments, supplements or joinders to the foregoing.

Settlement Date ” shall mean the Business Day on which the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent elects to effect settlement pursuant to Section 5.11 [Settlement Date Procedures].

Solvent ” shall mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, taking into account such right of reimbursement, contribution or similar right available to such Person from other Persons, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such

 

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Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged, and (e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

Specified Coal Reserves ” shall mean the properties set forth on Schedule 3(c) of the Perfection Certificate.

Specified Issuing Lenders ” shall mean (i) Credit Suisse AG, (ii) Goldman Sachs Bank USA and (iii) any other Person that becomes an Issuing Lender after the Closing Date and has provided written notice (prior to becoming an Issuing Lender) to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it does not issue Commercial Letters of Credit.

Specified Junior Obligations ” shall mean (i) any Indebtedness that is incurred or outstanding pursuant to Section 8.2.1(h), (i) or (m) [Indebtedness] and (ii) any Subordinated Obligations.

Specified Leased Properties ” shall mean any Real Property leased by a Loan Party for which the lease requires consent from the landlord in order for such Loan Party to grant a first priority lien, security interest and assignment in its leasehold interest therein.

Specified Liquidity ” shall mean the sum at any time of (a) Cash on Hand at such time plus (b) the excess of the Revolving Credit Commitments over the Revolving Exposure of all Revolving Lenders at such time plus (c) if a Qualified Receivables Transaction is effective at such time, the aggregate available commitments under such Qualified Receivables Transaction (as limited by the borrowing base thereunder).

Specified Material Contracts ” shall mean (i) the agreements listed on Schedule 1.1(D) and (ii) Permitted Replacement Contracts thereof.

Specified Receivables Transaction ” shall mean the transactions contemplated by that certain Receivables Financing Agreement, dated the Specified Receivables Transaction Closing Date (as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among CONSOL Funding LLC, as borrower, PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, CPCC, as initial servicer, and the lenders and other entities from time to time party thereto, so long as such Receivables Financing Agreement and the other documentation, filings and instruments entered into and/or delivered in connection therewith are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agents.

Specified Receivables Transaction Closing Date ” shall mean the date the Specified Receivables Transaction shall be consummated (which date may, for the avoidance of doubt, be the same as the Closing Date or be a date after the Closing Date).

Specified Receivables Transaction Letters of Credit ” shall mean those Letters of Credit on Schedule 1.01(C) identified as being intended to be deemed issued under the Specified Receivables Transaction.

 

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Specified Swap Agreement ” shall mean any Swap Agreement entered into for the purpose of hedging risk between (a) any Loan Party and (b) any counterparty that is, or was at the Closing Date or at the time such Swap Agreement was entered into, an Agent, a Lender or an Affiliate of an entity that is an Agent or an entity that is a Lender.

Spin-Off ” shall mean the distribution of the shares of common stock of the Borrower to the stockholders of GasCo in a spin-off transaction consummated substantially in the manner described in the Form 10.

Standard Securitization Undertakings ” shall mean representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities customarily entered into in connection with accounts receivables financings.

Standby Letter of Credit ” shall mean a Letter of Credit that is not a Commercial Letter of Credit.

Stated Maturity ” shall mean, with respect to any Indebtedness, the maturity date (or specified date on which the final payment of principal on such Indebtedness is due) applicable thereto including as such maturity date (or specified date) may be changed to an earlier date pursuant to the provisions of the documents governing such Indebtedness including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such Indebtedness at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).

Submitted Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(b)(i) [Procedures].

Submitted Prepayment Price ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(b)(i) [Procedures].

Subordinated Obligation ” shall mean any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Closing Date or thereafter incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to, in the case of the Borrower, the Obligations or, in the case of a Guarantor, its Guaranty of the Obligations pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:

(1) such Person;

(2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or

(3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

Subsidiary Shares ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.3 [Subsidiaries].

Swap ” shall mean any “swap” as defined in Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act and regulations thereunder, other than (a) a swap entered into, or subject to the rules of, a board of trade designated as a contract market under Section 5 of the Commodity Exchange Act, or (b) a commodity option entered into pursuant to Commodity Futures Trading Commission Regulation 32.3(a).

 

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Swap Agreement ” shall mean (i) any Interest Rate Agreement, (ii) any Currency Agreement, (iii) any Hydrocarbon Swap Agreement or (iv) any cap, floor, collar, exchange transaction, hedging contract, forward contract, swap agreement, futures contract, call or put option or any other similar agreement or other exchange or protection agreement relating to commodity prices, securities prices or financial market conditions.

Swap Obligation ” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a Swap.

Swing Loan Note ” shall mean a promissory note of the Borrower in the form of Exhibit  1.1(N)(2) evidencing the Swing Loans.

Swing Loan Request ” shall mean a request for Swing Loans made in accordance with Section 2.5.2 [Swing Loan Requests].

Swing Loans ” shall mean collectively and “ Swing Loan ” shall mean separately all Swing Loans or any Swing Loan made by the Swingline Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.6.3 [Making Swing Loans].

Swingline Cap ” shall mean, at any time, the lesser of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) the Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

Swingline Exposure ” shall mean, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swing Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Ratable Share of the total Swingline Exposure at such time.

Swingline Lender ” shall mean the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent in its capacity as the lender of Swing Loans.

Target Discounted Prepayment Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(b)(i) [Procedures].

Taxes ” shall mean all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Official Body, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto. “ Taxation ” shall have a correlative meaning.

Temporary Cash Investments ” shall mean any of the following:

(1) any Investment in direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof, in each case maturing not later than one year following acquisition thereof;

(2) Investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States, and which bank or trust company has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $250.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which is rated “A-” (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a registered broker dealer or mutual fund distributor whose assets consist of obligations of the types described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of this definition;

 

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(3) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (1) of this definition entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (2) of this definition;

(4) Investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than 180 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a Person (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of “P-2” (or higher) according to Moody’s or “A-2” (or higher) according to S&P or “R-1” (or higher) by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited or Canadian Bond Rating Service, Inc. (in the case of a Canadian issuer);

(5) Investments in securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least “A” by S&P or “A-2” by Moody’s;

(6) Investments in asset-backed securities maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof with a long-term rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of “A” (or higher) by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited or Canadian Bond Rating Service, Inc. (in the case of a Canadian issuer);

(7) obligations of any foreign government or obligations that possess a guaranty of the full faith and credit of any foreign government maturing not later than one year after acquisition thereof;

(8) obligations of United States government-sponsored enterprises, Federal agencies, and Federal financing banks that are not otherwise authorized including, but not limited to, (i) United States government-sponsored enterprises such as instrumentalities of the Federal Credit System (Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Land Banks), Federal Home Loan Banks and Federal National Mortgage Association and (ii) Federal agencies such as instrumentalities of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association), Export-Import Bank, Farmers Home Administration and Tennessee Valley Authority, in each case maturing not later than one year following acquisition thereof;

(9) debt obligations (other than commercial paper obligations) of domestic or foreign corporations maturing not later than one year after acquisition thereof;

(10) preferred stock obligations with a floating rate dividend that is reset periodically at auction maturing not later than one year after acquisition thereof;

(11) Investments in repurchase agreements collateralized by any of the above securities eligible for outright purchase; provided that the collateral is delivered to a bank custody account in accordance with the terms of a written repurchase agreement with a dealer or bank; and

(12) Investments in shares of institutional mutual funds whose investment policies are essentially in agreement with the type and criteria for Investments otherwise set forth in this definition,

 

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provided that Investments described in clauses (7) through (12) of this definition are restricted to obligations rated no lower than “A3” or “P-1” by Moody’s or “A-“ or “A-1” by S&P.

Term A Lender ” shall mean each Person with a Term A Loan Commitment or an outstanding Term A Loan.

Term A Loan Commitment ” shall mean Initial Term A Loan Commitments and any commitments to make Extended Term A Loans or Refinancing Term A Loans.

Term A Loan Maturity Date ” shall mean the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date (or with respect to any Term A Loan established pursuant to an Additional Credit Extension Amendment, the maturity date established for such Term A Loan as specified therein); provided that if the Term A Loan Maturity Date is not a Business Day, such date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.

Term A Loans ” shall mean, collectively, the Initial Term A Loans, the Extended Term A Loans and Refinancing Term A Loans.

Term B Lender ” shall mean each Person with a Term B Loan Commitment or an outstanding Term B Loan.

Term B Loan Commitment ” shall mean Initial Term B Loan Commitments, any Incremental Term B Loan Commitment and any commitments to make Extended Term B Loans or Refinancing Term B Loans.

Term B Loan Increase ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11 [Incremental Facilities].

Term B Loan Maturity Date ” shall mean the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date (or with respect to any Term B Loan established pursuant to an Additional Credit Extension Amendment, the maturity date established for such Term B Loan as specified therein); provided that if the Term B Loan Maturity Date is not a Business Day, such date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.

Term B Loans ” shall mean, collectively, the Initial Term B Loans, the Incremental Term B Loans, the Extended Term B Loans and the Refinancing Term B Loans.

Term Extension Request ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(a) [Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments].

Term Lender ” shall mean a Term A Lender or a Term B Lender, as the case may be.

Term Loans ” shall mean collectively the Term A Loans and the Term B Loans.

Term Note ” shall mean a promissory note of the Borrower in the form of Exhibit 1.1(N)(3) evidencing a Term Loan.

Threshold Amount ” shall mean $35,000,000.

Tiered Offer ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(b)(i) [Procedures].

TLB Administrative Agent ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

 

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Total Net Leverage Ratio ” shall mean, as of any date, the ratio of (without duplication), (A) (x) Consolidated Indebtedness as of such date minus (y) Cash on Hand as of such date to (B) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of four fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended on or prior to the date of determination.

Total Liquidity ” shall mean the sum at any time of (a) Cash on Hand at such time plus (b) the excess of the Revolving Credit Commitments over the Revolving Exposure of all Revolving Lenders at such time that would be permitted to be drawn as Revolving Credit Loans at such time without breaching the Financial Covenants set forth in Section 8.2.13(a) or (b) (determined as if they were in effect as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ended) plus (c) if a Qualified Receivables Transaction is effective at such time, the aggregate available commitments under such Qualified Receivables Transaction (as limited by the borrowing base thereunder) without breaching any financial covenants that may be applicable thereunder as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter at such time (assuming such available commitments were drawn at such quarter end).

Trade Date ” shall mean (a) with respect to any assignment of Loans or Commitments, the “Trade Date” specified in the applicable Assignment and Assumption Agreement (or if not so specified, the date the Assignment and Assumption Agreement with respect an assignment is delivered to the applicable Administrative Agent and (b) with respect to any participation, the date on which the assigning Lender entered into a binding agreement to sell such participation.

Transactions ” shall mean, collectively, (1) the Spin-Off, (2) the execution and delivery of the Specified Material Contracts, and the other Material Contracts contemplated by the Form 10 to be effective as of the Closing Date, by the parties thereto, (3) the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents to be entered into as of the Closing Date by the parties thereto, (4) the Closing Date Distribution, (5) the Closing Date Refinancing and Releases, (6) to the extent required, the cash collateralization, and/or cash collateralization of letters of credit issued to support, surety bonds outstanding for the benefit of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date, (7) the entry by CNXC, the ALF Lender and the other parties thereto into the Affiliated Company Loan Documents, (8) the effectiveness of any Qualified Receivables Transaction (to the extent entered into on the Closing Date), (9) the issuance of the Second Lien Notes and the execution and delivery of the Second Lien Notes Documents, (10) the borrowing of Term Loans under this Agreement to be made on the Closing Date and (11) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing.

Treasury Rate ” shall mean, at the time of computation, the weekly average yield rounded to the nearest 1/100th of a percentage point (for the most recently completed week for which such information is available as of the date that is two Business Days prior to the prepayment or mandatory assignment date) on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year.

UCP ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.11.1 [Governing Law].

Undivided Interests ” shall mean the undivided co-ownership interests in the Pennsylvania Mining Complex.

Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in each applicable jurisdiction or other applicable Law entitled to all the rights, benefits and priorities provided by the Uniform Commercial Code or such Law.

 

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United States Tax Compliance Certificate ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.9.5(b)(i)(C) [Status of Lenders].

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” shall mean (a) CNXC and its Subsidiaries and (b) any other Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 8.2.3 [Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries]; provided that in no event shall CNXC GP or any Subsidiary of the Borrower that owns any Required Collateral (other than CNXC and its Subsidiaries) be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary. All Subsidiaries of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall also be Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

USA PATRIOT Act ” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.

Voting Stock ” of a Person shall mean all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” shall mean, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” of any specified Person shall mean a Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Equity Interests or other ownership interest of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) will at that time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” shall mean, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

1.2 Construction .

Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise clearly requires, the following rules of construction shall apply to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents: (i) references to the plural include the singular, the plural, the part and the whole and the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”; (ii) the words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereto” and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document as a whole; (iii) article, section, subsection, clause, schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement or other Loan Document, as the case may be, unless otherwise specified; (iv) reference to any Person includes such Person’s permitted successors and assigns; (v) unless otherwise provided, reference to any agreement, including this Agreement and any other Loan Document together with the schedules and exhibits hereto or thereto, document or instrument, order, declaration, understanding or other arrangement means such agreement, document, instrument, order, declaration, understanding or other arrangement as amended, restated, supplemented, modified, extended,

 

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renewed, refunded, superseded, substituted for, replaced, refinanced or increased in whole or in part, from time to time, to the extent not prohibited hereunder; provided that the term “Affiliated Company Loan Documents” (and related terms) shall not apply to any refinancing or replacement facility for which Section 5.7.5 [Refinancing of Affiliated Company Loan Facility] shall apply; (vi) any reference to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such Law and any reference to any Law shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such Law as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time; (vii) relative to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including,” “to” means “to but excluding,” and “through” means “through and including”; (viii) 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; (ix) section headings herein and in each other Loan Document are included for convenience and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or such Loan Document; (x) unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time and (xi) references to the “date hereof” or “date of this Agreement” shall be to the Closing Date.

1.3 Accounting Principles .

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all computations and determinations as to accounting or financial matters and all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be made and prepared in accordance with GAAP (including principles of consolidation where appropriate), and all accounting or financial terms shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms by GAAP; provided , however , that all accounting terms used in Section 8.2 [Negative Covenants] (and all defined terms used in the definition of any accounting term used in Section 8.2 [Negative Covenants] shall have the meaning given to such terms (and defined terms) under GAAP as in effect on the date hereof applied on a basis consistent with those used in preparing the Historical Statements referred to in Section 6.9(a) [Historical Statements], except in the case of the definition of “Maintenance Capital Expenditures,” as contemplated in the definition thereof. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agents, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agents and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

1.4 Valuations .

Whenever this Agreement requires the determination of the monetary value of “other consideration,” a Guaranty, “other obligations” or an Investment and the computation method to determine such monetary value is not already addressed by GAAP, (i) the monetary value of “other consideration” or an Investment of tangible property shall be calculated as the Fair Market Value of such consideration or tangible property, (ii) the monetary value of any Guaranty at any time of a fixed monetary obligation shall be the amount of such fixed monetary obligation at such time, (iii) the monetary value of any Guaranty of a fixed stream of monetary obligations at any time shall be the present value of the remaining amounts of such stream of monetary obligations at such time discounted at a rate equal to the Borrower’s cost of funds at such time, (iv) the monetary value of a Guaranty of performance or of contingent liabilities at any time shall be the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, represent the amount which would reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured monetary obligation or liability of the Person making such Guaranty determined by such Person in good faith, or (v)

 

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the monetary value of “other obligations,” contingent or otherwise, at any time shall be the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, represent the amount which would reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured monetary obligation or liability of the Person who is obligated for such “other obligations.”

1.5 Letter of Credit Amounts .

Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided , however , that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such times.

1.6 Pro Forma Financial Covenant Compliance .

Whenever compliance with a Financial Covenant is required to be made on a Pro Forma Basis for determining the permissibility of any action, or the level of such Financial Covenant is used in reference to a test or covenant hereunder (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of determining actual compliance with Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants]): (a) if such compliance is required prior to a date on which there is a level applicable to such Financial Covenant in such Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants], the level for the first date for which there is a level so applicable in such Section shall be used in determining such compliance or whether such test or covenant is satisfied, (b) if such compliance is required on a date on which there is no level applicable to such Financial Covenant in Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants] and which follows a date on which there is a level applicable to such Financial Covenant in such Section, the level for the latest date for which there is a level so applicable in such Section shall be used in determining such compliance or whether such test or covenant is satisfied, (c) the levels set forth in this Agreement as applicable to such Financial Covenants in such Section shall not give effect to any amendment, modification or waiver with respect to such Section (or any amendment, modification or waiver of a definition as applied in such Section) that is not approved by the Required Lenders and (d) the reference in Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants] that the covenants in such Section 8.2.13 are for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders and Term A Lenders shall not be interpreted to mean that all Lenders are not the beneficiaries of the requirements of such compliance on a Pro Forma Basis or the satisfaction of such test or covenant for determining the permissibility of an action hereunder.

2. FACILITIES

2.1 Commitments .

2.1.1 Revolving Credit Loans .

Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower at any time or from time to time after the date hereof to, but not including, the Revolving Maturity Date; provided that after giving effect to each such Loan, (i) such Lender’s Revolving Exposure shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and (ii) the Revolving Facility Usage shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments. Within such limits of time and amount and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow pursuant to this Section 2.1.1 [Revolving Credit Loans].

 

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2.1.2 Swing Loans .

Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, and in order to facilitate loans and repayments between Settlement Dates, the Swingline Lender may, at its option, cancelable at any time for any reason whatsoever, make swing loans (the “ Swing Loans ”) to the Borrower at any time or from time to time after the date hereof to, but not including, the Revolving Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount up to but not in excess of the Swingline Cap; provided that, after giving effect to each such Loan, the Revolving Facility Usage shall not at any time exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments. Within such limits of time and amount and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow pursuant to this Section 2.1.2 [Swing Loans].

2.1.3 Term A Loans

Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Term A Lender severally agrees to make a term loan (the “ Initial Term A Loan ”) to the Borrower on the Closing Date in a principal amount equal to such Lender’s Initial Term A Loan Commitment. Once repaid or prepaid, the Initial Term A Loans may not be reborrowed.

2.1.4 Term B Loans .

Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Term B Lender severally agrees to make a term loan (the “ Initial Term B Loan ”) to the Borrower on the Closing Date in a principal amount equal to such Lender’s Initial Term B Loan Commitment. Once repaid or prepaid, the Initial Term B Loans may not be reborrowed.

2.2 Lenders Obligations Several .

Each applicable Lender shall be obligated to participate in each request for Revolving Credit Loans and Term Loans of any Class pursuant to Section 2.5 [Loan Requests] in accordance with its Ratable Share. The obligations of each Lender hereunder are several. The failure of any Lender to perform its obligations hereunder shall not affect the Obligations of the Borrower to any other party nor shall any other party be liable for the failure of such Lender to perform its obligations hereunder.

2.3 Commitment Fees .

Accruing from the date hereof until the Revolving Maturity Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender, as consideration for such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder, a nonrefundable commitment fee (the “ Commitment Fee ”) equal to the Commitment Fee Rate (computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed) on the average daily difference between the amount of (a) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment as the same may be constituted from time to time and (b) such Lender’s Revolving Exposure (for purposes of this computation, Swing Loans shall not be deemed to be borrowed amounts under its Revolving Credit Commitment); provided , however , that any Commitment Fee accrued with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitment of a Defaulting Lender during the period prior to the time such Lender became a Defaulting Lender and unpaid at such time shall not be payable by the Borrower so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender except to the extent that such Commitment Fee shall otherwise have been due and payable by the Borrower prior to such time; and provided further that no Commitment Fee shall accrue with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitment of a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender. Subject to the proviso in the directly preceding sentence, all Commitment Fees shall be payable in arrears on each Payment Date.

 

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2.4 Commitment Reductions and Terminations .

2.4.1 Revolving Credit Commitments .

(a) The Borrower shall have the right any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty, upon three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent to permanently reduce, in whole multiples of $5,000,000, or terminate the Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that the Revolving Credit Commitments may not be reduced pursuant to this Section 2.4.1 below the Revolving Facility Usage. All notices to reduce Revolving Credit Commitments shall be irrevocable, except that any such notice may state that it is conditional upon the consummation of a financing transaction, in which case such notice may be revoked or delayed by the Borrower (by notice to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified date of reduction) if such condition is not satisfied.

(b) The Revolving Credit Commitments shall be reduced in the circumstances set forth in and pursuant to Section 5.7.2(b) [Dispositions].

(c) Each reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments shall ratably reduce the Revolving Credit Commitments of the Lenders, except as otherwise provided in an Additional Credit Extension Amendment as permitted in the definition of “Class.” Any reduction or termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be accompanied by (a) the payment in full of any Commitment Fee then accrued on the amount of such reduction or termination and (b) to the extent that the Revolving Facility Usage exceeds the Revolving Credit Commitment as so reduced or terminated, first , the prepayment of Swing Loans, second , the prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans and third , the Cash Collateralization for the benefit of the Issuing Lenders (ratably among the Issuing Lenders) of the Borrower’s obligation under Letter of Credit Obligations (in an aggregate amount under the foregoing first, second and third clauses, equal to such excess), together with the full amount of interest accrued on the principal sum of Revolving Credit Loans to be prepaid (and all amounts referred to in Section 5.10 [Indemnity] hereof).

(d) The Revolving Credit Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Maturity Date.

2.4.2 Term Loan Commitments .

Each Commitment with respect to a Term Loan shall terminate upon the funding of such Term Loan. For the avoidance of doubt, the Initial Term A Loan Commitments and the Initial Term B Loan Commitments shall terminate on the Closing Date upon any funding of Initial Term A Loans and Initial Term B Loans, respectively.

2.5 Loan Requests .

2.5.1 Loan Requests .

Except as otherwise provided herein, subject to the notice requirements set forth in this Section 2.5.1 and the other terms and conditions hereof, (a) the Borrower may from time to time after the Closing Date and prior to the Revolving Maturity Date request the Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans, (b) the Borrower may request that the Lenders make Term Loans on the Closing Date and (c) the Borrower may from time to time prior to the applicable Maturity Date renew or convert the Interest Rate Option applicable to existing Loans pursuant to Section 4.1 [Interest Rate Options] and Section 4.2 [Interest Periods], by delivering to the applicable Administrative Agent, not later than 11:00 a.m., (i) three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed Borrowing Date with respect to the making of Loans (other than

 

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Swing Loans) to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies or the conversion to or the renewal of the LIBOR Rate Option for any Loans (other than Swing Loans); and (ii) the same Business Day of the proposed Borrowing Date with respect to the making of a Loan (other than Swing Loans) to which the Base Rate Option applies or the last day of the preceding Interest Period with respect to the conversion to the Base Rate Option for any Loan, of a duly completed request therefor substantially in the form of Exhibit  2.5.1 or a request by telephone immediately confirmed in writing in such form and delivered by facsimile or email (in “pdf,” “tif” or similar format) (each, a “ Loan Request ”); it being understood that the applicable Administrative Agent may rely on the authority of any individual making such a telephonic request without the necessity of receipt of such written confirmation. Each Loan Request shall be irrevocable and shall specify or certify, as applicable (i) the proposed Borrowing Date; (ii) the aggregate amount of the proposed Loans comprising each Borrowing Tranche, which amount shall be in (x) an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 for each Borrowing Tranche under the LIBOR Rate Option and (y) an integral multiple of $50,000 and not less than the lesser of $500,000 or the maximum amount available for Borrowing Tranches to which the Base Rate Option applies; (iii) whether the LIBOR Rate Option or Base Rate Option shall apply to the proposed Loans comprising the applicable Borrowing Tranche; and (iv) in the case of a Borrowing Tranche to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies, an appropriate Interest Period for the Loans comprising such Borrowing Tranche. In addition, each Loan Request shall include a certification by the Borrower that, after giving effect to the borrowing contemplated by such Loan Request, the aggregate amount of Indebtedness (and, notwithstanding the definition of “Indebtedness,” all letters of credit (including Letters of Credit) being deemed to have an outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness equal to the maximum potential liability of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) under this Agreement shall not exceed the Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap; provided that (x) at any Administrative Agent’s request, the Borrower shall provide such Administrative Agent calculations and supporting information reasonably satisfactory to such Administrative Agent showing compliance with the Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap and (y) notwithstanding the foregoing clause (x), no Administrative Agent shall have any obligation to request such calculation or information or to determine compliance with the Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap, and shall be fully entitled to assume (without any further investigation) that each borrowing of Loans complies with the Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap if the Borrower makes a Loan Request for such borrowing.

2.5.2 Swing Loan Requests .

Except as otherwise provided herein, the Borrower may from time to time prior to the Revolving Maturity Date request the Swingline Lender to make Swing Loans by delivery to the Swingline Lender not later than 2:00 p.m. on the proposed Borrowing Date of a duly completed request therefor substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.5.2 hereto or a request by telephone immediately confirmed in writing in such form and delivered by facsimile or email (in “pdf,” “tif” or similar format) (each, a “ Swing Loan Request ”); it being understood that the Swingline Lender may rely on the authority of any individual making such a telephonic request without the necessity of receipt of such written confirmation. Each Swing Loan Request shall be irrevocable and shall specify the proposed Borrowing Date and the principal amount of such Swing Loan, which shall be in integral multiples of $50,000 and shall be not less than $100,000. In addition, each Swing Loan Request shall include a certification by the Borrower that, after giving effect to the borrowing contemplated by such Swing Loan Request, the aggregate amount of Indebtedness (and, notwithstanding the definition of “Indebtedness,” all letters of credit (including Letters of Credit) being deemed to have an outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness equal to the maximum potential liability of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) under this Agreement shall not exceed the Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap; provided that (x) at any Administrative Agent’s request, the Borrower shall provide such Administrative Agent calculations and supporting information reasonably satisfactory to such Administrative Agent showing compliance with the Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap and (y) notwithstanding the foregoing clause (x), no Administrative Agent shall have any obligation to request such calculation or information or to determine compliance with the Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap, and shall be fully entitled to assume (without any further investigation) that each borrowing of Loans complies with the Applicable Other Indebtedness Cap if the Borrower makes a Swing Loan Request for such borrowing.

 

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2.6 Making Loans; Presumptions by Administrative Agent; Repayment of Revolving Credit Loans; Borrowings to Repay Swing Loans .

2.6.1 Making Loans .

The applicable Administrative Agent shall, promptly after receipt by it of a Loan Request pursuant to Section 2.5.1 [Loan Requests], notify the applicable Lenders of its receipt of such Loan Request specifying the information provided by the Borrower and the apportionment among such Lenders of the requested Loans as determined by the applicable Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.2 [Lenders’ Obligations Several]. Each Lender shall remit the principal amount of each Loan of the applicable Class to the applicable Administrative Agent such that the applicable Administrative Agent is able to, and the applicable Administrative Agent shall, to the extent the applicable Lenders have made funds available to it for such purpose and subject to Section 7.2 [Each Additional Loan or Letter of Credit], fund such Loans to the Borrower in U.S. Dollars and immediately available funds at the Principal Office prior to 2:00 p.m. on the applicable Borrowing Date; provided that if any Lender fails to remit such funds to the applicable Administrative Agent in a timely manner, the applicable Administrative Agent may elect in its sole discretion to fund with its own funds the Loans of such Lender on such Borrowing Date, and such Lender shall be subject to the repayment obligation in Section 2.6.2 [Presumptions by the Administrative Agent]. Each Lender may, at its option, make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect in any manner the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

2.6.2 Presumptions by the Administrative Agent .

Unless the applicable Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to 1:00 p.m. on the proposed date of any Loan that such Lender will not make available to such Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Loan, such Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.6.1 [Making Loans] and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Loan available to the applicable Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the applicable Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the applicable Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by such Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Loans of the applicable Class, under the Base Rate Option. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Loan to the applicable Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the applicable Administrative Agent.

2.6.3 Making Swing Loans .

So long as the Swingline Lender elects to make Swing Loans, the Swingline Lender shall, after receipt by it of a Swing Loan Request pursuant to Section 2.5.2 [Swing Loan Requests], fund such Swing Loan to the Borrower in U.S. Dollars and immediately available funds at the Principal Office prior to 3:00 p.m. on the Borrowing Date.

 

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2.6.4 Repayment of Loans .

The Borrower shall repay all Loans together with all outstanding interest thereon on the Maturity Date with respect thereto ( provided that in the case of any Swing Loans, the parenthetical phrase in the definition of “Revolving Maturity Date” shall not be given effect unless the applicable Additional Credit Extension Amendment has been consented to by the Swingline Lender). On each date that a Revolving Credit Loan is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swing Loans then outstanding.

2.7 Notes .

2.7.1 Revolving Credit Notes .

If requested by any Revolving Lender, the obligation of the Borrower to repay the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans made to it by such Revolving Lender, together with interest thereon, shall be evidenced by a Revolving Credit Note payable to the order of such Revolving Lender in a face amount equal to the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Revolving Lender. The Revolving Credit Loans shall mature, and the Borrower unconditionally agrees to pay in full the unpaid principal amount and all amounts outstanding and unpaid in respect of the Revolving Credit Loans to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender, on the Revolving Maturity Date.

2.7.2 Swing Loan Note .

The obligation of the Borrower to repay the unpaid principal amount of the Swing Loans made to it by the Swingline Lender, together with interest thereon, shall be evidenced by a Swing Loan Note payable to the order of the Swingline Lender in a face amount equal to the Swingline Cap.

2.7.3 Term Notes.

If requested by any Term Lender, the obligation of the Borrower to repay the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Term Loans of each Class made to it by such Term Lender, together with interest thereon, shall be evidenced by a Term Note payable to the order of such Term Lender in a face amount equal to the Term Loans of each Class made by such Term Lender.

2.8 Use of Proceeds .

The proceeds of the Loans will be used in accordance with Section 8.1.11 [Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations].

2.9 Letters of Credit .

2.9.1 Issuance of Letters of Credit .

(a) The Borrower may at any time prior to the Letter of Credit Maturity Date request the issuance of a letter of credit (each, a “ Letter of Credit ”), for its own account or the account of any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, or the amendment or extension of an existing Letter of Credit, by delivering or transmitting by facsimile or email (in “pdf,” “tif” or similar format), to an Issuing Lender selected by the Borrower (with a copy to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent) a completed application for letter

 

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of credit, or request for such amendment or extension, as applicable, signed by the Borrower (and, in the case of a Letter of Credit issued for the account of any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, also signed by such Subsidiary) and otherwise in such form as such Issuing Lender may specify from time to time by no later than 10:00 a.m. at least five (5) Business Days, or such shorter period as may be agreed to by such Issuing Lender, in advance of the proposed date of issuance. The Borrower shall authorize and direct each Issuing Lender to name the Borrower as the “Applicant” or “Account Party” of each Letter of Credit and, in the case of a Letter of Credit issued for the account of any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, to name such Subsidiary as the “Co-Applicant” of such Letter of Credit. Promptly after receipt of any letter of credit application, such Issuing Lender shall confirm with the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit application and if not, such Issuing Lender will provide the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Letters of Credit may be issued in the form of a Standby Letter of Credit or a Commercial Letter of Credit; provided that the Specified Issuing Lenders shall not be required to issue any Commercial Letter of Credit. Letters of Credit shall be issued only in U.S. Dollars. For the avoidance of doubt, the Loan Parties acknowledge that each Letter of Credit issued for the account of Persons other than the Loan Parties shall constitute an Investment and Guaranty in an amount equal to the face amount of such Letter of Credit, without duplication, and shall be subject to the limitations set forth herein.

(b) Unless an Issuing Lender has received notice from any Lender, the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least one day prior to the requested date of issuance, amendment or extension of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions in Section 7 [Conditions of Lending and Issuance of Letters of Credit] are not satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance on (among other things) the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.9, such Issuing Lender or any of such Issuing Lender’s Affiliates will issue the proposed Letter of Credit or agree to such amendment or extension; provided that after giving effect thereto:

(i) no Letter of Credit shall expire later than the earlier of (x) subject to Section 2.9.1(c), twelve (12) months from the date of issuance or extension, unless the applicable Issuing Lender agrees, and (y) with respect to any Issuing Lender, the Letter of Credit Maturity Date for such Issuing Lender, unless such Issuing Lender agrees and the Borrower complies with the requirements of Section 2.9.10 [Cash Collateral Prior to the Revolving Maturity Date]; and

(ii) in no event shall (x) the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Obligations exceed the Letter of Credit Aggregate Sublimit at any one time outstanding, (y) the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding by any Issuing Lender exceed its Letter of Credit Issuing Lender Sublimit at any one time (unless otherwise agreed to by such Issuing Lender) or (z) the Revolving Facility Usage exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments that would be in effect at any time prior to the expiration of all Letters of Credit outstanding at such time (after giving effect to the Maturity Date of any Revolving Credit Commitment occurring prior to the expiration of all such Letters of Credit).

Each request for the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that it shall be in compliance with the preceding sentence and with Section 7 [Conditions of Lending and Issuance of Letters of Credit] after giving effect to the requested issuance, amendment or extension of such Letter of Credit. Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof, the applicable Issuing Lender will also deliver to the Borrower and the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

 

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(c) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable request for a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender may, in its discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “ Auto-Extension Letter of Credit ”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the Issuing Lender to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “ Non-Extension Notice Date ”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the Issuing Lender, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the Issuing Lender for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Revolving Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the Issuing Lender to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Maturity Date; provided , however , that the Issuing Lender shall not permit any such extension if (A) the Issuing Lender has determined that it would not be permitted to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof, or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent that the Required Revolving/TLA Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, any Revolving Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 7.2 [Each Additional Loan or Letter of Credit] are not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the Issuing Lender not to permit such extension.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 2.9.1(a), no Issuing Lender shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if (i) any order, judgment or decree of any Official Body or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Lender from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to such Issuing Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Official Body with jurisdiction over such Issuing Lender shall prohibit, or request that such Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such Issuing Lender with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon such Issuing Lender any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which such Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it, or (ii) the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such Issuing Lender applicable to letters of credit generally.

(e) All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto and shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.

2.9.2 Letter of Credit Fees .

The Borrower shall pay (i) to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Revolving Lenders a fee (the “ Letter of Credit Fee ”) equal to the Applicable Letter of Credit Fee Rate on the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit, and (ii) to each Issuing Lender for its own account a fronting fee equal to 0.125% per annum on the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender. All Letter of Credit Fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed and shall be payable in arrears on each Payment Date following issuance of each Letter of Credit; provided , however , that fronting fees on Commercial Letters of Credit shall be payable at the time of issuance. The Borrower shall also pay to each Issuing Lender for such Issuing Lender’s sole account such Issuing Lender’s then in effect customary fees and administrative expenses payable with respect to the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender as such Issuing Lender may generally charge or incur from time to time in connection with the issuance, maintenance, extension, renewal, amendment (if any), assignment or transfer (if any), negotiation, and administration of Letters of Credit.

 

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2.9.3 Participations, Disbursements, Reimbursement .

(a) Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from such Issuing Lender a participation in such Letter of Credit and each drawing thereunder in an amount equal to such Revolving Lender’s Ratable Share of the maximum amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and the amount of such drawing, respectively.

(b) In the event of any request for a drawing under a Letter of Credit by the beneficiary or transferee thereof, the applicable Issuing Lender will promptly notify the Borrower and the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent thereof. Provided that it shall have received such notice, the Borrower shall reimburse (such obligation to reimburse such Issuing Lender shall sometimes be referred to as a “ Reimbursement Obligation ”) such Issuing Lender prior to 12:00 noon on the next Business Day following each date that an amount is paid by such Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit (each such date, a “ Reimbursement Date ”) by paying to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender an amount equal to the amount so paid by such Issuing Lender plus interest at the interest rate applicable to Loans under the Base Rate Option from the date on which the amount was paid by such Issuing Lender to the date such Issuing Lender is reimbursed, unless otherwise required by the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent or such Issuing Lender. In the event the Borrower fails to reimburse such Issuing Lender (through the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent) for the full amount of any drawing under any Letter of Credit by 12:00 noon on the Reimbursement Date, the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Revolving Lender thereof of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and each such Revolving Lender’s Ratable Share of the amount of such drawing. Any notice given by the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 2.9.3(b) may be oral if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

(c) Each Revolving Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.9.3(b) make available to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender immediately available funds equal to its Ratable Share of the amount of the drawing, whereupon the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders. If any Revolving Lender so notified fails to make available to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Ratable Share of such amount by no later than 2:00 p.m. on the Reimbursement Date, then interest shall accrue on such Revolving Lender’s obligation to make such payment, from the Reimbursement Date to the date on which such Revolving Lender makes such payment (i) at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate during the first three (3) days following the Reimbursement Date and (ii) at a rate per annum equal to the rate applicable to Revolving Credit Loans under the Base Rate Option on and after the fourth day following the Reimbursement Date. Promptly following receipt by the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.9.3, the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Lender or, to the extent that Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this Section 2.9.3(c) to reimburse the Issuing Lender, then to such Revolving Lender and the Issuing Lender as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this Section 2.9.3(c) to reimburse the Issuing Lender for any LC Disbursement shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement. The Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Lender will promptly give notice (as described in Section 2.9.3(b) above) of the occurrence of the Reimbursement Date, but failure of the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent or such Issuing Lender to give any such notice on the Reimbursement Date or in sufficient time to enable any Revolving Lender to effect such payment on such date shall not relieve such Revolving Lender from its obligation under this Section 2.9.3(c).

 

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(d) If the Issuing Lender shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full as set forth in Section 2.9.3(b), the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the first Business Day after receipt of notice to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to Revolving Credit Loans under the Base Rate Option; provided that, if the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to Section 2.9.3(b), then Section 4.3(b) [Interest After Default] shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing Lender, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Lender pursuant to Section 2.9.3(b) to reimburse the Issuing Lender shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

2.9.4 Repayment of Participation Advances .

(a) Upon (and only upon) receipt by the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the account of an Issuing Lender of immediately available funds from the Borrower (i) in reimbursement of any payment made by such Issuing Lender under the Letter of Credit with respect to which any Revolving Lender has made a payment to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 2.9.4 (each such payment by a Revolving Lender, a “ Participation Advance ”) to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, or (ii) in payment of interest on such a payment made by such Issuing Lender under such a Letter of Credit, the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent on behalf of such Issuing Lender will pay to each Revolving Lender, in the same funds as those received by the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Ratable Share of such funds, except the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent shall retain for the account of such Issuing Lender the amount of the Ratable Share of such funds of any Revolving Lender that did not make a Participation Advance in respect of such payment by such Issuing Lender.

(b) If an Issuing Lender or the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent is required at any time to return to any Loan Party, or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian, or any official in any Insolvency Proceeding, any portion of any payment made by any Loan Party to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section in reimbursement of a payment made under any Letter of Credit or interest or fees thereon, each Revolving Lender shall, on demand of the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent or such Issuing Lender, forthwith return to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender the amount of its Ratable Share of any amounts so returned by the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent plus interest thereon from the date such demand is made to the date such amounts are returned by such Revolving Lender to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect from time to time.

2.9.5 Documentation .

Each Loan Party agrees to be bound by the terms of each Issuing Lender’s Issuer Documents and written regulations and customary practices relating to letters of credit, though such interpretation may be different from such Loan Party’s own. In the event of a conflict between an Issuer Document and this Agreement, this Agreement shall govern. It is understood and agreed that, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct, no Issuing Lender shall be liable for any error, negligence and/or mistakes, whether of omission or commission, in following any Loan Party’s instructions or those contained in the Letters of Credit or any modifications, amendments or supplements thereto.

 

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2.9.6 Determinations to Honor Drawing Requests .

In determining whether to honor any request for drawing under any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof, the applicable Issuing Lender shall be responsible only to determine that the documents and certificates required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit have been delivered and that they substantially comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit.

2.9.7 Nature of Participation and Reimbursement Obligations .

Each Revolving Lender’s obligation in accordance with this Agreement to make Participation Advances, as contemplated by Section 2.9.3 [Participations, Disbursements, Reimbursement] and the Obligations of the Borrower to reimburse each respective Issuing Lender upon a draw under a Letter of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.9 [Letters of Credit] under all circumstances, including the following circumstances:

(a) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Lender may have against the applicable Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, or which any Loan Party may have against the applicable Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates, any Lender or any other Person for any reason whatsoever;

(b) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit;

(c) any claim of breach of warranty that might be made by any Loan Party or any Lender against any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit, or the existence of any claim, set-off, recoupment, counterclaim, crossclaim, defense or other right which any Loan Party or any Lender may have at any time against a beneficiary, successor beneficiary any transferee or assignee of any Letter of Credit or the proceeds thereof (or any Persons for whom any such transferee may be acting), any Issuing Lender or its Affiliates or any Lender or any other Person or, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transaction (including any underlying transaction between any Loan Party or Subsidiaries of a Loan Party and the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit was procured);

(d) the lack of power or authority of any signer of (or any defect in or forgery of any signature or endorsement on) or the form of or lack of validity, sufficiency, accuracy, enforceability or genuineness of any draft, demand, instrument, certificate or other document presented under or in connection with any Letter of Credit, or any fraud or alleged fraud in connection with any Letter of Credit, or the transport of any property or provisions of services relating to a Letter of Credit, in each case even if such Issuing Lender or any of such Issuing Lender’s Affiliates has been notified thereof;

(e) payment by such Issuing Lender or any of its Affiliates under any Letter of Credit against presentation of a demand, draft or certificate or other document which does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

(f) the solvency of, or any acts or omissions by, any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit, or any other Person having a role in any transaction or obligation relating to a Letter of Credit, or the existence, nature, quality, quantity, condition, value or other characteristic of any property or services relating to a Letter of Credit;

 

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(g) any failure by such Issuing Lender or any of such Issuing Lender’s Affiliates to issue any Letter of Credit in the form requested by any Loan Party, unless such Issuing Lender has received written notice from such Loan Party of such failure within three (3) Business Days after such Issuing Lender shall have furnished such Loan Party and the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent a copy of such Letter of Credit and such error is material and no drawing has been made thereon prior to receipt of such notice;

(h) any adverse change in the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(i) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any party thereto;

(j) the occurrence or continuance of an Insolvency Proceeding with respect to any Loan Party;

(k) the fact that an Event of Default or a Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(l) the fact that the Revolving Maturity Date shall have passed or this Agreement or the Revolving Credit Commitments or other Commitments hereunder shall have been terminated; and

(m) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

2.9.8 Indemnity .

The Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save harmless each Issuing Lender and any of its Affiliates that has issued a Letter of Credit from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, taxes (subject to the last sentence of this Section 2.9.8 [Indemnity]), penalties, interest, judgments, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel) which such Issuing Lender or any of such Issuing Lender’s Affiliates may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of the issuance of any Letter of Credit issued by it, other than as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Issuing Lender as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. This Section 2.9.8 [Indemnity] shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

2.9.9 Liability for Acts and Omissions .

(a) As between any Loan Party and an Issuing Lender, or such Issuing Lender’s Affiliates, such Loan Party assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the Letters of Credit by, the respective beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, no Issuing Lender shall be responsible for any of the following including any losses or damages to any Loan Party or other Person or property relating therefrom: (i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document (including all sight drafts, certificates and all other instruments) submitted by any party in connection with the application for an issuance of any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged (even if such Issuing Lender or such Issuing Lender’s Affiliates shall have been notified thereof); (ii) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or

 

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in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) the failure of the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit, or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred, to comply fully with any conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit or any other claim of any Loan Party against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, or any such transferee, or any dispute between or among any Loan Party and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any such transferee; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any such Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of such Issuing Lender or such Issuing Lender’s Affiliates, as applicable, including any acts of any Official Body, and none of the above shall affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of such Issuing Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s Affiliates rights or powers hereunder. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall relieve the Issuing Lender from liability for such Issuing Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with actions or omissions described in clauses (i) through (viii) of such sentence, as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. In no event shall any Issuing Lender or any Issuing Lender’s Affiliates be liable to any Loan Party for any indirect, consequential, incidental, punitive, exemplary or special damages or expenses (including attorneys’ fees), or for any damages resulting from any change in the value of any property relating to a Letter of Credit.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Issuing Lender and each of its Affiliates (i) may rely on any oral or other communication believed in good faith by such Issuing Lender or such Affiliate to have been authorized or given by or on behalf of the applicant for a Letter of Credit or any beneficiary, transferee, or assignee of proceeds thereof; (ii) may honor any presentation if the documents presented appear on their face substantially to comply with the terms and conditions of the relevant Letter of Credit; (iii) may honor a previously dishonored presentation under a Letter of Credit, whether such dishonor was pursuant to a court order, to settle or compromise any claim of wrongful dishonor, or otherwise, and shall be entitled to reimbursement to the same extent as if such presentation had initially been honored, together with any interest paid by such Issuing Lender or its Affiliate; (iv) may honor any drawing that is payable upon presentation of a statement advising negotiation or payment, upon receipt of such statement (even if such statement indicates that a draft or other document is being delivered separately), and shall not be liable for any failure of any such draft or other document to arrive, or to conform in any way with the relevant Letter of Credit; (v) may pay any paying or negotiating bank claiming that it rightfully honored under the laws or practices of the place where such bank is located; and (vi) may settle or adjust any claim or demand made on such Issuing Lender or its Affiliate in any way related to any order issued at the applicant’s request to an air carrier, a letter of guarantee or of indemnity issued to a carrier or any similar document (each, an “ Order ”) and honor any drawing in connection with any Letter of Credit that is the subject to such Order, notwithstanding that any drafts or other documents presented in connection with such Letter of Credit fail to conform in any way with such Letter of Credit. In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific provisions set forth above, any action taken or omitted by such Issuing Lender or such Issuing Lender’s Affiliates under or in connection with the Letters of Credit issued by it, the Issuer Documents or any documents and certificates delivered thereunder, if taken or omitted in good faith, shall not put such Issuing Lender or such Issuing Lender’s Affiliates under any resulting liability to the Borrower or any Lender, unless such action taken or omitted is found in a final and nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

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2.9.10 Cash Collateral Prior to the Revolving Maturity Date .

If the Borrower or any other Loan Party requests the issuance, extension or renewal of any Letter of Credit and such Letter of Credit would have an expiration date which is after the Letter of Credit Maturity Date, no Issuing Lender shall be required to issue, extend or renew such Letter of Credit, but may elect to do so if the requirements of this Section 2.9.10 are satisfied. The Borrower shall, on or before the issuance, extension or renewal of such Letter of Credit, deposit and pledge Cash Collateral for each such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to 105% of the face value of such outstanding Letter of Credit plus the amount of fees that would be due under such Letter of Credit through the expiry date of such Letter of Credit. Such Cash Collateral shall be deposited pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent and such Issuing Lender and the Borrower and shall be maintained in blocked deposit accounts at such Issuing Lender. The Borrower hereby grants to the applicable Issuing Lender and the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, on behalf of such Issuing Lender, a security interest in all Cash Collateral pledged to such Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section or otherwise under this Agreement. The Cash Collateral related to a particular Letter of Credit shall be released by the applicable Issuing Lender upon termination or expiration of such Letter of Credit and the reimbursement by the Loan Parties of all amounts drawn thereon and the payment in full of all fees accrued thereon through the date of such expiration or termination. After the Revolving Maturity Date, the Borrower shall pay any and all fees associated with any such Letter of Credit with an expiration date that extends beyond the Revolving Maturity Date directly to the applicable Issuing Lender.

2.9.11 Issuing Lender Reporting Requirements .

Each Issuing Lender shall, on the first Business Day of each month, provide to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent and the Borrower a schedule of the Letters of Credit issued by it, in form and substance satisfactory to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, showing the date of issuance of each Letter of Credit, the account party, the original face amount (if any), and the expiration date of any Letter of Credit outstanding at any time during the preceding month, and any other information relating to such Letter of Credit that the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent may request.

2.10 Borrowings to Repay Swing Loans .

The Swingline Lender may, at its option, exercisable at any time for any reason whatsoever, demand repayment of the Swing Loans, and each Revolving Lender shall make a Revolving Credit Loan in an amount equal to such Revolving Lender’s Ratable Share of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Swing Loans, plus, if the Swingline Lender so requests, accrued interest thereon; provided that no Revolving Lender shall be obligated in any event to make Revolving Credit Loans in excess of the amount that would cause its Revolving Exposure to exceed its Revolving Credit Commitment. Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall bear interest at the Base Rate Option and shall be deemed to have been properly requested in accordance with Section 2.5.1 [Loan Requests] without regard to any of the requirements of that provision. The Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent on behalf of the Swingline Lender shall provide notice to the Revolving Lenders (which may be telephonic or written notice by letter, facsimile or email (in “pdf,” “tif” or similar format)) no later than 11:00 a.m. on any Business Day that such Revolving Credit Loans are to be made under this Section 2.10 [Borrowing to Repay Swing Loans] and of the apportionment among the Revolving Lenders, and the Revolving Lenders shall be unconditionally obligated to fund such Revolving Credit Loans (whether or not the conditions specified in Section 2.5 [Loan Requests] or Section 7.2 [Each Additional Loan or Letter of Credit] are then satisfied) to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent on behalf of the Swingline Lender, no later than 3:00 p.m. on the Settlement Date.

 

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2.11 Incremental Facilities .

2.11.1 Establishment of Incremental Facilities .

The Borrower may by written notice to each Administrative Agent elect to seek (x) commitments to increase the Revolving Credit Commitments (any such increase a “ Revolving Commitment Increase ”) and/or (y) an increase to the principal amount of Term B Loans (a “ Term B Loan Increase ”) or the establishment of one or more new term loan commitments (together with each Term B Loan Increase, an “ Incremental Term B Loan Commitment ”; each Incremental Term B Loan Commitment and Revolving Commitment Increase, an “ Incremental Facility ”) by an aggregate amount for all Incremental Facilities not in excess of the Incremental Cap. For the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred any Incremental Facility in the following order: first, pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of “Incremental Cap” until such clause is no longer available, and thereafter, pursuant to clause (2) of the definition of “Incremental Cap.” Each such notice shall specify the date (each, an “ Incremental Effective Date ”) on which the Borrower proposes that the applicable Incremental Facility shall be effective, which shall be a date not less than five (5) Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to each Administrative Agent.

No Person that is a Lender prior to the effectiveness of any applicable Additional Credit Extension Amendment (a “ Current Lender ”) with respect to any Incremental Facility shall be obligated to provide any such Incremental Facility, and any commitment of any Current Lender to provide an Incremental Facility shall be in the sole discretion of such Current Lender.

2.11.2 Conditions .

Each Incremental Facility shall become effective, as of the applicable Incremental Effective Date; provided that:

(a) before and after giving effect to such Incremental Facility (and, if such Incremental Facility is being established in whole or in part on clause (2) of the definition of “Incremental Cap,” assuming the full amount of such Incremental Facility is drawn), each of the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 [Each Additional Loan or Letter of Credit] shall be satisfied;

(b) before and after giving effect to such Incremental Facility (and, if such Incremental Facility is being established in whole or in part on clause (2) of the definition of “Incremental Cap,” assuming the full amount of such Incremental Facility is drawn), no Potential Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(c) the Loan Parties shall deliver to each Agent on or before the effective date of such Incremental Facility the following documents in a form reasonably acceptable to each applicable Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent: (1) certifications of their corporate secretaries with attached resolutions certifying that the Incremental Facility has been approved by the Loan Parties, (2) opinions of counsel, addressed to each Administrative Agent and the Lenders addressing the authorization, execution and enforceability of the Loan Documents executed in connection with such Incremental Facility, and (3) if requested by the Collateral Agent, amendments to the Mortgages executed and delivered by the applicable Loan Parties to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to reflect the Incremental Facility, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, together with (A) the Required Flood Materials and (B) local counsel opinions regarding the due authorization, execution, delivery, and enforceability of such mortgage amendments. The Loan Parties shall cause the amendments described in clause (3) above to be properly recorded and/or filed in the applicable filing or recording offices; and

 

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(d) the Borrower shall deliver to each Agent a certificate dated as of the Incremental Effective Date signed by a Authorized Officer of the Borrower (1) certifying that the conditions set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above are satisfied and (2) if clause (2) of the definition of “Incremental Cap” is being utilized, setting forth calculations in reasonable detail showing compliance with such clause.

2.11.3 Terms of Revolving Commitment Increases .

Each Revolving Commitment Increase shall be documented as an increase to the Class of Revolving Credit Commitments with the latest Revolving Maturity Date and shall be on the same terms (other than with respect to any upfront fees) as such Class. Each Revolving Commitment Increase shall be not less than $25,000,000 and shall be in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

2.11.4 Terms of Incremental Term B Loan Commitment .

The terms and provisions of the Incremental Term B Loan Commitments and the Term B Loans made pursuant thereto shall be as follows:

(a) each Term B Loan Increase shall be on the same terms (other than, subject to clause (e) below, with respect to any upfront fees or original issue discount) as the Initial Term B Loans, and clauses (c), (d), (f) and (g) below shall not apply to such Term B Loan Increase;

(b) any Incremental Term B Loans shall be secured on a pari passu basis on the Collateral with the Initial Term B Loans and shall not be guaranteed by any Subsidiaries of the Borrower that are not Guarantors and all Liens granted to secure such Incremental Term B Loans shall be granted pursuant to the Security Documents;

(c) the final maturity date of all Incremental Term B Loans shall be no earlier than the Latest Maturity Date as of the time of incurrence of such Incremental Term B Loans;

(d) the Incremental Term B Loans shall have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the then remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term B Loans outstanding prior to such proposed incurrence of such Incremental Term B Loans;

(e) the All-In Yield applicable to any Incremental Term B Loans will be determined by the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Incremental Term B Loans; provided that if the All-In Yield for any Incremental Term B Loans is higher than the All-In Yield for the Initial Term B Loans by more than 50 basis points, then the Applicable Margins for the Initial Term B Loans shall be increased to the extent necessary so that the All-In Yield of the Initial Term B Loans is equal to the All-In Yield for such Incremental Term B Loans minus 50 basis points; provided , that if such Incremental Term B Loans include any LIBOR or Base Rate interest rate “floor” greater than that applicable to the Initial Term B Loans, such differential between interest rate floors shall be equated to Applicable Margins for purposes of the foregoing proviso, but any increase to the All-In Yield of the Initial Term B Loans required by the foregoing proviso as a result of the differential in the interest rate floors may be effected by an increase in the interest rate floor of the Initial Term B Loans rather than an increase in the Applicable Margin;

 

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(f) the Incremental Term B Loans shall not have any terms which require them to be voluntarily or mandatorily prepaid prior to the repayment in full of the Term Loans (including other Incremental Term B Loans), unless accompanied by at least a ratable payment of the Term Loans;

(g) the amount of any Incremental Term B Loans shall not be less than $10,000,000 and shall be in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; and

(h) except as otherwise required or permitted in clauses (a) through (g) above, all other terms of each Incremental Term B Loans, if not consistent with the terms of the Initial Term B Loans, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agents.

2.11.5 Notes .

The Borrower shall execute and deliver (1) to each Current Lender with a Revolving Commitment Increase that requests a Revolving Credit Note a replacement Revolving Credit Note reflecting the new amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment after giving effect to its Revolving Commitment Increase (and the prior Note issued to such Lender shall be deemed to be canceled and shall be returned to the Borrower as soon as practicable), (2) to each new Revolving Lender with an Revolving Commitment Increase that requests a Revolving Credit Note, a Revolving Credit Note reflecting the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and (3) to each Term B Lender that requests a note evidencing its Incremental Term B Loans, a note reflecting the amount of such Term B Lender’s Incremental Term B Loans.

2.11.6 Approval of Incremental Lenders .

Each Incremental Lender shall be subject to the consents specified in Section 11.8.2(c) [Required Consents] as if the Incremental Facility were an assignment.

2.11.7 Documentation .

Each Incremental Facility shall be documented by an Additional Credit Extension Amendment executed by the Incremental Lenders providing such Incremental Facility (and the other Persons specified in the definition of “Additional Credit Extension Amendment” but no other existing Lender), and the Additional Credit Extension Amendment may provide for such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of each applicable Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.11. This Section 2.11 shall supersede any provisions in Section 5.2 [Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders], Section 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] or Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers] to the contrary (but shall be in addition to and not in lieu of the first proviso of Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers]).

2.11.8 Syndication .

In the event that the Borrower elects to request an Incremental Facility, the Borrower and the applicable Administrative Agent agree to mutually develop a syndication strategy, including timelines for commitments, to the extent the applicable Administrative Agent agrees to assist in such syndication.

 

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2.11.9 Treatment of Outstanding Loans and Letters of Credit .

(i) Repayment of Outstanding Revolving Credit Loans; Borrowing of New Revolving Credit Loans . On the effective date of each Revolving Commitment Increase, the Borrower shall (x) repay the Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding to each of the Current Lenders to the extent necessary so that after giving effect to the Revolving Commitment Increases each Current Lender that is a Revolving Lender will have its Ratable Share of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, subject to the Borrower’s indemnity obligations under Section 5.10 [Indemnity] and (y) borrow Revolving Credit Loans from Incremental Lenders to the extent necessary so that after giving effect to the Revolving Commitment Increases, each such Revolving Lender will have its Ratable Share of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans. To facilitate the foregoing, the Borrower may, subject to its compliance with the other terms of this Agreement, borrow new Revolving Credit Loans on the effective date of such increase. The Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to update Schedule 1.1(B) to reflect the increase in Revolving Credit Commitments.

(ii) Outstanding Letters of Credit; Repayment of Outstanding Revolving Credit Loans; Borrowing of New Revolving Credit Loans . On the effective date of each Revolving Commitment Increase, (a) each Current Lender that is a Revolving Lender shall be deemed to have sold its existing participation in each then outstanding Letter of Credit and purchased a participation in each then outstanding Letter of Credit equal to its Ratable Share of such Letters of Credit, and (b) each Incremental Lender will be deemed to have purchased a participation in each then outstanding Letter of Credit equal to its Ratable Share of such Letter of Credit. All fees shall accrue and be paid on the Letters of Credit based upon each Revolving Lender’s participation therein over the relevant period of time. To the extent necessary to enable each of the Current Lenders and the Incremental Lenders to own a Ratable Share of the Participation Advances after any increase in the Revolving Credit Commitments, (a) the Current Lenders that are Revolving Lenders will sell a portion of its Participation Advances, and (b) the Incremental Lenders with commitments to make Revolving Commitment Increases will acquire Participation Advances (and will pay to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, for the account of each selling Revolving Lender, in immediately available funds, an amount) equal to its Ratable Share of all outstanding Participation Advances. All fees and interest on Participation Advances shall be allocated based upon each Revolving Lender’s ownership therein from time to time.

(iii) Making of New Term Loans . On any Incremental Effective Date on which new Term B Loan Increases or Incremental Term B Loan Commitments are effective, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, each Term B Lender of such new Term B Loan Increases or Incremental Term B Loan Commitments shall make a Term B Loan to the Borrower in an amount equal to its Incremental Term B Loan Commitment.

(iv) Equal and Ratable Benefit . The Incremental Facilities established pursuant to this paragraph shall constitute Loans and Commitments under, and shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and shall, without limiting the foregoing, benefit equally and ratably from the Guaranties under the Guaranty Agreement and security interests created by the Security Documents. The Loan Parties shall take any actions reasonably required by the Collateral Agent to ensure and/or demonstrate that the Lien and security interests granted by the Security Documents continue to be perfected under the UCC or otherwise after giving effect to the establishment of any such Class of Term Loans or any such new Commitments.

2.12 Extended Term Loans and Extended Revolving Credit Commitments .

(a) The Borrower may at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the Term Loans of any Class (the Loans of such applicable Class, the “ Existing Term Loans ”) be converted into a new Class of Term Loans (the Loans of such applicable Class, the “ Extended Term Loans ”) with terms consistent with this Section 2.12. In order to establish any Extended Term Loans, the Borrower shall provide a notice to the applicable Administrative Agent (a “ Term Extension Request ”) setting forth the proposed terms of the Extended Term Loans to be established, which shall be identical to those applicable to the Existing Term Loans from which such Extended Term Loans are to be converted except that:

 

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(i) the maturity date of the Extended Term Loans shall be later than the maturity date of the Existing Term Loans and the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Extended Term Loans shall be longer than the then remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Existing Term Loans;

(ii) all or any of the scheduled amortization payments of principal of the Extended Term Loans may be delayed to later dates than the scheduled amortization payments of principal of the Existing Term Loans;

(iii) (A) the interest rates (including through fixed interest rates), interest margins, rate floors, upfront fees, funding discounts, original issue discounts and premiums with respect to the Extended Term Loans may be different than those for the Existing Term Loans and (B) additional fees and/or premiums may be payable to the Extending Lenders providing such Extended Term Loans in addition to any of the items contemplated by the preceding clause (A);

(iv) the Extended Term Loans may have optional prepayment terms (including call protection and prepayment premiums) and mandatory prepayment terms as may be agreed between the Borrower and the Extending Lenders so long as such Extended Term Loans do not participate on a greater than pro rata basis in any such mandatory prepayments as compared to Lenders of existing Term Loans; and

(v) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may be subject to covenants and other terms for the benefit of the Extending Lenders that apply only after the Latest Maturity Date (before giving effect to the Extended Term Loans).

(b) The Borrower may at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the Revolving Credit Commitments of any Class (the Commitments of such applicable Class, the “ Existing Revolving Credit Commitments ”) be converted into a new Class of Revolving Credit Commitments (the Commitments of such applicable Class, the “ Extended Revolving Credit Commitments ”) with terms consistent with this Section 2.12(b). In order to establish any Extended Revolving Credit Commitments, the Borrower shall provide a notice to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent (a “ Revolving Extension Request ”) setting forth the proposed terms of the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments to be established, which terms shall be identical to those applicable to the Existing Revolving Credit Commitments except that:

(i) the maturity date of the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments shall be later than the maturity date of the Existing Revolving Credit Commitments;

(ii) (A) the interest rates, interest margins, rate floors, upfront fees, funding discounts, original issue discount and premiums with respect to the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments may be different than those for the Existing Revolving Credit Commitments and/or (B) additional fees and/or premiums may be payable to the Extending Lenders in addition to or in lieu of any of the items contemplated by the preceding subclause (A) and/or (C) the undrawn revolving credit commitment fee rate with respect to the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments may be different than those for the Existing Revolving Credit Commitments; and

 

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(iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may be subject to covenants and other terms for the benefit of the Extending Lenders that apply only after the Latest Maturity Date (before giving effect to the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments).

(c) Each Extension Request shall specify the date (the “ Extension Effective Date ”) on which the Borrower proposes that the conversion of any Existing Term Loans or Existing Revolving Credit Commitments into Extended Term Loans or Extended Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, shall be effective, which shall be a date reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Administrative Agent. Each Lender of Loans of an Existing Class that are requested to be extended shall be offered the opportunity to convert its Existing Term Loans or Existing Revolving Credit Commitments into Extended Term Loans or Extended Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, on the same basis as each other Lender of Loans or Commitments of the same Existing Class. Any Lender (to the extent applicable, an “ Extending Lender ”) wishing to have all or a portion of its Existing Term Loans or Existing Revolving Credit Commitments subject to such Extension Request converted into Extended Term Loans or Extended Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, shall notify the applicable Administrative Agent (an “ Extension Election ”) on or prior to the date specified in such Extension Request of the amount of its Existing Term Loans or Existing Revolving Credit Commitments subject to such Extension Request that it has elected to convert into Extended Term Loans or Extended Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable. In the event that the aggregate portion of the Existing Term Loans or Existing Revolving Credit Commitments subject to Extension Elections exceeds the amount of the Extended Term Loans or Extended Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, requested pursuant to the Extension Request, the portion of the Existing Term Loans or Existing Revolving Credit Commitments converted shall be allocated on a pro rata basis based on the amount of the Existing Term Loans or Existing Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, included in each such Extension Election. Notwithstanding the conversion of any Existing Revolving Credit Commitment into an Extended Revolving Credit Commitment, such Extended Revolving Credit Commitment shall be treated identically with all Existing Revolving Credit Commitments for purposes of the obligations of a Revolving Lender in respect of Swing Loans under Section 2.10 [Borrowings to Repay Swing Loans] and Letters of Credit under Section 2.9 [Letters of Credit], except that the applicable Additional Credit Extension Amendment may provide that the maturity date for Swing Loans and/or the Letters of Credit may be extended and the related obligations to make Swing Loans and issue Letters of Credit may be continued so long as the Swingline Lender and/or the applicable Issuing Lender, as applicable, have consented to such extensions in their sole discretion (it being understood that no consent of any other Lender shall be required in connection with any such extension).

(d) An Extended Class shall be established pursuant to an Additional Credit Extension Amendment as described in Section 2.12(f) below. No Additional Credit Extension Amendment shall provide for any Class of (x) Extended Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount that is less than $10,000,000 or (y) Extended Revolving Credit Commitments in an aggregate principal amount that is less than $5,000,000. In addition to any terms and changes required or permitted by Section 2.12(a), the Additional Credit Extension Amendment shall amend the scheduled amortization payments with respect to the Existing Term Loans from which the Extended Term Loans were converted to reduce each scheduled principal repayment amounts for the Existing Term Loans in the same proportion as the amount of Existing Term Loans to be converted pursuant to such Additional Credit Extension Amendment.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, on the Extension Effective Date, (i) the principal amount of each Existing Term Loan shall be deemed reduced by an amount equal to the principal amount converted into an Extended Term Loan, (ii) the amount of each

 

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Existing Revolving Credit Commitment shall be deemed reduced by an amount equal to the amount converted into an Extended Revolving Credit Commitment and (iii) if, on any Extension Effective Date, any Revolving Credit Loans of any Extending Lender are outstanding under the applicable Existing Revolving Credit Commitments, such Loans (and any related participations) shall be deemed to be converted into Revolving Credit Loans (and related participations) made pursuant to the Extended Revolving Credit Commitments in the same proportion as such Extending Lender’s Existing Revolving Credit Commitments are converted to Extended Revolving Credit Commitments.

(f) This Section 2.12 shall supersede any provisions in Section 5.2 [Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders], Section 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] or Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers] to the contrary. Each Extended Class shall be documented by an Additional Credit Extension Amendment executed by the Extending Lenders providing such Extended Class (and the other Persons specified in the definition of “Additional Credit Extension Amendment” but no other existing Lender), and the Additional Credit Extension Amendment may provide for such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the applicable Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.12.

2.13 Refinancing Term Loans

2.13.1 The Borrower may at any time and from time to time, by written notice to applicable Administrative Agent, request the establishment of one or more additional Classes of Term Loans under this Agreement or an increase to an existing Class of Term Loans under this Agreement (“ Refinancing Term Loans ”); provided that:

(i) the proceeds of such Refinancing Term Loans shall be used, concurrently or substantially concurrently with the incurrence thereof, solely to refinance all or any portion of any outstanding Term Loans of any Class (such refinanced Term Loans, the “ Refinanced Term Loans ” and such Class, the “ Refinanced Term Loan Class ”);

(ii) each Class of Refinancing Term Loans shall be in an aggregate amount of at least $25,000,000 (or such lesser amount necessary to repay the Refinanced Term Loan Class in full);

(iii) such Refinancing Term Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of Refinanced Term Loans plus any accrued interest, premiums, fees, costs and expenses related thereto (including any original issue discount or upfront fees);

(iv) the maturity date of such Refinancing Term Loans shall be later than the Maturity Date of the Refinanced Term Loans, and the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Refinancing Term Loans shall be longer than the then remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of each Refinanced Term Loan Class;

(v) (A) the rate floors, upfront fees, funding discounts, original issue discounts and premiums with respect to the Refinancing Term Loans may be different than those for the Refinanced Term Loans and (B) additional fees and/or premiums may be payable to the Refinancing Term Lenders providing such Refinancing Term Loans in addition to any of the items contemplated by the preceding clause (A);

(vi) the Refinancing Term Loans may have optional prepayment terms (including call protection and prepayment premiums) and mandatory prepayment terms as may be agreed between the Borrower and the Refinancing Term Lenders so long as such Refinancing Term Loans do not participate on a greater than pro rata basis in any such voluntary or mandatory prepayments as compared to the Refinanced Term Loan Class;

 

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(vii) the covenants and other terms applicable to such Refinancing Term Loans (excluding those terms described in the clauses (i), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) above), which shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the Refinancing Term Lenders, shall not be more favorable (when taken as a whole) to the Refinancing Term Lenders than those applicable to Lenders of the Refinanced Term Loan Class, except to the extent such covenants and other terms apply solely to any period after the Latest Maturity Date (before giving effect to the Refinancing Term Loans);

(viii) no Person that is a Current Lender prior to the effectiveness of any applicable Additional Credit Extension Amendment with respect to any Refinancing Term Loans shall be obligated to provide any such Refinancing Term Loans, and any commitment of any Current Lender to provide a Refinancing Term Loans shall be in the sole discretion of such Current Lender; and

(ix) the Refinancing Term Loans shall rank pari passu in right of payment and of security with the existing Loans, on terms and pursuant to documentation applicable to the Term Loans being refinanced; provided , however , that such Refinancing Term Loans shall be secured on a pari passu basis with the Initial Term B Loans by the same assets that secure the existing Obligations and shall not be guaranteed by any Subsidiaries of Borrower that are not Guarantors.

2.13.2 Each such notice shall specify (x) the date (each, a “ Refinancing Term Loan Effective Date ”) on which the Borrower proposes that the Refinancing Term Loans be made, which shall be a date reasonably acceptable to the applicable Administrative Agent and (y) the identity of the Persons (each of which shall be an assignee permitted pursuant to Section 11.8.2 [Assignments by Lenders] (for this purpose treating a Lender of Refinancing Term Loans as if it were an assignee)) whom the Borrower proposes would provide the Refinancing Term Loans and the portion of the Refinancing Term Loans to be provided by each such Person. On each Refinancing Term Loan Effective Date, each Person with a commitment for a Refinancing Term Loan (each such Person, a “ Refinancing Term Lender ”) shall make a Refinancing Term Loan to the Borrower in a principal amount equal to such Person’s Commitment therefor.

2.13.3 This Section 2.13 shall supersede any provisions in Section 5.2 [Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders], Section 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] or Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers] to the contrary (but shall be in addition to and not in lieu of the first proviso of Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers]). The Refinancing Term Loans shall be documented by an Additional Credit Extension Amendment executed by the Persons providing the Refinancing Term Loans (and the other Persons specified in the definition of “Additional Credit Extension Amendment” but no other existing Lender), and the Additional Credit Extension Amendment may provide for such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the applicable Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.13.

2.14 Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments .

2.14.1 The Borrower may at any time and from time to time, by written notice to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, request the establishment of one or more additional Classes of Revolving Credit Commitments (“ Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments ”) to replace all or a portion of any existing Classes of Revolving Credit Commitments under this Agreement (“ Replaced Revolving Credit Commitments ”); provided that:

 

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(i) substantially concurrently with the effectiveness of the Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments, all or an equivalent portion of the Revolving Credit Commitments in effect immediately prior to such effectiveness shall be terminated, and all or an equivalent portion of the Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding, together with all interest thereon, and all other amounts accrued for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders, shall be repaid or paid (it being understood, however, than any Letters of Credit issued and outstanding under the Replaced Revolving Credit Commitments shall be deemed to have been issued under the Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments if the amount of such Letters of Credit would exceed the remaining amount of commitments under the Replaced Revolving Credit Commitments after giving effect to the reduction contemplated hereby);

(ii) such Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments shall be in an aggregate amount not greater than the aggregate amount of Replaced Revolving Credit Commitments to be replaced plus any accrued interest, fees, costs and expenses related thereto (including any upfront fees);

(iii) the maturity date of such Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments shall be no earlier than the Maturity Date of the Replaced Revolving Credit Commitments;

(iv) the Letter of Credit Aggregate Sublimit and the Swingline Cap under such Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments shall be as agreed between the Borrower, the Lenders providing such Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments, the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender (or any replacement Issuing Lenders) and the Swingline Lender (or any replacement Swingline Lender);

(v) (A) the rate floors, upfront fees, funding discounts, original issue discounts and premiums with respect to the Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments may be different than those for the Replaced Revolving Credit Commitments and (B) additional fees and/or premiums may be payable to the Replacement Revolving Lenders providing such Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments in addition to any of the items contemplated by the preceding clause (A);

(vi) the Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments may have optional prepayment or commitment reduction terms (including call protection and prepayment premiums) and mandatory prepayment or commitment reduction terms as may be agreed between the Borrower and the Replacement Revolving Lenders so long as such Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments do not participate on a greater than pro rata basis in any such voluntary or mandatory prepayments or commitment reductions as compared to the Replaced Revolving Credit Commitments;

(vii) the covenants and other terms applicable to such Replacement Revolving Credit Commitment (excluding those terms described in the clauses (i), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) above), which shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the Replacement Revolving Lenders, shall not be more favorable (when taken as a whole) to the Replacement Revolving Lenders than those applicable to the Lenders with Replaced Revolving Credit Commitments, except to the extent such covenants and other terms apply solely to any period after the Revolving Maturity Date (before giving effect to the Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments);

(viii) no Person that is a Lender prior to the effectiveness of any applicable Additional Credit Extension Amendment with respect to any Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments shall be obligated to provide any such Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments, and any commitment of any Current Lender to provide a Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments shall be in the sole discretion of such Current Lender; and

 

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(ix) the Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments shall rank pari passu in right of payment and of security with the Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to the Replaced Revolving Credit Commitments.

2.14.2 Each such notice shall specify (x) the date on which the Borrower proposes that the Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments become effective, which shall be a date reasonably acceptable to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent and (y) the identity of the Persons (each of which shall be an assignee permitted pursuant to Section 11.8.2 [Assignments by Lenders] (for this purpose treating a Lender of Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments as if it were an assignee)) whom the Borrower proposes would provide the Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments (each such Person, a “ Replacement Revolving Lender ”) and the portion of the Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments to be provided by each such Person.

2.14.3 This Section 2.14 shall supersede any provisions in Section 5.2 [Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders], Section 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] or Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers] to the contrary. The Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments shall be documented by an Additional Credit Extension Amendment executed by the Persons providing the Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments (and the other Persons specified in the definition of “Additional Credit Extension Amendment” but no other existing Lender), and the Additional Credit Extension Amendment may provide for such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.14.

2.15 Defaulting Lenders .

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(i) fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.3 [Commitment Fees];

(ii) the Commitment and outstanding Loans of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in any vote of Lenders except as required by Section 11.1.5 [Defaulting Lenders];

(iii) if any Swing Loans are outstanding or any Letter of Credit Obligations exist at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then:

(A) all or any part of the outstanding Swing Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders with a Revolving Credit Commitment in accordance with their respective Ratable Shares but only to the extent that (x) the Revolving Facility Usage does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments, and (y) no Potential Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at such time;

(B) if the reallocation described in clause (A) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within one Business Day following notice by the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such outstanding Swing Loans, and (y) second, Cash Collateralize for the benefit of the Issuing Lenders (ratably among the Issuing Lenders) the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Obligations (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (A) above) in a deposit account held at the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for so long as such Letter of Credit Obligations are outstanding;

 

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(C) if the Borrower Cash Collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Obligations pursuant to clause (B) above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.9.2 [Letter of Credit Fees] with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Obligations during the period such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Obligations are cash collateralized;

(D) if the Letter of Credit Obligations of the non-Defaulting Lenders are reallocated pursuant to clause (A) above, then the fees payable to the Revolving Lenders pursuant to Section 2.9.2 [Letter of Credit Fees] shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Ratable Share; and

(E) if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Obligations are neither reallocated nor Cash Collateralized pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Lender or any other Revolving Lender hereunder, all Letter of Credit Fees payable under Section 2.9.2 [Letter of Credit Fees] with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Letter of Credit Obligations shall be payable to the Issuing Lenders ((ratably among them) and not to such Defaulting Lender) until and to the extent that such Letter of Credit Obligations are reallocated and/or Cash Collateralized; and

(iv) so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (x) no Issuing Lender shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless such Issuing Lender is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations will be 100% covered by the Revolving Credit Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.13(a)(iii)(B), and (y) participating interests in any newly made Swing Loan or any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.13(a)(iii)(A) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

(b) In the event that the applicable Administrative Agents, the Borrower, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Lenders agree in writing that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Revolving Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the applicable Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, and the Ratable Share of the Swing Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations of the Revolving Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Revolving Lender’s Commitment, and on such date such Revolving Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Revolving Lenders (other than Swing Loans) as the applicable Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Revolving Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Ratable Share.

2.16 Discounted Prepayment Offers .

(a) Discounted Prepayment Offers . Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, so long as no Potential Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower may prepay outstanding Term Loans (which shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be automatically and permanently canceled immediately upon such prepayment) on the following basis:

 

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(i) The Borrower shall have the right to make a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a discount to par (a “ Discounted Prepayment ”) pursuant to a Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation made in accordance with this Section 2.16; provided that the Borrower shall not initiate any action under this Section 2.16 to make a Discounted Prepayment unless (I) at least ten (10) Business Days shall have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Prepayment; or (II) at least three (3) Business Days shall have passed since (x) the Discounted Prepayment Response Date in any Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation in which no Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Term Loan at or below the Maximum Prepayment Price or (y) the date of the Borrower’s revocation in full of any Discounted Prepayment in accordance with clause (h) below.

(b) Procedures .

(i) Subject to the proviso to clause (a) above, the Borrower may from time to time solicit Discounted Prepayment Offers in the form of a Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation by providing notice to the applicable Administrative Agent at least three (3) Business Days (unless a shorter notice period is agreed to by such Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) in advance of the proposed Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended, at the sole discretion of the Borrower, to (x) each Term Lender and/or (y) each Term Lender with respect to any Class of Term Loans on an individual Class basis, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate principal amount of Term Loans subject to a discounted prepayment offer solicitation in accordance with clause (iv) below (the “ Target Discounted Prepayment Amount ”), the Class or Classes of Term Loans subject to such offer and the maximum prepayment price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of each relevant Class of Term Loans at which the Borrower is willing to prepay such Term Loans (the “ Maximum Prepayment Price ”) (it being understood that different Maximum Prepayment Prices and Target Discounted Prepayment Amounts may be offered with respect to different Classes of Term Loans and, in such event, each offer will be treated as a separate offer pursuant to the terms of this Section 2.16), (III) the Target Discounted Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $25,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or the remaining outstanding amount of such Class of Term Loans) and (IV) subject to clause (h) below, each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Discounted Prepayment Response Date. Each applicable Administrative Agent will promptly provide each Lender holding the applicable Class of Term Loans with a copy of such Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation and a form of the Discounted Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding Lender to the applicable Administrative Agent no later than the Discounted Prepayment Response Date. Except in the case of any amendment or modification of a Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation as set forth in Section 2.16(h) below, each Lender’s Discounted Prepayment Offer shall be irrevocable and shall specify a minimum prepayment price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), which shall be at or below the Maximum Prepayment Price (the “ Submitted Prepayment Price ”) at which such Lender is willing to allow prepayment of any or all of its then outstanding Term Loans of the applicable Class and the maximum aggregate principal amount and Class of such Lender’s Term Loans subject to a discounted prepayment offer in accordance with clause (d) below (the “ Submitted Amount ”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Submitted Prepayment Price. Each Lender may only submit one Discounted Prepayment Offer, but each Discounted Prepayment Offer may contain up to three offers, with each such offer specifying a Submitted Prepayment Price for the applicable Class or Classes of Term Loans and a corresponding Submitted Amount therefor (each such offer, a “ Tiered Offer ”), only one of which may result in a Qualifying Offer. Any Lender whose Discounted Prepayment Offer is not received by the Administrative Agent by the Discounted Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to make a Discounted Prepayment Offer and to have declined to accept a Discounted Prepayment of any of its Term Loans at any prepayment price at or below the Maximum Prepayment Price.

 

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(ii) The applicable Administrative Agent shall promptly, following a request by the Borrower, advise the Borrower and, in any event, no later than the first Business Day following a Discounted Prepayment Response Date, of all Discounted Prepayment Offers. The applicable Administrative Agent shall review all Discounted Prepayment Offers received at or before the applicable Discounted Prepayment Response Date and shall determine (subject to the approval of the Borrower and subject to the rounding requirements of the applicable Administrative Agent made in its reasonable discretion) the Clearing Prepayment Price and the Class(es) of Term Loans to be prepaid at such Clearing Prepayment Price in accordance with this Section 2.16. As used herein, the “ Clearing Prepayment Price ” shall be the lowest prepayment price at or below the Maximum Prepayment Price that yields a Discounted Prepayment in an aggregate principal amount equal to the lower of (x) the Target Discounted Prepayment Amount and (y) the sum of all Submitted Amounts. Each Lender that has submitted a Discounted Prepayment Offer to accept prepayment at a prepayment price that is at or below the Clearing Prepayment Price with respect to one or more Classes of Term Loans (each, a “ Qualifying Offer ”) shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to the prepayment of such Class or Classes or Term Loans equal to its Submitted Amount (subject to any required proration pursuant to the following subsection (iii)) at the Clearing Prepayment Price (each such Lender, a “ Participating Lender ”). If a Participating Lender has submitted a Discounted Prepayment Offer containing Tiered Offers for the applicable Class or Classes of Term Loans at different Submitted Prepayment Prices, only the Tiered Offer with the highest Submitted Prepayment Price that is equal to or less than the Clearing Prepayment Price will be deemed to be the Discounted Prepayment Offer of such Participating Lender.

(iii) Subject to clause (h) below, if there is at least one Participating Lender, the Borrower will prepay the Submitted Amount of the applicable Class(es) of each Participating Lender at the Clearing Prepayment Price for such Class(es); provided that if the Submitted Amount by all Participating Lenders offered at a prepayment price at or below the Clearing Prepayment Price exceeds the Target Discounted Prepayment Amount for the applicable Class(es), prepayment of the principal amount of the relevant Class(es) of Term Loans for those Participating Lenders whose Submitted Prepayment Price is equal to the Clearing Prepayment Price (the “ Identified Participating Lenders ”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Participating Lenders in accordance with the Submitted Amount of each such Identified Participating Lender for such Class, and the applicable Administrative Agent (subject to the approval of the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the applicable Administrative Agent made in its reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “ Discounted Prepayment Proration ”). Unless a Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation is withdrawn in accordance with clause (h) below, promptly, and in any case within five (5) Business Days following the Discounted Prepayment Response Date, (I) the Borrower shall notify the applicable Administrative Agent of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, (II) such Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Clearing Prepayment Price for each Class of Term Loans, and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Prepayment and each Class of Term Loans to be prepaid at the Clearing Prepayment Price on such date (the “ Clearing Prepayment Price Notice ”), and (III) such Administrative Agent shall notify each Participating Lender of the aggregate principal amount of each Class of Term Loans of such Lender to be prepaid at the Clearing Prepayment Price on such date. Each determination by the Borrower of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Lenders shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with clause (d) below (subject to clause (h) below).

(c) In connection with any Discounted Prepayment, the Borrower and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the applicable Administrative Agent may require as a condition to any Discounted Prepayment, the payment of customary reasonable, documented fees and expenses from the Borrower in connection therewith.

 

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(d) The Borrower shall make each Discounted Prepayment to the applicable Administrative Agent, for the account of the Participating Lenders, at such Administrative Agent’s office in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and all such prepayments shall be applied to the remaining principal installments of the relevant Class of Term Loans on a pro rata basis across such installments. The Term Loans so prepaid shall be accompanied by all accrued and unpaid interest on the par principal amount so prepaid up to, but not including, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date. The aggregate principal amount of the Classes and installments of the relevant Term Loans outstanding shall be deemed reduced by the full par value of the aggregate principal amount of the Classes of Term Loans prepaid on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in any Discounted Prepayment.

(e) To the extent not expressly provided for herein, each Discounted Prepayment shall be consummated pursuant to procedures consistent with the provisions in this Section 2.16, established by the Borrower and reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Administrative Agent.

(f) Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, for purposes of this Section 2.16, each notice or other communication required to be delivered or otherwise provided to the applicable Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have been given upon such Administrative Agent’s actual receipt during normal business hours of such notice or communication in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation; provided that any notice or communication actually received outside of normal business hours shall be deemed to have been given as of the opening of business on the next Business Day.

(g) The Borrower and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the applicable Administrative Agent may (x) perform any and all of its duties under this Section 2.16 by itself or through any sub-agent or (y) decline to perform any or all duties under this Section 2.16, in which case under this clause (y) the Borrower may appoint any other financial institution or advisor (that is not the Borrower or any of its Affiliates) to act as an arranger in connection with any Discounted Prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.16. References to “Administrative Agent” in this Section 2.16 shall be deemed (i) in the case of clause (x) above, to include any sub-agent and (ii) in the case of clause (y) above, to be such other financial institution or advisor appointed pursuant to this clause (g), and, in either case, the Borrower and the Lenders expressly consent to the performance of such duties by such sub-agent or other financial institution or advisor, as applicable. The exculpatory provisions pursuant to this Section 2.16, Section 10 [The Agents] of this Agreement and any other Loan Document shall apply to each such appointed sub-agent or other financial institution or advisor and its respective activities in connection with any Discounted Prepayment provided for in this Section 2.16 as well as the activities of the applicable Administrative Agent. Each Lender submitting any Discounted Prepayment Offer acknowledges and agrees for itself and on behalf of its assignees and Participants that in connection with each Discounted Prepayment, such Lender has independently and, without reliance on any other Related Party of such Lender, has made and will continue to make its own analysis and determination to participate in each Discounted Prepayment and based on documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time.

(h) The Borrower shall have the right, by written notice to each applicable Administrative Agent, to (x) amend or modify any Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation at its discretion at any time on or prior to the applicable Discounted Prepayment Response Date pursuant to procedures established by the Borrower and reasonably satisfactory to such Administrative Agent or (y) revoke in full (but not in part) its offer to make a Discounted Prepayment and rescind the Discounted Prepayment Offer Solicitation therefor at its discretion at any time on or prior to delivery of the applicable Clearing Prepayment Price Notice (and if such offer is so revoked, any failure by the Borrower to make any prepayment to a Lender, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall not constitute a Potential Default or Event of Default).

 

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(i) The Borrower may not use the proceeds of any Revolving Credit Loans or Swing Loans to fund any Discounted Prepayment.

3. AMORTIZATION OF TERM LOANS

3.1 Scheduled Amortization of Initial Term A Loans .

Subject to adjustment as a result of prepayments in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Borrower shall repay, and there shall become due and payable (together with accrued interest thereon), on each Quarterly Payment Date of each month listed below, the aggregate principal amount of the Initial Term A Loans indicated opposite such date:

 

Month

   Amortization
Payment
 

March 2018

   $ 3,750,000  

June 2018

   $ 3,750,000  

September 2018

   $ 3,750,000  

December 2018

   $ 3,750,000  

March 2019

   $ 3,750,000  

June 2019

   $ 3,750,000  

September 2019

   $ 3,750,000  

December 2019

   $ 3,750,000  

March 2020

   $ 6,250,000  

June 2020

   $ 6,250,000  

September 2020

   $ 6,250,000  

December 2020

   $ 6,250,000  

March 2021

   $ 11,250,000  

June 2021

   $ 11,250,000  

September 2021

   $ 11,250,000  

Term A Loan Maturity Date

   $ 11,250,000  

; provided that in any event any remaining unpaid principal amount of Initial Term A Loans shall be due and payable on the earlier of (a) the Term A Loan Maturity Date applicable to the Initial Term A Loans and (b) the date the Initial Term A Loans are declared due and payable pursuant to Section 9.2 [Consequences of Event of Default].

3.2 Scheduled Amortization of Initial Term B Loans .

Subject to adjustment as a result of prepayments in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Borrower shall repay, and there shall become due and payable (together with accrued interest thereon), on each Quarterly Payment Date, commencing with the last Business Day of March 2018, 0.25% of the original principal amount of the Initial Term B Loans; provided that in any event any remaining unpaid principal amount of Initial Term B Loans shall be due and payable on the earlier of (a) the Term B Loan Maturity Date applicable to the Initial Term B Loans and (b) the date the Initial Term B Loans are declared due and payable pursuant to Section 9.2 [Consequences of Event of Default].

 

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4. INTEREST RATES

4.1 Interest Rate Options .

The Borrower shall pay interest in respect of the outstanding unpaid principal amount of the Loans as selected by it from the Base Rate Option or LIBOR Rate Option set forth below applicable to the Loans, it being understood that, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower may select different Interest Rate Options and different Interest Periods to apply simultaneously to the Loans comprising different Borrowing Tranches and may convert to or renew one or more Interest Rate Options with respect to all or any portion of the Loans comprising any Borrowing Tranche; provided that (i) there shall not be at any one time outstanding more than ten (10) Borrowing Tranches in the aggregate among all of the Loans and (ii) if an Event of Default or Potential Default exists and is continuing, the Borrower may not request, convert to, or renew the LIBOR Rate Option for any Loans and the Required Class Lenders of any Class may demand that all existing Borrowing Tranches of such Class bearing interest under the LIBOR Rate Option shall be converted immediately to the Base Rate Option, subject to the obligation of the Borrower to pay any indemnity under Section 5.10 [Indemnity] in connection with such conversion. If at any time the designated rate applicable to any Loan made by any Lender exceeds such Lender’s highest lawful rate, the rate of interest on such Lender’s Loan shall be limited to such Lender’s highest lawful rate.

4.1.1 Interest Rate Options; Swing Line Interest Rate .

(a) The Borrower shall have the right to select from the following Interest Rate Options applicable to the Loans:

(i) Base Rate Option : A fluctuating rate per annum (computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed) equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, such interest rate to change automatically from time to time effective as of the effective date of each change in the Base Rate; or

(ii) LIBOR Rate Option : A rate per annum (computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) equal to the LIBOR Rate as determined for each applicable Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin.

(b) Subject to Section 4.3 [Interest After Default], only the Base Rate Option applicable to Revolving Credit Loans shall apply to Swing Loans.

4.1.2 Rate Quotations .

The Borrower may call the applicable Administrative Agent on or before the date on which a Loan Request is to be delivered to receive an indication of the rates then in effect, but it is acknowledged that such projection shall not be binding on the applicable Administrative Agent or the applicable Lenders nor affect the rate of interest which thereafter is actually in effect when the election is made.

4.2 Interest Periods .

At any time when the Borrower shall select, convert to or renew a LIBOR Rate Option, the Borrower shall notify the applicable Administrative Agent thereof at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such LIBOR Rate Option by delivering a Loan Request. The notice shall specify an Interest Period during which such Interest Rate Option shall apply. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the following provisions shall apply to any selection of, renewal of, or conversion to a LIBOR Rate Option:

 

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(a) each Borrowing Tranche of Loans under the LIBOR Rate Option shall be in integral multiples and not less than the respective amounts set forth in Section 2.5.1 [Loan Requests] for Borrowings;

(b) in the case of the renewal of a LIBOR Rate Option at the end of an Interest Period, the first day of the new Interest Period shall be the last day of the preceding Interest Period, without duplication in payment of interest for such day; and

(c) Section 4.5 [Selection of Interest Rate Options] shall apply to any Loan under the LIBOR Rate Option as to which an interest election has not been made prior to the deadline for delivery of a notice set forth above.

4.3 Interest After Default .

To the extent permitted by Law, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and until such time such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived, and upon written demand by the Required Lenders:

(a) the Letter of Credit Fees and the rate of interest for each Loan otherwise applicable pursuant to Section 2.9.2 [Letter of Credit Fees] or Section 4.1 [Interest Rate Options], respectively, shall be increased by 2.0% per annum; and

(b) each other Obligation hereunder if not paid when due shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the rate of interest applicable under the Base Rate Option with respect to Revolving Credit Loans plus an additional 2.0% per annum from the time such Obligation becomes due and payable and until it is paid in full.

The Borrower acknowledges that the increase in rates referred to in this Section 4.3 reflects, among other things, the fact that such Loans or other amounts have become a substantially greater risk given their default status and that the Lenders are entitled to additional compensation for such risk; and all such interest shall be payable by the Borrower upon demand by the applicable Administrative Agent.

4.4 LIBOR Rate Unascertainable; Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available .

4.4.1 Unascertainable .

If on any date on which a LIBOR Rate would otherwise be determined with respect to the Loans and/or Commitments of any Class, the applicable Administrative Agent shall have determined that:

(a) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining such LIBOR Rate, or

(b) a contingency has occurred which materially and adversely affects the Relevant Interbank Market relating to the LIBOR Rate,

such Administrative Agent shall have the rights specified in Section 4.4.3 [Administrative Agent’s and Lender’s Rights].

 

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4.4.2 Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available .

If at any time any Lender shall have determined that:

(a) the making, maintenance or funding of any Loan to which a LIBOR Rate Option applies has been made impracticable or unlawful by compliance by such Lender in good faith with any Law or any interpretation or application thereof by any Official Body or with any request or directive of any such Official Body (whether or not having the force of Law), or

(b) such LIBOR Rate Option will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lender of the establishment or maintenance of any such Loan, or

(c) after making all reasonable efforts, deposits of the relevant amount in Dollars for the relevant Interest Period for a Loan, or to banks generally, to which a LIBOR Rate Option applies, respectively, are not available to such Lender with respect to such Loan, or to banks generally, in the interbank eurodollar market,

then the applicable Administrative Agent shall have the rights specified in Section 4.4.3 [Administrative Agent’s and Lender’s Rights].

4.4.3 Administrative Agent s and Lender s Rights .

In the case of any event specified in Section 4.4.1 [Unascertainable] above, the applicable Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the applicable Lenders and the Borrower thereof, and in the case of an event specified in Section 4.4.2 [Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available] above, the applicable Lender shall promptly so notify the applicable Administrative Agent and endorse a certificate to such notice as to the specific circumstances of such notice, and the applicable Administrative Agent shall promptly send copies of such notice and certificate to the other applicable Lenders and the Borrower. Upon such date as shall be specified in such notice (which shall not be earlier than the date such notice is given), the obligation of (A) the Revolving Lenders and the Term A Lenders, in the case of such notice given by the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, (B) the Term B Lenders, in the case of such notice given by the TLB Administrative Agent, or (C) such Lender, in the case of such notice given by such Lender, to allow the Borrower to select, convert to or renew a LIBOR Rate Option shall be suspended until the applicable Administrative Agent shall have later notified the Borrower, or such Lender shall have later notified the applicable Administrative Agent, of the applicable Administrative Agent’s or such Lender’s, as the case may be, determination that the circumstances giving rise to such previous determination no longer exist. If at any time any Administrative Agent makes a determination under Section 4.4.1 [Unascertainable] and the Borrower has previously notified the applicable Administrative Agent of its selection of, conversion to or renewal of a LIBOR Rate Option and such Interest Rate Option has not yet gone into effect, such notification shall be deemed to provide for selection of, conversion to or renewal of the Base Rate Option otherwise available with respect to such Loans. If any Lender notifies the applicable Administrative Agent of a determination under Section 4.4.2 [Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available], the Borrower shall, subject to the Borrower’s indemnification Obligations under Section 5.10 [Indemnity], as to any Loan of such Lender to which a LIBOR Rate Option applies, on the date specified in such notice either convert such Loan to the Base Rate Option otherwise available with respect to such Loan or prepay such Loan in accordance with Section 5.6 [Voluntary Prepayments]. Absent due notice from the Borrower of conversion or prepayment, such Loan shall automatically be converted to the Base Rate Option otherwise available with respect to such Loan upon such specified date.

 

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4.5 Selection of Interest Rate Options .

If the Borrower fails to select a new Interest Period to apply to any Borrowing Tranche of Loans under the LIBOR Rate Option at the expiration of an existing Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing Tranche in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2 [Interest Periods], the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month, commencing upon the last day of the existing Interest Period.

5. PAYMENTS

5.1 Payments .

All payments and prepayments to be made in respect of principal, interest, Commitment Fees, Letter of Credit Fees, each Administrative Agent’s Fee or other fees or amounts due from the Borrower hereunder shall be payable prior to 1:00 p.m. on the date when due without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, and without set-off, counterclaim or other deduction of any nature, and an action therefor shall immediately accrue. All payments shall be made in U.S. Dollars and in immediately available funds. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all such payments shall be made (a) to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent at its Principal Office for the account of the Swingline Lender with respect to the Swing Loans and for the ratable accounts of the applicable Lenders with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans or Term A Loans and (b) to the TLB Administrative Agent at its Principal Office for the ratable accounts of the applicable Lenders with respect to the Term B Loans, and the applicable Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute such amounts to the appropriate Lenders in immediately available funds; provided that in the event payments are received by 1:00 p.m. by the applicable Administrative Agent with respect to the Loans and such payments are not distributed to the applicable Lenders on the same day received by the applicable Administrative Agent, the applicable Administrative Agent shall pay the appropriate Lenders interest at the Federal Funds Effective Rate with respect to the amount of such payments for each day held by the applicable Administrative Agent and not distributed to the Lenders. The applicable Administrative Agent’s and each applicable Lender’s statement of account, ledger or other relevant record shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive as the statement of the amount of principal of and interest on the Loans and other amounts owing under this Agreement and shall be deemed an “account stated.”

5.2 Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders .

Each Borrowing Tranche shall be allocated to each Lender according to its Ratable Share, and each selection of, conversion to or renewal of any Interest Rate Option and each payment or prepayment by the Borrower with respect to principal, interest, Commitment Fees, Letter of Credit Fees, or other fees (except for each Administrative Agent’s Fee and the fees payable to the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.9.2 [Letter of Credit Fees]) or amounts due from the Borrower hereunder to the Revolving Lenders with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitments and the Loans, shall (except as otherwise may be provided with respect to a Defaulting Lender and except as provided in Section 4.4.3 [Administrative Agent’s and Lender’s Rights] in the case of an event specified in Section 4.4 [LIBOR Rate Unascertainable; Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available], Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender] or Section 5.8 [Increased Costs]) be payable ratably among the Lenders of the applicable Class entitled to such payment in accordance with the amount of principal, interest, Commitment Fees, Letter of Credit Fees, and other fees or amounts then due to such Lender as set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, each borrowing or payment or prepayment by the Borrower of principal, interest, fees or other amounts from the Borrower with respect to Swing Loans shall be made by or to the Swingline Lender according to Section 2.10 [Borrowings to Repay Swing Loans].

 

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5.3 Sharing of Payments by Lenders .

If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff, counterclaim or banker’s lien, by receipt of voluntary payment, by realization upon security, or by any other non-pro rata source, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations greater than the pro rata share of the amount such Lender is entitled thereto, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify each Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them, provided that:

(i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, together with interest or other amounts, if any, required by Law (including court order) to be paid by the Lender or the holder making such purchase; and

(ii) the provisions of this Section 5.3 shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by the Loan Parties pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of the Loan Documents (including Section 2.16 [Discounted Prepayment Offers]) or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or Participation Advances to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section 5.3 shall apply).

Each Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against each Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of each Loan Party in the amount of such participation.

5.4 Presumptions by Administrative Agents .

Unless an Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to such Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders or, in the case of the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, such Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the applicable Lenders or, in the case of the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the applicable Lenders or, in the case of the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the applicable Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or, in the case of the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to such Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by such Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

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5.5 Interest Payment Dates .

Interest on Loans to which the Base Rate Option applies shall be due and payable in arrears on each Payment Date. Interest on Loans to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies shall be due and payable on the last day of each Interest Period for those Loans and, if such Interest Period is longer than three (3) Months, also on each date that falls every three (3) Months after the beginning of such Interest Period. Mandatory prepayments of Term Loans under Section 5.7 [Mandatory Prepayments] shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the principal prepaid. Interest on the principal amount of each Loan or other monetary Obligation shall be due and payable on demand after such principal amount or other monetary Obligation becomes due and payable (whether on the stated Maturity Date, upon acceleration or otherwise).

5.6 Voluntary Prepayments .

5.6.1 Right to Prepay .

So long as the Borrower has repaid any unreimbursed LC Disbursements, the Borrower shall have the right at its option from time to time to prepay the Loans in whole or part, without premium or penalty (except as provided in Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender] below, in Section 5.8 [Increased Costs], Section 5.10 [Indemnity] or Section 5.6.4 [Prepayment Premium]). Whenever the Borrower desires to prepay any part of the Loans, it shall provide a prepayment notice to the applicable Administrative Agent by 1:00 p.m. at least one (1) Business Day prior to the date of prepayment of the Loans to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies or no later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of prepayment of Loans to which the Base Rate Option applies, setting forth the following information:

(a) the date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the proposed prepayment is to be made;

(b) a statement indicating the application of the prepayment among the Classes of Loans;

(c) a statement indicating the application of the prepayment between Loans to which the Base Rate Option applies and Loans to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies; and

(d) the total principal amount of such prepayment; provided that any partial prepayment of the Loans of any Class shall be in an amount not less than (i) with respect to Swing Loans, $100,000 and (ii) in the case of Loans of any other Class, $5,000,000.

Each such prepayment notice shall be accompanied by and shall be accompanied by a certificate of the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower as to the estimated Applicable Prepayment Premium due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation.

All prepayment notices shall be irrevocable, except that any notice of voluntary prepayment may state that such notice is conditional upon the consummation of a financing transaction, in which case such notice of prepayment may be revoked or delayed by the Borrower (by notice to the applicable Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified date of prepayment) if such condition is not satisfied. The principal amount of the Loans for which a prepayment notice is given, together with interest on such principal amount, shall be due and payable on the date specified in such prepayment notice as the date on which the proposed prepayment is to be made. All Term Loan prepayments permitted pursuant to this Section 5.6.1 [Right to Prepay] shall be applied to the remaining Principal Amortization Payments of each

 

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Class as directed in writing by the Borrower to the applicable Administrative Agent (or if no such direction, ratably to the remaining Principal Amortization Payments of such Class). Except as provided in Section 4.4.3 [Administrative Agent’s and Lender’s Rights], if the Borrower prepays a Loan under this Section 5.6.1 but fails to specify the applicable Borrowing Tranche which the Borrower is prepaying, the prepayment shall be applied (i)  first to Swing Loans, second to Revolving Credit Loans and third to Term Loans; and (ii) after giving effect to the allocations in clause (i) above and in the preceding two sentences, first to Loans to which the Base Rate Option applies, then to Loans to which the LIBOR Rate Option applies. Any prepayment hereunder shall be subject to the Borrower’s obligation to indemnify the Lenders under Section 5.10 [Indemnity].

5.6.2 Replacement of a Lender .

In the event any Lender (a) gives notice under Section 4.4 [LIBOR Rate Unascertainable; Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available], (b) requests compensation under Section 5.8 [Increased Costs], or requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amount to any Lender or any Official Body for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 5.9 [Taxes], (c) is a Defaulting Lender, or (d) is a Non-Consenting Lender referred to in Section 11.1.4 [Non-Consenting Lenders], then in any such event the Borrower may, at its sole expense, upon notice to such Lender and the applicable Administrative Agent, either:

(a) prepay the Loans and Participation Advances of such Lender in whole, together with all interest accrued thereon and any accrued fees and all other amounts payable to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 5.10 [Indemnity]), and terminate such Lender’s Commitment; or

(b) at its sole expense, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 11.8 [Successors and Assigns]), all of its interests, rights (other than existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 5.8 [Increased Costs] or 5.9 [Taxes]) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

(i) the Borrower or such assignee shall have paid to the applicable Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 11.8 [Successors and Assigns];

(ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and Participation Advances, accrued interest thereon, the Applicable Prepayment Premium that would be due pursuant to Section 5.6.4 [Prepayment Premium] if the Initial Term B Loans being assigned were being prepaid as if they were being prepaid (if such assignment was required to be made by a Term B Lender of its Initial Term B Loans due to its refusal to consent to an amendment or waiver of Section 5.6.4 [Prepayment Premium]), accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 5.10 [Indemnity]) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of the prepayment premium and all other amounts);

(iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 5.8.1 [Increased Costs Generally] or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 5.9 [Taxes], such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and

 

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(iv) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Law.

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Each Lender agrees that, if the Borrower elects to replace such Lender in accordance with this Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender], it shall promptly execute and deliver to the applicable Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption Agreement to evidence the assignment and shall deliver to the applicable Administrative Agent any Note (if Notes have been issued in respect of such Lender’s Loans) subject to such Assignment and Assumption Agreement; provided that the failure of any such Lender to execute an Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall not render such assignment invalid, and such assignment shall be recorded in the Register if all other requirements of such assignments have been satisfied.

5.6.3 Designation of a Different Lending Office .

If any Lender requests compensation under Section 5.8 [Increased Costs], or the Borrower is or will be required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Official Body for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 5.9 [Taxes], then such Lender shall (at the request of the Borrower) use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 5.8 [Increased Costs] or Section 5.9 [Taxes], as the case may be, in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

5.6.4 Prepayment Premium .

In the event that, on or prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date, the Borrower prepays pursuant to Section 5.6.1 [Right to Prepay] or prepays or refinances any Initial Term B Loans pursuant to Section 5.7.3 [Issuance of Debt], the Borrower shall pay to the TLB Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the Term B Lenders holding Initial Term B Loans, (i) the Make-Whole Premium on the aggregate principal amount of the Initial Term B Loans so prepaid or refinanced on or prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, (ii) a premium of 2.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Initial Term B Loans so prepaid or refinanced after the first anniversary of the Closing Date, but on or prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date and (iii) a premium of 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Initial Term B Loans so prepaid or refinanced after the second anniversary of the Closing Date, but on or prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date. The amounts paid pursuant to the preceding sentence are referred to herein as the “ Applicable Prepayment Premium .” All such amounts shall be due and payable on the date of the relevant prepayment pursuant to Section 5.6.1 [Right to Prepay] or Section 5.7.3 [Issuance of Debt]. For the avoidance of doubt, no prepayment premium shall be payable hereunder in connection with any prepayment or refinancing of Initial Term B Loans after the third anniversary of the Closing Date. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Section 5.6.4, any purchase of an Initial Term B Loan pursuant to Section 5.07 of the Intercreditor Agreement shall, for purposes of this Section 5.6.4, be deemed to be a prepayment of such Initial Term B Loan pursuant to Section 5.6.1 hereof made at the time of such purchase.

 

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5.7 Mandatory Prepayments .

5.7.1 Revolving Credit Commitments .

If at any time the Revolving Facility Usage is in excess of the Revolving Credit Commitments (as used in this Section 5.7.1, a “ deficiency ”), the Borrower shall immediately make a principal payment on the Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Loans sufficient to cause the principal balance of such Loans then outstanding to be equal to or less than the Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect. If a deficiency cannot be eliminated pursuant to this Section 5.7.1 by prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Loans as a result of outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations, the Borrower shall also deposit cash collateral with the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, to be held by the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent to secure such outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations.

5.7.2 Dispositions .

(a) In the event of any Disposition pursuant to Section 8.2.7(l) [Dispositions] or any Casualty Event, the Borrower shall within five (5) Business Days following the receipt by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Net Cash Proceeds apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to the prepayment of Term Loans; provided that (i) with respect to any such Net Cash Proceeds, at the election of the Borrower (as notified by the Borrower to the Administrative Agents within five (5) Business Days following the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds (or such later time (but not later than ten (10) Business Days following such receipt) as the Administrative Agents may agree in their sole discretion)), the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary may reinvest all or any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds within twelve (12) months of receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds (or if committed to be reinvested within such 12-month period, actually reinvested no later than six (6) months following such commitment) in assets (other than current assets (except for current assets acquired as part of a business)) to be used in the business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided further that if any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds are not so used prior to the expiration of such 12-month period, such portion shall thereupon (or if such Net Cash Proceeds are contractually committed to be used during such 12-month period, then upon the termination of such contract or if such Net Cash Proceeds are not so used within six (6) months following entry into such commitment) be immediately applied to the prepayment of the Term Loans as set forth in this Section 5.7.2(a) and (ii) the requirements of this Section 5.7.2 [Dispositions] shall not apply with respect to an aggregate of $5,000,000 of Net Cash Proceeds from Dispositions pursuant to Section 8.2.7(l) and Casualty Events occurring in the same fiscal year.

(b) In the event of any Permitted Undivided Interests Sale, the Borrower shall within one (1) Business Day following the receipt by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Net Cash Proceeds therefrom prepay Term Loans and reduce Revolving Credit Commitments in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds.

5.7.3 Issuance of Debt .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.7.3(b) below, within one Business Day following the incurrence of any Indebtedness for borrowed money by the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (except for the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2.1 [Indebtedness]), the Borrower shall apply an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of such Indebtedness toward the prepayment of Term Loans.

(b) Concurrently with the incurrence of any Refinancing Term Loans or Replacement Revolving Credit Commitments, the Borrower shall prepay the Refinanced Term Loan Class or the Revolving Credit Loans made under the Replaced Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable.

 

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5.7.4 Excess Cash Flow .

In the event that there shall be Excess Cash Flow for any Excess Cash Flow Period, the Borrower shall, no later than ten (10) Business Days after annual financial statements are required to be furnished pursuant to Section 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements] for such Excess Cash Flow Period, prepay the Term B Loans as set forth in Section 5.7.6 [Application of Payments; Application Among Interest Rate Options] in an aggregate amount equal to (i) the Applicable ECF Percentage applicable to such Excess Cash Flow multiplied by Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Period minus (ii) voluntary prepayments (other than from proceeds of long-term Indebtedness (other than revolving Indebtedness)) of Term B Loans pursuant to Section 5.6.1 [Right to Prepay] made during such Excess Cash Flow Period that are applied to amortization payments of the Term B Loans under Section 3.2 [Scheduled Amortization of Term B Loans] in any period after the end of such Excess Cash Flow Period.

5.7.5 Refinancing of Affiliated Company Loan Facility .

In the event that the Affiliated Company Loan Facility is refinanced or replaced in accordance with Section 3.8(a)(y)(iv) of the Operating Agreement, the Borrower shall within one (1) Business Day of the consummation of such refinancing, prepay Term Loans and reduce Revolving Credit Commitments in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of loans outstanding under the Affiliated Company Loan Facility immediately prior to such refinancing.

5.7.6 Application of Payments; Application Among Interest Rate Options .

All prepayments required pursuant to Section 5.7.2(a) [Dispositions] and 5.7.3(a) [Issuance of Debt] shall be applied ratably to all outstanding Term Loans. All prepayments and reductions required pursuant to Section 5.7.2(b) [Dispositions] and Section 5.7.5 [Refinancing of Affiliated Company Loan Facility] shall be applied to Term Loans and Revolving Credit Commitments on a ratable basis among them, based on the principal amount of Term Loans outstanding and the amount of Revolving Credit Commitments outstanding. Prepayments of Term Loans under Section 5.7.4 [Excess Cash Flow] shall be applied only to Term B Loans. Within each Class of Term Loans, prepayments of Term Loans under this Section 5.7 shall be applied to the remaining Principal Amortization Payments with respect to such Class on a pro rata basis among such Principal Amortization Payments until the Term Loans of such Class have been paid in full. All prepayments required pursuant to this Section 5.7 shall first be applied among the Interest Rate Options to the principal amount of the Loans subject to the Base Rate Option, then to Loans subject to a LIBOR Rate Option. In accordance with Section 5.10 [Indemnity], the Borrower shall indemnify the Lenders for any loss or expense, including loss of margin, incurred with respect to any such prepayments applied against Loans subject to a LIBOR Rate Option on any day other than the last day of the applicable Interest Period.

5.8 Increased Costs .

5.8.1 Increased Costs Generally .

If any Change in Law shall:

(a) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the LIBOR Rate) or the Issuing Lender;

 

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(b) subject any Lender or the Issuing Lender to any Tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any Loan under the LIBOR Rate Option made by it, or its other obligations, deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto, or change the basis of Taxation of payments to such Lender or the Issuing Lender in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes and any Excluded Taxes); or

(c) impose on any Lender, the Issuing Lender or the Relevant Interbank Market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or any Loan under the LIBOR Rate Option made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Recipient of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan under the LIBOR Rate Option (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Recipient, the Borrower will pay to such Recipient such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Recipient for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

5.8.2 Capital Requirements .

If any Lender or the Issuing Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the Issuing Lender or any lending office of such Lender or such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

5.8.3 Certificates for Reimbursement; Repayment of Outstanding Loans; Borrowing of New Loans .

A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Section 5.8.1 [Increased Costs Generally] or Section 5.8.2 [Capital Requirements] and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) Business Days after receipt thereof.

5.8.4 Delay in Requests .

Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 5.8 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 5.8 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered

 

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more than nine (9) months prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine (9) month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

5.9 Taxes .

5.9.1 Payments Free of Taxes .

All payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Taxes; provided that if any Loan Party or any other applicable withholding agent shall be required by applicable Law to deduct any Taxes from such payments, then (i) if the Tax in question is an Indemnified Tax, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 5.9) each Lender (or, in the case of a payment made to any Administrative Agent for its own account, such Administrative Agent) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made ( provided that, if the applicable withholding agent in respect of an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax is a Person other than a Loan Party or an Administrative Agent (e.g., a Lender), the additional amounts required to be paid by a Loan Party under this clause (i) in respect of such Tax shall not be greater than the additional amounts such Loan Party would have been obligated to pay had such Loan Party made payment of such sum directly to the applicable beneficial owner of such payment, provided further, that such Tax would not have been an Excluded Tax had such beneficial owner been a Lender hereunder and had complied with Section 5.9.5 [Status of Lenders]), (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions and (iii) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Official Body in accordance with applicable Law.

5.9.2 Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower .

Without limiting the provisions of Section 5.9.1 [Payments Free of Taxes] above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Official Body in accordance with applicable Law.

5.9.3 Indemnification by the Borrower .

The Borrower shall indemnify each Administrative Agent and each Lender, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 5.9) paid by such Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Official Body. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the applicable Administrative Agent), or by any Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

5.9.4 Evidence of Payments .

As soon as practicable after any payment of any Taxes by the Borrower to an Official Body, the Borrower shall deliver to the applicable Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Official Body evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Administrative Agent.

 

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5.9.5 Status of Lenders .

(a) Each Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to any payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the applicable Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or any Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable Law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. Each such Lender shall, whenever a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders any such documentation (including any specific documentation required below in this Section 5.9.5) obsolete, expired or inaccurate in any respect, deliver promptly to the Borrower and the applicable Administrative Agent updated or other appropriate documentation (including any new documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or any Administrative Agent) or promptly notify the Borrower and the applicable Administrative Agent in writing of its legal ineligibility to do so. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or any Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or any Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or such Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Each Revolving Lender and Term A Lender hereby authorizes the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent and each Term Lender hereby authorizes the TLB Administrative Agent to deliver to the Borrower and to any successor Administrative Agent with respect to the applicable Class of Lenders any documentation provided to such Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 5.9.5.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(i) Each Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the applicable Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the applicable Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(A) two (2) duly completed valid originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or any successor forms) claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States of America is a party,

(B) two (2) duly completed valid originals of IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor forms),

(C) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.9.5 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and that no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with such Foreign Lender’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business (a “ United States Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) two duly completed valid originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or any successor forms),

 

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(D) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Foreign Lender is a partnership or a participating Lender), two (2) duly completed valid originals of IRS Form W-8IMY (or any successor forms) of the Foreign Lender, accompanied by a Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, United States Tax Compliance Certificate, Form W-9, Form W-8IMY or any other required information (or any successor forms) from each beneficial owner that would be required under this Section 5.9.5 [Status of Lenders] if such beneficial owner were a Lender, as applicable ( provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership (and not a participating Lender) and one or more direct or indirect partners are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, the United States Tax Compliance Certificate may be provided by such Foreign Lender on behalf of such direct or indirect partner(s)), or

(E) two (2) duly completed valid originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding Tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

(ii) Each Lender that is a “United States person” as defined in section 7701 of the Code shall deliver to the Borrower and the applicable Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the applicable Administrative Agent) two (2) originals of an IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding.

(iii) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Sections 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the applicable Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the applicable Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the applicable Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the applicable Administrative Agent to comply with their FATCA obligations, to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s FATCA obligations and to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.9.5, a Lender shall not be required to deliver any documentation that such Lender is not legally eligible to deliver.

5.9.6 Refunds .

If any Administrative Agent or any Lender receives a refund of any Indemnified Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 5.9, it shall pay to such Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section 5.9 with respect to the Indemnified Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including any Taxes imposed with respect to such refund) of such Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Official Body with respect to such refund); provided that such Loan Party, upon the request of such Administrative Agent or such Lender, shall repay the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties,

 

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interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Official Body) to such Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event such Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Official Body. This Section 5.9 shall not be construed to require any Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

5.9.7 Definition of Lender .

For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Lender” shall, for purposes of this Section 5.9, include any Issuing Lender and any Swingline Lender.

5.9.8 Administrative Agent Forms .

Each Administrative Agent (and any assignee or successor) will deliver, to the Borrower, on or prior to the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement, either (i) (A) two (2) executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI with respect to any amounts payable to such Administrative Agent for its own account and (B) two (2) duly completed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY (certifying that it is either a “qualified intermediary” or a “U.S. branch” that agrees to be treated as a United States person with respect to payments made to and on behalf of the Lenders) for the amounts such Administrative Agent receives for the account of others, or (ii) two (2) executed copies of IRS Form W-9, whichever is applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.9.8, no Administrative Agent shall be required to deliver any documentation that such Administrative Agent is not legally eligible to deliver as a result of any Change in Law after the date hereof.

5.10 Indemnity .

In addition to the compensation or payments required by Section 5.8 [Increased Costs] or Section 5.9 [Taxes], the Borrower shall indemnify each Lender against all liabilities, losses, claims, damages or expenses (including loss of anticipated profits, any foreign exchange losses and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan, from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained or from the performance of any foreign exchange contract) which such Lender sustains or incurs as a consequence of any:

(a) payment, prepayment, conversion or renewal of any Loan to which a LIBOR Rate Option applies on a day other than the last day of the corresponding Interest Period (whether or not such payment or prepayment is mandatory, voluntary or automatic and whether or not such payment or prepayment is then due),

(b) attempt by the Borrower to revoke (expressly, by later inconsistent notices or otherwise) in whole or part any Loan Requests under Section 2.5 [Loan Requests] or Section 4.2 [Interest Periods] or notice relating to prepayments under Section 5.6 [Voluntary Prepayments],

(c) default by the Borrower in the performance or observance of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including any failure of the Borrower to pay when due (by acceleration or otherwise) any principal, interest, Commitment Fee or any other amount due hereunder, or

(d) the assignment of any Loans under the LIBOR Rate Option other than on the last day of the Interest Period as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender]; provided , however , that with respect to this clause (d), the Borrower shall not be required to indemnify any Defaulting Lender whose Loans are being replaced as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender].

 

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If any Lender sustains or incurs any such loss or expense, it shall from time to time notify the Borrower of the amount determined in good faith by such Lender (which determination may include such assumptions, allocations of costs and expenses and averaging or attribution methods as such Lender shall deem reasonable) to be necessary to indemnify such Lender for such loss or expense. Such notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for such determination. Such amount shall be due and payable by the Borrower to such Lender ten (10) Business Days after such notice is given.

5.11 Settlement Date Procedures .

In order to minimize the transfer of funds between the Revolving Lenders and the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Swing Loans and the Swingline Lender may make Swing Loans as provided in Section 2.1.2 [Swing Loans] hereof during the period between Settlement Dates. The Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of its Ratable Share of the total of the Revolving Credit Loans and the Swing Loans (each a “ Required Share ”). On such Settlement Date, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent the amount equal to the difference between its Required Share and its Revolving Credit Loans, and the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent shall pay to each Revolving Lender its Ratable Share of all payments made by the Borrower to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans. The Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent shall also effect settlement in accordance with the foregoing sentence on the proposed Borrowing Dates for Revolving Credit Loans and on dates on which mandatory prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans are due under Section 5.7 [Mandatory Prepayments] and may at its option effect settlement on any other Business Day. These settlement procedures are established solely as a matter of administrative convenience, and nothing contained in this Section 5.11 shall relieve the Revolving Lenders of their obligations to fund Revolving Credit Loans on dates other than a Settlement Date pursuant to Section 2.1.2 [Swing Loans]. The Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent may at any time at its option for any reason whatsoever require each Revolving Lender to pay immediately to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent such Revolving Lender’s Ratable Share of the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and each Revolving Lender may at any time require the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent to pay immediately to such Revolving Lender its Ratable Share of all payments made by the Borrower to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans.

6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Agent and each of the Lenders as follows:

6.1 Organization and Qualification .

Each Loan Party is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (if the concept of “good standing” is recognized under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction with respect to such Loan Party) under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. Each Loan Party has the lawful power to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business in which it is currently engaged, except where the failure to have such power would not reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Change. Each Loan Party is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction listed on Schedule 6.1 and in all other jurisdictions where the property owned or leased by it or the nature of the business transacted by it or both makes such licensing or qualification necessary except to the extent that the failure to be so duly licensed or qualified or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Change.

 

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6.2 EEA Financial Institutions .

No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

6.3 Subsidiaries .

As of the Closing Date, Schedule 6.3 states the name of each Subsidiary of the Borrower, its jurisdiction of incorporation, the issued and outstanding shares (referred to herein as the “ Subsidiary Shares ”) and the owners thereof if it is a corporation, its outstanding partnership interests (the “ Partnership Interests ”) if it is a partnership, its outstanding limited liability company interests, interests assigned to managers thereof and the voting rights associated therewith (the “ LLC Interests ”) if it is a limited liability company, identifies each Subsidiary as either a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary and for each Restricted Subsidiary whether or not it is a Guarantor and, if it is not a Guarantor, the clause in the definition of “Excluded Subsidiaries” applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary. There are no options, warrants or other rights outstanding to purchase any such Subsidiary Shares, Partnership Interests or LLC Interests except as indicated on Schedule 6.3 .

6.4 Power and Authority .

Each Loan Party has full power to enter into, execute, deliver and carry out this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, to incur the Indebtedness contemplated by the Loan Documents and to perform its Obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and all such actions have been duly authorized by all necessary proceedings on its part.

6.5 Validity and Binding Effect .

This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by each Loan Party, and each other Loan Document which any Loan Party is required to execute and deliver has been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party. This Agreement and each other Loan Document constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of each Loan Party which is a party thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability of any of such Loan Document may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors’ rights generally or limiting the right of specific performance.

6.6 No Conflict .

Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to which it is a party by any Loan Party nor the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by any of them will conflict with, constitute a default under or result in any breach of (i) the terms and conditions of the certificate of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents of any Loan Party, (ii) any material Law, instrument, order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree to which any Loan Party is a party or by which it is bound or to which it is subject, or result in the creation or enforcement of any Lien, charge or encumbrance whatsoever upon any property (now or hereafter acquired) of any Loan Party (other than Liens granted under the Loan Documents), or (iii) the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose)

 

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any Lien upon any material property or assets of such Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Liens created under the Loan Documents and Liens permitted hereunder) pursuant to the terms of any material indenture, loan agreement, lease agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, agreement or other instrument to which such Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound, including for the avoidance of doubt any Specified Material Contract (any such term, covenant, condition or provision, a “ Contractual Requirement ”), except that certain consents may be required under various contracts and agreements in connection with any attempt to assign such various contracts and agreements pursuant to the assertion of remedies under the Loan Documents.

6.7 Litigation .

There are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, threatened against any Loan Party at law or equity before any Official Body or arbitrator that (a) relate to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (b) individually or in the aggregate would reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Change. To the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, none of the Loan Parties is in violation of any order, writ, injunction or any decree of any Official Body that (a) relate to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (b) would reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Change.

6.8 Title to Properties .

Each Loan Party has good and marketable title to or valid leasehold interest in all properties, assets and other rights, which it purports to own or lease or which are reflected as owned or leased on its books and records, free and clear of all Liens and encumbrances except Permitted Liens, and subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable leases or conveyance instrument, except to the extent that the failure to hold such title or interest, either alone or together with all other title defects, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

6.9 Financial Statements .

(a) Historical Statements . The Borrower has delivered to each Administrative Agent copies of (i) audited combined year-end financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and for the fiscal years then ended and (ii) the unaudited combined financial statements of the Borrower as of June 30, 2017 and for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (the “ Historical Statements ”). The Historical Statements were compiled from the books and records maintained by management of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, are correct and complete in all material respects and fairly represent the combined financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of their dates and their results of operations and cash flows for the fiscal periods specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, except that the unaudited financial statements are subject to normal year-end adjustments.

(b) Financial Projections . The Borrower has delivered to each Administrative Agent financial projections (including balance sheets and statements of operation and cash flows) for the period 2017 through 2021 (broken out on a quarterly basis for the first two years after the Closing Date and annually thereafter) derived from various assumptions of the Borrower’s management (the “ Financial Projections ”). The Financial Projections have been prepared in good faith based upon reasonable assumptions; it being understood that such Financial Projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Borrower’s control, and that no assurance can be given that the Financial Projections will be realized.

 

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(c) Accuracy of Financial Statements . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material liabilities, contingent or otherwise, or forward or long-term commitments that are not disclosed in the Historical Statements or in the notes thereto, and except as disclosed therein there are no unrealized or anticipated losses from any commitments of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2016, no event, circumstance or condition has occurred or exists that has resulted in or could be reasonably expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change.

6.10 Use of Proceeds .

The Loan Parties intend to use the proceeds of the Loans in accordance with Section 8.1.11 [Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations].

6.11 Liens in the Collateral .

(a) Security Interests . Except to the extent that the Loan Parties are not required to perfect Liens in certain Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents or any other Loan Document, the Liens and security interests granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Security Agreement in the Collateral (of the type that can be perfected by filing under the Uniform Commercial Code), subject to the actions described in the following sentence, constitute and will continue to constitute first-priority security interests, subject to Permitted Liens, under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in each applicable jurisdiction or other applicable Law entitled to all the rights, benefits and priorities provided by the Uniform Commercial Code or such Law. Upon the due filing of financing statements relating to said security interests in each office and in each jurisdiction where required in order to perfect the security interests described above, the filing of the Patent, Trademark and Copyright Security Agreement with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office and taking possession of any stock certificates or other certificates evidencing the Pledged Securities, all such action as is necessary or advisable to perfect the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral described above will have been taken except to the extent that the Loan Parties are not required to perfect Liens in certain Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents or any other Loan Document. All filing fees and other expenses in connection with each such action have been or will be paid by the Borrower.

(b) Mortgage Liens . Subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth expressly in the Mortgages, upon execution and delivery thereof, the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to each Mortgage will constitute a valid first priority Lien on the Real Property under applicable law, subject only to Permitted Liens.

(c) Pledged Securities . All Equity Interests included in the Pledged Securities to be pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement are or will be upon issuance validly issued and nonassessable and owned beneficially and of record by the pledgor free and clear of any Lien or restriction on transfer, except for nonconsensual Permitted Liens, Liens contemplated by clause (11) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and inchoate Permitted Liens that do not have priority over the Liens granted under the Loan Documents and as otherwise provided by the Security Agreement and except as the right of the Lenders to Dispose of such Equity Interests may be limited by the Securities Act and the regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder and by applicable state securities laws. There are no shareholder or other agreements or understandings other than partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements or operating agreements, with respect to the Equity Interests included in the Pledged Securities, except as described on Schedule  6.11 . The Loan Parties have delivered true and correct copies of such partnership agreements and limited liability company agreements to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 7.1.1(b)(iii) [Secretary’s Certificate].

 

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6.12 Full Disclosure .

Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document, nor any certificate, statement, agreement or other documents furnished to any Agent or any Lender in connection herewith or therewith, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein and therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. There is no fact known to any Loan Party which materially adversely affects the business, property, assets, financial condition, or results of operations of the Loan Parties taken as a whole that has not been set forth in this Agreement or in the certificates, statements, agreements or other documents furnished in writing to the Agents and the Lenders prior to or at the date hereof in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

6.13 Taxes .

All material federal, state, local and other Tax returns required to have been filed with respect to each Loan Party have been filed, and payment or adequate provision has been made for the payment of all material Taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental charges (including in its capacity as withholding agent), except to the extent that such Taxes, fees, assessments and other charges are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made. There are no agreements or waivers extending the statutory period of limitations applicable to any material federal income Tax return of any Loan Party for any period.

6.14 Consents and Approvals .

Except for the filings or recordings required pursuant to Section 7.1.1(c) [Delivery of Loan Documents], no consent, approval, exemption, order or authorization of, or a registration or filing with, any Official Body or any other Person is necessary to authorize or permit the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or for the validity or enforceability hereof or thereof.

6.15 No Event of Default; Compliance with Instruments .

No event has occurred and is continuing and no condition exists or will exist after giving effect to the borrowings or other extensions of credit to be made on the Closing Date under or pursuant to the Loan Documents which constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Default. None of the Loan Parties is in violation of (i) any term of its certificate of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents, or (ii) any material agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be subject or bound where such violation would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

6.16 Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Licenses, Permits, Etc .

The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries own or possess all the material patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, registrations, franchises, Required Permits and rights, without known or actual conflict with the rights of others, necessary for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to own and operate their properties and to carry on their businesses as presently conducted and planned to be conducted by them, except where the failure to so own or possess with or without such conflict would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

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6.17 Solvency .

The Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than CNXC and its Subsidiaries), taken as a whole, are Solvent. On the Closing Date, at the time of each borrowing of the Loans, the issuance of the Letters of Credit (including extensions, renewals and amendments thereof) and at the time of selection of, renewal of or conversion to an Interest Rate Option, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than CNXC and its Subsidiaries), taken as a whole, shall be Solvent after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and any incurrence of Indebtedness and all other Obligations.

6.18 Real Property .

(a) Schedule 3(a) to the Perfection Certificate sets forth a complete and accurate list as of the Closing Date of all Real Properties of any Loan Party that are subject to Mortgage (other than Specified Leased Properties identified on Schedule 3(d) to the Perfection Certificate) and indicates whether any such Real Property has a Building thereon. All Real Properties of any Loan Party not set forth on Sche d ule 3(a) or Schedule 3(d) to the Perfection Certificate are Excluded Assets.

(b) Schedule 3(d) to the Perfection Certificate sets forth a complete and accurate list as of the Closing Date of all Specified Leased Properties that, with landlord consent, would be subject to Mortgage.

6.19 Insurance .

Subject to Section 8.1.21 [Post-Closing Matters], Schedule  12 to the Perfection Certificate lists all material insurance policies of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date, all of which are valid and in full force and effect as of the Closing Date. Such policies provide adequate insurance coverage from reputable and financially sound insurers in amounts sufficient to insure the assets and risks of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with prudent business practice in the industry of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

6.20 Compliance with Laws .

The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Laws (other than Environmental Laws which are specifically addressed in Section 6.25 [Environmental Matters]) in all jurisdictions in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is presently or will be doing business, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

6.21 Material Contracts; Burdensome Restrictions .

The exhibit list to the Form 10 sets forth all Material Contracts to which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is or is contemplated to be a party as of the Closing Date. Except to the extent that the failure to be in full force and effect or such default would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, (i) none of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is in default under a Material Contract and (ii) all Material Contracts are in full force and effect. None of the Loan Parties is bound by any contractual obligation, or subject to any restriction in any organization document, or any requirement of Law which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

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6.22 Investment Companies; Regulated Entities .

None of the Loan Parties is an “investment company” registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under the “control” of an “investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 and shall not become such an “investment company” or under such “control.” None of the Loan Parties is subject to any other Law limiting its ability to incur Indebtedness for borrowed money.

6.23 ERISA Compliance .

Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change:

(a) each Pension Plan and Multiemployer Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state Laws (except that with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, such representation is deemed made only to the knowledge of the Borrower);

(b) the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate have met all applicable minimum funding requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained;

(c) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code and Section 303(d)(2) of ERISA) is 80% or higher and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances which would cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below 80% as of the most recent valuation date;

(d) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan to which the Borrower or its ERISA Affiliates contribute, the Borrower has not been notified of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code) or that application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made;

(e) there has been no nonexempt “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA) or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Pension Plan;

(f) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; and

(g) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

6.24 Employment Matters; Coal Act; Black Lung Act .

Each of the Loan Parties is, and for the past five years has been, in compliance with the Labor Contracts and all applicable federal, state and local labor and employment Laws including those related to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, labor relations, minimum wage, overtime, child labor, medical insurance continuation, worker adjustment and relocation notices, immigration controls and worker and unemployment compensation, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse Change. There are no outstanding grievances, arbitration awards or appeals therefrom arising out of the Labor Contracts or current or threatened strikes,

 

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picketing, handbilling or other work stoppages or slowdowns at facilities of any of the Loan Parties which in any case would constitute a Material Adverse Change. The Borrower, the Restricted Subsidiaries and its “related persons” (as defined in the Coal Act) are in compliance in all material respects with the Coal Act and none of the Borrower, the Restricted Subsidiaries or its related persons has any liability under the Coal Act except with respect to premiums or other payments required thereunder which have been paid when due and except to the extent that the liability thereunder would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with the Black Lung Act, and neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability under the Black Lung Act except with respect to premiums, contributions or other payments required thereunder which have been paid when due and except to the extent that the liability thereunder would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

6.25 Environmental Matters .

Except as could not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change:

(a) The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, their operations, facilities and properties are and for the past five years have been in compliance with all Environmental Laws.

(b) The facilities and properties currently owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, formerly owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or their predecessors in interest (the “ Properties ”), do not contain any Hazardous Materials in amounts or concentrations which (i) constitute or constituted a violation of Environmental Law by, or (ii) could reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability for, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

(c) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability regarding compliance with or other liabilities under Environmental Laws or knows of any basis for any such written notices under Environmental Laws, including any with regard to their activities at any of the Properties or the business currently or formerly operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any prior business for which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to liability under any Environmental Law.

(d) Hazardous Materials have not been transported or Released from the Properties in violation of, or in a manner or to a location which could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under, any applicable Environmental Law, nor have any Hazardous Materials been generated, treated, stored or Released of by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at, on, from or under any of the Properties in violation of any Environmental Law or in a manner that could reasonably be expected to give rise to Environmental Liability for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

6.26 Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws .

(a) (i) No Covered Entity, any directors or officers of any Covered Entity, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any employees or agents of any Covered Entity, is a Sanctioned Person, and (ii) no Covered Entity, any directors or officers of any Covered Entity, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any employees or agents of any Covered Entity, either in its own right or through any third party, (x) has any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned

 

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Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law, (y) does business in or with, or derives any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or (z) engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law.

(b) No Covered Entity, any directors or officers of any Covered Entity, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any employees or agents of any Covered Entity, are doing business in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws.

6.27 Margin Regulations .

None of the Loan Parties is engaged, and none of the Loan Parties will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of the Margin Stock Regulation issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.

6.28 Affiliated Company Loan Documents .

(a) Each party to each Affiliated Company Loan Document has full power to enter into, execute, deliver and carry out such Affiliated Company Loan Document, to incur the Indebtedness and the obligations contemplated by such Affiliated Company Loan Document and to perform its obligations under such Affiliated Company Loan Document, and all such actions have been duly authorized by all necessary proceedings on its part;

(b) Each Affiliated Company Loan Document has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by each party thereto. Each Affiliated Company Loan Document constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of each party thereto, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability of any of such Affiliated Company Loan Document may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors’ rights generally or limiting the right of specific performance;

(c) Neither the execution and delivery of any Affiliated Company Loan Document nor the consummation of the transactions therein contemplated or compliance with the terms and provisions thereof by any of them will conflict with, constitute a default under or result in any breach of (i) the terms and conditions of the certificate of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents of any party to any Affiliated Company Loan Document, (ii) any Law, instrument, order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree to which any party to such Affiliated Company Loan Document is bound or to which it is subject, or result in the creation or enforcement of any Lien, charge or encumbrance whatsoever upon any property (now or hereafter acquired) of any party to any Affiliated Company Loan Document (other than Liens granted under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents) and (iii) the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any material property or assets of any party to any Affiliated Company Loan Document (other than Liens created under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents and Liens permitted thereunder) pursuant to the terms of any material indenture, loan agreement, lease agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, agreement or other instrument to which any party to an Affiliated Company Loan Document is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound; and

 

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(d) The Liens and security interests granted to the ALF Lender for the benefit of the secured parties under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents constitute and will continue to constitute first-priority security interests, subject to Liens permitted under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents;

provided that no representation is made as to the collateral agent under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents.

7. CONDITIONS OF LENDING AND ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT

The obligation of each Lender to make Loans, of an Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, and of the Swingline Lender to make Swing Loans is subject to the following conditions:

7.1 First Loans and Letters of Credit .

7.1.1 Deliveries .

On the Closing Date, each Agent shall have received each of the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Agent:

(a) Officer’s Certificate . A certificate of each of the Loan Parties signed by an Authorized Officer, dated the Closing Date stating that (i) each of the representatives and warranties of the Loan Parties contained in Section 6 [Representations and Warranties] and in the other Loan Documents are true and accurate on and as of the Closing Date (except representations and warranties which relate solely to an earlier date or time, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct on and as of the specific dates or times referred to therein), (ii) no Event of Default or Potential Default exists, (iii) since December 31, 2016, no event, circumstance or condition has occurred or exists that has resulted in or could be reasonably expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change and (iv) the conditions set forth in Sections 7.1.4 [No Debt or Preferred Stock Outstanding], 7.1.5 [Transactions] and 7.1.6 [Total Closing Date Liquidity Condition] are satisfied.

(b) Secretary’s Certificate . A certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by an Authorized Officer of each of the Loan Parties, certifying:

(i) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Loan Party (or its managing general partner, managing member or equivalent) authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Closing Date;

(ii) the names of the officer or officers authorized to sign this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the true signatures of such officer or officers and specifying the Authorized Officers permitted to act on behalf of such Loan Party for purposes of this Agreement and the true signatures of such officers, on which each Agent, the Issuing Lenders, and each Lender may conclusively rely; and

 

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(iii) copies of its organizational documents, including its certificate of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, and limited liability company agreement as in effect on the Closing Date, recently certified by the appropriate state official where such documents are filed in a state office, together with recently dated certificates from the appropriate state officials as to the continued existence and good standing of such Loan Party in each state where organized.

(c) Delivery of Loan Documents . Subject to Section 8.1.17(a)(iii) [Collateral] and Section 8.1.21 [Post-Closing Matters], this Agreement, each of the other Loan Documents and the Perfection Certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of each of the Loan Parties party thereto, and to the extent required under applicable requirements of Law, the Security Documents shall be properly recorded or filed with the applicable recording or filing offices and be in proper form for such recording.

(d) Opinions of Counsel .

(i) A written opinion of in-house counsel for the Loan Parties (who may rely on the opinions of such other counsel as may be acceptable to each Agent), dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders, the Swingline Lender and each Agent substantially in the form provided to the Agents prior to the Closing Date.

(ii) A written opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties (who may rely on the opinions of such other counsel as may be acceptable to each Agent), dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders, the Swingline Lender and each Agent substantially in the form provided to the Agents prior to the Closing Date.

(iii) Written opinions of counsel covering corporate matters under the laws of Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, who shall be selected by the Loan Parties and reasonably acceptable to each Agent, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders, the Swingline Lender and each Agent substantially in the form provided to the Agents prior to the Closing Date.

(e) Legal Details . All legal details and proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Agent and its counsel, and each Agent shall have received all such other counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents and proceedings in connection with such transactions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Agent and its counsel, as any Agent or its counsel may reasonably request.

(f) Insurance . Evidence that adequate insurance (other than flood insurance) required to be maintained under the Loan Documents is in full force and effect.

(g) Evidence of Filing . UCC financing statements in appropriate form for filing under the UCC and such other documents under applicable requirements of Law in each jurisdiction as may be necessary or appropriate or, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the Liens created, or purported to be created, by the Security Documents.

(h) Closing Date Refinancing and Releases . All documents and instruments required to (i) evidence the Closing Date Refinancing and Releases, (ii) confirm that the Transactions do not breach any provision of any of the GasCo Indentures or the GasCo Credit Agreement, including in the case of this clause (ii), a certificate of the chief financial officer or chief executive officer of GasCo to such effect, together with calculations in reasonable detail evidencing such compliance.

 

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(i) Lien Searches . The lien searches listed on Schedule 7.1.1(i) , and each Agent shall be satisfied with the results thereof.

(j) Pledged Securities . (i) Except as set forth on Schedule 8.1.21 , all certificates, agreements or instruments representing or evidencing the Pledged Securities accompanied by instruments of transfer and stock powers undated and endorsed in blank have been delivered to the Collateral Agent and (ii) the Borrower shall have executed and delivered appropriate completed forms with respect to all Margin Stock included in the Collateral (including Forms G-3 and U-1, as appropriate).

(k) Other Documentation . All other certificates, agreements, including instruments necessary to perfect the Collateral Agent’s security interest (to the extent required by the Security Documents) in all Chattel Paper, Instruments and Investment Property (as each such term is defined in the Security Agreement) of each Loan Party have been delivered or assigned to the Collateral Agent.

(l) Solvency Certificate . A certificate of the chief financial officer of the Borrower stating that, after giving effect to the Transactions, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than CNXC and its Subsidiaries), taken as a whole, are Solvent.

(m) Transaction Related Documents .

(i) The amendment to the Operating Agreement permitting the Transactions, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agents.

(ii) Agreement terminating the Co-Owners’ Acknowledgment and Agreement dated as of July 7, 2015 among CNXC, the Borrower and certain of its subsidiaries.

(iii) Agreement transferring the incentive distribution rights issued by CNXC from CNXC GP to a Loan Party.

(iv) Fully executed copies of the Material Contracts to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party as of the Closing Date, if applicable, which shall be substantially consistent with the forms filed as exhibits to the Form 10.

7.1.2 Payment of Fees .

The Borrower shall have paid or caused to be paid to the Agents, the Lead Arrangers, the Bookrunners and the Lenders to the extent not previously paid, all fees payable on or before the Closing Date (including upfront fees on the Initial Term A Loans and Revolving Credit Commitments and issuance discount to par on the Initial Term B Loans) and, to the extent invoiced at least one Business Day prior to the Closing Date, all costs and expenses for which each Agent is entitled to be reimbursed, including the reasonable fees and expenses of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP.

 

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7.1.3 PATRIOT Act .

Each Administrative Agent shall have received, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date (or such later date satisfactory to each Administrative Agent), all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including but not restricted to the USA PATRIOT Act to the extent requested at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

7.1.4 No Debt or Preferred Stock Outstanding .

The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall have no Indebtedness for borrowed money or Preferred Stock outstanding, other than (i) Indebtedness set forth on Schedule  8.2.1 , (ii) the Initial Term A Loans and the Initial Term B Loans, (iii) the Second Lien Notes, (iv) the Revenue Bonds and (v) in the case of CNXC, borrowings of up to $210,000,000 under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement.

7.1.5 Transactions .

The transactions (other than clauses (6), (8) and (10) of the definition of “Transactions”) shall have been or shall substantially concurrently be consummated and the Spin-Off shall have been consummated or shall substantially concurrently be consummated substantially in the manner described in the Form 10 and in accordance with the relevant Specified Material Contracts; it being understood that irrevocable book-entry transfer authorization shall substantially concurrently be delivered to record the distribution of the shares of common stock of the Borrower effective as of 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the Closing Date, and the transfer agent and registrar for the shares of common stock of the Borrower shall substantially concurrently accept such authorization. No default or termination, or any waiver or amendment materially adverse to the Lenders, shall have occurred with respect to any Material Contract.

7.1.6 Liquidity .

The Total Liquidity as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions shall be at least $200,000,000. The Specified Liquidity as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions shall be at least $275,000,000.

7.1.7 Affiliated Company Loan Agreement Related Conditions .

The Agents shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence that the Affiliated Company Loan Documents shall have been, or shall substantially concurrently, be (i) effective, (ii) guaranteed by the Persons required to be guarantors thereof and (iii) secured by the assets required to constitute collateral thereunder. On the Closing Date, each Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following in connection with the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Agent:

(a) Opinions of Counsel .

(i) A written opinion of in-house counsel for the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement Loan Parties (who may rely on the opinions of such other counsel as may be acceptable to each Administrative Agent), dated the Closing Date, addressed to each Agent substantially in the form provided to the Agents prior to the Closing Date.

(ii) A written opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel to the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement Loan Parties (who may rely on the opinions of such other counsel as may be acceptable to each Administrative Agent), dated the Closing Date, addressed to each Agent substantially in the form provided to the Agents prior to the Closing Date.

 

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(b) Evidence of Filing . UCC financing statements in appropriate form for filing under the UCC and such other documents under applicable requirements of Law in each jurisdiction as may be necessary or appropriate or, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the Liens created, or purported to be created in favor of the collateral agent under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement for the benefit of such collateral agent and the ALF Lender under Affiliated Company Loan Documents.

(c) Lien Searches . The lien searches required under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents, and the Collateral Agent shall be satisfied with the results thereof.

7.2 Each Additional Loan or Letter of Credit .

At the time of making any Loans or issuing any Letters of Credit (or amendments or extensions thereto) and after giving effect to the proposed extensions of credit:

(a) the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties contained in Section 6 [Representations and Warranties] and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of the making of any Loan Request, any Swing Loan Request and the making of such additional Loan or the issuance such Letter of Credit (or amendments or extensions thereto) with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date (except that (i) any representation and warranty that is already qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct in all respects as so qualified and (ii) representations and warranties which expressly relate solely to an earlier date or time, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct on and as of the specific dates or times referred to therein);

(b) no Event of Default or Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) the Borrower shall have delivered to the applicable Administrative Agents a duly executed and completed Loan Request or to the applicable Issuing Lender the Issuer Documents for a Letter of Credit, as the case may be.

Each request for the making of any Loans or issuance of any Letters of Credit and each issuance, amendment, renewal, increase or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 7.2.

8. COVENANTS

8.1 Affirmative Covenants .

The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, covenant and agree that until payment in full of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations, and interest thereon, expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, and satisfaction of all of the Loan Parties’ other Obligations under the Loan Documents and termination of the Commitments, the Loan Parties shall comply at all times with the following affirmative covenants:

 

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8.1.1 Preservation of Existence, Etc .

Each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain its legal existence as a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company and its license or qualification and good standing in each jurisdiction in which its failure to so qualify, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, except as otherwise expressly permitted by Section 8.2.6 [Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions].

8.1.2 Payment of Liabilities, Including Taxes, Etc .

Each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall duly pay and discharge all liabilities to which it is subject or which are asserted against it, promptly as and when the same shall become due and payable (including extensions), including all Taxes, assessments and governmental charges upon it or any of its properties, assets, income or profits, prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, except to the extent that such liabilities, including Taxes, assessments or charges, are being contested in good faith and by appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently conducted and for which such reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made, but only to the extent that failure to pay or discharge any such liabilities would not result in any additional liability which would adversely affect to a material extent the financial condition of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or which would materially and adversely affect the Collateral; provided that the Loan Parties will pay all such liabilities forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to enforce any Lien which may have attached as security therefor or take other action as is required to suspend such enforcement action unless such Lien otherwise qualifies as a Permitted Lien.

8.1.3 Maintenance of Insurance .

(a) The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall insure their properties and assets against loss or damage by fire and such other insurable hazards (including flood, fire, property damage, workers’ compensation and public liability insurance) and against other risks, and in such amounts as similar properties and assets, as are commonly insured by prudent companies in similar circumstances carrying on similar businesses, and with reputable and financially sound insurers, including self-insurance to the extent customary. At the request of the Collateral Agent, the Borrower shall deliver to the Collateral Agent (x) annually an original certificate of insurance signed by its independent insurance broker describing and certifying as to the existence of the insurance on the Collateral required to be maintained by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with a copy of the endorsement described in the next sentence attached to such certificate and (y) from time to time a summary schedule indicating all commercial insurance then in force with respect to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries. Such policies of insurance shall contain the necessary endorsements or policy language, which shall (i) specify the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties as an additional insured on the liability policies and mortgagee and lender loss payee as their interests may appear on the property policies, with the understanding that any obligation imposed upon the insured (including the liability to pay premiums) shall be the sole obligation of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and not that of the additional insured, (ii) provide that the interest of the Lenders, under the lender’s loss payable endorsement in a form similar to the form provided on the Closing Date or pursuant to Section 8.1.21 [Post-Closing Matters], shall be insured regardless of any breach or violation by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any warranties, declarations or conditions contained in such policies or any action or inaction of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) provide a waiver of any right of the insurers to set off or counterclaim or any other deduction, whether by attachment or otherwise (to the extent that the Loan Parties are able on a commercially reasonable efforts basis to obtain such waiver from the insurers), (iv) provide that no cancellation of such policies for any reason (including non-payment of premium) nor any change therein shall be effective until at least ten (10) days after notification to the Collateral Agent of such cancellation or change, (v)

 

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be primary without right of contribution of any other liability insurance carried by or on behalf of any additional insureds with respect to their respective interests in the Collateral, and (vi) provide that inasmuch as any liability policy covers more than one insured, all terms, conditions, insuring agreements and endorsements (except limits of liability) shall operate as if there were a separate policy covering each insured.

(b) Each Loan Party shall take all actions required under the Flood Laws and otherwise reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to assist in ensuring that each Lender is in compliance with the Flood Laws applicable to the Collateral, including, but not limited to, (i) maintaining such flood insurance in full force and effect and otherwise sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Laws and otherwise reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, (ii) delivering to the Collateral Agent evidence of such compliance in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent and (iii) delivering to the Collateral Agent an executed acknowledgment of each “Life-of-Loan” flood hazard determination delivered to the Borrower promptly following receipt of each such determination.

(c) If one or more Casualty Events occurs with respect to which the proceeds or other compensation in respect thereof could reasonably be expected to equal or exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year, the Borrower shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent of such event(s) and the estimated (or actual, if available) amount of such loss.

8.1.4 Maintenance of Properties and Equipment .

The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall (x) maintain in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) in accordance with the general practice of other businesses of similar character and size, all of those material properties and equipment useful or necessary to their businesses and (y) make or cause to be made, in a reasonably diligent fashion, all appropriate repairs, renewals or replacements thereof, in each case if the failure to so maintain, repair, renew or replace the same would reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse Change.

8.1.5 Maintenance of Patents, Trademarks, Etc .

The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain in full force and effect all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, franchises, permits and other authorizations necessary for the ownership and operation of their properties and business if the failure so to maintain the same would constitute a Material Adverse Change.

8.1.6 Visitation Rights .

The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall permit any of the officers or authorized employees or representatives of any Agent or any of the Lenders (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at the applicable Agent’s or such Lender’s expense) to visit and inspect their properties during normal business hours and to examine (including, without limitation, any field examinations) and make excerpts from their books and records and discuss their business affairs, finances and accounts with their officers, all in such detail and at such times and as often as any of the Lenders may reasonably request; provided that each Lender shall provide the Borrower and the Administrative Agents with reasonable notice prior to any visit or inspection, all such visits and inspections shall be made in accordance with the standard safety, visit, and inspection procedures of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and no such visit or inspection shall interfere with their normal business operation. In the event any Lender desires to conduct an audit of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, such Lender shall make a reasonable effort to conduct such audit contemporaneously with any audit to be performed by the applicable Agent.

 

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8.1.7 Keeping of Records and Books of Account .

The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain and keep proper books of record and account which enable the Borrower to issue financial statements in accordance with GAAP and as otherwise required by applicable Laws, and in which full, true and correct entries shall be made in all material respects of all their dealings and business and financial affairs. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain adequate allowances on their books in accordance with GAAP for (i) future costs associated with any lung disease claim alleging pneumoconiosis or silicosis or arising out of exposure or alleged exposure to coal dust or the coal mining environment, (ii) future costs associated with retiree and health care benefits, (iii) future costs associated with reclamation of disturbed acreage, removal of facilities and other closing costs in connection with its mining activities and (iv) future costs associated with other potential Environmental Liabilities.

8.1.8 Further Assurances .

Each Loan Party shall, from time to time, at its expense, faithfully preserve and protect the Lien on the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties as a continuing first priority perfected Lien, subject only to Permitted Liens, and shall do such other acts and things as the Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion may deem necessary or advisable from time to time in order to preserve, perfect and protect the Liens granted under the Loan Documents and to exercise and enforce the Collateral Agent’s rights and remedies thereunder with respect to the Collateral.

8.1.9 Additional Guarantors .

If (i) the Borrower forms or acquires, directly or indirectly, any Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) or (ii) any Subsidiary that was an Excluded Subsidiary ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary, the Borrower shall cause such Subsidiary to join this Agreement within (x) 30 days after the date of acquisition or formation of such Subsidiary or within 30 days after the date any Subsidiary that was an Excluded Subsidiary (other than pursuant to clause (a) or (c) of the definition of “Excluded Subsidiaries”) ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary and (y) within 15 days after the date any Subsidiary that was an Excluded Subsidiary pursuant to clause (a) or (c) of the definition of “Excluded Subsidiaries” ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary (in each case, or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) as a Guarantor by delivering to the Agents (A) a signed Guarantor Joinder, (B) documents in the forms described in Sections 7.1.1(b), (c), (d) (if requested by any Agent), (f), (g), (i) and (j) [Deliveries], and 8.1.17 [Collateral], modified as appropriate, and (C) documents necessary to grant and perfect Liens to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral held by such Subsidiary.

8.1.10 Compliance with Laws .

The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall comply with all applicable Laws, including all Environmental Laws, in all material respects, except where the failure to so comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

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8.1.11 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations .

(a) The proceeds of the Initial Term A Loans and Initial Term B Loans made, on the Closing Date, shall be used, together with the proceeds of the Second Lien Notes, only as follows to (i) fund loans in an aggregate amount of up to $210,000,000 to CNXC under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement, the proceeds of which shall be used by CNXC to repay in full all outstanding obligations under the CNXC Credit Agreement, (ii) to make the Closing Date Distribution, (iii) to the extent required, to directly cash collateralize, and/or cash collateralize letters of credit used to support the surety bonds outstanding for the benefit of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date, (iv) to pay fees and expenses related to the Transactions and, to the extent not used pursuant to clauses (i) through (iv) above, to fund cash to the balance sheet of Borrower.

(b) The proceeds of Revolving Credit Loans borrowed after the Closing Date shall be used for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries. No Revolving Credit Loans or Swing Loans may be borrowed on the Closing Date.

(c) The Letters of Credit issued hereunder shall be used for general corporate purposes including to support surety bond obligations but not to support indebtedness for borrowed money.

(d) None of the Loan Parties engages or will engage principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, immediately, incidentally or ultimately, of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of the Margin Stock Regulation). No part of the proceeds of any Loan has been or shall be used for any purpose which entails a violation of or which is inconsistent with the provisions of the Margin Stock Regulations, and the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Lenders appropriate completed forms (including, without limitation, Forms G-3 and U-1, as appropriate) and shall otherwise assist the Lenders, as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agents, with the Lenders’ compliance with the Margin Stock Regulation as such compliance relates to the Borrower and the Loans, including by providing the Administrative Agents with all other documents, forms and certificates reasonably requested by any Administrative Agent in relation thereto.

8.1.12 Subordination of Intercompany Loans .

Each Loan Party shall cause any Indebtedness, loans or advances owed by any Loan Party to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to be subordinated pursuant to the terms of the Intercompany Subordination Agreement.

8.1.13 Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws .

(a) No Covered Entity, nor to the knowledge of the Borrower, any directors, officers or employees of any Covered Entity, will become a Sanctioned Person, (b) no Covered Entity, either in its own right or through any third party, nor to the knowledge of the Borrower, any of a Covered Entity’s directors, officers or employees, will (i) have any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law; (ii) do business in or with, or derive any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law; (iii) engage in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law or (iv) use the Loans or Letters of Credit to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, a Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person or in any manner that would cause a violation of the Anti-Terrorism Laws by any party to this Agreement, (c) the funds used to repay the Obligations will not be derived from any unlawful activity, (d) each Covered Entity shall comply with all Anti-Terrorism Laws in all material respects and (e) the Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agents in writing upon the occurrence of a Reportable Compliance Event.

(b) No part of the proceeds of any Loans shall be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

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8.1.14 Compliance with Certain Contracts .

(a) Each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall comply with the terms and conditions of all Specified Material Contracts and enforce its rights under each such Specified Material Contract, except to the extent non-compliance or non-enforcement could not reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the Lenders.

(b) Each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall comply with the terms and conditions of all Material Contracts (other than Specified Material Contracts) and enforce its rights under each such Material Contract, except, in each case, where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(c) The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, (i) exercise rights and remedies under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents at the direction of the Required Lenders or any Agent, (ii) cooperate with the Collateral Agent and the collateral agent under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents in connection with the exercise of any rights or remedies under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents, (iii) not contest or challenge the validity, or join with or otherwise support any other Person in contesting or challenging the validity, of any Affiliated Company Loan Document or any Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto, (iv) not forgive, retire, extinguish or otherwise reduce any amount owing under any Affiliated Company Loan Document (other than in the case of a prepayment thereunder in cash at 100% of the principal amount with accrued interest that is otherwise made pursuant to the terms of the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement) or agree to postpone the due date for payment of any such amount, (v) comply with its funding obligations under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents pursuant to and in accordance with the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement; it being understood for the avoidance of doubt that no loans shall be made under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement unless the conditions to borrowing thereunder are satisfied and (vi) require that CNXC furnish such information as reasonably requested by the Required Lenders or any Agent to confirm satisfaction of the conditions precedent to borrowing under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement.

8.1.15 Accounts .

As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party has any Deposit Accounts, Commodities Accounts or Securities Accounts (each as defined in the UCC) other than the accounts listed on Schedule 8 to the Perfection Certificate, which schedule indicates for each account whether such account is an Excluded Account and the reason for the exclusion, if any. No Loan Party shall establish or maintain an Applicable Account unless it is subject to a control agreement; provided , with respect to any Applicable Account maintained by a Loan Party as of the Closing Date, the Loan Parties shall cause such Applicable Account to be subject to control agreements within sixty (60) days of the Closing Date (or such later date as the Collateral Agent may agree in its discretion). Other than Applicable Accounts as to which the time limit set forth in the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence has not expired, none of the Loan Parties will deposit or maintain Collateral (including the proceeds thereof) in an Applicable Account that is not subject to a control agreement.

8.1.16 ERISA Compliance .

The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its ERISA Affiliates to: (a) maintain each Pension Plan in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and (b) make all required contributions to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan when due, except in the case of each of the foregoing clauses, to the extent such failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

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8.1.17 Collateral .

(a) Pursuant to the Loan Documents, the Loan Parties shall grant, or cause to be granted, to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a first priority lien and security interest, subject only to Permitted Liens:

(i) on the Closing Date, in all Equity Interests owned by the Loan Parties on the Closing Date, and within 15 days after the date of acquisition thereof, all Equity Interests (other than general partnership interests in CNXC) issued after the Closing Date by CNXC (including in connection with the related incentive distribution rights), CNXC GP and each Receivables Subsidiary to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than CNXC or any of its Subsidiaries);

(ii) in all Equity Interests acquired by a Loan Party after the Closing Date (to the extent not covered by clause (i) above), not later than 30 days after such acquisition;

(iii) (x) within 60 days following the Closing Date, in all Real Property owned or leased by a Loan Party as of the Closing Date; provided that the applicable Loan Party shall not execute and deliver any Mortgage required by this clause (x) prior to the date which is 60 days following the Closing Date unless the Co-Documentation Agents have confirmed in writing that they have completed review of the Required Flood Materials with respect to the Real Property to be subject to such Mortgage, (y) within 60 days following the acquisition or lease thereof, in all Real Property (other than Excluded Assets) acquired or leased by a Loan Party after the Closing Date and (z) within 60 days following any Real Property ceasing to be an Excluded Asset, in such Real Property, in each case by delivering a Mortgage or, in the case of clause (y) or (z), an amendment to an existing Mortgage, as applicable; provided that (A) each Mortgage or amendment delivered pursuant to this Section 8.1.17(a)(iii) shall be accompanied by (1) local counsel opinions with respect thereto as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, (2) the Required Flood Materials and (3) title work, if any, as required pursuant to Section 8.1.18 [Title], (B) with respect to Specified Leased Properties, if the applicable Loan Party is not able to, after the use of commercially reasonable efforts and delivery of an Officer’s Certificate stating that such efforts have been made, obtain the consent of the landlord to grant a first priority lien, security interest and assignment in the leasehold interest of the applicable Specified Leased Property, such Specified Leased Property shall not be Collateral, and (C) the applicable Loan Party shall not execute and deliver any Mortgage in respect of any Real Property acquired by any Loan Party after the Closing Date or in respect of Real Property that has ceased to constitute an Excluded Asset after the Closing Date until the date that occurs thirty (30) days after the Collateral Agent has made available to the Lenders a copy of the Required Flood Materials; provided that if any deadline specified in clause (y) or (z) above would pass prior to the end of the 30-day period described in this clause (C), such deadline shall be extended to the end of such 30-day period; and

(iv) on the date hereof and with respect to any Subsidiary that becomes a Loan Party after the Closing Date in accordance with Section 8.1.9 [Additional Guarantors], not later than 30 days after the acquisition or formation of such Subsidiary or such Subsidiary ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary (or in the case of Applicable Accounts, within the period provided under Section 8.1.15 [Accounts]), in all of the other assets of the Loan Parties in which a security interest may be perfected by the filing of a UCC-1 financing statement with the secretary of state or similar agency in the applicable Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization, by filing of a short form security agreement with the United States Patent and Trademark Officer or United States Copyright Office or, in the case of Applicable Accounts, by taking the actions required under Section 8.1.15 [Accounts];

 

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provided that any of the deadlines in this Section 8.1.17(a) may be extended (by notice to the Borrower in writing) by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion upon reasonable request of the Borrower.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Liens will not be required on any of the following (collectively, the “ Excluded Assets ”):

(i) any cash in the “Operating Account” (as defined in the Operating Agreement) to the extent constituting property of the Operator under the Operating Agreement;

(ii) any right, title and interests in and to any Manufactured (Mobile) Home (as defined in the applicable Flood Laws), and any Buildings that are immaterial as reasonably determined by the Borrower and agreed to in writing by the Collateral Agent;

(iii) (1) undeveloped coal reserves owned or leased by a Loan Party as of the Closing Date that are not Specified Coal Reserves, (2) undeveloped coal reserves acquired by a Loan Party after the Closing Date the Fair Market Value of which does not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate or $3,000,000 individually and (3) developed coal reserves (other than Specified Coal Reserves or any portion of the Pennsylvania Mining Complex), whether owned on the Closing Date or subsequently acquired, the Fair Market Value of which does not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate or $3,000,000 individually;

(iv) leased motor vehicles (including bulldozers and other heavy equipment);

(v) except to the extent the security interest in such assets can be perfected by the filing of a UCC financing statement, owned motor vehicles (including bulldozers and other heavy equipment) and other assets the ownership of which is evidenced by certificates of title, to the extent the Fair Market Value thereof does not exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate or $2,000,000 individually;

(vi) except to the extent constituting supporting obligations of other Collateral, Letter-of-Credit Rights (as defined in the UCC) that do not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate or $3,000,000 individually;

(vii) Commercial Tort Claims (as defined in the UCC) that do not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate for all Pledgors; provided that none of the Commercial Tort Claims described in Schedule 7 of the Perfection Certificate on the Closing Date shall be Excluded Assets;

(viii) assets owned by any Pledgor on the Closing Date or that are acquired after the Closing Date and any proceeds thereof that are subject to a Lien permitted by clause (10) in the definition of “Permitted Liens” to the extent and for so long as the contract or other agreement in which such Lien is granted (or the documentation providing for the Capital Lease Obligations, equipment lease, purchase money obligation or substantially similar obligation subject to such Lien) validly prohibits the creation of any other Lien on such assets and proceeds;

(ix) those assets over which the granting of security interests in such assets would be prohibited by (1) any contract in effect on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 8.2.15 (or, as to any assets acquired after the Closing Date in an acquisition permitted hereunder, in effect at the time of acquisition thereof and not entered into in contemplation thereof) or (2) applicable law or

 

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regulation or to the extent that such security interests would require obtaining the consent of any governmental or regulatory authority, but only to the extent and for so long as a grant of a security interest therein in favor of the Collateral Agent would (x) violate or invalidate such contract, cause the acceleration or the termination thereof or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) or (y) violate such applicable law or regulation or require such consent;

(x) any intent-to-use trademark application to the extent and for so long as creation by a Pledgor of a security interest therein would result in the loss by such Pledgor of any material rights therein;

(xi) any Equity Interests in any Person that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent not permitted by the terms of such Person’s organizational or joint venture documents;

(xii) any Voting Stock of any CFC or CFC Holdco in excess of 65% of the total voting power of all outstanding Voting Stock of such Subsidiary, it being understood that any Equity Interests constituting “stock entitled to vote” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.956-2(c)(2) shall be treated as Voting Stock for purposes of this clause (xii);

(xiii) assets owned by any Pledgor on the Closing Date or hereafter acquired and any proceeds thereof as to which the Borrower reasonably determines (and the Collateral Agent agrees in writing (which may be by e-mail)) that the cost of obtaining such a security interest or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the benefit to the Secured Parties of the security to be afforded thereby;

(xiv) any lease, permit, license or other agreement permitted to be entered into under this Agreement, in each case, only to the extent and for so long as a grant of a security interest therein in favor of the Collateral Agent would violate or invalidate such lease, permit, license or agreement, cause the acceleration or the termination thereof or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries);

(xv) Qualified Receivables Assets to the extent subject to a Qualified Receivables Transaction;

(xvi) all locomotives, rail cars and rolling stock now or hereafter leased by the Loan Parties;

(xvii) the Loan Parties’ timber to be cut other than to the extent encumbered by any Mortgage;

(xviii) Immaterial Real Property;

(xix) Specified Leased Properties excluded from the Collateral pursuant to clause (B) of the proviso to Section 8.1.17(a)(iii); and

(xx) Excluded Accounts described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the definition of “Excluded Accounts”;

 

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provided that (x) clauses (viii), (ix), (xi) and (xiv) shall be after giving effect to applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction or other applicable law, and shall not include proceeds and receivables of assets described in such clauses, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction notwithstanding the prohibition described in such clause, (y) in no event shall any Required Collateral constitute Excluded Assets, except (A) any Manufactured (Mobile) Home or Building excluded from the Collateral by operation of Section 8.1.17(b)(ii) and (B) any Specified Leased Property that is excluded from the Collateral pursuant to clause (B) of the proviso to Section 8.1.17(a)(iii) and (z) Excluded Assets shall not include any Proceeds (as defined in the UCC), substitutions or replacements of any assets referred to in any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (xviii) unless such Proceeds (as defined in the UCC), substitutions or replacements would constitute assets expressly referred to in any such clause.

(c) No actions shall be required to perfect security interests in locomotive, rail cars and rolling stock owned by the Loan Parties until the aggregate Fair Market Value of such assets exceeds $5,000,000.

(d) No actions in any non-U.S. jurisdiction or required by the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction shall be required to be taken (x) to create any security interests in assets located or titled outside of the U.S. or (y) to perfect or make enforceable any security interests in any assets (other than delivery of Equity Interests pursuant to Section 8.1.17(a)(i) and Section 8.1.17(a)(ii)) (it being understood that no security agreements or pledge agreements governed under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction shall be required).

(e) No Loan Party shall effect any change (i) in any Loan Party’s legal name, (ii) in the location of any Loan Party’s chief executive office, (iii) in any Loan Party’s identity or organizational structure, (iv) in any Loan Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number or organizational identification number, if any, or (v) in any Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization (in each case, including by merging with or into any other entity, reorganizing, dissolving, liquidating, reorganizing or organizing in any other jurisdiction), until (A) it shall have given the Collateral Agent not less than 5 days’ prior written notice, or such lesser notice period agreed to by the Collateral Agent, of its intention so to do, clearly describing such change and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request and (B) it shall have taken all action reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interest of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral, if applicable. Each Loan Party agrees to promptly provide the Collateral Agent with certified organizational documents reflecting any of the changes described in the preceding sentence.

8.1.18 Title .

The Loan Parties shall comply with the requirements set forth on Schedule 8.1.18 .

8.1.19 Maintenance of Permits .

The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain all Required Permits in full force and effect in accordance with their terms except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

8.1.20 Preparation of Environmental Reports .

If an Event of Default caused by reason of a breach under Section 8.1.10 [Compliance with Laws] with respect to compliance with Environmental Laws shall have occurred and be continuing, at the reasonable request of the Required Lenders through any Administrative Agent, provide, in the case of the Borrower, to the Lenders within 60 days after such request, at the expense of the Borrower, an

 

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environmental or mining site assessment or audit report for the properties, which are the subject of such breach prepared by an environmental or mining consulting firm reasonably acceptable to each Agent and indicating the presence or absence of Hazardous Materials and the estimated cost of any compliance or corrective action in connection with such properties and the estimated cost of curing any violation of or non-compliance with any Environmental Law.

8.1.21 Post-Closing Matters .

The Loan Parties will execute and deliver to the applicable Agent the documents and complete the tasks set forth on Schedule 8.1.21 , within the time frames set forth therein, unless otherwise waived or extended by the applicable Agent in its sole discretion.

8.1.22 Maintenance of Ratings .

The Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain (i) a public corporate credit rating (but not any particular rating) from S&P and a public corporate family rating (but not any particular rating) from Moody’s, in each case, in respect of the Borrower and (ii) a public rating (but not any particular rating) in respect of the Term B Loans from each of S&P and Moody’s.

8.2 Negative Covenants .

The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, covenant and agree that until payment in full of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest thereon, expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, satisfaction of all of the Loan Parties’ other Obligations hereunder and termination of the Commitments, the Loan Parties shall comply with the following negative covenants:

8.2.1 Indebtedness .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur, assume or otherwise become liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “ incur ”) any Indebtedness, and the Borrower will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any Preferred Stock, except:

(a) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;

(b) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 8.2.1 , and Refinancing Indebtedness of such Indebtedness;

(c) Indebtedness owed by (i) a Loan Party to another Loan Party, (ii) a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to another Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, (iii) a Restricted Subsidiary to a Loan Party and (iv) any Loan Party to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party; provided that (x) any Indebtedness pursuant to clause (iii) is permitted by Section 8.2.4(h), (l) or (r) [Loans and Investments] and (y) any Indebtedness pursuant to clause (iv) is subordinated to the extent required by, and in accordance with, Section 8.1.12 [Subordination of Intercompany Loans];

(d) Indebtedness represented by mortgage financings, purchase money obligations or other Indebtedness, in each case incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the price or cost of design, construction, installation, development, repair or improvement of plant, property or equipment used in the business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, and Capital Lease Obligations, and Refinancing Indebtedness of any of the foregoing, in an aggregate amount, when taken together with the outstanding amount of all other Indebtedness or Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (d), not to exceed at any time outstanding under this clause (d), the greater of (i) $60,000,000 and (ii) 2.0% of CTA at such time;

 

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(e) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date as permitted by this Agreement, which Indebtedness is existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (and was not incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such Person’s becoming a Subsidiary of the Borrower) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(f) Indebtedness under Swap Agreements permitted under Section 8.2.12 [Swaps];

(g) Indebtedness in respect of self-insurance obligations or bid, plugging and abandonment, appeal, reimbursement, performance, reclamation, employment, surety and similar obligations and completion guarantees provided by or for the account of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, and any Guaranties and letters of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing in the ordinary course of business;

(h) the Revenue Bonds and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(i) (x) Indebtedness of the Borrower in respect of the Second Lien Notes and of the Guarantors in respect of Guaranties of the Second Lien Notes, (y) Refinancing Indebtedness thereof and (z) other Indebtedness of the Borrower (and Guaranties of such Indebtedness by the Guarantors); provided that in the case of Indebtedness under this subclause (z), (1) the aggregate principal amount outstanding shall not exceed the greater of (i) $50,000,000 and (ii) 2.0% of CTA at such time, (2) no payment of principal in respect of such Indebtedness shall be required prior to six months after the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of issuance (except for customary offers to purchase with proceeds of asset sales or upon the occurrence of a change of control), (3) the Indebtedness shall not include any financial maintenance covenants, (4) in the case of notes, the covenants and events of default shall be customary for high yield debt securities but in any event shall not be more restrictive than the covenants and events of default under the Second Lien Notes Indenture, taken as a whole, and (5) in the case of loans, the covenants and events of default shall be customary for second lien loans but in any event shall be less restrictive than the covenants and events of default hereunder applicable to the Term B Loans (with cushions to the negative covenants and events of default that are customary for Indebtedness of such type and which cushions are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agents);

(j) Indebtedness incurred in a Qualified Receivables Transaction in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(k) liability in respect of the Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Joint Venture in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (i) such liability shall arise only as a result of the pledge of (or a Guaranty limited in recourse solely to) Equity Interests in such Unrestricted Subsidiary held by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to secure such Indebtedness and (ii) such Indebtedness shall be Non-Recourse Debt;

(l) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or the issuance of any Disqualified Stock by the Borrower or Preferred Stock by any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not exceeding, at any one time outstanding, $25,000,000; and

 

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(m) (x) Permitted Unsecured Notes and (y) Refinancing Indebtedness thereof; provided that the Borrower is in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the Financial Covenants immediately after giving effect to such Indebtedness;

provided that in the case of clause (j), (l) or (m), at the time of and after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Indebtedness no Potential Default or Event of Default shall exist.

In the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Indebtedness described in the clauses of the preceding paragraph, the Borrower shall, in its sole discretion, divide, classify or reclassify (or later divide, classify, redivide or reclassify) such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this covenant (including splitting into multiple exceptions) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of such clauses of the preceding paragraph.

The accrual of interest or Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock dividends or distributions, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends or distributions on Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock in the form of additional securities of the same class of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided that the amount thereof shall be included in the calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense of the Borrower as accrued to the extent required by the definition of such term.

8.2.2 Liens .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, at any time, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any property or assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, tangible or intangible, now owned or hereafter acquired, or agree or become liable to do so, except Permitted Liens.

8.2.3 Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary,” the Board of Directors of the Borrower may at any time designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary (including any newly acquired or newly formed Restricted Subsidiary at or prior to the time it is so acquired or formed but excluding any Restricted Subsidiary that was previously an Unrestricted Subsidiary), or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) immediately before and after such designation, no Potential Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the Financial Covenants and (iii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2.1(i) or (m) [Indebtedness] (unless it is substantially concurrently being designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary under such Indebtedness). Any (x) designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or (y) redesignation as a Restricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Administrative Agents by delivering to the Administrative Agents a copy of a Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the requirements of this Section 8.2.3. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary (as applicable) therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Borrower’s or such relevant Restricted Subsidiary’s (as applicable) investment therein, as determined in good faith by such Borrower or such relevant Restricted

 

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Subsidiary, and the Investment resulting from such designation must otherwise be permitted under Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments]. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Investment, Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time.

(b) No Unrestricted Subsidiary shall:

(1) have any Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

(2) except as permitted by Section 8.2.8 [Affiliate Transactions], be party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Borrower;

(3) be a Person with respect to which either the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has any direct or indirect obligation (x) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests (except pursuant to an Investment that would be permitted hereunder at the time such obligation is incurred and such Investment is made) or (y) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; or

(4) Guaranty or otherwise directly or indirectly provide credit support for any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, except to the extent such Guaranty would be and is released upon such designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

provided that in no event shall CNXC or any of its Subsidiaries be deemed a Restricted Subsidiary hereunder.

8.2.4 Loans and Investments .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, at any time, directly or indirectly, make or suffer to remain outstanding any Investment or become or remain liable for any Investments, except:

(a) (i) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business and (ii) loans or advances to officers, directors or employees made in the ordinary course of business; provided that such loans and advances to all such officers, directors and employees do not exceed an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 outstanding at any time;

(b) Temporary Cash Investments;

(c) any transaction permitted under Section 8.2.6 [Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions] (including any Permitted Acquisition);

(d) such Investments consisting of prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits made in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(e) (x) any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Closing Date and described on Schedule  8.2.4(x) , and (y) any Investment of GasCo or any of its Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date and described on Schedule 8.2.4(y) that relates to the coal business and is assumed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date and, in each case, any Investment consisting of an extension, modification or renewal of any such Investment described in the foregoing clause (x) or (y); provided that any increase in the amount of any such Investment will be permitted only to the extent such increase is otherwise permitted under this Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments];

(f) Investments (i) in any Loan Party or (ii) by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;

(g) any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (i) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer or (ii) litigation, arbitration or other disputes;

(h) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 1.0% of CTA at such time;

(i) Investments in the form of an increase in the ownership percentage of the Undivided Interests by the Loan Parties;

(j) Investments in the Pennsylvania Mining Complex in accordance with the ratable ownership of the Undivided Interests by the Loan Parties;

(k) loans made by one or more Loan Parties to CNXC pursuant to and in accordance with the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement; it being understood for the avoidance of doubt that no loans shall be made under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement unless the conditions to borrowing thereunder are satisfied;

(l) Investments in Joint Ventures and Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided Investments pursuant to this clause (l) shall not exceed in the aggregate at any time the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 1.0% of CTA at such time;

(m) an Investment in receivables owing to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms, including such concessionary trade terms as the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

(n) Swap Agreements permitted under Section 8.2.12 [Swaps];

(o) Investments in a Receivables Subsidiary or any Investment by a Receivables Subsidiary in any other Person in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction permitted under Section 8.2.1(j) [Indebtedness], including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Qualified Receivables Transaction or any related Indebtedness;

(p) endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(q) guarantees by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of performance of obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business (other than for payment of Indebtedness or letter of credit reimbursement obligations); provided guarantees pursuant to this clause (q) of such obligations of Persons that are not Loan Parties shall not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time;

(r) Investments in an aggregate amount up to the sum of (x) $25,000,000 minus any Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 8.2.5(h)(x) [Restricted Payments], and (y) the then Cumulative Credit; provided that, in the case of subclause (y) of this clause (r), (i) the Total Net Leverage Ratio at such time, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis, shall not be greater than 2.00:1.00 and (ii) the Borrower shall deliver to each Administrative Agent prior to the making of such Investment an Officer’s Certificate certifying compliance with the requirements of this clause (r) and setting forth calculations in reasonable detail showing such compliance;

(s) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of Designated Non-Cash Consideration in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Threshold Amount at any one time outstanding;

(t) any Investment made or received as part of the consideration in a Permitted Undivided Interest Sale (to the extent permitted by the definition thereof); and

(u) any Investment made pursuant to the Spin-Off on or promptly following the Closing Date in accordance with an agreement described on Schedule 8.2.8;

provided that, in the case of clause (h), (i), (l) or (r) after giving effect to any such Investment no Event of Default or Potential Default shall exist or shall result from any such Investment.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.2.4, (i) the Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries (other than CNXC or any of its Subsidiaries) to, make any Investments in CNXC or any of its Subsidiaries other than (x) Investments pursuant to clause (k) or (l) of this Section 8.2.4 and (y) Investments pursuant to clauses (s) and (t) of this Section 8.2.4 received in a Permitted Undivided Interests Sale, (ii) in no event shall the aggregate principal amount of loans made to CNXC under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement exceed $275,000,000 and (iii) the aggregate principal amount of loans made on the Closing Date under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement shall not exceed $210,000,000.

8.2.5 Restricted Payments .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make a Restricted Payment, except:

(a) the Closing Date Distribution;

(b) payments of cash, dividends, distributions, advances or other Restricted Payments by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon (i) the exercise of options or warrants or (ii) the conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of any such Person;

(c) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries held by any current or former officer, director or employee of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent granted to such Person in respect of performance of services for the Borrower or any of the

 

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Restricted Subsidiaries) (or their respective estates, heirs, family members, spouses, former spouses or beneficiaries under their estates or other permitted transferees), pursuant to the terms of any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement, compensation agreement or arrangement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate amount of such acquisitions or retirements (excluding amounts representing cancellation of Indebtedness) shall not exceed $2,000,000 in any calendar year (with any portion of such $2,000,000 amount that is unused in any calendar year to be carried forward to successive calendar years and added to such amount, provided that the amount carried forward shall not exceed $6,000,000 at any time); provided further that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Borrower after the Closing Date;

(d) the Borrower and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its Equity Interests or make other Restricted Payments with the net cash proceeds received by the Borrower from the substantially concurrent issuance and sale of common stock of the Borrower;

(e) the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock or other equity options to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock or other equity options and any repurchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests made in lieu of withholding taxes in connection with any exercise or exchange of stock options, warrants, incentives or other rights to acquire Equity Interests;

(f) prepayment of any Specified Junior Obligations with Refinancing Indebtedness thereof;

(g) repurchases of Specified Junior Obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary at a purchase price not greater than 100% of the principal amount of such Specified Junior Obligations in the event of an asset disposition, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the extent required by the terms of such Specified Junior Obligations, but only if the Borrower has complied with and fully satisfied its obligations in accordance with Sections 5.7.2 [Dispositions] and 8.2.7 [Dispositions];

(h) so long as no Potential Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall result therefrom, Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount up to the sum of (x) $25,000,000 minus any Investments made pursuant to Section 8.2.4(r)(x) [Loans and Investments], and (y) the then Cumulative Credit; provided that, in the case of clause (y) of this clause (h), the Total Net Leverage Ratio at such time, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis, shall not be greater than 2.00:1.00 and the Borrower shall deliver to each Administrative Agent prior to the making of such Restricted Payment an Officer’s Certificate certifying compliance with the requirements of this clause (h) and setting forth calculations in reasonable detail showing such compliance;

(i) so long as no Potential Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall result therefrom, any prepayment, redemption or repurchase of the Revenue Bonds; provided that (x) the Total Net Leverage Ratio at such time, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis, shall not be greater than 1.50:1.00, (y) at such time, after giving effect to such prepayment, redemption or repurchase, Total Liquidity shall be at least $275,000,000 and (z) the Borrower shall deliver to each Administrative Agent prior to the making of such prepayment, redemption or repurchase an Officer’s Certificate certifying compliance with the requirements of this clause (i) and setting forth calculations in reasonable detail showing such compliance; and

 

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(j) purchases or other acquisitions or retirements for value of any Equity Interests of the Borrower in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in any calendar year (commencing with the calendar year ending December 31, 2018); provided that at the time of and after giving effect thereto, (1) no Event of Default or Potential Default shall exist and (2) Total Liquidity shall be at least $275,000,000.

8.2.6 Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, dissolve, liquidate or wind-up its affairs, or become a party to any merger or consolidation, or make any acquisition described in subclause (y) or (z) of clause (b) below (including by acquisition of the Equity Interests of another Person); provided that:

(a) (i) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or merge into any other Restricted Subsidiary or acquire Equity Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that in the case of a consolidation or merger involving a Loan Party, a Loan Party is the surviving entity and (ii) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or merge into the Borrower; provided that the Borrower is the surviving entity;

(b) the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may acquire whether by purchase or by merger or consolidation, (x) Equity Interests of another Person, (y) substantially all of the assets of another Person or the assets constituting a business or division of another Person or (z) the material assets of another Person (each, a “ Permitted Acquisition ”); provided that each of the following requirements is met:

(i) no Potential Default or Event of Default shall exist immediately prior to and after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition;

(ii) after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition, (x) Total Liquidity shall be at least $275,000,000 and (y) the Borrower shall be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the Financial Covenants;

(iii) to the extent that the acquisition includes the acquisition of Equity Interests in any Person that is not a Loan Party or that does not become a Loan Party in connection with such acquisition, or of assets by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such acquisition shall be subject to Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments] (without giving effect to clause (c) thereof) and the aggregate Consideration attributable to such Equity Interests or assets shall count against availability under Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments] (other than clause (c) thereof); and

(iv) if the Consideration to be paid by the Restricted Subsidiaries for such Permitted Acquisition exceeds the Threshold Amount, the Restricted Subsidiaries shall deliver to the Administrative Agents before or contemporaneously with such Permitted Acquisition: (1) a certificate of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit 8.2.6 evidencing (x) compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the Financial Covenants and (y) compliance with the applicable requirements of clauses (b)(i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 8.2.6 and (2) to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agents and not subject to confidentiality obligations owed to any Person, copies of any agreements entered into or proposed to be entered into by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Permitted Acquisition and such other information about such Person or its assets, and the Administrative Agents may, to the extent they receive any such copies of agreements or information, provide such copies of agreements or information to the Lenders;

 

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(c) Dispositions permitted by Section 8.2.7 [Dispositions] and any liquidation, merger, consolidation or acquisition to effect such Disposition; provided that in the case of a consolidation or merger, the requirements of Section 8.2.6(a) are complied with, to the extent applicable;

(d) any Restricted Subsidiary that holds only de minimis assets and is not conducting any material business may dissolve;

(e) any liquidation, merger, consolidation or acquisition of any Restricted Subsidiary with or into another Restricted Subsidiary effected pursuant to the Spin-Off on or promptly following the Closing Date and in accordance with an agreement described on Schedule 8.2.8 shall be permitted; and

(f) any acquisition of Receivables from CNXC or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 8.2.8(o) [Affiliate Transactions] shall be permitted.

8.2.7 Dispositions .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any Disposition, except:

(a) any Disposition between or among the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that in the case of a consolidation or merger, the requirements of Section 8.2.6(a) [Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions] are complied with, to the extent applicable;

(b) any Disposition that constitutes a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 8.2.5 [Restricted Payments] or an Investment permitted by Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments];

(c) an issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or to a Restricted Subsidiary;

(d) the sale of extracted Coal, other mineral products or other inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(e) a sale, contribution, conveyance or other disposition of Receivables and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Qualified Receivables Transaction” in a Qualified Receivables Transaction permitted by Section 8.2.1(j) [Indebtedness];

(f) any Disposition of surplus, damaged, worn-out or obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business (including the abandonment or other disposition of intellectual property, including seismic data and interpretations thereof, that is, in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as whole);

(g) licenses and sublicenses by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of software or intellectual property, including seismic data and interpretations thereof, in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(h) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business;

(i) the granting of Permitted Liens and dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;

(j) the sale or other disposition of cash or Temporary Cash Investments or other financial instruments;

(k) the early termination or unwinding of any Swap Agreement;

(l) any Disposition; provided that the Fair Market Value of all assets Disposed of under this clause (l) in any given fiscal year (other than transfers of property subject to a Casualty Event) shall not exceed the greater of (i) $75,000,000 and (ii) 3.0% of CTA at such time;

(m) leases or subleases of subsurface interests in Real Property that are not part of the Pennsylvania Mining Complex and are in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower not economically practical for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to mine or operate;

(n) any Disposition made pursuant to the Spin-Off on or promptly following the Closing Date and in accordance with an agreement described on Schedule 8.2.8 ;

(o) any Disposition that is not permitted by the other clauses of this Section 8.2.7 [Dispositions], which is approved by the Required Lenders; and

(p) subject to Section 5.7.2(b) [Dispositions], any Permitted Undivided Interest Sale;

provided that in the case of clauses (e) and (l), no Potential Default or Event of Default is then in existence or will result therefrom.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.2.7, (i) none of the Required Collateral described in clause (b) or (f) of the definition of “Required Collateral” shall be permitted to be Disposed of to any Person that is not a Loan Party, (ii) the Borrower shall not cause or permit CNXC GP to Dispose of any of the general partnership interests in CNXC, and (iii) the Borrower shall not cause or permit any Disposition of any of the Undivided Interests except in a Permitted Undivided Interests Sale.

8.2.8 Affiliate Transactions .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of transactions (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property, employee compensation arrangements or the rendering of any service) with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Borrower (an “ Affiliate Transaction ”) unless the terms thereof, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could reasonably be obtained at the time of such transaction in arm’s-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate or, if in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Borrower, no comparable transaction is available with which to compare such Affiliate Transaction, such Affiliate Transaction is otherwise fair to the Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view.

 

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The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of foregoing paragraph:

(a) any employment agreement, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification agreement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and payments pursuant thereto;

(b) any sale of Hydrocarbons or other mineral products to an Affiliate of the Borrower or the entering into or performance of Hydrocarbon Swap Agreements, contracts for exploring for, producing, gathering, marketing, processing, storing or otherwise handling Hydrocarbons, or activities or services reasonably related or ancillary thereto, or other operational contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business which are fair to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party, as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

(c) the sale or issuance to an Affiliate of the Borrower of Capital Stock of the Borrower that does not constitute Disqualified Stock, and the sale to an Affiliate of the Borrower of Indebtedness (including Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower in connection with an offering of such Indebtedness in a market transaction and on terms substantially identical to those of other purchasers in such market transaction;

(d) transactions between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Borrower (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Borrower) solely because of the ownership by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of Equity Interests in such Person (including the transaction pursuant to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary acquired such Equity Interests);

(e) transactions between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Person, a director of which is also a director of the Borrower and such director is the sole cause for such Person to be deemed an Affiliate of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such director shall abstain from voting as a director of the Borrower on any matter involving such other Person;

(f) the payment of reasonable fees to and reimbursements of expenses (including travel and entertainment expenses and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business) of employees, officers, directors or consultants of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(g) transactions between or among the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(h) payments that are permitted under Section 8.2.5 [Restricted Payments];

(i) sales, contributions, conveyances and other transfers of Receivables and related assets of the type specified in the definition of “Qualified Receivables Transaction” to a Receivables Subsidiary or any other similar transactions in connection with any Indebtedness permitted by Section 8.2.1(j) [Indebtedness];

(j) transactions effected, and payments made, in accordance with the terms of (i) any agreement to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party as of the Closing Date and described on Schedule 8.2.8 , (ii) any other agreement entered into prior to the consummation of the Spin-Off by and among the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and

 

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GasCo and its Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries), on the other hand, that are immaterial to the Loan Parties taken as a whole or (iii) any other agreement entered into prior to the consummation of the Spin-Off by and among the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and CNXC and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, that are immaterial to the Loan Parties taken as a whole, and, in each case under this clause (j), and any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, renewals or replacements thereof so long as such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, renewals or replacements do not materially and adversely affect the rights, taken as a whole, of the Lenders as compared to the terms of such agreement in effect on the Closing Date;

(k) any transaction in which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, delivers to the Administrative Agents a letter from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing (or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agents) stating that such transaction is fair to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or that such transaction meets the requirements of the preceding paragraph;

(l) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors in the ordinary course of business and approved by the Borrower’s Board of Directors in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 outstanding at any one time;

(m) Permitted Undivided Interest Sales;

(n) pledges by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of (or any Guaranty by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary limited in recourse solely to) Equity Interests in Unrestricted Subsidiaries for the benefit of lenders or other creditors of the Borrower’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(o) the sale, contribution, conveyance or other transfer, or granting of a security interest in Qualified Receivables Assets by CNXC or any of its Subsidiaries to the Borrower or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction on terms that are customary for asset securitization of factoring transactions involving Receivables; provided , that (i) with respect to any Qualified Receivables Asset so purchased, the purchase price paid by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be greater than the sale price to be received by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the Receivables Subsidiary for such Qualified Receivables Asset in the related Qualified Receivables Transaction (it being understood that (x) the composition of such purchase price in terms of cash and non-cash consideration may differ from the composition of such sales price, (y) the amount of the sale price paid under a subordinated note issued by a Receivables Subsidiary shall be equal to the increase in the principal balance of such subordinated note on account of the related Qualified Receivables Assets and (z) the “sale price” for any Qualified Receivables Assets that are contributed by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Receivables Subsidiary shall be equal to the increase in the value of the Equity Interests of the Receivables Subsidiary on account of the related contribution, as determined by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in good faith) and (ii) any cash purchase price payable for Qualified Receivables Assets shall be paid net of any payments owing by CNXC and its Subsidiaries under the Operating Agreement; and

(p) the consummation of the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses in connection therewith.

 

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8.2.9 Change in Business .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than a Permitted Business.

8.2.10 Fiscal Year .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, change its fiscal year from the twelve-month period beginning January 1 and ending December 31.

8.2.11 Amendments to Certain Documents .

(a) The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, amend its certificate of incorporation (including any provisions or resolutions relating to Capital Stock), by-laws, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents in a manner that would be adverse in any material respect to the Lenders. The Borrower shall not, through merger or otherwise, reincorporate under the laws of a jurisdiction other than a State of the United States or the District of Columbia.

(b) The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, amend or modify or grant any waiver or release under any Specified Material Contract, if such amendment, modification, waiver or release would be adverse in any material respect to the Lenders (including by affecting the assignability of any such contract or agreement in a manner that would have a material and adverse effect on the rights of the Secured Parties in the Collateral (including in such agreement and other credit support as Collateral)); provided that amendments, waivers and consents under multiple Specified Material Contracts entered into substantially contemporaneously shall be viewed taken as a whole.

(c) The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, amend or modify or grant any waiver or release under any Material Contract (other than any Specified Material Contract), if such amendment, modification, waiver or release affects the assignability of any such contract or agreement in a manner that would have a material and adverse effect on the rights of the Secured Parties in the Collateral (including in such agreement as Collateral) or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; provided that amendments, waivers and consents under multiple Material Contracts entered into substantially contemporaneously shall be viewed taken as a whole.

(d) The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Subsidiary to, amend or modify or grant any waiver or release under (x) the partnership agreement of CNXC or any charter or other organizational documents of CNXC GP, (y) any Affiliated Company Loan Document or (z) any agreement governing or evidencing any Specified Junior Obligation, in each case in any manner that would be adverse in any material respect to the Lenders.

8.2.12 Swaps .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Swap Agreement, other than those entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities.

 

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8.2.13 Financial Covenants .

The Borrower shall comply with the following covenants for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders and the Term A Lenders:

(a) Maximum First Lien Gross Leverage Ratio . Commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2017, the Borrower shall not permit the First Lien Gross Leverage Ratio, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, to be greater than the First Lien Gross Leverage Ratio set forth opposite such day in the table below.

 

Quarter Ended

   Maximum First Lien Gross Leverage Ratio

December 31, 2017

   2.25x

March 31, 2018

   2.25x

June 30, 2018

   2.25x

September 30, 2018

   2.25x

December 31, 2018

   2.25x

March 31, 2019

   2.00x

June 30, 2019

   2.00x

September 30, 2019

   2.00x

December 31, 2019

   2.00x

March 31, 2020

   1.75x

June 30, 2020

   1.75x

September 30, 2020

   1.75x

December 31, 2020

   1.75x

March 31, 2021

   1.75x

June 30, 2021

   1.75x

September 30, 2021

   1.75x

December 31, 2021

   1.75x

(b) Maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio . Commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2017, the Borrower shall not permit the Total Net Leverage Ratio, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, to be greater than the Total Net Leverage Ratio set forth opposite such day in the table below.

 

Quarter Ended

   Maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio

December 31, 2017

   3.25x

March 31, 2018

   3.25x

June 30, 2018

   3.25x

September 30, 2018

   3.25x

December 31, 2018

   3.25x

March 31, 2019

   3.00x

June 30, 2019

   3.00x

September 30, 2019

   3.00x

December 31, 2019

   3.00x

 

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Quarter Ended

   Maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio

March 31, 2020

   2.75x

June 30, 2020

   2.75x

September 30, 2020

   2.75x

December 31, 2020

   2.75x

March 31, 2021

   2.75x

June 30, 2021

   2.75x

September 30, 2021

   2.75x

December 31, 2021

   2.75x

(c) Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . Commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2018, the Borrower shall not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, to be less than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio set forth opposite such day in the table below.

 

Quarter Ended

   Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

December 31, 2017

   N/A

March 31, 2018

   1.00x

June 30, 2018

   1.00x

September 30, 2018

   1.00x

December 31, 2018

   1.00x

March 31, 2019

   1.00x

June 30, 2019

   1.00x

September 30, 2019

   1.00x

December 31, 2019

   1.00x

March 31, 2020

   1.05x

June 30, 2020

   1.05x

September 30, 2020

   1.05x

December 31, 2020

   1.05x

March 31, 2021

   1.10x

June 30, 2021

   1.10x

September 30, 2021

   1.10x

December 31, 2021

   1.10x

8.2.14 Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary ( provided that (x) the priority that any series of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary has in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions shall not be deemed to be a restriction on the ability to pay dividends or make other distributions on its Capital Stock for purposes of this covenant and (y) the subordination of Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness incurred by any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to pay Indebtedness);

 

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(2) make any loans or advances to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that the subordination of loans or advances made to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances); or

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its property or assets to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary.

The foregoing restrictions of this Section 8.2.14 [Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries] will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(a) any encumbrance or restriction in any agreement in effect on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 8.2.14 ;

(b) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary on or prior to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Borrower or became a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness incurred as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Borrower) and outstanding on such date;

(c) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement effecting a Refinancing of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (a) or (b) of this paragraph or this clause (c) or contained in any amendment to an agreement referred to in clause (a) or (b) of this paragraph or this clause (c); provided that the encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in any such refinancing agreement or amendment are no less favorable to the Lenders than encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in such agreements, as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

(d) (i) customary non-assignment provisions in any contract, license, lease or sale or exchange agreement and (ii) cash, other deposits, or net worth or similar requirements, in each case, imposed by suppliers, customers or lessors under contracts or leases, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(e) in the case of clause (3) of the preceding paragraph, restrictions contained in Capital Lease Obligations, purchase money obligations, security agreements or mortgages securing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such Capital Lease Obligations, purchase money obligations, security agreements or mortgages;

(f) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition;

(g) any encumbrance or restriction in any agreement or instrument in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction customary for transactions of such type applicable to the Qualified Receivables Assets or the applicable Receivables Subsidiary;

 

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(h) Liens otherwise permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 8.2.2 [Liens] that limit the right of the debtor to Dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(i) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements (including, without limitation, agreements entered into in connection with an Investment) entered into with the approval of the Borrower’s Board of Directors, which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements;

(j) encumbrances or restrictions applicable only to a Foreign Subsidiary;

(k) Swap Agreements permitted under Section 8.2.12 [Swaps];

(l) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to or by reason of an agreement that the Unrestricted Subsidiary is a party to or entered into before the date on which such Unrestricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such agreement was not entered into in anticipation of the Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and any such encumbrance or restriction does not extend to any assets or property of the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets and property of such Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

(m) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (a) through (l) of this paragraph; provided that such amendments are not materially more restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment or refinancing, as determined in good faith by the Borrower.

8.2.15 Negative Pledge Agreements .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or permit to exist any Contractual Requirement (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that limits the ability of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person (other than property specifically excluded from the Collateral requirements pursuant to Section 8.1.17(b) [Collateral]) for the benefit of the Secured Parties with respect to the Obligations or under the Loan Documents; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to each of the following Contractual Requirements that:

(a) (i) exist on the Closing Date and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section 8.2.15) are listed on Schedule 8.2.15 and (ii) to the extent Contractual Requirements permitted by subclause (i) are set forth in an agreement evidencing Indebtedness or other obligations, are set forth in any agreement evidencing any Refinancing Indebtedness of such Indebtedness or obligation so long as such Refinancing Indebtedness does not expand the scope of such Contractual Requirement;

(b) are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such Contractual Requirements were not entered into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary;

(c) arise pursuant to agreements entered into with respect to any Disposition permitted by Section 8.2.7 [Dispositions] and applicable solely to assets under such Disposition;

 

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(d) are customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements permitted by Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments] and applicable to the joint ventures owned by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(e) are negative pledges and restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2.1 [Indebtedness], but solely to the extent any negative pledge relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness;

(f) are customary restrictions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions relate to the assets subject thereto;

(g) restrictions on transfer of the general partnership interest in CNXC set forth in Section 4.6 of the Partnership Agreement;

(h) are customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(i) are customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(j) restrict the use of cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(k) are imposed by requirements of Law;

(l) customary net worth provisions contained in real property leases entered into by any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions would not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligation;

(m) are customary restrictions and conditions contained in the document relating to any Lien, so long as (i) such Lien is a Permitted Lien that does not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money and such restrictions or conditions relate only to the specific asset subject to such Lien and (ii) such restrictions and conditions are not created for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this Section 8.2.15;

(n) are restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2.1 [Indebtedness] or Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, to the extent such restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the restrictions contained in the Loan Documents as determined by the Borrower in good faith and do not restrict Liens on the Collateral to secure the Obligations;

(o) are restrictions regarding licenses or sublicenses by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business (in which case such restriction shall relate only to such intellectual property);

(p) are encumbrances or restrictions contained in an agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, or that is assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case that is in existence at the time of such transaction (but not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired or designated; and

 

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(q) are encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (a) through (p) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower’s Board of Directors, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

8.2.16 Permitted Activities of CNXC GP .

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Borrower shall not permit CNXC GP to: (a) incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness or other obligations (other than ordinary course liabilities but, for the avoidance of doubt and not in derogation of the foregoing, in no event shall CNXC GP permit CNXC to incur Indebtedness for borrowed money unless CNXC GP is expressly not liable for such Indebtedness), (b) consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to, any Person or (c) engage in any business or activity or own any assets other than (i) holding 100% of the general partnership interests of CNXC, (ii) performing its obligations and activities incidental to its role as general partner of CNXC and (iii) holding the assets described on Schedule 8.2.16 .

8.2.17 Pennsylvania Mining Complex .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Subsidiary to, use the Pennsylvania Mining Complex in the production, transmission, or distribution, for sale, of electric energy or of natural or synthetic gas for heat, light, or power within the meaning of Section 363(h)(4) of the Bankruptcy Code.

8.3 Reporting Requirements .

The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, covenant and agree that until payment in full of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest thereon, expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, satisfaction of all of the Loan Parties’ other Obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and termination of the Commitments, the Loan Parties will furnish or cause to be furnished to each Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:

8.3.1 Quarterly Financial Statements .

Commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2017, as soon as available and in any event within 45 calendar days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters in each fiscal year (or by December 15, 2017, in the case of the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2017), (i) financial statements of the Borrower, consisting of a consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal quarter and related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter then ended and the fiscal year through that date, all in reasonable detail and certified (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments) by the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the Borrower as having been prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, and setting forth in comparative form the respective financial statements for the corresponding date and period in the previous fiscal year and (ii) a management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for each period for which financial statements are delivered pursuant to clause (i) above.

 

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8.3.2 Annual Financial Statements .

As soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, (i) financial statements of the Borrower consisting of a consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year, and related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended, all in reasonable detail and setting forth in comparative form the respective financial statements for the corresponding date and period in the previous fiscal year, and certified by independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agents and (ii) a management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for each fiscal year for which financial statements are delivered pursuant to clause (i) above. The certificate or report of accountants shall be free of qualifications (other than any consistency qualification that may result from a change in the method used to prepare the financial statements as to which such accountants concur) or explanation statement as to “going concern” or similar matter or the scope of such audit, in each case, other than any “going concern” qualification or explanation resulting solely from a maturity scheduled to occur within twelve months of such audit of any Class of Loans or Commitments hereunder, the Second Lien Notes or a Qualified Receivables Transaction.

8.3.3 SEC Website .

Reports or other information required to be delivered pursuant to Section 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements], Section 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements] and Sections 8.3.7(b) and (c) [Budgets, Forecasts, Other Reports and Information] shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which such report or other information is posted on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and such posting shall be deemed to satisfy the reporting and delivery requirements of Sections 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements], 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements] and 8.3.7(b) and (c) [Budgets, Forecasts, Other Reports and Information].

8.3.4 Certificate of the Borrower .

On the date that the financial statements of the Borrower furnished to the Administrative Agents and to the Lenders pursuant to Section 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements] and Section 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements] are required to be furnished, a certificate (each a “ Compliance Certificate ”) of the Borrower signed by the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the Borrower, in the form of Exhibit  8.3.4 , to the effect that, except as described pursuant to Section 8.3.5 [Notice of Default], (i) no Event of Default or Potential Default exists and is continuing on the date of such certificate, (ii) containing calculations in reasonable detail to demonstrate compliance as of the date of such financial statements with the Financial Covenants, (iii) setting forth a calculation in reasonable detail of the Cumulative Credit as of the end of the applicable fiscal quarter, (iv) in the case of a Compliance Certificate delivered with respect to any fiscal year, a calculation in reasonable detail of Excess Cash Flow (commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018) and identifying each Immaterial Subsidiary and setting forth the assets and Consolidated Net Income attributable to each Immaterial Subsidiary and (v) describing the commodity Swap Agreements in place to which any Loan Party is a party and confirming that all such Swap Agreements are Swap Agreements that the Loan Parties are permitted to enter under Section 8.2.12 [Swaps].

 

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8.3.5 Notice of Default .

Promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower has learned of the occurrence of an Event of Default or Potential Default, a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Potential Default and the action that the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.

8.3.6 Certain Events .

Written notice to the Administrative Agents, for provision to the Lenders:

(a) promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower has learned of the commencement thereof, notice of all actions, suits, proceedings or investigations before or by any Official Body or any other Person against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (that would reasonably be expected to result in a liability against such Person) (i) relating to the Collateral involving a claim or series of claims in excess of the Threshold Amount or (ii) which if adversely determined would constitute a Material Adverse Change;

(b) promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower has knowledge thereof, any event which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change;

(c) promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower has knowledge thereof, (i) any material breach under any Material Contract, (ii) any event of default or reduction or termination of commitments under any Affiliated Company Loan Document, (iii) any breach of the funding obligations of the lenders under the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement or (iv) any event of default under any Indebtedness incurred or outstanding pursuant to Section 8.2.1(h), (i), (j) or (m) [Indebtedness];

(d) promptly after any Loan Party incurs obligations or liabilities that are due and payable arising in connection with or as a result of the early or premature termination of Swap Agreements (whether or not occurring as a result of a default thereunder), which would exceed the Threshold Amount in the aggregate; and

(e) within five (5) Business Days after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower has knowledge thereof, of the occurrence of any ERISA Event that would reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse Change.

8.3.7 Budgets, Forecasts, Other Reports and Information .

Delivery to the Administrative Agents, for provision to the Lenders:

(a) Concurrently with or prior to the delivery of financial statements pursuant to Section 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements] for any fiscal year, the budget for the succeeding fiscal year;

(b) Any reports, notices or proxy statements generally distributed by the Borrower to its stockholders on a date no later than the date supplied to such stockholders;

(c) Regular or periodic reports, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, registration statements and prospectuses, filed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with the SEC;

 

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(d) Simultaneously with each delivery of financial statements referred to in Sections 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements] and 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements], the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements;

(e) Simultaneously with each delivery of financial statements referred to in Section 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements], a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth the information required pursuant to the Perfection Certificate Supplement or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate or latest Perfection Certificate Supplement;

(f) Promptly (and in any event within (x) in the case of any notice of potential event of default or an event of default thereunder, one (1) Business Day and (y) otherwise, three (3) Business Days) after receipt thereof, financial statements, certificates or notices (other than notices of borrowing or repayment of revolving loans) from CNXC under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents;

(g) Promptly upon their becoming available to the Borrower, a copy of any order in any proceeding to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party issued by any Official Body to the extent it could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; and

(h) Promptly upon request, such other reports and information as any of the Lenders may from time to time reasonably request, including five year projections of the Borrower.

8.3.8 Lender Calls .

On a Business Day within 20 days following each date financial statements of the Borrower are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements] or 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements], the Borrower shall conduct a conference call during normal business hours (which may be a public earnings call for the shareholders of the Borrower that is open to the Lenders) with the Lenders to discuss the results and the financial condition of Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such fiscal period. At least three Business Days prior to any such call, Borrower shall provide each Administrative Agent written notice of the time and date of such call, as well as all relevant information such as the telephone dial-in number and any materials to be discussed on such call.

9. DEFAULT

9.1 Events of Default .

An Event of Default shall mean the occurrence or existence of any one or more of the following events or conditions (whatever the reason therefor and whether voluntary, involuntary or effected by operation of Law):

9.1.1 Payments Under Loan Documents .

(a) The Borrower shall fail to make (i) any payment of principal on any Loan when due or (ii) payment of any Reimbursement Obligation within one (1) Business Day after such amount becomes due;

(b) The Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation within three (3) Business Days after such interest becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or

 

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(c) The Borrower shall fail to pay any other amount owing hereunder (specifically excluding amounts that are addressed in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above) or under the other Loan Documents within three (3) Business Days after the time period specified herein or therein and, if no time period is specified, then within ten (10) Business Days after a demand or notice has been provided to the Borrower requesting payment of such amount;

9.1.2 Breach of Warranty .

Any representation or warranty (x) made at any time by any of the Loan Parties herein or by any of the Loan Parties in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, other instrument or statement furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof or thereof or (y) in the certificate delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.1(h)(ii) [Deliveries], shall prove to have been false or incorrect in any material respect as of the time it was made or furnished;

9.1.3 Breach of Certain Covenants .

(a) Any of the Loan Parties shall default in the observance or performance of any covenant contained in Section 8.1.1 [Preservation of Existence, Etc.] (with respect to the legal existence of the Borrower only), Section 8.1.6 [Visitation Rights], Section 8.1.11 [Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations], Section 8.1.13 [Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws], Section 8.2 [Negative Covenants] (other than Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants]) or Section 8.3.5 [Notice of Default];

(b) Any of the Loan Parties shall default in the observance or performance of any covenant contained in Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants]; provided that an Event of Default due to a default in the observance of performance of Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants] shall not constitute an Event of Default for purposes of any Term B Loan unless and until the actions described in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 9.2.1(b) [Events of Default Other Than Bankruptcy, Insolvency, Reorganization Proceedings] have occurred;

9.1.4 Breach of Other Covenants .

Any of the Loan Parties shall default in the observance or performance of any covenant, condition or provision hereof or of any other Loan Document that is not covered by any other subsection of this Section 9.1 and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after any Responsible Officer of any Loan Party becomes aware of the occurrence thereof;

9.1.5 Defaults in Other Agreements or Indebtedness .

A breach, default or event of default shall occur at any time under the terms of any agreement (other than any Loan Document) involving borrowed money or the extension of credit or any other Indebtedness under which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary for all such Indebtedness may be obligated as a borrower or guarantor in excess of the Threshold Amount in the aggregate for such Indebtedness, and such breach, default or event of default consists of the failure to pay (beyond any period of grace permitted with respect thereto) any Indebtedness when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) or such breach or default permits or causes the acceleration of any Indebtedness or the termination of any commitment to lend, in excess of the Threshold Amount in the aggregate for all such Indebtedness and commitments;

 

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9.1.6 Final Judgments or Orders .

Any final judgments, awards or orders not covered by insurance for the payment of money in excess of the Threshold Amount in the aggregate shall be entered against the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary by a court having jurisdiction in the premises, which judgment is not discharged, vacated, bonded or stayed pending appeal within a period of sixty (60) days from the date of entry;

9.1.7 Loan Document Unenforceable .

(a) Any of the Loan Documents to which any Loan Party is a party (i) shall cease to be a legal, valid and binding agreement enforceable against such Person executing the same or such Person’s successors and assigns (as permitted under the Loan Documents) in accordance with the respective terms thereof or shall cease to be in full force and effect (in either case except by operation of its terms), or (ii) shall be contested or challenged by any Loan Party or any agent thereof or (iii) cease to give or provide the respective Liens, security interests, rights, titles, interests, remedies, powers or privileges intended to be created thereby on assets with an aggregate value (for all assets as to which an event described in this clause (iii) or the clause (b) below has occurred and is continuing) in excess of the Threshold Amount (except by operation of its terms) or (b) any security interest and Lien purported to be created by any Security Document on assets with an aggregate value (for all assets as to which an event described in this clause (b) or the clause (a)(iii) above has occurred and is continuing) in excess of the Threshold Amount shall cease to be in full force and effect, or shall cease to give the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created and granted under such Security Document (except as otherwise expressly provided in such Security Document);

9.1.8 Inability to Pay Debts .

(i) The Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than CNXC GP) becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any substantial part of the property of any such Person with an aggregate value (for all property described in this clause (ii)) in excess of the Threshold Amount and is not released, vacated, stayed, dismissed or fully bonded within 60 days after its issue or levy;

9.1.9 ERISA .

The occurrence of any of the following events that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change: (i) an ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan;

9.1.10 Change of Control .

A Change of Control shall occur;

9.1.11 CNXC Ownership .

Any of the Equity Interests in CNXC GP shall cease to be owned by a Loan Party, or CNXC GP shall cease to be the sole general partner of CNXC;

 

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9.1.12 Involuntary Proceedings .

A proceeding shall have been instituted in a court having jurisdiction in the premises seeking a decree or order for relief in respect of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than CNXC GP) in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or similar official) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than CNXC GP) for any substantial part of its property, or for the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days or such court shall enter a decree or order granting any of the relief sought in such proceeding;

9.1.13 Voluntary Proceedings .

The Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than CNXC GP) shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or other similar official) of itself or for any substantial part of its property, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing;

9.1.14 Material Contracts .

(a) Any termination of any Material Contract shall occur that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; provided that no Event of Default shall exist with respect to the termination of such Material Contract (other than the Operating Agreement and the Partnership Agreement) (i) for the 90 days after such termination so long as the Borrower is using commercially reasonable efforts to replace such Material Contract or (ii) if such Material Contract is replaced within 90 days after such termination with a Material Contract that is not materially less favorable (taken as a whole) to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or the Lenders than the Material Contract that was terminated; or

(b) The Spin-Off shall not have occurred on the Closing Date;

9.1.15 Affiliated Company Loan Agreement .

(a) An “Event of Default” (as defined in the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement) shall occur; or

(b) Any Loan Party shall fail to comply with Section 8.1.14(c) [Compliance with Certain Contracts], and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 3 Business Days after the occurrence thereof; or

(c) A breach, default or event of default shall occur at any time under a Specified Refinancing Facility (as defined in the Operating Agreement), and such breach, default or event of default consists of the failure to pay (beyond any period of grace permitted with respect thereto) any Indebtedness under the Specified Refinancing Facility when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) or such breach or default permits or causes the acceleration of any Indebtedness or the termination of any commitment to lend, under the Specified Refinancing Facility.

 

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9.2 Consequences of Event of Default .

9.2.1 Events of Default Other Than Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings .

(a) If an Event of Default (other than under Section 9.1.12 [Involuntary Proceedings] or 9.1.13 [Voluntary Proceedings] or, unless the actions described in clause (i) or (ii) of clause (b) below have occurred, an Event of Default under Section 9.1.3(b) [Breach of Certain Covenants]) shall occur and be continuing, either Administrative Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Lenders, shall, (i) terminate all obligations on the part of the Lenders to make Loans or any Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit, as the case may be, (ii) by written notice to the Borrower, declare the unpaid principal amount of the Loans then outstanding and all interest accrued thereon, the Applicable Prepayment Premium, any unpaid fees and all other Obligations (other than Obligations under Specified Swap Agreements and Other Lender Provided Financial Service Products) to be forthwith due and payable, and the same shall thereupon become and be immediately due and payable to such Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, and (iii) require the Borrower to, and the Borrower shall thereupon, Cash Collateralize all Letter of Credit Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit (to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement).

(b) If an Event of Default under Section 9.1.3(b) [Breach of Certain Covenants] shall occur and be continuing, the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Revolving/TLA Lenders, shall, (i) terminate all obligations on the part of the applicable Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Loans or Term A Loans or any Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit, as the case may be, (ii) by written notice to the Borrower, declare the unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Loans and Term A Loans then outstanding and all interest accrued thereon, any unpaid fees and all other Obligations relating to the Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Loans, Letters of Credit and Term A Loans to be forthwith due and payable, and the same shall thereupon become and be immediately due and payable to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, and (iii) require the Borrower to, and the Borrower shall thereupon, Cash Collateralize all Letter of Credit Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit (to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement).

9.2.2 Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings .

If an Event of Default specified under Section 9.1.12 [Involuntary Proceedings] or Section 9.1.13 [Voluntary Proceedings] shall occur, no further obligation shall exist on the Lenders to make any Loans or any Issuing Lender to issue any Letters of Credit hereunder, and the unpaid principal amount of the Loans then outstanding and all interest accrued thereon, the Applicable Prepayment Premium (if any), any unpaid fees and all other Obligations (other than Obligations under Specified Swap Agreements and Other Lender Provided Financial Service Products) shall be immediately due and payable, and the Borrower shall immediately Cash Collateralize all Letter of Credit Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit (to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement), in each case, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived.

 

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9.2.3 Set-off .

If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, any Secured Party to whom any Obligation is owed by any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any participant of any Lender which has agreed in writing to be bound by the provisions of Section 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] and any branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Secured Party anywhere in the world shall have the right (to the extent permitted by applicable Law), in addition to all other rights and remedies available to it, without notice to such Loan Party, to set-off against and apply to the then unpaid balance of all the Loans and all other Obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties hereunder or under any other Loan Document any debt owing to, and any other funds held in any manner for the account of, the Borrower or such other Loan Party by such Secured Party or participant or by such branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate, including all funds in all deposit accounts (whether time or demand, general or special, provisionally credited or finally credited, or otherwise) now or hereafter maintained by the Borrower or such other Loan Party for its own account (but not including funds held in custodian or trust accounts or funds not otherwise beneficially owned by the Borrower or such other Loan Party) with such Secured Party or participant or such branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate; provided , that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the applicable Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.15 [Defaulting Lenders] and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the applicable Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) such Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the applicable Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. Such right shall exist whether or not any Secured Party shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, whether or not such debt owing to or funds held for the account of the Borrower or such other Loan Party is or are matured or unmatured and regardless of the existence or adequacy of any Collateral, Guaranty or any other security, right or remedy available to any Secured Party.

9.2.4 Applicable Prepayment Premium .

If the Obligations are accelerated for any reason, including because of default, sale, transfer or encumbrance (including that by operation of law or otherwise), the Applicable Prepayment Premium and any unamortized discount on the Loans will also be due and payable as though said indebtedness was voluntarily prepaid and shall constitute part of the Obligations, in view of the impracticability and extreme difficulty of ascertaining actual damages and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable calculation of each Lender’s lost profits as a result thereof. Any Applicable Prepayment Premium and unamortized discount on the Loans payable above shall be presumed to be the liquidated damages sustained by each Lender as the result of the early termination and the Borrower agrees that it is reasonable under the circumstances currently existing. The Applicable Prepayment Premium and any unamortized discount on the Loans shall also be payable in the event the Obligations (and/or this Agreement or the Notes evidencing the Obligations) are satisfied or released by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means. THE BORROWER EXPRESSLY WAIVES THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW WHICH PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING APPLICABLE PREPAYMENT PREMIUM AND ANY UNAMORTIZED DISCOUNT ON THE LOANS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACCELERATION. The Borrower expressly agrees that: (A) the Applicable Prepayment Premium and any discount on the Loans provided for herein is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel; (B) the Applicable Prepayment Premium and any unamortized discount on the Loans shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time payment is made; (C) there has been a course of conduct between Lenders and Borrower giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Applicable Prepayment Premium and any unamortized discount on the Loans; and (D) the Borrower shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph. The Borrower expressly acknowledges that its agreement to pay the Applicable Prepayment Premium and any unamortized discount on the Loans to Lenders as herein described is a material inducement to the Lenders to make the Term Loans and enter into the Documents.

 

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9.2.5 Application of Proceeds .

From and after the date on which any Administrative Agent has taken any action pursuant to this Section 9.2 [Consequences of Event of Default] and until all Obligations of the Loan Parties have been Paid in Full, any and all proceeds received by any Agent from any sale or other disposition of the Collateral, or any part thereof, or the exercise of any other remedy by any Agent, shall be applied as follows:

(a) First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, out-of-pocket expenses and other amounts (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agents and the Collateral Agent) payable to the Administrative Agents or the Collateral Agent in their respective capacities as such;

(b) Second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest. Letter of Credit Fees and Applicable Prepayment Premium) payable to the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the Issuing Lenders) arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (b) payable to them;

(c) Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, Reimbursement Obligations and other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (c) payable to them;

(d) Fourth , to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lenders, to Cash Collateralize that portion of Letter of Credit Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement;

(e) Fifth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, Reimbursement Obligations and Obligations then owing under Specified Swap Agreements and Other Lender Provided Financial Service Products, ratably among the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the providers of Specified Swap Agreements and Other Lender Provided Financial Service Products in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (e) held by them;

(f) Sixth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting the Applicable Prepayment Premium, if any, ratably among the Lenders entitled thereto; and

(g) Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly Paid in Full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) amounts received from the Borrower or any Guarantor that is not a Qualified ECP Loan Party shall not be applied to the Obligations that are Excluded Swap Obligations (it being understood, that in the event that any amount is applied to Obligations other than Excluded Swap Obligations as a result of this clause (a), the Administrative Agents shall make such adjustments as they determine are appropriate to distributions pursuant to clause Fifth above from amounts received from a

 

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Qualified ECP Loan Party to ensure, as nearly as possible, that the proportional aggregate recoveries with respect to Obligations described in clause Fifth above by the holders of any Excluded Swap Obligations are the same as the proportional aggregate recoveries with respect to other Obligations pursuant to clause Fifth above) and (b) Obligations arising under Specified Swap Agreements and Other Lender Provided Financial Service Products shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agents have not received written notice thereof, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agents may request, from the counterparty to such Specified Swap Agreement or Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product, as the case may be. Each counterparty to a Specified Swap Agreements and Other Lender Provided Financial Service Products not a party to this Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agents pursuant to the terms of Section 10 [The Agents] hereof for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

9.2.6 Collateral Agent .

All Liens granted as security for the Obligations under the Security Documents and any other Loan Document shall secure the Obligations ratably and on a pari passu basis in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties. No Indemnitee or provider of a Specified Swap Agreement or Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product (except in its capacity as a Lender hereunder (to the extent that this Agreement or any other Loan Document empowers the Lenders to direct the Administrative Agents)) shall be entitled or have the power to direct or instruct the Collateral Agent on any such matters or to control or direct in any manner the maintenance or disposition of the Collateral.

9.2.7 Other Rights and Remedies .

In addition to all of the rights and remedies contained in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents (including each Mortgage), the Administrative Agents and the Collateral Agent shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Law, all of which rights and remedies shall be cumulative and non-exclusive to the extent permitted by Law. The Administrative Agents and the Collateral Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Lenders shall, exercise all post-default rights granted to the Administrative Agents and the Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable Law.

9.3 Notice of Sale .

Any notice required to be given by the Collateral Agent of a sale, lease, or other disposition of the Collateral or any other intended action by the Collateral Agent, if given to the Borrower at least ten (10) days prior to such proposed action, shall constitute commercially reasonable and fair notice thereof to the Borrower.

10. THE AGENTS

10.1 Appointment and Authority .

Each Revolving Lender, Term A Lender and Issuing Lender (including each in its capacity as a counterparty to a Specified Swap Agreement or Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product or an Affiliate of such counterparty on behalf of such Affiliate) hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and authorizes (a) PNC to act as Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent and (b) PNC to act as Collateral Agent, in each case, for such Lender under the Loan Documents and to execute and deliver or accept on behalf of each of the Lenders the other Loan Documents. Each Term B Lender (including in its capacity as a counterparty to a Specified Swap Agreement or Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product or

 

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an Affiliate of such counterparty on behalf of such Affiliate) hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and authorizes (a) Citi to act as TLB Administrative Agent and (b) PNC to act as Collateral Agent, in each case, for such Lender under the Loan Documents and to execute and deliver or accept on behalf of each of the Lenders the other Loan Documents. Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes, and each holder of any Note by the acceptance of such Note shall be deemed irrevocably to authorize, the applicable Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other instruments and agreements referred to herein, and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the applicable Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent or any of them by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. PNC agrees to act as the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, Citi agrees to act as the TLB Administrative Agent and PNC agrees to act as the Collateral Agent on behalf of the applicable Lenders to the extent provided in the Loan Documents. The provisions of this Section 10 are solely for the benefit of the Agents, the Lenders and the Issuing Lender, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions, except as set forth in Section 10.10 [Authorization to Release Collateral and Guarantors].

10.2 Rights as a Lender .

Each Person serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the term “ Lender ” or “ Lenders ” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Persons serving as an Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Persons and their Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Persons were not an Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

10.3 Exculpatory Provisions .

The Agents shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agents:

(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Potential Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Agents are required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall such Agent in good faith believe is provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided that each Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law;

(c) shall be entitled to seek the direction or confirmation from the Required Lenders (or other applicable group of Lenders) before taking any action under the Loan Documents;

(d) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by any Person serving as an Agent any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

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No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as such Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers] and 9.2 [Consequences of Event of Default]) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Potential Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Potential Default or Event of Default is given to such Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the Issuing Lender.

No Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Potential Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the validity, priority, perfection or continued perfection of any security interest (or purported security interest) in the Collateral or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 7 [Conditions of Lending and Issuance of Letters of Credit] or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent.

10.4 Reliance by Agents .

Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the Issuing Lender, the applicable Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the Issuing Lender unless such Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the Issuing Lender prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

10.5 Delegation of Duties .

Each Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent. Each Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Section 10 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of each Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Agent.

 

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10.6 Resignation of Agents .

The Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Revolving Lenders, the Term A Lenders, the Issuing Lenders, the other Agents and the Borrower. The TLB Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Term B Lenders, the other Agents and the Borrower. The Collateral Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders, the other Agents and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, Required Class Lenders with respect to each Class represented by such Agent (or in the case of a resignation by the Collateral Agent, the Required Lenders) shall have the right, with approval from the Borrower (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), to appoint a successor, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If no such successor to the applicable retiring Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Class Lenders of each applicable Class (or in the case of a resignation by the Collateral Agent, the Required Lenders) and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then such retiring Agent may on behalf of the applicable Lenders and, if the retiring Agent is the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, appoint a successor Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if such retiring Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (i) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that, in the case of a resignation by the Collateral Agent, in the case of any collateral security held by the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent on behalf of the Issuing Lender under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Collateral Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Collateral Agent is appointed) and (ii) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through such retiring Agent shall instead be made by or to each applicable Lender and, if the retiring Agent is the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender directly, until such time as the Required Class Lenders of each applicable Class with respect to such retiring Agent appoint a successor Agent as provided for above in this Section 10.6. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section 10.6). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Section 10.6 and Section 11.3 [Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver] shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Agent was acting as Agent.

If PNC resigns as Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent under this Section 10.6, PNC shall also resign as Swingline Lender and as an Issuing Lender. If PNC resigns as an Issuing Lender, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an Issuing Lender with respect to all Letters of Credit issued by it that remain outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as Issuing Lender and all Letter of Credit Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Participation Advances pursuant to Section 2.9.3 [Participations, Disbursements, Reimbursement]. If PNC resigns as Swingline Lender, the Borrower shall repay any outstanding Swing Loans on or prior to the effective date of such resignation and, to the extent any Swing Loans remain outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as Swingline Lender, PNC shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of a Swingline Lender with respect to such Swing Loans, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans pursuant to Section 2.10 [Borrowings to Repay Swing Loans]. Upon the appointment of a successor Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall (i) succeed to all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of PNC as a retiring Swingline Lender and Issuing

 

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Lender, Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and PNC shall be discharged from all of its respective duties and obligations as Swingline Lender and Issuing Lender, Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under the Loan Documents and (ii) issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit issued by PNC, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to PNC to effectively assume the obligations of PNC with respect to such Letters of Credit.

If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “ Removal Effective Date ”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

10.7 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agents and Other Lenders .

Each Lender and the Issuing Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and the Issuing Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

10.8 No Other Duties, Etc .

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the “Joint Lead Arrangers,” “Joint Bookrunners,” “Bookrunners,” “Revolving/TLA Syndication Agent” or “TLB Syndication Agent” listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as an Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, a Co-Documentation Agent, the Swingline Lender, a Lender or an Issuing Lender hereunder.

10.9 Administrative Agent s Fee .

The Borrower shall pay to each Administrative Agent a nonrefundable fee (the “ Administrative Agent’s Fee ”) under the terms of a letter (each, an “ Administrative Agent’s Letter ”) between the Borrower and such Administrative Agent, as amended from time to time.

10.10 Authorization to Release Collateral and Guarantors .

Each Secured Party expressly agrees that, upon the written request of the Borrower (accompanied by such certificates and other documentation as the applicable Agent may reasonably request), the applicable Agent shall, so long as no Event of Default exists after giving effect thereto:

(a) in the case of the Administrative Agents, execute a release in a form reasonably satisfactory to it of any Person from the Guaranty Agreement if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower or if such Person is or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary, in either case, pursuant to a transaction permitted by the Loan Documents; and

 

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(b) in the case of the Collateral Agent, (i) execute any document in a form reasonably satisfactory to it, evidencing the release of any asset from the Lien of the Security Document upon the Disposition (other than any lease) of such asset permitted by the Loan Documents (other than a Disposition to a Loan Party), (ii) enter into any subordination agreement, non-disturbance agreement or grant of an option with respect to assets, in each case, in a form reasonably satisfactory to it, in connection with any easements, permits, licenses, rights of way, options, surface leases or other surface rights or interests permitted by the Loan Documents to be granted or a Disposition permitted by the Loan Documents and (iii) enter into the Intercreditor Agreement and a Receivables Related Standstill Agreement.

Each Secured Party agrees to be bound by the Intercreditor Agreement and the Receivables Related Standstill Agreement.

The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agents or the Collateral Agent such certificates and other documentation as such Agent(s) may reasonably request to evidence compliance with the applicable provisions of the Loan Documents.

10.11 No Reliance on Administrative Agents Customer Identification Programs .

Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that neither such Lender, nor any of its Affiliates, participants or assignees, may rely on the Administrative Agents to carry out such Lender’s, Affiliate’s, participant’s or assignee’s customer identification program, or other obligations required or imposed under or pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act or the regulations thereunder, including the regulations contained in 31 CFR 103.121 (as hereafter amended or replaced, the “ CIP Regulations ”), or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, including any programs involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with any of the Loan Parties, their Affiliates or their agents, the Loan Documents or the transactions hereunder or contemplated hereby: (i) any identity verification procedures, (ii) any recordkeeping, (iii) comparisons with government lists, (iv) customer notices or (v) other procedures required under the CIP Regulations or such other Laws.

10.12 Withholding Tax .

To the extent required by any applicable Law (as determined in good faith by the applicable Administrative Agent), the applicable Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender under any Loan Document an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax. Without limiting or expanding the provisions of Section 5.9 [Taxes], each Lender shall indemnify and hold harmless the applicable Administrative Agent against, and shall make payable in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, all Taxes and all related losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the applicable Administrative Agent) incurred by or asserted against such Administrative Agent by the IRS or any other Official Body as a result of the failure of such Administrative Agent to properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of such Lender for any reason (including because the appropriate form was not delivered or not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify such Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of withholding Tax ineffective). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the applicable Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the applicable Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due such Administrative Agent under this Section 10.12 [Withholding Tax]. The agreements in this Section 10.12 [Withholding Tax] shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the applicable Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Lender” shall, for purposes of this Section 10.12 [Withholding Tax], include any Issuing Lender and any Swingline Lender.

 

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10.13 Certain ERISA Matters .

(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, each Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,

(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement,

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between each Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b) In addition, (I) unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (II) if such sub-clause (i) is not true with respect to a Lender and such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, each Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that:

(i) none of any Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lead Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by any Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lead Arranger under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto),

 

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(ii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other Person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

(iii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Obligations),

(iv) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

(v) no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to any Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lead Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement.

(c) Each Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lead Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

10.14 PNC as Collateral Agent Under Affiliated Company Loan Documents .

The Loan Parties and the Secured Parties hereby acknowledge that PNC is acting as collateral agent under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents, and expressly consent to PNC’s acting in such capacity. The Loan Parties and the Secured Parties hereby waive any conflict of interest that may arise out of PNC’s acting in such capacity, and make the agreements and acknowledgements set forth in Section 11.14 [No Fiduciary Duty] with respect to PNC’s acting in such capacity mutatis mutandis. The Loan Parties and the Secured Parties shall not claim, or support any Person in claiming, any conflict of

 

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interest or invalidity of (i) the exercise by the Collateral Agent or the collateral agent under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents of its rights or remedies under the Loan Documents or the Affiliated Company Loan Documents and (ii) any other duty, obligation or right of the Collateral Agent or the collateral agent under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents. The Loan Parties and the Secured Parties agree not to contest, or challenge or support any other Person in contesting or challenging, the acknowledgements, consents, waivers and agreements under this paragraph for any reason.

11. MISCELLANEOUS

11.1 Modifications, Amendments or Waivers .

11.1.1 Required Consents .

With the written consent of the Required Lenders (but subject to the last sentence hereof, the provisions of Section 11.1.2 [Certain Amendments] and Section 11.1.3 [Amendments Affecting the Agents, Etc.]), the Administrative Agents, acting on behalf of all the Lenders, and the Borrower, on behalf of the Loan Parties, may from time to time enter into written agreements amending or changing any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the rights of the Lenders or the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder, or may grant written waivers or consents hereunder or thereunder; provided that no consent of any Lender is required for actions authorized by Section 10.10 [Authorization to Release Collateral and Guarantors]. Any such agreement, waiver or consent made with such written consent shall be effective to bind all the Lenders and the Loan Parties; provided that no such agreement, waiver or consent may be made which will:

(a) increase the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment or commitment to make Term Loans of any Lender hereunder without the consent of such Lender;

(b) whether or not any Loans are outstanding, extend any Maturity Date or the time for payment of principal, premium or interest of any Loan, the Commitment Fee or any other fee payable to any Lender, or reduce the principal amount of, premium of or the rate of interest borne by any Loan or reduce the Commitment Fee or any other fee payable to any Lender, without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (it being understood that the waiver of (or amendment to the terms of) any mandatory prepayment of the Loans, changes to Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants] or definitions used therein or the application (or waiver of application) of any rate increase described in Section 4.3 [Interest After Default] shall not constitute a postponement of any date scheduled for the payment of principal or interest or a reduction of principal, interest or fees);

(c) except as otherwise provided in or permitted by this Agreement, without the written consent of all the Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders), release all or substantially all of the Guarantors (as measured by fair market value of their assets) from their Obligations under the Guaranty Agreement;

(d) except as otherwise provided in or permitted by this Agreement, without the written consent of all the Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders), release all or substantially all of the Collateral; provided that in the event that the Borrower provides any applicable Issuing Lender with Cash Collateral to secure any Letters of Credit with an expiry date beyond the Revolving Maturity Date pursuant to Section 2.9.10 [Cash Collateral Prior to the Maturity Date], such Issuing Lender is permitted to release such Cash Collateral without the consent of any Lender once such Letter of Credit has terminated, expired or has otherwise been returned to such Issuing Lender undrawn; or

 

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(e) amend Section 2.4.1 [Revolving Credit Commitments] with respect to the provision regarding ratable reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments, Section 5.2 [Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders], Section 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] or Section 9.2.5 [Application of Proceeds] or requiring all Lenders to authorize the taking of any action or reduce any percentage specified in the definitions of “Required Class Lenders,” “Required Lenders,” “Required Revolving Lenders,” “Required Revolving/TLA Lenders” or “Ratable Share,” in each case without the consent of all affected Lenders; or

(f) amend this Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers] in a manner that would reduce the voting rights of any Lender without consent of such affected Lender.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) any of the Financial Covenants or the definition of any defined term used in any of the Financial Covenants (solely as such term is used in the Financial Covenants) may be amended or waived with only the consent of the Required Revolving/TLA Lenders, the Borrower and the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent (and the consent of no other Person shall be required) and (ii) any condition precedent set forth in Section 7.2 [Each Additional Loan or Letter of Credit] to any extension of credit under the Revolving Credit Commitments may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Required Revolving Lenders (and the consent of no other Person shall be required).

11.1.2 Certain Amendments .

Notwithstanding Section 11.1.1(a) [Required Consents] or any other provision in any Loan Document to the contrary, the Borrower and the Administrative Agents (or to the extent relating to Collateral, the Collateral Agent), on behalf of the Lenders and without any consent or action by any Lender, may amend, modify, supplement or restate in whole or in part any of the Loan Documents from time to time or consent to such action by the Collateral Agent to (i) cure any defect or error, (ii) comply with any provision hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (iii) add Guarantors of the Obligations, (iv) add property or other assets as Collateral, (v) add covenants of the Borrower or the other Loan Parties for the benefit of the Lenders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties, (vi) approve of any correction or update to any Schedule hereto or to any other Loan Document to the extent such Schedule is being corrected in any manner that is not material or is being updated to reflect the consummation of any transaction or exercise of any rights of the Loan Parties permitted hereunder for which no consent is required or for which the required consent has been received, (vii) release from perfection any Lien created by any Loan Document that is no longer required by the terms hereof or such Loan Document to be perfected, or (viii) share Collateral on a pro rata basis with any counterparty to a Specified Swap Agreement described in clause (b) of the definition of “Specified Swap Agreement.”

11.1.3 Amendments Affecting the Agents, Etc .

No agreement, waiver or consent which would modify the interests, rights or obligations of any Agent, the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Lender may be made without the written consent of such Agent, the Swingline Lender or such Issuing Lender, as applicable. Furthermore, notwithstanding anything contained in any Loan Document, each fee letter entered into between the Borrower and an Agent may only be amended, waived, consented to or otherwise modified with the consent of each such Agent and the Borrower and no other Person shall be required to or have the right to consent to any such amendment, waiver, consent or modification of such fee letter.

 

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11.1.4 Non-Consenting Lenders .

If in connection with any proposed waiver, amendment or modification referred to in any of the clauses (a) through (f) in Section 11.1.1 [Required Consents], the consent of the Required Lenders, Required Revolving Lenders, Required Revolving/TLA Lenders or Required Class Lenders, as applicable, is obtained but the consent of one or more of other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (each a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”), then the Borrower shall have the right to replace any such Non-Consenting Lender with one or more replacement Lenders pursuant to Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender].

11.1.5 Defaulting Lenders .

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (i) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (ii) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

11.2 No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies .

No course of dealing and no delay or failure of any Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power, remedy or privilege under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any other or future exercise thereof or operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power, remedy or privilege. The rights and remedies of the Agents and the Lenders under this Agreement and any other Loan Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have.

11.3 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

11.3.1 Costs and Expenses .

The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lead Arrangers, the Agents and their respective Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel and land professionals for the Agents), and shall pay all reasonable fees in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Lender in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder, (iii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section 11.3 [Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver], or (B) in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit, (iv) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by PNC as collateral agent under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights and/or the rights of

 

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the Secured Parties in respect of the Affiliated Company Loan Documents (to the extent not promptly paid by the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement Loan Parties) and (v) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of any Agent’s regular employees and agents engaged periodically to perform audits of the Loan Parties’ books, records and business properties.

11.3.2 Indemnification by the Borrower .

The Borrower shall indemnify the Lead Arrangers, the Bookrunners, each Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and each Issuing Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable out-of-pocket related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any outside counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any Subsidiary of Borrower arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution, enforcement or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any of the Transactions, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance or nonperformance by the Loan Parties of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Lender to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any breach of representations, warranties or covenants of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents or any breach of any representation or warranty in the certificate delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.1(h)(ii) [Deliveries], (iv) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or from any facility currently or formerly owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Environmental Liability relating in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) any action or inaction (including by PNC as collateral agent under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents) under the Affiliated Company Loan Documents (to the extent not promptly paid by the Affiliated Company Loan Agreement Loan Parties) or (vi) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that the Borrower shall not be liable for any portion of any liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements with respect to an Indemnitee (A) if the same is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct or (B) results from a dispute solely among Indemnitees (other than any claims against an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as an Agent or arranger, bookrunner or any similar role under this Agreement and other than any claims arising out of any act or omission of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates). The Indemnitees will attempt to minimize the fees and expenses of legal counsel for the Indemnitees which are subject to reimbursement by the Borrower hereunder by considering the usage of one law firm to represent the Indemnitees if appropriate under the circumstances. This Section 11.3.2 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

11.3.3 Reimbursement by Lenders .

To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Section 2.9.8 [Indemnity], Section 11.3.1 [Costs and Expenses] or Section 11.3.2 [Indemnification by the Borrower] to be paid by it to any Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Issuing Lenders or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to such Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Issuing Lenders or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s Ratable Share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of

 

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such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against an Agent (or any such sub-agent) or an Issuing Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for such Agent (or any such sub-agent) or such Issuing Lender in connection with such capacity.

11.3.4 Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc .

No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except to the extent such damages are found to be a final, non-appealable judgment of a court to arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, nor shall any Indemnitee, Loan Party or any Subsidiary have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Closing Date); it being agreed that this sentence shall not limit the indemnification obligations of the Loan Parties pursuant to Section 11.3.2 [Indemnification by the Borrower].

11.3.5 Payments .

All amounts due under this Section 11.3 [Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver] shall be payable not later than ten (10) days after demand therefor.

11.4 Holidays .

Whenever payment of a Loan to be made or taken hereunder shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next Business Day (except as provided in Section 4.2 [Interest Periods]) and such extension of time shall be included in computing interest and fees, except that the Loans shall be due on the Business Day preceding the applicable Maturity Date if such Maturity Date is not a Business Day. Whenever any payment or action to be made or taken hereunder (other than payment of the Loans) shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment or action shall be made or taken on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall not be included in computing interest or fees, if any, in connection with such payment or action.

11.5 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication .

11.5.1 Notices Generally .

Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in Section 11.5.2 [Electronic Communications]), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier (i) if to a Lender, to it at its address set forth in its administrative questionnaire, or (ii) if to any other Person, to it at its address set forth on Schedule  11.5.1 .

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in Section 11.5.2 [Electronic Communications], shall be effective as provided in such Section.

 

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11.5.2 Electronic Communications .

Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agents; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or any Issuing Lender if such Lender or Issuing Lender, as applicable, has notified the applicable Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication and such Administrative Agent shall have notified the Borrower of the same. Each Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the applicable Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

11.5.3 Change of Address, Etc .

Any party hereto may change its address, e-mail address or telecopier number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

11.6 Severability .

The provisions of this Agreement are intended to be severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any jurisdiction.

11.7 Duration; Survival .

All representations and warranties of the Loan Parties contained herein or made in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the completion of the transactions hereunder and Payment In Full. All covenants and agreements of the Loan Parties contained herein relating to the payment of principal, interest, premiums, additional compensation or expenses and indemnification, including those set forth in the Notes, Section 2.9.8 [Indemnity], Section 2.9.10 [Cash Collateral Prior to the Revolving Maturity Date], Section 5 [Payments] and Section 11.3 [Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver], shall survive payment in full of all principal and interest under the Notes, the termination of the Commitments and the expiration or termination or cash collateralization of all Letters of Credit. All other covenants and agreements of the Loan Parties shall continue in full force and effect from and after the date hereof and until Payment In Full.

 

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11.8 Successors and Assigns .

11.8.1 Successors and Assigns Generally .

The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Agents and each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.8.2 [Assignments by Lenders], (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.8.4 [Participations], or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 11.8.5 [Certain Pledges; Successors and Assigns Generally] (and, except as set forth in Section 11.8.2(f) [No Assignment to Disqualified Person], any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in Section 11.8.4 [Participations], the Lead Arrangers, the Bookrunners and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Agents, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders, and as set forth in Section 11.12 [Certain Collateral Matters]) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

11.8.2 Assignments by Lenders .

Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) Minimum Amounts .

(i) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(ii) in any case not described in clause (a)(i) of this Section 11.8.2, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment (which for this purpose includes Revolving Credit Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Loans of the assigning Lender and the principal outstanding balance of the Term Loans of the assigning Lender, in each case, subject to each such assignment (determined as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than (x) $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Commitment, Revolving Credit Loans or Term A Loans or (y) $1,000,000 in the case of any assignment in respect of the Term B Loans of the assigning Lender, unless each of the applicable Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(b) Proportionate Amounts . Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned.

 

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(c) Required Consents . Each assignment shall be subject to the consent of the following Persons (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed):

(i) the applicable Administrative Agent;

(ii) the Borrower, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the applicable Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof; provided that in no event shall the Borrower be deemed to have consented to any assignment to a Disqualified Person pursuant to this sentence;

(iii) in the case of an assignment of Revolving Credit Commitments, each Issuing Lender with a Letter of Credit Issuing Lender Sublimit that is, at the time of such proposed assignment, among the five highest Letter of Credit Issuing Lender Sublimits at such time;

(iv) in the case of an assignment of Revolving Credit Commitments, the Swingline Lender;

provided that no consent of the applicable Administrative Agent or the Borrower shall be required in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or, in the case of an assignment of Term Loans, an Approved Fund.

(d) Assignment and Assumption Agreement . The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the applicable Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 from the assignor or the assignee, and the assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the applicable Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire provided by such Administrative Agent.

(e) Prohibited Assignments . No such assignment or participation shall be made to (i) the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (ii) any natural person, or (iii) any Defaulting Lender.

(f) No Assignment to Disqualified Person . No assignment or participation shall be made to any Person that was a Disqualified Person as of the applicable Trade Date with respect to such assignment or participation (unless the Borrower has consented to such assignment in writing in its sole and absolute discretion, in which case such Person will not be considered a Disqualified Person for the purpose of such assignment or participation). For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any assignee that becomes a Disqualified Person after the applicable Trade Date, such assignee shall not retroactively be disqualified from being a Lender. Any assignment in violation of this clause (f) shall not be void, but the other provisions of this clause (f) shall apply:

(i) if any assignment is made to any Disqualified Person without the Borrower’s prior written consent in violation of this Section 11.8.2(f), the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to the applicable Disqualified Person and the applicable Administrative Agent, (A) in the case of outstanding Loans held by Disqualified Persons, purchase or prepay such Loan (and cancel such Commitment) by paying the lesser of (x) the outstanding principal amount of such Loans and (y) the amount that such Disqualified Person paid to acquire such Loans, in each case plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, without premium, penalty, prepayment

 

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fee or brokerage and/or (B) require such Disqualified Person to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in this Section 11.8.2(h)), all of its interest, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to one or more assignees permitted hereunder at the lesser of (x) the principal amount thereof and (y) the amount that such Disqualified Person paid to acquire such interests, rights and obligations, in each case plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, without premium, penalty, prepayment fee or brokerage; provided that (i) the Borrower shall have paid to the applicable Administrative Agent any required assignment fee (if any) and (ii) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Disqualified Persons (A) will not (x) have the right to receive information, reports or other materials provided to Lenders by the Borrower, any Agent or any other Lender, (y) attend or participate in meetings attended by the Lenders and/or any Agent, or (z) access any electronic site established for the Lenders or confidential communications from counsel to or financial advisors of the Agents or the Lenders, (B) (x) for purposes of any consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of, or any action under, and for the purpose of any direction to the Agents or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, each Disqualified Person will be deemed to have consented in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Disqualified Persons consented to such matter, and (y) for purposes of voting on any plan of reorganization or plan of liquidation pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws (a “ Reorganization Plan ”), each Disqualified Person party hereto hereby agrees (1) not to vote on such Reorganization Plan, (2) if such Disqualified Person does vote on such Reorganization Plan notwithstanding the restriction in the foregoing clause (1), such vote will be deemed not to be in good faith and shall be “designated” pursuant to Section 1126(e) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws), and such vote shall not be counted in determining whether the applicable “class” has accepted or rejected such Reorganization Plan in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws) and (3) not to contest any request by any party for a determination by the bankruptcy court (or other applicable court of competent jurisdiction) effectuating the foregoing clause (2), and (C) will not be entitled to any expense reimbursement or indemnification rights; it being understood and agreed that the foregoing provisions shall only apply to a Disqualified Person and not to any assignee of such Disqualified Person that becomes a Lender so long as such assignee is not a Disqualified Person or an Affiliate thereof.

(iii) Each Administrative Agent shall have the right, and the Borrower hereby expressly authorizes each Administrative Agent, to (A) post the list of Disqualified Persons provided by the Borrower and any updates thereto from time to time to the Lenders (including “public side” Lenders) (it being understood that the list of Disqualified Persons shall not be effective until it has been posted to “public side” Lenders) or (B) provide the list of Disqualified Persons to each Lender requesting the same.

(iv) All parties hereto acknowledge and agree that no Administrative Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for monitoring the list of or processing assignments to Disqualified Persons or compliance with the terms of any of the provisions set forth herein with respect to Disqualified Persons. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary in this Agreement, each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that no Administrative Agent (x) shall have any responsibility or obligation to determine whether any Lender or any potential assignee Lender is a Disqualified Person or (y) shall have any liability with respect to any assignment or participation made to a Disqualified Person.

 

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(g) Each assignment of the Revolving Credit Commitments by any Revolving Lender pursuant to this Section 11.8.2 shall automatically constitute and be deemed an assignment of its Letter of Credit Issuing Lender Sublimit to the assignee with respect to such Revolving Credit Commitments. If an Issuing Lender (or its Affiliated that is the Revolving Lender) assigns all of its Revolving Credit Commitments, such Issuing Lender shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an Issuing Lender with respect to all Letters of Credit issued by it that remain outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as Issuing Lender and all Letter of Credit Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Participation Advances pursuant to Section 2.9.3 [Participations, Disbursements, Reimbursement], but shall not have any obligation to renew, extend, amend or increase any such Letter of Credit or issue any other Letter of Credit.

(h) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the applicable Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.8.3 [Register], from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 4.4 [LIBOR Rate Unascertainable; Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available], Section 5.8 [Increased Costs], and Section 11.3 [Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver] with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 11.8.2 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 11.8.4 [Participations].

11.8.3 Register .

Each Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain a record of the names and addresses of the applicable Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and related interest amounts) of the Loans owing to, each applicable Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The Register shall be conclusive (absent manifest error), and the Borrower, the Administrative Agents, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Agents and any Lender (in the case of such Lender, as to such Lender’s own interest only), at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

11.8.4 Participations .

Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agents, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries or, solely to the extent provided in and subject to Section 11.8.2(f) [No Assignment to Disqualified Person], any Disqualified Person) (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Agents, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

 

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Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver with respect to any of clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of Section 11.1.1 [Required Consents]. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 4.4 [LIBOR Rate Unascertainable; Illegality; Increased Costs; Deposits Not Available], Section 5.7 [Increased Costs] and Section 5.9 [Taxes] (subject to the requirements and limitations of such Sections and Sections 5.6.3 [Designation of a Different Lending Office] and 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender], and it being understood that the documentation required under Section 5.9.5 [Status of Lenders] shall be delivered solely to the participating Lender) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 11.8.2 [Assignments by Lenders]; provided that such Participant (A) shall be subject to the provisions of Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender] and Section 5.6.3 [Designation of a Different Lending Office] as if it were an assignee under Section 11.8.2 [Assignments by Lenders]; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 5.8 [Increased Costs] or 5.9 [Taxes], with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 5.6.2 [Replacement of a Lender] and Section 5.6.3 [Designation of Different Lending Office] with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.2.3 [Set-off] as though it were a Lender; provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] as though it were a Lender.

Each Lender that sells participations to a Participant, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain a register of all such Participants on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and related interest amounts) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive (absent manifest error), and the Borrower and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Participant for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary; provided that no Lender shall have the obligation to disclose all or a portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of the Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Loans or other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary in connection with a Tax audit or other proceeding to establish that any loans are in registered form for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For the avoidance of doubt, each Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

11.8.5 Certain Pledges; Successors and Assigns Generally .

Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any central bank having jurisdiction; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

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11.9 Confidentiality .

11.9.1 General .

Each of the Agents, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information, except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (iii) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iv) to any other party hereto, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 11.9, to (a) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement (it being understood that any such prospective assignee or Participant may be provided the list of Disqualified Persons) or (b) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any Swap Agreement or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (vii) with the consent of the Borrower, (viii) to the extent such Information (a) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 11.9 or (b) becomes available to any Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower, the other Loan Parties or any other Person that has obtained such confidential information pursuant to this Section 11.9 or (ix) on a confidential basis to (a) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder, (b) information regarding the credit facilities provided hereunder to (x) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder or (y) market data collectors and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration, settlement and management of this Agreement and the credit facilities provided hereunder. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 11.9 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

11.9.2 Sharing Information With Affiliates of the Lenders .

Each Loan Party acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and other services may be offered or provided to the Borrower or one or more of its Affiliates (in connection with this Agreement or otherwise) by any Lender or by one or more Subsidiaries or Affiliates of such Lender, and each of the Loan Parties hereby authorizes each Lender to share any information delivered to such Lender by such Loan Party and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement to any such Subsidiary or Affiliate subject to the provisions of Section 11.9.1 [General].

11.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness .

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof including any prior

 

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confidentiality agreements and commitments. Except as provided in Section 7 [Conditions of Lending and Issuance of Letters of Credit], this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agents and when the Administrative Agents shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or e-mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

11.11 Governing Law, Etc .

11.11.1 Governing Law .

This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract under the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Each Standby Letter of Credit issued under this Agreement shall be subject either to the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce at the time of issuance (“ UCP ”) or the rules of the International Standby Practices (ICC Publication Number 590), as determined by the Issuing Lender, and each Commercial Letter of Credit shall be subject to UCP, and in each case to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

11.11.2 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION .

THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY ISSUING LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

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11.11.3 WAIVER OF VENUE .

THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN SECTION 11.11.2 [SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION]. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT ANY SUCH DEFENSE.

11.11.4 SERVICE OF PROCESS .

EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.5 [NOTICES; EFFECTIVENESS; ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION]. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

11.11.5 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 11.11.5.

11.12 Certain Collateral Matters .

The benefit of the Loan Documents and of the provisions of this Agreement relating to any Collateral securing the Obligations shall also extend to and be available to the Secured Parties. No Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender shall have any voting rights under any Loan Document as a result of the existence of obligations owed to it under any Specified Swap Agreement or any Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product, and no Person shall have any voting rights under any Loan Document solely because of such Person’s status as an Indemnitee.

11.13 USA PATRIOT Act Notice .

Each Lender that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act and each Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of Loan Parties and other information that will allow such Lender or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Loan Parties in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

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11.14 No Fiduciary Duty .

Each Loan Party agrees and acknowledges that: (i) each Secured Party is acting solely as a principal and is not a financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other party; (ii) no Secured Party has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in any Loan Party’s or their respective Affiliates’ favor with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (irrespective of whether any Secured Party has advised or is currently advising any Loan Party or its Affiliates on other matters) and no Secured Party has any obligation to the Loan Parties or their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein; (iii) the Secured Parties and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from the Loan Parties or their respective Affiliates and the Secured Parties have no obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship; and (iv) the Lenders have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice in any jurisdiction with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby and the Loan Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they have deemed appropriate. Each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that it will consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither any Secured Party nor its Affiliates shall have any responsibility or liability to any Loan Party with respect thereto. Each Loan Party hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that such Loan Party may have against the Secured Parties or their respective Affiliates with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty.

11.15 Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions .

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

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[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their officers thereunto duly authorized, have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

CONSOL ENERGY INC.
(formerly known as CONSOL MINING CORPORATION), as Borrower
By:  

/s/ Steven T. Aspinall

  Name: Steven T. Aspinall
  Title: Authorized Officer
AMVEST GAS RESOURCES, LLC
AMVEST LLC
AMVEST WEST VIRGINIA COAL, L.L.C.
BRAXTON-CLAY LAND & MINERAL, LLC
CONSOL MARINE TERMINALS LLC (f/k/a CNX MARINE TERMINALS INC.)
CONSOL RCPC LLC (f/k/a CNX RCPC LLC)
CONRHEIN COAL COMPANY
CONSOL AMONATE FACILITY LLC
CONSOL AMONATE MINING COMPANY LLC
CONSOL ENERGY SALES COMPANY LLC
CONSOL FINANCIAL INC.
CONSOL MINING COMPANY LLC
CONSOL MINING HOLDING COMPANY LLC
CONSOL OF CANADA LLC
CONSOL OF KENTUCKY LLC
CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC
FOLA COAL COMPANY, L.L.C.
HELVETIA COAL COMPANY LLC
ISLAND CREEK COAL COMPANY LLC
LAUREL RUN MINING COMPANY LLC
LEATHERWOOD, LLC
LITTLE EAGLE COAL COMPANY, L.L.C.
MTB LLC
NICHOLAS-CLAY LAND & MINERAL, LLC
R&PCC LLC
TECPART LLC
TERRY EAGLE COAL COMPANY, L.L.C.
TERRY EAGLE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
VAUGHAN RAILROAD COMPANY LLC
WINDSOR COAL COMPANY LLC
WOLFPEN KNOB DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC
By:  

/s/ Steven T. Aspinall

  Name: Steven T. Aspinall
  Title: Authorized Officer

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as TLA/Revolving Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender, Swingline Lender and as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Mahir J. Desai

  Name: Mahir J. Desai
  Title: Vice President

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Collateral Agent
By:  

/s/ Mahir J. Desai

  Name: Mahir J. Desai
  Title: Vice President

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


CITIBANK, N.A.,
as TLB Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender and as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Matthew Bashaw

  Name: Matthew Bashaw
  Title: Vice President

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Joshua D. Elsea

  Name: Joshua D. Elsea
  Title: Senior Vice President

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Issuing Lender and as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Peter S. Predun

  Name:   Peter S. Predun
  Title:   Executive Director

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Issuing Lender and as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Christopher DiBiase

  Name: Christopher DiBiase
  Title: Director

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH,

as Issuing Lender and as a Lender

By:  

/s/ John D. Toronto

  Name: JOHN D. TORONTO
  Title: AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY
By:  

/s/ Szymon Ordys

  Name: SZYMON ORDYS
  Title: AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,

as Issuing Lender and as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Josh Rosenthal

  Name: Josh Rosenthal
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


STIFEL BANK & TRUST,

as Issuing Lender and as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Benjamin L. Dodd

  Name: Benjamin L. Dodd
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


NORTHWEST BANK

as Issuing Lender and as a Lender

By:  

/s/ C. Forrest Tefft

  Name: C. Forrest Tefft
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA ,

as Issuing Lender and as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Robert E. Heuler

  Name: Robert E. Heuler
  Title: Vice President

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


FIRST COMMONWEALTH BANK,
as Issuing Lender and as a Lender
By:  

/s/ David H. McGowan

  Name: David H. McGowan
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


SCHEDULE 1.1(A)

REVOLVING/TLA FACILITIES PRICING GRID

 

     Applicable Margin  

Level

  

Total Net Leverage Ratio

   LIBOR Loans     Base Rate Loans  

I

   < 1.00:1.00      3.75     2.75

II

   ³ 1.00:1.00 and < 1.50:1.00      4.00     3.00

III

   ³ 1.50:1.00 and < 2.00:1.00      4.25     3.25

IV

   ³ 2.00:1.00      4.50     3.50

For purposes of determining the Applicable Margin and the Applicable Letter of Credit Fee Rate:

(a) From the Closing Date through the date on which the Compliance Certificate is required to be delivered hereunder in respect of the period ending March 31, 2018 (the “ Initial Period ”), the Applicable Margin and the Applicable Letter of Credit Fee Rate shall be the respective amounts set forth under Level IV of this Schedule 1.1(A) set forth above.

(b) It is expressly agreed that after the Initial Period, the Applicable Margin and the Applicable Letter of Credit Fee Rate shall be determined based upon Schedule 1.1(A) above and change on each date on which a Compliance Certificate is required to be delivered hereunder.

(c) If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Borrower or for any other reason, the Borrower or the Lenders determine that (i) the Total Net Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Borrower as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Total Net Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent for the account of the Revolving Lenders, promptly on demand by the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, any Revolving Lender or Issuing Lender), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, any Revolving Lender or Issuing Lender, as the case may be, under Section 2.9 [Letters of Credit] or Section 4.3 [Interest After Default] or Section 9 [Default]. The Borrower’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

Exhibit 10.9

 

 

 

AFFILIATED COMPANY CREDIT AGREEMENT

by and among

CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP

(formerly known as CNX COAL RESOURCES LP)

and

THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

and

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

and

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

(formerly known as CONSOL MINING CORPORATION),

as Administrative Agent

and

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Collateral Agent

 

 

Dated as of November 28, 2017

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

                 Page  

1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

  
     1.1      Certain Definitions      1  
     1.2      Construction      41  
     1.3      Accounting Principles      42  
     1.4      Valuations      42  
     1.5      Pro Forma Financial Covenant Compliance      43  

2. LOAN FACILITIES

  
     2.1      Loan Commitments      43  
     2.2      Nature of Lenders’ Obligations with Respect to Loans      43  
     2.3      Commitment Fees      43  
     2.4      Voluntary Commitment Reduction      43  
     2.5      Loan Requests      44  
     2.6      Making and Repayment of Loans      44  
      2.6.1     Making Loans      44  
      2.6.2     Repayment of Loans      44  
     2.7      Provision of Notes      45  
     2.8      Use of Proceeds      45  
     2.9      Extended Commitments      45  

3. RESERVED

  

4. INTEREST RATES

  
     4.1      Interest Rates      46  
     4.2      Interest After Default      46  

5. PAYMENTS

 

     5.1      Payments      47  
     5.2      Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders      47  
     5.3      Sharing of Payments by Lenders      47  
     5.4      Presumptions by Administrative Agent      48  
     5.5      Interest Payment Dates      48  
     5.6      Prepayments      48  
      5.6.1     Right to Prepay      48  
      5.6.2     Designation of a Different Lending Office      49  
      5.6.3     Mandatory Prepayments      49  
     5.7      Increased Costs      49  
      5.7.1     Increased Costs Generally      49  
      5.7.2     Certificates for Reimbursement; Repayment of Outstanding Loans; Borrowing of New Loans      50  
      5.7.3     Delay in Requests      50  
     5.8      Taxes      50  
     

5.8.1    Payments Free of Taxes

     50  

 

ii


      5.8.2     Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower      51  
      5.8.3     Indemnification by the Borrower      51  
      5.8.4     Evidence of Payments      51  
      5.8.5     Status of Lenders      51  
      5.8.6     Refunds      53  
      5.8.7     Administrative Agent Forms      53  

6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

  
     6.1      Organization and Qualification      53  
     6.2      EEA Financial Institutions      54  
     6.3      Subsidiaries      54  
     6.4      Power and Authority      54  
     6.5      Validity and Binding Effect      54  
     6.6      No Conflict      54  
     6.7      Litigation      55  
     6.8      Title to Properties      55  
     6.9      Financial Statements      55  
     6.10      Use of Proceeds      56  
     6.11      Liens in the Collateral      56  
     6.12      Full Disclosure      56  
     6.13      Taxes      57  
     6.14      Consents and Approvals      57  
     6.15      No Event of Default; Compliance with Instruments      57  
     6.16      Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Licenses, Permits, Etc.      57  
     6.17      Solvency      57  
     6.18      Real Property      58  
     6.19      Insurance      58  
     6.20      Compliance with Laws      58  
     6.21      Material Contracts; Burdensome Restrictions      58  
     6.22      Investment Companies; Regulated Entities      58  
     6.23      ERISA Compliance      59  
     6.24      Employment Matters; Coal Act; Black Lung Act      59  
     6.25      Environmental Matters      60  
     6.26      Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws      60  
     6.27      Margin Regulations      61  

7. CONDITIONS OF LENDING

  
     7.1      First Loans      61  
      7.1.1     Deliveries      61  
      7.1.2     Payment of Fees      63  
      7.1.3     PATRIOT Act      63  
      7.1.4     No Debt or Preferred Stock Outstanding      63  
      7.1.5     Transactions      63  
     7.2      Each Loan      63  

8. COVENANTS

  
     8.1      Affirmative Covenants      64  
      8.1.1     Preservation of Existence, Etc.      64  

 

iii


     8.1.2    Payment of Liabilities, Including Taxes, Etc.      64  
     8.1.3    Maintenance of Insurance      64  
     8.1.4    Maintenance of Properties and Equipment      65  
     8.1.5    Maintenance of Patents, Trademarks, Etc.      66  
     8.1.6    Visitation Rights      66  
     8.1.7    Keeping of Records and Books of Account      66  
     8.1.8    Further Assurances      66  
     8.1.9    Additional Guarantors      66  
     8.1.10    Compliance with Laws      67  
     8.1.11    Use of Proceeds      67  
     8.1.12    Subordination of Intercompany Loans      67  
     8.1.13    Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws      67  
     8.1.14    Compliance with Material Contracts      68  
     8.1.15    Accounts      68  
     8.1.16    ERISA Compliance      68  
     8.1.17    Collateral      69  
     8.1.18    Title      72  
     8.1.19    Maintenance of Permits      72  
     8.1.20    Environmental Reports      72  
     8.1.21    Post-Closing Matters      72  
 

8.2

  

Negative Covenants

     72  
     8.2.1    Indebtedness      73  
     8.2.2    Liens      74  
     8.2.3    Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries      74  
     8.2.4    Loans and Investments      75  
     8.2.5    Restricted Payments      76  
     8.2.6    Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions      78  
     8.2.7    Dispositions      79  
     8.2.8    Affiliate Transactions      80  
     8.2.9    Change in Business      82  
     8.2.10    Fiscal Year      82  
     8.2.11    Amendments to Certain Documents      82  
     8.2.12    Swaps      83  
     8.2.13    Financial Covenants      83  
     8.2.14    Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries      83  
     8.2.15    Negative Pledge Agreements      85  
 

8.3

  

Reporting Requirements

     86  
     8.3.1    Quarterly Financial Statements      86  
     8.3.2    Annual Financial Statements      87  
     8.3.3    SEC Website      87  
     8.3.4    Certificate of the Borrower      87  
     8.3.5    Notice of Default      88  
     8.3.6    Certain Events      88  
     8.3.7    Budgets, Forecasts, Other Reports and Information      88  

9.

 

DEFAULT

  
 

9.1

  

Events of Default

     89  
     9.1.1    Payments Under Loan Documents      89  
     9.1.2    Breach of Warranty      89  
     9.1.3    Breach of Certain Covenants      89  

 

-iii-


 

9.1.4

   Breach of Other Covenants      90  
 

9.1.5

   Defaults in Other Agreements or Indebtedness      90  
 

9.1.6

   Final Judgments or Orders      90  
 

9.1.7

   Loan Document Unenforceable      90  
 

9.1.8

   Inability to Pay Debts      90  
 

9.1.9

   ERISA      91  
 

9.1.10

   Change of Control      91  
 

9.1.11

   Operating Agreement      91  
 

9.1.12

   Involuntary Proceedings      91  
 

9.1.13

   Voluntary Proceedings      91  
 

9.1.14

   Material Contracts      91  

9.2

 

Consequences of Event of Default

     92  
 

9.2.1

   Events of Default Other Than Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings      92  
 

9.2.2

   Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings      92  
 

9.2.3

   Set-off      92  
 

9.2.4

   Application of Proceeds      92  
 

9.2.5

   Collateral Agent      93  
 

9.2.6

   Other Rights and Remedies      94  

9.3

 

Notice of Sale

  

10.

 

THE AGENTS

  
 

10.1

   Appointment and Authority      94  
 

10.2

   Rights as a Lender      94  
 

10.3

   Exculpatory Provisions      95  
 

10.4

   Reliance by Agents      96  
 

10.5

   Delegation of Duties      96  
 

10.6

   Resignation of Agents      96  
 

10.7

   Non-Reliance on Collateral Agent      97  
 

10.8

   Collateral Agent Role      97  
 

10.9

   Collateral Agent’s Fee      97  
 

10.10

   Authorization to Release Collateral and Guarantors      97  
 

10.11

   No Reliance on Collateral Agent’s Customer Identification Program      98  
 

10.12

   Withholding Tax      98  
 

10.13

   Certain ERISA Matters   

11.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

  
 

11.1

   Modifications, Amendments or Waivers      100  
    

11.1.1    Required Consents

     100  
    

11.1.2    Certain Amendments

     101  
    

11.1.3    Amendments Affecting the Agents, Etc.

     101  
 

11.2

   No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies      102  
 

11.3

   Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver      102  
    

11.3.1    Costs and Expenses

     102  
    

11.3.2    Indemnification by the Borrower

     102  
    

11.3.3    Reimbursement by Lenders

     103  
    

11.3.4    Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc.

     103  
    

11.3.5    Payments

     103  
 

11.4

   Holidays      103  

 

-iv-


             11.5  

Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication

     104  
      11.5.1   

Notices Generally

     104  
      11.5.2   

Electronic Communications

     104  
      11.5.3   

Change of Address, Etc.

     104  
    11.6  

Severability

     104  
    11.7  

Duration; Survival

     105  
    11.8  

Successors and Assigns

     105  
      11.8.1   

Successors and Assigns Generally

     105  
      11.8.2   

Assignments by Lenders

     105  
      11.8.3   

Register

     106  
      11.8.4   

Collateral Assignment

     107  
    11.9  

Confidentiality

     107  
      11.9.1   

General

     107  
      11.9.2   

Sharing Information With Affiliates of the Lenders

     108  
    11.10  

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness

     108  
    11.11  

Governing Law, Etc.

     108  
      11.11.1   

Governing Law

     108  
      11.11.2   

SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION

     109  
      11.11.3   

WAIVER OF VENUE

     109  
      11.11.4   

SERVICE OF PROCESS

     109  
      11.11.5   

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     109  
    11.12  

Certain Collateral Matters

     110  
    11.13  

USA PATRIOT Act Notice

     110  
    11.14  

No Fiduciary Duty

     110  
    11.15  

No General Partner’s Liability

     110  
    11.16  

Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions

     111  

 

-v-


LIST OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1.1(A)    Pricing Grid
Schedule 1.1(B)    Commitments of Lenders
Schedule 6.1    Qualifications To Do Business
Schedule 6.3    Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.11    Pledged Securities
Schedule 6.21    Additional Material Contracts
Schedule 7.1.1(i)    Lien Searches
Schedule 8.1.18    Title Requirements
Schedule 8.1.21    Post-Closing Matters
Schedule 8.2.1    Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 8.2.2    Existing Liens
Schedule 8.2.4    Existing Investments
Schedule 8.2.8    Existing Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 8.2.14    Existing Restrictions on Subsidiaries
Schedule 8.2.15    Existing Negative Pledge Agreements
Schedule 11.5.1    Notice Information

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit 1.1(A)    Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Exhibit 1.1(G)(1)    Guarantor Joinder
Exhibit 1.1(G)(2)    Guaranty Agreement
Exhibit 1.1(I)(1)    Indemnity
Exhibit 1.1(I)(2)    Intercompany Subordination Agreement
Exhibit 1.1(M)    Mortgage
Exhibit 1.1(N)    Note
Exhibit 1.1(P)(1)    Perfection Certificate
Exhibit 1.1(P)(2)    Perfection Certificate Supplement
Exhibit 2.5    Loan Request
Exhibit 5.8.5    United States Tax Compliance Certificate
Exhibit 8.2.6    Acquisition Certificate
Exhibit 8.3.4    Quarterly Compliance Certificate

 

-vi-


AFFILIATED COMPANY CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS AFFILIATED COMPANY CREDIT AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is dated as of November 28, 2017 and is made by and among CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP (f/k/a CNX COAL RESOURCES LP ), a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), EACH OF THE GUARANTORS (as hereinafter defined), the LENDERS (as hereinafter defined), CONSOL ENERGY INC. (f/k/a CONSOL MINING CORPORATION) , a Delaware corporation, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ” and, together with the Administrative Agent, the “ Agents ”).

The Borrower has requested the Lenders to provide a revolving credit facility to the Borrower. In consideration of their mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

1.1 Certain Definitions .

In addition to words and terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context hereof clearly requires otherwise:

Account ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Security Agreement.

Additional Credit Extension Amendment ” shall mean an amendment to this Agreement (which may, at the option of the Agents in consultation with the Borrower, be in the form of an amendment and restatement of this Agreement) providing for any Extended Commitments pursuant to Section 2.9 [Extended Commitments], which shall be consistent with the applicable provisions of this Agreement and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the parties thereto. Each Additional Credit Extension Amendment shall be executed by the Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties and the other parties specified in the applicable Section of this Agreement (but not any other Lender not specified in the applicable Section of this Agreement) and acknowledged by the Collateral Agent, but shall not effect any amendments that would require the consent of each affected Lender or all Lenders pursuant to the proviso in Section 11.1.1 [Required Consents] (other than amendments relating to provisions of Extended Commitments that are expressly permitted to be different from those of the Commitments under the terms of Section 2.9 [Extended Commitments]). Any Additional Credit Extension Amendment may include conditions for delivery of customary opinions of counsel and other documentation consistent with the conditions in Section 7.1.1 [Deliveries] and certificates confirming satisfaction of conditions consistent with Section 7.2 [Each Additional Loan], all to the extent reasonably requested by any Agent or the other parties to such Additional Credit Extension Amendment; provided that the effectiveness of each Additional Credit Extension Amendment shall be subject to the Required Flood Materials having been made available to the Lenders not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the effective date of such Additional Credit Extension Amendment.

Administrative Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.

Affiliate ” of any specified Person shall mean any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “ control ,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or


indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “ controlling ,” “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ” have correlative meanings. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Persons that serves as Collateral Agent or is a CEI Secured Party shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates solely by virtue of serving or being in such capacity.

Affiliate Transaction ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.2.8 [Affiliate Transactions].

Agents ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Agreement ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

All-In Yield ” shall mean, as to any Indebtedness, the yield thereof, whether in the form of interest rate, margin, original issue discount, upfront fees, a “LIBOR” or “Base Rate” or other index rate floor, or otherwise, in each case, incurred or payable by the Borrower generally to all the lenders of such Indebtedness; provided that (a) upfront fees and original issue discount shall be equated to interest rate based upon an assumed four-year average life to maturity (e.g., 100 basis points of original issue discount equals 25 basis points of interest rate margin), and (b) “All-In Yield” shall exclude any customary commitment, amendment, underwriting and arranger fees and other similar fees in each case to the extent not paid generally to all lenders in the primary syndication of such Indebtedness.

Anti-Corruption Laws ” shall mean (a) the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and rules and regulations thereunder, (b) the UK Bribery Act and (c) other anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws and regulations of any applicable jurisdiction.

Anti-Terrorism Laws ” shall mean any Laws relating to terrorism, trade sanctions programs and embargoes, import/export licensing, money laundering or bribery, and any regulation, order, or directive promulgated, issued or enforced pursuant to such Laws, including the USA PATRIOT Act and regulations of OFAC.

Applicable Account ” shall mean a Deposit Account, a Securities Account or a Commodity Account (each as defined in the UCC), but excluding any Deposit Account that is an Excluded Account.

Applicable Rate ” shall mean the percentage based on the Total Net Leverage Ratio according to the pricing grid on Schedule 1.1(A) .

Assignment and Assumption Agreement ” shall mean an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an assignee permitted under Section  11.8 [Successors and Assigns], in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(A) .

Authorized Officer ” shall mean, with respect to any Loan Party, the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, secretary, treasurer or assistant treasurer of such Loan Party or of the General Partner acting on behalf of such Loan Party, or such other individuals, designated by written notice to each Agent from the Borrower, authorized to execute notices, reports and other documents on behalf of the Loan Parties required hereunder. The Borrower may amend such list of individuals from time to time by giving written notice of such amendment to each Agent.

Available Cash ” shall mean “Available Cash” as defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

-2-


Bail-In Action ” shall mean the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation ” shall mean, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Baltimore Dock Facility ” shall mean that certain terminal, storage, loading and dock facility, including all facilities and equipment supporting such facility, located in Baltimore, Maryland owned as of the Closing Date by CONSOL Marine Terminals, Inc. (f/k/a CNX Marine Terminals, Inc.), including all related easements, rights of way and the similar interests used in connection with such facility.

Bankruptcy Code ” shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code.

Benefit Plan ” shall mean any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code) or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan.”

Black Lung Act ” shall mean, collectively, the Black Lung Benefits Revenue Act of 1977, as amended and the Black Lung Benefits Reform Act of 1977, as amended.

Board of Directors ” shall mean (a) with respect to the Borrower, the board of directors of the General Partner or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board and (b) with respect to any other Person, (b) if the Person is a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board or a similar governing body, (c) if the Person is a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board or a similar governing body and (d) with respect to any other Person, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.

Board Resolution ” shall mean a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the General Partner acting on behalf of the Borrower to have been duly adopted by its Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.

Borrower ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Borrowing Date ” shall mean, with respect to any Loan, the date for the making thereof or the renewal or conversion thereof at or to the same or a different Interest Rate Option, which shall be a Business Day.

Borrowing Tranche ” shall mean specified portions of Loans outstanding made pursuant to the same Loan Request by the Borrower.

Building ” shall mean a walled and roofed structure, other than a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground and affixed to a permanent site, and a walled and roofed structure while in the course of construction, alteration or repair or shall have such other meaning ascribed to such term in the Flood Laws.

 

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Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday on which commercial banks are authorized or required to be closed for business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Capital Lease Obligation ” shall mean an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease or financing lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any lease (whether entered into before or after the Closing Date) that would have been classified as an operating lease pursuant to GAAP as in effect on the Closing Date will be deemed not to represent a Capital Lease Obligation.

Capital Stock ” of any Person shall mean (1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; (2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; (3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and (4) 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, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

Cash on Hand ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and Temporary Cash Investments of the Loan Parties as of such date and (ii) the aggregate amount of cash and Temporary Cash Investments of the Loan Parties pledged solely (A) to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure the Obligations as of such date and (B) subject to the applicable intercreditor agreement, to the collateral agent for the benefit of the secured parties in respect of Specified Junior Obligations, in each case, after giving effect to all incurrences and repayments of Indebtedness, issuances of Equity Interests, Investments and Restricted Payments to occur on such date.

Casualty Event ” shall mean, with respect to any assets of any Loan Party, any damage to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking (including by any Official Body) of, any such assets that occurs after the Closing Date for which the Borrower or any other Loan Party receives insurance proceeds or proceeds of a condemnation award or any other compensation; provided , however , no such event or series of related events shall constitute a Casualty Event if such proceeds or other compensation in respect thereof is less than the Threshold Amount in the aggregate with respect to such event or series of related events. Casualty Event shall include but not be limited to any taking of all or any part of any real property of the Borrower or any other Loan Party in or by condemnation or other eminent domain proceedings pursuant to any Law, or by reason of the temporary requisition or the use or occupancy of all or any part of any real property by any Official Body, civil or military.

CEI ” shall mean CONSOL ENERGY INC. (f/k/a CONSOL Mining Corporation), a Delaware corporation.

CEI Agents ” shall mean the “Agents” as defined in the CEI Credit Agreement.

CEI Collateral Agent ” shall mean the “Collateral Agent” (or similar term) as defined in the CEI Credit Agreement.

 

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CEI Credit Agreement ” shall mean the Credit Agreement, dated the Closing Date, among CEI, as borrower, PNC Bank, National Association, as Revolving/TLA Administrative Agent, Citibank, N.A., as TLB Administrative Agent, PNC Bank, National Association, as collateral agent, the guarantors party thereto and the lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented, refinanced or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in each case, providing for loans, letters of credit, debt securities, receivables financings (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or other forms of indebtedness, and whether or not with the original or new agents and/or lenders or a trustee or other representative, purchasers and/or holders.

CEI Credit Documents ” shall mean the CEI Credit Agreement, the notes issued pursuant thereto and each security document or pledge agreement delivered in accordance with applicable local Law to grant a valid, perfected security interest in any property as collateral for the obligations under the CEI Credit Agreement, and all UCC or other financing statements or instruments of perfection required by this Agreement or the CEI Credit Agreement or any other such security document or pledge agreement to be filed with respect to the security interests in property and fixtures created pursuant to any document or instrument utilized to pledge or grant or purport to pledge or grant a security interest or lien on any property as collateral for the obligations under the CEI Credit Agreement, and amendments, supplements or joinders to the foregoing.

CEI Entities ” shall mean CEI and its Subsidiaries, other than (i) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (ii) the General Partner, except to the extent acting contrary to the written direction or request of the Board of Directors of the General Partner and (iii) any Person acting at the written direction or request of the Board of Directors of the General Partner.

CEI Lenders ” shall mean the “Lenders” (or similar term) as defined in the CEI Credit Agreement.

CEI Loan Party ” shall mean any Person that is a borrower or a guarantor under the CEI Credit Agreement.

CEI Second Lien Notes ” shall mean the 11.00% second lien notes due 2025 issued on November 13, 2017, by CEI in an aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000.

CEI Secured Parties ” shall mean the “Secured Parties” (or similar term) as defined in the CEI Credit Agreement.

CFC ” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a “controlled foreign corporation” as defined in Section 957 of the Code.

CFC Holdco ” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower that owns no material assets other than Equity Interests in one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs.

Change in Law ” shall mean the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, (b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Official Body or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) by any Official Body; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith (whether or not having the force of Law) and (y) all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations or directives promulgated by the Bank for International

 

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Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities (whether or not having the force of Law), in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law,” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued, promulgated or implemented.

Change of Control ” shall mean:

(1) other than as the result of the exercise of remedies under the CEI Credit Agreement, CEI shall cease, directly or indirectly, to own and control legally and beneficially greater than 100% of the Equity Interests in the General Partner;

(2) other than as the result of the exercise of remedies under the CEI Credit Agreement, CEI shall cease, directly or indirectly to have the power to vote or direct the voting of Equity Interests in the General Partner having all the ordinary voting power for the election of the Board of Directors of the General Partner;

(3) the Borrower shall cease, directly or indirectly, to own and control legally and beneficially all of the Equity Interests in the Operator;

(4) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower (including Equity Interests of Restricted Subsidiaries) and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than a Loan Party; or

(5) a “change of control” or similar event occurs under any Specified Junior Obligations with a then-outstanding principal amount or commitment greater than the Threshold Amount.

CIP Regulations ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.11 [No Reliance on Collateral Agent’s Customer Identification Program].

Class ” shall mean (i) with respect to any Commitment, its character as a Commitment or Extended Commitment, designated as a “Class” in an Additional Credit Extension Amendment and (ii) with respect to any Loans, its character as a Loan made pursuant to the Commitment or Extended Commitment designated as a “Class” in an Additional Credit Extension Amendment; provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the borrowing and repayment of Loans shall be made on a pro rata basis across all Classes of Loans (except to the extent that any applicable Additional Credit Extension Amendment pursuant to Section 2.9 [Extended Commitments] provides that the Class of Loans established thereunder shall be entitled to less than pro rata repayments), and any termination of Commitments shall be made on a pro rata basis across all Classes of Commitments (except to the extent that any applicable Additional Credit Extension Amendment pursuant to Section 2.9 [Extended Commitments] provides that the Class of Commitments established thereunder shall be entitled to less than pro rata treatment). Commitments or Loans that have different maturity dates, pricing (other than upfront fees) or other terms shall be designated as separate Classes.

Closing Date ” shall mean the date of this Agreement.

Closing Date Refinancing and Releases ” shall mean (a) the repayment in full and termination of the Existing Credit Agreement and (b) the release of all guarantees and collateral under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

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Coal ” shall mean all types of solid naturally occurring hydrocarbons (other than oil shale or Gilsonite), including bituminous and sub-bituminous coal, and lignite.

Coal Act ” shall mean the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefits Act of 1992.

Coal Gas ” shall mean occluded methane gas and all associated natural gas and other hydrocarbons of whatever quality or quantity, whether known or unknown, that are, can be, or historically have been produced or emitted from coalbeds, coal formations, coal seams, mined out areas, gob areas, or any related, associated, or adjacent rock material or strata, together with all substances produced with each of the foregoing or refined therefrom. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Coal Gas” shall expressly include all substances commonly known as “coalbed methane,” “coal mine methane,” and “gob gas.”

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Collateral ” shall mean the property of whatever kind and nature subject or purported to be subject from time to time to a Lien under any Security Document, but shall not include any (i) asset that shall have been released, pursuant to Section 10.10 [Authorization to Release Collateral and Guarantors] or Section 11.1.1(d) [Required Consents], from the Liens created under such Security Document or (ii) Excluded Assets.

Collateral Agent ” shall mean PNC Bank, National Association, in its capacity as collateral agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor collateral agent.

Collateral Agent’s Fee ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.9 [Collateral Agent’s Fee].

Collateral Agent’s Letter ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 10.9 [Collateral Agent’s Fee].

Commitment ” shall mean, as to any Lender at any time, the amount initially set forth opposite its name on Schedule 1.1(B) in the column labeled “Amount of Commitment,” as such Commitment is thereafter assigned pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, extended pursuant to Section 2.9 [Extended Commitments] (and upon such extension shall be characterized as an Extended Commitment) or decreased pursuant to Section 2.4 [Voluntary Commitment Reduction], and “ Commitments ” shall mean the aggregate Commitments of the appropriate Class or any combinations thereof (as the context requires) of all of the Lenders.

Commitment Fee ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.3 [Commitment Fees].

Commitment Fee Rate ” shall mean 0.50% per annum.

Commodity Exchange Act ” shall mean the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).

Compliance Certificate ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.3.4 [Certificate of the Borrower].

Conrhein ” shall mean Conrhein Coal Company, a Pennsylvania general partnership.

 

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Consideration ” shall mean, with respect to any acquisition, without duplication, the aggregate of (i) the cash paid by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the seller in connection therewith, (ii) the Indebtedness assumed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection therewith and (iii) any other consideration given by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection therewith.

Consolidated Cash Interest Expense ” shall mean, for any period, Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, excluding the portion thereof not paid or payable in cash.

Consolidated EBITDA ” shall mean, for any period, the sum of Consolidated Net Income, plus (a) other than in the case of clause (8), to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income (without duplication):

(1) Consolidated Interest Expense, net of interest income;

(2) provision for taxes based on income or profits (including state franchise taxes accounted for as income taxes in accordance with GAAP) of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period;

(3) depletion, depreciation and impairment charges and expenses of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period;

(4) amortization expense (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period;

(5) losses (or minus gains) for such period from the early extinguishment of Indebtedness;

(6) (i) non-recurring transaction costs expensed (in accordance with GAAP) by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with the Transactions and (ii) to the extent permitted hereunder, any (A) amendments, restatements and other modifications of the Loan Documents, (B) acquisition, investment, disposition, issuance or repayment of debt, issuance of equity securities, refinancing transaction or amendment or other modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and (C) charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each, case whether or not successful, in an aggregate amount under this subclause (ii) not to exceed, in any four-quarter period, $10,000,000;

(7) non-cash charges related to legacy employee liabilities; and

(8) net cash proceeds of insurance received, or recognized as a receivable in accordance with GAAP, for such period in respect of a casualty event (to the extent such amount is reducing an expense on the statement of operations of the Borrower for such period relating to such casualty event) or business interruption; provided that to the extent such amount is actually not received in cash, the amount not received that increased Consolidated EBITDA shall be deducted from Consolidated EBITDA in the period in which it is determined that such amount has not been or is not likely to be received;

minus (b) (1) to the extent increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period, gains for such period from the early extinguishment of Indebtedness and (2) except to the extent already reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period, cash payments made in such period by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries related to legacy employee liabilities. Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

 

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Consolidated First Lien Debt ” shall mean Consolidated Indebtedness other than any Consolidated Indebtedness that is (i) unsecured or (ii) secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is contractually junior to the Lien securing the Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated First Lien Debt includes the Obligations under the documents described in clause (i) of the definition of “Obligations.”

Consolidated Indebtedness ” shall mean the sum (without duplication) of the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries of the type referenced under the first instances of clause (1), (2) or (3) of the definition of “Indebtedness” outstanding on such date, after giving effect to all incurrences and repayments of such Indebtedness occurring on such date; provided that (x) all obligations under undrawn standby letters of credit issued with respect to performance obligations under sales contracts, mine reclamation, black lung benefit liabilities, workers compensation and other employee benefit liabilities shall be excluded from this definition and (y) the face amount of all other letters of credit (other than to the extent cash collateralized in a manner satisfactory to the Agents) shall be included in this definition, whether or not drawn.

Consolidated Interest Expense ” shall mean, for any period, the total interest expense of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (excluding (i) write-off of deferred financing costs and (ii) accretion of interest charges on future plugging and abandonment obligations, future retirement benefits and other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness), plus, to the extent not included in such total interest expense, and to the extent incurred by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, without duplication:

(1) interest expense attributable to Capital Lease Obligations;

(2) capitalized interest;

(3) non-cash interest expense; and

(4) net costs (including amortization of fees and up-front payments) associated with Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements that, at the time entered into, resulted in the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries being net payees as to future payouts under such Interest Rate Agreements or Currency Agreements, and Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements for which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has paid a premium;

provided that “Consolidated Interest Expense” shall not include any amortization of costs relating to original debt issuances other than the amortization of debt discount related to the issuance of zero coupon securities or other securities with an original issue price of not more than 90% of the principal thereof. Consolidated Interest Expense shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

Consolidated Net Income ” shall mean the aggregate net income (loss) attributable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

(1) any net income of any other Person if such other Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that:

 

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(a) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (4) of this definition, the Borrower’s equity in the net income of such other Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such other Person during such period to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution paid to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (2) of this definition); and

(b) the Borrower’s equity in a net loss of any such other Person for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;

(2) any net income of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) if such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Borrower, except that:

(a) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (4) below, the Borrower’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution paid to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause); and

(b) the Borrower’s equity in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;

(3) any income or loss attributed to discontinued operations;

(4) any extraordinary gains or losses, together with any related provision for taxes on such gains or losses;

(5) any gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such gains or losses, on Dispositions outside the ordinary course of business;

(6) any non-cash compensation expense realized for grants of performance shares, stock, stock options or other equity-based awards;

(7) unrealized losses and gains under derivative instruments included in the determination of Consolidated Net Income, including those resulting from the application of FASB ASC 815;

(8) any non-cash asset impairment or write-downs (other than of any current assets) under GAAP or SEC guidelines; provided that any reversal or other benefit of any such impairment or write-down in any future period shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income in such future period; and

(9) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles.

Contractual Requirement ” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.6 [No Conflict].

 

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Co-Owners ” shall mean, collectively, CPCC and Conrhein.

Covered Entity ” shall mean (a) the Borrower, each of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, all Guarantors and all pledgors of Collateral, and (b) each Person that, directly or indirectly, is an Affiliate of a Person described in clause (a) above.

CPCC ” shall mean Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

CTA ” shall mean, at any time, the amount which, in accordance with GAAP, would be set forth under the caption “Total Assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, excluding the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries and all assets that are considered to be intangible assets under GAAP, as of (unless otherwise specified) the end of the latest fiscal period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements] or 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements] at or prior to such time.

Currency Agreement ” shall mean in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

Customary Recourse Exceptions ” shall mean, with respect to any Non-Recourse Debt of any Person, exclusions from the exculpation provisions with respect to such Non-Recourse Debt for the voluntary bankruptcy of such Person, fraud, misapplication of cash, environmental claims, waste, willful destruction and other circumstances customarily excluded by lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements in non-recourse financings.

Defaulting Lender ” shall mean any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans or (ii) pay over to the Administrative Agent or any Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within two Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans under this Agreement; provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon the Administrative Agent’s or the Borrower’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, as the case may be or (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event.

As used in this definition, the term “ Bankruptcy Event ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, such Person or such Person’s direct or indirect parent company becoming the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or having had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Collateral Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment; provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of (i) any ownership interest,

 

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or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person or such Person’s direct or indirect parent company by an Official Body or instrumentality thereof if, and only if, such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Official Body or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person or (ii) the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator with respect to a Person or a Person’s direct or indirect parent company under the Dutch Financial Supervision Act 2007 (as amended from time to time and including any successor legislation) if applicable law prohibits the public disclosure of such appointment and so long as such appointment has in fact not been publicly disclosed.

Deposit Accounts ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the UCC.

Designated Non-Cash Consideration ” shall mean the Fair Market Value of non-cash Consideration received by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower in connection with a Disposition that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Temporary Cash Investments received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

Disposition ” or “ Dispose ” shall mean the sale, conveyance, assignment, lease, sale and leaseback, abandonment or other transfer or disposal of, voluntarily or involuntarily, of any property or assets, tangible or intangible, including the sale, assignment, discount or other disposition of Accounts, equipment or general intangibles with or without recourse, the issuance or sale of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary or granting of options or rights of first refusal in such assets. In the case of the grant of an option or right of first refusal with respect to any asset, the date of such grant shall be deemed to be the date of Disposition of such asset.

Disqualified Stock ” shall mean any Equity Interests of a Person or any Restricted Subsidiary that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable, in either case at the option of the holder thereof) or otherwise (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (b) is or may become redeemable or repurchaseable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part or (c) is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, on or prior to the earlier of, in the case of clause (a), (b) or (c) above, (i) 91 days after the then Latest Maturity Date and (ii) upon Payment In Full ( provided that only the portion of Equity Interests which is mandatorily redeemable or matures or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock), in each case other than in exchange for Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock).

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence:

(1) any Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Borrower to repurchase such Equity Interests upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset disposition will not constitute Disqualified Stock if such Equity Interests provide that the issuer thereof will not redeem any such Equity Interests pursuant to such provisions prior to the repayment in full of the Obligations (other than unasserted contingent obligations);

 

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(2) any Equity Interests issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations; and

(3) any Equity Interests held by any future, current or former employee, director, manager or consultant (or their respective trusts, estates, investment funds, investment vehicles or immediate family members) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case upon the termination of employment or death of such person pursuant to any stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

Dollars ,” “ U.S. Dollars ” and the symbol “ $ ” shall each mean lawful money of the United States of America.

EEA Financial Institution ” shall mean (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clause (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country ” shall mean any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, or any other country that is a member of the European Economic Area.

EEA Resolution Auth ority” shall mean any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Eligibility Date ” shall mean, with respect to each Loan Party and each Swap, the date on which this Agreement or any other Loan Document becomes effective with respect to such Swap (for the avoidance of doubt, the Eligibility Date shall be the effective date of such Swap if this Agreement or any other Loan Document is then in effect with respect to such Loan Party, and otherwise it shall be the Closing Date).

Employee Services Agreement ” means the Employee Services Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, between the Operator and CPCC.

Environment ” shall mean ambient air, indoor air, surface water, groundwater, drinking water, land surface and sub-surface strata and natural resources such as wetlands, flora and fauna.

Environmental Laws ” shall mean any and all applicable current and future federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental restrictions or common law causes of action relating to (a) protection of the Environment or to emissions, discharges, Releases or threatened Releases of Hazardous Materials, (b) human health as affected by Hazardous Materials, or (c) mining operations and activities to the extent relating to protection of the Environment or reclamation, including the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act or to occupational or miner health and safety, pr o vided that “Environmental Laws” do not include any laws relating to worker or retiree benefits, including benefits arising out of occupational diseases.

 

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Environmental Liability ” shall mean any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities) directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage or treatment of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Eligible Contract Participant ” shall mean an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and regulations thereunder.

Equity Interests ” of any Person shall mean (1) any and all Capital Stock of such Person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such Capital Stock of such Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into Equity Interests, regardless of whether such debt securities include any right of participation with Equity Interests.

ERISA ” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in effect.

ERISA Affiliate ” shall mean, at any relevant time, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

ERISA Event ” shall mean (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification to the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or experienced a mass withdrawal within the meaning of Section 4219 of ERISA; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan, or the treatment of a plan amendment as a termination of a Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, respectively; (e) the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (f) an event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA; (h) Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate is informed that any Multiemployer Plan to which Borrower or the ERISA Affiliate contributes is in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (i) the failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of a Pension Plan, whether or not waived, or a failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; or (j) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” shall mean the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

 

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European Interbank Market ” shall mean the European interbank market for Euro operating in Participating Member States.

Event of Default ” shall mean any of the events described in Section 9.1 [Events of Default] and referred to therein as an “Event of Default.”

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Excluded Account ” shall mean a Deposit Account (i) which is used solely for making payroll and withholding tax payments related thereto and other employee wage and benefit payments and accrued and unpaid employee compensation (including salaries, wages, bonuses, benefits and expense reimbursements), (ii) which is used solely for paying or remitting taxes, including sales taxes, (iii) which is used solely as an escrow account or as a fiduciary or trust account, in each case, for the benefit of unaffiliated third parties or (iv) the aggregate average daily balance in which (in each case determined for the most recently completed calendar month) does not at any time exceed $250,000; provided that the average daily balance in all Deposit Accounts referred to in this clause (iv) shall not exceed $3,000,000.

Excluded Assets ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 8.1.17(b) [Collateral].

Excluded Subsidiaries ” shall mean (a) each Unrestricted Subsidiary, (b) each CFC and each CFC Holdco, (c) each Immaterial Subsidiary and (d) each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not directly or indirectly wholly-owned by the Borrower; provided that (i) a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Loan Party shall not become an Excluded Subsidiary by virtue of a transfer of a portion of the equity in such Restricted Subsidiary (except pursuant to a bona fide joint venture transaction permitted hereunder) until a majority of the Equity Interests in such Restricted Subsidiary are Disposed of in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments] or Section 8.2.7 [Dispositions] and (ii) in no event shall (x) the Operator or (y) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that owns (1) Equity Interests in the Operator or (2) any Undivided Interests, in any case, be an Excluded Subsidiary.

Excluded Swap Obligation ” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an Eligible Contract Participant at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps of such Guarantor for which such Guaranty or security interest is or becomes illegal.

Excluded Taxes ” shall mean, with respect to any Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by such recipient’s net income or profits (however denominated), and franchise Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), by a jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) as a result of such recipient being organized or having its principal office located or, in the case of any Lender, applicable lending office in such jurisdiction or that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) any branch profits Taxes imposed under section 884(a) of the Code, or any similar Tax, imposed by any jurisdiction described in clause (a) above, (c) in the case of a Lender, any U.S. federal withholding Tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Lender pursuant to a Law in effect at the time such Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, immediately prior to the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 5.8.1 [Payments Free of Taxes], (d) any withholding Tax attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with Section 5.8.5 [Status of Lenders] and (e) any Tax imposed pursuant to FATCA.

 

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Existing Class ” shall mean a Class of Existing Commitments.

Existing Credit Agreement ” shall mean the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and among the Borrower, each of the guarantors, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, as amended from time to time prior to the Closing Date.

Existing Commitments ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b) [Extended Commitments].

Exposure ” shall mean, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Loans at such time.

Extended Class ” shall mean a Class of Extended Commitments.

Extended Commitments ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b) [Extended Commitments].

Extending Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(c) [Extended Commitments].

Extension Effective Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(c) [Extended Commitments].

Extension Election ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(c) [Extended Commitments].

Extension Request ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b) [Extended Commitments].

Fair Market Value ” shall mean the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Borrower in the case of amounts of $50,000,000 or more and otherwise by a Responsible Officer, any such determination being conclusive for all purposes under this Agreement. In determining the Fair Market Value of any Real Property, a subsurface interest of a Loan Party shall be deemed part of the same Real Property as other subsurface interests of such Loan Party or other Loan Parties when such subsurface interest is, or could reasonably be, part of the same operating complex as such other subsurface interests.

FATCA ” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as of the date hereof (and any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to the current Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code (and any amended or successor version described above), and any intergovernmental agreements (and any related laws or official administrative guidance) implementing the foregoing.

 

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Federal Funds Effective Rate ” for any day shall mean the rate per annum (based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed and rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any successor) on such day as being the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions on the previous trading day, as computed and announced by such Federal Reserve Bank (or any successor) in substantially the same manner as such Federal Reserve Bank computes and announces the weighted average it refers to as the “Federal Funds Effective Rate” as of the date of this Agreement; provided , that if such Federal Reserve Bank (or its successor) does not announce such rate on any day, the “Federal Funds Effective Rate” for such day shall be the Federal Funds Effective Rate for the last day on which such rate was announced.

Financial Covenants ” shall mean the covenants set forth in Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants].

First Lien Gross Leverage Ratio ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (without duplication): (A) (x) Consolidated First Lien Debt as of such date to (B) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of four fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended on or prior to the date of determination.

Flood Laws ” shall mean (i) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1994 (which comprehensively revised the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973) as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (iii) the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, and (iv) all other applicable Laws relating to policies and procedures that address requirements placed on federally regulated lenders relating to flood matters, in each case, as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

Foreign Lender ” shall mean any Lender that is not a “United States person” as defined in section 7701 of the Code.

Foreign Subsidiaries ” shall mean, for any Person, each Subsidiary of such Person that is incorporated or organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

Form 10 ” shall mean the Form 10 (File No. 001-38147) of CEI filed with the SEC on November 2, 2017.

GAAP ” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles as are in effect from time to time, subject to the provisions of Section 1.3 [Accounting Principles], and applied on a consistent basis both as to classification of items and amounts.

GasCo ” shall mean CNX Resources Corporation (f/k/a CONSOL Energy Inc.), a Delaware corporation.

General Partner ” shall mean the general partner of the Borrower under, and pursuant to, the Partnership Agreement.

Guarantor ” shall mean each of the parties to this Agreement that is designated as a “Guarantor” on the signature page hereof and each other Person that joins this Agreement as a Guarantor after the date hereof, in each case, until such Person ceases to be a Guarantor in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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Guarantor Joinder ” shall mean a joinder by a Person as a Guarantor under the Loan Documents in the form of Exhibit 1.1(G)(1) .

Guaranty ” of any Person shall mean any obligation of such Person guarantying or in effect guarantying any liability or obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any agreement to indemnify or hold harmless any other Person, any performance bond or other suretyship arrangement and any other form of assurance against loss, including letters of credit issued for the account of Persons other than Loan Parties, except endorsement of negotiable or other instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. “ Guarantied ” shall have a correlative meaning.

Guaranty Agreement ” shall mean the Continuing Agreement of Guaranty and Suretyship in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(G)(2) executed and delivered by the Borrower and each of the Guarantors.

Hazardous Materials ” shall mean (i) any explosive substances or wastes and (ii) any chemicals, pollutants or contaminants, substances, materials or wastes, in any form, regulated under, or that could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law, including asbestos and asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea-formaldehyde insulation, mining waste (including tailings), gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any Coal Gas, coal ash, coal combustion by-products or waste, boiler slag, scrubber residue or flue desulphurization residue.

Hedging Obligations ” of any Person shall mean the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Swap Agreement.

Historical Statements ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.9(a) [Historical Statements].

Hydrocarbon Swap Agreement ” shall mean any cap, floor, collar, exchange transaction, hedging contract, forward contract, swap agreement, futures contract, call or put option or any other similar agreement or other exchange or protection agreement relating to Hydrocarbons or power or any other inputs in the production or processing processes for Hydrocarbons (specifically excluding contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business for the future sale and delivery of commodities, including but not limited to take-or-pay contracts).

Hydrocarbons ” shall mean coal, oil, natural gas, casing head gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, diesel, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

Immaterial Real Property ” shall mean Real Property with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate (for all Real Properties designated as Immaterial Real Properties) or $3,000,000 individually.

Immaterial Subsidiary ” shall mean as of any date, any Restricted Subsidiary that does not (i) have assets having an aggregate book value, as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal year of the Borrower, exceeding $1,000,000 or Consolidated Net Income exceeding $1,000,000 for the most recently ended fiscal year of the Borrower, in each case, that is certified in the Perfection Certificate delivered as of the Closing Date or shown in the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate; provided that, solely with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary that has been acquired or created by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries subsequent to the Closing Date or the most recently delivered Compliance

 

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Certificate, (x) the assets and Consolidated Net Income determinations set forth in clause (i) shall be made by the Borrower based on information concerning such Restricted Subsidiary that is reasonably available to the Borrower at the date of determination and (y) the certification referred to in clause (i) above may take the form of an Officer’s Certificate delivered to each Agent at any time during the fiscal year in which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired or created (as applicable) and subsequent to the Closing Date or the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate; provided , further , that if any of the thresholds in clause (i) would be exceeded, the Borrower shall give written notice to each Agent that Subsidiaries specified in such notice shall no longer be deemed Immaterial Subsidiaries so that none of the thresholds in clause (i) shall be exceeded; or (ii) directly or indirectly Guaranty or otherwise provide credit support for any Indebtedness of a Loan Party. For the avoidance of doubt, the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate in accordance with the first proviso to the immediately preceding sentence shall not be required to include a recertification with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries designated as Immaterial Subsidiaries in the Perfection Certificate delivered as of the Closing Date or as shown in the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate.

Indebtedness ” shall mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

(1) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of (a) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (b) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable;

(2) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;

(3) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property (which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of taking delivery of title to such property), including all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business);

(4) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (1) through (3) of this paragraph) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the first Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit);

(5) Hedging Obligations;

(6) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5) of this paragraph of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons with respect to Preferred Stock and Disqualified Stock for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guaranty; and

(7) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6) of this paragraph of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such first-mentioned Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such first-mentioned Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the Fair Market Value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured.

 

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The “amount” or “principal amount” of any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or other Preferred Stock outstanding at any time of determination as used herein shall be as set forth below or, if not set forth below, determined in accordance with GAAP:

(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness;

(3) in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and (b) the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person;

(4) in the case of any Capital Lease Obligation, the amount determined in accordance with the definition thereof;

(5) in the case of any Preferred Stock, (a) if other than Disqualified Stock, the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and its maximum fixed redemption price or repurchase price or (b) if Disqualified Stock, as specified in the definition thereof;

(6) in the case of any Swap Agreements permitted by Section 8.2.1(f) [Indebtedness], zero;

(7) in the case of all other unconditional obligations, the amount of the liability thereof determined in accordance with GAAP; and

(8) in the case of all other contingent obligations, the maximum liability at such date of such Person.

For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness, Guaranties of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such amount shall not also be included. If Indebtedness is secured by a letter of credit that serves only to secure such Indebtedness, then the total amount deemed incurred shall be equal to the greater of (a) the principal of such Indebtedness and (b) the amount that may be drawn under such letter of credit.

None of the following shall constitute Indebtedness:

(1) Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification or adjustment of purchase price or from Guaranties securing any obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Subsidiary of the Borrower, other than Guaranties or similar credit support by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

(2) obligations to pay accrued expenses, any trade payables or other similar liabilities to trade creditors and other accrued current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business as the deferred purchase price of property;

(3) any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person;

 

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(4) obligations to pay royalties and other amounts due in the ordinary course of business to royalty and working interest owners;

(5) obligations arising from Guaranties to suppliers, lessors, licensees, contractors, franchisees or customers incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(6) obligations (other than express Guaranties of Indebtedness for borrowed money) in respect of Indebtedness of other Persons arising in connection with (a) trade acceptances and (b) endorsements of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

(7) obligations arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such obligation is extinguished within two Business Days of its incurrence;

(8) obligations in respect of any obligations under workers’ compensation laws and similar legislation;

(9) any unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of FASB ASC 815);

(10) Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in customary amounts consistent with the operations and business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(11) any repayment or reimbursement obligation of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to Customary Recourse Exceptions, unless and until an event or circumstance occurs that triggers the Person’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s direct repayment or reimbursement obligation (as opposed to contingent or performance obligations) to the lender or other Person to whom such obligation is actually owed, in which case the amount of such direct payment or reimbursement obligation shall constitute Indebtedness; and

(12) earn-out obligations in respect of Consideration in an acquisition permitted hereunder until such obligations would be required to be reflected on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP ( provided that the amount of such earn-out obligations reflected on a balance sheet shall be counted in the Consideration at such time).

Indemnified Taxes ” shall mean (a) all Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a) above, all Other Taxes.

Indemnitee ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.3.2 [Indemnification by the Borrower].

Indemnity ” shall mean the Regulated Substances Certificate and Indemnity Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(I)(1) , executed and delivered by each of the Loan Parties to each Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Information ” shall mean all information received from the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries relating to the Loan Parties or any of such Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to an Agent or any Lender, as applicable, on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries.

 

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Insolvency Proceeding ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, (a) a case, action or proceeding with respect to such Person (i) before any court or any other Official Body under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar Law now or hereafter in effect, or (ii) for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or similar official) of any Loan Party or otherwise relating to the liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or relief of such Person, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, marshaling of assets for creditors, or other, similar arrangement in respect of such Person’s creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors undertaken under any Law.

Intercompany Subordination Agreement ” shall mean the Subordination Agreement among the Loan Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries, dated as of the Closing Date, in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(I)(2) , executed and delivered by the Loan Parties and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

Interest Rate Agreement ” shall mean any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement relating to fluctuations in interest rates.

Investment ” in any Person shall mean any (1) direct or indirect advance, loan or other extensions of credit (including by way of Guaranty or similar arrangement), or capital contribution to such Person (including any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others but excluding (a) advances to customers and contract miners or joint interest partners in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender, and (b) trade payables and extensions of trade credit on commercially reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade practices), (2) all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet or (3) any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar securities issued by such Person. Except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement, the amount of an Investment shall be its Fair Market Value at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value. If the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise Disposes of any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, or any Restricted Subsidiary issues any Capital Stock, in either case, such that, after giving effect to any such sale or Disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or other disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Capital Stock of and all other Investments in such Person retained.

For purposes of Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments] with respect to Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries:

(1) “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Borrower’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Borrower at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and upon a redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the aggregate amount of Investments outstanding under Section 8.2.4(h) [Loans and Investments] shall be reduced (but not below zero) by an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Borrower’s proportionate interest in such Subsidiary immediately following such redesignation; and

(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer.

IRS ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.

Joint Venture ” shall mean any Person that is not a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower in which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary makes any equity Investment.

 

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Labor Contracts ” shall mean all employment agreements, employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements and other agreements among the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and its employees.

Latest Maturity Date ” shall mean, at any date of determination, the latest Maturity Date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, including after giving effect to any Additional Credit Extension Amendment.

Law ” shall mean any law (including common law), constitution, statute, treaty, regulation, rule, ordinance, opinion, issued guidance, release, ruling, order, executive order, injunction, writ, decree, bond, judgment, authorization or approval, lien or award of or any settlement arrangement, by agreement, consent or otherwise, with any Official Body, foreign or domestic.

Lenders ” shall mean the lenders named on Schedule 1.1(B) and their respective successors and assigns as permitted hereunder or any other Person with a Commitment or Extended Commitment or, if the Commitments and Extended Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Exposure, each of which is referred to herein as a Lender.

Lien ” shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien, security interest, charge or other similar encumbrance or security arrangement of any nature whatsoever, whether voluntarily or involuntarily given, including any conditional sale or title retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of, security and any filed financing statement or other notice of any of the foregoing (whether or not a lien or other encumbrance is created or exists at the time of the filing), but shall not include any operating lease.

LLC Interests ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.3 [Subsidiaries].

Loan Documents ” shall mean this Agreement, the Collateral Agent’s Letter, the Guaranty Agreement, the Indemnity, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, the Notes, the Security Documents and amendments, supplements, joinders or assignments to the foregoing and any other instruments, certificates or documents (expressly excluding any Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product, any Specified Swap Agreements or any other Swap Agreements) delivered or contemplated to be delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, and Loan Document shall mean any of the Loan Documents.

Loan Parties ” shall mean the Borrower and the Guarantors.

Loan Request ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.5 [Loan Requests].

Loans ” shall mean the loans made to the Borrower under this Agreement.

Margin Stock Regulation ” shall mean Regulation U, T or X as promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended from time to time.

Material Acquisition/Disposition ” shall mean any Investment, Permitted Acquisition or Disposition that involves (a) an acquisition or disposition of assets, the Fair Market Value of which assets exceeds $25,000,000 or (b) a change in Consolidated EBITDA that exceeds $10,000,000 per four fiscal quarter period.

 

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Material Adverse Change ” shall mean any set of circumstances or events that (a) has or would reasonably be expected to have any material adverse effect whatsoever upon the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) is or would reasonably be expected to be material and adverse to the business, properties, assets, financial condition, or results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (c) impairs materially or would reasonably be expected to impair materially the ability of the Loan Parties taken as a whole to duly and punctually pay their Indebtedness under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (d) impairs materially or would reasonably be expected to impair materially the rights and remedies of any Agent or any of the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or, to the extent relating to any Collateral, any CEI Secured Party or (e) impairs materially or would reasonably be expected to impair materially the rights and remedies of any of the CEI Secured Parties in respect of the Loan Documents or the Collateral pursuant to any CEI Credit Document.

Material Contract ” shall mean any contract, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is or becomes party, the termination, breach or non-renewal of which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

Maturity Date ” shall mean (a) with respect to the Commitments and Loans, February 27, 2023 and (b) with respect to Extended Commitments, the maturity date applicable to such Extended Commitments.

Moody’s ” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

Mortgages ” shall mean collectively, (i) the mortgages or deeds of trust with respect to Real Property in which a security interest has been granted on the Closing Date (if any) and (ii) the mortgages or deeds of trust with respect to Real Property in which a security interest is granted after the Closing Date in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.1(M) , in each case, executed and delivered by the applicable Loan Parties to the Collateral Agent to secure the Obligations, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and “ Mortgage ” shall mean, individually, any of the Mortgages.

Multiemployer Plan ” shall mean any employee benefit plan which is a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or, within the preceding five plan years, has made or had an obligation to make such contributions or has any ongoing obligation with respect to withdrawal liability (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA).

Net Cash Proceeds ” shall mean, with respect to any Permitted Undivided Interests Sale, all cash proceeds received from such Permitted Undivided Interests Sale, net of reasonable and customary out-of-pocket legal, accounting, financial advisory and other similar professional and transactional fees and transfer and similar taxes of such Loan Party incurred in connection with such Permitted Undivided Interests Sale.

Non-Recourse Debt ” shall mean, with respect to Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture, Indebtedness:

(1) as to which neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, except for Customary Recourse Exceptions and except by the pledge of (or a Guaranty limited in recourse solely to) the Equity Interests of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture; and

 

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(2) as to which the lenders will not have any recourse to the Capital Stock or assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the Equity Interests of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture), except for Customary Recourse Exceptions.

Notes ” shall mean collectively and “ Note ” shall mean separately all the promissory notes of the Borrower in the form of Exhibit 1.1(N) evidencing the Loans.

Obligation ” shall mean any obligation or liability of any of the Loan Parties, howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due (including interest, fees, premiums and other monetary obligations accruing and/or incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), under or in connection with (i) this Agreement, the Loans, the Notes, the Collateral Agent’s Letter or any other Loan Document whether to any Agent, any of the Lenders or their respective Affiliates or other Persons provided for under such Loan Documents, (ii) any Specified Swap Agreement (other than, with respect to any Guarantor that is not a Qualified ECP Loan Party, Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor) or (iii) any Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product.

OFAC ” shall mean the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Officer’s Certificate ” shall mean a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower or an Authorized Officer of the General Partner acting on behalf of the Borrower.

Official Body ” shall mean the government of the United States of America or any other nation, or in each case any political subdivision thereof, whether state, local, county, provincial or otherwise, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank) and any group or body charged with setting financial accounting or regulatory capital rules or standards (including the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision or any successor or similar authority to any of the foregoing).

Operating Agreement ” shall mean the Pennsylvania Mining Complex Operating Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015 and amended prior to and as of the Closing Date, among the Co-Owners and the Operator; provided that if any Permitted Other Undivided Interest is acquired in a Permitted Acquisition, the operating agreement for such Permitted Other Undivided Interest shall also be included in the definition of “Operating Agreement.”

Operator ” shall mean the “Operator” under, and pursuant to, the Operating Agreement; provided that if any Permitted Other Undivided Interest is acquired in a Permitted Acquisition, the “operator” under, and pursuant to, the operating agreement for such Permitted Other Undivided Interest shall also be included in the definition of “Operator.”

Order ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.9.9(b) [Liability for Acts and Omissions].

Other Connection Taxes ” shall mean, with respect to any recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to and/or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Note or Loan Document).

 

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Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product ” shall mean agreements or other arrangements under which the Collateral Agent, any CEI Agent, any CEI Lender or Affiliate of the Collateral Agent, any CEI Agent or any CEI Lender (or any Person that was the Collateral Agent, a CEI Agent or a CEI Lender or Affiliate of the Collateral Agent, a CEI Agent or a CEI Lender at the time such agreement or arrangement was entered into) provides any of the following products or services to any of the Loan Parties: (a) credit cards, (b) credit card processing services, (c) debit cards, (d) purchase cards, (e) ACH transactions, (f) cash management, including controlled disbursement, accounts or services, or (g) foreign currency exchange.

Other Taxes ” shall mean all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment.

Participating Member State ” shall mean any member State of the European Communities that adopts or has adopted the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Community relating to Economic and Monetary Union.

Partnership Agreement ” shall mean the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Borrower, dated as of September 30, 2016, among the General Partner, GasCo and the other parties thereto.

Partnership Interests ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.3 [Subsidiaries].

Payment Date ” shall mean the first Business Day of each calendar quarter after the date hereof and on the Maturity Date for the applicable Loans or Commitments or upon termination of the Commitments.

Payment In Full ” and “ Paid in Full ” shall mean the payment in full in cash of the Loans and other Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations not then due) under the Loan Documents and termination of the Commitments.

PBGC ” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA or any successor.

Pennsylvania Mining Complex ” shall mean those certain coal mines in Greene and Washington Counties, Pennsylvania and Marshall County, West Virginia, commonly known as the Bailey Mine, the Enlow Fork Mine, the Harvey Mine, and the related preparation plant commonly known as the Bailey preparation plant.

Pension Funding Rules ” shall mean the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in Sections 412 and 430 of the Code and Sections 302 and 303 of ERISA.

 

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Pension Plan ” shall mean any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or the Pension Funding Rules and is sponsored or maintained by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or to which Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any times during the immediately preceding five plan years.

Perfection Certificate ” shall mean a certificate in the form of Exhibit 1.1(P)(1) or any other form reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent.

Perfection Certificate Supplement ” shall mean a certificate supplement in the form of Exhibit 1.1(P)(2) or any other form reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent.

Permitted Acquisition ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.2.6(b) [Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions].

Permitted Business ” shall mean the businesses conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Transactions) and any activity that is ancillary or complementary to or necessary or desirable for, or otherwise reasonably related to, such businesses. For the avoidance of doubt, ownership and operation of the Specified Other Asset shall be a Permitted Business.

Permitted Liens ” shall mean:

(1) Liens existing on the Closing Date and described on Schedule 8.2.2 ;

(2) Liens securing the Obligations in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties;

(3) [Reserved];

(4) Liens in favor of (a) the Borrower or a Guarantor or (b) by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor in favor of any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor;

(5) Liens on Collateral securing obligations in respect of Specified Junior Obligations; provided that such Liens shall be subordinated to the Liens on Collateral securing the Obligations pursuant to an intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents and the CEI Agents;

(6) Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges not yet delinquent or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, promptly instituted and diligently conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been established to the extent required by GAAP as in effect at such time, and which proceedings (or orders entered in connection with such proceedings) have the effect of suspending the enforcement or collection of such Liens;

(7) Liens incurred to secure appeal bonds and judgment Liens not constituting an Event of Default or Potential Default, in each case in connection with litigation or legal proceedings that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

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(8) Liens upon real or personal property other than the Collateral, including any attachment of personal property or real property or other legal process prior to adjudication of a dispute on the merits, (a) if the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently conducted so long as levy and execution thereon have been stayed or bonded and continue to be stayed or bonded, (b) if a final judgment is entered and such judgment is discharged within thirty (30) days of entry, or (c) the payment of which is covered in full (subject to customary deductible) by insurance;

(9) inchoate Liens arising by operation of law;

(10) Liens securing Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings, equipment leases, purchase money obligations or other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2.1(e) [Indebtedness]; provided that such Liens shall attach only to the property (a) acquired with the proceeds of such Indebtedness or (b) which is the subject of such Capital Lease Obligations;

(11) [Reserved];

(12) Liens on the Equity Interests of a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary to secure obligations of such Person;

(13) claims, Liens or encumbrances upon, and defects of title to, real or personal property, including any attachment of personal or real property or real property or other legal process prior to adjudication of a dispute on the merits, (a) if the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently conducted so long as levy and execution thereon have been stayed and continue to be stayed, (b) if a final judgment is entered and such judgment is discharged within thirty (30) days of entry, or (c) the payment of which is covered in full (subject to customary deductible) by insurance;

(14) precautionary filings under the UCC by a lessor with respect to personal property leased to such Person;

(15) Liens on insurance policies and proceeds thereof, or other deposits, to secure insurance premium financings;

(16) Liens on Qualified Receivables Assets in connection with a Qualified Receivable Transaction;

(17) Liens on cash or Temporary Cash Investments arising in connection with the defeasance, discharge or redemption of Indebtedness permitted hereunder;

(18) [Reserved];

(19) other Liens not otherwise permitted hereunder with respect to Indebtedness or other obligations that do not in the aggregate exceed at any one time outstanding the greater of (i) $10,000,000 and (ii) 2.0% of CTA at such time;

(20) Liens to renew, extend, refinance or refund a Lien referred to in clause (1) above; provided that (i) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property (including future improvements thereon and accessions thereto) subject to the original Lien and (ii) the obligations secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the amount permitted by Refinancing Indebtedness;

(21) statutory and common law banker’s Liens and rights of setoff on bank deposits;

 

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(22) option agreements and rights of first refusal granted with respect to assets that are permitted to be Disposed of pursuant to the terms of Section 8.2.7 [Dispositions];

(23) [Reserved];

(24) any leases of assets permitted by Section 8.2.7 [Dispositions];

(25) [Reserved];

(26) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary use of such property;

(27) pledges, deposits or bonds made in the ordinary course of business to secure payment of reclamation liabilities or workers’ compensation, or to participate in any fund in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security programs (including pledges or deposits of cash securing letters of credit that secure payment of such workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security programs);

(28) Liens of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen, carriers, or other like Liens (including any other statutory nonconsensual or common law Liens), securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business that are not yet due and payable and Liens of landlords securing obligations to pay lease payments that are not yet due and payable or in default (including pledges or deposits of cash securing letters of credit that secure such Liens of landlords securing obligations to make lease payments that are not yet due and payable or in default) or, with respect to any of the foregoing, that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP and which proceedings (or orders entered in connection with such proceedings) have the effect of suspending the enforcement or collection of such Liens;

(29) good-faith pledges or deposits made or other Liens granted in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or leases, not in excess of the aggregate amount due thereunder or other amounts as may be customary, or to secure statutory obligations, or surety, appeal, indemnity, performance or other similar bonds required in the ordinary course of business (including pledges or deposits of cash securing letters of credit that secure such performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or leases, not in excess of the aggregate amount due thereunder or other amounts as may be customary, or that secure such statutory obligations, or such surety, appeal, indemnity, performance or other similar bonds required in the ordinary course of business);

(30) Liens on cash and Temporary Cash Investments securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 8.2.1(f) [Indebtedness] in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any one time outstanding; and

(31) deposits and escrows of cash pursuant to customary purchase price adjustment, indemnity or similar obligations under agreements related to acquisitions and Dispositions permitted hereunder.

 

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Permitted Other Undivided Interests ” shall mean undivided co-ownership interests in the Specified Other Asset; provided that (i) a Loan Party shall be the operator of the Specified Other Asset on terms and conditions substantially similar to those set forth in the Operating Agreement, (ii) the Loan Parties shall have the benefit of services substantially similar to those set forth in the Employee Services Agreement, and (iii) the material contracts related to such undivided co-ownership interests shall not restrict the ability of the Loan Parties to pledge and collaterally assign their interests in such material contracts to secure the Obligations and any refinancings thereof and will not prohibit the other co-owners from pledging and collaterally assigning their interest in such material contracts to secure such co-owners’ obligations under the CEI Credit Documents.

Permitted Undivided Interests Sale ” shall mean (i) in the case of the Pennsylvania Mining Complex, a sale that results in the CEI Loan Parties owning a higher percentage of the Undivided Interests and the Loan Parties owning a lower percentage of the Undivided Interests and (ii) in the case of the Specified Other Asset, a sale that results in the CEI Loan Parties owning a higher percentage of the Permitted Other Undivided Interests and the Loan Parties owning a lower percentage of the Permitted Other Undivided Interests; provided that in the case of both clauses (i) and (ii): (a) not less than 75% of the consideration therefor shall consist of cash and is received by a Loan Party, (b) such Disposition is for Fair Market Value, (c) the proceeds of such Disposition are applied in accordance with Section 5.6.3(b) [Mandatory Prepayments], (d) no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing or would result therefrom, (e) after giving effect to such Disposition, the Borrower shall be in compliance with the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis and (f) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Agents prior to such Disposition a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower certifying as to compliance with the requirements of this definition and setting forth in reasonable detail calculations of compliance with the Financial Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis.

Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, joint venture, Official Body, or any other entity.

Pledged Securities ” shall mean all of the property described as “Pledged Securities” in the Security Agreement.

Pledgor ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Security Agreement.

PNC ” shall mean PNC Bank, National Association, its successors and assigns.

Potential Default ” shall mean any event or condition which with notice or passage of time, or any combination of the foregoing, would constitute an Event of Default.

Preferred Stock ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of such Person of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

Principal Office ” shall mean the main banking office or chief executive office of the Administrative Agent or as otherwise designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time.

Pro Forma Basis ” shall mean:

(1) any Material Acquisition/Disposition and any dividend or distribution on, or repurchases or redemptions of, Capital Stock of the Borrower made or to be made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary during the applicable reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the date of determination will be given pro forma effect as if it had occurred on the first day of the applicable reference period;

 

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(2) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the date of determination will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such reference period;

(3) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the date of determination will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such reference period;

(4) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to incurrences and repayments of Indebtedness (other than ordinary course working capital borrowings and repayments under revolving credit facilities) during the applicable reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the date of determination to the extent in connection with any transaction referred to in clause (1) above as if it had occurred on the first day of the applicable reference period; and

(5) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the calculation date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account the effect on such interest rate of any Specified Swap Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness).

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and in a manner consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, as set forth in a certificate of a Authorized Officer of the Borrower (with supporting calculations) and reasonably acceptable to the CEI Agents. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility (to the extent required to be computed on a pro forma basis) shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Borrower may designate.

Properties ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.25(b) [Environmental Matters].

PTE ” shall mean a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Qualified ECP Loan Party ” shall mean each Loan Party that on the Eligibility Date is (a) an Eligible Contract Participant (after giving effect to Section 22 of the Guaranty Agreement and any and all other Guaranties of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by the Borrower and any other Guarantor), or (b) an Eligible Contract Participant that can cause another Person to qualify as an Eligible Contract Participant on the Eligibility Date under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act by entering into or otherwise providing a “letter of credit or keepwell, support, or other agreement” for purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Qualified Receivables Assets ” shall mean Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Related Security and proceeds of such Receivables and Related Security that are customarily transferred or in which security interests are granted in connection with asset securitization or factoring transactions involving Receivables.

 

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Qualified Receivables Transaction ” shall mean any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in which the Borrower or any such Subsidiary may sell, contribute, convey or otherwise transfer to CEI or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the CEI Credit Agreement) any Qualified Receivables Assets (for further sale, contribution, conveyance or other transfer by CEI or its Restricted Subsidiaries to a Receivables Subsidiary (as defined in the CEI Credit Agreement)), including any granting of a security interest in such Qualified Receivables Assets, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Specified Receivables Transaction (as defined in the CEI Credit Agreement).

Ratable Share ” shall mean the proportion that a Lender’s Commitment bears to the Commitments of all of the Lenders. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Ratable Shares shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.

Real Property ” shall mean, individually as the context requires, real property that is owned or leased by any Loan Party, including, but not limited to, the surface, Coal, methane gas and other mineral rights, interests and coal leases associated with such property, and “ Real Properties ” shall mean, collectively, as the context requires, all of the foregoing.

Receivable Contract ” shall mean, with respect to any Receivable, any and all contracts, instruments, agreements, leases, invoices, notes or other writings pursuant to which such Receivable arises or that evidence such Receivable or under which the Person obligated to make payments pursuant to such contracts, instruments, agreements, leases, invoices, notes or other writings relating to such Receivable becomes or is obligated to make payment in respect of such Receivable.

Receivables ” shall mean any right to payment of a monetary obligation, whether or not earned by performance, owed to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, whether constituting an account, as-extracted collateral, chattel paper, payment intangible, instrument or general intangible, in each instance arising in connection with the sale of goods that have been or are to be sold or for services rendered or to be rendered by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and includes the obligation to pay any finance charges, fees and other charges with respect thereto. Any such right to payment arising from any one transaction, including any such right to payment represented by an individual invoice or agreement, shall constitute a Receivable separate from a Receivable consisting of any such right to payment arising from any other transaction.

Refinance ” shall mean, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, replace, defease or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness. “ Refinanced ” and “ Refinancing ” shall have correlative meanings.

Refinancing Indebtedness ” shall mean Indebtedness that Refinances any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Closing Date or incurred in compliance with this Agreement, including Indebtedness that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that:

(1) such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

(2) such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

 

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(3) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an aggregate principal amount (or if incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding (plus fees and expenses, including any premium and defeasance costs) under the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

(4) if the refinanced Indebtedness was (A) subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations or the Guaranties thereof, as the case may be, then such Refinancing Indebtedness, by its terms, is subordinate in right of payment to the Obligations or the Guaranties thereof, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being Refinanced or (B) secured by a Lien on Collateral that was contractually junior to the Lien on such Collateral securing the Obligations, then such Refinancing Indebtedness may be secured by such Collateral only to the extent the Liens on such Collateral securing such Refinancing Indebtedness are contractually junior to the Liens on such Collateral securing the Obligations to at least the same extent as in the Indebtedness being Refinanced; and

(5) if the refinanced Indebtedness is purchase money obligations, (a) the holders of such Refinancing Indebtedness agree that they will look solely to the fixed assets so acquired which secure such Refinancing Indebtedness, and neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary (i) is directly or indirectly liable for such Refinancing Indebtedness or (ii) provides credit support, including any undertaking, Guaranty, agreement or instrument, related to such Refinancing Indebtedness that would constitute Indebtedness (other than the grant of a Lien on such acquired fixed assets) and (b) no default or event of default with respect to such Refinancing Indebtedness would cause, or permit (after notice or passage of time or otherwise), any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Guarantor to declare a default or event of default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to any scheduled principal payment, scheduled sinking fund payment or maturity;

provided further , however , that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include:

(a) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of the Borrower;

(b) Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that Refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

(c) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party which Refinances Indebtedness of a Loan Party.

Register ” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 11.8.3.

Regulation U ” shall mean Regulation U, T or X as promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended from time to time.

Related Parties ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, trustees, administrators, managers and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Related Security ” shall mean, with respect to any Receivable subject to a Qualified Receivables Transaction:

 

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(1) all of the Loan Parties’ interests in any goods (including returned goods), and documentation of title evidencing the shipment or storage of any goods (including returned goods), relating to any sale giving rise to such Receivable,

(2) all instruments and chattel paper that may evidence such Receivable,

(3) all other security interests or liens and property subject thereto from time to time purporting to secure payment of such Receivable, whether pursuant to the contract related to such Receivable or otherwise, together with all UCC financing statements or similar filings relating thereto,

(4) all of the Loan Parties’ rights, interests and claims under the contracts and all guaranties, indemnities, insurance and other agreements (including the related contract) or arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of such Receivable or otherwise relating to such Receivable, whether pursuant to the contract related to such Receivable or otherwise;

(5) all books and records of the Loan Parties to the extent related to any of the foregoing, and all rights, remedies, powers, privileges, title and interest (but not obligations) in and to each lockbox account and collection account used solely for depositing proceeds of such Receivables, and any related investment property acquired with any such proceeds (as such term is defined in the applicable UCC); and

(6) all proceeds (as defined in the UCC) of any of the foregoing that are or were received by any Loan Party, including all funds which either are received by a Loan Party from or on behalf of the Person(s) obligated to make payments pursuant to the Receivable Contract relating to such Receivable in payment of any amounts owed (including invoice price, finance charges, interest and all other charges) in respect of any of the above Receivables or are applied to such amounts owed by such Person(s) (including any insurance payments that any Loan Party applies in the ordinary course of its business to amounts owed in respect of any of the above Receivables, and net proceeds of sale or other disposition of repossessed goods or other collateral or property of such Person(s) in respect of any of the above Receivables or any other parties directly or indirectly liable for payment of such Receivables).

Release ” shall mean any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharge, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing into or migration into or through the Environment, or into, from or through any building or structure.

Replacement Exercise of Remedies ” shall mean the exercise of remedies under (i) Section 9.2 [Consequences of Event of Default], (ii) Section 9.2 of the CEI Credit Agreement or (iii) a CEI Credit Document with respect to the collateral granted under a CEI Credit Document, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), only if such exercise of remedies includes an exercise of remedies with respect to the CEI Secured Parties’ interest in the Loan Documents or any of the Collateral.

Reportable Compliance Event ” shall mean that any Covered Entity becomes a Sanctioned Person, or is charged by indictment, criminal complaint or similar charging instrument, arraigned, or custodially detained in connection with any Anti-Terrorism Law or any predicate crime to any Anti-Terrorism Law, or has knowledge of facts or circumstances to the effect that it is reasonably likely that any aspect of its operations is in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

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Reportable Event ” shall mean a reportable event described in Section 4043 of ERISA or regulations thereunder with respect to a Pension Plan.

Required Debt Terms ” shall mean, in respect of any Indebtedness, any such Indebtedness shall:

(1) not have any obligors (primary or contingent) other than a Loan Party;

(2) be unsecured or, if secured, shall be secured solely by Liens on Collateral granted pursuant to clause (5) of the definition of “Permitted Liens;”

(3) have a Stated Maturity after the Latest Maturity Date at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness and have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the then-remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Commitments;

(4) not contain covenants that are more restrictive, when taken as a whole, than the covenants under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (it being understood that this Agreement and/or the other Loan Documents may be amended without consent of the Lenders or any Agent (so long as the form of such amendment is reasonably satisfactory to the Agents and the CEI Agents) to add such more restrictive provisions but not in a manner more restrictive than the comparable provisions in the CEI Credit Documents unless approved by the CEI Agents in their reasonable discretion);

(5) not have any mandatory prepayment or requirements to offer to purchase (other than (a) customary mandatory prepayments or offers to purchase with proceeds of asset sales; provided that such proceeds are used first to repay the Loans and simultaneously, permanently terminate an equivalent amount of Commitments, subject to exceptions and other types of mandatory prepayments or offers approved by the CEI Agents in their reasonable discretion, (b) any mandatory prepayment or requirements to offer to purchase arising solely because the holders of the applicable Indebtedness have the right to require the borrower thereunder to repurchase such Indebtedness upon the occurrence of a change of control if the definitive documentation in respect of such Indebtedness provides that the issuer thereof will not require any such prepayment or offer to purchase prior to the repayment in full of the Obligations (other than unasserted contingent obligations) and termination of the Commitments and (c) mandatory prepayments in the amount by which loans outstanding under a facility exceed the commitments thereunder); and

(6) not have (x) an All-In Yield in excess of 15% per annum or (y) cash interest rate higher than 12% per annum.

Required Flood Materials ” shall mean, at any time of determination, with respect to each Real Property that is improved with a Building and is subject to a Mortgage at such time, or is the subject of a Mortgage to be delivered at such time, (i) a “Life-of-Loan” flood hazard determination with respect to such Real Property and (ii) if such Real Property is located in a special flood hazard area, (a) a notification to the Borrower of that fact and evidence of the receipt by the Borrower of such notice and (b) evidence of flood insurance on such Real Property that complies with Section 8.1.3 [Maintenance of Insurance].

Required Lenders ” shall mean Lenders having more than 50% of the aggregate amount of the Commitments and Extended Commitments of the Lenders or, after the termination of the Commitments and Extended Commitments, the outstanding Loans of the Lenders.

 

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Required Permits ” shall mean all permits, licenses, authorizations, plans, approvals and bonds necessary under the applicable Laws for the Loan Parties to continue to conduct coal mining and related operations on, in or under such parties’ real property, and any and all other mining properties owned or leased by the Borrower or any such Loan Party (collectively “ Mining Property ”) substantially in the manner as such operations had been authorized immediately prior to such Loan Party’s acquisition of its interests in such real property and as may be necessary for such Loan Party to conduct, in all material respects, coal mining and related operations on, in or under the Mining Property as described in any plan of operation.

Responsible Officer ” shall mean each of the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer, chief administrative officer, general counsel, secretary, treasurer and assistant treasurer of each Loan Party or of the General Partner acting on behalf of such Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party or of the General Partner acting on behalf of a Loan Party or Loan Parties shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

Restricted Payment ” shall mean:

(1) the declaration or payment of any dividends or any other distributions of any sort in respect of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) or similar payment to the direct or indirect holders of such Equity Interests, other than:

(a) dividends or distributions payable solely in Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock);

(b) dividends or distributions payable solely to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary; and

(c) pro rata dividends or other distributions made by a Restricted Subsidiary to minority stockholders (or owners of an equivalent interest in the case of a Subsidiary that is an entity other than a corporation);

(2) the purchase, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary held by any other Person (other than any acquisition or retirement for value from, or payment to, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary); or

(3) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment of any Specified Junior Obligations (other than any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary).

Restricted Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

S&P ” shall mean Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business, and any successor thereto.

 

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Sanctioned Country ” shall mean a country, territory or region subject to a sanctions program maintained under any Anti-Terrorism Law.

Sanctioned Person ” shall mean any individual person, group, regime, entity or thing listed or otherwise recognized as a specially designated, prohibited, sanctioned or debarred person, group, regime, entity or thing, or subject to any limitations or prohibitions (including but not limited to the blocking of property or rejection of transactions), under any Anti-Terrorism Law.

SEC ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Official Body succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Secured Parties ” shall mean collectively, the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the other Indemnitees (but only in respect of each Indemnitee’s rights under Section 11.3 [Indemnification]) and any provider of a Specified Swap Agreement or Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product.

Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933.

Security Agreement ” shall mean the Security Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, executed and delivered by each of the Loan Parties to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Security Documents ” shall mean, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Mortgages, any intercreditor agreement entered into pursuant to clause (5) of the definition of “Permitted Liens,” and each other security document or pledge agreement delivered in accordance with applicable local Law to grant a valid, perfected security interest in any property as Collateral for the Obligations, and all UCC or other financing statements or instruments of perfection required by this Agreement or any other such security document or pledge agreement to be filed with respect to the security interests in property and fixtures created pursuant to any document or instrument utilized to pledge or grant or purport to pledge or grant a security interest or lien on any property as Collateral for the Obligations, and amendments, supplements or joinders to the foregoing.

Solvent ” shall mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, taking into account such right of reimbursement, contribution or similar right available to such Person from other Persons, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged, and (e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

Specified Junior Obligations ” means any Indebtedness incurred or outstanding pursuant to Section 8.2.1(d) [Indebtedness].

 

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Specified Leased Properties ” shall mean any Real Property leased by a Loan Party for which the lease requires consent from the landlord in order for such Loan Party to grant a first priority lien, security interest and assignment in its leasehold interest therein.

Specified Other Asset ” shall mean the Baltimore Dock Facility.

Specified Swap Agreement ” shall mean any Swap Agreement entered into for the purpose of hedging risk between (a) any Loan Party and (b) any counterparty that is, or was at the Closing Date or at the time such Swap Agreement was entered into, the Collateral Agent, a CEI Agent, a CEI Lender or an Affiliate of an entity that is the Collateral Agent, a CEI Agent or a CEI Lender.

Spin-Off ” shall mean the distribution of the shares of common stock of CEI to the stockholders of GasCo in a spin-off transaction consummated substantially in the manner described in the Form 10.

Stated Maturity ” shall mean, with respect to any Indebtedness, the maturity date (or specified date on which the final payment of principal on such Indebtedness is due) applicable thereto including as such maturity date (or specified date) may be changed to an earlier date pursuant to the provisions of the documents governing such Indebtedness including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such Indebtedness at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).

Subordinated Obligation ” shall mean any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Closing Date or thereafter incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to, in the case of the Borrower, the Obligations or, in the case of a Guarantor, its Guaranty of the Obligations pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:

(1) such Person;

(2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or

(3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

Subsidiary Shares ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.3 [Subsidiaries].

Swap ” shall mean any “swap” as defined in Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act and regulations thereunder, other than (a) a swap entered into, or subject to the rules of, a board of trade designated as a contract market under Section 5 of the Commodity Exchange Act, or (b) a commodity option entered into pursuant to Commodity Futures Trading Commission Regulation 32.3(a).

Swap Agreement ” shall mean (i) any Interest Rate Agreement, (ii) any Currency Agreement, (iii) any Hydrocarbon Swap Agreement or (iv) any cap, floor, collar, exchange transaction, hedging contract, forward contract, swap agreement, futures contract, call or put option or any other similar agreement or other exchange or protection agreement relating to commodity prices, securities prices or financial market conditions.

 

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Swap Obligation ” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a Swap.

Taxes ” shall mean all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Official Body, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto. “ Taxation ” shall have a correlative meaning.

Temporary Cash Investments ” shall mean any of the following:

(1) any Investment in direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof, in each case maturing not later than one year following acquisition thereof;

(2) Investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States, and which bank or trust company has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $250.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which is rated “A-” (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a registered broker dealer or mutual fund distributor whose assets consist of obligations of the types described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of this definition;

(3) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (1) of this definition entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (2) of this definition;

(4) Investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than 180 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a Person (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of “P-2” (or higher) according to Moody’s or “A-2” (or higher) according to S&P or “R-1” (or higher) by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited or Canadian Bond Rating Service, Inc. (in the case of a Canadian issuer);

(5) Investments in securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least “A” by S&P or “A-2” by Moody’s;

(6) Investments in asset-backed securities maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof with a long-term rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of “A” (or higher) by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited or Canadian Bond Rating Service, Inc. (in the case of a Canadian issuer);

(7) obligations of any foreign government or obligations that possess a guaranty of the full faith and credit of any foreign government maturing not later than one year after acquisition thereof;

 

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(8) obligations of United States government-sponsored enterprises, Federal agencies, and Federal financing banks that are not otherwise authorized including, but not limited to, (i) United States government-sponsored enterprises such as instrumentalities of the Federal Credit System (Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Land Banks), Federal Home Loan Banks and Federal National Mortgage Association and (ii) Federal agencies such as instrumentalities of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association), Export-Import Bank, Farmers Home Administration and Tennessee Valley Authority, in each case maturing not later than one year following acquisition thereof;

(9) debt obligations (other than commercial paper obligations) of domestic or foreign corporations maturing not later than one year after acquisition thereof;

(10) preferred stock obligations with a floating rate dividend that is reset periodically at auction maturing not later than one year after acquisition thereof;

(11) Investments in repurchase agreements collateralized by any of the above securities eligible for outright purchase; provided that the collateral is delivered to a bank custody account in accordance with the terms of a written repurchase agreement with a dealer or bank; and

(12) Investments in shares of institutional mutual funds whose investment policies are essentially in agreement with the type and criteria for Investments otherwise set forth in this definition,

provided that Investments described in clauses (7) through (12) of this definition are restricted to obligations rated no lower than “A3” or “P-1” by Moody’s or “A-” or “A-1” by S&P.

Threshold Amount ” shall mean $25,000,000.

Total Net Leverage Ratio ” shall mean, as of any date, the ratio of (without duplication), (A)(x) Consolidated Indebtedness as of such date minus (y) the lesser of (1) Cash on Hand as of such date and (2) $10,000,000 to (B) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of four fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended on or prior to the date of determination.

Transactions ” shall mean, collectively, (1) the Spin-Off, (2) the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents to be entered into as of the Closing Date by the parties thereto, (3) the Closing Date Refinancing and Releases, (4) the borrowing of Loans under this Agreement to be made on the Closing Date and (5) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing.

UCP ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.11.1 [Governing Law].

Undivided Interests ” shall mean the undivided co-ownership interests in the Pennsylvania Mining Complex.

Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in each applicable jurisdiction or other applicable Law entitled to all the rights, benefits and priorities provided by the Uniform Commercial Code or such Law.

United States Tax Compliance Certificate ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.8.5(b)(i)(C) [Status of Lenders].

 

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Unrestricted Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 8.2.3 [Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries]; provided that in no event shall (i) the Operator or (ii) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that owns (x) Equity Interests in the Operator or (y) any Undivided Interest, in any case, be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary. All Subsidiaries of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall also be Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

USA PATRIOT Act ” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.

Usage ” shall mean at any time the sum of the outstanding Loans.

Voting Stock ” of a Person shall mean all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” shall mean, when applied to any Indebtedness (or commitment therefor) at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, required commitment reduction or termination, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment or commitment reduction or termination; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” of any specified Person shall mean a Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Equity Interests or other ownership interest of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) will at that time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” shall mean, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

1.2 Construction .

Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise clearly requires, the following rules of construction shall apply to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents: (i) references to the plural include the singular, the plural, the part and the whole and the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”; (ii) the words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereto” and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document as a whole; (iii) article, section, subsection, clause, schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement or other Loan Document, as the case may be, unless otherwise specified; (iv) reference to any Person includes such Person’s permitted successors and assigns; (v) unless otherwise provided, reference to any agreement, including this Agreement and any other Loan Document together with the schedules and exhibits hereto or thereto, document or instrument, order, declaration, understanding or other arrangement means such agreement, document, instrument, order, declaration, understanding or other arrangement as amended, restated, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed,

 

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refunded, superseded, substituted for, replaced, refinanced or increased in whole or in part, from time to time, to the extent not prohibited hereunder; (vi) any reference to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such Law and any reference to any Law shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such Law as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time; (vii) relative to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including,” “to” means “to but excluding,” and “through” means “through and including”; (viii) 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; (ix) section headings herein and in each other Loan Document are included for convenience and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or such Loan Document; (x) unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time and (xi) references to the “date hereof” or “date of this Agreement” shall be to the Closing Date.

1.3 Accounting Principles .

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all computations and determinations as to accounting or financial matters and all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be made and prepared in accordance with GAAP (including principles of consolidation where appropriate), and all accounting or financial terms shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms by GAAP; provided , however , that all accounting terms used in Section 8.2 [Negative Covenants] (and all defined terms used in the definition of any accounting term used in Section 8.2 [Negative Covenants] shall have the meaning given to such terms (and defined terms) under GAAP as in effect on the date hereof applied on a basis consistent with those used in preparing the Historical Statements referred to in Section 6.9(a) [Historical Statements]. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the CEI Agents, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Agents and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

1.4 Valuations .

Whenever this Agreement requires the determination of the monetary value of “other consideration,” a Guaranty, “other obligations” or an Investment and the computation method to determine such monetary value is not already addressed by GAAP, (i) the monetary value of “other consideration” or an Investment of tangible property shall be calculated as the Fair Market Value of such consideration or tangible property, (ii) the monetary value of any Guaranty at any time of a fixed monetary obligation shall be the amount of such fixed monetary obligation at such time, (iii) the monetary value of any Guaranty of a fixed stream of monetary obligations at any time shall be the present value of the remaining amounts of such stream of monetary obligations at such time discounted at a rate equal to the Borrower’s cost of funds at such time, (iv) the monetary value of a Guaranty of performance or of contingent liabilities at any time shall be the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, represent the amount which would reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured monetary obligation or liability of the Person making such Guaranty determined by such Person in good faith, or (v) the monetary value of “other obligations,” contingent or otherwise, at any time shall be the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, represent the amount which would reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured monetary obligation or liability of the Person who is obligated for such “other obligations.”

 

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1.5 Pro Forma Financial Covenant Compliance .

Whenever compliance with a Financial Covenant is required to be made on a Pro Forma Basis for determining the permissibility of any action, or the level of such Financial Covenant is used in reference to a test or covenant hereunder (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of determining actual compliance with Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants]), if such compliance is required prior to a date on which a Financial Covenant in Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants] is in effect, the level for such Financial Covenant when it is first in effect shall be used in determining such compliance or whether such test or covenant is satisfied.

2. LOAN FACILITIES

2.1 Loan Commitments .

Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Lender severally agrees to make Loans to the Borrower at any time or from time to time on or after the date hereof to the Maturity Date; provided that after giving effect to each such Loan, (i) such Lender’s Exposure shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment and (ii) the Usage shall not exceed the Commitments. Within such limits of time and amount and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow pursuant to this Section 2.1 [Loan Commitments].

2.2 Nature of Lenders Obligations with Respect to Loans .

Each Lender shall be obligated to participate in each request for Loans pursuant to Section 2.5 [Loan Requests] in accordance with its Ratable Share. The obligations of each Lender hereunder are several. The failure of any Lender to perform its obligations hereunder shall not affect the Obligations of the Borrower to any other party nor shall any other party be liable for the failure of such Lender to perform its obligations hereunder. The Lenders shall have no obligation to make Loans hereunder on or after the Maturity Date.

2.3 Commitment Fees .

Accruing from the date hereof until the Maturity Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender, as consideration for such Lender’s Commitment hereunder, a nonrefundable commitment fee (the “ Commitment Fee ”) equal to the Commitment Fee Rate (computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed) on the average daily difference between the amount of (a) such Lender’s Commitment as the same may be constituted from time to time and (b) such Lender’s Exposure; provided , however , that any Commitment Fee accrued with respect to the Commitment of a Defaulting Lender during the period prior to the time such Lender became a Defaulting Lender and unpaid at such time shall not be payable by the Borrower so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender except to the extent that such Commitment Fee shall otherwise have been due and payable by the Borrower prior to such time; and provided further that no Commitment Fee shall accrue with respect to the Commitment of a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender. All Commitment Fees shall be payable in arrears on each Payment Date.

2.4 Voluntary Commitment Reduction .

(a) The Borrower shall have the right any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty, upon three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent to permanently reduce, in whole multiples of $1,000,000, or terminate the Commitments; provided that any

 

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such reduction or termination shall be accompanied by (i) the payment in full of any Commitment Fee then accrued on the amount of such reduction or termination and (ii) the prepayment of the Loans, together with the full amount of interest accrued on the principal sum to be prepaid, to the extent that the Usage exceeds the Commitment as so reduced or terminated; and provided further that the Commitments may not be reduced below the Usage. Each reduction of Commitments shall ratably reduce the Commitments of the Lenders, except as otherwise provided in an Additional Credit Extension Amendment as permitted in the definition of “Class.” From the effective date of any such reduction or termination, the obligations of the Borrower to pay the Commitment Fee pursuant to Section 2.3 [Commitment Fees] shall correspondingly be reduced or cease.

(b) All voluntary commitment reduction notices shall be irrevocable, except that any notice of voluntary commitment reduction may state that such notice is conditional upon the consummation of a financing transaction, in which case such notice of voluntary commitment reduction may be revoked or delayed by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified date of reduction) if such condition is not satisfied.

2.5 Loan Requests .

Except as otherwise provided herein, subject to the notice requirements set forth in this Section 2.5 and the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may from time to time prior to the Maturity Date request the Lenders to make Loans by delivering to the Administrative Agent, not later than 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day prior to the proposed Borrowing Date, a duly completed request therefor substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.5 or a request by telephone immediately confirmed in writing in such form and delivered by facsimile or email (in “pdf,” “tif” or similar format) (each, a “ Loan Request ”); it being understood that the Administrative Agent may rely on the authority of any individual making such a telephonic request without the necessity of receipt of such written confirmation (but for the avoidance of doubt, such written confirmation shall nonetheless still be required to be so delivered as otherwise set forth in this sentence). Each Loan Request shall be irrevocable and shall specify or certify, as applicable (i) the proposed Borrowing Date and (ii) the aggregate amount of the proposed Loans comprising such Borrowing Tranche, which amount shall be in an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $500,000.

2.6 Making and Repayment of Loans .

2.6.1 Making Loans .

The Administrative Agent shall, promptly after receipt by it of a Loan Request pursuant to Section 2.5 [Loan Requests], notify the Lenders of its receipt of such Loan Request specifying the information provided by the Borrower and the apportionment among the Lenders of the requested Loans as determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.2 [Nature of Lenders’ Obligations with Respect to Loans]. Each Lender shall remit the principal amount of each Loan to the Administrative Agent such that the Administrative Agent is able to, and the Administrative Agent shall, to the extent the Lenders have made funds available to it for such purpose and subject to Section 7.2 [Each Additional Loan], fund such Loans to the Borrower in U.S. Dollars and immediately available funds at the Principal Office prior to 2:00 p.m. on the applicable Borrowing Date.

2.6.2 Repayment of Loans .

The Borrower shall repay all Loans together with all outstanding interest thereon on the Maturity Date.

 

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2.7 Provision of Notes .

The obligation of the Borrower to repay the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans made to it by such Lender, together with interest thereon, shall be evidenced by a Note payable to the order of such Lender in a face amount equal to the Commitment of such Lender, and such Note shall be delivered to the Collateral Agent on the Closing Date. The Loans shall mature, and the Borrower unconditionally agrees to pay in full the unpaid principal amount and all amounts outstanding and unpaid in respect of the Loans to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender, on the Maturity Date.

2.8 Use of Proceeds .

The proceeds of the Loans will be used in accordance with Section 8.1.11 [Use of Proceeds].

2.9 Extended Commitments .

(a) [Reserved].

(b) The Borrower may at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the Commitments of any Class (the Commitments of such applicable Class, the “ Existing Commitments ”) be converted into a new Class of Commitments (the Commitments of such applicable Class, the “ Extended Commitments ”) with terms consistent with this Section 2.9(b). In order to establish any Extended Commitments, the Borrower shall provide a notice to the Administrative Agent (an “ Extension Request ”) setting forth the proposed terms of the Extended Commitments to be established, which terms shall be identical to those applicable to the Existing Commitments except that:

(i) the maturity date of the Extended Commitments shall be later than the maturity date of the Existing Commitments;

(ii) (A) the interest rates, interest margins, rate floors, upfront fees, funding discounts, original issue discount and premiums with respect to the Extended Commitments may be different than those for the Existing Commitments and/or (B) additional fees and/or premiums may be payable to the Extending Lenders in addition to or in lieu of any of the items contemplated by the preceding subclause (A) and/or (C) the undrawn revolving credit commitment fee rate with respect to the Extended Commitments may be different than those for the Existing Commitments; and

(iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may be subject to covenants and other terms for the benefit of the Extending Lenders that apply only after the Latest Maturity Date (before giving effect to the Extended Commitments).

(c) Each Extension Request shall specify the date (the “ Extension Effective Date ”) on which the Borrower proposes that the conversion of any Existing Commitments into Extended Commitments shall be effective, which shall be a date reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Each Lender of Loans of an Existing Class that are requested to be extended shall be offered the opportunity to convert its Existing Commitments into Extended Commitments on the same basis as each other Lender of Loans of the same Existing Class. Any Lender (to the extent applicable, an “ Extending Lender ”) wishing to have all or a portion of its Existing Commitments subject to such Extension Request converted into Extended Commitments shall notify the Administrative Agent (an “ Extension Election ”) on or prior to the date specified in such Extension Request of the amount of its Existing Commitments subject to such Extension Request that it has elected to convert into Extended Commitments. In the event that the

 

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aggregate portion of the Existing Commitments subject to Extension Elections exceeds the amount of the Extended Commitments requested pursuant to the Extension Request, the portion of the Existing Commitments converted shall be allocated on a pro rata basis based on the amount of the Existing Commitments included in each such Extension Election.

(d) An Extended Class shall be established pursuant to an Additional Credit Extension Amendment executed by the Extending Lenders (and the other Persons specified in the definition of “Additional Credit Extension Amendment” but no other existing Lender). No Additional Credit Extension Amendment shall provide for any Class of Extended Commitments in an aggregate principal amount that is less than $1,000,000.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, on the Extension Effective Date, (i) the amount of each Existing Commitment shall be deemed reduced by an amount equal to the amount converted into an Extended Commitment and (ii) if, on any Extension Effective Date, any Loans of any Extending Lender are outstanding under the applicable Existing Commitments, such Loans shall be deemed to be converted into Loans made pursuant to the Extended Commitments in the same proportion as such Extending Lender’s Existing Commitments are converted to Extended Commitments.

(f) This Section 2.9 shall supersede any provisions in Section 5.2 [Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders], Section 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] or Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers] to the contrary. Each Extended Class shall be documented by an Additional Credit Extension Amendment executed by the Extending Lenders providing such Extended Class (and the other Persons specified in the definition of Additional Credit Extension Amendment but no other existing Lender), and the Additional Credit Extension Amendment may provide for such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.9.

3. RESERVED

4. INTEREST RATES

4.1 Interest Rates .

All Loans shall bear interest at the Applicable Rate in effect from time to time and be computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed.

4.2 Interest After Default .

To the extent permitted by Law, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and until such time such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived and upon the written demand of the Required Lenders:

(a) the rate of interest for each Loan otherwise applicable pursuant to Section 4.1 [Interest Rates] shall be increased by 2.0% per annum; and

(b) each other Obligation hereunder if not paid when due shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the rate of interest then applicable to Loans plus an additional 2.0% per annum from the time such Obligation becomes due and payable and until it is paid in full.

 

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The Borrower acknowledges that the increase in rates referred to in this Section 4.2 reflects, among other things, the fact that such Loans or other amounts have become a substantially greater risk given their default status and that the Lenders are entitled to additional compensation for such risk; and all such interest shall be payable by the Borrower upon demand by the Administrative Agent.

5. PAYMENTS

5.1 Payments .

All payments and prepayments to be made in respect of principal, interest, Commitment Fees, the Collateral Agent’s Fee or other fees or amounts due from the Borrower hereunder shall be payable prior to 1:00 p.m. on the date when due without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, and without set-off, counterclaim or other deduction of any nature, and an action therefor shall immediately accrue. All payments shall be made in U.S. Dollars and in immediately available funds. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Principal Office for the ratable accounts of the Lenders with respect to the Loans, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute such amounts to the Lenders in immediately available funds; provided that in the event payments are received by 1:00 p.m. by the Administrative Agent with respect to the Loans and such payments are not distributed to the Lenders on the same day received by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall pay the Lenders interest at the Federal Funds Effective Rate with respect to the amount of such payments for each day held by the Administrative Agent and not distributed to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s statement of account, ledger or other relevant record shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive as the statement of the amount of principal of and interest on the Loans and other amounts owing under this Agreement and shall be deemed an “account stated.”

5.2 Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders .

Each Borrowing Tranche shall be allocated to each Lender according to its Ratable Share, and each payment or prepayment by the Borrower with respect to principal, interest, Commitment Fees or other fees (except for the Collateral Agent’s Fee) or amounts due from the Borrower hereunder to the Lenders with respect to the Commitments and the Loans, shall (except in the case of an event specified in Section 5.7 [Increased Costs]) be payable ratably among the Lenders entitled to such payment in accordance with the amount of principal, interest, Commitment Fees and other fees or amounts then due to such Lender as set forth in this Agreement.

5.3 Sharing of Payments by Lenders .

If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff, counterclaim or banker’s lien, by receipt of voluntary payment, by realization upon security, or by any other non-pro rata source, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations greater than the pro rata share of the amount such Lender is entitled thereto, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them, provided that:

(i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, together with interest or other amounts, if any, required by Law (including court order) to be paid by the Lender or the holder making such purchase; and

 

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(ii) the provisions of this Section 5.3 shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by the Loan Parties pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of the Loan Documents or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section 5.3 shall apply).

Each Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against each Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of each Loan Party in the amount of such participation.

5.4 Presumptions by Administrative Agent .

Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

5.5 Interest Payment Dates .

Interest on Loans shall be due and payable in arrears on each Payment Date. Interest on the principal amount of each Loan or other monetary Obligation shall be due and payable on demand after such principal amount or other monetary Obligation becomes due and payable (whether on the stated Maturity Date, upon acceleration or otherwise).

5.6 Prepayments .

5.6.1 Right to Prepay .

The Borrower shall have the right at its option from time to time to prepay the Loans in whole or part, without premium or penalty (except as provided in Section 5.7 [Increased Costs]). Whenever the Borrower desires to prepay any part of the Loans, it shall provide a prepayment notice to the Administrative Agent prior to the time of prepayment of the Loans, setting forth the following information:

(a) the date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the proposed prepayment is to be made;

(b) the total principal amount of such prepayment, which shall not be less than the lesser of (x) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans and (y) $500,000.

 

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All prepayment notices shall be irrevocable, except that any notice of voluntary prepayment may state that such notice is conditional upon the consummation of a financing transaction, in which case such notice of prepayment may be revoked or delayed by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified date of prepayment) if such condition is not satisfied. The principal amount of the Loans for which a prepayment notice is given, together with interest on such principal amount, shall be due and payable on the date specified in such prepayment notice as the date on which the proposed prepayment is to be made.

5.6.2 Designation of a Different Lending Office .

If any Lender requests compensation under Section 5.7 [Increased Costs], or the Borrower is or will be required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Official Body for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 5.8 [Taxes], then such Lender shall (at the request of the Borrower) use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 5.7 [Increased Costs] or Section 5.8 [Taxes], as the case may be, in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

5.6.3 Mandatory Prepayments .

(a) If at any time the Usage is in excess of the Commitments (as used in this Section 5.6.3(a), a “ deficiency ”), the Borrower shall immediately make a principal payment on the Loans sufficient to cause the principal balance of the Loans then outstanding to be equal to or less than the Commitments then in effect.

(b) In the event of any Permitted Undivided Interests Sale, the Borrower shall within one (1) Business Day following the receipt of the Net Cash Proceeds therefrom reduce Commitments in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds, and comply with Section 5.6.3(a) to the extent such reduction results in a deficiency.

5.7 Increased Costs .

5.7.1 Increased Costs Generally .

If any Change in Law shall:

(a) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended in by, any Lender;

(b) subject any Lender to any Tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or its other obligations, deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto, or change the basis of Taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes indemnifiable under Section 5.8 [Taxes] and any Excluded Taxes); or

 

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(c) impose on any Lender any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement; and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of participating in or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender, the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

5.7.2 Certificates for Reimbursement; Repayment of Outstanding Loans; Borrowing of New Loans .

A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Sections5.7.1 [Increased Costs Generally] and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) Business Days after receipt thereof.

5.7.3 Delay in Requests .

Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 5.7 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section 5.7 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine (9) months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine (9) month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

5.8 Taxes .

5.8.1 Payments Free of Taxes .

Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Taxes; provided that if any Loan Party or any other applicable withholding agent shall be required by applicable Law to deduct any Taxes from such payments, then (i) if the Tax in question is an Indemnified Tax, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 5.8) each Lender (or, in the case of a payment made to the Administrative Agent for its own account, the Administrative Agent) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made ( provided , that if the applicable withholding agent in respect of an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax is a Person other than a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent (e.g., a Lender), the additional amounts required to be paid by a Loan Party under this clause (i) in respect of such Tax shall not be greater than the additional amounts such Loan Party would have been obligated to pay had such Loan Party made payment of such sum directly to the applicable beneficial owner of such payment, provided further, that such Tax would not have been an Excluded Tax had such beneficial owner been a Lender hereunder and had complied with Section 5.8.5), (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions and (iii) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Official Body in accordance with applicable Law.

 

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5.8.2 Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower .

Without limiting the provisions of Section 5.8.1 [Payments Free of Taxes] above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Official Body in accordance with applicable Law.

5.8.3 Indemnification by the Borrower .

The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 5.8) paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Official Body. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

5.8.4 Evidence of Payments .

As soon as practicable after any payment of any Taxes by the Borrower to an Official Body, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Official Body evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

5.8.5 Status of Lenders .

(a) Each Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to any payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable Law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. Each such Lender shall, whenever a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders any such documentation (including any specific documentation required below in this Section 5.8.5) obsolete, expired or inaccurate in any respect, deliver promptly to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent updated or other appropriate documentation (including any new documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal ineligibility to do so. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to deliver to the Borrower and to any successor Administrative Agent any documentation provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 5.8.5.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(i) Each Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

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(A) two (2) duly completed valid originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or any successor forms) claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States of America is a party,

(B) two (2) duly completed valid originals of IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor forms),

(C) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.8.5 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and that no payments in connection with any Loan Document are effectively connected with such Foreign Lender’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business (a “ United States Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) two duly completed valid originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or any successor forms),

(D) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Foreign Lender is a partnership or a participating Lender), two (2) duly completed valid originals of IRS Form W-8IMY (or any successor forms) of the Foreign Lender, accompanied by a Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, United States Tax Compliance Certificate, Form W-9, Form W-8IMY or any other required information (or any successor forms) from each beneficial owner that would be required under this Section 5.8.5 [Status of Lenders] if such beneficial owner were a Lender, as applicable ( provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership (and not a participating Lender) and one or more direct or indirect partners are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, the United States Tax Compliance Certificate may be provided by such Foreign Lender on behalf of such direct or indirect partner(s)), or

(E) two (2) duly completed valid originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding Tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

(ii) Each Lender that is a “United States person” as defined in section 7701 of the Code shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) two (2) originals of an IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding.

(iii) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Sections 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their FATCA obligations, to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s FATCA obligations and to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.8.5, a Lender shall not be required to deliver any documentation that such Lender is not legally eligible to deliver.

5.8.6 Refunds .

If the Administrative Agent or any Lender receives a refund of any Indemnified Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 5.8, it shall pay to such Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section 5.8 with respect to the Indemnified Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including any Taxes imposed with respect to such refund) of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Official Body with respect to such refund); provided that such Loan Party, upon the request of such Administrative Agent or such Lender, shall repay the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Official Body) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Official Body. This Section 5.8 shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

5.8.7 Administrative Agent Forms .

The Administrative Agent (and any assignee or successor) will deliver, to the Borrower, on or prior to the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement, either (i) (A) two (2) executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI with respect to any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent for its own account and (B) two (2) duly completed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY (certifying that it is either a “qualified intermediary” or a “U.S. branch” that agrees to be treated as a United States person with respect to payments made to and on behalf of the Lenders) for the amounts the Administrative Agent receives for the account of others, or (ii) two (2) executed copies of IRS Form W-9, whichever is applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.8.7, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to deliver any documentation that it is not legally eligible to deliver as a result of any Change in Law after the date hereof.

6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Agent (and, in the case of Section 6.12 [Full Disclosure], the CEI Agents and the CEI Lenders) and each of the Lenders as follows:

6.1 Organization and Qualification .

Each Loan Party is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (if the concept of “good standing” is recognized under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction with respect to such Loan Party) under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. Each Loan Party has the lawful power to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business in which it is currently engaged, except where the failure to have such power would not reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Change. Each Loan Party is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction listed on Schedule 6.1 and in all other jurisdictions where the property owned or leased by it or the nature of the business transacted by it or both makes such licensing or qualification necessary except to the extent that the failure to be so duly licensed or qualified or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Change.

 

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6.2 EEA Financial Institutions .

No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

6.3 Subsidiaries .

As of the Closing Date, Schedule 6.3 states the name of each Subsidiary of the Borrower, its jurisdiction of incorporation, the issued and outstanding shares (referred to herein as the “ Subsidiary Shares ”) and the owners thereof if it is a corporation, its outstanding partnership interests (the “ Partnership Interests ”) if it is a partnership, its outstanding limited liability company interests, interests assigned to managers thereof and the voting rights associated therewith (the “ LLC Interests ”) if it is a limited liability company, identifies each Subsidiary as either a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary and for each Restricted Subsidiary whether or not it is a Guarantor and, if it is not a Guarantor, the clause in the definition of “Excluded Subsidiaries” applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary. There are no options, warrants or other rights outstanding to purchase any such Subsidiary Shares, Partnership Interests or LLC Interests except as indicated on Schedule 6.3 .

6.4 Power and Authority .

Each Loan Party has full power to enter into, execute, deliver and carry out this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, to incur the Indebtedness contemplated by the Loan Documents and to perform its Obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and all such actions have been duly authorized by all necessary proceedings on its part.

6.5 Validity and Binding Effect .

This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by each Loan Party, and each other Loan Document which any Loan Party is required to execute and deliver has been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party. This Agreement and each other Loan Document constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of each Loan Party which is a party thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability of any of such Loan Document may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors’ rights generally or limiting the right of specific performance.

6.6 No Conflict .

Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to which it is a party by any Loan Party nor the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by any of them will conflict with, constitute a default under or result in any breach of (i) the terms and conditions of the certificate of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents of any Loan Party, (ii) any material Law, instrument, order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree to which any Loan Party is a party or by which it is bound or to which it is subject, or result in the creation or enforcement of any Lien, charge or encumbrance whatsoever upon any property (now or hereafter acquired) of any Loan Party (other than Liens granted under the Loan Documents) or (iii) the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or

 

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constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any material property or assets of such Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Liens created under the Loan Documents and Liens permitted hereunder) pursuant to the terms of any material indenture, loan agreement, lease agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, agreement or other instrument to which such Loan Party or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound, including for the avoidance of doubt any Material Contract (any such term, covenant, condition or provision, a “ Contractual Requirement ”), except that certain consents may be required under various contracts and agreements in connection with any attempt to assign such various contracts and agreements pursuant to the assertion of remedies under the Loan Documents.

6.7 Litigation .

There are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, threatened against any Loan Party at law or equity before any Official Body or arbitrator that (a) relate to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (b) individually or in the aggregate would reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Change. To the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, none of the Loan Parties is in violation of any order, writ, injunction or any decree of any Official Body that (a) relate to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (b) would reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Change.

6.8 Title to Properties .

Each Loan Party has good and marketable title to or valid leasehold interest in all properties, assets and other rights, which it purports to own or lease or which are reflected as owned or leased on its books and records, free and clear of all Liens and encumbrances except Permitted Liens, and subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable leases or conveyance instrument, except to the extent that the failure to hold such title or interest, either alone or together with all other title defects, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

6.9 Financial Statements .

(a) Historical Statements . The Borrower has delivered to the Agents and the CEI Agents copies of (i) audited combined year-end financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and for the fiscal years then ended and (ii) the unaudited combined financial statements of the Borrower as of September 30, 2017 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (the “ Historical Statements ”). The Historical Statements were compiled from the books and records maintained by management of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, are correct and complete in all material respects and fairly represent the combined financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of their dates and their results of operations and cash flows for the fiscal periods specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, except that the unaudited financial statements are subject to normal year-end adjustments.

(b) Accuracy of Financial Statements . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material liabilities, contingent or otherwise, or forward or long-term commitments that are not disclosed in the Historical Statements or in the notes thereto, and except as disclosed therein there are no unrealized or anticipated losses from any commitments of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2016, no event, circumstance or condition has occurred or exists that has resulted in or could be reasonably expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

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6.10 Use of Proceeds .

The Loan Parties intend to use the proceeds of the Loans in accordance with Section 8.1.11 [Use of Proceeds].

6.11 Liens in the Collateral .

(a) Security Interests . Except to the extent that the Loan Parties are not required to perfect Liens in certain Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents or any other Loan Document, the Liens and security interests granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Security Agreement in the Collateral (of the type that can be perfected by filing under the Uniform Commercial Code), subject to the actions described in the following sentence, constitute and will continue to constitute first-priority security interests, subject to Permitted Liens, under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in each applicable jurisdiction or other applicable Law entitled to all the rights, benefits and priorities provided by the Uniform Commercial Code or such Law. Upon the due filing of financing statements relating to said security interests in each office and in each jurisdiction where required in order to perfect the security interests described above, and the Collateral Agent’s taking possession of any stock certificates or other certificates evidencing the Pledged Securities, all such action as is necessary or advisable to perfect the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral described above will have been taken except to the extent that the Loan Parties are not required to perfect Liens in certain Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents or any other Loan Document. All filing fees and other expenses in connection with each such action have been or will be paid by the Borrower.

(b) Mortgage Liens . Subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth expressly in the Mortgages, upon execution and delivery thereof, the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to each Mortgage will constitute a valid first priority Lien on the Real Property under applicable law, subject only to Permitted Liens.

(c) Pledged Securities . All Equity Interests included in the Pledged Securities to be pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement are or will be upon issuance validly issued and nonassessable and owned beneficially and of record by the pledgor free and clear of any Lien or restriction on transfer, except for nonconsensual Permitted Liens, Liens contemplated by clause (5) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and inchoate Permitted Liens that do not have priority over the Liens granted under the Loan Documents and as otherwise provided by the Security Agreement and except as the right of the Lenders to Dispose of such Equity Interests may be limited by the Securities Act and the regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder and by applicable state securities laws. There are no shareholder or other agreements or understandings other than partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements or operating agreements, with respect to the Equity Interests included in the Pledged Securities, except as described on Schedule 6.11 . The Loan Parties have delivered true and correct copies of such partnership agreements and limited liability company agreements to the Agents pursuant to Section 7.1.1(b)(iii).

6.12 Full Disclosure .

Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document, nor any certificate, statement, agreement or other documents furnished to any Agent, any CEI Agent, any CEI Lender or any Lender in connection herewith or therewith, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein and therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. There is no fact known to any Loan Party which materially adversely affects the business, property, assets, financial condition, or results of operations of the Loan Parties taken as a whole that has not been set forth in this Agreement or in the certificates, statements, agreements or other documents furnished in writing any Agent, any CEI Agent, any CEI Lender or any Lender prior to or at the date hereof in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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6.13 Taxes .

All material federal, state, local and other Tax returns required to have been filed with respect to each Loan Party have been filed, and payment or adequate provision has been made for the payment of all material Taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental charges (including in its capacity as withholding agent), except to the extent that such Taxes, fees, assessments and other charges are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made. There are no agreements or waivers extending the statutory period of limitations applicable to any material federal income Tax return of any Loan Party for any period.

6.14 Consents and Approvals .

Except for the filings or recordings required pursuant to Section 7.1.1(c) [Delivery of Loan Documents], no consent, approval, exemption, order or authorization of, or a registration or filing with, any Official Body or any other Person is necessary to authorize or permit the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or for the validity or enforceability hereof or thereof.

6.15 No Event of Default; Compliance with Instruments .

No event has occurred and is continuing and no condition exists or will exist after giving effect to the borrowings or other extensions of credit to be made on the Closing Date under or pursuant to the Loan Documents which constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Default. None of the Loan Parties is in violation of (i) any term of its certificate of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents or (ii) any material agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be subject or bound where such violation would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

6.16 Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Licenses, Permits, Etc .

The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries own or possess all the material patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, registrations, franchises, Required Permits and rights, without known or actual conflict with the rights of others, necessary for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to own and operate their properties and to carry on their businesses as presently conducted and planned to be conducted by them, except where the failure to so own or possess with or without such conflict would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

6.17 Solvency .

The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are Solvent. On the Closing Date, at the time of each borrowing of the Loans, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall be Solvent after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and any incurrence of Indebtedness and all other Obligations.

 

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6.18 Real Property .

(a) Schedule 3(a) to the Perfection Certificate sets forth a complete and accurate list as of the Closing Date of all Real Properties of any Loan Party (other than Specified Leased Properties identified on Schedule 3(b) to the Perfection Certificate) that are subject to Mortgage and indicates whether any such Real Property has a Building thereon. All Real Properties of any Loan Party not set forth on Schedule 3(a) or Schedule 3(b) to the Perfection Certificate are Excluded Assets.

(b) Schedule 3(b) to the Perfection Certificate sets forth a complete and accurate list as of the Closing Date of all Specified Leased Properties that, with landlord consent, would be subject to Mortgage.

6.19 Insurance .

Subject to Section 8.1.21 [Post-Closing Matters], Schedule 11 to the Perfection Certificate lists all material insurance policies of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date, all of which are valid and in full force and effect as of the Closing Date. Such policies provide adequate insurance coverage from reputable and financially sound insurers in amounts sufficient to insure the assets and risks of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with prudent business practice in the industry of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

6.20 Compliance with Laws .

The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Laws (other than Environmental Laws which are specifically addressed in Section 6.25 [Environmental Matters]) in all jurisdictions in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is presently or will be doing business, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

6.21 Material Contracts; Burdensome Restrictions .

The exhibit list to the Borrower’s Form 10-K most recently filed with the SEC prior to the Closing Date and Schedule 6.21 together set forth all Material Contracts to which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is or is contemplated to be a party as of the Closing Date. Except to the extent that the failure to be in full force and effect or such default (a) would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change or (b) is attributable to any action or inaction of any CEI Entity, (i) none of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is in default under a Material Contract and (ii) all Material Contracts are in full force and effect. None of the Loan Parties is bound by any contractual obligation, or subject to any restriction in any organization document, or any requirement of Law which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

6.22 Investment Companies; Regulated Entities .

None of the Loan Parties is an “investment company” registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under the “control” of an “investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 and shall not become such an “investment company” or under such “control.” None of the Loan Parties is subject to any other Law limiting its ability to incur Indebtedness for borrowed money.

 

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6.23 ERISA Compliance .

Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change:

(a) each Pension Plan and Multiemployer Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state Laws (except that with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, such representation is deemed made only to the knowledge of the Borrower);

(b) the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate have met all applicable minimum funding requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained;

(c) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code and Section 303(d)(2) of ERISA) is 80% or higher and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances which would cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below 80% as of the most recent valuation date;

(d) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan to which the Borrower or its ERISA Affiliates contribute, the Borrower has not been notified of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code) or that application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Code has been made;

(e) there has been no nonexempt “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA) or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Pension Plan;

(f) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; and

(g) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

6.24 Employment Matters; Coal Act; Black Lung Act .

Each of the Loan Parties is, and for the past five years has been, in compliance with the Labor Contracts and all applicable federal, state and local labor and employment Laws including those related to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, labor relations, minimum wage, overtime, child labor, medical insurance continuation, worker adjustment and relocation notices, immigration controls and worker and unemployment compensation, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse Change. There are no outstanding grievances, arbitration awards or appeals therefrom arising out of the Labor Contracts or current or threatened strikes, picketing, handbilling or other work stoppages or slowdowns at facilities of any of the Loan Parties which in any case would constitute a Material Adverse Change. The Borrower, the Restricted Subsidiaries and its “related persons” (as defined in the Coal Act) are in compliance in all material respects with the Coal Act and none of the Borrower, the Restricted Subsidiaries or its related persons has any liability under the Coal Act except with respect to premiums or other payments required thereunder which have been paid when due and except to the extent that the liability thereunder would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with the Black Lung Act, and neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability under the Black Lung Act except with respect to premiums, contributions or other payments required there under which have been paid when due and except to the extent that the liability thereunder would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

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6.25 Environmental Matters .

Except as could not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change:

(a) The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, their operations, facilities and properties are and for the past five years have been in compliance with all Environmental Laws.

(b) The facilities and properties currently owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, formerly owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or their predecessors in interest (the “ Properties ”), do not contain any Hazardous Materials in amounts or concentrations which (i) constitute or constituted a violation of Environmental Law by, or (ii) could reasonably be expected to give rise to any Environmental Liability for, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

(c) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability regarding compliance with or other liabilities under Environmental Laws, or knows of any basis for any such written notices, including any with regard to their activities at any of the Properties or the business currently or formerly operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any prior business for which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to liability under any Environmental Law.

(d) Hazardous Materials have not been transported or Released from the Properties in violation of, or in a manner or to a location which could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under, any applicable Environmental Law, nor have any Hazardous Materials been generated, treated, stored or Released of by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at, on, from or under any of the Properties in violation of any Environmental Law, or in a manner that could reasonably be expected to give rise to Environmental Liability for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

6.26 Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws .

(a) (i) No Covered Entity, any directors or officers of any Covered Entity, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any employees or agents of any Covered Entity, is a Sanctioned Person, and (ii) no Covered Entity, any directors or officers of any Covered Entity, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any employees or agents of any Covered Entity, either in its own right or through any third party, (x) has any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law, (y) does business in or with, or derives any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or (z) engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law.

(b) No Covered Entity, any directors or officers of any Covered Entity, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any employees or agents of any Covered Entity, are doing business in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

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6.27 Margin Regulations .

None of the Loan Parties is engaged, and none of the Loan Parties will engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of the Margin Stock Regulation issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.

7. CONDITIONS OF LENDING

The obligation of each Lender to make Loans is subject to the following conditions:

7.1 First Loans .

7.1.1 Deliveries .

On the Closing Date, each Agent shall have received each of the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents:

(a) Officer’s Certificate . A certificate of each of the Loan Parties signed by an Authorized Officer, dated the Closing Date stating that (i) each of the representatives and warranties of the Loan Parties contained in Section 6 [Representations and Warranties] and in the other Loan Documents are true and accurate on and as of the Closing Date (except representations and warranties which relate solely to an earlier date or time, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct on and as of the specific dates or times referred to therein), (ii) no Event of Default or Potential Default exists, (iii) since December 31, 2016, no event, circumstance or condition has occurred or exists that has resulted in or could be reasonably expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Change and (iv) the conditions set forth in Sections 7.1.4 [No Debt or Preferred Stock Outstanding] and 7.1.5 [Transactions] are satisfied.

(b) Secretary’s Certificate . A certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by an Authorized Officer of each of the Loan Parties, certifying:

(i) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Loan Party (or its managing general partner, managing member or equivalent) authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Closing Date;

(ii) the names of the officer or officers authorized to sign this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the true signatures of such officer or officers and specifying the Authorized Officers permitted to act on behalf of such Loan Party for purposes of this Agreement and the true signatures of such officers, on which each Agent and each Lender may conclusively rely; and

(iii) copies of its organizational documents, including its certificate of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, and limited liability company agreement as in effect on the Closing Date, recently certified by the appropriate state official where such documents are filed in a state office, together with recently dated certificates from the appropriate state officials as to the continued existence and good standing of such Loan Party in each state where organized.

 

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(c) Delivery of Loan Documents . Subject to Section 8.1.17(a)(ii) [Collateral] and Section 8.1.21 [Post-Closing Matters], this Agreement, each of the other Loan Documents and the Perfection Certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of each of the Loan Parties party thereto, and to the extent required under applicable requirements of Law, the Security Documents shall be properly recorded or filed with the applicable recording or filing offices and be in proper form for such recording.

(d) Opinions of Counsel .

(i) A written opinion of in-house counsel for the Loan Parties (who may rely on the opinions of such other counsel as may be acceptable to each Agent), dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Lenders and each Agent substantially in the form provided to the Agents prior to the Closing Date.

(ii) A written opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties (who may rely on the opinions of such other counsel as may be acceptable to each Agent), dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Lenders each Agent substantially in the form provided to the Agents prior to the Closing Date.

(e) Legal Details . All legal details and proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Agent and its counsel, and each Agent shall have received all such other counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents and proceedings in connection with such transactions, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each Agent and its counsel, as any Agent or its counsel may reasonably request.

(f) Insurance . Evidence that adequate insurance (other than flood insurance) required to be maintained under the Loan Documents is in full force and effect.

(g) Evidence of Filing . UCC financing statements in appropriate form for filing under the UCC and such other documents under applicable requirements of Law in each jurisdiction as may be necessary or appropriate or, in the reasonable opinion of any Agent, desirable to perfect the Liens created, or purported to be created, by the Security Documents.

(h) Termination of Existing Credit Agreement . All documents and instruments required to evidence the discharge of the Liens under the Existing Credit Agreement on any assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

(i) Lien Searches . The lien searches listed on Schedule 7.1.1(i) , and the Collateral Agent shall be satisfied with the results thereof.

(j) Pledged Securities . Except as set forth on Schedule 8.1.21 , all certificates, agreements or instruments representing or evidencing the Pledged Securities accompanied by instruments of transfer and stock powers undated and endorsed in blank have been delivered to the Collateral Agent.

(k) Other Documentation . All other certificates, agreements, including instruments necessary to perfect the Collateral Agent’s security interest (to the extent required by the Security Documents) in all Chattel Paper, Instruments and Investment Property (as each such term is defined in the Security Agreement) of each Loan Party have been delivered or assigned to the Collateral Agent.

 

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(l) Solvency Certificate . A certificate of the chief financial officer of the General Partner on behalf of the Borrower stating that, after giving effect to the Transactions, the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, are Solvent.

7.1.2 Payment of Fees .

The Borrower shall have paid or caused to be paid to the Collateral Agent and the Lenders to the extent not previously paid, all fees payable on or before the Closing Date (including upfront fees) and, to the extent invoiced at least one Business Day prior to the Closing Date, all costs and expenses for which the Collateral Agent is entitled to be reimbursed, including the reasonable fees and expenses of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP.

7.1.3 PATRIOT Act .

The Agents shall have received, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date (or such later date satisfactory to each Agent), all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including but not restricted to the USA PATRIOT Act to the extent requested at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

7.1.4 No Debt or Preferred Stock Outstanding .

The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall have no Indebtedness for borrowed money or Preferred Stock outstanding, other than (i) up to $210,000,000 of Loans made on the Closing Date and (ii) Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 8.2.1 .

7.1.5 Transactions .

The Transactions shall have been or shall substantially concurrently be consummated, and the Spin-Off shall have been or shall substantially concurrently be consummated substantially in the manner described in the Form 10; it being understood that irrevocable book-entry transfer authorization shall substantially concurrently be delivered to record the distribution of the shares of common stock of CEI effective as of 11:59 p.m. (New York City time) on the Closing Date, and the transfer agent and registrar for the shares of common stock of CEI shall substantially concurrently accept such authorization. The Operating Agreement shall have been amended in a manner reasonably satisfactory to each Agent and the CEI Agents, and such amendment shall have been delivered to each Agent. The Borrower shall have delivered to each Agent fully executed copies of the Material Contracts to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is or is contemplated to be a party as of the Closing Date, and no default or termination, or any waiver or amendment constituting a Material Adverse Change shall have occurred with respect thereto. The aggregate principal amount of Loans made on the Closing Date shall not exceed $210,000,000.

7.2 Each Loan .

At the time of making any Loans and after giving effect to the proposed extensions of credit:

(a) the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties contained in Section 6 [Representations and Warranties] and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of the making of any Loan Request and the making of such additional Loan with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such

 

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date (except that (i) any representation and warranty that is already qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct in all respects as so qualified and (ii) representations and warranties which expressly relate solely to an earlier date or time, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct on and as of the specific dates or times referred to therein);

(b) no Event of Default or Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(c) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a duly executed and completed Loan Request.

8. COVENANTS

8.1 Affirmative Covenants .

The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, covenant and agree that until payment in full of the Loans and interest thereon, and satisfaction of all of the Loan Parties’ other Obligations under the Loan Documents and termination of the Commitments, the Loan Parties shall comply at all times with the following affirmative covenants:

8.1.1 Preservation of Existence, Etc .

Each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain its legal existence as a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company and its license or qualification and good standing in each jurisdiction in which its failure to so qualify, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, except as otherwise expressly permitted by Section 8.2.6 [Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions].

8.1.2 Payment of Liabilities, Including Taxes, Etc .

Each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall duly pay and discharge all liabilities to which it is subject or which are asserted against it, promptly as and when the same shall become due and payable (including extensions), including all Taxes, assessments and governmental charges upon it or any of its properties, assets, income or profits, prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, except to the extent that such liabilities, including Taxes, assessments or charges, are being contested in good faith and by appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently conducted and for which such reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made, but only to the extent that failure to pay or discharge any such liabilities would not result in any additional liability which would adversely affect to a material extent the financial condition of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or which would materially and adversely affect the Collateral; provided that the Loan Parties will pay all such liabilities forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to enforce any Lien which may have attached as security therefor or take other action as is required to suspend such enforcement action unless such Lien otherwise qualifies as a Permitted Lien.

8.1.3 Maintenance of Insurance .

(a) The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall insure their properties and assets against loss or damage by fire and such other insurable hazards (including flood, fire, property damage, workers’ compensation and public liability insurance) and against other risks, and in such amounts as similar properties and assets, as are commonly insured by prudent companies in similar circumstances carrying on similar businesses, and with reputable and financially sound insurers, including self-insurance

 

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to the extent customary. At the request of the Collateral Agent, the Borrower shall deliver to the Collateral Agent (x) annually an original certificate of insurance signed by its independent insurance broker describing and certifying as to the existence of the insurance on the Collateral required to be maintained by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with a copy of the endorsement described in the next sentence attached to such certificate and (y) from time to time a summary schedule indicating all commercial insurance then in force with respect to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries. Such policies of insurance shall contain the necessary endorsements or policy language, which shall (i) specify the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties as an additional insured on the liability policies and mortgagee and lender loss payee as their interests may appear on the property policies, with the understanding that any obligation imposed upon the insured (including the liability to pay premiums) shall be the sole obligation of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and not that of the additional insured, (ii) provide that the interest of the Lenders, under the lender’s loss payable endorsement in a form similar to the form provided on the Closing Date or pursuant to Section 8.1.21 [Post-Closing Matters], shall be insured regardless of any breach or violation by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any warranties, declarations or conditions contained in such policies or any action or inaction of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) provide a waiver of any right of the insurers to set off or counterclaim or any other deduction, whether by attachment or otherwise (to the extent that the Loan Parties are able on a commercially reasonable efforts basis to obtain such waiver from the insurers), (iv) provide that no cancellation of such policies for any reason (including non-payment of premium) nor any change therein shall be effective until at least ten (10) days after notification to the Collateral Agent of such cancellation or change, (v) be primary without right of contribution of any other liability insurance carried by or on behalf of any additional insureds with respect to their respective interests in the Collateral, and (vi) provide that inasmuch as any liability policy covers more than one insured, all terms, conditions, insuring agreements and endorsements (except limits of liability) shall operate as if there were a separate policy covering each insured.

(b) Each Loan Party shall take all actions required under the Flood Laws and otherwise reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to assist in ensuring that each Lender is in compliance with the Flood Laws applicable to the Collateral, including, but not limited to, (i) maintaining such flood insurance in full force and effect and otherwise sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Laws and otherwise reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, (ii) delivering to the Collateral Agent evidence of such compliance in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent and (iii) delivering to the Collateral Agent an executed acknowledgment of each “Life-of-Loan” flood hazard determination delivered to the Borrower promptly following receipt of each such determination.

(c) If one or more Casualty Events occurs with respect to which the proceeds or other compensation in respect thereof could reasonably be expected to equal or exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year, the Borrower shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent of such event(s) and the estimated (or actual, if available) amount of such loss.

8.1.4 Maintenance of Properties and Equipment .

The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall (x) maintain in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) in accordance with the general practice of other businesses of similar character and size, all of those material properties and equipment useful or necessary to their businesses and (y) make or cause to be made, in a reasonably diligent fashion, all appropriate repairs, renewals or replacements thereof, in each case if the failure to so maintain, repair, renew or replace the same would reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse Change.

 

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8.1.5 Maintenance of Patents, Trademarks, Etc .

The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain in full force and effect all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, franchises, permits and other authorizations necessary for the ownership and operation of their properties and business if the failure so to maintain the same would constitute a Material Adverse Change.

8.1.6 Visitation Rights .

The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall permit any of the officers or authorized employees or representatives of any Agent or any of the Lenders (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at such Agent’s or such Lender’s expense) to visit and inspect their properties during normal business hours and to examine (including, without limitation, any field examinations) and make excerpts from their books and records and discuss their business affairs, finances and accounts with their officers, all in such detail and at such times and as often as any of the Lenders may reasonably request; provided that each Lender shall provide the Borrower and each Agent with reasonable notice prior to any visit or inspection, all such visits and inspections shall be made in accordance with the standard safety, visit, and inspection procedures of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries and no such visit or inspection shall interfere with their normal business operation.

8.1.7 Keeping of Records and Books of Account .

The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain and keep proper books of record and account which enable the Borrower to issue financial statements in accordance with GAAP and as otherwise required by applicable Laws, and in which full, true and correct entries shall be made in all material respects of all their dealings and business and financial affairs. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain adequate allowances on their books in accordance with GAAP for (i) future costs associated with any lung disease claim alleging pneumoconiosis or silicosis or arising out of exposure or alleged exposure to coal dust or the coal mining environment, (ii) future costs associated with retiree and health care benefits, (iii) future costs associated with reclamation of disturbed acreage, removal of facilities and other closing costs in connection with its mining activities and (iv) future costs associated with other potential Environmental Liabilities.

8.1.8 Further Assurances .

Each Loan Party shall, from time to time, at its expense, faithfully preserve and protect the Lien on the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties as a continuing first priority perfected Lien, subject only to Permitted Liens, and shall do such other acts and things as (i) the Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion may deem necessary or advisable from time to time in order to preserve, perfect and protect the Liens granted under the Loan Documents and to exercise and enforce the Collateral Agent’s rights and remedies thereunder with respect to the Collateral or (ii) the CEI Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion may deem necessary or advisable from time to time in order to preserve, perfect and protect the Liens granted under the CEI Credit Documents in respect of the Secured Parties’ interests in the Loan Documents and to exercise and enforce the CEI Collateral Agent’s rights and remedies thereunder with respect to such collateral.

8.1.9 Additional Guarantors .

If (i) the Borrower forms or acquires, directly or indirectly, any Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) or (ii) any Subsidiary that was an Excluded Subsidiary ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary, the Borrower shall cause such Subsidiary to join this Agreement within (x) 30 days after the

 

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date of acquisition or formation of such Subsidiary or within 30 days after the date any Subsidiary that was an Excluded Subsidiary (other than pursuant to clause (a) or (c) of the definition of “Excluded Subsidiaries”) ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary and (y) within 15 days after the date any Subsidiary that was an Excluded Subsidiary pursuant to clause (a) or (c) of the definition of “Excluded Subsidiaries” ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary (in each case, or such longer period as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) as a Guarantor by delivering to each Agent, (A) a signed Guarantor Joinder, (B) documents in the forms described in Sections 7.1.1(b), (c), (d) (if requested by any Agent), (f), (g), (i) and (j) [Deliveries], and 8.1.17 [Collateral], modified as appropriate, and (C) documents necessary to grant and perfect Liens to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral held by such Subsidiary.

8.1.10 Compliance with Laws .

The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall comply with all applicable Laws, including all Environmental Laws, in all material respects, except where the failure to so comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

8.1.11 Use of Proceeds .

(a) The Loan Parties will use the proceeds of the Loans only as follows: (i) to fund the Closing Date Refinancing and Releases, (ii) to pay fees and expenses related to the entry into the Loan Documents on the Closing Date, and (iii) to provide for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) None of the Loan Parties engages or will engage principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, immediately, incidentally or ultimately, of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of the Margin Stock Regulation). No part of the proceeds of any Loan has been or shall be used for any purpose which entails a violation of or which is inconsistent with the provisions of the Margin Stock Regulations, and the Borrower shall assist the Lenders, as reasonably requested by any Agent, with the Lenders’ compliance with the Margin Stock Regulation as such compliance relates to the Borrower and the Loans, including by providing such Agent with all documents, forms and certificates reasonably requested by such Agent in relation thereto.

8.1.12 Subordination of Intercompany Loans .

Each Loan Party shall cause any Indebtedness, loans or advances owed by any Loan Party to any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to be subordinated pursuant to the terms of the Intercompany Subordination Agreement.

8.1.13 Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws .

(a) No Covered Entity, nor to the knowledge of the Borrower, any directors, officers or employees of any Covered Entity, will become a Sanctioned Person, (b) no Covered Entity, either in its own right or through any third party, nor to the knowledge of the Borrower, any of a Covered Entity’s directors, officers or employees, will (i) have any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law; (ii) do business in or with, or derive any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law; (iii) engage in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law or (iv) use the Loans to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, a Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person or in any manner that would cause a violation of the Anti-Terrorism Laws by any party to this Agreement, (c) the

 

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funds used to repay the Obligations will not be derived from any unlawful activity, (d) each Covered Entity shall comply with all Anti-Terrorism Laws in all material respects and (e) the Borrower shall promptly notify the Agents in writing upon the occurrence of a Reportable Compliance Event.

(b) No part of the proceeds of any Loans shall be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws.

8.1.14 Compliance with Material Contracts .

(a) Each of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall comply with the terms and conditions of all Material Contracts and enforce its rights under each such Material Contract, except to the extent non-compliance or non-enforcement (i) could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change or (ii) is attributable to any action or inaction of any CEI Entity.

(b) The Loan Parties shall not claim, or support any Person in claiming, any conflict of interest or invalidity of the Collateral Agent’s exercise of such rights or remedies and any other duty, obligation or right of the Collateral Agent. Furthermore, the Loan Parties hereby acknowledge that the Lenders will pledge and collaterally assign all of their rights under the Loan Documents to secure their obligations under the CEI Credit Documents and the CEI Second Lien Notes (and may pledge and collaterally assign such rights under any refinancing, replacement, extension, renewal of any of the CEI Credit Documents or CEI Second Lien Notes) and will execute all such documentation reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to evidence such pledge and collateral assignment. Each Loan Party agrees not to contest or challenge or support any other Person in contesting or challenging any of such Loan Party’s obligations, acknowledgements and agreements under the immediately preceding two sentences for any reason.

8.1.15 Accounts .

As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party has any Deposit Accounts, Commodities Accounts or Securities Accounts (each as defined in the UCC) other than the accounts listed on Schedule 8 to the Perfection Certificate, which schedule indicates for each account whether such account is an Excluded Account and the reason for the exclusion, if any. No Loan Party shall establish or maintain an Applicable Account unless it is subject to a control agreement; provided , with respect to any Applicable Account maintained by a Loan Party as of the Closing Date, the Loan Parties shall cause such Applicable Account to be subject to control agreements within sixty (60) days of the Closing Date (or such later date as the Collateral Agent may agree in its discretion). Other than Applicable Accounts as to which the time limit set forth in the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence has not expired, none of the Loan Parties will deposit or maintain Collateral (including the proceeds thereof) in an Applicable Account that is not subject to a control agreement.

8.1.16 ERISA Compliance .

The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its ERISA Affiliates to: (a) maintain each Pension Plan in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and (b) make all required contributions to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan when due, except in the case of each of the foregoing clauses, to the extent such failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

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8.1.17 Collateral .

(a) Pursuant to the Loan Documents, the Loan Parties shall grant, or cause to be granted, to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a first priority lien and security interest, subject only to Permitted Liens:

(i) on the date hereof and, with respect to any Equity Interests acquired after the Closing Date, not later than 30 days after the acquisition of the Equity Interests, in all Equity Interests owned by the Loan Parties;

(ii) (x) within 60 days following the Closing Date, in all Real Property owned or leased by a Loan Party as of the Closing Date, (y) within 60 days following the acquisition or lease thereof, in all Real Property (other than Excluded Assets) acquired or leased by a Loan Party after the Closing Date and (z) within 60 days following any Real Property ceasing to be an Excluded Asset, in such Real Property, in each case by delivering a Mortgage or, in the case of clause (y) or (z), an amendment to an existing Mortgage, as applicable; provided that (A) each Mortgage or amendment delivered pursuant to this Section 8.1.17(a)(ii) shall be accompanied by (1) local counsel opinions with respect thereto as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, (2) the Required Flood Materials (as applicable), and (3) title work as required pursuant to Section 8.1.18 [Title] and (B) with respect to Specified Leased Properties, if the applicable Loan Party is not able to, after the use of commercially reasonable efforts and delivery of an Officer’s Certificate stating that such efforts have been made, obtain the consent of the landlord to grant a first priority lien, security interest and assignment in the leasehold interest of the applicable Specified Leased Property, such Specified Leased Property shall not be Collateral; and

(iii) on the date hereof and with respect to any Subsidiary that becomes a Loan Party after the Closing Date in accordance with Section 8.1.9 [Additional Guarantors], not later than 30 days after the acquisition or formation of such Subsidiary or such Subsidiary ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary (or in the case of Applicable Accounts, within the period provided under Section 8.1.15 [Accounts]), in all of the other assets of the Loan Parties in which a security interest may be perfected by the filing of a UCC-1 financing statement with the secretary of state or similar agency in the applicable Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization, by filing of a short form security agreement with the United States Patent and Trademark Officer or United States Copyright Office or, in the case of Applicable Accounts, by taking the actions required under Section 8.1.15 [Accounts];

provided that any of the deadlines in this Section 8.1.17(a) may be extended (by notice to the Borrower in writing) by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion upon reasonable request of the Borrower.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Liens will not be required on any of the following (collectively, the “ Excluded Assets ”):

(i) any cash in the “Operating Account” (as defined in the Operating Agreement) to the extent constituting property of the Co-Owners;

(ii) any right, title and interests in and to any Manufactured (Mobile) Home (as defined in the applicable Flood Laws);

(iii) Buildings that are immaterial as reasonably determined by the Borrower and agreed to in writing by the Collateral Agent;

 

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(iv) leased motor vehicles (including bulldozers and other heavy equipment);

(v) except to the extent the security interest in such assets can be perfected by the filing of a UCC financing statement, owned motor vehicles (including bulldozers and other heavy equipment) and other assets the ownership of which is evidenced by certificates of title, to the extent the Fair Market Value thereof does not exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate or $2,000,000 individually;

(vi) except to the extent the security interest in such assets can be perfected by the filing of a UCC financing statement, Letter-of-Credit Rights (as defined in the UCC in the State of New York);

(vii) Commercial Tort Claims (as defined in the UCC) that do not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate for all Pledgors; provided that none of the Commercial Tort Claims described in Schedule 7 of the Perfection Certificate on the Closing Date shall be Excluded Assets;

(viii) assets owned by any Pledgor on the Closing Date or that are acquired after the Closing Date and any proceeds thereof that are subject to a Lien permitted by clause (10) in the definition of “Permitted Liens” to the extent and for so long as the contract or other agreement in which such Lien is granted (or the documentation providing for the Capital Lease Obligations, equipment lease, purchase money obligation or substantially similar obligation subject to such Lien) validly prohibits the creation of any other Lien on such assets and proceeds;

(ix) those assets over which the granting of security interests in such assets would be prohibited by (1) any contract in effect on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 8.2.15 (or, as to any assets acquired after the Closing Date in an acquisition permitted hereunder, in effect at the time of acquisition thereof and not entered into in contemplation thereof) or (2) applicable law or regulation or to the extent that such security interests would require obtaining the consent of any governmental or regulatory authority, but only to the extent and for so long as a grant of a security interest therein in favor of the Collateral Agent would (x) violate or invalidate such contract, cause the acceleration or the termination thereof or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) or (y) violate such applicable law or regulation or require such consent;

(x) any intent-to-use trademark application to the extent and for so long as creation by a Pledgor of a security interest therein would result in the loss by such Pledgor of any material rights therein;

(xi) any Equity Interests in any Person that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent not permitted by the terms of such Person’s organizational or joint venture documents;

(xii) any Voting Stock of any CFC or CFC Holdco in excess of 65% of the total voting power of all outstanding Voting Stock of such Subsidiary, it being understood that any Equity Interests constituting “stock entitled to vote” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.956-2(c)(2) shall be treated as Voting Stock for purposes of this clause (xii);

(xiii) assets owned by any Pledgor on the Closing Date or hereafter acquired and any proceeds thereof as to which the Borrower reasonably determines (and the Collateral Agent agrees in writing (which may be by e-mail)) that the cost of obtaining such a security interest or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the benefit to the Secured Parties of the security to be afforded thereby;

 

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(xiv) any lease, permit, license or other agreement permitted to be entered into under this Agreement, in each case, only to the extent and for so long as a grant of a security interest therein in favor of the Collateral Agent would violate or invalidate such lease, permit, license or agreement, cause the acceleration or the termination thereof or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries);

(xv) any Qualified Receivables Assets;

(xvi) all locomotives, rail cars and rolling stock now or hereafter leased by the Loan Parties;

(xvii) any right, title and interests in and to any ship, boat or other vessel;

(xviii) the Loan Parties’ timber to be cut other than to the extent encumbered by any Mortgage; and

(xix) Specified Leased Properties excluded from the Collateral pursuant to clause (B) of the proviso to Section 8.1.17(a)(ii);

(xx) Excluded Accounts described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the definition of “Excluded Accounts”; and

(xxi) Immaterial Real Property;

provided that (x) clauses (viii), (ix), (xi) and (xiv) shall be after giving effect to applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction or other applicable law, and shall not include proceeds and receivables of assets described in such clauses, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction notwithstanding the prohibition described in such clause, (y) in no event shall any Undivided Interests or Permitted Other Undivided Interests owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries constitute Excluded Assets except (A) any Manufactured (Mobile) Home or Building excluded from the Collateral by operation of Section 8.1.17(b)(ii) or (iii) and (B) any Specified Leased Property that is excluded from the Collateral pursuant to clause (B) of the proviso to Section 8.1.17(a)(ii) and (z) Excluded Assets shall not include any Proceeds (as defined in the UCC), substitutions or replacements of any assets referred to in any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (xx) unless such Proceeds (as defined in the UCC), substitutions or replacements would constitute assets expressly referred to in any such clause.

(c) No actions shall be required to perfect security interests in locomotive, rail cars and rolling stock owned by the Loan Parties until the aggregate Fair Market Value of such assets exceeds $5,000,000.

(d) No actions in any non-U.S. jurisdiction or required by the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction shall be required to be taken (x) to create any security interests in assets located or titled outside of the U.S. or (y) to perfect or make enforceable any security interests in any assets (other than delivery of Equity Interests pursuant to Section 8.1.17(a)(i)) (it being understood that no security agreements or pledge agreements governed under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction shall be required).

 

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(e) No Loan Party shall effect any change (i) in any Loan Party’s legal name, (ii) in the location of any Loan Party’s chief executive office, (iii) in any Loan Party’s identity or organizational structure, (iv) in any Loan Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number or organizational identification number, if any, or (v) in any Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization (in each case, including by merging with or into any other entity, reorganizing, dissolving, liquidating, reorganizing or organizing in any other jurisdiction), until (A) it shall have given the Agents not less than 5 days’ prior written notice, or such lesser notice period agreed to by the Collateral Agent, of its intention so to do, clearly describing such change and providing such other information in connection therewith any Agent may reasonably request and (B) it shall have taken all action reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interest of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral, if applicable. Each Loan Party agrees to promptly provide the Collateral Agent with certified organizational documents reflecting any of the changes described in the preceding sentence.

8.1.18 Title .

The Loan Parties shall comply with the requirements set forth on Schedule 8.1.18 .

8.1.19 Maintenance of Permits .

The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain all Required Permits in full force and effect in accordance with their terms except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

8.1.20 Environmental Reports .

If an Event of Default caused by reason of a breach under Section 8.1.10 [Compliance with Laws] with respect to compliance with Environmental Laws shall have occurred and be continuing, at the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, provide, in the case of the Borrower, to the Collateral Agent within 60 days after such request, at the expense of the Borrower, an environmental or mining site assessment or audit report for the properties, which are the subject of such breach prepared by an environmental or mining consulting firm reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent and indicating the presence or absence of Hazardous Materials and the estimated cost of any compliance or corrective action in connection with such properties and the estimated cost of curing any violation of or non-compliance with any Environmental Law.

8.1.21 Post-Closing Matters .

The Loan Parties will execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent (as applicable) the documents and complete the tasks set forth on Schedule 8.1.21 , within the time frames set forth therein, unless otherwise waived or extended by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion.

8.2 Negative Covenants .

The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, covenant and agree that until payment in full of the Loans and interest thereon, satisfaction of all of the Loan Parties’ other Obligations hereunder and termination of the Commitments, the Loan Parties shall comply with the following negative covenants:

 

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8.2.1 Indebtedness .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, incur, assume or otherwise become liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “ incur ”) any Indebtedness, and the Borrower will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any Preferred Stock, except:

(a) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;

(b) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 8.2.1 , and Refinancing Indebtedness of such Indebtedness;

(c) Indebtedness owed by (i) a Loan Party to another Loan Party, (ii) a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to another Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, (iii) a Restricted Subsidiary to a Loan Party and (iv) any Loan Party to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party; provided that (x) any Indebtedness pursuant to clause (iii) is permitted by Section 8.2.4(h) or (l) [Loans and Investments] and (y) any Indebtedness pursuant to clause (iv) is subordinated to the extent required by, and in accordance with, Section 8.1.12 [Subordination of Intercompany Loans];

(d) Indebtedness not otherwise permitted under this Section  8.2.1 in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $105,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that such Indebtedness shall at all times comply with the Required Debt Terms;

(e) Indebtedness represented by mortgage financings, purchase money obligations or other Indebtedness, in each case incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the price or cost of design, construction, installation, development, repair or improvement of plant, property or equipment used in the business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, and Capital Lease Obligations, and Refinancing Indebtedness of any of the foregoing, in an aggregate amount, when taken together with the outstanding amount of all other Indebtedness or Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (e), not to exceed at any time outstanding under this clause (e) $5,000,000;

(f) Indebtedness under Swap Agreements permitted under Section 8.2.12 [Swaps]; and

(g) Indebtedness in respect of self-insurance obligations or bid, plugging and abandonment, appeal, reimbursement, performance, reclamation, employment, surety and similar obligations and completion guarantees provided by or for the account of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, and any Guaranties and letters of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing in the ordinary course of business;

provided that in the case of clause (d), at the time of and after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Indebtedness, no Potential Default or Event of Default shall exist.

In the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Indebtedness described in the clauses of the preceding paragraph, the Borrower shall, in its sole discretion, divide, classify or reclassify (or later divide, classify, redivide or reclassify) such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this covenant (including splitting into multiple exceptions) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of such clauses of the preceding paragraph.

 

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The accrual of interest or Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock dividends or distributions, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends or distributions on Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock in the form of additional securities of the same class of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided that the amount thereof shall be included in the calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense of the Borrower as accrued to the extent required by the definition of such term.

8.2.2 Liens .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, at any time, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any property or assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, tangible or intangible, now owned or hereafter acquired, or agree or become liable to do so, except Permitted Liens.

8.2.3 Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary,” the Board of Directors of the Borrower may at any time designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary (including any newly acquired or newly formed Restricted Subsidiary at or prior to the time it is so acquired or formed but excluding any Restricted Subsidiary that was previously an Unrestricted Subsidiary), or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) immediately before and after such designation, no Potential Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the Financial Covenants and (iii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of any Specified Junior Obligations (unless it is substantially concurrently being designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary under such Specified Junior Obligations). Any (x) designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or (y) redesignation as a Restricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Agents by delivering to each Agent a copy of a Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the requirements of this Section 8.2.3. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary (as applicable) therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Borrower’s or such relevant Restricted Subsidiary’s (as applicable) investment therein, as determined in good faith by such Borrower or such relevant Restricted Subsidiary, and the Investment resulting from such designation must otherwise be permitted under Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments]. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Investment, Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time.

(b) No Unrestricted Subsidiary shall:

(1) have any Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

(2) except as permitted by Section 8.2.8 [Affiliate Transactions], be party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Borrower;

 

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(3) be a Person with respect to which either the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has any direct or indirect obligation (x) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (y) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; or

(4) Guaranty or otherwise directly or indirectly provide credit support for any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, except to the extent such Guaranty would be and is released upon such designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

8.2.4 Loans and Investments .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, at any time, directly or indirectly, make or suffer to remain outstanding any Investment or become or remain liable for any Investments, except:

(a) (i) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business and (ii) loans or advances to officers, directors or employees made in the ordinary course of business; provided that such loans and advances to all such officers, directors and employees do not exceed an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 outstanding at any time;

(b) Temporary Cash Investments;

(c) any transaction permitted under Section 8.2.6 [Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions] (including any Permitted Acquisition);

(d) such Investments consisting of prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits made in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(e) any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Closing Date and described on Schedule 8.2.4 , and any Investment consisting of an extension, modification or renewal of any such Investment existing on, or made pursuant to a binding commitment existing on, the Closing Date; provided that any increase in the amount of any such Investment will be permitted only to the extent such increase is otherwise permitted under this Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments];

(f) Investments (i) in any Loan Party or (ii) by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;

(g) any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (i) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer or (ii) litigation, arbitration or other disputes;

(h) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any one time outstanding the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 5.0% of CTA at such time;

(i) Investments in the form of an increase in the ownership percentage of the Undivided Interests by the Loan Parties;

 

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(j) Investments in (i) the Pennsylvania Mining Complex in accordance with the ratable ownership of the Undivided Interests by the Loan Parties or (ii) the Specified Other Asset in accordance with the ratable ownership of the Permitted Other Undivided Interest therein by the Loan Parties; provided that, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), such Undivided Interest and Permitted Other Undivided Interest (and any increase in the ownership percentage in such Undivided Interest and Permitted Other Undivided Interest) shall have been acquired in a Permitted Acquisition;

(k) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided Investments pursuant to this clause (k) shall not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time;

(l) Investments in Joint Ventures; provided Investments pursuant to this clause (l) shall not exceed in the aggregate at any time the greater of (i) $10,000,000 and (ii) 2.0% of CTA at such time;

(m) an Investment in receivables owing to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms, including such concessionary trade terms as the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

(n) Swap Agreements permitted under Section 8.2.12 [Swaps];

(o) [reserved];

(p) endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business;

(q) guarantees by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of performance of obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business (other than for payment of Indebtedness or letter of credit reimbursement obligations); provided guarantees pursuant to this clause (q) of such obligations of Persons that are not Loan Parties shall not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time; and

(r) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of Designated Non-Cash Consideration in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Threshold Amount at any one time outstanding;

provided that, in the case of clause (h), (i), (k) or (l), after giving effect to any such Investment, no Event of Default or Potential Default shall exist or shall result from any such Investment.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document, the Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any Investments of the type referred to in Section 8.2.4(j) [Investments] other than pursuant to Section 8.2.6(b) [Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions].

8.2.5 Restricted Payments .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make a Restricted Payment, except:

(a) [Reserved];

(b) so long as no Event of Default exists or would be caused thereby, and only to the extent permitted by the Partnership Agreement, the Borrower may make distributions with respect to any fiscal quarter to the holders of its Equity Interests up to the amount of Available Cash with respect to such fiscal quarter;

 

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(c) payments of cash, dividends, distributions, advances or other Restricted Payments by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon (i) the exercise of options or warrants or (ii) the conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of any such Person;

(d) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries held by any current or former officer, director or employee of the Borrower, any of the Restricted Subsidiaries or the General Partner (to the extent granted to such Person in respect of performance of services for the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries) (or their respective estates, heirs, family members, spouses, former spouses or beneficiaries under their estates or other permitted transferees), pursuant to the terms of any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement, compensation agreement or arrangement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate amount of such acquisitions or retirements (excluding amounts representing cancellation of Indebtedness) shall not exceed $2,000,000 in any calendar year (with any portion of such $2,000,000 amount that is unused in any calendar year to be carried forward to successive calendar years and added to such amount, provided that the amount carried forward shall not exceed $6,000,000 at any time); provided further that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Borrower after the Closing Date;

(e) the Borrower and each of the Restricted Subsidiaries may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its Equity Interests or make other Restricted Payments with the net cash proceeds received by the Borrower from the substantially concurrent issuance and sale of common stock of the Borrower;

(f) the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock or other equity options to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock or other equity options and any repurchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests made in lieu of withholding taxes in connection with any exercise or exchange of stock options, warrants, incentives or other rights to acquire Equity Interests;

(g) prepayment of any Specified Junior Obligations with other Indebtedness that satisfies the requirements of the definition of such Required Debt Terms and otherwise constitutes Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to such Specified Junior Obligations being so prepaid;

(h) repurchases of Specified Junior Obligations to the extent that, in accordance with Required Debt Terms, such Specified Junior Obligations are permitted to have mandatory prepayment or offer to purchase events upon asset dispositions, at a purchase price not greater than 100% of the principal amount of such Specified Junior Obligations in the event of an asset disposition, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the extent required by the terms of such Specified Junior Obligations, but only if the Borrower has complied with and fully satisfied its obligations in accordance with Sections 5.6.3(b) [Mandatory Prepayments] and 8.2.7 [Dispositions]; and

(i) any other Restricted Payments may be made in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate per fiscal year.

 

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8.2.6 Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, dissolve, liquidate or wind-up its affairs, or become a party to any merger or consolidation, or make any acquisition described in subclause (w), (x), (y) or (z) of clause (b) below (including by acquisition of the Equity Interests of another Person); provided that (subject to the last paragraph of Section 8.2.4 [Investments]):

(a) (i) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or merge into any other Restricted Subsidiary or acquire Equity Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that in the case of a consolidation or merger involving a Loan Party, a Loan Party is the surviving entity and (ii) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or merge into the Borrower; provided that the Borrower is the surviving entity;

(b) the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may acquire whether by purchase or by merger or consolidation, (v) Equity Interests of another Person, (w) substantially all of the assets of another Person or the assets constituting a business or division of another Person, (x) the material assets of another Person, (y) assets consisting of the Pennsylvania Mining Complex (including any increase in the ownership percentage of Undivided Interests) or (z) any material portion of the Specified Other Asset, or Permitted Other Undivided Interests (including any increase in the ownership percentage of Permitted Other Undivided Interests) (each, a “ Permitted Acquisition ”); provided that each of the following requirements is met:

(i) no Potential Default or Event of Default shall exist immediately prior to and after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition;

(ii) after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition, the amount of unused Commitments that could be drawn without breaching the Financial Covenants must be no less than the greater of (x) 10% of the aggregate Commitments at such time and (y) $40,000,000;

(iii) the Borrower shall be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the Financial Covenants;

(iv) to the extent that the acquisition includes the acquisition of Equity Interests in any Person that is not a Loan Party or that does not become a Loan Party in connection with such acquisition, or of assets by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such acquisition shall be subject to Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments] (without giving effect to clause (c) thereof) and the aggregate Consideration attributable to such Equity Interests or assets shall count against availability under Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments] (other than clause (c) thereof); and

(v) if the Consideration to be paid by the Restricted Subsidiaries for such Permitted Acquisition exceeds the Threshold Amount or is of the type referred to in clause (y) or (z) above, the Restricted Subsidiaries shall deliver to the Agents before or contemporaneously with such Permitted Acquisition: (1) a certificate of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit 8.2.6 evidencing (x) compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the Financial Covenants and (y) compliance with the applicable requirements of clauses (b)(i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 8.2.6 and (2) to the extent reasonably requested by any Agent and not subject to confidentiality obligations owed to any Person other than CEI or any of its Subsidiaries, copies of any agreements entered into or proposed to be entered into by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Permitted Acquisition and such other information about such Person or its assets, and any Agent may, to the extent it receives any such copies of agreements or information, provide such copies of agreements or information to the Lenders;

 

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(c) the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may effect Dispositions permitted by Section 8.2.7 [Dispositions] and any liquidation, merger, consolidation or acquisition to effect such Disposition; provided that in the case of a consolidation or merger, the requirements of Section 8.2.6(a) are complied with, to the extent applicable; and

(d) any Restricted Subsidiary that holds only de minimis assets and is not conducting any material business may dissolve.

8.2.7 Dispositions .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any Disposition, except:

(a) any Disposition between or among the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that in the case of a consolidation or merger, the requirements of Section 8.2.6(a) [Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions] are complied with, to the extent applicable;

(b) any Disposition that constitutes a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 8.2.5 [Restricted Payments] or an Investment permitted by Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments];

(c) an issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or to a Restricted Subsidiary;

(d) the sale of extracted Coal, other mineral products or other inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(e) any Disposition of Receivables to CEI or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined under the CEI Credit Agreement) in accordance with Section 8.2.8(o) [Affiliate Transactions];

(f) any Disposition of surplus, damaged, worn-out or obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business (including the abandonment or other disposition of intellectual property, including seismic data and interpretations thereof, that is, in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as whole);

(g) the granting of licenses and sublicenses by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of software or intellectual property, including seismic data and interpretations thereof, in the ordinary course of business;

(h) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business;

(i) the granting of Permitted Liens and dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;

(j) the sale or other disposition of cash or Temporary Cash Investments or other financial instruments;

 

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(k) the early termination or unwinding of any Swap Agreement;

(l) any Disposition; provided that (i) within 365 days following any such Disposition of assets that were the subject thereof are replaced by substitute, replacement or other assets of the type used in the business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, and (ii) all such substitute assets are subject to the Collateral Agent’s Lien for the benefit of the Secured Parties to the extent such substitute assets are required to be part of the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; provided, further , that the fair market value of all assets Disposed of under this clause in any given fiscal year (other than transfers of property subject to a Casualty Event or condemnation proceeding) shall not exceed $60,000,000;

(m) leases or subleases of subsurface interests in Real Property that are not part of the Pennsylvania Mining Complex and are in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower not economically practical for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to mine or operate;

(n) other Dispositions; provided that the fair market value of all assets Disposed of under this clause (n) in any given fiscal year (other than transfers of property subject to a Casualty Event or condemnation proceeding) shall not exceed the greater of (i) $10,000,000 and (ii) 2.0% of CTA as of the end of the preceding fiscal year; and

(o) any Disposition that is not permitted by the other clauses of this Section 8.2.7 [Dispositions], which is approved by the Required Lenders;

provided that (I) in the case of clauses (e), (l) and (n), no Potential Default or Event of Default is then in existence or will result therefrom and (II) the Borrower shall not cause or permit any Disposition (x) of the Pennsylvania Mining Complex or the Specified Other Asset or (y) consisting of a reduction in the percentage ownership of the Undivided Interests or the Specified Other Undivided Interests, except, in each case, a Permitted Undivided Interests Sale.

8.2.8 Affiliate Transactions .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of transactions (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property, employee compensation arrangements or the rendering of any service) with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Borrower (an “ Affiliate Transaction ”) unless the terms thereof, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could reasonably be obtained at the time of such transaction in arm’s-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate or, if in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Borrower, no comparable transaction is available with which to compare such Affiliate Transaction, such Affiliate Transaction is otherwise fair to the Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view.

The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of foregoing paragraph:

(a) any employment agreement, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification agreement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and payments pursuant thereto;

 

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(b) any sale of Hydrocarbons or other mineral products to an Affiliate of the Borrower or the entering into or performance of Hydrocarbon Swap Agreements, contracts for exploring for, producing, gathering, marketing, processing, storing or otherwise handling Hydrocarbons, or activities or services reasonably related or ancillary thereto, or other operational contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business which are fair to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party, as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

(c) the sale or issuance to an Affiliate of the Borrower of Capital Stock of the Borrower that does not constitute Disqualified Stock, and the sale to an Affiliate of the Borrower of Indebtedness (including Disqualified Stock) of the Borrower in connection with an offering of such Indebtedness in a market transaction and on terms substantially identical to those of other purchasers in such market transaction;

(d) transactions between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Borrower (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Borrower) solely because of the ownership by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of Equity Interests in such Person (including the transaction pursuant to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary acquired such Equity Interests);

(e) transactions between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Person, a director of which is also a director of the Borrower and such director is the sole cause for such Person to be deemed an Affiliate of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such director shall abstain from voting as a director of the Borrower on any matter involving such other Person;

(f) the payment of reasonable fees to and reimbursements of expenses (including travel and entertainment expenses and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business) of employees, officers, directors or consultants of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(g) transactions between or among the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(h) payments that are permitted under Section 8.2.5 [Restricted Payments];

(i) payments required under any Material Contract;

(j) transactions effected, and payments made, in accordance with the terms of any agreement to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party as of the Closing Date and described on Schedule 8.2.8 and any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, renewals or replacements thereof so long as such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, renewals or replacements could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, as determined in good faith by the Borrower; provided , that any failure of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to comply with this Section 8.2.8(j) shall not be a breach of this Section 8.2.8(j) (and shall not ripen into an Event of Default under Section 9.1.4) to the extent such failure to comply is attributable to any action or inaction of any CEI Entity;

(k) any transaction in which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, delivers to the Agents a letter from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing (or otherwise reasonably acceptable to each Agent) stating that such transaction is fair to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or that such transaction meets the requirements of the preceding paragraph;

 

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(l) loans or advances to employees, officers or directors in the ordinary course of business and approved by the Borrower’s Board of Directors in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 outstanding at any one time;

(m) transactions that have received “Special Approval” by the “Conflicts Committee” (as each term is defined in the Partnership Agreement);

(n) pledges by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of (or any Guaranty by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary limited in recourse solely to) Equity Interests in Unrestricted Subsidiaries for the benefit of lenders or other creditors of the Borrower’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(o) the sale, contribution, conveyance or other transfer of or granting of a security interest in Qualified Receivables Assets by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to CEI or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined under the CEI Credit Agreement) in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction on terms that are customary for asset securitization or factoring transactions involving Receivables; and

(p) the consummation of the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses in connection therewith.

8.2.9 Change in Business .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than a Permitted Business.

8.2.10 Fiscal Year .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, change its fiscal year from the twelve-month period beginning January 1 and ending December 31.

8.2.11 Amendments to Certain Documents .

(a) The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, amend its certificate of incorporation (including any provisions or resolutions relating to Capital Stock), by-laws, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents in a manner that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change. The Borrower shall not, through merger or otherwise, reincorporate under the laws of a jurisdiction other than a State of the United States or the District of Columbia.

(b) The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, amend or modify or grant any waiver or release under any Material Contract, if such amendment, modification, waiver or release affects the assignability of any such contract or agreement in a manner that would have a material and adverse effect on the rights of the Secured Parties in the Collateral (including in such agreement as Collateral) or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; provided that amendments, waivers and consents under multiple Material Contracts entered into substantially contemporaneously shall be viewed taken as a whole.

 

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(c) Any failure of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to comply with this Section 8.2.11 [Amendments to Certain Documents] shall not be a breach of this Section 8.2.11 (and shall not ripen into an Event of Default under Section 9.1.4) to the extent such failure to comply is attributable to any action or inaction of any CEI Entity.

8.2.12 Swaps .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Swap Agreement, other than those entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities.

8.2.13 Financial Covenants .

(a) Maximum First Lien Gross Leverage Ratio . Commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2017, the Borrower shall not permit the First Lien Gross Leverage Ratio, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, to be greater than 2.75 to 1.00.

(b) Maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio . Commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2017, the Borrower shall not permit the Total Net Leverage Ratio, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, to be greater than 3.25 to 1.00.

8.2.14 Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary ( provided that (x) the priority that any series of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary has in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions shall not be deemed to be a restriction on the ability to pay dividends or make other distributions on its Capital Stock for purposes of this covenant and (y) the subordination of Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness incurred by any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to pay Indebtedness);

(2) make any loans or advances to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that the subordination of loans or advances made to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances); or

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its property or assets to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary.

The foregoing restrictions of this Section 8.2.14 [Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries] will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(a) any encumbrance or restriction in any agreement in effect on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 8.2.14 ;

(b) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary on or prior to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Borrower or became a Restricted Subsidiary

 

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(other than Indebtedness incurred as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Borrower) and outstanding on such date;

(c) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement effecting a Refinancing of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (a) or (b) of this paragraph or this clause (c) or contained in any amendment to an agreement referred to in clause (a) or (b) of this paragraph or this clause (c); provided that the encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in any such refinancing agreement or amendment are no less favorable to the Lenders than encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in such agreements, as determined in good faith by the Borrower;

(d) (i) customary non-assignment provisions in any contract, license, lease or sale or exchange agreement and (ii) cash, other deposits, or net worth or similar requirements, in each case, imposed by suppliers, customers or lessors under contracts or leases, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(e) in the case of clause (3) of the preceding paragraph, restrictions contained in Capital Lease Obligations, purchase money obligations, security agreements or mortgages securing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such Capital Lease Obligations, purchase money obligations, security agreements or mortgages;

(f) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition;

(g) [reserved];

(h) Liens otherwise permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 8.2.2 [Liens] that limit the right of the debtor to Dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(i) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements (including, without limitation, agreements entered into in connection with an Investment) entered into with the approval of the Borrower’s Board of Directors, which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements;

(j) encumbrances or restrictions applicable only to a Foreign Subsidiary;

(k) Swap Agreements permitted under Section 8.2.12 [Swaps];

(l) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to or by reason of an agreement that the Unrestricted Subsidiary is a party to or entered into before the date on which such Unrestricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such agreement was not entered into in anticipation of the Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and any such encumbrance or restriction does not extend to any assets or property of the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets and property of such Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

(m) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (a) through (l) of this paragraph; provided that such amendments are not materially more restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment or refinancing, as determined in good faith by the Borrower.

 

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8.2.15 Negative Pledge Agreements .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or permit to exist any Contractual Requirement (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that limits the ability of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person (other than property specifically excluded from the Collateral requirements pursuant to Section 8.1.17(b) [Collateral]) for the benefit of the Secured Parties with respect to the Obligations or under the Loan Documents; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to each of the following Contractual Requirements that:

(a) (i) exist on the Closing Date and (to the extent not otherwise permitted by this Section 8.2.15) are listed on Schedule 8.2.15 and (ii) to the extent Contractual Requirements permitted by subclause (i) are set forth in an agreement evidencing Indebtedness or other obligations, are set forth in any agreement evidencing any Refinancing Indebtedness of such Indebtedness or obligation so long as such Refinancing Indebtedness does not expand the scope of such Contractual Requirement;

(b) are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such Contractual Requirements were not entered into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary;

(c) arise pursuant to agreements entered into with respect to any Disposition permitted by Section 8.2.7 [Dispositions] and applicable solely to assets under such Disposition;

(d) are customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements permitted by Section 8.2.4 [Loans and Investments] and applicable to the joint ventures owned by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(e) are negative pledges and restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2.1 [Indebtedness], but solely to the extent any negative pledge relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness;

(f) are customary restrictions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted hereby so long as such restrictions relate to the assets subject thereto;

(g) [reserved];

(h) are customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(i) are customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(j) restrict the use of cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(k) are imposed by requirements of Law;

 

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(l) customary net worth provisions contained in real property leases entered into by any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Borrower has determined in good faith that such net worth provisions would not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries to meet their ongoing obligation;

(m) are customary restrictions and conditions contained in the document relating to any Lien, so long as (i) such Lien is a Permitted Lien that does not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money and such restrictions or conditions relate only to the specific asset subject to such Lien and (ii) such restrictions and conditions are not created for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this Section 8.2.15;

(n) are restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.2.1 [Indebtedness] or Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, to the extent such restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the restrictions contained in the Loan Documents as determined by the Borrower in good faith and do not restrict Liens on the Collateral to secure the Obligations;

(o) are restrictions regarding licenses or sublicenses by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business (in which case such restriction shall relate only to such intellectual property);

(p) are encumbrances or restrictions contained in an agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, or of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, or that is assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case that is in existence at the time of such transaction (but not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired or designated; and

(q) are encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (a) through (p) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Borrower’s Board of Directors, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

8.3 Reporting Requirements .

The Loan Parties, jointly and severally, covenant and agree that until payment in full of the Loans and interest thereon, satisfaction of all of the Loan Parties’ other Obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and termination of the Commitments, the Loan Parties will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Agents, the CEI Agents and each of the Lenders:

8.3.1 Quarterly Financial Statements .

As soon as available and in any event within 45 calendar days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters in each fiscal year (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2018), (i) financial statements of the Borrower, consisting of a consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal quarter and related consolidated statements of operations, partners’ capital and cash flows for the

 

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fiscal quarter then ended and the fiscal year through that date, all in reasonable detail and certified (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments) by the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the Borrower (or the General Partner) as having been prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, and setting forth in comparative form the respective financial statements for the corresponding date and period in the previous fiscal year and (ii) a management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for each period for which financial statements are delivered pursuant to clause (i) above.

8.3.2 Annual Financial Statements .

As soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017), (i) financial statements of the Borrower consisting of a consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year, and related consolidated statements of operations, partners’ capital and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended, all in reasonable detail and setting forth in comparative form the respective financial statements for the corresponding date and period in the previous fiscal year, and certified by independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing reasonably satisfactory to the CEI Agents and (ii) a management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for each fiscal year for which financial statements are delivered pursuant to clause (i) above. The certificate or report of accountants shall be free of qualifications (other than any consistency qualification that may result from a change in the method used to prepare the financial statements as to which such accountants concur) or explanation statement as to “going concern” or similar matter or the scope of such audit, in each case, other than any “going concern” qualification or explanation resulting solely from a maturity scheduled to occur within twelve months of such audit of any Class of Loans or Commitments hereunder.

8.3.3 SEC Website .

Reports or other information required to be delivered pursuant to Section 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements], Section 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements] and Sections 8.3.7(b) and (c) [Budgets, Forecasts, Other Reports and Information] shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which such report or other information is posted on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and such posting shall be deemed to satisfy the reporting and delivery requirements of Sections 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements], 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements] and 8.3.7(b) and (c) [Budgets, Forecasts, Other Reports and Information].

8.3.4 Certificate of the Borrower .

On the date that the financial statements of the Borrower furnished to the Agents, the CEI Agents and to the Lenders pursuant to Section 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements] and Section 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements] are required to be furnished, a certificate (each a “ Compliance Certificate ”) of the Borrower signed by the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of the Borrower, in the form of Exhibit 8.3.4 , to the effect that, except as described pursuant to Section 8.3.5 [Notice of Default], (i) no Event of Default or Potential Default exists and is continuing on the date of such certificate, (ii) containing calculations in reasonable detail to demonstrate compliance as of the date of such financial statements with the Financial Covenants (iii) in the case of a Compliance Certificate delivered with respect to any fiscal year, identifying and setting forth the assets and Consolidated Net Income attributable to each Immaterial Subsidiary and (iv) describing the commodity Swap Agreements in place to which any Loan Party is a party and confirming that all such Swap Agreements are Swap Agreements that the Loan Parties are permitted to enter under Section 8.2.12 [Swaps].

 

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8.3.5 Notice of Default .

Promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower has learned of the occurrence of an Event of Default or Potential Default, a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Potential Default and the action that the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.

8.3.6 Certain Events .

Written notice to the Agents, for provision to the Lenders:

(a) within five (5) Business Days of the occurrence thereof, upon any amendment, modification or waiver to any Loan Document;

(b) promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower has learned of the commencement thereof, notice of all actions, suits, proceedings or investigations before or by any Official Body or any other Person against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (that would reasonably be expected to result in a liability against such Person) (i) relating to the Collateral involving a claim or series of claims in excess of the Threshold Amount or (ii) which if adversely determined would constitute a Material Adverse Change;

(c) promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower has knowledge thereof, any event which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change;

(d) promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower has knowledge thereof, any material breach under any Material Contract or any Specified Junior Obligations;

(e) promptly after any Loan Party incurs obligations or liabilities that are due and payable arising in connection with or as a result of the early or premature termination of Swap Agreements (whether or not occurring as a result of a default thereunder), which would exceed the Threshold Amount in the aggregate; and

(f) within five (5) Business Days after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower has knowledge thereof, of the occurrence of any ERISA Event that would reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse Change.

8.3.7 Budgets, Forecasts, Other Reports and Information .

Delivery to the Agents and the CEI Agents, for provision to the Lenders:

(a) Concurrently with or prior to the delivery of financial statements pursuant to Section 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements] for any fiscal year, the budget for the succeeding fiscal year;

(b) Any reports, notices or proxy statements generally distributed by the Borrower to its stockholders on a date no later than the date supplied to such stockholders;

(c) Regular or periodic reports, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, registration statements and prospectuses, filed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with the SEC;

(d) Simultaneously with each delivery of financial statements referred to in Sections 8.3.1 [Quarterly Financial Statements] and 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements], the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements;

 

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(e) Simultaneously with each delivery of financial statements referred to in Section 8.3.2 [Annual Financial Statements], a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth the information required pursuant to the Perfection Certificate Supplement or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Perfection Certificate or latest Perfection Certificate Supplement;

(f) Promptly upon their becoming available to the Borrower, a copy of any order in any proceeding to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party issued by any Official Body to the extent it could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; and

(g) Promptly upon request, such other reports and information as any of the Lenders, an Agent or any CEI Agent may from time to time reasonably request, including five year projections of the Borrower.

9. DEFAULT

9.1 Events of Default .

An Event of Default shall mean the occurrence or existence of any one or more of the following events or conditions (whatever the reason therefor and whether voluntary, involuntary or effected by operation of Law):

9.1.1 Payments Under Loan Documents .

(a) The Borrower shall fail to make any payment of principal on any Loan when due;

(b) The Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan within three (3) Business Days after such interest becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or

(c) The Borrower shall fail to pay any other amount owing hereunder (specifically excluding amounts that are addressed in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above) or under the other Loan Documents within three (3) Business Days after the time period specified herein or therein and, if no time period is specified, then within ten (10) Business Days after a demand or notice has been provided to the Borrower requesting payment of such amount;

9.1.2 Breach of Warranty .

Any representation or warranty made at any time by any of the Loan Parties herein or by any of the Loan Parties in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, other instrument or statement furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof or thereof, shall prove to have been false or incorrect in any material respect as of the time it was made or furnished;

9.1.3 Breach of Certain Covenants .

Any of the Loan Parties shall default in the observance or performance of any covenant contained in Section 8.1.1 [Preservation of Existence, Etc.] (with respect to the legal existence of the Borrower only), Section 8.1.6 [Visitation Rights], Section 8.1.11 [Use of Proceeds], Section 8.1.13 [Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws], Section 8.2 [Negative Covenants] or Section 8.3.5 [Notice of Default];

 

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9.1.4 Breach of Other Covenants .

Any of the Loan Parties shall default in the observance or performance of any covenant, condition or provision hereof or of any other Loan Document that is not covered by any other subsection of this Section 9.1, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after any Responsible Officer of any Loan Party becomes aware of the occurrence thereof;

9.1.5 Defaults in Other Agreements or Indebtedness .

A breach, default or event of default shall occur at any time under the terms of any agreement (other than any Loan Document and, for the avoidance of doubt, any CEI Credit Document) involving borrowed money or the extension of credit or any other Indebtedness under which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary for all such Indebtedness may be obligated as a borrower or guarantor in excess of the Threshold Amount in the aggregate for such Indebtedness, and such breach, default or event of default consists of the failure to pay (beyond any period of grace permitted with respect thereto) any Indebtedness when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) or if such breach or default permits or causes the acceleration of any Indebtedness or the termination of any commitment to lend in excess of the Threshold Amount in the aggregate for all such Indebtedness and commitments;

9.1.6 Final Judgments or Orders .

Any final judgments, awards or orders not covered by insurance for the payment of money in excess of the Threshold Amount in the aggregate shall be entered against the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary by a court having jurisdiction in the premises, which judgment is not discharged, vacated, bonded or stayed pending appeal within a period of sixty (60) days from the date of entry;

9.1.7 Loan Document Unenforceable .

(a) Any of the Loan Documents to which any Loan Party is a party (i) shall cease to be a legal, valid and binding agreement enforceable against such Person executing the same or such Person’s successors and assigns (as permitted under the Loan Documents) in accordance with the respective terms thereof or shall cease to be in full force and effect (in either case except by operation of its terms), or (ii) shall be contested or challenged by any Loan Party or any agent thereof or (iii) cease to give or provide the respective Liens, security interests, rights, titles, interests, remedies, powers or privileges intended to be created thereby on assets with an aggregate value (for all assets as to which an event described in this clause (iii) or the clause (b) below has occurred and is continuing) in excess of the Threshold Amount (except by operation of its terms) or (b) any security interest and Lien purported to be created by any Security Document on assets with an aggregate value (for all assets as to which an event described in this clause (b) or the clause (a)(iii) above has occurred and is continuing) in excess of the Threshold Amount shall cease to be in full force and effect, or shall cease to give the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created and granted under such Security Document (except as otherwise expressly provided in such Security Document);

9.1.8 Inability to Pay Debts .

(i) The Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any substantial part of the property of any such Person with an aggregate value (for all property described in this clause (ii)) in excess of the Threshold Amount and is not released, vacated, stayed, dismissed or fully bonded within 60 days after its issue or levy;

 

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9.1.9 ERISA .

The occurrence of any of the following events that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change: (i) an ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan;

9.1.10 Change of Control .

A Change of Control shall occur;

9.1.11 Operating Agreement .

A Loan Party shall not be the “Operator” under the Operating Agreement;

9.1.12 Involuntary Proceedings .

A proceeding shall have been instituted in a court having jurisdiction in the premises seeking a decree or order for relief in respect of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or similar official) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary for any substantial part of its property, or for the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days or such court shall enter a decree or order granting any of the relief sought in such proceeding;

9.1.13 Voluntary Proceedings .

The Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or other similar official) of itself or for any substantial part of its property, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

9.1.14 Material Contracts .

Any termination of any Material Contract shall occur that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; provided that no Event of Default shall exist with respect to the termination of such Material Contract (a) other than the Operating Agreement and the Partnership Agreement, (i) for the 90 days after such termination so long as the Borrower is using commercially reasonable efforts to replace such Material Contract or (ii) if such Material Contract is replaced within 90 days after such termination with a Material Contract that is not materially less favorable (taken as a whole) to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries than the Material Contract that was terminated, or (b) to the extent such termination is attributable to any action or inaction of any CEI Entity.

 

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9.2 Consequences of Event of Default .

9.2.1 Events of Default Other Than Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings .

If an Event of Default (other than under Section 9.1.12 [Involuntary Proceedings] or 9.1.13 [Voluntary Proceedings]) shall occur and be continuing, either Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Lenders, shall, (i) terminate all obligations on the part of the Lenders to make Loans and (ii) by written notice to the Borrower, declare the unpaid principal amount of the Loans then outstanding and all interest accrued thereon, any unpaid fees and all other Obligations (other than Obligations under Specified Swap Agreements and Other Lender Provided Financial Service Products) to be forthwith due and payable, and the same shall thereupon become and be immediately due and payable to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived.

9.2.2 Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Reorganization Proceedings .

If an Event of Default specified under Section 9.1.12 [Involuntary Proceedings] or Section 9.1.13 [Voluntary Proceedings] shall occur, no further obligation shall exist on the Lenders to make any Loans, and the unpaid principal amount of the Loans then outstanding and all interest accrued thereon, any unpaid fees and all other Obligations (other than Obligations under Specified Swap Agreements and Other Lender Provided Financial Service Products) shall be immediately due and payable, in each case, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived.

9.2.3 Set-off .

If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, any Secured Party to whom any Obligation is owed by any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document and any branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Secured Party anywhere in the world shall have the right (to the extent permitted by applicable Law), in addition to all other rights and remedies available to it, without notice to such Loan Party, to set-off against and apply to the then unpaid balance of all the Loans and all other Obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties hereunder or under any other Loan Document any debt owing to, and any other funds held in any manner for the account of, the Borrower or such other Loan Party by such Secured Party or by such branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate, including all funds in all deposit accounts (whether time or demand, general or special, provisionally credited or finally credited, or otherwise) now or hereafter maintained by the Borrower or such other Loan Party for its own account (but not including funds held in custodian or trust accounts or funds not otherwise beneficially owned by the Borrower or such other Loan Party) with such Secured Party or such branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate. Such right shall exist whether or not any Secured Party shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, whether or not such debt owing to or funds held for the account of the Borrower or such other Loan Party is or are matured or unmatured and regardless of the existence or adequacy of any Collateral, Guaranty or any other security, right or remedy available to any Secured Party.

9.2.4 Application of Proceeds .

From and after the date on which any Agent has taken any action pursuant to this Section 9.2 [Consequences of Event of Default] and until all Obligations of the Loan Parties have been Paid in Full, any and all proceeds received by any Agent from any sale or other disposition of the Collateral, or any part thereof, or the exercise of any other remedy by any Agent, shall be applied as follows:

 

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(a) First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, out-of-pocket expenses and other amounts (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the any Agent) payable to such Agent in its capacity as such;

(b) Second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders) arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (b) payable to them;

(c) Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (c) payable to them;

(d) Fourth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and Obligations then owing under Specified Swap Agreements and Other Lender Provided Financial Service Products, ratably among the Lenders and the providers of Specified Swap Agreements and Other Lender Provided Financial Service Products in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (d) held by them; and

(e) Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly Paid in Full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) amounts received from the Borrower or any Guarantor that is not a Qualified ECP Loan Party shall not be applied to the Obligations that are Excluded Swap Obligations (it being understood, that in the event that any amount is applied to Obligations other than Excluded Swap Obligations as a result of this clause (a), the Administrative Agents shall make such adjustments as they determine are appropriate to distributions pursuant to clause Fourth above from amounts received from a Qualified ECP Loan Party to ensure, as nearly as possible, that the proportional aggregate recoveries with respect to Obligations described in clause Fourth above by the holders of any Excluded Swap Obligations are the same as the proportional aggregate recoveries with respect to other Obligations pursuant to clause Fourth above) and (b) Obligations arising under Specified Swap Agreements and Other Lender Provided Financial Service Products shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agent has not received written notice thereof, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the counterparty to such Specified Swap Agreement or Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product, as the case may be. Each counterparty to a Specified Swap Agreements and Other Lender Provided Financial Service Products not a party to this Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agents pursuant to the terms of Section 10 [The Agents] hereof for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

9.2.5 Collateral Agent

All Liens granted as security for the Obligations under the Security Documents and any other Loan Document shall secure the Obligations ratably and on a pari passu basis in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties. No Indemnitee or provider of a Specified Swap Agreement or Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product (except in its capacity as a Lender hereunder (to the extent that this Agreement or any other Loan Document empowers the Lenders to direct the Administrative Agent)) shall be entitled or have the power to direct or instruct the Collateral Agent on any such matters or to control or direct in any manner the maintenance or disposition of the Collateral.

 

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9.2.6 Other Rights and Remedies .

In addition to all of the rights and remedies contained in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents (including each Mortgage), the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable Law, all of which rights and remedies shall be cumulative and non-exclusive to the extent permitted by Law. The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may, and upon the request of the Required Lenders shall, exercise all post-default rights granted to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable Law.

9.3 Notice of Sale .

Any notice required to be given by the Collateral Agent of a sale, lease, or other disposition of the Collateral or any other intended action by the Collateral Agent, if given to the Borrower at least ten (10) days prior to such proposed action, shall constitute commercially reasonable and fair notice thereof to the Borrower.

10. THE AGENTS

10.1 Appointment and Authority .

Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and authorizes the Initial Lender to act as Administrative Agent, and each Secured Party hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and authorizes PNC Bank, National Association to act as Collateral Agent for such Secured Party under the Loan Documents, and to execute and deliver or accept on behalf of each of the Secured Parties the other Loan Documents. Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes, and each holder of any Note by the acceptance of a Note shall be deemed irrevocably to authorize, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other instruments and agreements referred to herein, and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent or any of them by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Initial Lender agrees to act as the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders to the extent provided in the Loan Documents, and PNC Bank, National Association agrees to act as the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Lenders to the extent provided in the Loan Documents. The provisions of this Section 10 are solely for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions, except as set forth in Section 10.6 [Resignation of Agents] or Section 10.10 [Authorization to Release Collateral and Guarantors].

10.2 Rights as a Lender .

Each Person serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the term “ Lender ” or “ Lenders ” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Persons serving as an Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Persons and their respective Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Persons were not an Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

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10.3 Exculpatory Provisions .

The Agents shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agents:

(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Potential Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Agents are required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall such Agent in good faith believe is provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided that each Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law;

(c) shall be entitled to seek the direction or confirmation from the Required Lenders (or other applicable group of Lenders, or in the case of the Collateral Agent, if the Collateral Agent in good faith determines that it is necessary or desirable to consult with any group of CEI Lenders, such group of CEI Lenders) before taking any action under the Loan Documents; and

(d) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by any Person serving as an Agent or any of its respective Affiliates in any capacity.

No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders or group of CEI Lenders as shall be necessary, or as such Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, in accordance with, and under the circumstances as provided in, Sections 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers] and 9.2 [Consequences of Event of Default]) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Potential Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Potential Default or Event of Default is given to such Agent by the Borrower or a Lender.

No Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Potential Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the validity, priority, perfection or continued perfection of any security interest (or purported security interest) in the Collateral or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 7 [Conditions of Lending] or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent.

 

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10.4 Reliance by Agents .

Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, such Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless such Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

10.5 Delegation of Duties .

The Collateral Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent of the Collateral Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Section 10 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their activities as Collateral Agent or sub-agent of the Collateral Agent, as the case may be.

10.6 Resignation of Agents .

The Collateral Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Collateral Agent shall have the right to appoint a successor that is (i) one of the Bookrunners (as defined in the CEI Credit Agreement) under the CEI Credit Agreement as of the Closing Date, (ii) the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or (iii) any other Person that is approved by the Borrower in its sole discretion; provided such approval by the Borrower shall not be required following a Replacement Exercise of Remedies. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Collateral Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Collateral Agent, and the retiring Collateral Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section 10.6). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Collateral Agent (unless the successor is the Initial Lender or any of its Affiliates) shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Collateral Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Section 10.6 and Section 11.3 [Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver] shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Collateral Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Collateral Agent was acting as Collateral Agent. Except with the consent of the Collateral Agent (which the Collateral Agent may withhold at its sole discretion) and, except following a Replacement Exercise of Remedies, the Borrower (which the Borrower may withhold in its sole discretion), the Administrative Agent may not resign or retire. To the extent any such resignation or retirement occurs with the consent of the Collateral Agent (and, prior to a Replacement Exercise of Remedies, the Borrower) referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, the procedures for the resignation, retirement and replacement of the Administrative Agent shall be satisfactory in all respects to the Collateral Agent and, except following a Replacement Exercise of Remedies, the Borrower. Any Person that succeeds to or replaces the Administrative Agent shall be satisfactory to the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion and, except following a Replacement Exercise of Remedies, the Borrower in its sole discretion.

 

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10.7 Non-Reliance on Collateral Agent .

Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Collateral Agent or any of its Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Collateral Agent or any of its Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

10.8 Collateral Agent Role .

The Loan Parties and the Secured Parties hereby acknowledge that PNC is acting as collateral agent, an administrative agent, a letter of credit issuer and a lender under the CEI Credit Documents and may act as an agent or lender under other financing agreements of the Borrower, any Affiliate of Borrower or CEI or one or more of its Affiliates, and expressly consent to PNC acting in any such capacity, including any action or inaction in its capacity as Collateral Agent hereunder that it determines to be in furtherance of, or not contrary to, the interests of the CEI Secured Parties. The Loan Parties and the Secured Parties hereby waive any conflict of interest that may arise out of PNC acting in such capacity, and make the agreements and acknowledgements set forth in Section 11.13 [No Fiduciary Duty] with respect to PNC’s acting in such capacity mutatis mutandis. The Loan Parties and the Secured Parties shall not claim, or support any Person in claiming, any conflict of interest or invalidity of (i) the exercise by the Collateral Agent or the CEI Collateral Agent of its rights or remedies under the Loan Documents or the CEI Credit Documents and (ii) any other duty, obligation or right of the Collateral Agent or the CEI Collateral Agent. The Loan Parties and the Secured Parties agree not to contest, or challenge or support any other Person in contesting or challenging, the acknowledgements, consents, waivers and agreements under this paragraph for any reason.

10.9 Collateral Agent s Fee .

The Borrower shall pay to the Collateral Agent a nonrefundable fee (the “ Collateral Agent’s Fee ”) under the terms of a letter (the “ Collateral Agent’s Letter ”) between the Borrower and the Collateral Agent, as amended from time to time.

10.10 Authorization to Release Collateral and Guarantors .

Each Secured Party expressly agrees that, upon the written request of the Borrower (accompanied by such certificates and other documentation as the applicable Agent may reasonably request), the applicable Agent shall, so long as no Event of Default would exist after giving effect thereto:

(a) in the case of the Administrative Agent, with the consent of the Collateral Agent (such consent not to be withheld if such release is authorized hereunder), release any Person from the Guaranty Agreement if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary, in either case, pursuant to a transaction permitted by the Loan Documents; and

(b) in the case of the Collateral Agent (i) execute any document in a form reasonably satisfactory to it, evidencing the release of any asset from the Lien of the Security Document upon the Disposition (other than any lease) of such asset permitted by the Loan Documents (other than a Disposition to a Loan Party) and (ii) enter into any subordination agreement, non-disturbance agreement or grant of an option with respect to assets, in each case, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, in connection with any easements, permits, licenses, rights of way, options, surface leases or other surface rights or interests permitted by the Loan Documents to be granted or a Disposition permitted by the Loan Documents.

 

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The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, such certificates and other documentation as such Agent(s) may reasonably request to evidence compliance with the applicable provisions of the Loan Documents.

10.11 No Reliance on Collateral Agent s Customer Identification Program .

Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that neither such Lender, nor any of its Affiliates or assignees, may rely on the Collateral Agent to carry out such Lender’s, Affiliate’s or assignee’s customer identification program, or other obligations required or imposed under or pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act or the regulations thereunder, including the regulations contained in 31 CFR 103.121 (as hereafter amended or replaced, the “ CIP Regulations ”), or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, including any programs involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with any of the Loan Parties, their respective Affiliates or their respective agents, the Loan Documents or the transactions hereunder or contemplated hereby: (i) any identity verification procedures, (ii) any recordkeeping, (iii) comparisons with government lists, (iv) customer notices or (v) other procedures required under the CIP Regulations or such other Laws.

10.12 Withholding Tax .

To the extent required by any applicable Law (as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender under any Loan Document an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax. Without limiting or expanding the provisions of Section 5.8 [Taxes], each Lender shall indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent against, and shall make payable in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, any and all Taxes and any and all related losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent) incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent by the IRS or any other Official Body as a result of the failure of the Administrative Agent to properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of such Lender for any reason (including because the appropriate form was not delivered or not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of withholding Tax ineffective). A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due the Administrative Agent under this Section 10.12 [Withholding Tax]. The agreements in this Section 10.12 [Withholding Tax] shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other obligations.

10.13 Certain ERISA Matters .

(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of each Agent and its Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

 

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(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,

(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between each Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b) In addition, (I) unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (II) if such sub-clause (i) is not true with respect to a Lender and such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, each Agent and its Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that:

(i) none of any Agent or any of its Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by any Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto),

(ii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other Person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

(iii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Obligations),

 

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(iv) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

(v) no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to any Agent or any of its Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Commitments or this Agreement.

(c) Each Agent informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

11. MISCELLANEOUS

11.1 Modifications, Amendments or Waivers .

11.1.1 Required Consents .

With the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, acting on behalf of all the Lenders, and the Borrower, on behalf of the Loan Parties, may from time to time enter into written agreements amending or changing any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the rights of the Lenders or the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder, or may grant written waivers or consents hereunder or thereunder; provided that no consent of any Lender is required for actions authorized by Section 10.10 [Authorization to Release Collateral and Guarantors]. Any such agreement, waiver or consent made with such written consent shall be effective to bind all the Lenders and the Loan Parties; provided that no such agreement, waiver or consent may be made which will:

(a) increase the amount of the Commitment of any Lender hereunder without the consent of such Lender;

(b) whether or not any Loans are outstanding, extend the Maturity Date or the time for payment of principal or interest of any Loan, the Commitment Fee or any other fee payable to any Lender, or reduce the principal amount of or the rate of interest borne by any Loan or reduce the Commitment Fee or any other fee payable to any Lender, without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (it being understood that the waiver of (or amendment to the terms of) any mandatory prepayment of the Loans, changes to Section 8.2.13 [Financial Covenants] or the definitions used therein or the application (or waiver of application) of any rate increase described in Section 4.2 [Interest After Default] shall not constitute a postponement of any date scheduled for the payment of principal or interest or a reduction of principal, interest or fees);

 

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(c) except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, without the written consent of all the Lenders and the Collateral Agent, release all or substantially all of the Guarantors (as measured by fair market value of their assets) from their Obligations under the Guaranty Agreement;

(d) except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, without the written consent of all the Lenders and the Collateral Agent, release all or substantially all of the Collateral; or

(e) amend Section 2.4 [Voluntary Commitment Reduction] with respect to the provision regarding ratable reduction of Commitments, Section 5.2 [Pro Rata Treatment of Lenders], Section 5.3 [Sharing of Payments by Lenders] or Section 9.2.4 [Application of Proceeds] or requiring all Lenders to authorize the taking of any action or reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders or the definition of “Ratable Share”, in each case without the consent of all of the Lenders and the Collateral Agent;

(f) amend this Section 11.1 [Modifications, Amendments or Waivers] in a manner that would reduce the voting rights of any Lender without consent of such affected Lender.

11.1.2 Certain Amendments .

Notwithstanding Section 11.1.1(a) [Required Consents] or any other provision in any Loan Document to the contrary, the Borrower, the Agents, on behalf of the Lenders and without any consent or action by any Lender, may amend, modify, supplement or restate in whole or in part any of the Loan Documents from time to time or consent to such action by the Collateral Agent to (i) cure any defect or error, (ii) comply with any provision hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (iii) add Guarantors of the Obligations, (iv) add property or other assets as Collateral, (v) add covenants of the Borrower or the other Loan Parties for the benefit of the Lenders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties, (vi) approve of any correction or update to any Schedule hereto or to any other Loan Document to the extent such Schedule is being corrected in any manner that is not material or is being updated to reflect the consummation of any transaction or exercise of any rights of the Loan Parties permitted hereunder for which no consent is required or for which the required consent has been received, (vii) release from perfection any Lien created by any Loan Document that is no longer required by the terms hereof or such Loan Document to be perfected, (viii) share Collateral on a pro rata basis with any counterparty to a Specified Swap Agreement described in clause (b) of the definition of “Specified Swap Agreement” or (ix) if the Loans or Commitments hereunder are ever held or are anticipated to be held by multiple Lenders at one time, make such technical changes as are necessary to facilitate such holding by multiple Lenders. Furthermore, notwithstanding anything contained in any Loan Document, the Collateral Agent’s Letter may only be amended, waived, consented to or otherwise modified with the consent of each of the Collateral Agent and the Borrower, and no other Person shall be required to or have the right to consent to any such amendment, waiver, consent or modification of the Collateral Agent’s Letter.

11.1.3 Amendments Affecting the Agents, Etc .

No agreement, waiver or consent which would modify the interests, rights or obligations of any Agent, any CEI Agent or the CEI Lenders hereunder may be made without the written consent of such Agent, such CEI Agent or the Required Lenders (as defined under the CEI Credit Agreement), as applicable; provided that in the case of any CEI Agent or the Required Lenders (as defined under the CEI Credit Agreement), such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

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11.2 No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies .

No course of dealing and no delay or failure of any Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power, remedy or privilege under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any other or future exercise thereof or operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power, remedy or privilege. The rights and remedies of each Agent and the Lenders under this Agreement and any other Loan Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have.

11.3 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

11.3.1 Costs and Expenses .

The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel and land professionals for any Agent), and shall pay all reasonable fees in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Agent or any Lender (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Agent or any Lender), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section 11.3 [Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver], or (B) in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans and (iv) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of any Agent’s regular employees and agents engaged periodically to perform audits of the Loan Parties’ books, records and business properties.

11.3.2 Indemnification by the Borrower .

The Borrower shall indemnify each Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each CEI Agent, each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable out-of-pocket related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any outside counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any Subsidiary of the Borrower arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution, enforcement or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any of the Transactions (other than as described in clause (1) of the definition thereof) or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance or nonperformance by the Loan Parties of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any breach of representations, warranties or covenants of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, including any such items or losses relating to or arising under Environmental Laws or pertaining to environmental matters, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that the Borrower shall not be liable for any portion of any liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements with respect

 

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to an Indemnitee (A) if the same is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct or (B) results from a dispute solely among Indemnitees (other than any claims against an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as an Agent or any similar role under this Agreement and other than any claims arising out of any act or omission of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates). The Indemnitees will attempt to minimize the fees and expenses of legal counsel for the Indemnitees which are subject to reimbursement by the Borrower hereunder by considering the usage of one law firm to represent the Indemnitees if appropriate under the circumstances. This Section 11.3.2 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim. For the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower’s indemnifications obligations in respect of CEI are limited to CEI in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Lender hereunder.

11.3.3 Reimbursement by Lenders .

To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Section 2.9.8 [Indemnity], Section 11.3.1 [Costs and Expenses] or Section 11.3.2 [Indemnification by the Borrower] to be paid by it to any Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to such Agent (or any such sub-agent) or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s Ratable Share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against an Agent (or any such sub-agent) in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for such Agent (or any such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity.

11.3.4 Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc .

No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except to the extent such damages are found to be a final, non-appealable judgment of a court to arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, nor shall any Indemnitee, Loan Party or any Subsidiary have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Closing Date); it being agreed that this sentence shall not limit the indemnification obligations of the Loan Parties pursuant to Section 11.3.2 [Indemnification by the Borrower].

11.3.5 Payments .

All amounts due under this Section 11.3 [Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver] shall be payable not later than ten (10) days after demand therefor.

11.4 Holidays .

Whenever payment of a Loan to be made or taken hereunder shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in computing interest and fees, except that the Loans shall be due on the Business Day preceding the Maturity Date if the Maturity Date is not a Business Day. Whenever any payment or action to be made or taken hereunder (other than payment of the Loans) shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment or action shall be made or taken on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall not be included in computing interest or fees, if any, in connection with such payment or action.

 

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11.5 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication .

11.5.1 Notices Generally .

Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in Section 11.5.2 [Electronic Communications]), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier (i) if to a Lender, to it at its address set forth in its administrative questionnaire, or (ii) if to any other Person, to it at its address set forth on Schedule 11.5.1 .

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in Section 11.5.2 [Electronic Communications], shall be effective as provided in such Section.

11.5.2 Electronic Communications .

Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Collateral Agent and the CEI Agents; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender if such Lender has notified the Collateral Agent and the CEI Agents that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication and the Collateral Agent and the CEI Agents shall have notified the Borrower of the same. Each Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the Collateral Agent and the CEI Agents otherwise prescribe, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

11.5.3 Change of Address, Etc .

Any party hereto may change its address, e-mail address or telecopier number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

11.6 Severability .

The provisions of this Agreement are intended to be severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any jurisdiction.

 

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11.7 Duration; Survival .

All representations and warranties of the Loan Parties contained herein or made in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the completion of the transactions hereunder and Payment In Full. All covenants and agreements of the Loan Parties contained herein relating to the payment of principal, interest, premiums, additional compensation or expenses and indemnification, including those set forth in the Notes, Section 2.9.8 [Indemnity], Section 2.9.10 [Cash Collateral Prior to the Maturity Date], Section 5 [Payments] and Section 11.3 [Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver], shall survive payment in full of all principal and interest under the Notes and the termination of the Commitments. All other covenants and agreements of the Loan Parties shall continue in full force and effect from and after the date hereof and until Payment In Full.

11.8 Successors and Assigns .

11.8.1 Successors and Assigns Generally .

Subject to Section 11.8.4(b) [Collateral Assignment], the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Agents and each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.8.2 [Assignments by Lenders] (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Subject to Section 11.8.4(b) [Collateral Assignment], nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the CEI Agents, the CEI Lenders and the Related Parties of each of the Agents and the Lenders, and as set forth in Section 11.12 [Certain Collateral Matters]) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

11.8.2 Assignments by Lenders .

Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) Minimum Amounts .

(i) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(ii) in any case not described in clause (a)(i) of this Section 11.8.2, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption Agreement with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, as of such

 

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Trade Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of the Commitment of the assigning Lender, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(b) Proportionate Amounts . Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned.

(c) Required Consents . No consent shall be required for any assignment except for the following consents :

(i) the consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of the Administrative Agent;

(ii) the consent (which consent may be withheld in its sole discretion) of the Collateral Agent; and

(iii) the consent (which consent may be withheld in its sole discretion) of the Borrower, except following a Replacement Exercise of Remedies; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Agents within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof.

(d) Assignment and Assumption Agreement . The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to each Agent an Assignment and Assumption Agreement and the assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire provided by the Administrative Agent.

(e) Prohibited Assignments . No such assignment shall be made to (i) the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries or (ii) any natural person.

(f) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.8.3 [Register], from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.7 [Increased Costs], and Section 11.3 [Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver] with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment.

11.8.3 Register .

The Administrative Agent shall maintain a record of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and related interest amounts) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The Administrative Agent shall provide a copy of the Register to the Collateral Agent and each CEI Agent upon request. The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

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11.8.4 Collateral Assignment .

(a) Unless otherwise agreed to by the CEI Collateral Agent (in its sole discretion), no Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under the Loan Documents to any Person other than the CEI Collateral Agent.

(b) The Loan Parties (i) consent in all respects to the collateral assignment under the CEI Credit Documents and the CEI Second Lien Notes of all of the Lenders’ right, title and interest in, to and under the Loan Documents, and will execute all such documentation reasonably requested by the CEI Collateral Agent or the collateral trustee for the CEI Second Lien Notes to evidence such pledge and collateral assignment, (ii) agree that each CEI Secured Party is an express third party beneficiary under each provision of each Loan Document to the extent such CEI Secured Party or the Collateral Agent is referred to or specified in such provision of such Loan Document, (iii) acknowledge the right of the CEI Collateral Agent or its designee(s) or assignee(s), in the exercise of the CEI Collateral Agent’s rights and remedies under the CEI Credit Documents, to make all demands, give all notices, take all actions and exercise all rights of the Secured Parties under the Loan Documents (the “ Assigned Interests ”) and (iv) acknowledge that if the CEI Collateral Agent or its designee(s) or assignee(s) has elected to exercise the rights and remedies set forth in the CEI Credit Documents, then the CEI Collateral Agent, its designee(s) or assignee(s) or any other purchaser of the Assigned Interests in a judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure sale (a “ Substitute Lender ”) shall be substituted for the Lender(s) under the Loan Documents. In the event described in clause (iv), the Loan Parties shall recognize the Substitute Lender in its capacity as such and shall continue to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents in favor of the Substitute Lender. Each Loan Party agrees not to contest or challenge or support any other Person in contesting or challenging any of such Loan Party’s obligations, acknowledgements and agreements under this paragraph for any reason.

11.9 Confidentiality .

11.9.1 General .

Each of the Agents and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information, except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (iii) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iv) to any other party hereto, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 11.9, to (a) any assignee of, or any prospective assignee of, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any Swap Agreement or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (vii) with the consent of the Borrower, (viii) to the extent such Information (a) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 11.9 or (b) becomes available to any Agent or Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower, the other Loan Parties or any other Person that has obtained such confidential information pursuant to this Section 11.9 or (ix) to the CEI Agents, CEI Lenders and the letter of credit issuers under the CEI Credit Agreement in accordance with the confidentiality

 

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provisions of the CEI Credit Agreement. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 11.9 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 11.9.1 applies to CEI only in its capacities as Administrative Agent and Lender hereunder and not in its direct or indirect capacities as a limited partner or the General Partner of the Borrower.

11.9.2 Sharing Information With Affiliates of the Lenders .

Each Loan Party acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and other services may be offered or provided to the Borrower or one or more of its Affiliates (in connection with this Agreement or otherwise) by any Lender, Agent, CEI Agent or CEI Lender or by one or more Subsidiaries or Affiliates of such Lender, and each of the Loan Parties hereby authorizes each Lender to share any information delivered to such Lender by such Loan Party and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement to any such Subsidiary or Affiliate subject to the provisions of Section 11.9.1 [General].

11.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness .

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof including any prior confidentiality agreements and commitments. Except as provided in Section 7 [Conditions of Lending], this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Agents, the Loan Parties and the Initial Lender and when the Agents shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or e-mail shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

11.11 Governing Law, Etc .

11.11.1 Governing Law .

This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract under the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

 

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11.11.2 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION .

THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY AGENT OR ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

11.11.3 WAIVER OF VENUE .

THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN SECTION 11.11.2 [SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION]. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT ANY SUCH DEFENSE.

11.11.4 SERVICE OF PROCESS .

EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.5 [NOTICES; EFFECTIVENESS; ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION]. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

11.11.5 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 11.11.5.

 

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11.12 Certain Collateral Matters .

The benefit of the Loan Documents and of the provisions of this Agreement relating to any Collateral securing the Obligations shall also extend to and be available to the Secured Parties. No Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender shall have any voting rights under any Loan Document as a result of the existence of obligations owed to it under any Specified Swap Agreement or any Other Lender Provided Financial Service Product, and no Person shall have any voting rights under any Loan Document solely because of such Person’s status as an Indemnitee.

11.13 USA PATRIOT Act Notice .

Each Lender that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act and each Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of Loan Parties and other information that will allow such Lender or Agent, as applicable, to identify the Loan Parties in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

11.14 No Fiduciary Duty .

Each Loan Party agrees and acknowledges that: (i) each of the Collateral Agent, CEI Agent and CEI Lender is acting solely as a principal and is not a financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other party; (ii) no such Person has assumed or will assume \an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in any Loan Party’s or their respective Affiliates’ favor with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (irrespective of whether any such Person has advised or is currently advising any Loan Party or its Affiliates on other matters), and no such Person has any obligation to the Loan Parties or their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein; (iii) such Person and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from the Loan Parties or their respective Affiliates and, such Secured Parties have no obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship; and (iv) the Collateral Agent, CEI Agents and CEI Lenders have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice in any jurisdiction with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby and the Loan Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they have deemed appropriate. Each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that it will consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither (A) the Collateral Agent, CEI Agent, CEI Lender nor (B) any of their respective Affiliates shall have any responsibility or liability to any Loan Party with respect thereto. Each Loan Party hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that such Loan Party may have against the Collateral Agent, CEI Agents, CEI Lenders or their respective Affiliates with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty.

11.15 No General Partner s Liability .

It is hereby understood and agreed that the General Partner shall have no personal liability, as general partner or otherwise, for the payment of any amount owing or to be owing hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders agree for themselves and their respective successors and assigns that no claim arising against any Loan Party under any Loan Document with respect to the Obligations shall be asserted against the General Partner.

 

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11.16 Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their officers thereunto duly authorized,

have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

BORROWER:

CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP (formerly known as

CNX COAL RESOURCES LP)

By: CONSOL COAL RESOURCES GP LLC (formerly

known as CNX COAL RESOURCES GP LLC),

  its general partner
By:  

/s/ Martha A. Wiegand

  Name: Martha A. Wiegand
  Title: Authorized Officer
GUARANTORS:
CONSOL OPERATING LLC (f/k/a CNX OPERATING
             LLC)
CONSOL THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC (f/k/a CNX
             THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC
CONSOL COAL FINANCE CORP. (f/k/a CNX COAL
            FINANCE CORP.)
By:  

/s/ Martha A. Wiegand

  Name: Martha A. Wiegand
  Title: Authorized Officer

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AFFILIATED COMPANY CREDIT AGREEMENT]


CONSOL ENERGY INC. (formerly known as CONSOL MINING CORPORATION),

as Administrative Agent and as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Martha A. Wiegand

  Name: Martha A. Wiegand
  Title: Authorized Officer

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AFFILIATED COMPANY CREDIT AGREEMENT]


PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Collateral Agent

By:  

/s/ Mahir J. Desai

  Name: Mahir J. Desai
  Title: Vice President

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AFFILIATED COMPANY CREDIT AGREEMENT]


SCHEDULE 1.1(A)

PRICING GRID

 

Level

 

Total Net Leverage Ratio

 

Applicable Rate

I   < 1.50:1.00   3.75%
II   ³ 1.50:1.00 and < 2.00:1.00   4.00%
III   ³ 2.00:1.00 and < 2.50:1.00   4.25%
IV   ³ 2.50:1.00 and < 3.00:1.00   4.50%
V   ³ 3.00:1.00   4.75%

For purposes of determining the Applicable Rate:

(a) From the Closing Date through the date on which the first Compliance Certificate is required to be delivered hereunder after the Closing Date (the “ Initial Period ”), the Applicable Rate shall be the amount set forth under Level III of this Schedule 1.1(A) set forth above.

(b) It is expressly agreed that after the Initial Period, the Applicable Rate shall be determined based upon Schedule 1.1(A) above and change on each date on which a Compliance Certificate is required to be delivered hereunder.

(c) If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Borrower or for any other reason, the Borrower or the Lenders determine that (i) the Total Net Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Borrower as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Total Net Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders, promptly on demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent or any Lender), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, under Section 4.2 [Interest After Default] or Section 9 [Default]. The Borrower’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

Exhibit 10.11

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

Dated as of November 30, 2017

among

VARIOUS ENTITIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO,

as Originators,

CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC,

as Servicer,

and

CONSOL FUNDING LLC,

as Buyer

 


CONTENTS

 

Clause   Subject Matter    Page  

ARTICLE I

 

AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE AND SELL

     2  

SECTION 1.1

  Agreement To Purchase and Sell      2  

SECTION 1.2

  Timing of Purchases      3  

SECTION 1.3

  Consideration for Purchases      4  

SECTION 1.4

  Purchase and Sale Termination Date      4  

SECTION 1.5

  Intention of the Parties      5  

ARTICLE II

  PURCHASE REPORT; CALCULATION OF PURCHASE PRICE      5  

SECTION 2.1

  Purchase Report      5  

SECTION 2.2

  Calculation of Purchase Price      6  

ARTICLE III

 

CONTRIBUTIONS AND PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE

     7  

SECTION 3.1

  Initial Contribution of Receivables and Initial Purchase Price Payment      7  

SECTION 3.2

  Subsequent Purchase Price Payments      8  

SECTION 3.3

  Letters of Credit      9  

SECTION 3.4

  Settlement as to Specific Receivables and Dilution      10  

ARTICLE IV

  CONDITIONS OF PURCHASES; ADDITIONAL ORIGINATORS      11  

SECTION 4.1

  Conditions Precedent to Initial Purchase      11  

SECTION 4.2

  Certification as to Representations and Warranties      12  

SECTION 4.3

  Additional Originators      13  

ARTICLE V

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ORIGINATORS

     13  

SECTION 5.1

  Existence and Power      13  

SECTION 5.2

  Power and Authority; Due Authorization      13  

SECTION 5.3

  No Conflict or Violation      14  

SECTION 5.4

  Governmental Approvals      14  

SECTION 5.5

  Valid Sale      14  

SECTION 5.6

  Binding Effect of Agreement      14  

SECTION 5.7

  Accuracy of Information      14  

SECTION 5.8

  Actions, Suits      15  

SECTION 5.9

  No Material Adverse Effect      15  

SECTION 5.10

  Names and Location      15  

 

-i-


CONTENTS

 

Clause   Subject Matter    Page  

SECTION 5.11

  Margin Stock      15  

SECTION 5.12

  Eligible Receivables      15  

SECTION 5.13

  Credit and Collection Policy      15  

SECTION 5.14

  Investment Company Act      16  

SECTION 5.15

  Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance      16  

SECTION 5.16

  Financial Condition      16  

SECTION 5.17

  Tax Status      16  

SECTION 5.18

  ERISA      16  

SECTION 5.19

  Bulk Sales Act      17  

SECTION 5.20

  No Fraudulent Conveyance      17  

SECTION 5.21

  [Reserved]      17  

SECTION 5.22

  Good Title Perfection      17  

SECTION 5.23

  Perfection Representations      18  

SECTION 5.24

  Reliance on Separate Legal Identity      19  

SECTION 5.25

  Opinions      19  

SECTION 5.26

  Enforceability of Contracts      19  

SECTION 5.27

  Nature of Pool Receivables      19  

SECTION 5.28

  Compliance with Applicable Laws      19  

SECTION 5.29

  Servicing Programs      19  

SECTION 5.30

  [Reserved]      19  

SECTION 5.31

  Mortgages Covering As-Extracted Collateral      19  

SECTION 5.32

  [Reserved]      20  

SECTION 5.33

  Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties by Each Originator      20  

ARTICLE VI

  COVENANTS OF THE ORIGINATORS      20  

SECTION 6.1

  Covenants      20  

SECTION 6.2

  Separateness Covenants      26  

ARTICLE VII

  ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS IN RESPECT OF RECEIVABLES      28  

SECTION 7.1

  Rights of the Buyer      28  

SECTION 7.2

  Responsibilities of the Originators      28  

 

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CONTENTS

 

Clause   Subject Matter    Page  

SECTION 7.3

  Further Action Evidencing Purchases      28  

SECTION 7.4

  Application of Collections      29  

SECTION 7.5

  Performance of Obligations      29  

ARTICLE VIII

  PURCHASE AND SALE TERMINATION EVENTS      29  

SECTION 8.1

  Purchase and Sale Termination Events      29  

SECTION 8.2

  Remedies      30  

ARTICLE IX

  INDEMNIFICATION      31  

SECTION 9.1

  Indemnities by the Originators      31  

ARTICLE X

  MISCELLANEOUS      33  

SECTION 10.1

  Amendments, etc      33  

SECTION 10.2

  Notices, etc      33  

SECTION 10.3

  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies      34  

SECTION 10.4

  Binding Effect; Assignability      34  

SECTION 10.5

  Governing Law      34  

SECTION 10.6

  Costs, Expenses and Taxes      34  

SECTION 10.7

  SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION      35  

SECTION 10.8

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      36  

SECTION 10.9

  Captions and Cross References; Incorporation by Reference      36  

SECTION 10.10

  Execution in Counterparts      36  

SECTION 10.11

  Acknowledgment and Agreement      36  

SECTION 10.12

  No Proceeding      36  

SECTION 10.13

  Mutual Negotiations      37  

SECTION 10.14

  Severability      37  

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule I    List and Location of Each Originator
Schedule II    Location of Books and Records of Originators
Schedule III    Trade Names
Schedule IV    Actions/Suits
Schedule V    Notice Addresses
Schedule VI    Location of Mining Operations

 

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CONTENTS

 

Clause   Subject Matter    Page

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    Form of Purchase Report
Exhibit B    Form of Subordinated Note
Exhibit C    Form of Joinder Agreement

 

 

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This PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), dated as of November 30, 2017 is entered into among the VARIOUS ENTITIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HERETO (the “ Originators ” and each, an “ Originator ”), CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC, as initial Servicer (as defined below) (“ Consol ”), and CONSOL FUNDING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Buyer ”).

DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise indicated herein, capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement are defined in Article I of the Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Receivables Financing Agreement ”), among the Buyer, as borrower, Consol, as initial Servicer (in such capacity, the “ Servicer ”), the Persons from time to time party thereto as Lenders and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent and as LC Bank. All references hereto to months are to calendar months unless otherwise expressly indicated. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP. All terms used in Article 9 of the UCC in the State of New York, and not specifically defined herein, are used herein as defined in such Article 9. Unless the context otherwise requires, “or” means “and/or,” and “including” (and with correlative meaning “include” and “includes”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term.

BACKGROUND

1. The Buyer is a special purpose limited liability company, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of which are owned by CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC and CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC.

2. Consol purchases Receivables and Related Rights from the Sub-Originator pursuant to that certain Sub-Originator Sale Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Sub-Originator Sale Agreement ”).

3. The Originators generate or acquire Receivables in the ordinary course of their businesses.

4. The Originators, in order to finance their respective businesses, wish to sell and/or contribute Receivables and the Related Rights to the Buyer, and the Buyer is willing to purchase and/or accept such Receivables and the Related Rights from the Originators, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

5. The Originators and the Buyer intend each such transaction to be a true sale and/or an absolute contribution and conveyance of Receivables and the Related Rights by each Originator to the Buyer, providing the Buyer with the full benefits of ownership of the Receivables, and the Originators and the Buyer do not intend the transactions hereunder to be characterized as a loan from the Buyer to any Originator.


6. The Buyer intends to pledge the Receivables and the Related Rights to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Receivables Financing Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE AND SELL

SECTION 1.1 Agreement To Purchase and Sell . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each Originator, severally and for itself, agrees to sell to the Buyer, and the Buyer agrees to purchase from such Originator, from time to time on or after the Closing Date, but before the Purchase and Sale Termination Date (as defined in Section  1.4 ), all of such Originator’s right, title and interest in and to:

(a) each Receivable (other than Contributed Receivables as defined in Section  3.1(a)) of such Originator (including each Receivable sold or purportedly sold by the Sub-Originator to an Originator pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement) that existed and was owing to such Originator at the closing of such Originator’s business on the Cut-Off Date (as defined below);

(b) each Receivable (other than Contributed Receivables) generated or otherwise acquired by such Originator (including each Receivable sold or purportedly sold by the Sub-Originator to an Originator pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement) from and including the Cut-Off Date to but excluding the Purchase and Sale Termination Date;

(c) all of such Originator’s interest in any goods (including returned goods), and documentation of title evidencing the shipment or storage of any goods (including returned goods), the sale of which gave rise to such Receivable;

(d) all instruments and chattel paper that may evidence such Receivable;

(e) all other security interests or liens and property subject thereto from time to time purporting to secure payment of such Receivable, whether pursuant to the Contract related to such Receivable or otherwise, together with all UCC financing statements or similar filings relating thereto;

(f) solely to the extent applicable to such Receivable, all of such Originator’s rights, interests and claims under the related Contracts and all guaranties, indemnities, insurance and other agreements (including the related Contract) or arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of such Receivable or otherwise relating to such Receivable, whether pursuant to the Contract related to such Receivable or otherwise;

(g) all of such Originator’s rights, remedies, powers, privileges, title and interest (but not obligations) under the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement;

 

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(h) all books and records of such Originator to the extent related to any of the foregoing, and all rights, remedies, powers, privileges, title and interest (but not obligations) in and to each Lock-Box and all Collection Accounts, into which any Collections or other proceeds with respect to such Receivables may be deposited, and any related investment property acquired with any such Collections or other proceeds (as such term is defined in the applicable UCC); and

(i) all Collections and other proceeds (as defined in the UCC) of any of the foregoing that are or were received by such Originator on or after the Cut-Off Date, including, without limitation, all funds which either are received by such Originator, the Buyer or the Servicer from or on behalf of the Obligors in payment of any amounts owed (including, without limitation, invoice price, finance charges, interest and all other charges) in respect of any of the above Receivables or are applied to such amounts owed by the Obligors (including, without limitation, any insurance payments that such Originator, the Buyer or the Servicer applies in the ordinary course of its business to amounts owed in respect of any of the above Receivables, and net proceeds of sale or other disposition of repossessed goods or other collateral or property of the Obligors in respect of any of the above Receivables or any other parties directly or indirectly liable for payment of such Receivables).

All purchases and contributions hereunder shall be made without recourse, but shall be made pursuant to, and in reliance upon, the representations, warranties and covenants of the Originators set forth in this Agreement. No obligation or liability to any Obligor on any Receivable is intended to be assumed by the Buyer hereunder, and any such assumption is expressly disclaimed. The property, proceeds and rights described in clauses (c)  through (i) above, including with respect to any Contributed Receivable, are herein referred to as the “ Related Rights ”, and the Buyer’s foregoing commitment to purchase Receivables and Related Rights is herein called the “ Purchase Facility .”

As used herein, “ Cut-Off Date ” means (a) with respect to each Originator party hereto on the date hereof, October 31, 2017, and (b) with respect to any Originator that first becomes a party hereto after the date hereof, the calendar day prior to the date on which such Originator becomes a party hereto or such other date as the Buyer and such Originator agree to in writing.

SECTION 1.2 Timing of Purchases .

(a) Closing Date Purchases . Effective on the Closing Date, each Originator hereby sells to the Buyer, and the Buyer hereby purchases, such Originator’s entire right, title and interest in, to and under (i) each Receivable (other than Contributed Receivables) that existed and was owing to such Originator (including each Receivable sold or purportedly sold by the Sub-Originator to an Originator pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement) at the Cut-Off Date, (ii) each Receivable (other than Contributed Receivables) generated or otherwise acquired by such Originator (including each Receivable sold or purportedly sold by the Sub-Originator to an Originator pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement) from and including the Cut-Off Date, to and including the Closing Date, and (iii) all Related Rights with respect thereto.

 

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(b) Subsequent Purchases . After the Closing Date, until the Purchase and Sale Termination Date, each Receivable and the Related Rights generated or otherwise acquired by such Originator (including each Receivable sold or purportedly sold by the Sub-Originator to an Originator pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement) shall be, and shall be deemed to have been, sold or contributed, as applicable, by such Originator to the Buyer immediately (and without further action) upon the creation, sale or purported sale of such Receivable, as applicable.

SECTION 1.3 Consideration for Purchases . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Buyer agrees to make Purchase Price payments to the Originators and to reflect all capital contributions in accordance with Article III .

SECTION 1.4 Purchase and Sale Termination Date . The “ Purchase and Sale Termination Date ” shall be the earliest to occur of (a) the date the Purchase Facility is terminated pursuant to Section  8.2(a) , (b) the date elected by an Originator (such date, the “ Elected Date ”) in a written notice received by the Buyer and the Administrative Agent from such Originator specifying that such Originator wishes to terminate this Agreement, so long as each of the Voluntary Termination Conditions are satisfied as of the Elected Date and (c) the Final Payout Date.

For purpose of this Section  1.4 , “ Voluntary Termination Conditions ” means, as of any date of determination, the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:

(i) the Elected Date is no earlier than the date that written notice has been delivered to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (b)  of the definition of “Purchase and Sale Termination Date”;

(ii) as of the Elected Date, either (a) no Release has occurred on or prior to the Elected Date in violation of Section  6.03 of the Receivables Financing Agreement or (b) if any Release has occurred on or prior to the Elected Date in violation of Section  6.03 of the Receivables Financing Agreement, the Servicer has deposited into the LC Collateral Account (or, if elected by the Administrative Agent, transferred to the Administrative Agent) on the Elected Date, the aggregate amount of Collections so released to the Borrower or any other Person in violation of such Section;

(iii) such Originator (or the Servicer on its behalf) has provided a written report to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent on the Elected Date (such report, the “ Voluntary Termination Report ”), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent, which Voluntary Termination Report shall include, without limitation, (a) a pro forma Information Package as of the Business Day immediately preceding the Elected Date and (b) a written analysis demonstrating each of the following: (I) the amount of Collections received on each day during the prior sixty days, (II) the amount of Receivables transferred and conveyed to the Buyer on each day during the prior sixty days, (III) the amount of Collections transferred out of the Collection Accounts on each day during the prior sixty days, (IV) the method of consideration given to the Originators for each of the Receivables transferred and conveyed to the Buyer on each day during the prior sixty days and (V) the Borrowing Base (and each component thereof) as of each day during the prior sixty days;

 

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(iv) each standing transfer order with respect to each Collection Account has been cancelled and such Originator has caused the Servicer and each Affiliate thereof (other than the Borrower) to cease having any rights to access any Collection Account or remove any funds therefrom; and

(v) such Originator has delivered (or caused the Servicer to deliver) notice to each Collection Account Bank that the Administrative Agent is permitted to exercise its rights to take control over each of the Collection Accounts.

SECTION 1.5 Intention of the Parties . It is the express intent of each Originator and the Buyer that each conveyance by such Originator to the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement of the Receivables, including without limitation, all Receivables, if any, constituting general intangibles as defined in the UCC, and all Related Rights be a true sale and/or contribution and be construed as a valid and perfected sale (or contribution) and an absolute and irrevocable assignment (without recourse except as provided herein) of such Receivables and Related Rights by such Originator to the Buyer (rather than the grant of a security interest to secure a debt or other obligation of such Originator) providing the Buyer with the full benefits of ownership and that the right, title and interest in and to such Receivables and Related Rights conveyed to the Buyer be prior to the rights of and enforceable against all other Persons at any time, including, without limitation, lien creditors, secured lenders, purchasers and any Person claiming through such Originator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) this Agreement also shall be deemed to be, and hereby is, a security agreement within the meaning of the UCC and (ii) such Originator shall be deemed to have granted to the Buyer as of the date of this Agreement, and such Originator hereby grants to the Buyer a security interest in, to and under all of such Originator’s right, title and interest in and to: (A) the Receivables and the Related Rights now existing and hereafter created, generated or otherwise acquired by such Originator and sold or contributed or purported to be sold or contributed to the Buyer hereunder (including each Receivable sold or purportedly sold by the Sub-Originator to an Originator pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement), (B) all monies due or to become due and all amounts received with respect thereto and (C) all books and records of such Originator to the extent related to any of the foregoing.

ARTICLE II

PURCHASE REPORT; CALCULATION OF PURCHASE PRICE

SECTION 2.1 Purchase Report . On the Closing Date and on each date when an Information Package is due to be delivered under the Receivables Financing Agreement (each such date, a “ Monthly Purchase Report Date ”), the Servicer shall deliver to the Buyer and each Originator a report in substantially the form of Exhibit A (each such report being herein called a “ Purchase Report ”) setting forth, among other things:

(a) Receivables purchased by the Buyer from each Originator, or contributed to the capital of the Buyer by an Originator, on the Closing Date (in the case of the Purchase Report to be delivered on the Closing Date);

(b) Receivables purchased by the Buyer from each Originator, or contributed to the capital of the Buyer by an Originator, during the calendar month immediately preceding such Monthly Purchase Report Date (in the case of each subsequent Purchase Report); and

 

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(c) the calculations of reductions of the Purchase Price for any Receivables as provided in Section  3.4(a) and (b) .

SECTION 2.2 Calculation of Purchase Price .

(a) The Purchase Price for each Receivable and the Related Rights that are purchased hereunder from each Originator shall become owing in full by the Buyer to such Originator or its designee on the date each such Receivable comes into existence and shall be paid not later than the next Payment Date in accordance with the terms of Article III .

(b) Although the Purchase Price for each Receivable and the Related Rights purchased after the date hereof shall be due and payable by the Buyer to the applicable Originator on the date such Receivable comes into existence, for administrative convenience, a precise reconciliation of the Purchase Prices between Buyer and each Originator shall be effected on a Payment Date with respect to all Receivables sold or contributed during the Interest Period (or portion thereof) most recently ended prior to such Payment Date; provided , however , that each Originator shall maintain (or cause the Servicer to maintain) such books and records as may be reasonably necessary to ensure that such reconciliation, if requested by the Buyer, may be performed on any Business Day.

(c) The “ Purchase Price ” for each Receivable and the Related Rights that are purchased hereunder shall be determined in accordance with the following formula:

 

PP

   =    OB x FMVD

where:

  

 

  

 

PP

   =    Purchase Price for each Receivable as calculated on the relevant Sale Date.

OB

   =    The Outstanding Balance of such Receivable on the relevant Sale Date.

FMVD

   =    Fair Market Value Discount, as measured on such Sale Date, which is equal to (a) one, minus (b) the Discount Factor in effect on such date.

Payment Date ” means (i) the Closing Date and (ii) each Settlement Date thereafter.

Sale Date ” means, with respect to any Receivable, the date such Receivable is sold or purportedly sold to the Buyer hereunder.

Discount Factor ” means a percentage calculated to provide the Buyer with a reasonable return on its investment in the Receivables after taking account of (i) the time value of money based upon the anticipated dates of collection of the Receivables and the cost to the Buyer of financing its investment in the Receivables during such period and (ii) the risk of nonpayment by the Obligors. Each of the Originators and the Buyer may agree from time to time and at any time to change the Discount Factor based on changes in one or more of the items affecting the calculation thereof; provided , that any change to the Discount Factor shall take effect as of the commencement of an Interest Period, shall apply only prospectively and shall not affect the Purchase Price payment made prior to the Interest Period during which each of the Originators and the Buyer agree to make such change. As of the date of this Agreement, the Discount Factor is 0.50%.

 

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ARTICLE III

CONTRIBUTIONS AND PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE

SECTION 3.1 Initial Contribution of Receivables and Initial Purchase Price Payment.

(a) On the Closing Date, each Originator shall, and hereby does, contribute to the capital of the Buyer Receivables and Related Rights consisting of each Receivable of such Originator that exists and is owing to such Originator on the Closing Date (including each Receivable sold or purportedly sold by the Sub-Originator to an Originator pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement) to the extent necessary to cause the Outstanding Balance of all Receivables contributed (collectively, the “ Contributed Receivables ”) to be at least equal to the Required Contributed Amount. For the purposes of this Agreement, “ Required Contributed Amount ” means, as of the Closing Date, the amount, if any, by which the Purchase Price for all Receivables to be acquired on such date exceeds the sum of (x) the cash that is available to the Borrower on the Closing Date, (y) the maximum amount by which the principal amount of the Subordinated Note may be increased in accordance with the terms hereof on such date and (z) the aggregate stated amount of the Letters of Credit being issued under (or transferred to) the Receivables Financing Agreement on behalf of such Originator on such date.

On the Closing Date, each Originator, severally and for itself, shall, and hereby does, sell to the Buyer, Receivables and Related Rights consisting of each Receivable of such Originator that exists and is owing to such Originator on the Cut-Off Date (including each Receivable sold or purportedly sold by the Sub-Originator to an Originator pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement), other than the Contributed Receivables and Related Rights associated therewith.

(b) On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Buyer agrees to pay to each Originator the Purchase Price for the purchase to be made from such Originator on the Closing Date (i) to the extent the Buyer has cash available therefor, partially in cash (in an amount to be agreed between the Buyer and such Originator and set forth in the initial Purchase Report), (ii) to the extent that any Letters of Credit are being issued under (or transferred to) the Receivables Financing Agreement on behalf of the Originators, by causing the LC Bank to issue one or more Letters of Credit in accordance with Section  3.3 and (iii) the remainder by issuing a promissory note in the form of Exhibit B to such Originator (each such promissory note, as it may be amended, supplemented, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time, together with all promissory notes issued from time to time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof in accordance with the Transaction Documents, each being herein called a “ Subordinated Note ”) with an initial principal amount equal to the remaining Purchase Price payable to such Originator not paid in cash; provided that, the ratio of (A) the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all Subordinated Notes on the Closing Date to (B) the aggregate Purchase Price for all Purchased Receivables purchased on the Closing Date shall not exceed 15%.

 

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SECTION 3.2 Subsequent Purchase Price Payments . On each Payment Date subsequent to the Closing Date, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Buyer shall pay the Purchase Price to each Originator for the Receivables and the Related Rights generated or otherwise acquired by such Originator (including each Receivable sold or purportedly sold by the Sub-Originator to an Originator pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement) during the Interest Period (or portion thereof) most recently ended prior to such Payment Date:

(a) First , in cash to each other Originator to the extent the Buyer has cash available therefor (and such payment is not prohibited under the Receivables Financing Agreement) and/or, if requested by an Originator and permitted under the Receivables Financing Agreement, by causing the LC Bank to issue one or more Letters of Credit in accordance with Section  3.3 and on the terms and conditions for issuing Letters of Credit under the Receivables Financing Agreement;

(b) Second , to the extent any portion of the Purchase Price remains unpaid, the principal amount outstanding under the applicable Subordinated Note shall be automatically increased by an amount equal to the lesser of (x) such remaining unpaid portion of such Purchase Price and (y) the maximum increase in the principal balance of the applicable Subordinated Note such that the ratio of (A) the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all Subordinated Notes on such Payment Date to (B) the aggregate Purchase Price for all outstanding Receivables purchased on or prior to such Payment Date shall not exceed 15%; and

(c) Third , to the extent any portion of the Purchase Price remains unpaid, by accepting a contribution of such Receivable and the Related Rights to its capital in an amount equal to such remaining unpaid portion of such Purchase Price.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Originator shall have any obligation to maintain or preserve the Buyer’s financial condition or cause the Buyer to achieve certain levels of operating results, and any contributions of Receivables after the Closing Date shall be made in the sole discretion of each Originator. If the Buyer is unable to pay the Purchase Price in full in accordance with Section  3.2(a) and/or Section  3.2(b) and any Originator determines not to contribute Receivables in accordance with Section  3.2(c) , such Originator shall promptly deliver notice to such effect to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent, whereupon the Purchase and Sale Termination Date shall occur on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Section  1.4 .

All amounts paid by the Buyer to any Originator shall be allocated first to the payment of any Purchase Price then due and unpaid, second to the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the Subordinated Note of such Originator and third to the repayment of the principal outstanding on the Subordinated Note of such Originator to the extent of such outstanding principal thereof as of the date of such payment before such amounts may be allocated for any other purpose. The Servicer shall make all appropriate record keeping entries with respect to each of the Subordinated Notes to reflect the foregoing payments and payments and reductions made pursuant to Sections 3.3 and 3.4 , and the Servicer’s books and records shall constitute rebuttable presumptive evidence of the principal amount of, and accrued interest on, each of the Subordinated Notes at any time. Each Originator hereby irrevocably authorizes the Servicer to mark the Subordinated Notes “CANCELED” and to return such Subordinated Notes to the Buyer upon the final payment thereof after the occurrence of the Purchase and Sale Termination Date.

 

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SECTION 3.3 Letters of Credit

(a) Any Originator may request that the Purchase Price for Receivables sold on a Sale Date be paid by the Buyer procuring the issuance of a Letter of Credit by the LC Bank. Upon the request of an Originator, and on the terms and conditions for issuing Letters of Credit under the Receivables Financing Agreement (including any limitations therein on the amount of any such issuance), the Buyer agrees to cause the LC Bank to issue, on the Sale Dates specified by such Originator, Letters of Credit on behalf of the Buyer (and, if applicable, on behalf of, or for the account of, such Originator or the Sub-Originator or an Affiliate of such Originator or the Sub-Originator that is acceptable to the LC Bank in its sole discretion) in favor of the beneficiaries elected by such Originator or Affiliate of such Originator, with the consent of the Buyer. The aggregate stated amount of the Letters of Credit being issued on any Sale Date on behalf of such Originator or an Affiliate of such Originator shall constitute a credit against the aggregate Purchase Price otherwise payable by the Buyer to such Originator on the following Payment Date pursuant to Section  3.2 . To the extent that the aggregate stated amount of the Letters of Credit being issued during the Interest Period (or portion thereof) most recently ended prior to such Payment Date exceeds the aggregate Purchase Price payable by the Buyer to such Originator on such Payment Date, such excess shall be deemed to be (i) a reduction in the outstanding principal balance of (and, to the extent necessary, the accrued but unpaid interest on) the Subordinated Note payable to such Originator, to the extent the outstanding principal balance (and accrued interest) is greater than such excess and/or (ii) a reduction in the Purchase Price payable on the Payment Dates immediately following the date any such Letter of Credit is issued. In the event that any such Letter of Credit issued pursuant to this Section  3.3 (i) expires or is cancelled or otherwise terminated with all or any portion of its stated amount undrawn, (ii) has its stated amount decreased (for a reason other than a drawing having been made thereunder) or (iii) the Buyer’s Reimbursement Obligation in respect thereof is reduced for any reason other than by virtue of a payment made in respect of a drawing thereunder, then an amount equal to such undrawn amount or such reduction, as the case may be, shall either be paid in cash to such Originator on the next Payment Date or, if the Buyer does not then have cash available therefor, shall be deemed to be added to the outstanding principal balance of the Subordinated Note payable to such Originator or treated as a capital contribution. Under no circumstances shall such Originator (or any Affiliate thereof (other than the Buyer)) have any reimbursement or recourse obligations in respect of any Letter of Credit.

(b) In the event that an Originator requests that any purchases be paid for by the issuance of a Letter of Credit hereunder, such Originator shall on a timely basis provide the Buyer with such information as is necessary for the Buyer to obtain such Letter of Credit from the LC Bank, and shall notify the Buyer, the Servicer and the Administrative Agent of the allocations described in clause (a)  above. Such allocations shall be binding on the Buyer and such Originator, absent manifest error.

 

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(c) The Originators acknowledge that each Letter of Credit shall be subject either to the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600, and any amendments or revisions thereof adhered to by the LC Bank or the International Standby Practices (ISP98-International Chamber of Commerce Publication Number 590), and any amendments or revisions thereof adhered to by the LC Bank as of the date of issuance, as determined by the LC Bank, in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Receivables Financing Agreement.

SECTION 3.4 Settlement as to Specific Receivables and Dilution .

(a) If, on the day of purchase or contribution of any Receivable from an Originator hereunder, any of the representations or warranties set forth in Sections 5.5 , 5.12 , 5.20 , 5.22 , 5.23 , 5.26 or 5.27 are not true with respect to such Receivable, then the Purchase Price for such Receivable shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Outstanding Balance of such Receivable and shall be accounted to such Originator as provided in clause (c)  below; provided , that if the Buyer thereafter receives payment on account of the Outstanding Balance of such Receivable, the Buyer promptly shall deliver such funds to such Originator.

(b) If, on any day, the Outstanding Balance of any Receivable purchased or contributed hereunder is either (i) reduced or canceled as a result of (A) any defective, rejected or returned goods or services, any cash or other discount, or any failure by an Originator to deliver any goods or perform any services or otherwise perform under the underlying Contract or invoice, (B) any change in or cancellation of any of the terms of such Contract or invoice or any other adjustment by an Originator, the Servicer or the Buyer which reduces the amount payable by the Obligor on the related Receivable, (C) any rebates, warranties, allowances or charge-backs or (D) any setoff or credit in respect of any claim by the Obligor thereof (whether such claim arises out of the same or a related transaction or an unrelated transaction), or (ii) subject to any specific dispute, offset, counterclaim or defense whatsoever (except the discharge in bankruptcy of the Obligor thereof), then the Purchase Price with respect to such Receivable shall be reduced by the amount of such net reduction or dispute and shall be accounted to such Originator as provided in clause (c)  below; provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, no such reduction shall be made to the extent the same represents losses in respect of Receivables that are uncollectible on account of insolvency, bankruptcy, lack of creditworthiness or other financial or credit condition or financial default of the related Obligor.

(c) Any reduction in the Purchase Price of any Receivable pursuant to clause (a)  or (b) above shall be applied as a credit for the account of the Buyer against the Purchase Price of Receivables subsequently purchased by the Buyer from such Originator hereunder; provided , however if there have been no purchases of Receivables from such Originator (or insufficiently large purchases of Receivables prior to the Settlement Date immediately following any such reduction in the Purchase Price of any Receivable) to create a Purchase Price sufficient to so apply such credit against, the amount of such credit:

(i) to the extent of any outstanding principal balance under the Subordinated Note payable to such Originator, shall be deemed to be a payment under, and shall be deducted from the principal amount outstanding under, the Subordinated Note payable to such Originator; and

 

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(ii) after making any deduction pursuant to clause (i)  above, shall be paid in cash to the Buyer by such Originator in the manner and for application as described in the following proviso ;

provided , further , that at any time (x) when an Event of Default exists under the Receivables Financing Agreement or (y) on or after the Purchase and Sale Termination Date, the amount of any such credit shall be paid by such Originator to the Buyer in cash by deposit of immediately available funds into a Collection Account for application by the Servicer to the same extent as if Collections of the applicable Receivable in such amount had actually been received on such date.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS OF PURCHASES; ADDITIONAL ORIGINATORS

SECTION 4.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Purchase . The initial purchase hereunder is subject to the condition precedent that the Buyer, the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s assignee) and each Lender shall have received, on or before the Closing Date, the following, each (unless otherwise indicated) dated the Closing Date, and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s assignee):

(a) a copy of the resolutions or unanimous written consent of the board of directors or other governing body of each Originator, approving this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to be executed and delivered by it and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of such Originator;

(b) good standing certificates for each Originator issued as of a recent date acceptable to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s assignee) by the Secretary of State (or similar official) of the jurisdiction of such Originator’s organization or formation and each other jurisdiction where such Originator is required to be qualified to transact business, except where the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Originator, certifying the names and true signatures of the officers authorized on such Person’s behalf to sign this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to be executed and delivered by it (on which certificate the Servicer, the Buyer, the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s assignee) and each Lender may conclusively rely until such time as the Servicer, the Buyer, the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s assignee) and each Lender shall receive from such Person a revised certificate meeting the requirements of this clause  (c) );

(d) the certificate or articles of incorporation or other organizational document of each Originator (including all amendments and modifications thereto) duly certified by the Secretary of State (or similar official) of the jurisdiction of such Originator’s organization as of a recent date, together with a copy of the by-laws or other governing documents of such Originator (including all amendments and modifications thereto), as applicable, each duly certified by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary of such Originator;

 

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(e) proper financing statements (Form UCC-1) that have been duly authorized and name each Originator as the debtor/seller and the Buyer as the buyer/assignor (and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, as secured party/assignee) of the Receivables generated by such Originator as may be necessary or, in the Buyer’s or the Administrative Agent’s reasonable opinion, desirable under the UCC of all appropriate jurisdictions to perfect the Buyer’s ownership or security interest in such Receivables and the Related Rights in which an ownership or security interest has been assigned to it hereunder;

(f) a written search report from a Person satisfactory to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s assignee) listing all effective financing statements that name the Originators as debtors or sellers and that are filed in all jurisdictions in which filings may be made against such Person pursuant to the applicable UCC, together with copies of such financing statements (none of which, except for those described in the foregoing clause (e) (and/or released or terminated, as the case may be, prior to the date hereof), shall cover any Receivable or any Related Rights which are to be sold to the Buyer hereunder), and tax and judgment lien search reports (including, without limitation, liens of the PBGC) from a Person satisfactory to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s assignee) showing no evidence of such liens filed against any Originator;

(g) favorable opinions of counsel to the Originators, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent;

(h) a copy of a Subordinated Note in favor of each Originator, duly executed by the Buyer; and

(i) evidence (i) of the execution and delivery by each of the parties thereto of each of the other Transaction Documents to be executed and delivered by it in connection herewith and (ii) that each of the conditions precedent to the execution, delivery and effectiveness of such other Transaction Documents has been satisfied to the Buyer’s and the Administrative Agent’s (as the Buyer’s assignee) satisfaction.

SECTION 4.2 Certification as to Representations and Warranties . Each Originator, by accepting the Purchase Price related to each purchase or contribution of Receivables generated or otherwise acquired by such Originator (including each Receivable sold or purportedly sold by the Sub-Originator to an Originator pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement), shall be deemed to have certified that the representations and warranties of such Originator contained in Article V , as from time to time amended in accordance with the terms hereof, are true and correct in all material respects (unless such representation or warranty contains a materiality qualification and, in such case, such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as made) on and as of such day, with the same effect as though made on and as of such day (except for representations and warranties which apply to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless such representation or warranty contains a materiality qualification and, in such case, such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as made) as of such earlier date).

 

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SECTION 4.3 Additional Originators . Additional Persons may be added as Originators hereunder, with the prior written consent of the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender (which consents may be granted or withheld in their sole discretion); provided that the following conditions are satisfied or waived in writing by the Administrative Agent and each Lender on or before the date of such addition:

(a) the Servicer shall have given the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender at least thirty days’ prior written notice of such proposed addition and the identity of the proposed additional Originator and shall have provided such other information with respect to such proposed additional Originator as the Buyer, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request;

(b) such proposed additional Originator shall have executed and delivered to the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender an agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit  C (a “ Joinder Agreement ”);

(c) such proposed additional Originator shall have delivered to the Buyer, the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s assignee) and each Lender each of the documents with respect to such Originator described in Section  4.1 , in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer, the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s assignee) and each Lender;

(d) no Purchase and Sale Termination Event or Unmatured Purchase and Sale Termination Event shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(e) no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ORIGINATORS

In order to induce the Buyer to enter into this Agreement and to make purchases hereunder, each Originator hereby represents and warrants with respect to itself as follows:

SECTION 5.1 Existence and Power . Such Originator (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or formation, (ii) has full power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted and (iii) is duly qualified to do business, is in good standing as a foreign entity and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in all jurisdictions in which the conduct of its business requires such qualification, licenses or approvals, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.2 Power and Authority; Due Authorization . Such Originator (i) has all necessary power and authority to (A) execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, (B) perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and (C) grant a security interest in the Receivables and the Related Rights to the Buyer on the terms and subject to the conditions herein provided and (ii) has duly authorized by all necessary action such grant and the execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions provided for in, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

 

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SECTION 5.3 No Conflict or Violation . The execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and the fulfillment of the terms hereof and thereof, will not (i) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under its organizational documents or any indenture, sale agreement, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument to which such Originator is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound, (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Adverse Claim upon any of the Collateral pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument other than this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or (iii) conflict with or violate any Applicable Law, except to the extent that any such conflict, breach, default, Adverse Claim or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.4 Governmental Approvals . Except where the failure to obtain or make such authorization, consent, order, approval or action could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all authorizations, consents, orders and approvals of, or other actions by, any Governmental Authority that are required to be obtained by such Originator in connection with the grant of a security interest in the Receivables and the Related Rights to the Buyer hereunder or the due execution, delivery and performance by such Originator of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party and the consummation by such Originator of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.

SECTION 5.5 Valid Sale . Each sale of Receivables and the Related Rights made by such Originator pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute a valid sale or contribution, transfer and assignment of Receivables and Related Rights to the Buyer, enforceable against creditors of, and purchasers from, such Originator, except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

SECTION 5.6 Binding Effect of Agreement . This Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of such Originator, enforceable against such Originator in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

SECTION 5.7 Accuracy of Information . All certificates, reports, statements, documents and other information furnished to the Buyer, the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party by or on behalf of such Originator pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or in connection with or pursuant to any amendment or modification of, or waiver under, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, is, at the time the same are so furnished, complete and correct in all material respects on the date the same are furnished to the Buyer, the Administrative Agent or such other Credit Party, and does not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state a material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.

 

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SECTION 5.8 Actions, Suits . Except as set forth on Schedule IV , (i) there is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the best knowledge of such Originator, threatened, against such Originator or the Sub-Originator before any Governmental Authority and (ii) such Originator is not subject to any order, judgment, decree, injunction, stipulation or consent order of or with any Governmental Authority that, in the case of either of the foregoing clauses (i)  and (ii) , (A) asserts the invalidity of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, (B) seeks to prevent the grant of a security interest in any Receivable or Related Right by such Originator to the Buyer, the ownership or acquisition by the Buyer of any Receivables or Related Right or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or (C) individually or in the aggregate for all such actions, suits, proceedings and investigations could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.9 No Material Adverse Effect . Since December 31, 2016, there has been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to such Originator.

SECTION 5.10 Names and Location . Except as described in Schedule III, such Originator has not used any corporate names, trade names or assumed names since the date occurring five calendar years prior to the Closing Date other than its name set forth on the signature pages hereto. Such Originator is “located” (as such term is defined in the applicable UCC) in the jurisdiction specified in Schedule I and since the date occurring five calendar years prior to the Closing Date, has not been “located” (as such term is defined in the applicable UCC) in any other jurisdiction (except as specified in Schedule I ). The office(s) where such Originator keeps its records concerning the Receivables is at the address(es) set forth on Schedule II .

SECTION 5.11 Margin Stock . Such Originator is not engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meanings of Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), and no Purchase Price payments or proceeds under this Agreement will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock.

SECTION 5.12 Eligible Receivables . Each Receivable sold, transferred, contributed or assigned hereunder is an Eligible Receivable on the date of sale, transfer, contribution or assignment, unless otherwise specified in the first Information Package or Interim Report that includes such Receivable.

SECTION 5.13 Credit and Collection Policy . Such Originator has complied in all material respects with the Credit and Collection Policy with regard to each Receivable sold by it hereunder and each related Contract.

 

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SECTION 5.14 Investment Company Act . Such Originator is not an “investment company,” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.

SECTION 5.15 Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance . Such Originator is not a Sanctioned Person. Such Originator, either in its own right or through any third party, (i) does not have any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; (ii) neither does business in or with, nor derives any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; or (iii) does not engage in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law.

SECTION 5.16 Financial Condition .

(a) The audited consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2017, the related audited consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal quarter then ended and the related audited consolidated statement of equity for the fiscal quarter then ended, copies of which have been furnished to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the period ended on such date, all in accordance with GAAP consistently applied except as noted therein.

(b) On the date hereof, and on the date of each purchase hereunder (both before and after giving effect to such purchase), such Originator is, and will be on such date, Solvent and no Insolvency Proceeding with respect to such Originator is, or will be on such date, pending or to its knowledge threatened.

SECTION 5.17 Tax Status . Such Originator has (i) timely filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed by it and (ii) paid, or caused to be paid, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, if any, other than taxes, assessments and other governmental charges being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP or could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.18 ERISA .

(a) Each of the Parent and the ERISA Affiliates is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the provisions of the Code relating to Pension Plans and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder and any similar applicable non-U.S. law, except for such noncompliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Reportable Event has occurred during the past five years other than a Reportable Event that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The excess of the present value of all benefit liabilities under each Pension Plan of Parent and the ERISA Affiliates (based on the assumptions used to determine required minimum contributions under Section 412 of the Code with respect to such Pension Plan), over the value of the assets of such Pension Plan, determined as of the most recent annual valuation date applicable thereto for

 

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which a valuation has been completed, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and the excess of the present value of all benefit liabilities of all underfunded Pension Plans (based on the assumptions used to determine required minimum contributions under Section 412 of the Code with respect to each such Pension Plan), over the value of the assets of all such under funded Pension Plans, determined as of the most recent annual valuation dates applicable thereto for which valuations have been completed, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Parent or the ERISA Affiliates has received any written notification that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or has been terminated within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or has knowledge that any Multiemployer Plan is reasonably expected to be in reorganization or to be terminated, where such reorganization or termination has had or would reasonably be expected to have, through increases in the contributions required to be made to such Pension Plan or otherwise, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Each of the Parent and the ERISA Affiliates is in compliance (i) with all applicable provisions of law and all applicable regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to any employee pension benefit plan governed by the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States and (ii) with the terms of any such plan, except, in each case, for such noncompliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.19 Bulk Sales Act . No transaction contemplated by this Agreement requires compliance by it with any bulk sales act or similar law.

SECTION 5.20 No Fraudulent Conveyance . No sale or contribution hereunder constitutes a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under any United States federal or applicable state bankruptcy or insolvency laws or is otherwise void or voidable under such or similar laws or principles or for any other reason.

SECTION 5.21 [ Reserved ].

SECTION 5.22 Good Title Perfection .

(a) Immediately preceding its sale or contribution of each Receivable hereunder, such Originator was the owner of such Receivable sold or contributed or purported to be sold or contributed, as the case may be, free and clear of any Adverse Claims, and each such sale or contribution hereunder constitutes a valid sale or contribution, transfer and assignment of all of such Originator’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Receivables sold or contributed by it, free and clear of any Adverse Claims.

(b) On or before the date hereof and before the generation or acquisition by such Originator of any new Receivable to be sold, contributed or otherwise conveyed hereunder, all financing statements and other documents, if any, required to be recorded or filed in order to perfect and protect the Buyer’s ownership interest in Receivables to be sold or otherwise conveyed hereunder against all creditors of and purchasers from such Originator will have been duly filed in each filing office necessary for such purpose, and all filing fees and taxes, if any, payable in connection with such filings shall have been paid in full.

 

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(c) Upon the creation or acquisition of each new Receivable sold, contributed or otherwise conveyed or purported to be conveyed hereunder and on the Closing Date for then existing Receivables, the Buyer shall have a valid and perfected first priority ownership or security interest in each Receivable sold to it hereunder, free and clear of any Adverse Claim.

SECTION 5.23 Perfection Representations

(a) This Agreement creates a valid and continuing ownership or security interest (as defined in the applicable UCC) in the Originator’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Receivables and Related Rights which (A) security interest has been perfected and is enforceable against creditors of and purchasers from such Originator and (B) will be free of all Adverse Claims.

(b) The Receivables constitute “accounts” including, without limitation, “accounts” constituting “as-extracted collateral” or “general intangibles” within the meaning of Section 9-102 of the UCC.

(c) Prior to their sale or contribution to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, such Originator owned and had good and marketable title to the Receivables and Related Rights free and clear of any Adverse Claim of any Person.

(d) All appropriate financing statements, financing statement amendments and continuation statements have been filed in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under Applicable Law in order to perfect (and continue the perfection of) the sale and contribution of the Receivables and Related Rights from (x) Sub-Originator to Consol pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement and (y) each Originator to the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement. Each such financing statement, if filed with respect to such Receivable as an as-extracted collateral filing, includes a complete and correct description of the real property in all material respects related to such Receivable as extracted collateral, as contemplated by the UCC, and names a record owner of the real property.

(e) Other than the ownership or security interest granted to the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, such Originator has not pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in, or otherwise conveyed any of the Receivables or Related Rights except as permitted by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. Such Originator has not authorized the filing of and is not aware of any financing statements filed against such Originator or the Sub-Originator that include a description of collateral covering the Receivables and Related Rights other than any financing statement (i) in favor of the Administrative Agent or (ii) that has been terminated or amended to reflect the release of any security interest in the Receivables and Related Rights. Such Originator is not aware of any judgment lien, ERISA lien, pursuant to Section 303(k) or 4068 of ERISA, or tax lien filings against such Originator or the Sub-Originator.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, the representations contained in this Section  5.23 shall be continuing and remain in full force and effect until the Final Payout Date.

 

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SECTION 5.24 Reliance on Separate Legal Identity . Such Originator acknowledges that each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are entering into the Transaction Documents to which they are parties in reliance upon the Buyer’s identity as a legal entity separate from such Originator.

SECTION 5.25 Opinions . The facts regarding such Originator, the Sub-Originator, the Receivables sold by it hereunder, the Related Security and the related matters set forth or assumed in each of the opinions of counsel delivered in connection with this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are true and correct in all material respects.

SECTION 5.26 Enforceability of Contracts . Each Contract related to any Receivable sold or contributed by such Originator hereunder is effective to create, and has created, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the related Obligor to pay the outstanding balance of such Receivable, enforceable against the Obligor in accordance with its terms, without being subject to any defense, deduction, offset or counterclaim and such Originator has fully performed its obligations under such Contract, except to the extent that such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles.

SECTION 5.27 Nature of Pool Receivables . All Pool Receivables: (i) were originated by such Originator or the Sub-Originator in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) were sold to Buyer for fair consideration and reasonably equivalent value and (iii) represent all, or a portion of the purchase price of merchandise, insurance or services within the meaning of Section 3(c)(5)(A) of the Investment Company Act.

SECTION 5.28 Compliance with Applicable Laws . Each Originator is in compliance with the requirements of all Applicable Law, except in such instance where any failure to comply therewith, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.29 Servicing Programs . No license or approval is required for Servicer or Buyer’s use of any software or other computer program used by such Originator or any Sub-Servicer in the servicing of the Receivables, other than those that have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

SECTION 5.30 [ Reserved ].

SECTION 5.31 Mortgages Covering As-Extracted Collateral . There are no mortgages that are effective as financing statements covering as-extracted collateral that constitutes Collateral and that name any Originator or the Sub-Originator (or, if such Originator or Sub-Originator is not the “record owner” of the underlying property, any “record owner” with respect to such as-extracted collateral, as such term is used in the UCC) as grantor, debtor or words of similar effect filed or recorded in any jurisdiction.

 

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SECTION 5.32 [ Reserved ].

SECTION 5.33 Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties by Each Originator . On each day that a new Receivable is created or acquired, and when sold or contributed to the Buyer hereunder, such Originator shall be deemed to have certified that all representations and warranties set forth in this Article V are true and correct in all material respects (unless such representation or warranty contains a materiality qualification and, in such case, such representation or warranty shall be true and correct as made) with respect to itself and such new Receivable on and as of such day (except for representations and warranties which apply as to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date)).

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS OF THE ORIGINATORS

SECTION 6.1 Covenants . From the date hereof until the Final Payout Date, each Originator will, unless the Administrative Agent and the Buyer shall otherwise consent in writing, perform the following covenants with respect to itself:

(a) Financial Reporting . Such Originator will maintain a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and such Originator shall furnish to the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender such information as the Buyer, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request relating to such system.

(b) Notices . Such Originator will notify the Buyer, Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and each Lender in writing of any of the following events promptly upon (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days after) a Financial Officer or other officer learning of the occurrence thereof, with such notice describing the same, and if applicable, the steps being taken by the Person(s) affected with respect thereto:

(i) Notice of Purchase and Sale Termination Event, Unmatured Purchase and Sale Termination Event, Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default . A statement of a Financial Officer of such Originator setting forth details of any Purchase and Sale Termination Event (as defined in Section  8.1 ), Unmatured Purchase and Sale Termination Event (as defined in Section  8.1 ), Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing and the action that such Originator proposes to take with respect thereto.

(ii) Representations and Warranties . The failure of any representation or warranty made or deemed to be made by such Originator under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to be true and correct in any material respect when made.

(iii) Litigation . The institution of any litigation, arbitration proceeding or governmental proceeding with respect to such Originator, the Sub-Originator, the Buyer, the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, or any other Originator, that with respect to any Person other than the Buyer, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(iv) Adverse Claim . (A) Any Person shall obtain an Adverse Claim upon Receivables or Related Rights or any portion thereof, or (B) any Person other than the Buyer, the Servicer or the Administrative Agent shall obtain any rights or direct any action with respect to any Collection Account (or related Lock-Box) or (C) any Obligor shall receive any change in payment instructions with respect to Pool Receivable(s) from a Person other than the Servicer or the Administrative Agent.

(v) Name Changes . At least thirty (30) days before any change in such Originator’s or Sub-Originator’s name, jurisdiction of organization or any other change requiring the amendment of UCC financing statements, a notice setting forth such changes and the effective date thereof.

(vi) Change in Accountants or Accounting Policy . Any change in (i) the external accountants of such Originator, the Sub-Originator, the Servicer, Sub-Originator, any other Originator or the Parent or (ii) any material accounting policy of such Originator or the Sub-Originator that is relevant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (it being understood that any change to the manner in which such Originator or the Sub-Originator accounts for the Receivables shall be deemed “material” for such purpose).

(c) Conduct of Business; Preservation of Existence . Such Originator will (and will cause the Sub-Originator to) carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is presently conducted and will do all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, its franchises, authority to do business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, licenses, patents, trademarks, copyrights and other proprietary rights.

(d) Compliance with Laws . Such Originator will comply with all Applicable Laws to which it may be subject if the failure to comply therewith, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) Furnishing of Information and Inspection of Receivables . Such Originator will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender from time to time such information with respect to its Pool Receivables as the Buyer, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request. Such Originator will, at such Originator’s expense, during regular business hours upon three (3) days’ prior written notice, (i) permit the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and/or any Lender or their respective agents or representatives to (A) examine and make copies of and abstracts from all books and records relating to the Pool Receivables or other Collateral, (B) visit the offices and properties of such Originator for the purpose of examining such books and records, and (C) discuss matters relating to its Pool Receivables, other Collateral or such Originator’s performance hereunder or under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party with any of the officers, directors or employees of such Originator and its independent accountants, in each case, having knowledge of such matters and (ii) without limiting the provisions of clause (i)  above, during regular business hours, at such

 

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Originator’s expense, upon prior written notice from the Buyer or Administrative Agent, permit certified public accountants or other auditors acceptable to the Administrative Agent to conduct a review of its books and records with respect to such Pool Receivables and other Collateral; provided , that unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Originators collectively shall be required to reimburse the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, together, for only two (2) reviews pursuant to clause (i)  above and only one (1) such review pursuant to clause (ii)  above, in each case, in any twelve-month period.

(f) Payments on Receivables, Collection Accounts . Such Originator will, at all times, instruct all Obligors to deliver payments on its Pool Receivables to a Collection Account or a Lock-Box. Such Originator (or the Servicer on its behalf) will, at all times, maintain such books and records necessary to identify Collections received from time to time on Pool Receivables and to segregate such Collections from other property of the Servicer and the other Originators. If any payments on the Pool Receivables or other Collections are received by such Originator, it shall hold such payments in trust for the benefit of the Buyer (and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as the Buyer’s assignees) and promptly (but in any event within two (2) Business Days after receipt) remit such funds into a Collection Account. The Originators will cause each Collection Account Bank to comply with the terms of each applicable Account Control Agreement. The Originators shall not permit funds other than Collections on Pool Receivables and other Collateral to be deposited into any Collection Account. If such funds are nevertheless deposited into any Collection Account, the Originators will cause the Servicer to, within two (2) Business Days, identify and transfer such funds out of the Collection Account to (or pursuant to the instructions of) the Person entitled to such funds. Such Originator will not, and will not permit any other Person, to commingle Collections with any other funds. Such Originator shall only add (or permit the Servicer to add) a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box), or a Collection Account Bank to those listed in the Receivables Financing Agreement, if the Administrative Agent has received notice of such addition and an executed and acknowledged copy of an Account Control Agreement (or an amendment thereto) in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent from the applicable Collection Account Bank. Such Originator shall only terminate (or permit the Servicer to terminate) a Collection Account Bank or close a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box) with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

(g) Sales, Liens, etc. Except as otherwise provided herein, such Originator will not sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of, or create or suffer to exist any Adverse Claim upon (including, without limitation, the filing of any financing statement) or with respect to, any Pool Receivable or other Related Rights, or assign any right to receive income in respect thereof.

(h) Extension or Amendment of Pool Receivables . Except as otherwise permitted by the Receivables Financing Agreement, such Originator will not alter the delinquency status or adjust the Outstanding Balance or otherwise modify the terms of any Pool Receivable in any material respect, or amend, modify or waive, in any material respect, any term or condition of any related Contract. Such Originator shall at its expense, timely and fully perform and comply in all material respects with all provisions, covenants and other promises required to be observed by it under the Contracts related to the Pool Receivables, and timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy with regard to each Pool Receivable and the related Contract.

 

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(i) Fundamental Changes . Such Originator shall not make any change in such Originator’s name, location or making any other change in such Originator’s identity or corporate structure that could impair or otherwise render any UCC financing statement filed in connection with this Agreement or the Receivables Financing Agreement “seriously misleading” as such term (or similar term) is used in the applicable UCC, in each case, unless both (i) no Purchase and Sale Termination Event or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender have each (A) received 30 days’ prior notice thereof, (B) received executed copies of all documents, certificates and opinions (including, without limitation, opinions relating to bankruptcy and UCC matters) as the Buyer or the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request and (C) been reasonably satisfied that all other action to perfect and protect the interests of the Buyer and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, in and to the Receivables to be sold by it hereunder and other Related Rights, as reasonably requested by the Buyer or the Administrative Agent shall have been taken by, and at the expense of, such Originator (including the filing of any UCC financing statements, the receipt of certificates and other requested documents from public officials and all such other actions required pursuant to Section  7.3 ).

(j) Change in Credit and Collection Policy . Such Originator will not make, or direct the Servicer to make, any material change in the Credit and Collection Policy except (i) with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) or (ii) if such changes are required or necessary under any Applicable Law. Promptly following any change in the Credit and Collection Policy, such Originator will deliver a copy of the updated Credit and Collection Policy to the Buyer, Administrative Agent and each Lender.

(k) Records . Such Originator will maintain and implement (or cause the Servicer to maintain and implement) administrative and operating procedures (including an ability to recreate records evidencing Pool Receivables and related Contracts in the event of the destruction of the originals thereof), and keep and maintain (or cause the Servicer to keep and maintain) all documents, books, records, computer tapes and disks and other information reasonably necessary or advisable for the collection of its Pool Receivables (including records adequate to permit the daily identification of such Pool Receivable and all Collections of and adjustments to such existing Pool Receivable).

(l) Ownership Interest, Etc. Such Originator shall (and shall cause the Servicer to), at its expense, take all action necessary or reasonably desirable to establish and maintain a valid and enforceable ownership or security interest in the Pool Receivables, the Related Rights and Collections with respect thereto, and a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim, in favor of the Buyer (and the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), as the Buyer’s assignee), including taking such action to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the interest of the Buyer (and the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), as the Buyer’s assignee) as the Buyer, the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party may reasonably request. In order to evidence the security interests of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, such Originator shall, from

 

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time to time take such action, or execute and deliver such instruments as may be necessary (including, without limitation, such actions as are reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent) to maintain and perfect, as a first-priority interest, the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Receivables, Related Security and Collections. Such Originator shall, from time to time and within the time limits established by law, prepare and present to the Administrative Agent for the Administrative Agent’s authorization and approval, all financing statements, amendments, continuations or initial financing statements in lieu of a continuation statement, or other filings necessary to continue, maintain and perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest as a first-priority interest. The Administrative Agent’s approval of such filings shall authorize such Originator to file such financing statements under the UCC without the signature of such Originator, Sub-Originator, any other Originator or the Administrative Agent where allowed by Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything else in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, such Originator shall not have any authority to file a termination, partial termination, release, partial release, or any amendment that deletes the name of a debtor or excludes collateral of any such financing statements filed in connection with the Transaction Documents, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

(m) Further Assurances. Such Originator hereby authorizes and hereby agrees from time to time, at its own expense, promptly to execute (if necessary) and deliver all further instruments and documents, and to take all further actions, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Buyer or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the purchases and contributions made hereunder, or to enable the Buyer or the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) to exercise and enforce their respective rights and remedies hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, such Originator hereby authorizes, and will, upon the request of the Buyer or the Administrative Agent, at such Originator’s own expense, execute (if necessary) and file such financing statements or continuation statements (including as-extracted collateral filings), or amendments thereto, and such other instruments and documents, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Buyer or Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or evidence any of the foregoing.

(n) Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, etc . Such Originator shall not (i) be a party to any merger, consolidation or other restructuring, except a merger, consolidation or other restructuring where both (I) the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender have each (A) received 30 days’ prior notice thereof, (B) received executed copies of all documents, certificates and opinions (including, without limitation, opinions relating to bankruptcy and UCC matters) as the Buyer or the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request and (C) been satisfied that all other action to perfect and protect the interests of the Buyer and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, in and to the Receivables to be sold by it hereunder and other Related Rights, as reasonably requested by the Buyer or the Administrative Agent shall have been taken by, and at the expense of, such Originator (including the filing of any UCC financing statements, the receipt of certificates and other requested documents from public officials and all such other actions required pursuant to Section  7.3 ) and (II) at the time thereof, no Purchase and Sale Termination Event or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) directly or indirectly sell, transfer, assign, convey or lease (A) whether in one or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets or (B) any Receivables or any interest therein (other than pursuant to this Agreement).

 

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(o) Frequency of Billing . Prepare and deliver (or cause to be prepared and delivered) invoices with respect to all Receivables in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policies, but in any event no less frequently than as required under the Contract related to such Receivable.

(p) Receivables Not to Be Evidenced by Promissory Notes or Chattel Paper . Such Originator shall not take any action to cause or permit any Receivable created, acquired or originated by it to become evidenced by any “instrument” or “chattel paper” (as defined in the applicable UCC) without the prior written consent of the Buyer and the Administrative Agent.

(q) Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance . Such Originator will not become a Sanctioned Person. Such Originator, either in its own right or through any third party, will not (a) have any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; (b) do business in or with, or derive any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law; (c) engage in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law or (d) use the proceeds from the sale of the Receivables to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, a Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law. Such Originator shall comply with all Anti-Terrorism Laws and Sanctions Law in all material respects. Such Originator shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender in writing upon the occurrence of a Reportable Compliance Event.

(r) Such Originator (or the Servicer on its behalf) shall have placed on the most recent, and have taken all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that there shall be placed on each subsequent, data processing report that it generates which are of the type that a proposed purchaser or lender would use to evaluate the Receivables, the following legend (or the substantive equivalent thereof): “THE RECEIVABLES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE BEEN SOLD PURSUANT TO A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF November 30, 2017, AS AMENDED, BETWEEN EACH OF THE ENTITIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE I THERETO, AS ORIGINATORS, CONSOL, AS SERVICER AND CONSOL FUNDING LLC, AS BUYER; AND THE RECEIVABLES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE BEEN PLEDGED TO PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, PURSUANT TO A RECEIVABLES FINANCING AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF November 30, 2017, AS AMENDED, AMONG CONSOL FUNDING LLC AS BORROWER, CONSOL, AS SERVICER, THE VARIOUS LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT”.

(s) Buyer’s Tax Status . Such Originator shall not take or cause any action to be taken that could result in the Buyer (i) being treated other than as a “disregarded entity” within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3 for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is disregarded as separate from a United States person (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) or (ii) becoming an association taxable as a corporation or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

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(t) [ Reserved ].

(u) Insurance . Such Originator will maintain in effect, at such Originator’s expense, such casualty and liability insurance as such Originator deems appropriate in its good faith business judgment.

(v) Mining Operations and Mineheads . Promptly, and in any event within 5 Business Days of any change, deletion or addition to the location of such Originator’s Mined Properties or mineheads set forth on Schedule VI hereto, (i) notify the Buyer and Administrative Agent of such change, deletion or addition, (ii) cause the filing or recording of such financing statements and amendments and/or release to financing statements mortgages or other instruments, if any, necessary to preserve and maintain the perfection and priority of each of the security interests in the Receivables and the Related Rights, in favor of the Buyer and Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), created pursuant to this Agreement and the Receivables Financing Agreement, as applicable, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (iii) deliver to the Buyer and Administrative Agent an updated Schedule VI hereto reflecting such change, deletion or addition; it being understood that no Receivable, the related location of mining operations and/or mineheads of which is not as set forth on Schedule VI hereto as of such date of determination shall be an Eligible Receivable until such time as each condition under this clause (v)  shall have been satisfied.

SECTION 6.2 Separateness Covenants . Each Originator hereby acknowledges that this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are being entered into in reliance upon the Buyer’s identity as a legal entity separate from such Originator and its Affiliates. Therefore, from and after the date hereof, each Originator shall take all reasonable steps necessary to make it apparent to third Persons that the Buyer is an entity with assets and liabilities distinct from those of such Originator and any other Person, and is not a division of such Originator, its Affiliates or any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and in addition to and consistent with the other covenants set forth herein, such Originator shall take such actions as shall be required in order that:

(a) such Originator shall not be involved in the day to day management of the Buyer;

(b) such Originator shall maintain separate records and books of account from the Buyer and otherwise will observe corporate formalities and have a separate area from the Buyer for its business (which may be located at the same address as the Buyer, and, to the extent that it and the Buyer have offices in the same location, there shall be a fair and appropriate allocation of overhead costs between them, and each shall bear its fair share of such expenses);

(c) the financial statements and books and records of such Originator shall be prepared after the date of creation of the Buyer to reflect and shall reflect the separate existence of the Buyer; provided , that the Buyer’s assets and liabilities may be included in a consolidated financial statement issued by an Affiliate of the Buyer; provided , however , that any such consolidated financial statement or the notes thereto shall make clear that the Buyer’s assets are not available to satisfy the obligations of such Affiliate;

 

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(d) except as permitted by the Receivables Financing Agreement, (i) such Originator shall maintain its assets (including, without limitation, deposit accounts) separately from the assets (including, without limitation, deposit accounts) of the Buyer and (ii) such Originator’s assets, and records relating thereto, have not been, are not, and shall not be, commingled with those of the Buyer;

(e) such Originator shall not act as an agent for the Buyer (except in the capacity of Servicer or a Sub-Servicer);

(f) such Originator shall not conduct any of the business of the Buyer in its own name (except in the capacity of Servicer or a Sub-Servicer);

(g) such Originator shall not pay any liabilities of the Buyer out of its own funds or assets;

(h) such Originator shall maintain an arm’s-length relationship with the Buyer;

(i) such Originator shall not assume or guarantee or become obligated for the debts of the Buyer or hold out its credit as being available to satisfy the obligations of the Buyer;

(j) such Originator shall not acquire obligations of the Buyer (other than the Subordinated Notes);

(k) such Originator shall allocate fairly and reasonably overhead or other expenses that are properly shared with the Buyer, including, without limitation, shared office space;

(l) such Originator shall identify and hold itself out as a separate and distinct entity from the Buyer;

(m) such Originator shall correct any known misunderstanding respecting its separate identity from the Buyer;

(n) such Originator shall not enter into, or be a party to, any transaction with the Buyer, except in the ordinary course of its business and on terms which are intrinsically fair and not less favorable to it than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with an unrelated third party;

(o) such Originator shall not pay the salaries of the Buyer’s employees, if any; and

(p) such Originator will not account for or treat (whether in financial statements or otherwise) the transactions contemplated hereby in any manner other than the sale and/or contribution and absolute assignment of the Receivables and the Related Security by it to the Buyer or in any other respect account for or treat the transactions contemplated hereby in any manner other than as a sale and/or contribution and absolute assignment of the Receivables and the Related Security by it to the Buyer (except to the extent that such transactions are not recognized on account of consolidated financial reporting in accordance with GAAP).

 

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ARTICLE VII

ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

IN RESPECT OF RECEIVABLES

SECTION 7.1 Rights of the Buyer . Each Originator hereby authorizes the Buyer, the Servicer or their respective designees or assignees under this Agreement or the Receivables Financing Agreement (including, without limitation, the Administrative Agent) to take any and all steps in such Originator’s name necessary or desirable, in their respective determination, to collect all amounts due under any and all Receivables sold, contributed or otherwise conveyed or purported to be conveyed by it hereunder, including, without limitation, endorsing the name of such Originator on checks and other instruments representing Collections and enforcing such Receivables and the provisions of the related Contracts that concern payment and/or enforcement of rights to payment; provided , however , the Administrative Agent shall not take any of the foregoing actions unless a Purchase and Sale Termination Event or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 7.2 Responsibilities of the Originators . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding:

(a) Each Originator shall perform its obligations hereunder, and the exercise by the Buyer or its designee of its rights hereunder shall not relieve such Originator from such obligations.

(b) None of the Buyer, the Servicer, the Lenders or the Administrative Agent shall have any obligation or liability to any Obligor or any other third Person with respect to any Receivables, Contracts related thereto or any other related agreements, nor shall the Buyer, the Servicer, the Lenders or the Administrative Agent be obligated to perform any of the obligations of such Originator thereunder.

(c) Each Originator hereby grants to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent an irrevocable power-of-attorney, with full power of substitution, coupled with an interest, during the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default to take in the name of such Originator all steps necessary or advisable to endorse, negotiate or otherwise realize on any writing or other right of any kind held or transmitted by such Originator or transmitted or received by the Buyer or the Administrative Agent (whether or not from such Originator) in connection with any Receivable sold, contributed or otherwise conveyed or purported to be conveyed by it hereunder or Related Right.

SECTION 7.3 Further Action Evidencing Purchases . On or prior to the Closing Date, each Originator shall mark its master data processing records evidencing Pool Receivables and Contracts with the following legend (or the substantive equivalent thereof): “THE RECEIVABLES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE BEEN SOLD PURSUANT TO A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2017, AS AMENDED, BETWEEN EACH OF THE ENTITIES LISTED ON SCHEDULE I THERETO, AS

 

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ORIGINATORS, CONSOL, AS SERVICER AND CONSOL FUNDING LLC, AS BUYER; AND THE RECEIVABLES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE BEEN PLEDGED TO PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, PURSUANT TO A RECEIVABLES FINANCING AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2017, AS AMENDED, AMONG CONSOL FUNDING LLC AS BORROWER, CONSOL, AS SERVICER, THE VARIOUS LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT”.

Each Originator hereby authorizes the Buyer or its designee or assignee (including, without limitation, the Administrative Agent) to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto and assignments thereof, relative to all or any of the Receivables and Related Rights sold or otherwise conveyed or purported to be conveyed by it hereunder and now existing or hereafter generated or acquired by such Originator. If any Originator fails to perform any of its agreements or obligations under this Agreement, the Buyer or its designee or assignee (including, without limitation, the Administrative Agent) may (but shall not be required to) itself perform, or cause the performance of, such agreement or obligation, and the expenses of the Buyer or its designee or assignee (including, without limitation, the Administrative Agent) incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by such Originator.

SECTION 7.4 Application of Collections . Any payment by an Obligor in respect of any indebtedness owed by it to any Originator shall, except as otherwise specified by such Obligor or required by Applicable Law and unless otherwise instructed by the Servicer (with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent) or the Administrative Agent, be applied as a Collection of any Receivable or Receivables of such Obligor in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policy.

SECTION 7.5 Performance of Obligations . Each Originator shall (i) perform all of its obligations under the Contracts related to the Receivables generated by such Originator to the same extent as if interests in such Receivables had not been transferred hereunder, and the exercise by the Buyer or the Administrative Agent of its rights hereunder shall not relieve any Originator from any such obligations, (ii) enforce each of its rights and remedies, if any, under the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement and (iii) pay when due any taxes, including, without limitation, any sales taxes payable in connection with the Receivables generated by such Originator and their creation and satisfaction.

ARTICLE VIII

PURCHASE AND SALE TERMINATION EVENTS

SECTION 8.1 Purchase and Sale Termination Events . Each of the following events or occurrences described in this Section  8.1 shall constitute a “ Purchase and Sale Termination Event ” (each event which with notice or the passage of time or both would become a Purchase and Sale Termination Event being referred to herein as an “ Unmatured Purchase and Sale Termination Event ”):

(a) the Termination Date shall have occurred;

 

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(b) any Originator shall fail to make when due any payment or deposit to be made by it under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party and such failure shall remain unremedied for three (3) Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed to be made by any Originator (or any of its officers) under or in connection with this Agreement, any other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, or any other information or report delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to have been incorrect or untrue in any material respect when made or deemed made or delivered and the same shall continue unremedied for ten (10) Business Days after the earlier of (i) a responsible officer of such Originator has knowledge of the same and (i) the date on which written notice of the same shall have been given to such Originator; provided , that no breach of a representation or warranty set forth in Sections 5.5 , 5.12 , 5.20 , 5.22 , 5.23 , 5.26 or 5.27 shall constitute a Purchase and Sale Termination Event pursuant to this clause (c)  if credit has been given for a reduction of the Purchase Price, the outstanding principal balance of the applicable Subordinated Note has been reduced or the applicable Originator has made a cash payment to the Buyer, in any case, as required pursuant to Section  3.4(c) with respect to such breach;

(d) any Originator shall fail to perform or observe in any material respect any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party on its part to be performed or observed and such failure shall continue unremedied for ten (10) Business Days after the earlier of (i) a responsible officer of such Originator has knowledge of such failure and (i) the date on which written notice of such failure shall have been given to such Originator; or

(e) any Insolvency Proceeding shall be instituted against any Originator and such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including the entry of an order for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for, it or for any substantial part of its property) shall occur.

SECTION 8.2 Remedies .

(a) Optional Termination . Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Purchase and Sale Termination Event, the Buyer (and not the Servicer), with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent shall have the option, by notice to the Originators (with a copy to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders), to declare the Purchase Facility terminated.

(b) Remedies Cumulative . Upon any termination of the Purchase Facility pursuant to Section  8.2(a) , the Buyer (and the Administrative Agent as Buyer’s assignee) shall have, in addition to all other rights and remedies under this Agreement, all other rights and remedies provided under the UCC of each applicable jurisdiction and other Applicable Laws, which rights shall be cumulative.

 

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ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 9.1 Indemnities by the Originators . Without limiting any other rights that the Buyer may have hereunder or under Applicable Law, each Originator hereby agrees to indemnify the Buyer, each of its officers, directors, employees, agents, employees and respective assigns, the Administrative Agent and each Lender (each of the foregoing Persons being individually called a “ Purchase and Sale Indemnified Party ”), forthwith on demand, from and against any and all damages, claims, losses, judgments, liabilities, penalties and related costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs) (all of the foregoing being collectively called “ Purchase and Sale Indemnified Amounts ”) awarded against or incurred by any of them to the extent relating to an event identified below:

(a) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by such Originator (or any officer of such Originator) under or in connection with this Agreement, any other Transaction Document to which such Originator is a party or any other information or report delivered by any such Originator pursuant hereto or thereto, which shall have been false or incorrect when made or deemed made;

(b) the failure by such Originator to comply with any Applicable Law with respect to any Receivable or Contract related thereto, or the nonconformity of any Receivable or Contract included therein with any such Applicable Law;

(c) the failure of such Originator to timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy in regard to any Receivable or to perform any of its obligations, express or implied, with respect to any Contract;

(d) any failure of such Originator to perform its duties, covenants or other obligations under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which such Originator is a party;

(e) the lack of an enforceable ownership interest, or a first priority perfected lien, in the Pool Receivables (and all Related Security) originated or acquired by such Originator against all Persons (including any bankruptcy trustee or similar Person), in either case, free and clear of any Lien;

(f) the failure to have filed, or any delay in filing, financing statements (including, as extracted collateral filings), financing statement amendments, continuation statements or other similar instruments or documents under the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction or other Applicable Laws with respect to any Pool Receivable or the Related Rights;

(g) any suit or claim related to the Pool Receivables originated or acquired by such Originator (including any products liability or environmental liability claim arising out of or in connection with the property, products or services that are the subject of any Pool Receivable originated by such Originator);

(h) any failure of such Originator to enforce any of its rights and remedies under the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement;

 

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(i) the commingling of Collections of Pool Receivables at any time with other funds;

(j) the failure or delay to provide any Obligor with an invoice or other evidence of indebtedness;

(k) any investigation, litigation or proceeding (actual or threatened) related to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or in respect of any Pool Receivable or any Related Rights, but excluding in each case, litigation and proceedings related to the enforcement or collection of Receivables;

(l) any claim brought by any Person other than a Purchase and Sale Indemnified Party arising from any activity by such Originator or any Affiliate of such Originator in servicing, administering or collecting any Pool Receivable;

(m) the failure by such Originator to pay when due any taxes, including, without limitation, sales, excise or personal property taxes;

(n) any dispute, claim, offset or defense (other than discharge in bankruptcy of the Obligor) of the Obligor to the payment of any Pool Receivable (including, without limitation, a defense based on such Pool Receivable or the related Contract not being a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms), or any other claim resulting from or relating to collection activities with respect to such Pool Receivable, the sale of goods or the rendering of services related to such Pool Receivable or the furnishing or failure to furnish any such goods or services or other similar claim or defense not arising from the financial inability of any Obligor to pay undisputed indebtedness;

(o) any product liability claim arising out of or in connection with goods or services that are the subject of any Receivable generated by such Originator;

(p) the failure by such Originator to pay when due any sales, excise or personal property taxes or charges (including interest and penalties thereon or with respect thereto), imposed on the purchase of the Pool Receivables or any Related Rights generated by such Originator;

(q) [reserved];

(r) [reserved]; or

(s) any action taken by the Administrative Agent as attorney-in-fact for such Originator pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document;

provided that such indemnity shall not be available to any Purchase and Sale Indemnified Party to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of a Purchase and Sale Indemnified Party, (y) constitute recourse with respect to a Pool Receivable by reason of the bankruptcy, insolvency, lack of creditworthiness or other financial or credit condition or financial default, of the related Obligor or (z) Taxes (other than Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc., arising from any non-Tax claim).

 

32


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, solely for purposes of such Originator’s indemnification obligations in this Article  IX , any representation, warranty or covenant qualified by the occurrence or non-occurrence of a material adverse effect or similar concepts of materiality shall be deemed to be not so qualified.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 10.1 Amendments, etc.

(a) The provisions of this Agreement may from time to time be amended, modified or waived, if such amendment, modification or waiver is in writing and executed by the Buyer, the Servicer and each Originator, with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders.

(b) No failure or delay on the part of the Buyer, the Servicer, any Originator, the Administrative Agent or any third-party beneficiary in exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power or right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or right. No notice to or demand on the Buyer, the Servicer or any Originator in any case shall entitle it to any notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. No waiver or approval by the Buyer, the Administrative Agent or the Servicer under this Agreement shall, except as may otherwise be stated in such waiver or approval, be applicable to subsequent transactions. No waiver or approval under this Agreement shall require any similar or dissimilar waiver or approval thereafter to be granted hereunder.

(c) The Transaction Documents contain a final and complete integration of all prior expressions by the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter thereof and shall constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter thereof, superseding all prior oral or written understandings.

SECTION 10.2 Notices, etc . All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall, unless otherwise stated herein, be in writing (including facsimile or electronic mail communication) and shall be delivered or sent by facsimile, electronic mail, or by overnight mail, to the intended party at the mailing or electronic mail address or facsimile number of such party set forth under its name on Schedule V hereof or at such other address or facsimile number as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties hereto or in the case of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, at their respective address for notices pursuant to the Receivables Financing Agreement. All such notices and communications shall be effective (i) if delivered by overnight mail, when received, and (ii) if transmitted by facsimile or electronic mail, when sent, receipt confirmed by telephone or electronic means.

 

33


SECTION 10.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law. Without limiting the foregoing, the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender (collectively, the “ Set-off Parties ”) may at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, setoff, appropriate and apply (without presentment, demand, protest or other notice to Consol or any Originator which are hereby expressly waived) any deposits and any other indebtedness owing to such Set-Off Party (including by any branches or Affiliates of such Set-Off Party), or held by such Set-Off Party for the account of, Consol or such Originator against amounts owing by, Consol or such Originator hereunder; provided that such Set-Off Party shall notify, Consol or such Originator promptly following such setoff.

SECTION 10.4 Binding Effect; Assignability . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Buyer and each Originator and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Originator may assign any of its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender, except as otherwise herein specifically provided. This Agreement shall create and constitute the continuing obligations of the parties hereto in accordance with its terms, and shall remain in full force and effect until terminated in accordance with the terms hereof. The rights and remedies with respect to any breach of any representation and warranty made by any Originator pursuant to Article  V and the indemnification and payment provisions of Article IX and Section  10.6 shall be continuing and shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 10.5 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY OTHER CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE PERFECTION OF A SECURITY INTEREST OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK).

SECTION 10.6 Costs, Expenses and Taxes . In addition to the obligations of the Originators under Article IX, each Originator, severally and for itself alone, and Consol, jointly and severally with each Originator, agrees to pay on demand:

(a) to the Buyer (and any successor and permitted assigns thereof) and any third-party beneficiary of the Buyer’s rights hereunder all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements, consents and waivers, if any, from time to time hereto), including, without limitation, (i) the reasonable Attorney Costs for the Buyer (and any successor and permitted assigns thereof) and any third-party beneficiary of the Buyer’s rights hereunder with respect thereto and with respect to advising any such Person as to their rights and remedies against such Originator under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, (ii) reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including reasonable Attorney Costs) for the Buyer (and any successor and permitted assigns thereof) and any third-party beneficiary of the Buyer’s rights hereunder and any of their respective Affiliates and agents incurred in connection with the administration and maintenance of this Agreement or the protection and enforcement of their rights and remedies against such Originator under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and (iii) all reasonable out-

 

34


of-pocket expenses of any regular employees and agents of the Buyer (and any successor and permitted assigns thereof) and any third-party beneficiary of the Buyer’s rights hereunder engaged periodically to perform audits of an Originator’s books, records and business properties;

(b) to the Buyer (and any successor and permitted assigns thereof) and any third-party beneficiary of the Buyer’s rights hereunder all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable Attorney Costs), of any such Person incurred in connection with the enforcement of any of their respective rights or remedies against such Originator under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents; and

(c) all stamp, franchise and other taxes and fees payable in connection with the execution, delivery, filing and recording of this Agreement to be delivered hereunder, and agrees to indemnify each Purchase and Sale Indemnified Party against any liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay in paying or omitting to pay such taxes and fees.

SECTION 10.7 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION . (a) EACH ORIGINATOR AND THE BUYER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT, FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OF ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT ANY SUCH DEFENSE. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 10.7 SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AGAINST ANY ORIGINATOR OR THE SERVICER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION. EACH ORIGINATOR AND THE BUYER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION 10.7.

 

35


(b) EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SCHEDULE IV . NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR THE PARTIES HERETO TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

SECTION 10.8 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER (WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT.

SECTION 10.9 Captions and Cross References; Incorporation by Reference . The various captions (including, without limitation, the table of contents) in this Agreement are included for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. References in this Agreement to any underscored Article, Section, Schedule or Exhibit are to such Article, Section, Schedule or Exhibit of this Agreement, as the case may be. The Schedules and Exhibits hereto are hereby incorporated by reference into and made a part of this Agreement.

SECTION 10.10 Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart hereof by facsimile or other electronic means shall be equally effective as delivery of an originally executed counterpart.

SECTION 10.11 Acknowledgment and Agreement . By execution below, each Originator expressly acknowledges and agrees that all of the Buyer’s rights, title, and interests in, to, and under this Agreement (but not its obligations), shall be assigned by the Buyer to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Lenders) pursuant to the Receivables Financing Agreement, and each Originator consents to such assignment. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are third-party beneficiaries of the rights of the Buyer arising hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents to which any Originator is a party, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, during the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default under the Receivables Financing Agreement, the Administrative Agent, and not the Buyer, shall have the sole right to exercise all such rights and related remedies.

SECTION 10.12 No Proceeding . Each Originator hereby agrees that it will not institute, or join any other Person in instituting, against the Buyer any Insolvency Proceeding for at least one year and one day following the Final Payout Date. Each Originator further agrees that notwithstanding any provisions contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Buyer shall not, and shall not be obligated to, pay any amount in respect of any Subordinated Note or otherwise to such Originator pursuant to this Agreement unless the Buyer has received funds which may, subject to Section 4.01 of the Receivables Financing Agreement, be used to make such payment. Any amount which the Buyer does not pay pursuant to the operation of the preceding sentence shall not constitute a claim (as defined in §101 of the Bankruptcy Code) against or corporate obligation of the Buyer by such Originator for any such insufficiency unless and until the provisions of the foregoing sentence are satisfied. The agreements in this Section  10.12 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

36


SECTION 10.13 Mutual Negotiations . This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are the product of mutual negotiations by the parties thereto and their counsel, and no party shall be deemed the draftsperson of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any provision hereof or thereof or to have provided the same. Accordingly, in the event of any inconsistency or ambiguity of any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, such inconsistency or ambiguity shall not be interpreted against any party because of such party’s involvement in the drafting thereof.

SECTION 10.14 Severability . Any provisions of this Agreement which are prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

37


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

CONSOL FUNDING LLC,

as Buyer

By:  

/s/ Steven T. Aspinall

  Name: Steven T. Aspinall
  Title: Vice President

 

S-1

Purchase and Sale Agreement


CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC,

as Servicer and as an Originator

By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

  Name: James A. Brock
  Title: President

 

S-2

Purchase and Sale Agreement


CONSOL MARINE TERMINALS LLC,

as an Originator

By:  

/s/ Steven T. Aspinall

  Name: Steven T. Aspinall
  Title: Treasurer

 

S-3

Purchase and Sale Agreement


Schedule I

LIST AND LOCATION OF EACH ORIGINATOR

 

Originator

  

Location

CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC    Delaware
CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC    Delaware

 

  Schedule I-1    Purchase and Sale Agreement


Schedule II

LOCATION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS OF ORIGINATORS

 

Originator

  

Location of Books and Records

CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC    1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg PA 15317
CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC    1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg PA 15317

 

  Schedule II-1    Purchase and Sale Agreement


Schedule III

TRADE NAMES

 

Entity :

   CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC (no prior names or trade names)

Entity :

   CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC (prior names CNX Marine Terminals LLC and CNX Marine Terminals Inc.; no trade names)

 

  Schedule III-1    Purchase and Sale Agreement


Schedule IV

ACTIONS/SUITS

None.

 

  Schedule IV-1    Purchase and Sale Agreement


Schedule V

NOTICE ADDRESSES

 

Entity

  

Notice Address

CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC    1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg PA 15317, Attention: Treasurer
CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC    1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg PA 15317, Attention: Treasurer

 

  Schedule V-1    Purchase and Sale Agreement


Schedule VI

LOCATION OF MINING OPERATIONS

 

ORIGINATORS

  

MINEHEAD

  

STATE

  

COUNTY

CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC    Pennsylvania Mine Complex    Pennsylvania    Washington County
CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC    Pennsylvania Mine Complex    Pennsylvania    Greene County
CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC    Pennsylvania Mine Complex    West Virginia    Marshall County

 

 

  Schedule VI-1    Purchase and Sale Agreement


Exhibit A

FORM OF PURCHASE REPORT

 

Originator:    [Name of Originator]
Purchaser:    CONSOL Funding LLC
Payment Date:    ________________ ___, 20___

 

1.    Outstanding Balance of Receivables [Purchased] [Contributed to the Capital of Purchaser] [on the Closing Date][during the preceding calendar month]:
2.    Fair Market Value Discount:
   1- Discount Factor
   Where:
   Discount Factor: = ___________________
3.    Purchase Price (1 x 2) = $ __________
4.    Reductions in the Purchase Price = $ __________
5.    Net Purchase Price (3 – 4) = $ __________

 

  Exhibit A-1    Purchase and Sale Agreement


Exhibit B

FORM OF SUBORDINATED NOTE

New York, New York

[        ], 20[    ]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, CONSOL Funding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Buyer ”), promises to pay to [                              ], a [                              ] (the “ Originator ”), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Purchase and Sale Agreement referred to below, the aggregate unpaid Purchase Price of all Receivables purchased by the Buyer from the Originator pursuant to such Purchase and Sale Agreement, as such unpaid Purchase Price is shown in the records of the Servicer.

1. Purchase and Sale Agreement . This Subordinated Note is one of the Subordinated Notes described in, and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in, that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of November 30, 2017 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Purchase and Sale Agreement ”), among the Buyer, CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company, as Servicer, the Originator, and the other originators from time to time party thereto. Reference is hereby made to the Purchase and Sale Agreement for a statement of certain other rights and obligations of the Buyer and the Originator.

2. Definitions . Capitalized terms used (but not defined) herein have the meanings assigned thereto in the Purchase and Sale Agreement and in Article I of the Receivables Financing Agreement (as defined in the Purchase and Sale Agreement). In addition, as used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

Bankruptcy Proceedings ” has the meaning set forth in clause (b)  of paragraph 9 hereof.

Final Maturity Date ” means the Payment Date immediately following the date that falls one year and one day after the Termination Date.

Prime Rate ” means a per annum rate equal to the “U.S. Prime Rate” as published in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal or if such information ceases to be published in The Wall Street Journal, such other publication as determined by the Buyer in its sole discretion.

Senior Interest Holders ” means, collectively, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Indemnified Parties, the Servicer Indemnified Parties and the Affected Persons.

Senior Interests ” means, collectively, (i) the Aggregate Interest, (ii) the Aggregate Capital, (iii) the fees referred to in Section  2.03 of the Receivables Financing Agreement, (iv) all amounts payable pursuant to Sections 5.01 , 5.03 , 13.01 or 14.04 of

 

  Exhibit B-1    Purchase and Sale Agreement


the Receivables Financing Agreement and (v) all other obligations of the Buyer and the Servicer that are due and payable, to (a) the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and their respective successors, permitted transferees and assigns arising in connection with the Transaction Documents and (b) any Borrower Indemnified Party, Servicer Indemnified Party or Affected Person arising in connection with the Receivables Financing Agreement or any other Transaction Document, in each case, howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due, together with any and all interest accruing on any such amount after the commencement of any Bankruptcy Proceedings, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law that might restrict the rights of any Senior Interest Holder, as against the Buyer or anyone else, to collect such interest.

Subordination Provisions ” means, collectively, clauses (a)  through (l) of paragraph 9 hereof.

3. Interest . Subject to the Subordination Provisions set forth below, the Buyer promises to pay interest on this Subordinated Note as follows: to (but excluding) the date on which the entire aggregate unpaid Purchase Price is fully paid, the aggregate unpaid Purchase Price from time to time outstanding shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate.

4. Interest Payment Dates . Subject to the Subordination Provisions set forth below, the Buyer shall pay accrued interest on this Subordinated Note on each Monthly Settlement Date, and shall pay accrued interest on the amount of each principal payment made in cash on a date other than a Monthly Settlement Date at the time of such principal payment.

5. Basis of Computation . Interest accrued hereunder shall be computed for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a 365- or 366-day year, as the case may be.

6. Principal Payment Dates . Subject to the Subordination Provisions set forth below, payments of the principal amount of this Subordinated Note shall be made as follows:

(a) The principal amount of this Subordinated Note shall be reduced by an amount equal to each payment deemed made pursuant to Section  3.3 or 3.4 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

(b) The entire outstanding principal amount of this Subordinated Note shall be paid on the Final Maturity Date.

(c) Subject to the Subordination Provisions set forth below, the principal amount of and accrued interest on this Subordinated Note may be prepaid by, and in the sole discretion of the Buyer, on any Business Day without premium or penalty.

7. Payment Mechanics . All payments of principal and interest hereunder are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America in the manner specified in Article III of the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

 

  Exhibit B-2    Purchase and Sale Agreement


8. Enforcement Expenses . In addition to and not in limitation of the foregoing, but subject to the Subordination Provisions set forth below and to any limitation imposed by Applicable Law, the Buyer agrees to pay all expenses, including Attorney Costs, incurred by the Originator in seeking to collect any amounts payable hereunder which are not paid when due.

9. Subordination Provisions . The Buyer covenants and agrees, and the Originator and any other holder of this Subordinated Note (collectively, the Originator and any such other holder are called the “ Holder ”), by its acceptance of this Subordinated Note, likewise covenants and agrees on behalf of itself and any Holder, that the payment of the principal amount of and interest on this Subordinated Note is hereby expressly subordinated in right of payment to the payment and performance of the Senior Interests to the extent and in the manner set forth in the following clauses of this paragraph  9 :

(a) No payment or other distribution of the Buyer’s assets of any kind or character, whether in cash, securities, or other rights or property, shall be made on account of this Subordinated Note except to the extent such payment or other distribution is (i) permitted under Section  8.01(r) of the Receivables Financing Agreement or (ii) made pursuant to clause (a)  or (b) of paragraph 6 of this Subordinated Note;

(b) In the event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation, readjustment, reorganization or other similar event relating to the Buyer, whether voluntary or involuntary, partial or complete, and whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceedings, or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Buyer or any sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Buyer other than as permitted by the Purchase and Sale Agreement (such proceedings being herein collectively called “ Bankruptcy Proceedings ”), the Senior Interests shall first be paid and performed in full and in cash before the Originator shall be entitled to receive and to retain any payment or distribution in respect of this Subordinated Note. In order to implement the foregoing: (i) all payments and distributions of any kind or character in respect of this Subordinated Note to which the Holder would be entitled except for this clause (b)  shall be made directly to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Interest Holders); (ii) the Holder shall promptly file a claim or claims, in the form required in any Bankruptcy Proceedings, for the full outstanding amount of this Subordinated Note, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause said claim or claims to be approved and all payments and other distributions in respect thereof to be made directly to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Interest Holders) until the Senior Interests shall have been paid and performed in full and in cash; and (iii) the Holder hereby irrevocably agrees that the Administrative Agent (acting on behalf of the Lenders), may in the name of the Holder or otherwise, demand, sue for, collect and receive any and all such payments or distributions, and file, prove and vote or consent in any such Bankruptcy Proceedings with respect to any and all claims of the Holder relating to this Subordinated Note, in each case until the Senior Interests shall have been paid and performed in full and in cash;

 

  Exhibit B-3    Purchase and Sale Agreement


(c) In the event that the Holder receives any payment or other distribution of any kind or character from the Buyer or from any other source whatsoever, in respect of this Subordinated Note, other than as expressly permitted by the terms of this Subordinated Note, such payment or other distribution shall be received in trust for the Senior Interest Holders and shall be turned over by the Holder to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Interest Holders) forthwith. The Holder will mark its books and records so as clearly to indicate that this Subordinated Note is subordinated in accordance with the terms hereof. All payments and distributions received by the Administrative Agent in respect of this Subordinated Note, to the extent received in or converted into cash, may be applied by the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Senior Interest Holders) first to the payment of any and all expenses (including Attorney Costs) paid or incurred by the Senior Interest Holders in enforcing these Subordination Provisions, or in endeavoring to collect or realize upon this Subordinated Note, and any balance thereof shall, solely as between the Originator and the Senior Interest Holders, be applied by the Administrative Agent (in the order of application set forth in Section  4.01(a) of the Receivables Financing Agreement) toward the payment of the Senior Interests; but as between the Buyer and its creditors, no such payments or distributions of any kind or character shall be deemed to be payments or distributions in respect of the Senior Interests;

(d) Notwithstanding any payments or distributions received by the Senior Interest Holders in respect of this Subordinated Note, while any Bankruptcy Proceedings are pending the Holder shall not be subrogated to the then existing rights of the Senior Interest Holders in respect of the Senior Interests until the Senior Interests have been paid and performed in full and in cash. If no Bankruptcy Proceedings are pending, the Holder shall only be entitled to exercise any subrogation rights that it may acquire (by reason of a payment or distribution to the Senior Interest Holders in respect of this Subordinated Note) to the extent that any payment arising out of the exercise of such rights would be permitted under Section  8.01(r) of the Receivables Financing Agreement;

(e) These Subordination Provisions are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holder, on the one hand, and the Senior Interest Holders on the other hand. Nothing contained in these Subordination Provisions or elsewhere in this Subordinated Note is intended to or shall impair, as between the Buyer, its creditors (other than the Senior Interest Holders) and the Holder, the Buyer’s obligation, which is unconditional and absolute, to pay the Holder the principal of and interest on this Subordinated Note as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof or to affect the relative rights of the Holder and creditors of the Buyer (other than the Senior Interest Holders);

(f) The Holder shall not, until the Senior Interests have been paid and performed in full and in cash, (i) cancel, waive, forgive, transfer or assign, or commence legal proceedings to enforce or collect, or subordinate to any obligation of the Buyer, howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, or now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due, other than the Senior Interests, this Subordinated Note or any rights in respect hereof or (ii) convert this Subordinated Note into an equity interest in the Buyer, unless the Holder shall, in either case, have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent;

 

  Exhibit B-4    Purchase and Sale Agreement


(g) The Holder shall not, without the advance written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, commence, or join with any other Person in commencing, any Bankruptcy Proceedings with respect to the Buyer until at least one year and one day shall have passed since the Senior Interests shall have been paid and performed in full and in cash;

(h) If, at any time, any payment (in whole or in part) of any Senior Interest is rescinded or must be restored or returned by a Senior Interest Holder (whether in connection with Bankruptcy Proceedings or otherwise), these Subordination Provisions shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such payment had not been made;

(i) Each of the Senior Interest Holders may, from time to time, at its sole discretion, without notice to the Holder, and without waiving any of its rights under these Subordination Provisions, take any or all of the following actions: (i) retain or obtain an interest in any property to secure any of the Senior Interests; (ii) retain or obtain the primary or secondary obligations of any other obligor or obligors with respect to any of the Senior Interests; (iii) extend or renew for one or more periods (whether or not longer than the original period), alter or exchange any of the Senior Interests, or release or compromise any obligation of any nature with respect to any of the Senior Interests; (iv) amend, supplement, amend and restate, or otherwise modify any Transaction Document; and (v) release its security interest in, or surrender, release or permit any substitution or exchange for all or any part of any rights or property securing any of the Senior Interests, or extend or renew for one or more periods (whether or not longer than the original period), or release, compromise, alter or exchange any obligations of any nature of any obligor with respect to any such rights or property;

(j) The Holder hereby waives: (i) notice of acceptance of these Subordination Provisions by any of the Senior Interest Holders; (ii) notice of the existence, creation, non-payment or non-performance of all or any of the Senior Interests; and (iii) all diligence in enforcement, collection or protection of, or realization upon, the Senior Interests, or any thereof, or any security therefor;

(k) Each of the Senior Interest Holders may, from time to time, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Transaction Documents to which such Persons are party, but without notice to the Holder, assign or transfer any or all of the Senior Interests, or any interest therein; and, notwithstanding any such assignment or transfer or any subsequent assignment or transfer thereof, such Senior Interests shall be and remain Senior Interests for the purposes of these Subordination Provisions, and every immediate and successive assignee or transferee of any of the Senior Interests or of any interest of such assignee or transferee in the Senior Interests shall be entitled to the benefits of these Subordination Provisions to the same extent as if such assignee or transferee were the assignor or transferor; and

 

  Exhibit B-5    Purchase and Sale Agreement


(l) These Subordination Provisions constitute a continuing offer from the Holder to all Persons who become the holders of, or who continue to hold, Senior Interests; and these Subordination Provisions are made for the benefit of the Senior Interest Holders, and the Administrative Agent may proceed to enforce such provisions on behalf of each of such Persons.

10. General . No failure or delay on the part of the Originator in exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power or right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or right. No amendment, modification or waiver of, or consent with respect to, any provision of this Subordinated Note shall in any event be effective unless (i) the same shall be in writing and signed and delivered by the Buyer and the Holder and (ii) all consents required for such actions under the Transaction Documents shall have been received by the appropriate Persons.

11. Maximum Interest . Notwithstanding anything in this Subordinated Note to the contrary, the Buyer shall never be required to pay unearned interest on any amount outstanding hereunder and shall never be required to pay interest on the principal amount outstanding hereunder at a rate in excess of the maximum nonusurious interest rate that may be contracted for, charged or received under applicable federal or state law (such maximum rate being herein called the “ Highest Lawful Rate ”). If the effective rate of interest which would otherwise be payable under this Subordinated Note would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, or if the holder of this Subordinated Note shall receive any unearned interest or shall receive monies that are deemed to constitute interest which would increase the effective rate of interest payable by the Buyer under this Subordinated Note to a rate in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate, then (i) the amount of interest which would otherwise be payable by the Buyer under this Subordinated Note shall be reduced to the amount allowed by Applicable Law, and (ii) any unearned interest paid by the Buyer or any interest paid by the Buyer in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate shall be refunded to the Buyer. Without limitation of the foregoing, all calculations of the rate of interest contracted for, charged or received by the Originator under this Subordinated Note that are made for the purpose of determining whether such rate exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to the Originator (such Highest Lawful Rate being herein called the “ Originator’s Maximum Permissible Rate ”) shall be made, to the extent permitted by usury laws applicable to the Originator (now or hereafter enacted), by amortizing, prorating and spreading in equal parts during the actual period during which any amount has been outstanding hereunder all interest at any time contracted for, charged or received by the Originator in connection herewith. If at any time and from time to time (i) the amount of interest payable to the Originator on any date shall be computed at the Originator’s Maximum Permissible Rate pursuant to the provisions of the foregoing sentence and (ii) in respect of any subsequent interest computation period the amount of interest otherwise payable to the Originator would be less than the amount of interest payable to the Originator computed at the Originator’s Maximum Permissible Rate, then the amount of interest payable to the Originator in respect of such subsequent interest computation period shall continue to be computed at the Originator’s Maximum Permissible Rate until the total amount of interest payable to the Originator shall equal the total amount of interest which would have been payable to the Originator if the total amount of interest had been computed without giving effect to the provisions of the foregoing sentence.

12. No Negotiation . This Subordinated Note is not negotiable.

 

  Exhibit B-6    Purchase and Sale Agreement


13. Governing Law . THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, INCLUDING THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY OTHER CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF).

14. Captions . Paragraph captions used in this Subordinated Note are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Subordinated Note.

 

  Exhibit B-7    Purchase and Sale Agreement


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Buyer has caused this Subordinated Note to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

CONSOL FUNDING LLC
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

  Exhibit B-8    Purchase and Sale Agreement


Exhibit C

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of                      , 20          (this “ Agreement ”) is executed by                      , a                          organized under the laws of                          (the “ Additional Originator ”), with its principal place of business located at                          .

BACKGROUND:

A. CONSOL Funding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Buyer ”) and the various entities from time to time party thereto, as Originators (collectively, the “ Originators ”), have entered into that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November [29], 2017 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified through the date hereof, and as it may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Purchase and Sale Agreement ”).

B. The Additional Originator desires to become an Originator pursuant to Section  4.3 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Additional Originator hereby agrees as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Purchase and Sale Agreement or in the Receivables Financing Agreement (as defined in the Purchase and Sale Agreement).

SECTION 2. Transaction Documents . The Additional Originator hereby agrees that it shall be bound by all of the terms, conditions and provisions of, and shall be deemed to be a party to (as if it were an original signatory to), the Purchase and Sale Agreement and each of the other relevant Transaction Documents. From and after the later of the date hereof and the date that the Additional Originator has complied with all of the requirements of Section  4.3 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Additional Originator shall be an Originator for all purposes of the Purchase and Sale Agreement and all other Transaction Documents. The Additional Originator hereby acknowledges that it has received copies of the Purchase and Sale Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

SECTION 3. Representations and Warranties . The Additional Originator hereby makes all of the representations and warranties set forth in Article V (to the extent applicable) of the Purchase and Sale Agreement as of the date hereof (unless such representations or warranties relate to an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), as if such representations and warranties were fully set forth herein. The Additional Originator hereby represents and warrants that its “location” (as defined in the applicable UCC) is [                              ], and the offices where the Additional Originator keeps all of its books and records concerning the Receivables and Related Security is as follows:

 

  Exhibit C-1    Purchase and Sale Agreement


 

 

 

SECTION 4. Miscellaneous . This Agreement, including the rights and duties of the parties hereto, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York (including Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York, but without regard to any other conflicts of law provisions thereof). This Agreement is executed by the Additional Originator for the benefit of the Buyer, and its assigns, and each of the foregoing parties may rely hereon. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Additional Originator and its successors and permitted assigns.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

  Exhibit C-2    Purchase and Sale Agreement


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the date and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF ADDITIONAL ORIGINATOR]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

Consented to:
CONSOL FUNDING LLC
By:  

 

  Name:                                                                  
  Title:                                                                     
Acknowledged by:
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as Administrative Agent
By:  

 

  Name:                                                                  
  Title:                                                                     
CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC
By:  

 

  Name:                                                                  
  Title:                                                                     

 

  Exhibit C-3    Purchase and Sale Agreement

Exhibit 10.12

SUB-ORIGINATOR SALE AGREEMENT

Dated as of November 30, 2017

among

CONSOL THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC,

as Sub-Originator,

CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC,

as Servicer,

and

CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC,

as Buyer


CONTENTS

 

Clause   Subject Matter    Page  

ARTICLE I         AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE AND SELL

     2  

SECTION 1.1

  Agreement To Purchase and Sell      2  

SECTION 1.2

  Timing of Purchases      3  

SECTION 1.3

  Consideration for Purchases      3  

SECTION 1.4

  Purchase and Sale Termination Date      3  

SECTION 1.5

  Intention of the Parties      4  

ARTICLE II         PURCHASE REPORT; CALCULATION OF PURCHASE PRICE

     5  

SECTION 2.1

  Purchase Report      5  

SECTION 2.2

  Calculation of Purchase Price      5  

ARTICLE III         PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE

     6  

SECTION 3.1

  Initial Purchase Price Payment      6  

SECTION 3.2

  Subsequent Purchase Price Payments      6  

SECTION 3.3

  Letters of Credit      7  

SECTION 3.4

  Settlement as to Specific Receivables and Dilution      8  

ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS OF PURCHASES

     9  

SECTION 4.1

  Conditions Precedent to Initial Purchase      9  

SECTION 4.2

  Certification as to Representations and Warranties      10  

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SUB-ORIGINATOR

     10  

SECTION 5.1

  Existence and Power      10  

SECTION 5.2

  Power and Authority; Due Authorization      11  

SECTION 5.3

  No Conflict or Violation      11  

SECTION 5.4

  Governmental Approvals      11  

SECTION 5.5

  Valid Sale      11  

SECTION 5.6

  Binding Effect of Agreement      11  

SECTION 5.7

  Accuracy of Information      12  

SECTION 5.8

  Actions, Suits      12  

SECTION 5.9

  No Material Adverse Effect      12  

SECTION 5.10

  Names and Location      12  

SECTION 5.11

  Margin Stock      12  

SECTION 5.12

  Eligible Receivables      13  

 

-i-


CONTENTS

 

Clause   Subject Matter    Page  

SECTION 5.13

  Credit and Collection Policy      13  

SECTION 5.14

  Investment Company Act      13  

SECTION 5.15

  Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance      13  

SECTION 5.16

  Financial Condition      13  

SECTION 5.17

  Tax Status      13  

SECTION 5.18

  ERISA      14  

SECTION 5.19

  Bulk Sales Act      14  

SECTION 5.20

  No Fraudulent Conveyance      14  

SECTION 5.21

  [Reserved]      14  

SECTION 5.22

  Good Title Perfection      14  

SECTION 5.23

  Perfection Representations      15  

SECTION 5.24

  Reliance on Separate Legal Identity      16  

SECTION 5.25

  Opinions      16  

SECTION 5.26

  Enforceability of Contracts      16  

SECTION 5.27

  Nature of Pool Receivables      16  

SECTION 5.28

  Compliance with Applicable Laws      16  

SECTION 5.29

  Servicing Programs      16  

SECTION 5.30

  [Reserved]      16  

SECTION 5.31

  Mortgages Covering As-Extracted Collateral      16  

SECTION 5.32

  [Reserved]      17  

SECTION 5.33

  Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties by The Sub-Originator      17  

ARTICLE VI COVENANTS OF THE SUB-ORIGINATOR

     17  

SECTION 6.1

  Covenants      17  

SECTION 6.2

  Separateness Covenants      23  

ARTICLE VII ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS IN RESPECT OF RECEIVABLES

     25  

SECTION 7.1

  Rights of the Buyer      25  

SECTION 7.2

  Responsibilities of the Sub-Originator      25  

SECTION 7.3

  Further Action Evidencing Purchases      26  

SECTION 7.4

  Application of Collections      26  

 

-ii-


CONTENTS

 

Clause   Subject Matter    Page  

SECTION 7.5

  Performance of Obligations      26  

ARTICLE VIII PURCHASE AND SALE TERMINATION EVENTS

     27  

SECTION 8.1

  Purchase and Sale Termination Events      27  

SECTION 8.2

  Remedies      27  

ARTICLE IX INDEMNIFICATION

     28  

SECTION 9.1

  Indemnities by the Sub-Originator      28  

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS

     30  

SECTION 10.1

  Amendments, etc      30  

SECTION 10.2

  Notices, etc      30  

SECTION 10.3

  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies      31  

SECTION 10.4

  Binding Effect; Assignability      31  

SECTION 10.5

  Governing Law      31  

SECTION 10.6

  Costs, Expenses and Taxes      31  

SECTION 10.7

  SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION      32  

SECTION 10.8

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      33  

SECTION 10.9

  Captions and Cross References; Incorporation by Reference      33  

SECTION 10.10

  Execution in Counterparts      33  

SECTION 10.11

  Acknowledgment and Agreement      33  

SECTION 10.12

  No Proceeding      34  

SECTION 10.13

  Mutual Negotiations      34  

SECTION 10.14

  Severability      34  

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule I

 

Schedule II

 

Schedule III

 

Schedule IV

 

Schedule V

 

Schedule VI

  

List and Location of the Sub-Originator

 

Location of Books and Records of the Sub-Originator

 

Trade Names

 

Actions/Suits

 

Notice Addresses

 

Location of Mining Operations

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    Form of Purchase Report

 

-iii-


This SUB-ORIGINATOR SALE AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), dated as of November 30, 2017 is entered into among CONSOL THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC (the “ Sub-Originator ”), CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC (“ Consol ”), as initial Servicer (as defined below), and as buyer (in such capacity, the “ Buyer ”).

DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise indicated herein, capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement are defined in Article I of the Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Receivables Financing Agreement ”), among CONSOL Funding LLC (“ SPV ”), as borrower, Consol, as initial Servicer (in such capacity, the “ Servicer ”), the Persons from time to time party thereto as Lenders and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent and as LC Bank. All references hereto to months are to calendar months unless otherwise expressly indicated. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP. All terms used in Article 9 of the UCC in the State of New York, and not specifically defined herein, are used herein as defined in such Article 9. Unless the context otherwise requires, “or” means “and/or,” and “including” (and with correlative meaning “include” and “includes”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term.

BACKGROUND

1. The Sub-Originator generates Receivables in the ordinary course of its businesses.

2. The Sub-Originator, in order to finance its business, wishes to sell Receivables and the Related Rights to the Buyer, and the Buyer is willing to purchase such Receivables and the Related Rights from the Sub-Originator, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

5. The Sub-Originator and the Buyer intend each such transaction to be a true sale and conveyance of Receivables and the Related Rights by the Sub-Originator to the Buyer, providing the Buyer with the full benefits of ownership of the Receivables, and the Sub-Originator and the Buyer do not intend the transactions hereunder to be characterized as a loan from the Buyer to the Sub-Originator.

6. The Buyer intends to sell the Receivables and the Related Rights to the SPV pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Buyer, as an Originator and the other Originator party thereto, the Servicer and the SPV, as buyer.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 


ARTICLE I

AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE AND SELL

SECTION 1.1 Agreement To Purchase and Sell . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Sub-Originator agrees to sell to the Buyer, and the Buyer agrees to purchase from the Sub-Originator, from time to time on or after the Closing Date, but before the Purchase and Sale Termination Date (as defined in Section  1.4 ), all of the Sub-Originator’s right, title and interest in and to:

(a) each Receivable of the Sub-Originator that existed and was owing to the Sub-Originator at the closing of the Sub-Originator’s business on the Cut-Off Date (as defined below);

(b) each Receivable generated or otherwise acquired by the Sub-Originator from and including the Cut-Off Date to but excluding the Purchase and Sale Termination Date;

(c) all of the Sub-Originator’s interest in any goods (including returned goods), and documentation of title evidencing the shipment or storage of any goods (including returned goods), the sale of which gave rise to such Receivable;

(d) all instruments and chattel paper that may evidence such Receivable;

(e) all other security interests or liens and property subject thereto from time to time purporting to secure payment of such Receivable, whether pursuant to the Contract related to such Receivable or otherwise, together with all UCC financing statements or similar filings relating thereto;

(f) solely to the extent applicable to such Receivable, all of the Sub-Originator’s rights, interests and claims under the related Contracts and all guaranties, indemnities, insurance and other agreements (including the related Contract) or arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of such Receivable or otherwise relating to such Receivable, whether pursuant to the Contract related to such Receivable or otherwise;

(g) all books and records of the Sub-Originator to the extent related to any of the foregoing, and all rights, remedies, powers, privileges, title and interest (but not obligations) in and to each Lock-Box and all Collection Accounts, into which any Collections or other proceeds with respect to such Receivables may be deposited, and any related investment property acquired with any such Collections or other proceeds (as such term is defined in the applicable UCC); and

(h) all Collections and other proceeds (as defined in the UCC) of any of the foregoing that are or were received by the Sub-Originator on or after the Cut-Off Date, including, without limitation, all funds which either are received by the Sub-Originator, the Buyer or the Servicer from or on behalf of the Obligors in payment of any amounts owed (including, without limitation, invoice price, finance charges, interest and all other charges) in respect of any of the above Receivables or are applied to such amounts owed by the Obligors (including, without limitation, any insurance payments that the Sub-Originator, the Buyer or the

 

2


Servicer applies in the ordinary course of its business to amounts owed in respect of any of the above Receivables, and net proceeds of sale or other disposition of repossessed goods or other collateral or property of the Obligors in respect of any of the above Receivables or any other parties directly or indirectly liable for payment of such Receivables).

All purchases hereunder shall be made without recourse, but shall be made pursuant to, and in reliance upon, the representations, warranties and covenants of the Sub-Originator set forth in this Agreement. No obligation or liability to any Obligor on any Receivable is intended to be assumed by the Buyer hereunder, and any such assumption is expressly disclaimed. The property, proceeds and rights described in clauses (c)  through (h) above are herein referred to as the “ Related Rights ”, and the Buyer’s foregoing commitment to purchase Receivables and Related Rights is herein called the “ Purchase Facility .”

As used herein, “ Cut-Off Date ” means October 31, 2017.

SECTION 1.2 Timing of Purchases .

(a) Closing Date Purchases . Effective on the Closing Date, the Sub-Originator hereby sells to the Buyer, and the Buyer hereby purchases, the Sub-Originator’s entire right, title and interest in, to and under (i) each Receivable that existed and was owing to the Sub-Originator at the Cut-Off Date, (ii) each Receivable generated or otherwise acquired by the Sub-Originator from and including the Cut-Off Date, to and including the Closing Date, and (iii) all Related Rights with respect thereto.

(b) Subsequent Purchases . After the Closing Date, until the Purchase and Sale Termination Date, each Receivable and the Related Rights generated or otherwise acquired by the Sub-Originator shall be, and shall be deemed to have been, sold by the Sub-Originator to the Buyer immediately (and without further action) upon the creation, sale or purported sale of such Receivable, as applicable.

SECTION 1.3 Consideration for Purchases . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Buyer agrees to make Purchase Price payments to the Sub-Originator in accordance with Article III .

SECTION 1.4 Purchase and Sale Termination Date . The “ Purchase and Sale Termination Date ” shall be the earlier to occur of (a) the date the Purchase Facility is terminated pursuant to Section  8.2(a) and (b) the date elected by the Sub-Originator (such date, the “ Elected Date ”) in a written notice received by the Buyer and the Administrative Agent from such Sub-Originator specifying that such Sub-Originator wishes to terminate this Agreement, so long as each of the Voluntary Termination Conditions are satisfied as of the Elected Date and (c) the Final Payout Date.

For purpose of this Section  1.4 , “ Voluntary Termination Conditions ” means, as of any date of determination, the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:

(i) the Elected Date is no earlier than the date that written notice has been delivered to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (b)  of the definition of “Purchase and Sale Termination Date”;

 

3


(ii) as of the Elected Date, either (a) no Release has occurred on or prior to the Elected Date in violation of Section  6.03 of the Receivables Financing Agreement or (b) if any Release has occurred on or prior to the Elected Date in violation of Section  6.03 of the Receivables Financing Agreement, the Servicer has deposited into the LC Collateral Account (or, if elected by the Administrative Agent, transferred to the Administrative Agent) on the Elected Date, the aggregate amount of Collections so released to the SPV or any other Person in violation of such Section;

(iii) the Sub-Originator (or the Servicer on its behalf) has provided a written report to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent on the Elected Date (such report, the “ Voluntary Termination Report ”), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent, which Voluntary Termination Report shall include, without limitation, (a) a pro forma Information Package as of the Business Day immediately preceding the Elected Date and (b) a written analysis demonstrating each of the following: (I) the amount of Collections received on each day during the prior sixty days, (II) the amount of Receivables transferred and conveyed to the SPV on each day during the prior sixty days, (III) the amount of Collections transferred out of the Collection Accounts on each day during the prior sixty days, (IV) the method of consideration given to the SPV for each of the Receivables transferred and conveyed to the SPV on each day during the prior sixty days and (V) the Borrowing Base (and each component thereof) as of each day during the prior sixty days;

(iv) each standing transfer order with respect to each Collection Account has been cancelled and the Sub-Originator has caused the Servicer and each Affiliate thereof (other than the Borrower) to cease having any rights to access any Collection Account or remove any funds therefrom; and

(v) the Sub-Originator has delivered (or caused the Servicer to deliver) notice to each Collection Account Bank that the Administrative Agent is permitted to exercise its rights to take control over each of the Collection Accounts.

SECTION 1.5 Intention of the Parties . It is the express intent of the Sub-Originator and the Buyer that each conveyance by the Sub-Originator to the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement of the Receivables, including without limitation, all Receivables, if any, constituting general intangibles as defined in the UCC, and all Related Rights be a true sale and be construed as a valid and perfected sale and an absolute and irrevocable assignment (without recourse except as provided herein) of such Receivables and Related Rights by the Sub-Originator to the Buyer (rather than the grant of a security interest to secure a debt or other obligation of the Sub-Originator) providing the Buyer with the full benefits of ownership and that the right, title and interest in and to such Receivables and Related Rights conveyed to the Buyer be prior to the rights of and enforceable against all other Persons at any time, including, without limitation, lien creditors, secured lenders, purchasers and any Person claiming through the Sub-Originator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) this Agreement also shall be deemed to be, and hereby is, a security agreement within the meaning of the UCC and (ii) the Sub-Originator shall be deemed to have granted to the Buyer as of the date of this Agreement, and the Sub-Originator hereby grants to the Buyer a security interest in, to and under all of the Sub-Originator’s right, title and interest in and to: (A) the Receivables and the Related Rights now existing and hereafter created, generated or otherwise acquired by the Sub-Originator and sold or purported to be sold to the Buyer hereunder, (B) all monies due or to become due and all amounts received with respect thereto and (C) all books and records of the Sub-Originator to the extent related to any of the foregoing.

 

4


ARTICLE II

PURCHASE REPORT; CALCULATION OF PURCHASE PRICE

SECTION 2.1 Purchase Report . On the Closing Date and on each date when an Information Package is due to be delivered under the Receivables Financing Agreement (each such date, a “ Monthly Purchase Report Date ”), the Servicer shall deliver to the Buyer and the Sub-Originator a report in substantially the form of Exhibit A (each such report being herein called a “ Purchase Report ”) setting forth, among other things:

(a) Receivables purchased by the Buyer from the Sub-Originator on the Closing Date (in the case of the Purchase Report to be delivered on the Closing Date);

(b) Receivables purchased by the Buyer from the Sub-Originator during the calendar month immediately preceding such Monthly Purchase Report Date (in the case of each subsequent Purchase Report); and

(c) the calculations of reductions of the Purchase Price for any Receivables as provided in Section  3.4(a) and (b) .

SECTION 2.2 Calculation of Purchase Price .

(a) The Purchase Price for each Receivable and the Related Rights that are purchased hereunder from the Sub-Originator shall become owing in full by the Buyer to the Sub-Originator or its designee on the date each such Receivable comes into existence and shall be paid not later than the next Payment Date in accordance with the terms of Article III .

(b) Although the Purchase Price for each Receivable and the Related Rights purchased after the date hereof shall be due and payable by the Buyer to the Sub-Originator on the date such Receivable comes into existence, for administrative convenience, a precise reconciliation of the Purchase Prices between Buyer and the Sub-Originator shall be effected on a Payment Date with respect to all Receivables sold during the Interest Period (or portion thereof) most recently ended prior to such Payment Date; provided , however , that the Sub-Originator shall maintain (or cause the Servicer to maintain) such books and records as may be reasonably necessary to ensure that such reconciliation, if requested by the Buyer, may be performed on any Business Day.

(c) The “ Purchase Price ” for each Receivable and the Related Rights that are purchased hereunder shall be determined in accordance with the following formula:

 

  PP    =    OB x FMVD
  where:      
  PP    =    Purchase Price for each Receivable as calculated on the relevant Sale Date.

 

5


  OB    =    The Outstanding Balance of such Receivable on the relevant Sale Date.
  FMVD    =    Fair Market Value Discount, as measured on such Sale Date, which is equal to (a) one, minus (b) the Discount Factor in effect on such date.

Payment Date ” means (i) the Closing Date and (ii) each Settlement Date thereafter.

Sale Date ” means, with respect to any Receivable, the date such Receivable is sold or purportedly sold to the Buyer hereunder.

Discount Factor ” means a percentage calculated to provide the Buyer with a reasonable return on its investment in the Receivables after taking account of (i) the time value of money based upon the anticipated dates of collection of the Receivables and the cost to the Buyer of financing its investment in the Receivables during such period and (ii) the risk of nonpayment by the Obligors. Each of the Sub-Originator and the Buyer may agree from time to time and at any time to change the Discount Factor based on changes in one or more of the items affecting the calculation thereof; provided , that any change to the Discount Factor shall take effect as of the commencement of an Interest Period, shall apply only prospectively and shall not affect the Purchase Price payment made prior to the Interest Period during which each of the Sub-Originator and the Buyer agree to make such change. As of the date of this Agreement, the Discount Factor is 0.50%.

ARTICLE III

PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE

SECTION 3.1 Initial Purchase Price Payment .

(a) On the Closing Date, the Sub-Originator shall, and hereby does, sell to the Buyer, Receivables and Related Rights consisting of each Receivable of the Sub-Originator that exists and is owing to the Sub-Originator on the Cut-Off Date.

(b) On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date the Buyer agrees to pay to the Sub-Originator the Purchase Price in cash for the purchase to be made from the Sub-Originator on the Closing Date.

SECTION 3.2 Subsequent Purchase Price Payments . On each Payment Date subsequent to the Closing Date, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Buyer shall pay the Purchase Price to the Sub-Originator for the Receivables and the Related Rights generated or otherwise acquired by the Sub-Originator during the Interest Period (or portion thereof) most recently ended prior to such Payment Date in cash and/or, if requested by the Sub-Originator and permitted under the Receivables Financing Agreement, by causing the SPV to cause the LC Bank to issue one or more Letters of Credit in accordance with Section  3.3 and on the terms and conditions for issuing Letters of Credit under the Receivables Financing Agreement.

 

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If the Buyer is unable to pay the Purchase Price in full in accordance with Section  3.2 , the Sub-Originator shall promptly deliver notice to such effect to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent, whereupon the Purchase and Sale Termination Date shall occur on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Section  1.4 .

SECTION 3.3 Letters of Credit

(a) The Sub-Originator may request that the Purchase Price for Receivables sold on a Sale Date be paid by the Buyer procuring the issuance of a Letter of Credit by the LC Bank. Upon the request of the Sub-Originator, and on the terms and conditions for issuing Letters of Credit under the Receivables Financing Agreement (including any limitations therein on the amount of any such issuance), the Buyer agrees to obtain from the SPV one or more Letters of Credit issued by the LC Bank on the Sale Dates specified by the Sub-Originator, on behalf of the SPV (and, if applicable, for the benefit, or for the account of, the Sub-Originator or an Affiliate of the Sub-Originator that is acceptable to the LC Bank in its sole discretion) in favor of the beneficiaries elected by the Sub-Originator or such Affiliate of the Sub-Originator, with the consent of the Buyer. The aggregate stated amount of the Letters of Credit being issued on any Sale Date for the benefit of the Sub-Originator or an Affiliate of the Sub-Originator shall constitute a credit against the aggregate Purchase Price otherwise payable by the Buyer to the Sub-Originator on the following Payment Date pursuant to Section  3.2 . To the extent that the aggregate stated amount of the Letters of Credit being issued during the Interest Period (or portion thereof) most recently ended prior to such Payment Date exceeds the aggregate Purchase Price payable by the Buyer to the Sub-Originator on such Payment Date, such excess shall be deemed to be a reduction in the Purchase Price payable on the Payment Dates immediately following the date any such Letter of Credit is issued. In the event that any such Letter of Credit issued pursuant to this Section  3.3 (i) expires or is cancelled or otherwise terminated with all or any portion of its stated amount undrawn, (ii) has its stated amount decreased (for a reason other than a drawing having been made thereunder) or (iii) the SPV’s Reimbursement Obligation in respect thereof is reduced for any reason other than by virtue of a payment made in respect of a drawing thereunder, then an amount equal to such undrawn amount or such reduction, as the case may be, shall be paid in cash to the Sub-Originator on the next Payment Date. Under no circumstances shall the Sub-Originator (or any Affiliate thereof (other than the SPV)) have any reimbursement or recourse obligations in respect of any Letter of Credit.

(b) In the event that the Sub-Originator requests that any purchases be paid for by the issuance of a Letter of Credit hereunder, the Sub-Originator shall on a timely basis provide the Buyer with such information as is necessary for the SPV to obtain such Letter of Credit from the LC Bank, and shall notify the Buyer, the Servicer and the Administrative Agent of the allocations described in clause (a)  above. Such allocations shall be binding on the Buyer and the Sub-Originator, absent manifest error.

(c) The Sub-Originator acknowledges that each Letter of Credit shall be subject either to the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600, and any amendments or revisions thereof adhered to by the LC Bank or the International Standby Practices (ISP98-International Chamber of Commerce Publication Number 590), and any amendments or revisions thereof adhered to by the LC Bank as of the date of issuance, as determined by the LC Bank, in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Receivables Financing Agreement.

 

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SECTION 3.4 Settlement as to Specific Receivables and Dilution .

(a) If, on the day of purchase of any Receivable from the Sub-Originator hereunder, any of the representations or warranties set forth in Sections 5.5 , 5.12 , 5.20 , 5.22 , 5 .23, 5.26 or 5.27 are not true with respect to such Receivable, then the Purchase Price for such Receivable shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Outstanding Balance of such Receivable and shall be accounted to the Sub-Originator as provided in clause (c)  below; provided , that if the Buyer thereafter receives payment on account of the Outstanding Balance of such Receivable, the Buyer promptly shall deliver such funds to the Sub-Originator.

(b) If, on any day, the Outstanding Balance of any Receivable purchased hereunder is either (i) reduced or canceled as a result of (A) any defective, rejected or returned goods or services, any cash or other discount, or any failure by the Sub-Originator to deliver any goods or perform any services or otherwise perform under the underlying Contract or invoice, (B) any change in or cancellation of any of the terms of such Contract or invoice or any other adjustment by the Sub-Originator, the Servicer or the Buyer which reduces the amount payable by the Obligor on the related Receivable, (C) any rebates, warranties, allowances or charge-backs or (D) any setoff or credit in respect of any claim by the Obligor thereof (whether such claim arises out of the same or a related transaction or an unrelated transaction), or (ii) subject to any specific dispute, offset, counterclaim or defense whatsoever (except the discharge in bankruptcy of the Obligor thereof), then the Purchase Price with respect to such Receivable shall be reduced by the amount of such net reduction or dispute and shall be accounted to the Sub-Originator as provided in clause (c)  below; provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, no such reduction shall be made to the extent the same represents losses in respect of Receivables that are uncollectible on account of insolvency, bankruptcy, lack of creditworthiness or other financial or credit condition or financial default of the related Obligor.

(c) Any reduction in the Purchase Price of any Receivable pursuant to clause (a)  or (b) above shall be applied as a credit for the account of the Buyer against the Purchase Price of Receivables subsequently purchased by the Buyer from the Sub-Originator hereunder; provided , however if there have been no purchases of Receivables from the Sub-Originator (or insufficiently large purchases of Receivables prior to the Settlement Date immediately following any such reduction in the Purchase Price of any Receivable) to create a Purchase Price sufficient to so apply such credit against, the amount of such credit, shall be paid in cash to the Buyer by the Sub-Originator; provided , that at any time (x) when an Event of Default exists under the Receivables Financing Agreement or (y) on or after the Purchase and Sale Termination Date, the amount of any such credit shall be paid by the Sub-Originator to the Buyer in cash by deposit of immediately available funds into a Collection Account for application by the Servicer to the same extent as if Collections of the applicable Receivable in such amount had actually been received on such date.

 

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ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS OF PURCHASES

SECTION 4.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Purchase . The initial purchase hereunder is subject to the condition precedent that the Buyer, the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s ultimate assignee) and each Lender shall have received, on or before the Closing Date, the following, each (unless otherwise indicated) dated the Closing Date, and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s ultimate assignee):

(a) a copy of the resolutions or unanimous written consent of the board of directors or other governing body of the Sub-Originator, approving this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to be executed and delivered by it and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Sub-Originator;

(b) good standing certificates for the Sub-Originator issued as of a recent date acceptable to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s ultimate assignee) by the Secretary of State (or similar official) of the jurisdiction of the Sub-Originator’s organization or formation and each other jurisdiction where the Sub-Originator is required to be qualified to transact business, except where the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Sub-Originator, certifying the names and true signatures of the officers authorized on such Person’s behalf to sign this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to be executed and delivered by it (on which certificate the Servicer, the Buyer, the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s ultimate assignee) and each Lender may conclusively rely until such time as the Servicer, the Buyer, the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s ultimate assignee) and each Lender shall receive from such Person a revised certificate meeting the requirements of this clause  (c) );

(d) the certificate or articles of incorporation or other organizational document of the Sub-Originator (including all amendments and modifications thereto) duly certified by the Secretary of State (or similar official) of the jurisdiction of the Sub-Originator’s organization as of a recent date, together with a copy of the by-laws or other governing documents of the Sub-Originator (including all amendments and modifications thereto), as applicable, each duly certified by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary of the Sub-Originator;

(e) proper financing statements (Form UCC-1) that have been duly authorized and name the Sub-Originator as the debtor/seller, the Buyer as the buyer/first assignor, the SPV as the buyer/second assignor (and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, as secured party/ultimate assignee) of the Receivables generated by the Sub-Originator as may be necessary or, in the Buyer’s or the Administrative Agent’s reasonable opinion, desirable under the UCC of all appropriate jurisdictions to perfect the Buyer’s ownership or security interest in such Receivables and the Related Rights in which an ownership or security interest has been assigned to it hereunder;

 

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(f) a written search report from a Person satisfactory to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s ultimate assignee) listing all effective financing statements that name the Sub-Originator as debtors or sellers and that are filed in all jurisdictions in which filings may be made against such Person pursuant to the applicable UCC, together with copies of such financing statements (none of which, except for those described in the foregoing clause (e) (and/or released or terminated, as the case may be, prior to the date hereof), shall cover any Receivable or any Related Rights which are to be sold to the Buyer hereunder), and tax and judgment lien search reports (including, without limitation, liens of the PBGC) from a Person satisfactory to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent (as the Buyer’s ultimate assignee) showing no evidence of such liens filed against the Sub-Originator;

(g) favorable opinions of counsel to the Sub-Originator, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent; and

(h) evidence (i) of the execution and delivery by each of the parties thereto of each of the other Transaction Documents to be executed and delivered by it in connection herewith and (ii) that each of the conditions precedent to the execution, delivery and effectiveness of such other Transaction Documents has been satisfied to the Buyer’s and the Administrative Agent’s (as the Buyer’s ultimate assignee) satisfaction.

SECTION 4.2 Certification as to Representations and Warranties . The Sub-Originator, by accepting the Purchase Price related to each purchase of Receivables generated or otherwise acquired by the Sub-Originator, shall be deemed to have certified that the representations and warranties of the Sub-Originator contained in Article V , as from time to time amended in accordance with the terms hereof, are true and correct in all material respects (unless such representation or warranty contains a materiality qualification and, in such case, such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as made) on and as of such day, with the same effect as though made on and as of such day (except for representations and warranties which apply to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless such representation or warranty contains a materiality qualification and, in such case, such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as made) as of such earlier date).

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SUB-ORIGINATOR

In order to induce the Buyer to enter into this Agreement and to make purchases hereunder, the Sub-Originator hereby represents and warrants with respect to itself as follows:

SECTION 5.1 Existence and Power . The Sub-Originator (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or formation, (ii) has full power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted and (iii) is duly qualified to do business, is in good standing as a foreign entity and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in all jurisdictions in which the conduct of its business requires such qualification, licenses or approvals, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 5.2 Power and Authority; Due Authorization . The Sub-Originator (i) has all necessary power and authority to (A) execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, (B) perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and (C) grant a security interest in the Receivables and the Related Rights to the Buyer on the terms and subject to the conditions herein provided and (ii) has duly authorized by all necessary action such grant and the execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions provided for in, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

SECTION 5.3 No Conflict or Violation . The execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and the fulfillment of the terms hereof and thereof, will not (i) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under its organizational documents or any indenture, sale agreement, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument to which the Sub-Originator is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound, (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Adverse Claim upon any of the Collateral pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument other than this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or (iii) conflict with or violate any Applicable Law, except to the extent that any such conflict, breach, default, Adverse Claim or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.4 Governmental Approvals . Except where the failure to obtain or make such authorization, consent, order, approval or action could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all authorizations, consents, orders and approvals of, or other actions by, any Governmental Authority that are required to be obtained by the Sub-Originator in connection with the grant of a security interest in the Receivables and the Related Rights to the Buyer hereunder or the due execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Originator of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party and the consummation by the Sub-Originator of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.

SECTION 5.5 Valid Sale . Each sale of Receivables and the Related Rights made by the Sub-Originator pursuant to this Agreement shall constitute a valid sale, transfer and assignment of Receivables and Related Rights to the Buyer, enforceable against creditors of, and purchasers from, the Sub-Originator, except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

SECTION 5.6 Binding Effect of Agreement . This Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Sub-Originator, enforceable against the Sub-Originator in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

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SECTION 5.7 Accuracy of Information . All certificates, reports, statements, documents and other information furnished to the Buyer, the SPV, the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party by or on behalf of the Sub-Originator pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or in connection with or pursuant to any amendment or modification of, or waiver under, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, is, at the time the same are so furnished, complete and correct in all material respects on the date the same are furnished to the Buyer, the SPV, the Administrative Agent or such other Credit Party, and does not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state a material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.

SECTION 5.8 Actions, Suits . Except as set forth on Schedule IV , (i) there is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the best knowledge of the Sub-Originator, threatened, against the Sub-Originator before any Governmental Authority and (ii) the Sub-Originator is not subject to any order, judgment, decree, injunction, stipulation or consent order of or with any Governmental Authority that, in the case of either of the foregoing clauses (i)  and (ii) , (A) asserts the invalidity of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, (B) seeks to prevent the grant of a security interest in any Receivable or Related Right by the Sub-Originator to the Buyer, the ownership or acquisition by the Buyer of any Receivables or Related Right or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or (C) individually or in the aggregate for all such actions, suits, proceedings and investigations could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.9 No Material Adverse Effect . Since December 31, 2016, there has been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Sub-Originator.

SECTION 5.10 Names and Location . Except as described in Schedule III, the Sub-Originator has not used any corporate names, trade names or assumed names since the date occurring five calendar years prior to the Closing Date other than its name set forth on the signature pages hereto. The Sub-Originator is “located” (as such term is defined in the applicable UCC) in the jurisdiction specified in Schedule I and since the date occurring five calendar years prior to the Closing Date, has not been “located” (as such term is defined in the applicable UCC) in any other jurisdiction (except as specified in Schedule I ). The office(s) where the Sub-Originator keeps its records concerning the Receivables is at the address(es) set forth on Schedule II .

SECTION 5.11 Margin Stock . The Sub-Originator is not engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meanings of Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), and no Purchase Price payments or proceeds under this Agreement will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock.

 

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SECTION 5.12 Eligible Receivables . Each Receivable sold, transferred or assigned hereunder is an Eligible Receivable on the date of sale, transfer or assignment, unless otherwise specified in the first Information Package or Interim Report that includes such Receivable.

SECTION 5.13 Credit and Collection Policy . The Sub-Originator has complied in all material respects with the Credit and Collection Policy with regard to each Receivable sold by it hereunder and each related Contract.

SECTION 5.14 Investment Company Act . The Sub-Originator is not an “investment company,” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.

SECTION 5.15 Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance . The Sub-Originator is not a Sanctioned Person. The Sub-Originator, either in its own right or through any third party, (i) does not have any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; (ii) neither does business in or with, nor derives any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; or (iii) does not engage in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law.

SECTION 5.16 Financial Condition .

(a) The audited consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2017, the related audited consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal quarter then ended and the related audited consolidated statement of equity for the fiscal quarter then ended, copies of which have been furnished to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the period ended on such date, all in accordance with GAAP consistently applied except as noted therein.

(b) On the date hereof, and on the date of each purchase hereunder (both before and after giving effect to such purchase), the Sub-Originator is, and will be on such date, Solvent and no Insolvency Proceeding with respect to the Sub-Originator is, or will be on such date, pending or to its knowledge threatened.

SECTION 5.17 Tax Status . The Sub-Originator has (i) timely filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed by it and (ii) paid, or caused to be paid, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, if any, other than taxes, assessments and other governmental charges being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP or could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 5.18 ERISA .

(a) Each of the Parent and the ERISA Affiliates is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the provisions of the Code relating to Pension Plans and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder and any similar applicable non-U.S. law, except for such noncompliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Reportable Event has occurred during the past five years other than a Reportable Event that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The excess of the present value of all benefit liabilities under each Pension Plan of Parent and the ERISA Affiliates (based on the assumptions used to determine required minimum contributions under Section 412 of the Code with respect to such Pension Plan), over the value of the assets of such Pension Plan, determined as of the most recent annual valuation date applicable thereto for which a valuation has been completed, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and the excess of the present value of all benefit liabilities of all underfunded Pension Plans (based on the assumptions used to determine required minimum contributions under Section 412 of the Code with respect to each such Pension Plan), over the value of the assets of all such under funded Pension Plans, determined as of the most recent annual valuation dates applicable thereto for which valuations have been completed, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Parent or the ERISA Affiliates has received any written notification that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or has been terminated within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or has knowledge that any Multiemployer Plan is reasonably expected to be in reorganization or to be terminated, where such reorganization or termination has had or would reasonably be expected to have, through increases in the contributions required to be made to such Pension Plan or otherwise, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Each of the Parent and the ERISA Affiliates is in compliance (i) with all applicable provisions of law and all applicable regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to any employee pension benefit plan governed by the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States and (ii) with the terms of any such plan, except, in each case, for such noncompliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.19 Bulk Sales Act . No transaction contemplated by this Agreement requires compliance by it with any bulk sales act or similar law.

SECTION 5.20 No Fraudulent Conveyance . No sale hereunder constitutes a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under any United States federal or applicable state bankruptcy or insolvency laws or is otherwise void or voidable under such or similar laws or principles or for any other reason.

SECTION 5.21 [Reserved] .

SECTION 5.22 Good Title Perfection .

(a) Immediately preceding its sale of each Receivable hereunder, the Sub-Originator was the owner of such Receivable sold or purported to be sold, free and clear of any Adverse Claims, and each such sale hereunder constitutes a valid sale, transfer and assignment of all of the Sub-Originator’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Receivables sold by it, free and clear of any Adverse Claims.

 

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(b) On or before the date hereof and before the generation or acquisition by the Sub-Originator of any new Receivable to be sold or otherwise conveyed hereunder, all financing statements and other documents, if any, required to be recorded or filed in order to perfect and protect the Buyer’s ownership interest in Receivables to be sold or otherwise conveyed hereunder against all creditors of and purchasers from the Sub-Originator will have been duly filed in each filing office necessary for such purpose, and all filing fees and taxes, if any, payable in connection with such filings shall have been paid in full.

(c) Upon the creation or acquisition of each new Receivable sold or otherwise conveyed or purported to be conveyed hereunder and on the Closing Date for then existing Receivables, the Buyer shall have a valid and perfected first priority ownership or security interest in each Receivable sold to it hereunder, free and clear of any Adverse Claim.

SECTION 5.23 Perfection Representations

(a) This Agreement creates a valid and continuing ownership or security interest (as defined in the applicable UCC) in the Sub-Originator’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Receivables and Related Rights which (A) security interest has been perfected and is enforceable against creditors of and purchasers from the Sub-Originator and (B) will be free of all Adverse Claims.

(b) The Receivables constitute “accounts” including, without limitation, “accounts” constituting “as-extracted collateral” or “general intangibles” within the meaning of Section 9-102 of the UCC.

(c) Prior to their sale to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, the Sub-Originator owned and had good and marketable title to the Receivables and Related Rights free and clear of any Adverse Claim of any Person.

(d) All appropriate financing statements, financing statement amendments and continuation statements have been filed in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under Applicable Law in order to perfect (and continue the perfection of) the sale of the Receivables and Related Rights from the Sub-Originator to the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement. Each such financing statement, if filed with respect to such Receivable as an as-extracted collateral filing, includes a complete and correct description of the real property in all material respects related to such Receivable as extracted collateral, as contemplated by the UCC, and names a record owner of the real property.

(e) Other than the ownership or security interest granted to the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, the Sub-Originator has not pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in, or otherwise conveyed any of the Receivables or Related Rights except as permitted by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. The Sub-Originator has not authorized the filing of and is not aware of any financing statements filed against the Sub-Originator that include a description of collateral covering the Receivables and Related Rights other than any financing statement (i) in favor of the Administrative Agent or (ii) that has been terminated or amended to reflect the release of any security interest in the Receivables and Related Rights. The Sub-Originator is not aware of any judgment lien, ERISA lien , pursuant to Section 303(k) or 4068 of ERISA, or tax lien filings against the Sub-Originator.

 

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(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, the representations contained in this Section  5.23 shall be continuing and remain in full force and effect until the Final Payout Date.

SECTION 5.24 Reliance on Separate Legal Identity . The Sub-Originator acknowledges that each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are entering into the Transaction Documents to which they are parties in reliance upon the SPV’s identity as a legal entity separate from the Sub-Originator.

SECTION 5.25 Opinions . The facts regarding the Sub-Originator, the Receivables sold by it hereunder, the Related Security and the related matters set forth or assumed in each of the opinions of counsel delivered in connection with this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are true and correct in all material respects.

SECTION 5.26 Enforceability of Contracts . Each Contract related to any Receivable sold by the Sub-Originator hereunder is effective to create, and has created, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the related Obligor to pay the outstanding balance of such Receivable, enforceable against the Obligor in accordance with its terms, without being subject to any defense, deduction, offset or counterclaim and the Sub-Originator has fully performed its obligations under such Contract, except to the extent that such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles.

SECTION 5.27 Nature of Pool Receivables . All Pool Receivables: (i) were originated by the Sub-Originator in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) were sold to Buyer for fair consideration and reasonably equivalent value and (iii) represent all, or a portion of the purchase price of merchandise, insurance or services within the meaning of Section 3(c)(5)(A) of the Investment Company Act.

SECTION 5.28 Compliance with Applicable Laws . The Sub-Originator is in compliance with the requirements of all Applicable Law, except in such instance where any failure to comply therewith, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.29 Servicing Programs . No license or approval is required for Servicer or Buyer’s use of any software or other computer program used by the Sub-Originator in the servicing of the Receivables, other than those that have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

SECTION 5.30 [ Reserved ].

SECTION 5.31 Mortgages Covering As-Extracted Collateral . There are no mortgages that are effective as financing statements covering as-extracted collateral that constitutes Collateral and that name the Sub-Originator (or, if the Sub-Originator is not the “record owner” of the underlying property, any “record owner” with respect to such as-extracted collateral, as such term is used in the UCC) as grantor, debtor or words of similar effect filed or recorded in any jurisdiction.

 

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SECTION 5.32 [Reserved] .

SECTION 5.33 Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties by The Sub-Originator . On each day that a new Receivable is created or acquired, and when sold to the Buyer hereunder, the Sub-Originator shall be deemed to have certified that all representations and warranties set forth in this Article V are true and correct in all material respects (unless such representation or warranty contains a materiality qualification and, in such case, such representation or warranty shall be true and correct as made) with respect to itself and such new Receivable on and as of such day (except for representations and warranties which apply as to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date)).

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS OF THE SUB-ORIGINATOR

SECTION 6.1 Covenants . From the date hereof until the Final Payout Date, the Sub-Originator will, unless the Administrative Agent and the Buyer shall otherwise consent in writing, perform the following covenants with respect to itself:

(a) Financial Reporting . The Sub-Originator will maintain a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and the Sub-Originator shall furnish to the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender such information as the Buyer, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request relating to such system.

(b) Notices . The Sub-Originator will notify the Buyer, Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and each Lender in writing of any of the following events promptly upon (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days after) a Financial Officer or other officer learning of the occurrence thereof, with such notice describing the same, and if applicable, the steps being taken by the Person(s) affected with respect thereto:

(i) Notice of Purchase and Sale Termination Event, Unmatured Purchase and Sale Termination Event, Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default . A statement of a Financial Officer of the Sub-Originator setting forth details of any Purchase and Sale Termination Event (as defined in Section  8.1 ), Unmatured Purchase and Sale Termination Event (as defined in Section  8.1 ), Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing and the action that the Sub-Originator proposes to take with respect thereto.

(ii) Representations and Warranties . The failure of any representation or warranty made or deemed to be made by the Sub-Originator under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to be true and correct in any material respect when made.

 

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(iii) Litigation . The institution of any litigation, arbitration proceeding or governmental proceeding with respect to the Sub-Originator, any Originator, the Buyer, the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, or the SPV, that with respect to any Person other than the SPV, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(iv) Adverse Claim . (A) Any Person shall obtain an Adverse Claim upon Receivables or Related Rights or any portion thereof, or (B) any Person other than the SPV, the Servicer or the Administrative Agent shall obtain any rights or direct any action with respect to any Collection Account (or related Lock-Box) or (C) any Obligor shall receive any change in payment instructions with respect to Pool Receivable(s) from a Person other than the Servicer or the Administrative Agent.

(v) Name Changes . At least thirty (30) days before any change in the Sub-Originator’s name, jurisdiction of organization or any other change requiring the amendment of UCC financing statements, a notice setting forth such changes and the effective date thereof.

(vi) Change in Accountants or Accounting Policy . Any change in (i) the external accountants of the Sub-Originator, the Servicer, any Originator or the Parent or (ii) any material accounting policy of the Sub-Originator that is relevant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (it being understood that any change to the manner in which the Sub-Originator accounts for the Receivables shall be deemed “material” for such purpose).

(c) Conduct of Business; Preservation of Existence . The Sub-Originator will carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is presently conducted and will do all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, its franchises, authority to do business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, licenses, patents, trademarks, copyrights and other proprietary rights.

(d) Compliance with Laws . The Sub-Originator will comply with all Applicable Laws to which it may be subject if the failure to comply therewith, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) Furnishing of Information and Inspection of Receivables . The Sub-Originator will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender from time to time such information with respect to its Pool Receivables as the Buyer, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request. The Sub-Originator will, at the Sub-Originator’s expense, during regular business hours upon three (3) days’ prior written notice, (i) permit the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and/or any Lender or their respective agents or representatives to (A) examine and make copies of and abstracts from all books and records relating to the Pool Receivables or other Collateral, (B) visit the offices and properties of

 

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the Sub-Originator for the purpose of examining such books and records, and (C) discuss matters relating to its Pool Receivables, other Collateral or the Sub-Originator’s performance hereunder or under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party with any of the officers, directors or employees of the Sub-Originator and its independent accountants, in each case, having knowledge of such matters and (ii) without limiting the provisions of clause (i)  above, during regular business hours, at the Sub-Originator’s expense, upon prior written notice from the Buyer or Administrative Agent, permit certified public accountants or other auditors acceptable to the Administrative Agent to conduct a review of its books and records with respect to such Pool Receivables and other Collateral; provided , that unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Sub-Originator shall be required to reimburse the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, together, for only two (2) reviews pursuant to clause (i)  above and only one (1) such review pursuant to clause (ii)  above, in each case, in any twelve-month period.

(f) Payments on Receivables, Collection Accounts . The Sub-Originator will, at all times, instruct all Obligors to deliver payments on its Pool Receivables to a Collection Account or a Lock-Box. The Sub-Originator (or the Servicer on its behalf) will, at all times, maintain such books and records necessary to identify Collections received from time to time on Pool Receivables and to segregate such Collections from other property of the Servicer and the Originators. If any payments on the Pool Receivables or other Collections are received by the Sub-Originator, it shall hold such payments in trust for the benefit of the Buyer (and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as the Buyer’s ultimate assignees) and promptly (but in any event within two (2) Business Days after receipt) remit such funds into a Collection Account. The Sub-Originator will cause each Collection Account Bank to comply with the terms of each applicable Account Control Agreement. The Sub-Originator shall not permit funds other than Collections on Pool Receivables and other Collateral to be deposited into any Collection Account. If such funds are nevertheless deposited into any Collection Account, the Sub-Originator will cause the Servicer to, within two (2) Business Days, identify and transfer such funds out of the Collection Account to (or pursuant to the instructions of) the Person entitled to such funds. The Sub-Originator will not, and will not permit any other Person, to commingle Collections with any other funds. The Sub-Originator shall only add (or permit the Servicer to add) a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box), or a Collection Account Bank to those listed in the Receivables Financing Agreement, if the Administrative Agent has received notice of such addition and an executed and acknowledged copy of an Account Control Agreement (or an amendment thereto) in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent from the applicable Collection Account Bank. The Sub-Originator shall only terminate (or permit the Servicer to terminate) a Collection Account Bank or close a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box) with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

(g) Sales, Liens, etc. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Sub-Originator will not sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of, or create or suffer to exist any Adverse Claim upon (including, without limitation, the filing of any financing statement) or with respect to, any Pool Receivable or other Related Rights, or assign any right to receive income in respect thereof.

 

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(h) Extension or Amendment of Pool Receivables . Except as otherwise permitted by the Receivables Financing Agreement, the Sub-Originator will not alter the delinquency status or adjust the Outstanding Balance or otherwise modify the terms of any Pool Receivable in any material respect, or amend, modify or waive, in any material respect, any term or condition of any related Contract. The Sub-Originator shall at its expense, timely and fully perform and comply in all material respects with all provisions, covenants and other promises required to be observed by it under the Contracts related to the Pool Receivables, and timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy with regard to each Pool Receivable and the related Contract.

(i) Fundamental Changes . The Sub-Originator shall not make any change in the Sub-Originator’s name, location or making any other change in the Sub-Originator’s identity or corporate structure that could impair or otherwise render any UCC financing statement filed in connection with this Agreement or the Receivables Financing Agreement “seriously misleading” as such term (or similar term) is used in the applicable UCC, in each case, unless both (i) no Purchase and Sale Termination Event or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender have each (A) received 30 days’ prior notice thereof, (B) received executed copies of all documents, certificates and opinions (including, without limitation, opinions relating to bankruptcy and UCC matters) as the Buyer or the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request and (C) been reasonably satisfied that all other action to perfect and protect the interests of the Buyer and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, in and to the Receivables to be sold by it hereunder and other Related Rights, as reasonably requested by the Buyer or the Administrative Agent shall have been taken by, and at the expense of, the Sub-Originator (including the filing of any UCC financing statements, the receipt of certificates and other requested documents from public officials and all such other actions required pursuant to Section  7.3 ).

(j) Change in Credit and Collection Policy . The Sub-Originator will not make, or direct the Servicer to make, any material change in the Credit and Collection Policy except (i) with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) or (ii) if such changes are required or necessary under any Applicable Law. Promptly following any change in the Credit and Collection Policy, the Sub-Originator will deliver a copy of the updated Credit and Collection Policy to the Buyer, Administrative Agent and each Lender.

(k) Records . The Sub-Originator will maintain and implement (or cause the Servicer to maintain and implement) administrative and operating procedures (including an ability to recreate records evidencing Pool Receivables and related Contracts in the event of the destruction of the originals thereof), and keep and maintain (or cause the Servicer to keep and maintain) all documents, books, records, computer tapes and disks and other information reasonably necessary or advisable for the collection of its Pool Receivables (including records adequate to permit the daily identification of such Pool Receivable and all Collections of and adjustments to such existing Pool Receivable).

(l) Ownership Interest, Etc. The Sub-Originator shall (and shall cause the Servicer to), at its expense, take all action necessary or reasonably desirable to establish and maintain a valid and enforceable ownership or security interest in the Pool Receivables, the Related Rights and Collections with respect thereto, and a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim, in favor of the Buyer (and the

 

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Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), as the Buyer’s ultimate assignee), including taking such action to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the interest of the Buyer (and the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), as the Buyer’s ultimate assignee) as the Buyer, the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party may reasonably request. In order to evidence the security interests of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the Sub-Originator shall, from time to time take such action, or execute and deliver such instruments as may be necessary (including, without limitation, such actions as are reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent) to maintain and perfect, as a first-priority interest, the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Receivables, Related Security and Collections. The Sub-Originator shall, from time to time and within the time limits established by law, prepare and present to the Administrative Agent for the Administrative Agent’s authorization and approval, all financing statements, amendments, continuations or initial financing statements in lieu of a continuation statement, or other filings necessary to continue, maintain and perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest as a first-priority interest. The Administrative Agent’s approval of such filings shall authorize the Sub-Originator to file such financing statements under the UCC without the signature of the Sub-Originator, any Originator, the SPV or the Administrative Agent where allowed by Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything else in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, the Sub-Originator shall not have any authority to file a termination, partial termination, release, partial release, or any amendment that deletes the name of a debtor or excludes collateral of any such financing statements filed in connection with the Transaction Documents, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

(m) Further Assurances. The Sub-Originator hereby authorizes and hereby agrees from time to time, at its own expense, promptly to execute (if necessary) and deliver all further instruments and documents, and to take all further actions, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Buyer or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the purchases made hereunder, or to enable the Buyer or the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) to exercise and enforce their respective rights and remedies hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, the Sub-Originator hereby authorizes, and will, upon the request of the Buyer or the Administrative Agent, at the Sub-Originator’s own expense, execute (if necessary) and file such financing statements or continuation statements (including as-extracted collateral filings), or amendments thereto, and such other instruments and documents, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Buyer or Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or evidence any of the foregoing.

(n) Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, etc . The Sub-Originator shall not (i) be a party to any merger, consolidation or other restructuring, except a merger, consolidation or other restructuring where both (I) the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender have each (A) received 30 days’ prior notice thereof, (B) received executed copies of all documents, certificates and opinions (including, without limitation, opinions relating to bankruptcy and UCC matters) as the Buyer or the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request and (C) been satisfied that all other action to perfect and protect the interests of the Buyer and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, in and to the Receivables to be sold by it hereunder and other Related Rights, as reasonably requested by the Buyer or the Administrative Agent shall have been taken by, and at the expense of, the Sub-Originator (including the filing of any UCC financing statements, the receipt of certificates and other requested documents from public

 

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officials and all such other actions required pursuant to Section  7.3 ) and (II) at the time thereof, no Purchase and Sale Termination Event or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) directly or indirectly sell, transfer, assign, convey or lease (A) whether in one or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets or (B) any Receivables or any interest therein (other than pursuant to this Agreement).

(o) Frequency of Billing . Prepare and deliver (or cause to be prepared and delivered) invoices with respect to all Receivables in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policies, but in any event no less frequently than as required under the Contract related to such Receivable.

(p) Receivables Not to Be Evidenced by Promissory Notes or Chattel Paper . The Sub-Originator shall not take any action to cause or permit any Receivable created, acquired or originated by it to become evidenced by any “instrument” or “chattel paper” (as defined in the applicable UCC) without the prior written consent of the Buyer and the Administrative Agent.

(q) Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance . The Sub-Originator will not become a Sanctioned Person. The Sub-Originator, either in its own right or through any third party, will not (a) have any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; (b) do business in or with, or derive any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law; (c) engage in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law or (d) use the proceeds from the sale of the Receivables to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, a Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law. The Sub-Originator shall comply with all Anti-Terrorism Laws and Sanctions Law in all material respects. The Sub-Originator shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender in writing upon the occurrence of a Reportable Compliance Event.

(r) The Sub-Originator (or the Servicer on its behalf) shall have placed on the most recent, and have taken all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that there shall be placed on each subsequent, data processing report that it generates which are of the type that a proposed purchaser or lender would use to evaluate the Receivables, the following legend (or the substantive equivalent thereof): “THE RECEIVABLES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE BEEN SOLD PURSUANT TO A SUB-ORIGINATOR SALE AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2017, AS AMENDED, BETWEEN SUB-ORIGINATOR AND CONSOL, AS SERVICER AND AS BUYER; FURTHER SOLD PURSUANT TO A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2017, AS AMENDED, BETWEEN EACH ORIGINATOR PARTY THERETO, CONSOL, AS SERVICER AND CONSOL FUNDING LLC, AS BUYER; AND THE RECEIVABLES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE BEEN PLEDGED TO PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, PURSUANT TO A RECEIVABLES FINANCING AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2017, AS AMENDED, AMONG CONSOL FUNDING LLC AS BORROWER, CONSOL, AS SERVICER, THE VARIOUS LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT”.

 

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(s) SPVs Tax Status . The Sub-Originator shall not take or cause any action to be taken that could result in the SPV (i) being treated other than as a “disregarded entity” within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3 for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is disregarded as separate from a United States person (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) or (ii) becoming an association taxable as a corporation or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(t) [Reserved] .

(u) Insurance . The Sub-Originator will maintain in effect, at the Sub-Originator’s expense, such casualty and liability insurance as the Sub-Originator deems appropriate in its good faith business judgment.

(v) Mining Operations and Mineheads . Promptly, and in any event within 5 Business Days of any change, deletion or addition to the location of the Sub-Originator’s Mined Properties or mineheads set forth on Schedule VI hereto, (i) notify the Buyer and Administrative Agent of such change, deletion or addition, (ii) cause the filing or recording of such financing statements and amendments and/or release to financing statements mortgages or other instruments, if any, necessary to preserve and maintain the perfection and priority of each of the security interests in the Receivables and the Related Rights, in favor of the Buyer and Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), created pursuant to this Agreement, the Purchase and Sale Agreement and the Receivables Financing Agreement, as applicable, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (iii) deliver to the Buyer and Administrative Agent an updated Schedule VI hereto reflecting such change, deletion or addition; it being understood that no Receivable, the related location of mining operations and/or mineheads of which is not as set forth on Schedule VI hereto as of such date of determination shall be an Eligible Receivable until such time as each condition under this clause (v)  shall have been satisfied.

SECTION 6.2 Separateness Covenants . The Sub-Originator hereby acknowledges that this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are being entered into in reliance upon the SPV’s identity as a legal entity separate from the Sub-Originator and its Affiliates. Therefore, from and after the date hereof, the Sub-Originator shall take all reasonable steps necessary to make it apparent to third Persons that the SPV is an entity with assets and liabilities distinct from those of the Sub-Originator and any other Person, and is not a division of the Sub-Originator, its Affiliates or any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and in addition to and consistent with the other covenants set forth herein, Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and in addition to and consistent with the other covenants set forth herein, the Sub-Originator shall take such actions as shall be required in order that:

(a) the Sub-Originator shall not be involved in the day to day management of the SPV;

 

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(b) the Sub-Originator shall maintain separate records and books of account from the SPV and otherwise will observe corporate formalities and have a separate area from the SPV for its business (which may be located at the same address as the SPV, and, to the extent that it and the SPV have offices in the same location, there shall be a fair and appropriate allocation of overhead costs between them, and each shall bear its fair share of such expenses);

(c) the financial statements and books and records of the Sub-Originator shall be prepared after the date of creation of the SPV to reflect and shall reflect the separate existence of the SPV; provided , that the SPV’s assets and liabilities may be included in a consolidated financial statement issued by an Affiliate of the SPV; provided , however , that any such consolidated financial statement or the notes thereto shall make clear that the SPV’s assets are not available to satisfy the obligations of such Affiliate;

(d) except as permitted by the Receivables Financing Agreement, (i) the Sub-Originator shall maintain its assets (including, without limitation, deposit accounts) separately from the assets (including, without limitation, deposit accounts) of the SPV and (ii) the Sub-Originator’s assets, and records relating thereto, have not been, are not, and shall not be, commingled with those of the SPV;

(e) the Sub-Originator shall not act as an agent for the SPV (except in the capacity of Servicer or a Sub-Servicer);

(f) the Sub-Originator shall not conduct any of the business of the SPV in its own name (except in the capacity of Servicer or a Sub-Servicer);

(g) the Sub-Originator shall not pay any liabilities of the SPV out of its own funds or assets;

(h) the Sub-Originator shall maintain an arm’s-length relationship with the SPV;

(i) the Sub-Originator shall not assume or guarantee or become obligated for the debts of the SPV or hold out its credit as being available to satisfy the obligations of the SPV;

(j) the Sub-Originator shall not acquire obligations of the SPV;

(k) the Sub-Originator shall allocate fairly and reasonably overhead or other expenses that are properly shared with the SPV, including, without limitation, shared office space;

(l) the Sub-Originator shall identify and hold itself out as a separate and distinct entity from the SPV;

(m) the Sub-Originator shall correct any known misunderstanding respecting its separate identity from the SPV;

(n) the Sub-Originator shall not enter into, or be a party to, any transaction with the SPV, except in the ordinary course of its business and on terms which are intrinsically fair and not less favorable to it than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with an unrelated third party;

 

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(o) the Sub-Originator shall not pay the salaries of the SPV’s employees, if any; and

(p) the Sub-Originator will not account for or treat (whether in financial statements or otherwise) the transactions contemplated hereby in any manner other than the sale and absolute assignment of the Receivables and the Related Security by it to the Buyer or in any other respect account for or treat the transactions contemplated hereby in any manner other than as a sale and absolute assignment of the Receivables and the Related Security by it to the Buyer (except to the extent that such transactions are not recognized on account of consolidated financial reporting in accordance with GAAP).

ARTICLE VII

ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

IN RESPECT OF RECEIVABLES

SECTION 7.1 Rights of the Buyer . The Sub-Originator hereby authorizes the Buyer, the SPV, the Servicer or their respective designees or assignees under this Agreement, the Purchase and Sale Agreement or the Receivables Financing Agreement (including, without limitation, the Administrative Agent) to take any and all steps in the Sub-Originator’s name necessary or desirable, in their respective determination, to collect all amounts due under any and all Receivables sold or otherwise conveyed or purported to be conveyed by it hereunder, including, without limitation, endorsing the name of the Sub-Originator on checks and other instruments representing Collections and enforcing such Receivables and the provisions of the related Contracts that concern payment and/or enforcement of rights to payment; provided , however , the Administrative Agent shall not take any of the foregoing actions unless a Purchase and Sale Termination Event or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 7.2 Responsibilities of the Sub-Originator . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding:

(a) The Sub-Originator shall perform its obligations hereunder, and the exercise by the Buyer or its designee of its rights hereunder shall not relieve the Sub-Originator from such obligations.

(b) None of the Buyer, the SPV, the Servicer, the Lenders or the Administrative Agent shall have any obligation or liability to any Obligor or any other third Person with respect to any Receivables, Contracts related thereto or any other related agreements, nor shall the Buyer, the SPV, the Servicer, the Lenders or the Administrative Agent be obligated to perform any of the obligations of the Sub-Originator thereunder.

(c) The Sub-Originator hereby grants to the Buyer and the Administrative Agent an irrevocable power-of-attorney, with full power of substitution, coupled with an interest, during the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default to take in the name of the Sub-Originator all steps necessary or advisable to endorse, negotiate or otherwise realize on any writing or other right of any kind held or transmitted by the Sub-Originator or transmitted or received by the Buyer or the Administrative Agent (whether or not from the Sub-Originator) in connection with any Receivable sold or otherwise conveyed or purported to be conveyed by it hereunder or Related Right.

 

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SECTION 7.3 Further Action Evidencing Purchases . On or prior to the Closing Date, the Sub-Originator shall mark its master data processing records evidencing Pool Receivables and Contracts with the following legend (or the substantive equivalent thereof): “THE RECEIVABLES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE BEEN SOLD PURSUANT TO A SUB-ORIGINATOR SALE AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2017, AS AMENDED, BETWEEN SUB-ORIGINATOR AND CONSOL, AS SERVICER AND AS BUYER; FURTHER SOLD PURSUANT TO A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2017, AS AMENDED, BETWEEN EACH ORIGINATOR PARTY THERETO, CONSOL, AS SERVICER AND CONSOL FUNDING LLC, AS BUYER; AND THE RECEIVABLES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE BEEN PLEDGED TO PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, PURSUANT TO A RECEIVABLES FINANCING AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2017, AS AMENDED, AMONG CONSOL FUNDING LLC AS BORROWER, CONSOL, AS SERVICER, THE VARIOUS LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT”.

The Sub-Originator hereby authorizes the Buyer or its designee or assignee (including, without limitation, the Administrative Agent) to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto and assignments thereof, relative to all or any of the Receivables and Related Rights sold or otherwise conveyed or purported to be conveyed by it hereunder and now existing or hereafter generated or acquired by the Sub-Originator. If the Sub-Originator fails to perform any of its agreements or obligations under this Agreement, the Buyer or its designee or assignee (including, without limitation, the Administrative Agent) may (but shall not be required to) itself perform, or cause the performance of, such agreement or obligation, and the expenses of the Buyer or its designee or assignee (including, without limitation, the Administrative Agent) incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by the Sub-Originator.

SECTION 7.4 Application of Collections . Any payment by an Obligor in respect of any indebtedness owed by it to the Sub-Originator shall, except as otherwise specified by such Obligor or required by Applicable Law and unless otherwise instructed by the Servicer (with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent) or the Administrative Agent, be applied as a Collection of any Receivable or Receivables of such Obligor in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policy.

SECTION 7.5 Performance of Obligations . The Sub-Originator shall (i) perform all of its obligations under the Contracts related to the Receivables generated by the Sub-Originator to the same extent as if interests in such Receivables had not been transferred hereunder, and the exercise by the Buyer or the Administrative Agent of its rights hereunder shall not relieve the Sub-Originator from any such obligations, and (ii) pay when due any taxes, including, without limitation, any sales taxes payable in connection with the Receivables generated by the Sub-Originator and their creation and satisfaction.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

PURCHASE AND SALE TERMINATION EVENTS

SECTION 8.1 Purchase and Sale Termination Events . Each of the following events or occurrences described in this Section  8.1 shall constitute a “ Purchase and Sale Termination Event ” (each event which with notice or the passage of time or both would become a Purchase and Sale Termination Event being referred to herein as an “ Unmatured Purchase and Sale Termination Event ”):

(a) the Termination Date shall have occurred;

(b) the Sub-Originator shall fail to make when due any payment or deposit to be made by it under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party and such failure shall remain unremedied for three (3) Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed to be made by the Sub-Originator (or any of its officers) under or in connection with this Agreement, any other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, or any other information or report delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to have been incorrect or untrue in any material respect when made or deemed made or delivered and the same shall continue unremedied for ten (10) Business Days after the earlier of (i) a responsible officer of the Sub-Originator has knowledge of the same and (i) the date on which written notice of the same shall have been given to the Sub-Originator; provided , that no breach of a representation or warranty set forth in Sections 5.5 , 5.12 , 5.20 , 5.22 , 5.23 , 5.26 or 5.27 shall constitute a Purchase and Sale Termination Event pursuant to this clause (c)  if credit has been given for a reduction of the Purchase Price or the Sub-Originator has made a cash payment to the Buyer, in any case, as required pursuant to Section  3.4(c) with respect to such breach;

(d) the Sub-Originator shall fail to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party on its part to be performed or observed and such failure shall continue unremedied for ten (10) Business Days after the earlier of (i) a responsible officer of the Sub-Originator has knowledge of such failure and (i) the date on which written notice of such failure shall have been given to the Sub-Originator; or

(e) any Insolvency Proceeding shall be instituted against the Sub-Originator and such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including the entry of an order for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for, it or for any substantial part of its property) shall occur.

SECTION 8.2 Remedies .

(a) Optional Termination . Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Purchase and Sale Termination Event, the Buyer (and not the Servicer), with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent shall have the option, by notice to the Sub-Originator (with a copy to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders), to declare the Purchase Facility terminated.

 

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(b) Remedies Cumulative . Upon any termination of the Purchase Facility pursuant to Section  8.2(a) , the Buyer (and the Administrative Agent as Buyer’s ultimate assignee) shall have, in addition to all other rights and remedies under this Agreement, all other rights and remedies provided under the UCC of each applicable jurisdiction and other Applicable Laws, which rights shall be cumulative.

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 9.1 Indemnities by the Sub-Originator . Without limiting any other rights that the Buyer may have hereunder or under Applicable Law, the Sub-Originator hereby agrees to indemnify the Buyer, the SPV, each of its officers, directors, employees, agents, employees and respective assigns, the Administrative Agent and each Lender (each of the foregoing Persons being individually called a “ Purchase and Sale Indemnified Party ”), forthwith on demand, from and against any and all damages, claims, losses, judgments, liabilities, penalties and related costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs) (all of the foregoing being collectively called “ Purchase and Sale Indemnified Amounts ”) awarded against or incurred by any of them to the extent relating to an event identified below:

(a) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Sub-Originator (or any officer of the Sub-Originator) under or in connection with this Agreement, any other Transaction Document to which the Sub-Originator is a party or any other information or report delivered by any the Sub-Originator pursuant hereto or thereto, which shall have been false or incorrect when made or deemed made;

(b) the failure by the Sub-Originator to comply with any Applicable Law with respect to any Receivable or Contract related thereto, or the nonconformity of any Receivable or Contract included therein with any such Applicable Law;

(c) the failure of the Sub-Originator to timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy in regard to any Receivable or to perform any of its obligations, express or implied, with respect to any Contract;

(d) any failure of the Sub-Originator to perform its duties, covenants or other obligations under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which the Sub-Originator is a party;

(e) the lack of an enforceable ownership interest, or a first priority perfected lien, in the Pool Receivables (and all Related Security) originated or acquired by the Sub-Originator against all Persons (including any bankruptcy trustee or similar Person), in either case, free and clear of any Lien;

(f) the failure to have filed, or any delay in filing, financing statements (including, as extracted collateral filings), financing statement amendments, continuation statements or other similar instruments or documents under the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction or other Applicable Laws with respect to any Pool Receivable or the Related Rights;

 

28


(g) any suit or claim related to the Pool Receivables originated or acquired by the Sub-Originator (including any products liability or environmental liability claim arising out of or in connection with the property, products or services that are the subject of any Pool Receivable originated by the Sub-Originator);

(h) [reserved];

(i) the commingling of Collections of Pool Receivables at any time with other funds;

(j) the failure or delay to provide any Obligor with an invoice or other evidence of indebtedness;

(k) any investigation, litigation or proceeding (actual or threatened) related to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or in respect of any Pool Receivable or any Related Rights, but excluding in each case, litigation and proceedings related to the enforcement or collection of Receivables;

(l) any claim brought by any Person other than a Purchase and Sale Indemnified Party arising from any activity by the Sub-Originator or any Affiliate of the Sub-Originator in servicing, administering or collecting any Pool Receivable;

(m) the failure by the Sub-Originator to pay when due any taxes, including, without limitation, sales, excise or personal property taxes;

(n) any dispute, claim, offset or defense (other than discharge in bankruptcy of the Obligor) of the Obligor to the payment of any Pool Receivable (including, without limitation, a defense based on such Pool Receivable or the related Contract not being a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms), or any other claim resulting from or relating to collection activities with respect to such Pool Receivable, the sale of goods or the rendering of services related to such Pool Receivable or the furnishing or failure to furnish any such goods or services or other similar claim or defense not arising from the financial inability of any Obligor to pay undisputed indebtedness;

(o) any product liability claim arising out of or in connection with goods or services that are the subject of any Receivable generated by the Sub-Originator;

(p) the failure by the Sub-Originator to pay when due any sales, excise or personal property taxes or charges (including interest and penalties thereon or with respect thereto), imposed on the purchase of the Pool Receivables or any Related Rights generated by the Sub-Originator;

(q) [reserved];

(r) [reserved]; or

(s) any action taken by the Administrative Agent as attorney-in-fact for the Sub-Originator pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document;

 

29


provided that such indemnity shall not be available to any Purchase and Sale Indemnified Party to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of a Purchase and Sale Indemnified Party, (y) constitute recourse with respect to a Pool Receivable by reason of the bankruptcy, insolvency, lack of creditworthiness or other financial or credit condition or financial default, of the related Obligor or (z) Taxes (other than Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc., arising from any non-Tax claim).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, solely for purposes of the Sub-Originator’s indemnification obligations in this Article  IX , any representation, warranty or covenant qualified by the occurrence or non-occurrence of a material adverse effect or similar concepts of materiality shall be deemed to be not so qualified.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 10.1 Amendments, etc.

(a) The provisions of this Agreement may from time to time be amended, modified or waived, if such amendment, modification or waiver is in writing and executed by the Buyer, the Servicer and the Sub-Originator, with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders.

(b) No failure or delay on the part of the Buyer, the Servicer, the Sub-Originator, the Administrative Agent or any third-party beneficiary in exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power or right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or right. No notice to or demand on the Buyer, the Servicer or the Sub-Originator in any case shall entitle it to any notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. No waiver or approval by the Buyer, the Administrative Agent or the Servicer under this Agreement shall, except as may otherwise be stated in such waiver or approval, be applicable to subsequent transactions. No waiver or approval under this Agreement shall require any similar or dissimilar waiver or approval thereafter to be granted hereunder.

(c) The Transaction Documents contain a final and complete integration of all prior expressions by the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter thereof and shall constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter thereof, superseding all prior oral or written understandings.

SECTION 10.2 Notices, etc . All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall, unless otherwise stated herein, be in writing (including facsimile or electronic mail communication) and shall be delivered or sent by facsimile, electronic mail, or by overnight mail, to the intended party at the mailing or electronic mail address or facsimile number of such party set forth under its name on Schedule V hereof or at such other address or facsimile number as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties hereto or in the case of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, at their respective address for notices pursuant to the Receivables Financing Agreement. All such notices and communications shall be effective (i) if delivered by overnight mail, when received, and (ii) if transmitted by facsimile or electronic mail, when sent, receipt confirmed by telephone or electronic means.

 

30


SECTION 10.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law. Without limiting the foregoing, the Buyer, the SPV, the Administrative Agent and each Lender (collectively, the “ Set-off Parties ”), may at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, setoff, appropriate and apply (without presentment, demand, protest or other notice to Consol and the Sub-Originator which are hereby expressly waived) any deposits and any other indebtedness owing to such Set-Off Party (including by any branches or Affiliates of such Set-Off Party), or held by such Set-Off Party for the account of, Consol or the Sub-Originator against amounts owing by, Consol or the Sub-Originator hereunder; provided that such Set-Off Party shall notify, Consol or the Sub-Originator promptly following such setoff.

SECTION 10.4 Binding Effect; Assignability . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Buyer and the Sub-Originator and their respective successors and permitted assigns. The Sub-Originator may not assign any of its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Buyer, the Administrative Agent and each Lender, except as otherwise herein specifically provided. This Agreement shall create and constitute the continuing obligations of the parties hereto in accordance with its terms, and shall remain in full force and effect until terminated in accordance with the terms hereof. The rights and remedies with respect to any breach of any representation and warranty made by the Sub-Originator pursuant to Article  V and the indemnification and payment provisions of Article IX and Section  10.6 shall be continuing and shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 10.5 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY OTHER CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE PERFECTION OF A SECURITY INTEREST OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK).

SECTION 10.6 Costs, Expenses and Taxes . In addition to the obligations of the Sub-Originator under Article IX, the Sub-Originator and Consol, jointly and severally, agrees to pay on demand:

(a) to the Buyer (and any successor and permitted assigns thereof) and any third-party beneficiary of the Buyer’s rights hereunder all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements, consents and waivers, if any, from time to time hereto), including, without limitation, (i) the reasonable Attorney Costs for the Buyer (and any successor and permitted assigns thereof) and any third-party beneficiary of the Buyer’s rights hereunder with respect thereto and with respect to

 

31


advising any such Person as to their rights and remedies against the Sub-Originator under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, (ii) reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including reasonable Attorney Costs) for the Buyer (and any successor and permitted assigns thereof) and any third-party beneficiary of the Buyer’s rights hereunder and any of their respective Affiliates and agents incurred in connection with the administration and maintenance of this Agreement or the protection and enforcement of their rights and remedies against the Sub-Originator under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and (iii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of any regular employees and agents of the Buyer (and any successor and permitted assigns thereof) and any third-party beneficiary of the Buyer’s rights hereunder engaged periodically to perform audits of the Sub-Originator’s books, records and business properties;

(b) to the Buyer (and any successor and permitted assigns thereof) and any third-party beneficiary of the Buyer’s rights hereunder all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable Attorney Costs), of any such Person incurred in connection with the enforcement of any of their respective rights or remedies against the Sub-Originator under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents; and

(c) all stamp, franchise and other taxes and fees payable in connection with the execution, delivery, filing and recording of this Agreement to be delivered hereunder, and agrees to indemnify each Purchase and Sale Indemnified Party against any liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay in paying or omitting to pay such taxes and fees.

SECTION 10.7 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION . (a) THE SUB-ORIGINATOR AND THE BUYER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT, FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OF ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT ANY SUCH DEFENSE. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 10.7 SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AGAINST THE SUB-ORIGINATOR OR THE SERVICER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION. THE SUB-ORIGINATOR AND THE BUYER EACH HEREBY

 

32


IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN THIS SECTION 10.7.

(b) EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SCHEDULE IV. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR THE PARTIES HERETO TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

SECTION 10.8 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER (WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT.

SECTION 10.9 Captions and Cross References; Incorporation by Reference . The various captions (including, without limitation, the table of contents) in this Agreement are included for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. References in this Agreement to any underscored Article, Section, Schedule or Exhibit are to such Article, Section, Schedule or Exhibit of this Agreement, as the case may be. The Schedules and Exhibits hereto are hereby incorporated by reference into and made a part of this Agreement.

SECTION 10.10 Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart hereof by facsimile or other electronic means shall be equally effective as delivery of an originally executed counterpart.

SECTION 10.11 Acknowledgment and Agreement . By execution below, the Sub-Originator expressly acknowledges and agrees that all of the Buyer’s rights, title, and interests in, to, and under this Agreement (but not its obligations), shall be assigned (i) by the Buyer to the SPV pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement and (ii) by the SPV to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Lenders) pursuant to the Receivables Financing Agreement, and the Sub-Originator consents to such assignments. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that the SPV, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are third-party beneficiaries of the rights of the Buyer arising hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents to which the Sub-Originator is a party, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, during the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default under the Receivables Financing Agreement, the Administrative Agent, and not the Buyer, shall have the sole right to exercise all such rights and related remedies.

 

33


SECTION 10.12 No Proceeding . The Sub-Originator hereby agrees that it will not institute, or join any other Person in instituting, against the SPV any Insolvency Proceeding for at least one year and one day following the Final Payout Date. The agreements in this Section  10.12 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 10.13 Mutual Negotiations . This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are the product of mutual negotiations by the parties thereto and their counsel, and no party shall be deemed the draftsperson of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any provision hereof or thereof or to have provided the same. Accordingly, in the event of any inconsistency or ambiguity of any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, such inconsistency or ambiguity shall not be interpreted against any party because of such party’s involvement in the drafting thereof.

SECTION 10.14 Severability . Any provisions of this Agreement which are prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

34


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY

LLC, as Buyer

By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

  Name: James A. Brock
  Title: President

 

S-1

Sub-Originator Sale Agreement


CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC, as Servicer
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

  Name: James A. Brock
  Title: President

 

S-2

Sub-Originator Sale Agreement


CONSOL THERMAL HOLDINGS LLC,

as the Sub-Originator

By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

  Name: James A. Brock
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

S-3

Sub-Originator Sale Agreement


Schedule I

LIST AND LOCATION OF THE SUB-ORIGINATOR

 

Sub-Originator

  

Location

Consol Thermal Holdings LLC

   Delaware

 

   Schedule I-1    Sub-Originator Sale Agreement


Schedule II

LOCATION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS OF SUB-ORIGINATOR

 

Sub-Originator

  

Location of Books and Records

Consol Thermal Holdings LLC    1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg PA 15317

 

   Schedule II-1    Sub-Originator Sale Agreement


Schedule III

TRADE NAMES

CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC: Prior Name CNX Thermal Holdings LLC. No Trade Names.

 

   Schedule III-1    Sub-Originator Sale Agreement


Schedule IV

ACTIONS/SUITS

None.

 

   Schedule IV-1    Sub-Originator Sale Agreement


Schedule V

NOTICE ADDRESSES

 

Entity

  

Notice Address

CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC    1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg PA 15317, Attention: Treasurer
CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC    1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg PA 15317, Attention: Treasurer

 

   Schedule V-1    Sub-Originator Sale Agreement


Schedule VI

LOCATION OF MINING OPERATIONS

 

SUB-ORIGINATOR

  

MINEHEAD

  

STATE

  

COUNTY

CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC    Pennsylvania Mine Complex    Pennsylvania    Washington County
CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC    Pennsylvania Mine Complex    Pennsylvania    Greene County
CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC    Pennsylvania Mine Complex    West Virginia    Marshall County

 

   Schedule IV-1    Sub-Originator Sale Agreement


Exhibit A

FORM OF PURCHASE REPORT

 

Sub-Originator:

   CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC

Purchaser:

   CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC

Payment Date:

                                 , 20         

 

1.    Outstanding Balance of Receivables [Purchased] [on the Closing Date][during the preceding calendar month]:
2.    Fair Market Value Discount:
   1- Discount Factor
   Where:
   Discount Factor: =                             
3.    Purchase Price (1 x 2) = $                         
4.    Reductions in the Purchase Price = $                     
5.    Net Purchase Price (3 – 4) = $                     

 

   Schedule A-1    Sub-Originator Sale Agreement

Exhibit 10.13

RECEIVABLES FINANCING AGREEMENT

Dated as of November 30, 2017

by and among

CONSOL FUNDING LLC ,

as Borrower,

THE PERSONS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

as Lenders,

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as LC Bank,

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Administrative Agent,

CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC ,

as initial Servicer,

and

PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC, as Structuring Agent


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
ARTICLE I    DEFINITIONS      1  

SECTION 1.01.

  

Certain Defined Terms

     1  

SECTION 1.02.

  

Other Interpretative Matters

     24  
ARTICLE II    TERMS OF THE LOANS      25  

SECTION 2.01.

  

Loan Facility

     25  

SECTION 2.02.

  

Making Loans; Repayment of Loans

     25  

SECTION 2.03.

  

Interest and Fees

     26  

SECTION 2.04.

  

Records of Loans and Participation Advances

     27  
ARTICLE III    LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY      27  

SECTION 3.01.

  

Letters of Credit

     27  

SECTION 3.02.

  

Issuance of Letters of Credit; Participations

     27  

SECTION 3.03.

  

Requirements For Issuance of Letters of Credit

     28  

SECTION 3.04.

  

Disbursements, Reimbursement

     29  

SECTION 3.05.

  

Repayment of Participation Advances

     29  

SECTION 3.06.

  

Documentation; Documentary and Processing Charges

     30  

SECTION 3.07.

  

Determination to Honor Drawing Request

     30  

SECTION 3.08.

  

Nature of Participation and Reimbursement Obligations

     31  

SECTION 3.09.

  

Indemnity

     32  

SECTION 3.10.

  

Liability for Acts and Omissions

     32  
ARTICLE IV    SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES AND PAYMENT PROVISIONS      34  

SECTION 4.01.

  

Settlement Procedures

     34  

SECTION 4.02.

  

Payments and Computations, Etc

     36  
ARTICLE V    INCREASED COSTS; FUNDING LOSSES; TAXES; ILLEGALITY AND SECURITY INTEREST      37  

SECTION 5.01.

  

Increased Costs

     37  

SECTION 5.02.

  

[Reserved]

     38  

SECTION 5.03.

  

Taxes

     38  

SECTION 5.04.

  

Inability to Determine LMIR; Change in Legality

     42  

SECTION 5.05.

  

Security Interest

     43  

 

-i-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  
ARTICLE VI    CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS      44  

SECTION 6.01.

  

Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness and the Initial Credit Extension

     44  

SECTION 6.02.

  

Conditions Precedent to All Credit Extensions

     44  

SECTION 6.03.

  

Conditions Precedent to All Releases

     45  
ARTICLE VII    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      45  

SECTION 7.01.

  

Representations and Warranties of the Borrower

     45  

SECTION 7.02.

  

Representations and Warranties of the Servicer

     50  
ARTICLE VIII    COVENANTS      53  

SECTION 8.01.

  

Covenants of the Borrower

     53  

SECTION 8.02.

  

Covenants of the Servicer

     61  

SECTION 8.03.

  

Separate Existence of the Borrower

     67  

SECTION 8.04.

  

Separate Existence of the Borrower

     70  
ARTICLE IX    ADMINISTRATION AND COLLECTION OF RECEIVABLES      71  

SECTION 9.01.

  

Appointment of the Servicer

     71  

SECTION 9.02.

  

Duties of the Servicer

     72  

SECTION 9.03.

  

Collection Account Arrangements

     72  

SECTION 9.04.

  

Enforcement Rights

     73  

SECTION 9.05.

  

Responsibilities of the Borrower

     74  

SECTION 9.06.

  

Servicing Fee

     75  
ARTICLE X    EVENTS OF DEFAULT      75  

SECTION 10.01.

  

Events of Default

     75  
ARTICLE XI    THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT      79  

SECTION 11.01.

  

Authorization and Action

     79  

SECTION 11.02.

  

Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Etc

     79  

SECTION 11.03.

  

Administrative Agent and Affiliates

     80  

SECTION 11.04.

  

Indemnification of Administrative Agent

     80  

SECTION 11.05.

  

Delegation of Duties

     80  

SECTION 11.06.

  

Action or Inaction by Administrative Agent

     80  

SECTION 11.07.

  

Notice of Events of Default; Action by Administrative Agent

     81  

 

-ii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  

SECTION 11.08.

  

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Parties

     81  

SECTION 11.09.

  

Successor Administrative Agent

     81  

SECTION 11.10.

  

Structuring Agent

     82  
ARTICLE XII    [RESERVED]      82  
ARTICLE XIII    INDEMNIFICATION      82  

SECTION 13.01.

  

Indemnities by the Borrower

     82  

SECTION 13.02.

  

Indemnification by the Servicer

     85  
ARTICLE XIV    MISCELLANEOUS      86  

SECTION 14.01.

  

Amendments, Etc

     86  

SECTION 14.02.

  

Notices, Etc

     87  

SECTION 14.03.

  

Assignability; Addition of Lenders

     87  

SECTION 14.04.

  

Costs and Expenses

     90  

SECTION 14.05.

  

No Proceedings; Limitation on Payments

     90  

SECTION 14.06.

  

Confidentiality

     90  

SECTION 14.07.

  

GOVERNING LAW

     91  

SECTION 14.08.

  

Execution in Counterparts

     91  

SECTION 14.09.

  

Integration; Binding Effect; Survival of Termination

     91  

SECTION 14.10.

  

CONSENT TO JURISDICTION

     91  

SECTION 14.11.

  

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     92  

SECTION 14.12.

  

Ratable Payments

     92  

SECTION 14.13.

  

Limitation of Liability

     93  

SECTION 14.14.

  

Intent of the Parties

     93  

SECTION 14.15.

  

USA Patriot Act

     93  

SECTION 14.16.

  

Right of Setoff

     93  

SECTION 14.17.

  

Severability

     94  

SECTION 14.18.

  

Mutual Negotiations

     94  

SECTION 14.19.

  

Captions and Cross References

     94  

 

-iii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page

EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A

  

–  

  

Form of [Loan Request] [LC Request]

EXHIBIT B

  

–  

  

Form of Reduction Notice

EXHIBIT C

     

Form of Assignment and Acceptance Agreement

EXHIBIT D

  

–  

  

Form of Assumption Agreement

EXHIBIT E

  

–  

  

Form of Letter of Credit Application

EXHIBIT F

  

–  

  

Credit and Collection Policy

EXHIBIT G

  

–  

  

Form of Information Package

EXHIBIT H

   –     

Form of Compliance Certificate

EXHIBIT I

   –     

Closing Memorandum

EXHIBIT J

   –     

Form of Interim Report

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE I

   –     

Commitments

SCHEDULE II

  

–  

  

Lock-Boxes, Collection Accounts and Collection Account Banks

SCHEDULE III

  

–  

  

Notice Addresses

 

 

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This RECEIVABLES FINANCING AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of November 30, 2017 by and among the following parties:

(i) CONSOL FUNDING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Borrower (together with its successors and assigns, the “ Borrower ”);

(ii) the Persons from time to time party hereto as Lenders;

(iii) PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as LC Bank (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “ LC Bank ”);

(iv) PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“ PNC ”), as Administrative Agent;

(v) CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company, in its individual capacity (“ Consol ”) and as initial Servicer (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “ Servicer ”); and

(vi) PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company, as Structuring Agent.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

The Borrower has acquired, and will acquire from time to time, Receivables from the Originator(s) pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement. Consol has and will acquire from time to time, Receivables from the Sub-Originator pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement. The Borrower has requested (a) that the Lenders make Loans from time to time to the Borrower and (b) the LC Bank to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower from time to time, in each case, on the terms, and subject to the conditions set forth herein, secured by, among other things, the Receivables.

In consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

Account Control Agreement ” means each agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Borrower, the Servicer (if applicable), the Administrative Agent and a Collection Account Bank, governing the terms of the related Collection Accounts that (i) provides the Administrative Agent with control within the meaning


of the UCC over the deposit accounts subject to such agreement and (ii) by its terms, may not be terminated or canceled by the related Collection Account Bank without the written consent of the Administrative Agent or upon no less than sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Adjusted LC Participation Amount ” means, at any time of determination, the greater of (i) the LC Participation Amount less the amount of cash collateral held in the LC Collateral Account at such time and (ii) zero ($0).

Administrative Agent ” means PNC, in its capacity as contractual representative for the Credit Parties, and any successor thereto in such capacity appointed pursuant to Article XI or Section  14.03(f) .

Adverse Claim ” means any Lien other than a Permitted Lien.

Advisors ” has the meaning set forth in Section  14.06(c) .

Affected Person ” means each Credit Party and each of their respective Affiliates.

Affiliate ” means, as to any Person: (a) any Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, “ control ,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by agreement or otherwise.

Aggregate Capital ” means, at any time of determination, the aggregate outstanding Capital of all Lenders at such time.

Aggregate Interest ” means, at any time of determination, the aggregate accrued and unpaid Interest on the Loans of all Lenders at such time.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Anti-Terrorism Laws ” means any Applicable Law relating to terrorism financing, money laundering or bribery, and any regulation, order, or directive promulgated, issued or enforced pursuant to such Applicable Laws, all as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

Applicable Law ” means, with respect to any Person, (x) all provisions of law, statute, treaty, constitution, rule, regulation, ordinance, requirement, restriction, permit, executive order, certificate, decision, directive or order of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Person or any of its property and (y) all judgments, injunctions, orders, writs, decrees and awards of all courts and arbitrators in proceedings or actions in which such Person is a party or by which any of its property is bound. For the avoidance of doubt, FATCA shall constitute an “Applicable Law” for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Assignment and Acceptance Agreement ” means an assignment and acceptance agreement entered into by a Lender, an Eligible Assignee and the Administrative Agent, and, if required, the Borrower, pursuant to which such Eligible Assignee may become a party to this Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto.

Assumption Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  14.03(h) .

Attorney Costs ” means all reasonable and documented fees, costs, expenses and disbursements of any external counsel.

Bankruptcy Code ” means the United States Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11 U.S.C. § 101, et seq.), as amended from time to time.

Base Rate ” means, for any day and any Lender, a fluctuating interest rate per annum as shall be in effect from time to time, which rate shall be at all times equal to the highest of:

(a) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by the Lender or its Affiliate as its “reference rate” or “prime rate”, as applicable. Such “reference rate” or “prime rate” is set by the applicable Lender or its Affiliate based upon various factors, including such Person’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above or below such announced rate, and is not necessarily the lowest rate charged to any customer; and

(b) 0.50% per annum above the latest Federal Funds Rate.

Beneficial Owner ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “Person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “Person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “Person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “ Beneficially Owns ” and “ Beneficially Owned ” have corresponding meanings. For purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed not to Beneficially Own securities that are the subject of a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement, amalgamation agreement, arrangement agreement or similar agreement until consummation of the transactions or, as applicable, series of related transactions contemplated thereby.

Borrower ” has the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement.

Borrower Indemnified Amounts ” has the meaning set forth in Section  13.01(a) .

Borrower Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  13.01(a) .

Borrower Obligations ” means all present and future indebtedness, reimbursement obligations, and other liabilities and obligations (howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, or due or to become due) of the Borrower to any Credit Party, Borrower Indemnified Party and/or any Affected Person, arising under or in

 

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connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and shall include, without limitation, all Capital and Interest on the Loans, reimbursement for drawings under the Letters of Credit, all Fees and all other amounts due or to become due under the Transaction Documents (whether in respect of fees, costs, expenses, indemnifications or otherwise), including, without limitation, interest, fees and other obligations that accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to the Borrower (in each case whether or not allowed as a claim in such proceeding).

Borrower’s Net Worth ” means, at any time of determination, an amount equal to (i) the Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables at such time, minus (ii) the sum of (A) the Aggregate Capital at such time, plus (B) the Adjusted LC Participation Amount at such time, plus (C) the Aggregate Interest at such time, plus (D) the aggregate accrued and unpaid Fees at such time, plus (E) the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all Subordinated Notes at such time, plus (F) the aggregate accrued and unpaid interest on all Subordinated Notes at such time, plus (G) without duplication, the aggregate accrued and unpaid other Borrower Obligations at such time.

Borrowing Base ” means, at any time of determination, the lesser of (i) the Facility Limit and (ii) the amount equal to (a) the Net Receivables Pool Balance at such time, multiplied by (b) 50%.

Borrowing Base Deficit ” means, at any time of determination, the amount, if any, by which (a) the Aggregate Capital plus the Adjusted LC Participation Amount at such time, exceeds (b) the Borrowing Base at such time.

Business Day ” means any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which: (a) banks are not authorized or required to close in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, or New York City, New York and (b) if this definition of “Business Day” is utilized in connection with LMIR, dealings are carried out in the London interbank market.

Capital ” means, with respect to any Lender, without duplication, the aggregate amounts (i) paid to, or on behalf of, the Borrower in connection with all Loans made by such Lender pursuant to Article II , (ii) paid by such Lender to the LC Bank in respect of a Participation Advance made by such Lender to the LC Bank pursuant to Section  3.04(b) and (iii) with respect to the Lender that is the LC Bank, paid by the LC Bank with respect to all drawings under the Letter of Credit to the extent such drawings have not been reimbursed by the Borrower or funded by Participation Advances, as reduced from time to time by Collections distributed and applied on account of reducing or repaying such Capital pursuant to Section  4.01 ; provided , that if such Capital shall have been reduced by any distribution and thereafter all or a portion of such distribution is rescinded or must otherwise be returned for any reason, such Capital shall be increased by the amount of such rescinded or returned distribution as though it had not been made.

Capital Stock ” of any Person shall mean (a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; (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 interests (whether general or limited) or

 

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membership interests; 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, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

Change in Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(a) CNX Marine Terminals Inc. and Consol cease to own together, directly, 100% of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock and all other equity interests of the Borrower free and clear of all Adverse Claims (other than any Adverse Claim in favor of the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent or Second Lien Collateral Trustee (so long as such Person is then party to the applicable No Petition Letter));

(b) Parent ceases to own, directly or indirectly, (i) 100% of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock, membership interests or other equity interests of any Originator or the Servicer or (ii) 60% of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock, membership interests or other equity interests of the Sub-Originator;

(c) any Subordinated Note shall at any time cease to be owned by an Originator, free and clear of all Adverse Claims (other than any Adverse Claim in favor of the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent or Second Lien Collateral Trustee (so long as such Person is then party to the applicable No Petition Letter)); or

(d) with respect to Parent:

(i) the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation or the acquisition of any Capital Stock) the result of which is that any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Parent;

(ii) the holders of Capital Stock of the Parent shall have approved any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Parent; or

(iii) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Parent (including Equity Interests of Restricted Subsidiaries) and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person.

Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (w) the final rule titled Risk-Based Capital Guidelines; Capital Adequacy Guidelines; Capital Maintenance: Regulatory Capital;

 

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Impact of Modifications to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; Consolidation of Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Programs; and Other Related Issues , adopted by the United States bank regulatory agencies on December 15, 2009, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to the agreements reached by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in “Basel III: A Global Regulatory Framework for More Resilient Banks and Banking Systems” (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or replaced from time to time), shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

Closing Date ” means November 30, 2017.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, reformed or otherwise modified from time to time.

Collateral ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.05(a) .

Collection Account ” means each account listed on Schedule II to this Agreement (as such schedule may be modified from time to time in connection with the closing or opening of any Collection Account in accordance with the terms hereof) (in each case, in the name of the Borrower) and maintained at a bank or other financial institution acting as a Collection Account Bank pursuant to an Account Control Agreement for the purpose of receiving Collections.

Collection Account Bank ” means any of the banks or other financial institutions holding one or more Collection Accounts.

Collections ” means, with respect to any Pool Receivable: (a) all funds that are received by any Originator, Sub-Originator, the Borrower, the Servicer or any other Person on their behalf in payment of any amounts owed in respect of such Pool Receivable (including purchase price, finance charges, interest and all other charges), or applied to amounts owed in respect of such Pool Receivable (including insurance payments and net proceeds of the sale or other disposition of repossessed goods or other collateral or property of the related Obligor or any other Person directly or indirectly liable for the payment of such Pool Receivable and available to be applied thereon), (b) all Deemed Collections, (c) all proceeds of all Related Security with respect to such Pool Receivable and (d) all other proceeds of such Pool Receivable.

Commitment ” means, with respect to any Lender, including the Lender that is the LC Bank, as applicable, the maximum aggregate amount which such Person is obligated to lend or pay hereunder on account of all Loans and all drawings under all Letters of Credit, on a combined basis, as set forth on Schedule I or in the Assumption Agreement or other agreement pursuant to which it became a Lender, as such amount may be modified in connection with any subsequent assignment pursuant to Section  14.03 or in connection with a reduction in the Facility Limit pursuant to Section  2.02(e) . If the context so requires, “Commitment” also refers to a Lender’s obligation to make Loans, make Participation Advances and/or issue Letters of Credit hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.

 

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Concentration Percentage ” means, with respect to any Obligor, 40%.

Contract ” means, with respect to any Receivable, any and all contracts, instruments, agreements, leases, invoices, notes or other writings pursuant to which such Receivable arises or that evidence such Receivable or under which an Obligor becomes or is obligated to make payment in respect of such Receivable.

Covered Entity ” means (a) each of Borrower, the Servicer, each Originator, Sub-Originator, the Parent and each of Parent’s Subsidiaries and (b) each Person that, directly or indirectly, is an Affiliate of a Person described in clause (a)  above.

Credit Agreement Collateral Agent ” means PNC Bank, National Association, as collateral agent under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

Credit and Collection Policy ” means, as the context may require, those receivables credit and collection policies and practices of the Originators and Sub-Originator in effect on the Closing Date and described in Exhibit F , as modified in compliance with this Agreement.

Credit Extension ” means the making of any Loan or the issuance of any Letter of Credit or any modification, extension or renewal of any Letter of Credit.

Credit Party ” means each Lender, the LC Bank and the Administrative Agent.

Debt ” means, as to any Person at any time of determination, any and all indebtedness, obligations or liabilities (whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, or joint or several) of such Person for or in respect of: (i) borrowed money, (ii) amounts raised under or liabilities in respect of any bonds, debentures, notes, note purchase, acceptance or credit facility, or other similar instruments or facilities, (iii) reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) under any letter of credit, (iv) any other transaction (including production payments (excluding royalties), installment purchase agreements, forward sale or purchase agreements, capitalized leases and conditional sales agreements) having the commercial effect of a borrowing of money entered into by such Person to finance its operations or capital requirements (but not including accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of such Person’s business payable on terms customary in the trade), (v) all net obligations of such Person in respect of interest rate on currency hedges or (vi) any Guaranty of any such Debt.

Deemed Collections ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.01(d) .

Defaulted Receivable ” means a Receivable:

(a) as to which any payment, or part thereof, remains unpaid for more than 60 days from the original due date for such payment;

(b) as to which an Insolvency Proceeding shall have occurred with respect to the Obligor thereof or any other Person obligated thereon or owning any Related Security with respect thereto;

 

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(c) that has been written off the applicable Originator’s, Sub-Originator’s or the Borrower’s books as uncollectible; or

(d) that, consistent with the Credit and Collection Policy, should be written off the applicable Originator’s, Sub-Originator’s or the Borrower’s books as uncollectible;

provided , however , that in each case above such amount shall be calculated without giving effect to any netting of credits that have not been matched to a particular Receivable for the purposes of aged trial balance reporting.

Delinquency Ratio ” means the ratio (expressed as a percentage and rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%, with 5/1000th of 1% rounded upward) computed as of the last day of each Fiscal Month by dividing : (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables that were Delinquent Receivables on such day by (b) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Pool Receivables on such day.

Delinquent Receivable ” means a Receivable as to which any payment, or part thereof, remains unpaid for more than 60 days from the original due date for such payment; provided , however , that such amount shall be calculated without giving effect to any netting of credits that have not been matched to a particular Receivable for the purposes of aged trial balance reporting.

Dollars ” and “ $ ” each mean the lawful currency of the United States of America.

Drawing Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.04(a) .

Eligible Assignee ” means (i) any Lender or any of its Affiliates and (ii) any other financial institution.

Eligible Foreign Obligor ” an Obligor that is organized in or that has a head office (domicile), registered office, and chief executive office located in a country other than the United States of America that is not a Sanctioned Country.

Eligible Receivable ” means, at any time of determination, a Pool Receivable:

(a) the Obligor of which is: (i) either a U.S. Obligor or an Eligible Foreign Obligor; (ii) not a Governmental Authority, (iii) not a Sanctioned Person; (iv) not subject to any Insolvency Proceeding; (v) not an Affiliate of the Borrower, the Servicer, the Parent or any Originator or Sub-Originator; (vi) not the Obligor with respect to Delinquent Receivables with an aggregate Outstanding Balance exceeding 50% of the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all such Obligor’s Pool Receivables; (vii) not a natural person and (viii) not a material supplier to any Originator, Sub-Originator or an Affiliate of a material supplier;

(b) for which an Insolvency Proceeding shall not have occurred with respect to the Obligor thereof or any other Person obligated thereon or owning any Related Security with respect thereto;

 

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(c) that is denominated and payable only in Dollars in the United States of America, and the Obligor with respect to which has been instructed to remit Collections in respect thereof directly to a Lock-Box or Collection Account in the United States of America;

(d) that does not have a due date which is more than 90 days after the original invoice date of such Receivable;

(e) that arises under a Contract for the sale of goods or services in the ordinary course of the applicable Originator’s or Sub-Originator’s business;

(f) that arises under a duly authorized Contract that is in full force and effect and that is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the related Obligor, enforceable against such Obligor in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law;

(g) that has been transferred by an Originator to the Borrower pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement with respect to which transfer all conditions precedent under the Purchase and Sale Agreement have been met (and, if originated by the Sub-Originator, has been transferred by the Sub-Originator to Consol pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement with respect to which transfer all conditions precedent under the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement have been met);

(h) that, together with the Contract related thereto, conforms in all material respects with all Applicable Laws (including any applicable laws relating to usury, truth in lending, fair credit billing, fair credit reporting, equal credit opportunity, fair debt collection practices and privacy);

(i) with respect to which all consents, licenses, approvals or authorizations of, or registrations or declarations with or notices to, any Governmental Authority or other Person required to be obtained, effected or given by an Originator or Sub-Originator in connection with the creation of such Receivable, the execution, delivery and performance by such Originator or Sub-Originator of the related Contract or the assignment thereof under each applicable Sale Agreement have been duly obtained, effected or given and are in full force and effect;

(j) that is not subject to any existing dispute, right of rescission, set-off, counterclaim, any other defense against the applicable Originator or Sub-Originator (or any assignee of such Originator or Sub-Originator) or Adverse Claim, and the Obligor of which holds no right as against the applicable Originator or Sub-Originator to cause such Originator or Sub-Originator to repurchase the goods or merchandise, the sale of which shall have given rise to such Receivable;

(k) that satisfies in all material respects all applicable requirements of the Credit and Collection Policy;

 

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(l) that, together with the Contract related thereto, has not been modified, waived or restructured since its creation, except as permitted pursuant to Section  9.02 of this Agreement;

(m) in which the Borrower owns good and marketable title, free and clear of any Adverse Claims, and that is freely assignable (including without any consent of the related Obligor or any Governmental Authority) and that payments thereon are free and clear of any withholding or other Tax;

(n) for which the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) shall have a valid and enforceable first priority perfected security interest therein and in the Related Security and Collections with respect thereto, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim;

(o) that (x) constitutes an “account” or “general intangible” (as defined in the UCC), and (y) is not evidenced by instruments or chattel paper;

(p) that is neither a Defaulted Receivable nor a Delinquent Receivable;

(q) for which no Originator, Sub-Originator, the Borrower, the Parent or the Servicer has established any offset or netting arrangements with the related Obligor in connection with the ordinary course of payment of such Receivable;

(r) that represents amounts earned and payable by the Obligor that are not subject to the performance of additional services by the Originator or Sub-Originator thereof or by the Borrower and the related goods or merchandise shall have been shipped and/or services performed;

(s) that either (i) has been billed or invoiced or (ii) is an Eligible Unbilled Receivable;

(t) that represents amounts that have been recognized as revenue by the related Originator or Sub-Originator in accordance with GAAP;

(u) which (i) does not arise from a sale of accounts made as part of a sale of a business or constitute an assignment for the purpose of collection only, (ii) is not a transfer of a single account made in whole or partial satisfaction of a preexisting indebtedness or an assignment of a right to payment under a contract to an assignee that is also obligated to perform under the contract and (iii) is not a transfer of an interest in or an assignment of a claim under a policy of insurance;

(v) which does not relate to the sale of any consigned goods or finished goods which have incorporated any consigned goods into such finished goods; and

(w) that is not a MINER Receivable.

Eligible Unbilled Receivable ” means, at any time, any Unbilled Receivable for which the related coal has been shipped to the Obligor thereof within the last 60 days.

 

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Equity Interests ” of any Person shall mean (1) any and all Capital Stock of such Person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such Capital Stock of such Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into Equity Interests, regardless of whether such debt securities include any right of participation with Equity Interests.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and any rule or regulation issued thereunder.

ERISA Affiliate ” shall mean, at any relevant time, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower, the Sub-Originator or an Originator within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

ERISA Event ” shall mean (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan or notification to the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates that a Multiemployer Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or experienced a mass withdrawal within the meaning of Section 4219 of ERISA; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan, or the treatment of a plan amendment as a termination of a Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan under Sections 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, respectively; (e) the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (f) an event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA; (h) Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates is informed that any Multiemployer Plan to which Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates contributes is in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA or (i) the failure by the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of a Pension Plan or a failure by the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan.

Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage ” means, the maximum effective percentage in effect on such day as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the reserve requirements (including without limitation, supplemental, marginal, and emergency reserve requirements) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities”).

 

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Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section  10.01 . For the avoidance of doubt, any Event of Default that occurs shall be deemed to be continuing at all times thereafter unless and until waived in accordance with Section  14.01 .

Excess Concentration ” means the sum of the amounts calculated for each of the Obligors equal to the excess (if any) of (i) aggregate Outstanding Balance of the Eligible Receivables of such Obligor, over (ii) the product of (x) such Obligor’s Concentration Percentage, multiplied by (y) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all Eligible Receivables.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended or otherwise modified from time to time.

Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to an Credit Party or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Credit Party: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Credit Party being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in the Loans or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender makes a Loan or its Commitment or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Credit Party’s failure to comply with Sections 5.03(f), and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.

Facility Limit ” means $100,000,000 as reduced from time to time pursuant to Section  2.02(e) . References to the unused portion of the Facility Limit shall mean, at any time of determination, an amount equal to (x) the Facility Limit at such time, minus (y) the sum of the Aggregate Capital plus the LC Participation Amount.

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.

Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any day, the per annum rate set forth in the weekly statistical release designated as H.15(519), or any successor publication, published by the Federal Reserve Board (including any such successor, “H.15(519)”) for such day opposite the caption “Federal Funds (Effective).” If on any relevant day such rate is not yet published in H. 15(519), the rate for such day will be the rate set forth in the daily statistical release designated as the Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S. Government Securities, or any successor publication, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (including any such successor,

 

12


the “Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations”) for such day under the caption “Federal Funds Effective Rate.” If on any relevant day the appropriate rate is not yet published in either H.15(519) or the Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations, the rate for such day will be the arithmetic mean as determined by the Administrative Agent of the rates for the last transaction in overnight Federal funds arranged before 9:00 a.m. (New York time) on that day by each of three leading brokers of Federal funds transactions in New York City selected by the Administrative Agent.

Federal Reserve Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or any entity succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Fee Letter ” has the meaning specified in Section  2.03(a) .

Fees ” has the meaning specified in Section  2.03(a) .

Final Maturity Date ” means the date that (i) is the Scheduled Termination Date or (ii) such earlier date on which the Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section  10.01 .

Final Payout Date ” means the date on or after the Termination Date when (i) the Aggregate Capital and Aggregate Interest have been paid in full, (ii) the LC Participation Amount has been reduced to zero ($0) and no Letters of Credit issued hereunder remain outstanding and undrawn, (iii) all Borrower Obligations shall have been paid in full, (iv) all other amounts owing to the Credit Parties and any other Borrower Indemnified Party or Affected Person hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents have been paid in full and (v) all accrued Servicing Fees have been paid in full.

Financial Officer ” of any Person means, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the chief accounting officer, the principal accounting officer, the controller, the treasurer or the assistant treasurer of such Person.

Fiscal Month ” means each calendar month.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, consistently applied.

Governmental Acts ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.09 .

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Guaranty ” of any Person means any obligation of such Person to guaranty or in effect guaranty any Debt, liability or obligation of any other Person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any such liability arising by virtue of partnership agreements, including any agreement to indemnify or hold harmless any other Person, any performance bond or other suretyship arrangement and any other form of assurance against loss, except endorsement of negotiable or other instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Indemnified Taxes ” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Transaction Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a)  above, Other Taxes.

Independent Director ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.03(c) .

Information Package ” means a report, in substantially the form of Exhibit  G .

Insolvency Proceeding ” means (a) any case, action or proceeding before any court or other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of debtors or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors of a Person, composition, marshaling of assets for creditors of a Person, or other, similar arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors, in each of clauses (a) and (b) undertaken under U.S. Federal, state or foreign law, including the Bankruptcy Code.

Intended Tax Treatment ” has the meaning set forth in Section  14.14 .

Interest ” means, for each Loan for any day during any Interest Period (or portion thereof), the amount of interest accrued on the Capital of such Loan during such Interest Period (or portion thereof) in accordance with Section  2.03(b) .

Interest Period ” means, with respect to each Loan, (a) before the Termination Date: (i) initially, the period commencing on the date such Loan is made pursuant to Section  2.01 (or in the case of any fees payable hereunder, commencing on the Closing Date) and ending on (but not including) the next Monthly Settlement Date and (ii) thereafter, each period commencing on such Monthly Settlement Date and ending on (but not including) the next Monthly Settlement Date and (b) on and after the Termination Date, such period (including a period of one day) as shall be selected from time to time by the Administrative Agent (with the consent or at the direction of the Majority Lenders) or, in the absence of any such selection, each period of 30 days from the last day of the preceding Interest Period.

Interest Rate ” means, for any day in any Interest Period for any Loan (or any portion of Capital thereof), LMIR; provided , however , that the “Interest Rate” for each Loan and any day while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing shall be an interest rate per annum equal the sum of 3.00% per annum plus the greater of (i) LMIR and (ii) the Base Rate in effect on such day; provided, further, that no provision of this Agreement shall require the payment or permit the collection of Interest in excess of the maximum permitted by Applicable Law; provided , further , however , that Interest for any Loan shall not be considered paid by any distribution to the extent that at any time all or a portion of such distribution is rescinded or must otherwise be returned for any reason.

Interim Report ” means a report, in substantially the form of Exhibit  J .

 

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Investment Company Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended or otherwise modified from time to time.

LC Bank ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

LC Collateral Account ” means the account at any time designated as the LC Collateral Account established and maintained by the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the LC Bank and the Lenders), or such other account as may be so designated as such by the Administrative Agent.

LC Fee Expectation ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.05(c) .

LC Participation Amount ” means at any time of determination, the sum of the amounts then available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit.

LC Request ” means a letter in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto executed and delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and the Lenders pursuant to Section  3.02(a) .

LCR Security ” means any commercial paper or security (other than equity securities issued to Consol or any Originator that is a consolidated subsidiary of Consol under generally accepted accounting principles) within the meaning of Paragraph __.32(e)(viii) of the final rules titled Liquidity Coverage Ratio: Liquidity Risk Measurement Standards, 79 Fed. Reg. 197. 61440 et seq. (October 10, 2014).

Lenders ” means PNC and each other Person that becomes a party to this Agreement in the capacity of a “Lender”.

Letter of Credit ” means any stand-by letter of credit issued by the LC Bank at the request of the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

Letter of Credit Application ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.02(a) .

Lien ” means any ownership interest or claim, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien, security interest, hypothecation, charge or other encumbrance or security arrangement of any nature whatsoever, whether voluntarily or involuntarily given, including, but not limited to, any conditional sale or title retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of, security and any filed financing statement or other notice of any of the foregoing (whether or not a lien or other encumbrance is created or exists at the time of the filing).

LMIR ” means for any day during any Interest Period, the interest rate per annum determined by the applicable Lender (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) by dividing (i) the one-month Eurodollar rate for Dollar deposits as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P. and shown on US0001M Screen or any other service or page that may replace such page from time to time for the purpose of displaying offered rates of leading banks for London interbank deposits in Dollars, as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such day, or if such day is not a Business Day, then the immediately preceding Business Day (or if not so reported,

 

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then as determined by the Administrative Agent from another recognized source for interbank quotation), in each case, changing when and as such rate changes, by (ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage on such day. The calculation of LMIR may also be expressed by the following formula:

 

LMIR =

 

One-month Eurodollar rate for Dollars

shown on Bloomberg US0001M Screen

or appropriate successor

 

 

  1.00 - Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage

LMIR shall be adjusted on the effective date of any change in the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage as of such effective date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if LMIR as determined herein would be less than zero (0.00), such rate shall be deemed to be zero percent (0.00%) for purposes of this Agreement.

Loan ” means any loan made by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.02 .

Loan Request ” means a letter in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto executed and delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section  2.02(a) .

Lock-Box ” means each locked postal box with respect to which a Collection Account Bank has executed an Account Control Agreement pursuant to which it has been granted exclusive access for the purpose of retrieving and processing payments made on the Receivables and which is listed on Schedule II (as such schedule may be modified from time to time in connection with the addition or removal of any Lock-Box in accordance with the terms hereof).

Majority Lenders ” means one or more Lenders representing more than 50% of the aggregate Commitments of all Lenders (or, if the Commitments have been terminated, have Lenders representing more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Capital held by all the Lenders); provided , however , that in no event shall the Majority Lenders include fewer than two (2) Lenders at any time when there are two (2) or more Lenders.

Material Adverse Effect ” means relative to any Person (provided that if no particular Person is specified, “Material Adverse Effect” shall be deemed to be relative to the Borrower, the Servicer, the Originators and the Sub-Originator, individually and in the aggregate) with respect to any event or circumstance, a material adverse effect on any of the following:

(a) the assets, operations, business or financial condition of such Person;

(b) the ability of such Person to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party;

(c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which such Person is a party, or the validity, enforceability, value or collectibility of any material portion of the Pool Receivables;

 

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(d) the status, perfection, enforceability or priority of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral; or

(e) the rights and remedies of any Credit Party under the Transaction Documents or associated with its respective interest in the Collateral.

Mined Properties ” has the meaning set forth in the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

MINER Receivable ” means a Receivable that arises out of a contractual obligation to reimburse an Originator’s estimated cost incurred in connection with the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act) or any related or similar legislation or regulation.

Minimum Usage Threshold ” means, on any day, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the product of (i) 75.0% times (ii) the Facility Limit at such time and (b) the Borrowing Base at such time.

Monthly Settlement Date ” means the 25 th day of each calendar month (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next occurring Business Day).

Multiemployer Plan ” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has within any of the preceding five plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions.

Net Receivables Pool Balance ” means, at any time of determination, (a) the aggregate Outstanding Balance of Eligible Receivables then in the Receivables Pool, minus (b) the Excess Concentration.

No Petition Letter ” means (a) the letter agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Administrative Agent, the Credit Agreement Collateral Agent, the Servicer, the Parent and the Borrower and (b) the letter agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Administrative Agent, the Second Lien Collateral Trustee, the Servicer, the Parent and the Borrower.

Notice Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.02(b) .

Obligor ” means, with respect to any Receivable, the Person obligated to make payments pursuant to the Contract relating to such Receivable.

OFAC ” means the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Order ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.10 .

Originator ” and “ Originators ” have the meaning set forth in the Purchase and Sale Agreement, as the same may be modified from time to time by adding new Originators or removing Originators in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

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Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Credit Party, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Credit Party and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Credit Party having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Transaction Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Transaction Document).

Other Taxes ” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other Taxes arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, filing, recording or enforcement of, or otherwise in respect of, this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment pursuant to Section  14.03(a) .

Outstanding Balance ” means, at any time of determination, with respect to any Receivable, the then outstanding principal balance thereof.

Parent ” means CONSOL Energy Inc. (f/k/a CONSOL Mining Corporation), a Delaware corporation.

Parent Group ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.03(c) .

Participant ” has the meaning set forth in Section  14.03(d) .

Participant Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section  14.03(e) .

Participation Advance ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.04(b) .

PATRIOT Act ” has the meaning set forth in Section  14.15 .

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any successor thereto.

Pension Funding Rules ” shall mean the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans set forth in Sections 412 and 430 of the Code and Sections 302 and 303 of ERISA.

Pension Plan ” shall mean any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or the Section 412 of the Code, which is sponsored or maintained by Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or to which Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has any liability.

Percentage ” means, at any time of determination, with respect to any Lender, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), (a) the numerator of which is (i) prior to the termination of all Commitments hereunder, its Commitment at such time or (ii) if all Commitments hereunder have been terminated, the sum of (x) aggregate outstanding Capital of all Loans being funded by such Lender at such time, plus (y) such Lender’s Pro Rata LC Share of the LC Participation Amount at such time and (b) the denominator of which is (i) prior to the termination of all Commitments hereunder, the aggregate Commitments of all Lenders at such time or (ii) if all Commitments hereunder have been terminated, the sum of (x) aggregate outstanding Capital of all Loans at such time, plus (y) the LC Participation Amount at such time.

 

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Performance Guarantor ” means the Parent.

Performance Guaranty ” means the Performance Guaranty, dated as of the Closing Date, by the Performance Guarantor in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Permitted Lien ” means (i) any Lien in favor of, or assigned to, the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) and (ii) any bankers’ liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash on deposit in a Collection Account to the extent such Liens are not terminated pursuant to an Account Control Agreement; provided , however , that no Lien that could (individually or in the aggregate) reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect shall constitute a Permitted Lien.

Person ” means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.

PNC ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Pool Receivable ” means a Receivable in the Receivables Pool.

Portion of Capital ” means, with respect to any Lender and its related Capital, the portion of such Capital being funded or maintained by such Lender by reference to a particular interest rate basis.

Pro Rata LC Share ” shall mean, as to any Lender, a fraction, the numerator of which equals the Commitment of such Lender at such time and the denominator of which equals the aggregate of the Commitments of all Lenders at such time. For purposes of this definition, no Commitment shall be deemed to have been reduced or terminated solely due to the occurrence of the Termination Date.

Purchase and Sale Agreement ” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Servicer, the Originators and the Borrower, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Purchase and Sale Termination Event ” means a “Purchase and Sale Termination Event” under any Sale Agreement.

Purchase and Sale Termination Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

Receivable ” means any right to payment of a monetary obligation, whether or not earned by performance, owed to any Originator, the Sub-Originator or the Borrower (as assignee of an Originator or the Sub-Originator), whether constituting an account, as-extracted collateral,

 

19


chattel paper, payment intangible, instrument or general intangible, in each instance arising in connection with the sale of goods that have been or are to be sold or for services rendered or to be rendered, and includes, without limitation, the obligation to pay any finance charges, fees and other charges with respect thereto. Any such right to payment arising from any one transaction, including, without limitation, any such right to payment represented by an individual invoice or agreement, shall constitute a Receivable separate from a Receivable consisting of any such right to payment arising from any other transaction.

Receivables Pool ” means, at any time of determination, all of the then outstanding Receivables transferred (or purported to be transferred) to the Borrower pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement prior to the Termination Date.

Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section  14.03(b) .

Reimbursement Obligation ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.04(a) .

Related Rights ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.1 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

Related Security ” means, with respect to any Receivable:

(a) all of the Borrower’s, the Sub-Originator’s and each Originator’s interest in any goods (including returned goods), and documents of title evidencing the shipment or storage of any goods (including returned goods), the sale of which gave rise to such Receivable;

(b) all instruments and chattel paper that may evidence such Receivable;

(c) all other security interests or liens and property subject thereto from time to time purporting to secure payment of such Receivable, whether pursuant to the Contract related to such Receivable or otherwise, together with all UCC financing statements or similar filings relating thereto;

(d) all of the Borrower’s, the Sub-Originator’s and each Originator’s rights, interests and claims under the related Contracts and all guaranties, indemnities, insurance and other agreements (including the related Contract) or arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of such Receivable or otherwise relating to such Receivable, whether pursuant to the Contract related to such Receivable or otherwise; and

(e) all of the Borrower’s and Consol’s rights, interests and claims under the Sale Agreements and the other Transaction Documents.

Release ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.01(a) .

Reportable Compliance Event ” means that any Covered Entity becomes a Sanctioned Person, or is charged by indictment, criminal complaint or similar charging instrument, arraigned, or custodially detained in connection with any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law or any predicate crime to any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law, or has knowledge of facts or circumstances to the effect that it is reasonably likely that any aspect of its operations is in actual or probable violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law.

 

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Reportable Event ” means any reportable event as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Pension Plan, other than events for which the thirty (30) day notice period has been waived.

Representatives ” has the meaning set forth in Section  14.06(c) .

Restricted Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Parent designated as a “Restricted Subsidiary” from time to time under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

Restricted Payments ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.01(r) .

Revolving Credit Agreement ” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of November 28, 2017, by and among Parent, as borrower, each of the guarantors thereunder, the lenders thereunder, PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent for the revolving lenders and Term A Lenders (as defined therein), Citibank, N.A. as administrative agent for the Term B Lenders (as defined therein), and PNC Bank, National Association, as collateral agent.

Sale Agreements ” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement and the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement.

Sanctioned Country ” means a country or territory that is the subject of a comprehensive sanctions program maintained under any Sanctions Laws, including any such country identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx, or as otherwise published from time to time.

Sanctions Law ” means any laws or regulations pertaining to international trade and financing, imports, exports, reexports, embargos or any other provision or receipt of goods and services, including without limitation, the various sanctions programs administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State.

Sanctioned Person ” (i) A Person named on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” maintained by OFAC available at: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/SDN List/Pages/default.aspx, or as otherwise published from time to time, (ii) (ii) any Person located, operating, organized, or resident in a Sanctioned Country, (iii) any Person 50 percent or more owned or otherwise controlled by the foregoing, or (iv) any Person listed or otherwise recognized as a specially designated, prohibited, sanctioned or debarred person, group, regime, entity or thing, or subject to any limitations or prohibitions (including but not limited to the blocking of property or rejection of transactions), under any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law.

Scheduled Termination Date ” means May 30, 2018.

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental agencies substituted therefor.

 

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Second Lien Collateral Trustee ” means UMB Bank, N.A., in its capacity as collateral agent for the holders of second lien notes issued on November 13, 2017, by the Parent.

Secured Parties ” means each Credit Party, each Borrower Indemnified Party and each Affected Person.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or otherwise modified from time to time.

Servicer ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Servicer Indemnified Amounts ” has the meaning set forth in Section  13.02(a) .

Servicer Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  13.02(a) .

Servicing Fee ” means the fee referred to in Section  9.06(a) of this Agreement.

Servicing Fee Rate ” means the rate referred to in Section  9.06(a) of this Agreement.

Settlement Date ” means with respect to any Portion of Capital for any Interest Period or any Interest or Fees, (i) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Termination Date has not occurred, the Monthly Settlement Date and (ii) on and after the Termination Date or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, each day selected from time to time by the Administrative Agent (with the consent or at the direction of the Majority Lenders) (it being understood that the Administrative Agent (with the consent or at the direction of the Majority Lenders) may select such Settlement Date to occur as frequently as daily), or, in the absence of such selection, the Monthly Settlement Date.

Solvent ” means, with respect to any Person and as of any particular date, (i) the present fair market value (or present fair saleable value) of the assets of such Person is not less than the total amount required to pay the probable liabilities of such Person on its total existing debts and liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they become absolute and matured, (ii) such Person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and commitments as they mature and become due in the normal course of business, (iii) such Person is not incurring debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature and (iv) such Person is not engaged in any business or transaction, and is not about to engage in any business or transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged.

Structuring Agent ” means PNC Capital Markets LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company.

Sub-Originator ” means CNX Thermal Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

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Sub-Originator Sale Agreement ” means the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, between Consol and the Sub-Originator, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Subordinated Note ” has the meaning set forth in the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

Sub-Servicer ” has the meaning set forth in Section  9.01(d) .

Subsidiary ” means, as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock of each class or other interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or other interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the Board of Directors or other managers of such entity are at the time owned, or management of which is otherwise controlled: (a) by such Person, (b) by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (c) by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

Taxes ” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority and all interest, penalties, additions to tax with respect thereto.

Termination Date ” means the earliest to occur of (a) the Scheduled Termination Date, (b) the date on which the “Termination Date” is declared or deemed to have occurred under Section  10.01 , (c) the occurrence of a Purchase and Sale Termination Event, (d) the Purchase and Sale Termination Date and (e) the date selected by the Borrower on which all Commitments have been reduced to zero pursuant to Section  2.02(e) .

Threshold Amount ” means (a) with respect to the Borrower, $17,775, and (b) with respect any other Person, $35,000,000.

Transaction Documents ” means this Agreement, each Sale Agreement, the Account Control Agreements, the Fee Letter, each Subordinated Note, the Performance Guaranty and all other certificates, instruments, UCC financing statements, reports, notices, agreements and documents executed or delivered under or in connection with this Agreement, in each case as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the applicable jurisdiction.

Unbilled Receivable ” means, at any time, any Receivable as to which the invoice or bill with respect thereto has not yet been sent to the Obligor thereof.

Unmatured Event of Default ” means an event that but for notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

U.S. Obligor ” means an Obligor that is a corporation or other business organization and is organized under the laws of the United States of America (or of a United States of America territory, district, state, commonwealth, or possession, including, without limitation, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) or any political subdivision thereof.

 

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U.S. Person ” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.03(f)(ii)(B)(3) .

Volcker Rule ” means Section 13 of the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder.

Voting Stock ” of a Person shall mean all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

Withholding Agent ” means the Borrower, the Servicer and the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 1.02. Other Interpretative Matters . All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP. All terms used in Article 9 of the UCC in the State of New York and not specifically defined herein, are used herein as defined in such Article 9. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, all references herein to “Article,” “Section,” “Schedule”, “Exhibit” or “Annex” shall mean articles and sections of, and schedules, exhibits and annexes to, this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and all such certificates and other documents, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) references to any amount as on deposit or outstanding on any particular date means such amount at the close of business on such day; (b) the words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to such agreement (or the certificate or other document in which they are used) as a whole and not to any particular provision of such agreement (or such certificate or document); (c) references to any Section, Schedule or Exhibit are references to Sections, Schedules and Exhibits in or to such agreement (or the certificate or other document in which the reference is made), and references to any paragraph, subsection, clause or other subdivision within any Section or definition refer to such paragraph, subsection, clause or other subdivision of such Section or definition; (d) the term “including” means “including without limitation”; (e) references to any Applicable Law refer to that Applicable Law as amended from time to time and include any successor Applicable Law; (f) references to any agreement refer to that agreement as from time to time amended, restated or supplemented or as the terms of such agreement are waived or modified in accordance with its terms; (g) references to any Person include that Person’s permitted successors and assigns; (h) headings are for purposes of reference only and shall not otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision hereof; (i) unless otherwise provided, in the calculation of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the term “from” means “from and including”, and the terms “to” and “until” each means “to but excluding”; (j) terms in one gender include the parallel terms in the neuter and opposite gender; (k) references to any amount as on deposit or outstanding on any particular date means such amount at the close of business on such day and (l) the term “or” is not exclusive.

 

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ARTICLE II

TERMS OF THE LOANS

SECTION 2.01. Loan Facility . Upon a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section  2.02 , and on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, each Lender, severally and not jointly, agrees to make Loans to the Borrower on a revolving basis, ratably in accordance with its Commitment, from time to time during the period from the Closing Date to the Termination Date. Under no circumstances shall any Lender be obligated to make any such Loan if, after giving effect to such Loan:

(i) the Aggregate Capital plus the LC Participation Amount would exceed the Facility Limit at such time;

(ii) the sum of (A) the Capital of such Lender, plus (B) such Lender’s Pro Rata LC Share of the LC Participation Amount, would exceed the Commitment of such Lender at such time; or

(iii) the Aggregate Capital plus the Adjusted LC Participation Amount would exceed the Borrowing Base at such time.

SECTION 2.02. Making Loans; Repayment of Loans . (a) Each Loan hereunder shall be made on at least one (1) Business Day’s prior written request from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and each Lender in the form of a Loan Request attached hereto as Exhibit  A . Each such request for a Loan shall be made no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on a Business Day ( it being understood that any such request made after such time shall be deemed to have been made on the following Business Day) and shall specify (i) the amount of the Loan(s) requested (which shall not be less than $100,000 and shall be an integral multiple of $100,000), (ii) the allocation of such amount among the Lenders (which shall be ratable based on the Commitments), (iii) the account to which the proceeds of such Loan shall be distributed and (iv) the date such requested Loan is to be made (which shall be a Business Day).

(b) On the date of each Loan specified in the applicable Loan Request, the Lenders shall, upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Article VI and pursuant to the other conditions set forth in this Article II , make available to the Borrower in same day funds an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such Loans requested, at the account set forth in the related Loan Request.

(c) Each Lender’s obligation shall be several, such that the failure of any Lender to make available to the Borrower any funds in connection with any Loan shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make funds available on the date such Loans are requested ( it being understood , that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make funds available to the Borrower in connection with any Loan hereunder).

 

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(d) The Borrower shall repay in full the outstanding Capital of each Lender on the Final Maturity Date. Prior thereto, the Borrower shall, on each Settlement Date, make a prepayment of the outstanding Capital of the Lenders to the extent required under Section  4.01 and otherwise in accordance therewith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower, in its discretion, shall have the right to make a prepayment, in whole or in part, of the outstanding Capital of the Lenders on any Business Day upon one (1) Business Day’s prior written notice submitted on or before 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) to the Administrative Agent and each Lender; provided , however , that (i) each such prepayment shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $100,000 and shall be an integral multiple of $100,000, (ii) no such reduction shall reduce the Aggregate Capital plus the LC Participation Amount to an amount less than the Minimum Usage Threshold; provided, however that notwithstanding the foregoing, a prepayment may be in an amount necessary to reduce any Borrowing Base Deficit existing at such time to zero, and (iii) any accrued Interest and Fees in respect of such prepaid Capital shall be paid on the immediately following Settlement Date.

(e) The Borrower may, at any time upon at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, terminate the Facility Limit in whole or ratably reduce the Facility Limit in part. Each partial reduction in the Facility Limit shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and no such partial reduction shall reduce the Facility Limit to an amount less than $50,000,000. In connection with any partial reduction in the Facility Limit, the Commitment of each Lender shall be ratably reduced.

(f) In connection with any reduction of the Commitments, the Borrower shall remit to the Administrative Agent (i) instructions regarding such reduction and (ii) for payment to the Lenders, cash in an amount sufficient to pay (A) Capital of each Lender in excess of its Commitment and (B) all other outstanding Borrower Obligations with respect to such reduction (determined based on the ratio of the reduction of the Commitments being effected to the amount of the Commitments prior to such reduction or, if the Administrative Agent reasonably determines that any portion of the outstanding Borrower Obligations is allocable solely to that portion of the Commitments being reduced or has arisen solely as a result of such reduction, all of such portion). Upon receipt of any such amounts, the Administrative Agent shall apply such amounts first to the reduction of the outstanding Capital, and second to the payment of the remaining outstanding Borrower Obligations with respect to such reduction by paying such amounts to the Lenders.

SECTION 2.03. Interest and Fees .

(a) On each Settlement Date, the Borrower shall, in accordance with the terms and priorities for payment set forth in Section  4.01 , pay to each Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Structuring Agent certain fees (collectively, the “ Fees ”) in the amounts set forth in the fee letter agreements from time to time entered into, among the Borrower, Lenders, the LC Bank and/or the Administrative Agent (each such fee letter agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, collectively being referred to herein as the “ Fee Letter ”).

(b) The Capital of each Lender shall accrue interest on each day when such Capital remains outstanding at the then applicable Interest Rate for such Loan. The Borrower shall pay all Interest and Fees accrued during each Interest Period on the immediately following Settlement Date in accordance with the terms and priorities for payment set forth in Section  4.01 .

 

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SECTION 2.04. Records of Loans and Participation Advances . Each Lender shall record in its records, the date and amount of each Loan and Participation Advance made by such Lender hereunder, the interest rate with respect thereto, the Interest accrued thereon and each repayment and payment thereof. Subject to Section  14.03(b) , such records shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error. The failure to so record any such information or any error in so recording any such information shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents to repay the Capital of each Lender, together with all Interest accruing thereon and all other Borrower Obligations.

ARTICLE III

LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY

SECTION 3.01. Letters of Credit .

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and the satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Article VI , the LC Bank shall issue or cause the issuance of Letters of Credit on behalf of the Borrower (and, if applicable, on behalf of, or for the account of, an Originator or the Sub-Originator or an Affiliate of such Originator or the Sub-Originator in favor of such beneficiaries as such Originator or the Sub-Originator or an Affiliate of such Originator or the Sub-Originator may elect with the consent of the Borrower); provided , however , that the LC Bank will not be required to issue or cause to be issued any Letters of Credit to the extent that after giving effect thereto:

(i) the Aggregate Capital plus the LC Participation Amount would exceed the Facility Limit at such time;

(ii) the Aggregate Capital plus the Adjusted LC Participation Amount would exceed the Borrowing Base at such time; or

(iii) the LC Participation Amount would exceed the aggregate of the Commitments of the Lenders at such time.

(b) Interest shall accrue on all amounts drawn under Letters of Credit for each day on and after the applicable Drawing Date so long as such drawn amounts shall have not been reimbursed to the LC Bank pursuant to the terms hereof.

SECTION 3.02. Issuance of Letters of Credit; Participations .

(a) The Borrower may request the LC Bank, upon one (1) Business Day’s prior written notice submitted on or before 1:00 p.m. (New York City time), to issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the LC Bank, the LC Bank’s form of Letter of Credit Application (the “ Letter of Credit Application ”), substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto and an LC Request, in each case completed to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent and the LC Bank; and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as the Administrative Agent or the LC Bank may reasonably request.

 

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(b) Each Letter of Credit shall, among other things, (i) provide for the payment of sight drafts or other written demands for payment when presented for honor thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof and when accompanied by the documents described therein and (ii) have an expiry date not later than twelve (12) months after such Letter of Credit’s date of issuance, extension or renewal, as the case may be, and in no event later than twelve (12) months after the Scheduled Termination Date. The terms of each Letter of Credit may include customary “evergreen” provisions providing that such Letter of Credit’s expiry date shall automatically be extended for additional periods not to exceed twelve (12) months unless, not less than thirty (30) days (or such longer period as may be specified in such Letter of Credit) (the “ Notice Date ”) prior to the applicable expiry date, the LC Bank delivers written notice to the beneficiary thereof declining such extension; provided , however , that if (x) any such extension would cause the expiry date of such Letter of Credit to occur after the date that is twelve (12) months after the Scheduled Termination Date or (y) the LC Bank reasonably determines that any condition precedent (including, without limitation, those set forth in Sections 3.01 and Article VI ) to issuing such Letter of Credit hereunder is not satisfied (other than any such condition requiring the Borrower to submit an LC Request or Letter of Credit Application in respect thereof), then the LC Bank, in the case of clause (x)  above, may (or, at the written direction of any Lender, shall) or, in the case of clause (y)  above, shall, use reasonable efforts in accordance with (and to the extent permitted by) the terms of such Letter of Credit to prevent the extension of such expiry date (including notifying the Borrower and the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit in writing prior to the Notice Date that such expiry date will not be so extended). Each Letter of Credit shall be subject either to the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600, and any amendments or revisions thereof adhered to by the LC Bank or the International Standby Practices (ISP98-International Chamber of Commerce Publication Number 590), and any amendments or revisions thereof adhered to by the LC Bank, as determined by the LC Bank.

(c) Immediately upon the issuance by the LC Bank of any Letter of Credit (or any amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof), the LC Bank shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each Lender, and each Lender shall be deemed irrevocably and unconditionally to have purchased and received from the LC Bank, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation, to the extent of such Lender’s Pro Rata LC Share, in such Letter of Credit, each drawing made thereunder and the obligations of the Borrower hereunder with respect thereto, and any security therefor or guaranty pertaining thereto. Upon any change in the Commitments or Pro Rata LC Shares of the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, it is hereby agreed that, with respect to all outstanding Letters of Credit and unreimbursed drawings thereunder, there shall be an automatic adjustment to the participations pursuant to this clause (c)  to reflect the new Pro Rata LC Shares of the assignor and assignee Lender or of all Lenders with Commitments, as the case may be. In the event that the LC Bank makes any payment under any Letter of Credit and the Borrower shall not have reimbursed such amount in full to the LC Bank pursuant to Section  3.04(a) , each Lender shall be obligated to make Participation Advances with respect to such Letter of Credit in accordance with Section  3.04(b) .

SECTION 3.03. Requirements For Issuance of Letters of Credit . The Borrower shall authorize and direct the LC Bank to name the Borrower, an Originator, the Sub-Originator or an Affiliate of an Originator or the Sub-Originator as the “Applicant” or “Account Party” of each Letter of Credit.

 

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SECTION 3.04. Disbursements, Reimbursement .

(a) In the event of any request for a drawing under a Letter of Credit by the beneficiary or transferee thereof, the LC Bank will promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower of such request. The Borrower shall reimburse (such obligation to reimburse the LC Bank shall sometimes be referred to as a “ Reimbursement Obligation ”) the LC Bank prior to noon (New York City time), on the next Business Day following each date that an amount is paid by the LC Bank under any Letter of Credit (each such date, a “ Drawing Date ”) in an amount equal to the amount so paid by the LC Bank. Such Reimbursement Obligation shall be satisfied by the Borrower (i) first, by the remittance by the Administrative Agent to the LC Bank of any available amounts then on deposit in the LC Collateral Account and (ii) second, by the remittance by or on behalf of the Borrower to the LC Bank of any other funds of the Borrower then available for disbursement. In the event the Borrower fails to reimburse the LC Bank for the full amount of any drawing under any Letter of Credit by noon (New York City time) on the next Business Day following the Drawing Date (including because the conditions precedent to a Loan requested by the Borrower pursuant to Section  2.01 shall not have been satisfied), the LC Bank will promptly notify each Lender thereof. Any notice given by the LC Bank pursuant to this Section may be oral if promptly confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such a prompt written confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such oral notice.

(b) Each Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to clause (a)  above make available to the LC Bank an amount in immediately available funds equal to its Pro Rata LC Share of the amount of the drawing (a “ Participation Advance ”), whereupon the Lenders shall each be deemed to have made a Loan to the Borrower in that amount. If any Lender so notified fails to make available to the LC Bank the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata LC Share of such amount by 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Drawing Date, then interest shall accrue on such Lender’s obligation to make such payment, from the Drawing Date to the date on which such Lender makes such payment (i) at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate during the first three days following the Drawing Date and (ii) at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate on and after the fourth day following the Drawing Date. The LC Bank will promptly give notice to each Lender of the occurrence of the Drawing Date, but failure of the LC Bank to give any such notice on the Drawing Date or in sufficient time to enable any Lender to effect such payment on such date shall not relieve such Lender from its obligation under this clause (b) . Each Lender’s obligation to make Participation Advances shall continue until the last to occur of any of the following events: (A) the LC Bank ceases to be obligated to issue or cause to be issued Letters of Credit hereunder, (B) no Letter of Credit issued hereunder remains outstanding and uncancelled or (C) all Credit Parties have been fully reimbursed for all payments made under or relating to Letters of Credit.

SECTION 3.05. Repayment of Participation Advances .

(a) Upon (and only upon) receipt by the LC Bank for its account of immediately available funds from or for the account of the Borrower (i) in reimbursement of any payment made by the LC Bank under a Letter of Credit with respect to which any Lender has made a Participation Advance to the LC Bank or (ii) in payment of Interest on the Loans made or deemed to have been made in connection with any such draw, the LC Bank will pay to each

 

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Lender, ratably (based on the outstanding drawn amounts funded by each such Lender in respect of such Letter of Credit), in the same funds as those received by the LC Bank; it being understood , that the LC Bank shall retain a ratable amount of such funds that were not the subject of any payment in respect of such Letter of Credit by any Lender.

(b) If the LC Bank is required at any time to return to the Borrower, or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian, or any official in any Insolvency Proceeding, any portion of the payments made by the Borrower to the LC Bank pursuant to this Agreement in reimbursement of a payment made under a Letter of Credit or interest or fee thereon, each Lender shall, on demand of the LC Bank, forthwith return to the LC Bank the amount of its Pro Rata LC Share of any amounts so returned by the LC Bank plus interest at the Federal Funds Rate, from the date the payment was first made to such Lender through, but not including, the date the payment is returned by such Lender.

(c) If any Letters of Credit are outstanding and undrawn on the Termination Date, the LC Collateral Account shall be funded from Collections (or, in the Borrower’s sole discretion, by other funds available to the Borrower) in an amount equal to the aggregate undrawn face amount of such Letters of Credit plus all related fees to accrue through the stated expiration dates thereof (such fees to accrue, as reasonably estimated by the LC Bank, the “ LC Fee Expectation ”).

SECTION 3.06. Documentation; Documentary and Processing Charges . The Borrower agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Credit Application and by the LC Bank’s interpretations of any Letter of Credit issued for the Borrower and by the LC Bank’s written regulations and customary practices relating to letters of credit, though the LC Bank’s interpretation of such regulations and practices may be different from the Borrower’s own. In the event of a conflict between the Letter of Credit Application and this Agreement, this Agreement shall govern. The LC Bank shall not be liable for any error, negligence and/or mistakes, whether of omission or commission, in following the Borrower’s instructions or those contained in the Letters of Credit or any modifications, amendments or supplements thereto. In addition to any other fees or expenses owing under the Fee Letter or any other Transaction Document or otherwise pursuant to any Letter of Credit Application, the Borrower shall pay to the LC Bank for its own account any customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the LC Bank relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees shall be due and payable upon demand and shall be nonrefundable.

SECTION 3.07. Determination to Honor Drawing Request . In determining whether to honor any request for drawing under any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof, the LC Bank shall be responsible only to determine that the documents and certificates required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit have been delivered and that they comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit and that any other drawing condition appearing on the face of such Letter of Credit has been satisfied in the manner so set forth.

 

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SECTION 3.08. Nature of Participation and Reimbursement Obligations . Each Lender’s obligation in accordance with this Agreement to make Participation Advances as a result of a drawing under a Letter of Credit, and the obligations of the Borrower to reimburse the LC Bank upon a draw under a Letter of Credit, shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and under all circumstances, including the following circumstances:

(i) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the LC Bank, the other Credit Parties, the Borrower, the Servicer, an Originator, the Sub-Originator, the Performance Guarantor or any other Person for any reason whatsoever;

(ii) the failure of the Borrower or any other Person to comply with the conditions set forth in this Agreement for the making of a purchase, reinvestments, requests for Letters of Credit or otherwise, it being acknowledged that such conditions are not required for the making of Participation Advances hereunder;

(iii) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Borrower, the Performance Guarantor, the Servicer, an Originator, the Sub-Originator or any Affiliate thereof on behalf of which a Letter of Credit has been issued may have against the LC Bank, or any other Credit Party or any other Person for any reason whatsoever;

(iv) any claim of breach of warranty that might be made by the Borrower, an Originator or any Affiliate thereof, the LC Bank, or any Lender against the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit, or the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which the Borrower, the Servicer, the LC Bank or any Lender may have at any time against a beneficiary, any successor beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit or the proceeds thereof (or any Persons for whom any such transferee may be acting), the LC Bank, any other Credit Party or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transaction (including any underlying transaction between the Borrower or any Affiliates of the Borrower and the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit was procured);

(v) the lack of power or authority of any signer of, or lack of validity, sufficiency, accuracy, enforceability or genuineness of, any draft, demand, instrument, certificate or other document presented under any Letter of Credit, or any such draft, demand, instrument, certificate or other document proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid, defective or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, even if the Administrative Agent or the LC Bank has been notified thereof;

(vi) payment by the LC Bank under any Letter of Credit against presentation of a demand, draft or certificate or other document which does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

(vii) the solvency of, or any acts or omissions by, any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit, or any other Person having a role in any transaction or obligation relating to a Letter of Credit, or the existence, nature, quality, quantity, condition, value or other characteristic of any property or services relating to a Letter of Credit;

 

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(viii) any failure by the LC Bank or any of the LC Bank’s Affiliates to issue any Letter of Credit in the form requested by the Borrower;

(ix) any Material Adverse Effect;

(x) any breach of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document by any party thereto;

(xi) the occurrence or continuance of an Insolvency Proceeding with respect to the Borrower, the Performance Guarantor, any Originator, the Sub-Originator or any Affiliate thereof;

(xii) the fact that an Event of Default or an Unmatured Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(xiii) the fact that this Agreement or the obligations of the Borrower or the Servicer hereunder shall have been terminated; and

(xiv) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

SECTION 3.09. Indemnity . In addition to other amounts payable hereunder, the Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save harmless the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank, each Lender, each other Credit Party and each of the LC Bank’s Affiliates that have issued a Letter of Credit from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, taxes, penalties, interest, judgments, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including Attorney Costs) which the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank, any Lender, any other Credit Party or any of their respective Affiliates may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of the issuance of any Letter of Credit, except to the extent resulting from (a) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (b) the wrongful dishonor by the LC Bank of a proper demand for payment made under any Letter of Credit, except if such dishonor resulted from any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto Governmental Authority (all such acts or omissions herein called “ Governmental Acts ”). This Section 3.09 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

SECTION 3.10. Liability for Acts and Omissions . As between the Borrower, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank, the Lenders, and the other Credit Parties, on the other, the Borrower assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of any Letter of Credit by, the respective beneficiaries of such Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, none of the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank, the Lenders, or any other Credit Party shall be responsible for: (i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for an issuance of any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged (even if the LC Bank, any Lender or any other Credit Party shall have been notified thereof); (ii) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any

 

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such Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) the failure of the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit, or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred, to comply fully with any conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit or any other claim of the Borrower against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, or any such transferee, or any dispute between or among the Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any such transferee; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, electronic mail, cable, telegraph, telex, facsimile or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any such Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank, the Lenders, and the other Credit Parties, including any Governmental Acts, and none of the above shall affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of the LC Bank’s rights or powers hereunder. In no event shall the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank, the Lenders, or the other Credit Parties or their respective Affiliates, be liable to the Borrower or any other Person for any indirect, consequential, incidental, punitive, exemplary or special damages or expenses (including without limitation Attorney Costs), or for any damages resulting from any change in the value of any property relating to a Letter of Credit.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank, the Lenders, and the other Credit Parties and each of their respective Affiliates (i) may rely on any written communication believed in good faith by such Person to have been authorized or given by or on behalf of the applicant for a Letter of Credit; (ii) may honor any presentation if the documents presented appear on their face to comply with the terms and conditions of the relevant Letter of Credit; (iii) may honor a previously dishonored presentation under a Letter of Credit, whether such dishonor was pursuant to a court order, to settle or compromise any claim of wrongful dishonor, or otherwise, and shall be entitled to reimbursement to the same extent as if such presentation had initially been honored, together with any interest paid by the LC Bank or its Affiliates; (iv) may honor any drawing that is payable upon presentation of a statement advising negotiation or payment, upon receipt of such statement (even if such statement indicates that a draft or other document is being delivered separately), and shall not be liable for any failure of any such draft or other document to arrive, or to conform in any way with the relevant Letter of Credit; (v) may pay any paying or negotiating bank claiming that it rightfully honored under the laws or practices of the place where such bank is located; and (vi) may settle or adjust any claim or demand made on the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank, the Lenders, or the other Credit Parties or their respective Affiliates, in any way related to any order issued at the applicant’s request to an air carrier, a letter of guarantee or of indemnity issued to a carrier or any similar document (each an “ Order ”) and may honor any drawing in connection with any Letter of Credit that is the subject of such Order, notwithstanding that any drafts or other documents presented in connection with such Letter of Credit fail to conform in any way with such Letter of Credit.

In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific provisions set forth above, any action taken or omitted by the LC Bank under or in connection with any Letter of Credit issued by it or any documents and certificates delivered thereunder, if taken or omitted in good faith and without gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, shall not put the LC Bank under any resulting liability to the Borrower, any Credit Party or any other Person.

 

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ARTICLE IV

SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES AND PAYMENT PROVISIONS

SECTION 4.01. Settlement Procedures .

(a) The Servicer shall set aside and hold in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties (or, if so requested by the Administrative Agent, segregate in a separate account designated by the Administrative Agent), which shall be an account maintained and controlled by the Administrative Agent unless the Administrative Agent otherwise instructs in its sole discretion), for application in accordance with the priority of payments set forth below, all Collections on Pool Receivables that are actually received by the Servicer or the Borrower or received in any Lock-Box or Collection Account; provided , however , that so long as each of the conditions precedent set forth in Section  6.03 are satisfied on such date, the Servicer may release to the Borrower from such Collections the amount (if any) necessary to pay (i) the purchase price for Receivables purchased by the Borrower on such date in accordance with the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement or (ii) amounts owing by the Borrower to the Originators under the Subordinated Notes (each such release, a “ Release ”). On each Settlement Date, the Servicer (or, following its assumption of control of the Collection Accounts, the Administrative Agent) shall, distribute such Collections in the following order of priority:

(i) first , to the Servicer for the payment of the accrued Servicing Fees payable for the immediately preceding Interest Period (plus, if applicable, the amount of Servicing Fees payable for any prior Interest Period to the extent such amount has not been distributed to the Servicer);

(ii) second , to each Lender and other Credit Party (ratably, based on the amount then due and owing), all accrued and unpaid Interest and Fees due to such Lender and other Credit Party for the immediately preceding Interest Period (including any additional amounts or indemnified amounts payable under Sections 5.03 and 13.01 in respect of such payments), plus, if applicable, the amount of any such Interest and Fees (including any additional amounts or indemnified amounts payable under Sections 5.03 and 13.01 in respect of such payments) payable for any prior Interest Period to the extent such amount has not been distributed to such Lender or Credit Party;

(iii) third , as set forth in clause (x) , (y) or (z)  below, as applicable:

(x) prior to the occurrence of the Termination Date, to the extent that a Borrowing Base Deficit exists on such date: (I)  first , to the Lenders (ratably, based on the aggregate outstanding Capital of each Lender at such time) for the payment of a portion of the outstanding Aggregate Capital at such time, in an aggregate amount equal to the amount necessary to reduce the Borrowing Base Deficit to zero ($0) and

 

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(II) second , to the LC Collateral Account, in reduction of the Adjusted LC Participation Amount, in an amount equal to the amount necessary (after giving effect to clause (I)  above) to reduce the Borrowing Base Deficit to zero ($0);

(y) on and after the occurrence of the Termination Date: (I)  first , to each Lender (ratably, based on the aggregate outstanding Capital of each Lender at such time) for the payment in full of the aggregate outstanding Capital of such Lender at such time and (II)  second , to the LC Collateral Account (A) the amount necessary to reduce the Adjusted LC Participation Amount to zero ($0) and (B) an amount equal to the LC Fee Expectation at such time; or

(z) prior to the occurrence of the Termination Date, at the election of the Borrower and in accordance with Section  2.02(d) , to the payment of all or any portion of the outstanding Capital of the Lenders at such time (ratably, based on the aggregate outstanding Capital of each Lender at such time);

(iv) fourth , [ reserved] ;

(v) fifth , to the Credit Parties, the Affected Persons and the Borrower Indemnified Parties (ratably, based on the amount due and owing at such time), for the payment of all other Borrower Obligations then due and owing by the Borrower to the Credit Parties, the Affected Persons and the Borrower Indemnified Parties; and

(vi) sixth , the balance, if any, to be paid to the Borrower for its own account.

(b) All payments or distributions to be made by the Servicer, the Borrower and any other Person to the Lenders (or their respective related Affected Persons and the Borrower Indemnified Parties) and the LC Bank hereunder shall be paid or distributed to the Administrative Agent’s Account. The Administrative Agent, upon its receipt in the Administrative Agent’s Account of any such payments or distributions, shall distribute such amounts to the applicable Lenders, the LC Bank, Affected Persons and the Borrower Indemnified Parties ratably; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall have received insufficient funds to pay all of the above amounts in full on any such date, the Administrative Agent shall pay such amounts to the applicable Lenders, the LC Bank, Affected Persons and the Borrower Indemnified Parties in accordance with the priority of payments forth above, and with respect to any such category above for which there are insufficient funds to pay all amounts owing on such date, ratably (based on the amounts in such categories owing to each such Person) among all such Persons entitled to payment thereof.

(c) If and to the extent the Administrative Agent, any Credit Party, any Affected Person or any Borrower Indemnified Party shall be required for any reason to pay over to any Person any amount received on its behalf hereunder, such amount shall be deemed not to have been so received but rather to have been retained by the Borrower and, accordingly, the Administrative Agent, such Credit Party, such Affected Person or such Borrower Indemnified Party, as the case may be, shall have a claim against the Borrower for such amount.

 

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(d) For the purposes of this Section  4.01 :

(i) if on any day the Outstanding Balance of any Pool Receivable is reduced or adjusted as a result of any defective, rejected, returned, repossessed or foreclosed goods or services, or any revision, cancellation, allowance, rebate, credit memo, discount or other adjustment made by the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, the Servicer or any Affiliate of the Servicer, or any setoff, counterclaim or dispute between the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, an Originator or any Affiliate of an Originator, the Sub-Originator or the Servicer or any Affiliate of the Servicer, and an Obligor, the Borrower shall be deemed to have received on such day a Collection of such Pool Receivable in the amount of such reduction or adjustment and shall within two (2) Business Days pay any and all such amounts in respect thereof to a Collection Account (or as otherwise directed by the Administrative Agent at such time) for the benefit of the Credit Parties for application pursuant to Section  4.01(a) ;

(ii) if on any day any of the representations or warranties in Section  7.01 is not true with respect to any Pool Receivable, the Borrower shall be deemed to have received on such day a Collection of such Pool Receivable in full and shall within two (2) Business Days pay the amount of such deemed Collection to a Collection Account (or as otherwise directed by the Administrative Agent at such time) for the benefit of the Credit Parties for application pursuant to Section  4.01(a) (Collections deemed to have been received pursuant to Section  4.01(d)(i) and (ii)  are herein referred to as “ Deemed Collections ”);

(iii) except as provided in clauses (i)  or (ii) above or otherwise required by Applicable Law or the relevant Contract, all Collections received from an Obligor of any Receivable shall be applied to the Receivables of such Obligor in the order of the age of such Receivables, starting with the oldest such Receivable, unless such Obligor designates in writing its payment for application to specific Receivables; and

(iv) if and to the extent the Administrative Agent, any Credit Party, any Affected Person or any Borrower Indemnified Party shall be required for any reason to pay over to an Obligor (or any trustee, receiver, custodian or similar official in any Insolvency Proceeding) any amount received by it hereunder, such amount shall be deemed not to have been so received by such Person but rather to have been retained by the Borrower and, accordingly, such Person shall have a claim against the Borrower for such amount, payable when and to the extent that any distribution from or on behalf of such Obligor is made in respect thereof.

SECTION 4.02. Payments and Computations, Etc . (a) All amounts to be paid by the Borrower or the Servicer to the Administrative Agent, any Credit Party, any Affected Person or any Borrower Indemnified Party hereunder shall be paid no later than noon (New York City time) on the day when due in same day funds to the account so designated from time to time by such Person.

 

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(b) Each of the Borrower and the Servicer shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, pay interest on any amount not paid or deposited by it when due hereunder, at an interest rate per annum equal to 2.00% per annum above the Base Rate, payable on demand.

(c) All computations of interest under subsection (b)  above and all computations of Interest, Fees and other amounts hereunder shall be made on the basis of a year of 360 days (or, in the case of amounts determined by reference to the Base Rate, 365 or 366 days, as applicable) for the actual number of days (including the first but excluding the last day) elapsed. Whenever any payment or deposit to be made hereunder shall be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment or deposit shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of such payment or deposit.

ARTICLE V

INCREASED COSTS; FUNDING LOSSES; TAXES; ILLEGALITY AND SECURITY INTEREST

SECTION 5.01. Increased Costs .

(a) Increased Costs Generally . If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Affected Person;

(ii) subject any Affected Person to any Taxes (except to the extent such Taxes are (A) Indemnified Taxes for which relief is sought under Section  5.03 , (B) Taxes described in clause (b) or (c) of the definition of Excluded Taxes or (C) Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

(iii) impose on any Affected Person any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) (A) affecting the Collateral, this Agreement, any other Transaction Document, any Loan or any Letter of Credit or participation therein or (B) affecting its obligations or rights to make Loans or issue or participate in Letters of Credit;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Affected Person of (A) acting as the Administrative Agent or a Credit Party hereunder, (B) funding or maintaining any Loan or issuing or participating in, any Letter of Credit (or interests therein) or (C) maintaining its obligation to fund or maintain any Loan or issuing or participating in, any Letter of Credit, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Affected Person hereunder, then, upon request of such Affected Person, the Borrower shall pay to such Affected Person such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Affected Person for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

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(b) Capital and Liquidity Requirements . If any Credit Party determines that any Change in Law affecting such Credit Party or any lending office of such Credit Party or such Credit Party’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Credit Party’s capital or on the capital of such Credit Party’s holding company, if any, in each case, as a consequence of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, the Commitments of such Credit Party or the Loans made by, or participations in any Letter of Credit held by, such Credit Party, or any Letter of Credit issued by the LC Bank, to a level below that which such Credit Party or such Credit Party’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Credit Party’s policies and the policies of such Credit Party’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time, upon request of such Credit Party, the Borrower will pay to such Credit Party, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Credit Party or such Credit Party’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement . A certificate of an Affected Person setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Affected Person or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in clause (a)  or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall, subject to the priorities of payment set forth in Section  4.01 , pay such Affected Person the amount shown as due on any such certificate on the first Settlement Date occurring after the Borrower’s receipt of such certificate.

(d) Delay in Requests . Failure or delay on the part of any Credit Party to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Credit Party’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate any Credit Party pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Credit Party notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions, and of such Credit Party’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

SECTION 5.02. [ Reserved ].

SECTION 5.03. Taxes .

(a) Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Transaction Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by Applicable Law. If any Applicable Law (as determined in the good faith discretion of the applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in

 

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accordance with Applicable Law, and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section), the applicable Credit Party receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower . The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law, or, at the option of the Administrative Agent, timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

(c) Indemnification by the Borrower . The Borrower shall indemnify each Credit Party, within ten days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Credit Party or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Credit Party and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. Each Credit Party will promptly notify Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of any event of which it has knowledge, which will entitle such Credit Party to compensation pursuant to this Section 5.03, provided that failure of any Credit Party to provide notice hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of such right to indemnification to the extent such failure does not materially and adversely affect Borrower. Promptly upon having knowledge that any such Indemnified Taxes have been levied, imposed or assessed, and promptly upon notice by the Administrative Agent or any Credit Party, the Borrower shall pay such Indemnified Taxes directly to the relevant taxing authority or Governmental Authority (or to the Administrative Agent or such Credit Party if such Taxes have already been paid to the relevant taxing authority or Governmental Authority); provided that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Affected Person shall be under any obligation to provide any such notice to the Borrower. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Credit Party (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Credit Party, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) Indemnification by the Lenders . Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender or any of its respective Affiliates that are Affected Persons (but only to the extent that the Borrower and its Affiliates have not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting any obligation of the Borrower, the Servicer or their Affiliates to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to the failure of such Lender or any of its respective Affiliates that are Affected Persons to comply with Section  14.03(e) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or any of their respective Affiliates that are Affected Persons, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Transaction Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such

 

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Lender or any of their its Affiliates that are Affected Persons under any Transaction Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender or any of its respective Affiliates that are Affected Persons from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (d) .

(e) Evidence of Payments . As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section  5.03 , the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(f) Status of Lenders . (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Transaction Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Sections 5.03(f)(ii)(A) , 5.03(f)(ii)(B) and 5.03(g) ) shall not be required if, in the Lender’s reasonable judgment, such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(A) a Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or about the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Lender that is not a U.S. Person shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the Lender) on or about the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, whichever of the following is applicable):

 

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(1) in the case of such a Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Transaction Document, executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Transaction Document, Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2) executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI;

(3) in the case of such a Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that such Affected Person is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E; or

(4) to the extent such Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY, accompanied by Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI, Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that, if such Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner; and

(C) any Lender that is not a U.S. Person shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient), from time to time upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, executed originals of any other form prescribed by Applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by Applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

 

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(g) Documentation Required by FATCA . If a payment made to a Lender under any Transaction Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Affected Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Applicable Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Ledner has complied with such Affected Person’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (g) , “ FATCA ” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(h) Survival . Each party’s obligations under this Section  5.03 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Credit Party, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the Borrower Obligations and the Servicer’s obligations hereunder.

(i) Updates . Each Affected Person agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section  5.03 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

SECTION 5.04. Inability to Determine LMIR; Change in Legality .

(a) If any Lender shall have determined on any day, by reason of circumstances affecting the interbank Eurodollar market, either that: (i) dollar deposits in the relevant amounts and for the relevant Interest Period or day, as applicable, are not available, (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining LMIR for such Interest Period or day, as applicable, or (iii) LMIR determined pursuant hereto does not accurately reflect the cost to the applicable Lender (as determined by such Lender) of maintaining any Portion of Capital during such Interest Period or day, as applicable, such Lender shall promptly give telephonic notice of such determination, confirmed in writing, to the Borrower on such day. Upon delivery of such notice: (i) no Portion of Capital shall be funded thereafter at LMIR unless and until such Lender shall have given notice to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist and (ii) with respect to any outstanding Portion of Capital then funded at LMIR, such Interest Rate shall automatically be converted to the Base Rate.

(b) If on any day any Lender shall have been notified by any Affected Person that such Lender has determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive absent manifest error) that any Change in Law, or compliance by such Lender with any Change in Law, shall make it unlawful or impossible for such Lender to fund or maintain any Portion of Capital at or by reference to LMIR, such Lender shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent

 

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thereof. Upon receipt of such notice, until the applicable Lender notifies the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer apply, (i) no Portion of Capital shall be funded at or by reference to LMIR and (ii) the Interest for any outstanding portions of Capital then funded at LMIR shall automatically and immediately be converted to the Base Rate.

SECTION 5.05. Security Interest .

(a) As security for the performance by the Borrower of all the terms, covenants and agreements on the part of the Borrower to any Credit Party, Borrower Indemnified Party and/or Affected Person to be performed under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, including the punctual payment when due of the Aggregate Capital and all Interest in respect of the Loans and all other Borrower Obligations, the Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent for its benefit and the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a continuing security interest in, all of the Borrower’s right, title and interest in, to and under all of the following, whether now or hereafter owned, existing or arising (collectively, the “ Collateral ”): (i) all Pool Receivables, (ii) all Related Security with respect to such Pool Receivables, (iii) all Collections with respect to such Pool Receivables, (iv) the Lock-Boxes and Collection Accounts and all amounts on deposit therein, and all certificates and instruments, if any, from time to time evidencing such Lock-Boxes and Collection Accounts and amounts on deposit therein, (v) all rights (but none of the obligations) of the Borrower under the Sale Agreements, (vi) all other personal and fixture property or assets of the Borrower of every kind and nature including, without limitation, all goods (including inventory, equipment and any accessions thereto), instruments (including promissory notes), documents, accounts, chattel paper (whether tangible or electronic), deposit accounts, securities accounts, securities entitlements, letter of credit rights, commercial tort claims, securities and all other investment property, supporting obligations, money, any other contract rights or rights to the payment of money, insurance claims and proceeds, and all general intangibles (including all payment intangibles) (each as defined in the UCC) and (vii) all proceeds of, and all amounts received or receivable under any or all of, the foregoing.

The Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have, with respect to all the Collateral, and in addition to all the other rights and remedies available to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), all the rights and remedies of a secured party under any applicable UCC. The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file financing statements describing as the collateral covered thereby as “all of the debtor’s personal property or assets” or words to that effect, notwithstanding that such wording may be broader in scope than the collateral described in this Agreement.

Immediately upon the occurrence of the Final Payout Date, the Collateral shall be automatically released from the lien created hereby, and this Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the other Credit Parties hereunder shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Borrower; provided , however , that promptly following written request therefor by the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent following any such termination, and at the expense of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to the Borrower UCC-3 termination statements and such other documents as the Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.

 

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ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

SECTION 6.01. Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness and the Initial Credit Extension . This Agreement shall become effective as of the Closing Date when (a) the Administrative Agent shall have received each of the documents, agreements (in fully executed form), opinions of counsel, lien search results, UCC filings, certificates and other deliverables listed on the closing memorandum attached as Exhibit I hereto, in each case, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (b) all fees and expenses payable by the Borrower on the Closing Date to the Credit Parties have been paid in full in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents.

SECTION 6.02. Conditions Precedent to All Credit Extensions . Each Credit Extension hereunder on or after the Closing Date shall be subject to the conditions precedent that:

(a) in the case of a Loan, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a Loan Request for such Loan, and in the case of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the LC Bank, a Letter of Credit Application and an LC Request, in each case, in accordance with Section  2.02(a) or Section  3.02(a) , as applicable;

(b) the Servicer shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and each Lender all Information Packages and Interim Reports required to be delivered hereunder;

(c) the conditions precedent to such Credit Extension specified in Section  2.01(i) through (iii)  and Section  3.01(a) , as applicable, shall be satisfied;

(d) on the date of such Credit Extension the following statements shall be true and correct (and upon the occurrence of such Credit Extension, the Borrower and the Servicer shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such statements are then true and correct):

(i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Servicer contained in Sections 7.01 and 7.02 are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension as though made on and as of such date unless such representations and warranties by their terms refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date;

(ii) no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default would result from such Credit Extension;

(iii) no Borrowing Base Deficit exists or would exist after giving effect to such Credit Extension;

 

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(iv) the Termination Date has not occurred; and

(v) the Aggregate Capital plus the LC Participation Amount exceeds the Minimum Usage Threshold.

SECTION 6.03. Conditions Precedent to All Releases . Each Release hereunder on or after the Closing Date shall be subject to the conditions precedent that:

(a) after giving effect to such Release, the Servicer shall be holding in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties an amount of Collections sufficient to pay the sum of (x) all accrued and unpaid Servicing Fees, Interest and Fees, in each case, through the date of such Release, (y) the amount of any Borrowing Base Deficit and (z) the amount of all other accrued and unpaid Borrower Obligations through the date of such Release;

(b) the Borrower shall use the proceeds of such Release solely to pay the purchase price for Receivables purchased by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement; and

(c) on the date of such Release the following statements shall be true and correct (and upon the occurrence of such Release, the Borrower and the Servicer shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such statements are then true and correct):

(i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Servicer contained in Sections 7.01 and 7.02 are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Release as though made on and as of such date unless such representations and warranties by their terms refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date;

(ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and no Event of Default would result from such Release;

(iii) no Borrowing Base Deficit exists or would exist after giving effect to such Release;

(iv) the Termination Date has not occurred; and

(v) the Aggregate Capital plus the LC Participation Amount exceeds the Minimum Usage Threshold.

ARTICLE VII

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

SECTION 7.01. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower . The Borrower represents and warrants to each Credit Party as of the Closing Date, on each Settlement Date, on the date of each Release and on each day on which a Credit Extension shall have occurred:

 

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(a) Organization and Good Standing . The Borrower is a limited liability company and validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted.

(b) Due Qualification . The Borrower is duly qualified to do business, is in good standing as a foreign entity and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in all jurisdictions in which the conduct of its business requires such qualification, licenses or approvals, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Power and Authority; Due Authorization . The Borrower (i) has all necessary power and authority to (A) execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party, (B) perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and (C) grant a security interest in the Collateral to the Administrative Agent on the terms and subject to the conditions herein provided and (ii) has duly authorized by all necessary action such grant and the execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions provided for in, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

(d) Binding Obligations . This Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which the Borrower is a party constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

(e) No Conflict or Violation . The execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which the Borrower is a party, and the fulfillment of the terms hereof and thereof, will not (i) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under its organizational documents or any indenture, sale agreement, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound, (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Adverse Claim upon any of the Collateral pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument other than this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or (iii) conflict with or violate any Applicable Law.

(f) Litigation and Other Proceedings . (i) There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, against the Borrower before any Governmental Authority and (ii) the Borrower is not subject to any order, judgment, decree, injunction, stipulation or consent order of or with any Governmental Authority that, in the case of either of the foregoing clauses (i)  and (ii) , (A) asserts the invalidity of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, (B) seeks to prevent the grant of a security

 

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interest in any Collateral by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, the ownership or acquisition by the Borrower of any Pool Receivables or other Collateral or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or (C) individually or in the aggregate for all such actions, suits, proceedings and investigations could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(g) Governmental Approvals . Except where the failure to obtain or make such authorization, consent, order, approval or action could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all authorizations, consents, orders and approvals of, or other actions by, any Governmental Authority that are required to be obtained by the Borrower in connection with the grant of a security interest in the Collateral to the Administrative Agent hereunder or the due execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party and the consummation by the Borrower of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect.

(h) Margin Regulations . The Borrower is not engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meanings of Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System).

(i) Solvency . After giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, the Borrower is Solvent.

(j) Offices; Legal Name . The Borrower’s sole jurisdiction of organization is the State of Delaware and such jurisdiction has not changed within four months prior to the date of this Agreement. The office of the Borrower is located at 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg PA 15317. The legal name of the Borrower is CONSOL Funding LLC.

(k) Investment Company Act; Volcker Rule The Borrower (i) is not, and is not controlled by, an “investment company” registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act and (ii) is not a “covered fund” under the Volcker Rule. In determining that the Borrower is not a “covered fund” under the Volcker Rule, the Borrower relies on, and is entitled to rely on, the exemption from the definition of “investment company” set forth in Section 3(c)(5) of the Investment Company Act.

(l) No Material Adverse Effect . Since the date of formation of the Borrower there has been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Borrower.

(m) Accuracy of Information . All Information Packages, Interim Reports, Loan Requests, LC Requests, Letter of Credit Applications, certificates, reports, statements, documents and other information furnished to the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or in connection with or pursuant to any amendment or modification of, or waiver under, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, is, at the time the same are so furnished, complete and correct in all material respects on the date the same are furnished to the Administrative Agent or such other Credit Party, and does not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state a material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.

 

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(n) Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance . No Covered Entity is a Sanctioned Person. No Covered Entity, either in its own right or through any third party, (i) has any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; (ii) does business in or with, or derives any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; or (iii) engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law.

(o) Mortgages Covering As-Extracted Collateral . There are no mortgages that are effective as financing statements covering as-extracted collateral that constitutes Collateral and that name any Originator or the Sub-Originator (or, if such Originator or Sub-Originator is not the “record owner” of the underlying property, any “record owner” with respect to such as-extracted collateral, as such term is used in the UCC) as grantor, debtor or words of similar effect filed or recorded in any jurisdiction.

(p) Perfection Representations .

(i) This Agreement creates a valid and continuing security interest (as defined in the applicable UCC) in the Borrower’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Collateral which (A) security interest has been perfected and is enforceable against creditors of and purchasers from the Borrower and (B) will be free of all Adverse Claims in such Collateral.

(ii) The Receivables constitute “accounts” (including, without limitation, “accounts” constituting “as-extracted collateral”) or “general intangibles” within the meaning of Section 9-102 of the UCC.

(iii) The Borrower owns and has good and marketable title to the Collateral free and clear of any Adverse Claim of any Person.

(iv) All appropriate financing statements, financing statement amendments and continuation statements have been filed in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under Applicable Law in order to perfect (and continue the perfection of) the sale and contribution of the Receivables and Related Security from each Originator to the Borrower pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the sale and transfer of Receivables from the Sub-Originator to Consol pursuant to the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement and the grant by the Borrower of a security interest in the Collateral to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

(v) Other than the security interest granted to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement, the Borrower has not pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in, or otherwise conveyed any of the Collateral except as permitted by this Agreement and the other Transaction

 

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Documents. The Borrower has not authorized the filing of and is not aware of any financing statements filed against the Borrower that include a description of collateral covering the Collateral other than any financing statement (i) in favor of the Administrative Agent or (ii) that has been terminated. The Borrower is not aware of any judgment lien, ERISA lien pursuant to Section 303(k) or 4068 of ERISA, or tax lien filings against the Borrower.

(vi) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, the representations contained in this Section  7.01(p) shall be continuing and remain in full force and effect until the Final Payout Date.

(q) The Lock-Boxes and Collection Accounts .

(i) Nature of Collection Accounts . Each Collection Account constitutes a “deposit account” within the meaning of the applicable UCC.

(ii) Ownership . Each Lock-Box and Collection Account is in the name of the Borrower, and the Borrower owns and has good and marketable title to the Collection Accounts free and clear of any Adverse Claim.

(iii) Perfection . The Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent a fully executed Account Control Agreement relating to each Lock-Box and Collection Account, pursuant to which each applicable Collection Account Bank has agreed to comply with the instructions originated by the Administrative Agent directing the disposition of funds in such Lock-Box and Collection Account without further consent by the Borrower, the Servicer or any other Person. The Administrative Agent has “control” (as defined in Section 9-104 of the UCC) over each Collection Account.

(iv) Instructions . Neither the Lock-Boxes nor the Collection Accounts are in the name of any Person other than the Borrower. Neither the Borrower nor the Servicer has consented to the applicable Collection Account Bank complying with instructions of any Person other than the Administrative Agent.

(r) Ordinary Course of Business . Each remittance of Collections by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Credit Parties under this Agreement will have been (i) in payment of a debt incurred by the Borrower in the ordinary course of business or financial affairs of the Borrower and (ii) made in the ordinary course of business or financial affairs of the Borrower.

(s) Compliance with Law . The Borrower has complied in all material respects with all Applicable Laws to which it may be subject.

(t) Bulk Sales Act . No transaction contemplated by this Agreement requires compliance by it with any bulk sales act or similar law.

(u) Eligible Receivables . Each Receivable included as an Eligible Receivable in the calculation of the Net Receivables Pool Balance as of any date is an Eligible Receivable as of such date.

 

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(v) Taxes . The Borrower has (i) timely filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed by it and (ii) paid, or caused to be paid, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, if any, other than taxes, assessments and other governmental charges being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP or could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(w) Tax Status . Except in the event that the Intended Tax Treatment is not respected, the Borrower (i) is, and shall at all relevant times continue to be, a “disregarded entity” within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3 for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is wholly owned by a “United States person” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) and (ii) is not and will not at any relevant time become an association (or publicly traded partnership) taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(x) Opinions . The facts regarding the Borrower, the Receivables, the Related Security and the related matters set forth or assumed in each of the opinions of counsel delivered in connection with this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are true and correct in all material respects.

(y) Other Transaction Documents . Each representation and warranty made by the Borrower under each other Transaction Document to which it is a party is true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made.

(z) Liquidity Coverage Ratio . The Borrower has not issued any LCR Securities, and the Borrower is a consolidated subsidiary of Consol under GAAP.

SECTION 7.02. Representations and Warranties of the Servicer . The Servicer represents and warrants to each Credit Party as of the Closing Date, on each Settlement Date, on the date of each Release and on each day on which a Credit Extension shall have occurred:

(a) Organization and Good Standing . The Servicer is a duly organized and validly existing limited liability company in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with the power and authority under its organizational documents and under the laws of the State of Delaware to own its properties and to conduct its business as such properties are currently owned and such business is presently conducted.

(b) Due Qualification. The Servicer is duly qualified to do business, is in good standing as a foreign entity and has obtained all necessary licenses and approvals in all jurisdictions in which the conduct of its business or the servicing of the Pool Receivables as required by this Agreement requires such qualification, licenses or approvals, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Power and Authority; Due Authorization. The Servicer has all necessary power and authority to (i) execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and (ii) perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions provided for in, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by the Servicer by all necessary action.

 

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(d) Binding Obligations. This Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of the Servicer, enforceable against the Servicer in accordance with their respective terms, except (i) as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

(e) No Conflict or Violation. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document to which the Servicer is a party, the performance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the fulfillment of the terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by the Servicer will not (i) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, the organizational documents of the Servicer or any indenture, sale agreement, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument to which the Servicer is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound, (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Adverse Claim upon any of its properties pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, credit agreement, loan agreement, agreement, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument, other than this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or (iii) conflict with or violate any Applicable Law, except to the extent that any such conflict, breach, default, Adverse Claim or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Litigation and Other Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending, or to the Servicer’s knowledge threatened, against the Servicer before any Governmental Authority: (i) asserting the invalidity of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents; (ii) seeking to prevent the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; or (iii) seeking any determination or ruling that could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the performance by the Servicer of its obligations under, or the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents.

(g) No Consents. The Servicer is not required to obtain the consent of any other party or any consent, license, approval, registration, authorization or declaration of or with any Governmental Authority in connection with the execution, delivery, or performance of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party that has not already been obtained or the failure of which to obtain could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(h) Compliance with Applicable Law . The Servicer (i) shall duly satisfy in all material respects all obligations on its part to be fulfilled under or in connection with the Pool Receivables and the related Contracts, (ii) has maintained in effect all qualifications required under Applicable Law in order to properly service the Pool Receivables and (iii) has complied in all material respects with all Applicable Laws in connection with servicing the Pool Receivables.

 

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(i) Accuracy of Information. All Information Packages, Interim Reports, Loan Requests, LC Requests, Letter of Credit Applications, certificates, reports, statements, documents and other information furnished to the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party by the Servicer pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or in connection with or pursuant to any amendment or modification of, or waiver under, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, is, at the time the same are so furnished, complete and correct in all material respects on the date the same are furnished to the Administrative Agent or such other Credit Party, and does not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state a material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.

(j) Location of Records. The offices where the initial Servicer keeps all of its records relating to the servicing of the Pool Receivables are located at 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg PA 15317.

(k) Credit and Collection Policy. The Servicer has complied in all material respects with the Credit and Collection Policy with regard to each Pool Receivable and the related Contracts.

(l) Eligible Receivables . Each Receivable included as an Eligible Receivable in the calculation of the Net Receivables Pool Balance as of any date is an Eligible Receivable as of such date.

(m) Servicing Programs . No license or approval is required for the Administrative Agent’s use of any software or other computer program used by the Servicer, any Originator, the Sub-Originator or any Sub-Servicer in the servicing of the Pool Receivables, other than those which have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

(n) Servicing of Pool Receivables . Since the Closing Date there has been no material adverse change in the ability of the Servicer or any Sub-Servicer to service and collect the Pool Receivables and the Related Security.

(o) Other Transaction Documents . Each representation and warranty made by the Servicer under each other Transaction Document to which it is a party (including, without limitation, the Purchase and Sale Agreement) is true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made.

(p) No Material Adverse Effect . Since December 31, 2016 there has been no Material Adverse Effect on the Servicer.

(q) Investment Company Act . The Servicer is not an “investment company,” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.

(r) Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance . No Covered Entity is a Sanctioned Person. No Covered Entity, either in its own right or through any third party, (i) has any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; (ii)

 

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does business in or with, or derives any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; or (iii) engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law.

(s) Mortgages Covering As-Extracted Collateral . There are no mortgages that are effective as financing statements covering as-extracted collateral that constitutes Collateral and that name any Originator or the Sub-Originator (or, if such Originator or Sub-Originator is not the “record owner” of the underlying property, any “record owner” with respect to such as-extracted collateral, as such term is used in the UCC) as grantor, debtor or words of similar effect filed or recorded in any jurisdiction.

(t) Financial Condition . The consolidated balance sheets of the Servicer and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2017 and the related statements of income and shareholders’ equity of the Servicer and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter then ended, copies of which have been furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Servicer and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the period ended on such date, all in accordance with GAAP.

(u) Bulk Sales Act . No transaction contemplated by this Agreement requires compliance by it with any bulk sales act or similar law.

(v) Taxes . The Servicer has (i) timely filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be filed by it and (ii) paid, or caused to be paid, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges, if any, other than taxes, assessments and other governmental charges being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP or could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(w) Opinions . The facts regarding the Servicer, and the related matters set forth or assumed in each of the opinions of counsel delivered in connection with this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are true and correct in all material respects.

ARTICLE VIII

COVENANTS

SECTION 8.01. Covenants of the Borrower . At all times from the Closing Date until the Final Payout Date:

(a) Payment of Principal and Interest . The Borrower shall duly and punctually pay Capital, Interest, Fees and all other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b) Existence . The Borrower shall keep in full force and effect its existence and rights as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware, and shall obtain and preserve its qualification to do business in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is or shall be necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the Collateral.

 

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(c) Financial Reporting . The Borrower will maintain a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and the Borrower (or the Servicer on its behalf) shall furnish to the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and each Lender:

(i) Annual Financial Statements of the Borrower . Promptly upon completion and in no event later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Borrower, annual unaudited financial statements of the Borrower certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower that they fairly present in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition of the Borrower as of the date indicated and the results of its operations for the periods indicated.

(ii) Quarterly Financial Statements of the Borrower . Promptly upon completion and in no event later than 60 days following the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters in each of the Borrower’s fiscal years, quarterly unaudited financial statements of the Borrower certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower that they fairly present in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition of the Borrower as of the date indicated and the results of its operations for the periods indicated.

(iii) Information Packages . As soon as available and in any event not later than two (2) Business Days prior to each Settlement Date, an Information Package as of the most recently completed Fiscal Month.

(iv) Interim Reports . As soon as available and in any event not later than the second Business Day of each calendar week, an Interim Report as of the most recently completed calendar week.

(v) Other Information . Such other information (including non-financial information) as the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

(vi) Quarterly Financial Statements of Parent . As soon as available and in no event later than 60 days following the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters in each of Parent’s fiscal years, (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet and statements of income of Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of earnings and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the elapsed portion of the fiscal year ended with the last day of such fiscal quarter, in each case setting forth comparative figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter in the prior fiscal year, all of which shall be certified by a Financial Officer of Parent that they fairly present in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition of Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations for the periods indicated, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes and (ii) management’s discussion and analysis of the important operational and financial developments during such fiscal quarter.

 

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(vii) Annual Financial Statements of Parent . Within 90 days after the close of each of Parent’s fiscal years, the consolidated balance sheet of Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of earnings and cash flows for such fiscal year setting forth comparative figures for the preceding fiscal year, all reported on by independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition of Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations for the periods indicated.

(viii) Other Reports and Filings . Promptly (but in any event within ten days) after the filing or delivery thereof, copies of all financial information, proxy materials and reports, if any, which Parent or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries shall publicly file with the SEC or deliver to holders (or any trustee, agent or other representative therefor) of any of its material Debt pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing the same.

(d) Notices . The Borrower (or the Servicer on its behalf) will notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender in writing of any of the following events promptly upon (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days after) a Financial Officer or other officer learning of the occurrence thereof, with such notice describing the same, and if applicable, the steps being taken by the Person(s) affected with respect thereto:

(i) Notice of Events of Default or Unmatured Events of Default . A statement of a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing and the action which the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.

(ii) Representations and Warranties . The failure of any representation or warranty made or deemed to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to be true and correct in any material respect when made.

(iii) Litigation . The institution of any litigation, arbitration proceeding or governmental proceeding on the Borrower, the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator or any Originator, which with respect to any Person other than the Borrower, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(iv) Adverse Claim . (A) Any Person shall obtain an Adverse Claim upon the Collateral or any portion thereof, (B) any Person other than the Borrower, the Servicer or the Administrative Agent shall obtain any rights or direct any action with respect to any Collection Account (or related Lock-Box) or (C) any Obligor shall receive any change in payment instructions with respect to Pool Receivable(s) from a Person other than the Servicer or the Administrative Agent.

 

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(v) Name Changes . At least thirty (30) days before any change in any Originator’s, the Sub-Originator’s or the Borrower’s name, jurisdiction of organization or any other change requiring the amendment of UCC financing statements.

(vi) Change in Accountants or Accounting Policy . Any change in (i) the external accountants of the Borrower, the Servicer, any Originator, the Sub-Originator or the Parent, (ii) any accounting policy of the Borrower or (iii) any material accounting policy of any Originator or the Sub-Originator that is relevant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (it being understood that any change to the manner in which any Originator or the Sub-Originator accounts for the Pool Receivables shall be deemed “material” for such purpose).

(vii) Termination Event . The occurrence of a Purchase and Sale Termination Event.

(viii) Material Adverse Change . Promptly after the occurrence thereof, notice of any material adverse change in the business, operations, property or financial or other condition of the Borrower, the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator or any Originator.

(e) Conduct of Business . The Borrower will carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is presently conducted and will do all things necessary to remain duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as a domestic organization in its jurisdiction of organization and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted.

(f) Compliance with Laws . The Borrower will comply with all Applicable Laws to which it may be subject if the failure to comply could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(g) Furnishing of Information and Inspection of Receivables . The Borrower will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and each Lender from time to time such information with respect to the Pool Receivables and the other Collateral as the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank or any Lender may reasonably request. The Borrower will, at the Borrower’s expense, during regular business hours with a three (3) days’ prior written notice (i) permit the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and each Lender or their respective agents or representatives to (A) examine and make copies of and abstracts from all books and records relating to the Pool Receivables or other Collateral, (B) visit the offices and properties of the Borrower for the purpose of examining such books and records and (C) discuss matters relating to the Pool Receivables, the other Collateral or the Borrower’s performance hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party with any of the officers, directors, employees or independent public accountants of the Borrower having knowledge of such matters and (ii) without limiting the provisions of clause (i)  above, during regular business hours, at the Borrower’s expense, upon prior written notice from the Administrative Agent, permit certified public accountants or other auditors acceptable to the Administrative Agent to conduct a review of its books and records with respect to such Pool Receivables and other Collateral; provided , that the Borrower shall be required to reimburse the Administrative Agent for only two (2) reviews pursuant to clause (i) above and only one (1) such review pursuant to clause (ii)  above, in each case, in any twelve-month period, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

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(h) Payments on Receivables, Collection Accounts . The Borrower (or the Servicer on its behalf) will, and will cause each Originator and the Sub-Originator to, at all times, instruct all Obligors to deliver payments on the Pool Receivables to a Collection Account or a Lock-Box. The Borrower (or the Servicer on its behalf) will, and will cause each Originator and the Sub-Originator to, at all times, maintain such books and records necessary to identify Collections received from time to time on Pool Receivables and to segregate such Collections from other property of the Servicer, the Sub-Originator and the Originators. If any payments on the Pool Receivables or other Collections are received by the Borrower, the Servicer, the Sub-Originator or an Originator, it shall hold such payments in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties and promptly (but in any event within two (2) Business Days after receipt) remit such funds into a Collection Account. The Borrower (or the Servicer on its behalf) will cause each Collection Account Bank to comply with the terms of each applicable Account Control Agreement. The Borrower shall not permit funds other than Collections on Pool Receivables and other Collateral to be deposited into any Collection Account. If such funds are nevertheless deposited into any Collection Account, the Borrower (or the Servicer on its behalf) will within two (2) Business Days identify and transfer such funds to the appropriate Person entitled to such funds. The Borrower will not, and will not permit the Servicer, the Sub-Originator, any Originator or any other Person to commingle Collections or other funds to which the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party is entitled, with any other funds. The Borrower shall only add a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box) or a Collection Account Bank to those listed on Schedule II to this Agreement, if the Administrative Agent has received notice of such addition and an executed and acknowledged copy of an Account Control Agreement (or an amendment thereto) in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent from the applicable Collection Account Bank. The Borrower shall only terminate a Collection Account Bank or close a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box) with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

(i) Sales, Liens, etc. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Borrower will not sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of, or create or suffer to exist any Adverse Claim upon (including, without limitation, the filing of any financing statement) or with respect to, any Pool Receivable or other Collateral, or assign any right to receive income in respect thereof.

(j) Extension or Amendment of Pool Receivables . Except as otherwise permitted in Section  9.02 , the Borrower will not, and will not permit the Servicer to, alter the delinquency status or adjust the Outstanding Balance or otherwise modify the terms of any Pool Receivable in any material respect, or amend, modify or waive, in any material respect, any term or condition of any related Contract. The Borrower shall at its expense, timely and fully perform and comply in all material respects with all provisions, covenants and other promises required to be observed by it under the Contracts related to the Pool Receivables, and timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy with regard to each Pool Receivable and the related Contract.

 

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(k) Change in Credit and Collection Policy . The Borrower will not make any material change in the Credit and Collection Policy without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders. Promptly following any change in the Credit and Collection Policy, the Borrower will deliver a copy of the updated Credit and Collection Policy to the Administrative Agent and each Lender.

(l) Fundamental Changes . The Borrower shall not, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders, permit itself (i) to merge or consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to, any Person or (ii) to be directly owned by any Person other than an Originator. The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent with at least 30 days’ prior written notice before making any change in the Borrower’s name or location or making any other change in the Borrower’s identity or corporate structure that could impair or otherwise render any UCC financing statement filed in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document “seriously misleading” as such term (or similar term) is used in the applicable UCC; each notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this sentence shall set forth the applicable change and the proposed effective date thereof.

(m) Books and Records . The Borrower shall maintain and implement (or cause the Servicer to maintain and implement) administrative and operating procedures (including an ability to recreate records evidencing Pool Receivables and related Contracts in the event of the destruction of the originals thereof), and keep and maintain (or cause the Servicer to keep and maintain) all documents, books, records, computer tapes and disks and other information reasonably necessary or advisable for the collection of all Pool Receivables (including records adequate to permit the daily identification of each Pool Receivable and all Collections of and adjustments to each existing Pool Receivable).

(n) Identifying of Records . The Borrower shall: (i) identify (or cause the Servicer to identify) its master data processing records relating to Pool Receivables and related Contracts with a legend that indicates that the Pool Receivables have been pledged in accordance with this Agreement and (ii) cause each Originator and the Sub-Originator so to identify its master data processing records with such a legend.

(o) Change in Payment Instructions to Obligors . The Borrower shall not (and shall not permit the Servicer or any Sub-Servicer to) add, replace or terminate any Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box) or make any change in any material respect in its (or their) instructions to the Obligors regarding payments to be made to the Collection Accounts (or any related Lock-Box), other than any instruction to remit payments to a different Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box), unless the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) prior written notice of such addition, termination or change and (ii) a signed and acknowledged Account Control Agreement (or amendment thereto) with respect to such new Collection Accounts (or any related Lock-Box), and the Administrative Agent shall have consented to such change in writing.

 

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(p) Security Interest, Etc. The Borrower shall (and shall cause the Servicer to), at its expense, take all action necessary or reasonably desirable to establish and maintain a valid and enforceable first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim, in favor of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), including taking such action to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the security interest of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) as the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party may reasonably request. In order to evidence the security interests of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the Borrower shall, from time to time take such action, or execute and deliver such instruments as may be necessary (including, without limitation, such actions as are reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent) to maintain and perfect, as a first-priority interest, the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Receivables, Related Security and Collections. The Borrower shall, from time to time and within the time limits established by law, prepare and present to the Administrative Agent for the Administrative Agent’s authorization and approval, all financing statements, amendments, continuations or initial financing statements in lieu of a continuation statement, or other filings necessary to continue, maintain and perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest as a first-priority interest. The Administrative Agent’s approval of such filings shall authorize the Borrower to file such financing statements under the UCC without the signature of the Borrower, any Originator, the Sub-Originator or the Administrative Agent where allowed by Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything else in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, the Borrower shall not have any authority to file a termination, partial termination, release, partial release, or any amendment that deletes the name of a debtor or excludes collateral of any such financing statements filed in connection with the Transaction Documents, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

(q) Certain Agreements . Without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, the Borrower will not (and will not permit any Originator, the Sub-Originator or the Servicer to) amend, modify, waive, revoke or terminate any Transaction Document to which it is a party or any provision of the Borrower’s organizational documents which requires the consent of the “Independent Director” (as such term is used in the Borrower’s Certificate of Formation and Limited Liability Company Agreement).

(r) Restricted Payments . (i) Except pursuant to clause (ii)  below, the Borrower will not: (A) purchase or redeem any of its membership interests, (B) declare or pay any dividend or set aside any funds for any such purpose, (C) prepay, purchase or redeem any Debt, (D) lend or advance any funds or (E) repay any loans or advances to, for or from any of its Affiliates (the amounts described in clauses (A)  through (E) being referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”).

(ii) Subject to the limitations set forth in clause (iii)  below, the Borrower may make Restricted Payments so long as such Restricted Payments are made only in one or more of the following ways: (A) the Borrower may make cash payments (including prepayments) on the Subordinated Notes in accordance with their respective terms (it being understood that the foregoing shall not restrict any adjustment to the balance of any Subordinated Note pursuant to Sections  3.2 or 3.3 of the Purchase and Sale Agreement as a result of the issuance or expiration of any Letter of Credit) and (B) the Borrower may declare and pay dividends if, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect thereto, the Borrower’s Net Worth is not less than zero.

 

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(iii) The Borrower may make Restricted Payments only out of the funds, if any, it receives pursuant to Sections 4.01 of this Agreement; provided that the Borrower shall not pay, make or declare any Restricted Payment (including any dividend) if, after giving effect thereto, any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(s) Other Business . The Borrower will not: (i) engage in any business other than the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, (ii) create, incur or permit to exist any Debt of any kind (or cause or permit to be issued for its account any letters of credit (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Letters of Credit issued hereunder) or bankers’ acceptances other than pursuant to this Agreement or the Subordinated Notes or (iii) form any Subsidiary or make any investments in any other Person.

(t) Use of Collections Available to the Borrower . The Borrower shall apply the Collections available to the Borrower to make payments in the following order of priority: (i) the payment of its obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents (other than the Subordinated Notes), (ii) the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the Subordinated Notes and (iii) other legal and valid purposes.

(u) Further Assurances; Change in Name or Jurisdiction of Origination, etc. (i) The Borrower hereby authorizes and hereby agrees from time to time, at its own expense, promptly to execute (if necessary) and deliver all further instruments and documents, and to take all further actions, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or to enable the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) to exercise and enforce the Secured Parties’ rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Transaction Document. Without limiting the foregoing, the Borrower hereby authorizes, and will, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, at the Borrower’s own expense, execute (if necessary) and file such financing statements or continuation statements (including as-extracted collateral), or amendments thereto, and such other instruments and documents, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or evidence any of the foregoing.

(ii) The Borrower authorizes the Administrative Agent to file financing statements, continuation statements and amendments thereto and assignments thereof, relating to the Receivables, the Related Security, the related Contracts, Collections with respect thereto and the other Collateral without the signature of the Borrower. A photocopy or other reproduction of this Agreement shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

(iii) The Borrower shall at all times be organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and shall not take any action to change its jurisdiction of organization.

(iv) The Borrower will not change its name, location, identity or corporate structure unless (x) the Borrower, at its own expense, shall have taken all action necessary or appropriate to perfect or maintain the perfection of the security interest under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the filing of all financing statements

 

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and the taking of such other action as the Administrative Agent may request in connection with such change or relocation) and (y) if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, an opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to such UCC perfection and priority matters as the Administrative Agent may request at such time.

(v) Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance . The Borrower will not become a Sanctioned Person. No Covered Entity, either in its own right or through any third party, will (a) have any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; (b) do business in or with, or derive any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; (c) engage in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law or (d) use the proceeds of any Credit Extension to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, a Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law. The funds used to repay each Credit Extension will not be derived from any unlawful activity. The Borrower shall comply with all Anti-Terrorism Laws and Sanctions Law in all material respects. The Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender in writing upon the occurrence of a Reportable Compliance Event. The Borrower has not used and will not use the proceeds of any Credit Extension to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country.

(w) Liquidity Coverage Ratio . The Borrower shall not issue any LCR Security.

(x) Borrower’s Net Worth . The Borrower shall not permit the Borrower’s Net Worth to be less than zero.

(y) Borrower’s Tax Status . Except in the event that the Intended Tax Treatment is not respected, the Borrower will remain an entity wholly-owned by a United States person (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) and will not be subject to withholding under Section 1446 of the Code. No action will be taken that would cause the Borrower to (i) be treated other than as a “disregarded entity” within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3 for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) become an association taxable as a corporation or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

SECTION 8.02. Covenants of the Servicer . At all times from the Closing Date until the Final Payout Date:

(a) Financial Reporting . The Servicer will maintain a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and the Servicer shall furnish to the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and each Lender:

 

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(i) Compliance Certificates . (a) A compliance certificate promptly upon completion of the annual report of the Parent and in no event later than 90 days after the close of the Parent’s fiscal year, in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit H signed by a Financial Officer of the Servicer stating that to its knowledge no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or if any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, stating the nature and status thereof and (b) within 45 days after the close of each fiscal quarter of the Servicer, a compliance certificate in form and substance substantially similar to Exhibit H signed by a Financial Officer of the Servicer stating that to its knowledge no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or if any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, stating the nature and status thereof.

(ii) Information Packages . As soon as available and in any event not later than two (2) Business Days prior to each Settlement Date, an Information Package as of the most recently completed Fiscal Month.

(iii) Interim Reports . As soon as available and in any event not later than the second Business Day of each calendar week, an Interim Report as of the most recently completed calendar week.

(iv) Other Information . Such other information (including non-financial information) as the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

(b) Notices . The Servicer will notify the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and each Lender in writing of any of the following events promptly upon (but in no event later than five (5) Business Days after) a Financial Officer or other officer learning of the occurrence thereof, with such notice describing the same, and if applicable, the steps being taken by the Person(s) affected with respect thereto:

(i) Notice of Events of Default or Unmatured Events of Default . A statement of a Financial Officer of the Servicer setting forth details of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing and the action which the Servicer proposes to take with respect thereto.

(ii) Representations and Warranties . The failure of any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Servicer under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to be true and correct in any material respect when made.

(iii) Litigation . The institution of any litigation, arbitration proceeding or governmental proceeding which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(iv) Adverse Claim . (A) Any Person shall obtain an Adverse Claim upon the Collateral or any portion thereof, (B) any Person other than the Borrower, the Servicer or the Administrative Agent shall obtain any rights or direct any action with respect to any Collection Account (or related Lock-Box) or (C) any Obligor shall receive any change in payment instructions with respect to Pool Receivable(s) from a Person other than the Servicer or the Administrative Agent.

 

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(v) Name Changes . At least thirty (30) days before any change in any Originator’s, Sub-Originator’s or the Borrower’s name or any other change requiring the amendment of UCC financing statements, a notice setting forth such changes and the effective date thereof.

(vi) Change in Accountants or Accounting Policy . Any change in (i) the external accountants of the Borrower, the Servicer, any Originator, the Sub-Originator or the Parent, (ii) any accounting policy of the Borrower or (iii) any material accounting policy of any Originator or the Sub-Originator that is relevant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (it being understood that any change to the manner in which any Originator or the Sub-Originator accounts for the Pool Receivables shall be deemed “material” for such purpose).

(vii) Termination Event . The occurrence of a Purchase and Sale Termination Event.

(viii) Material Adverse Change . Promptly after the occurrence thereof, notice of any material adverse change in the business, operations, property or financial or other condition of any Originator, the Sub-Originator, the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor or the Borrower.

(c) Conduct of Business . The Servicer will carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is presently conducted, and will do all things necessary to remain duly organized, validly existing and in good standing as a domestic limited liability company in its jurisdiction of organization and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted if the failure to have such authority could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) Compliance with Laws . The Servicer will comply with all Applicable Laws to which it may be subject if the failure to comply could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) Furnishing of Information and Inspection of Receivables . The Servicer will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and each Lender from time to time such information with respect to the Pool Receivables and the other Collateral as the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank or any Lender may reasonably request. The Servicer will, at the Servicer’s expense, during regular business hours with prior written notice, (i) permit the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and each Lender or their respective agents or representatives to (A) examine and make copies of and abstracts from all books and records relating to the Pool Receivables or other Collateral, (B) visit the offices and properties of the Servicer for the purpose of examining such books and records and (C) discuss matters relating to the Pool Receivables, the other Collateral or the Servicer’s performance hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party with any of the officers, directors, employees

 

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or independent public accountants of the Servicer (provided that representatives of the Servicer are present during such discussions) having knowledge of such matters and (ii) without limiting the provisions of clause (i)  above, during regular business hours, at the Servicer’s expense, upon prior written notice from the Administrative Agent, permit certified public accountants or other auditors acceptable to the Administrative Agent to conduct a review of its books and records with respect to the Pool Receivables and other Collateral; provided , that the Servicer shall be required to reimburse the Administrative Agent for only two (2) reviews pursuant to clause (i)  above and only one (1) such review pursuant to clause (ii)  above, in each case, in any twelve-month period unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

(f) Payments on Receivables, Collection Accounts . The Servicer will at all times, instruct all Obligors to deliver payments on the Pool Receivables to a Collection Account or a Lock-Box. The Servicer will, at all times, maintain such books and records necessary to identify Collections received from time to time on Pool Receivables and to segregate such Collections from other property of the Servicer, the Sub-Originator and the Originators. If any payments on the Pool Receivables or other Collections are received by the Borrower, the Servicer, the Sub-Originator or an Originator, it shall hold such payments in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties and promptly (but in any event within two (2) Business Days after receipt) remit such funds into a Collection Account. The Servicer shall not permit funds other than Collections on Pool Receivables and other Collateral to be deposited into any Collection Account. If such funds are nevertheless deposited into any Collection Account, the Servicer will within two (2) Business Days identify and transfer such funds to the appropriate Person entitled to such funds. The Servicer will not, and will not permit the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator or any other Person to commingle Collections or other funds to which the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party is entitled, with any other funds. The Servicer shall only add a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box), or a Collection Account Bank to those listed on Schedule II to this Agreement, if the Administrative Agent has received notice of such addition and an executed and acknowledged copy of an Account Control Agreement (or an amendment thereto) in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent from the applicable Collection Account Bank. The Servicer shall only terminate a Collection Account Bank or close a Collection Account (or a related Lock-Box) with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

(g) Extension or Amendment of Pool Receivables . Except as otherwise permitted in Section  9.02 , the Servicer will not alter the delinquency status or adjust the Outstanding Balance or otherwise modify the terms of any Pool Receivable in any material respect, or amend, modify or waive, in any material respect, any term or condition of any related Contract. The Servicer shall at its expense, timely and fully perform and comply in all material respects with all provisions, covenants and other promises required to be observed by it under the Contracts related to the Pool Receivables, and timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy with regard to each Pool Receivable and the related Contract.

(h) Change in Credit and Collection Policy . The Servicer will not make any material change in the Credit and Collection Policy without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders. Promptly following any change in the Credit and Collection Policy, the Servicer will deliver a copy of the updated Credit and Collection Policy to the Administrative Agent and each Lender.

 

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(i) Records . The Servicer will maintain and implement administrative and operating procedures (including an ability to recreate records evidencing Pool Receivables and related Contracts in the event of the destruction of the originals thereof), and keep and maintain all documents, books, records, computer tapes and disks and other information reasonably necessary or advisable for the collection of all Pool Receivables (including records adequate to permit the daily identification of each Pool Receivable and all Collections of and adjustments to each existing Pool Receivable).

(j) Identifying of Records . The Servicer shall identify its master data processing records relating to Pool Receivables and related Contracts with a legend that indicates that the Pool Receivables have been pledged in accordance with this Agreement.

(k) Change in Payment Instructions to Obligors . The Servicer shall not (and shall not permit any Sub-Servicer to) add, replace or terminate any Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box) or make any change in its instructions to the Obligors regarding payments to be made to the Collection Accounts (or any related Lock-Box), other than any instruction to remit payments to a different Collection Account (or any related Lock-Box), unless the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) prior written notice of such addition, termination or change and (ii) a signed and acknowledged Account Control Agreement (or an amendment thereto) with respect to such new Collection Accounts (or any related Lock-Box) and the Administrative Agent shall have consented to such change in writing.

(l) Security Interest, Etc . The Servicer shall, at its expense, take all action necessary or reasonably desirable to establish and maintain a valid and enforceable first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral, in each case free and clear of any Adverse Claim in favor of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), including taking such action to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the security interest of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) as the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party may reasonably request. In order to evidence the security interests of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the Servicer shall, from time to time take such action, or execute and deliver such instruments as may be necessary (including, without limitation, such actions as are reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent) to maintain and perfect, as a first-priority interest, the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Receivables, Related Security and Collections. The Servicer shall, from time to time and within the time limits established by law, prepare and present to the Administrative Agent for the Administrative Agent’s authorization and approval, all financing statements, amendments, continuations or initial financing statements in lieu of a continuation statement, or other filings necessary to continue, maintain and perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest as a first-priority interest. The Administrative Agent’s approval of such filings shall authorize the Servicer to file such financing statements under the UCC without the signature of the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator or the Administrative Agent where allowed by Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything else in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, the Servicer shall not have any authority to file a termination, partial termination, release, partial release, or any amendment that deletes the name of a debtor or excludes collateral of any such financing statements filed in connection with the Transaction Documents, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

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(m) Further Assurances; Change in Name or Jurisdiction of Origination, etc . The Servicer hereby authorizes and hereby agrees from time to time, at its own expense, promptly to execute (if necessary) and deliver all further instruments and documents, and to take all further actions, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or more fully evidence the security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or to enable the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) to exercise and enforce their respective rights and remedies under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document. Without limiting the foregoing, the Servicer hereby authorizes, and will, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, at the Servicer’s own expense, execute (if necessary) and file such financing statements or continuation statements (including as-extracted collateral filings), or amendments thereto, and such other instruments and documents, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to perfect, protect or evidence any of the foregoing.

(n) Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance . The Servicer will not become a Sanctioned Person. No Covered Entity, either in its own right or through any third party, will (a) have any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; (b) do business in or with, or derive any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law; (c) engage in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law or (d) use the proceeds of any Credit Extension to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, a Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law or Sanctions Law. The funds used to repay each Credit Extension will not be derived from any unlawful activity. The Servicer shall comply with all Anti-Terrorism Laws and Sanctions Law in all material respects. The Servicer shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender in writing upon the occurrence of a Reportable Compliance Event.

(o) Mining Operations and Mineheads . The Servicer shall (and shall cause each applicable Originator and the Sub-Originator to) promptly, and in any event within 5 Business Days of any change, deletion or addition to the location of any Originator’s or the Sub-Originator’s Mined Properties or mineheads set forth on Schedule  VI to the Purchase and Sale Agreement (or Sub-Originator Sale Agreement, as applicable), (i) notify the Administrative Agent of such change, deletion or addition, (ii) cause the filing or recording of such financing statements and amendments and/or releases to financing statements, mortgages or other instruments, if any, necessary to preserve and maintain the perfection and priority of the ownership and security interests of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in the Collateral pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement and this Agreement, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (iii) deliver to the Administrative Agent an updated Schedule  VI to the Purchase and Sale Agreement (or Sub-Originator Sale Agreement, as applicable) reflecting such change, deletion or addition.

(p) Borrower’s Tax Status . Except in the event that the Intended Tax Treatment is not respected, the Servicer shall not take or cause any action to be taken that could result in the Borrower (i) being treated other than as a “disregarded entity” within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3 for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) becoming an association taxable as a corporation or a publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

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SECTION 8.03. Separate Existence of the Borrower . The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the Secured Parties and the Administrative Agent are entering into the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents in reliance upon the Borrower’s identity as a legal entity separate from any Originator, the Sub-Originator, the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor and their Affiliates. Therefore, the Borrower shall take all steps specifically required by this Agreement or reasonably required by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to continue the Borrower’s identity as a separate legal entity and to make it apparent to third Persons that the Borrower is an entity with assets and liabilities distinct from those of the Performance Guarantor, the Originators, the Sub-Originator, the Servicer and any other Person, and is not a division of the Performance Guarantor, the Originators, the Sub-Originator, the Servicer, its Affiliates or any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and in addition to and consistent with the other covenants set forth herein, the Borrower shall take such actions as shall be required in order that:

(a) Special Purpose Entity . The Borrower will be a special purpose company whose primary activities are restricted in its Certificate of Formation to: (i) purchasing or otherwise acquiring from the Originators, owning, holding, collecting, granting security interests or selling interests in, the Collateral, (ii) entering into agreements for the selling, servicing and financing of the Receivables Pool (including the Transaction Documents) and (iii) conducting such other activities as it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its primary activities.

(b) No Other Business or Debt . The Borrower shall not engage in any business or activity except as set forth in this Agreement nor, incur any indebtedness or liability other than as expressly permitted by the Transaction Documents.

(c) Independent Director . Not fewer than one member of the Borrower’s board of directors (the “ Independent Director ”) shall be a natural person who (i) has never been, and shall at no time be, an equityholder, director, officer, manager, member, partner, officer, employee or associate, or any relative of the foregoing, of any member of the Parent Group (as hereinafter defined) (other than his or her service as an Independent Director of the Borrower or an independent director of any other bankruptcy-remote special purpose entity formed for the sole purpose of securitizing, or facilitating the securitization of, financial assets of any member or members of the Parent Group), (ii) is not a customer or supplier of any member of the Parent Group (other than his or her service as an Independent Director of the Borrower or an independent director of any other bankruptcy-remote special purpose entity formed for the sole purpose of securitizing, or facilitating the securitization of, financial assets of any member or members of the Parent Group), (iii) is not any member of the immediate family of a person described in (i)  or (ii) above, and (iv) has (x) prior experience as an independent director for a corporation or limited liability company whose organizational or charter documents required the unanimous consent of all independent directors thereof before such corporation or limited liability company could consent to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it or could file a petition seeking relief under any applicable federal or state law relating to bankruptcy and (y) at least three years of employment experience with one or more entities

 

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that provide, in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, advisory, management or placement services to issuers of securitization or structured finance instruments, agreements or securities. For purposes of this clause (c) , “ Parent Group ” shall mean (i) the Parent, the Servicer, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator and each Originator, (ii) each person that directly or indirectly, owns or controls, whether beneficially, or as a trustee, guardian or other fiduciary, five percent (5%) or more of the membership interests in the Parent, (iii) each person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Parent and (iv) each of such person’s officers, directors, managers, joint venturers and partners. For the purposes of this definition, “control” of a person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. A person shall be deemed to be an “associate” of (A) a corporation or organization of which such person is an officer, director, partner or manager or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of ten percent (10%) or more of any class of equity securities, (B) any trust or other estate in which such person serves as trustee or in a similar capacity and (C) any relative or spouse of a person described in clause (A)  or (B) of this sentence, or any relative of such spouse.

The Borrower shall (A) give written notice to the Administrative Agent of the election or appointment, or proposed election or appointment, of a new Independent Director of the Borrower, which notice shall be given not later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the date such appointment or election would be effective (except when such election or appointment is necessary to fill a vacancy caused by the death, disability, or incapacity of the existing Independent Director, or the failure of such Independent Director to satisfy the criteria for an Independent Director set forth in this clause (c) , in which case the Borrower shall provide written notice of such election or appointment within one (1) Business Day) and (B) with any such written notice, certify to the Administrative Agent that the Independent Director satis f ies the criteria for an Independent Director set forth in this clause (c) .

The Borrower’s Limited Liability Company Agreement shall provide that: (A) the Borrower’s board of directors shall not approve, or take any other action to cause the filing of, a voluntary bankruptcy petition with respect to the Borrower unless the Independent Director shall approve the taking of such action in writing before the taking of such action and (B) such provision and each other provision requiring an Independent Director cannot be amended without the prior written consent of the Independent Director.

The Independent Director shall not at any time serve as a trustee in bankruptcy for the Borrower, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, the Servicer or any of their respective Affiliates.

(d) Organizational Documents . The Borrower shall maintain its organizational documents in conformity with this Agreement, such that it does not amend, restate, supplement or otherwise modify its ability to comply with the terms and provisions of any of the Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, Section  8.01(p) .

(e) Conduct of Business . The Borrower shall conduct its affairs strictly in accordance with its organizational documents and observe all necessary, appropriate and customary company formalities, including, but not limited to, holding all regular and special

 

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members’ and board of directors’ meetings appropriate to authorize all company action, keeping separate and accurate minutes of its meetings, passing all resolutions or consents necessary to authorize actions taken or to be taken, and maintaining accurate and separate books, records and accounts, including, but not limited to, payroll and intercompany transaction accounts.

(f) Compensation . Any employee, consultant or agent of the Borrower will be compensated from the Borrower’s funds for services provided to the Borrower, and to the extent that Borrower shares the same officers or other employees as the Servicer (or any other Affiliate thereof), the salaries and expenses relating to providing benefits to such officers and other employees shall be fairly allocated among such entities, and each such entity shall bear its fair share of the salary and benefit costs associated with such common officers and employees. The Borrower will not engage any agents other than its attorneys, auditors and other professionals, and a servicer and any other agent contemplated by the Transaction Documents for the Receivables Pool, which servicer will be fully compensated for its services by payment of the Servicing Fee.

(g) Servicing and Costs . The Borrower will contract with the Servicer to perform for the Borrower all operations required on a daily basis to service the Receivables Pool. The Borrower will not incur any indirect or overhead expenses for items shared with the Servicer (or any other Affiliate thereof) that are not reflected in the Servicing Fee. To the extent, if any, that the Borrower (or any Affiliate thereof) shares items of expenses not reflected in the Servicing Fee, such as legal, auditing and other professional services, such expenses will be allocated to the extent practical on the basis of actual use or the value of services rendered, and otherwise on a basis reasonably related to the actual use or the value of services rendered.

(h) Operating Expenses . The Borrower’s operating expenses will not be paid by the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, any Originator, the Sub-Originator or any Affiliate thereof.

(i) Stationery . The Borrower will have its own separate stationery.

(j) Books and Records . The Borrower’s books and records will be maintained separately from those of the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Originators, the Sub-Originator and any of their Affiliates and in a manner such that it will not be difficult or costly to segregate, ascertain or otherwise identify the assets and liabilities of the Borrower.

(k) Disclosure of Transactions . All financial statements of the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator, the Originators or any Affiliate thereof that are consolidated to include the Borrower will disclose that (i) the Borrower’s sole business consists of the purchase or acceptance through capital contributions of the Receivables and Related Rights from the Originators and the subsequent retransfer of or granting of a security interest in such Receivables and Related Rights to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) the Borrower is a separate legal entity with its own separate creditors who will be entitled, upon its liquidation, to be satisfied out of the Borrower’s assets prior to any assets or value in the Borrower becoming available to the Borrower’s equity holders and (iii) the assets of the Borrower are not available to pay creditors of the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator, the Originators or any Affiliate thereof.

 

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(l) Segregation of Assets . The Borrower’s assets will be maintained in a manner that facilitates their identification and segregation from those of the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator, the Originators or any Affiliates thereof.

(m) Corporate Formalities . The Borrower will strictly observe limited liability company formalities in its dealings with the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator, the Originators or any Affiliates thereof, and funds or other assets of the Borrower will not be commingled with those of the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator, the Originators or any Affiliates thereof except as permitted by this Agreement in connection with servicing the Pool Receivables. The Borrower shall not maintain joint bank accounts or other depository accounts to which the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator, the Originators or any Affiliate thereof (other than the Servicer solely in its capacity as such) has independent access. The Borrower is not named, and has not entered into any agreement to be named, directly or indirectly, as a direct or contingent beneficiary or loss payee on any insurance policy with respect to any loss relating to the property of the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator, the Originators or any Subsidiaries or other Affiliates thereof. The Borrower will pay to the appropriate Affiliate the marginal increase or, in the absence of such increase, the market amount of its portion of the premium payable with respect to any insurance policy that covers the Borrower and such Affiliate.

(n) Arm’s-Length Relationships . The Borrower will maintain arm’s-length relationships with the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator, the Originators and any Affiliates thereof. Any Person that renders or otherwise furnishes services to the Borrower will be compensated by the Borrower at market rates for such services it renders or otherwise furnishes to the Borrower. Neither the Borrower on the one hand, nor the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator, any Originator or any Affiliate thereof, on the other hand, will be or will hold itself out to be responsible for the debts of the other or the decisions or actions respecting the daily business and affairs of the other. The Borrower, the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator, the Originators and their respective Affiliates will immediately correct any known misrepresentation with respect to the foregoing, and they will not operate or purport to operate as an integrated single economic unit with respect to each other or in their dealing with any other entity.

(o) Allocation of Overhead . To the extent that Borrower, on the one hand, and the Servicer, the Parent, the Performance Guarantor, the Sub-Originator, any Originator or any Affiliate thereof, on the other hand, have offices in the same location, there shall be a fair and appropriate allocation of overhead costs between them, and the Borrower shall bear its fair share of such expenses, which may be paid through the Servicing Fee or otherwise.

SECTION 8.04. Separate Existence of the Borrower . The Servicer hereby acknowledges that the Secured Parties and the Administrative Agent are entering into the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents in reliance upon the Borrower’s identity as a legal entity separate from any Originator, the Sub-Originator, the

 

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Servicer, the Performance Guarantor and their Affiliates. Therefore, from and after the date of execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Servicer will not take any action that would cause the Borrower to violate the “separateness covenants” set forth in Section  8.03 above.

ARTICLE IX

ADMINISTRATION AND COLLECTION

OF RECEIVABLES

SECTION 9.01. Appointment of the Servicer .

(a) The servicing, administering and collection of the Pool Receivables shall be conducted by the Person so designated from time to time as the Servicer in accordance with this Section  9 .01 . Until the Administrative Agent gives notice to Consol (in accordance with this Section  9.01 ) of the designation of a new Servicer, Consol is hereby designated as, and hereby agrees to perform the duties and obligations of, the Servicer pursuant to the terms hereof. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may (with the consent of the Majority Lenders) and shall (at the direction of the Majority Lenders) designate as Servicer any Person (including itself) to succeed Consol or any successor Servicer, on the condition in each case that any such Person so designated shall agree to perform the duties and obligations of the Servicer pursuant to the terms hereof.

(b) Upon the designation of a successor Servicer as set forth in clause (a)  above, Consol agrees that it will terminate its activities as Servicer hereunder in a manner that the Administrative Agent reasonably determines will facilitate the transition of the performance of such activities to the new Servicer, and Consol shall cooperate with and assist such new Servicer. Such cooperation shall include access to and transfer of records (including all Contracts) related to Pool Receivables and use by the new Servicer of all licenses (or the obtaining of new licenses), hardware or software necessary or reasonably desirable to collect the Pool Receivables and the Related Security.

(c) Consol acknowledges that, in making its decision to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and each Lender have relied on Consol’s agreement to act as Servicer hereunder. Accordingly, Consol agrees that it will not voluntarily resign as Servicer without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders.

(d) The Servicer may delegate its duties and obligations hereunder to any subservicer (each a “ Sub-Servicer ”); provided , that, in each such delegation: (i) such Sub-Servicer shall agree in writing to perform the delegated duties and obligations of the Servicer pursuant to the terms hereof, (ii) the Servicer shall remain liable for the performance of the duties and obligations so delegated, (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Credit Party shall have the right to look solely to the Servicer for performance, (iv) the terms of any agreement with any Sub-Servicer shall provide that the Administrative Agent may terminate such agreement upon the termination of the Servicer hereunder by giving notice of its desire to terminate such agreement to the Servicer (and the Servicer shall provide appropriate notice to each such Sub-Servicer) and (v) if such Sub-Servicer is not an Affiliate of the Parent, the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders shall have consented in writing in advance to such delegation.

 

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SECTION 9.02. Duties of the Servicer .

(a) The Servicer shall take or cause to be taken all such action as may be necessary or reasonably advisable to service, administer and collect each Pool Receivable from time to time, all in accordance with this Agreement and all Applicable Laws, with reasonable care and diligence, and in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policy and consistent with the past practices of the Originators and the Sub-Originator, it being understood that the Servicer does not guaranty the collection of any Receivable. The Servicer shall set aside, for the accounts of each Credit Party, the amount of Collections to which each such Credit Party is entitled in accordance with Article IV hereof. The Servicer may, in accordance with the Credit and Collection Policy and consistent with past practices of the Originators and the Sub-Originator, take such action, including modifications, waivers or restructurings of Pool Receivables and related Contracts, as the Servicer may reasonably determine to be appropriate to maximize Collections thereof or reflect adjustments expressly permitted under the Credit and Collection Policy or as expressly required under Applicable Laws or the applicable Contract; provided , that for purposes of this Agreement: (i) such action shall not, and shall not be deemed to, change the number of days such Pool Receivable has remained unpaid from the date of the original due date related to such Pool Receivable, (ii) such action shall not alter the status of such Pool Receivable as a Delinquent Receivable or a Defaulted Receivable or limit the rights of any Secured Party under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and (iii) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Servicer may take such action only upon the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. The Borrower shall deliver to the Servicer and the Servicer shall hold for the benefit of the Administrative Agent (individually and for the benefit of each Credit Party), in accordance with their respective interests, all records and documents (including computer tapes or disks) with respect to each Pool Receivable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may direct the Servicer to commence or settle any legal action to enforce collection of any Pool Receivable that is a Defaulted Receivable or to foreclose upon or repossess any Related Security with respect to any such Defaulted Receivable.

(b) [ Reserved ]

(c) The Servicer’s obligations hereunder shall terminate on the Final Payout Date. Promptly following the Final Payout date, the Servicer shall deliver to the Borrower all books, records and related materials that the Borrower previously provided to the Servicer, or that have been obtained by the Servicer, in connection with this Agreement.

SECTION 9.03. Collection Account Arrangements . Prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower shall have entered into Account Control Agreements with all of the Collection Account Banks and delivered executed counterparts of each to the Administrative Agent. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may (with the consent of the Majority Lenders) and shall (upon the direction of the Majority Lenders) at any time thereafter give notice to each Collection Account Bank that the Administrative Agent is exercising its rights under the Account Control Agreements to do any or all of the following:

 

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(a) to have the exclusive ownership and control of the Collection Accounts transferred to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) and to exercise exclusive dominion and control over the funds deposited therein, (b) to have the proceeds that are sent to the respective Collection Accounts redirected pursuant to the Administrative Agent’s instructions rather than deposited in the applicable Collection Account and (c) to take any or all other actions permitted under the applicable Account Control Agreement. The Borrower hereby agrees that if the Administrative Agent at any time takes any action set forth in the preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall have exclusive control (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) of the proceeds (including Collections) of all Pool Receivables and the Borrower hereby further agrees to take any other action that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to transfer such control. Any proceeds of Pool Receivables received by the Borrower or the Servicer thereafter shall be sent immediately to, or as otherwise instructed by, the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 9.04. Enforcement Rights .

(a) At any time following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:

(i) the Administrative Agent (at the Borrower’s expense) may direct the Obligors that payment of all amounts payable under any Pool Receivable is to be made directly to the Administrative Agent or its designee;

(ii) the Administrative Agent may instruct the Borrower or the Servicer to give notice of the Secured Parties’ interest in Pool Receivables to each Obligor, which notice shall direct that payments be made directly to the Administrative Agent or its designee (on behalf of the Secured Parties), and the Borrower or the Servicer, as the case may be, shall give such notice at the expense of the Borrower or the Servicer, as the case may be; provided , that if the Borrower or the Servicer, as the case may be, fails to so notify each Obligor within two (2) Business Days following instruction by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent (at the Borrower’s or the Servicer’s, as the case may be, expense) may so notify the Obligors;

(iii) the Administrative Agent may request the Servicer to, and upon such request the Servicer shall: (A) assemble all of the records necessary or desirable to collect the Pool Receivables and the Related Security, and transfer or license to a successor Servicer the use of all software necessary or desirable to collect the Pool Receivables and the Related Security, and make the same available to the Administrative Agent or its designee (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) at a place selected by the Administrative Agent and (B) segregate all cash, checks and other instruments received by it from time to time constituting Collections in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and, promptly upon receipt, remit all such cash, checks and instruments, duly endorsed or with duly executed instruments of transfer, to the Administrative Agent or its designee;

(iv) notify the Collection Account Banks that the Borrower and the Servicer will no longer have any access to the Collection Accounts;

 

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(v) the Administrative Agent may (or, at the direction of the Majority Lenders shall) replace the Person then acting as Servicer; and

(vi) the Administrative Agent may collect any amounts due from an Originator under the Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Sub-Originator under the Sub-Originator Sale Agreement or the Performance Guarantor under the Performance Guaranty.

(b) The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), and irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution and with full authority in the place and stead of the Borrower, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to take any and all steps in the name of the Borrower and on behalf of the Borrower necessary or desirable, in the reasonable determination of the Administrative Agent, after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, to collect any and all amounts or portions thereof due under any and all Collateral, including endorsing the name of the Borrower on checks and other instruments representing Collections and enforcing such Collateral. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection, none of the powers conferred upon such attorney-in-fact pursuant to the preceding sentence shall subject such attorney-in-fact to any liability if any action taken by it shall prove to be inadequate or invalid, nor shall they confer any obligations upon such attorney-in-fact in any manner whatsoever.

(c) The Servicer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties), and irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution and with full authority in the place and stead of the Servicer, which appointment is coupled with an interest, to take any and all steps in the name of the Servicer and on behalf of the Servicer necessary or desirable, in the reasonable determination of the Administrative Agent, after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, to collect any and all amounts or portions thereof due under any and all Collateral, including endorsing the name of the Servicer on checks and other instruments representing Collections and enforcing such Collateral. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection, none of the powers conferred upon such attorney-in-fact pursuant to the preceding sentence shall subject such attorney-in-fact to any liability if any action taken by it shall prove to be inadequate or invalid, nor shall they confer any obligations upon such attorney-in-fact in any manner whatsoever.

SECTION 9.05. Responsibilities of the Borrower .

(a) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower shall: (i) perform all of its obligations, if any, under the Contracts related to the Pool Receivables to the same extent as if interests in such Pool Receivables had not been transferred hereunder, and the exercise by the Administrative Agent, or any other Credit Party of their respective rights hereunder shall not relieve the Borrower from such obligations and (ii) pay when due any taxes, including any sales taxes payable in connection with the Pool Receivables and their creation and satisfaction. None of the Credit Parties shall have any obligation or liability with respect to any Collateral, nor shall any of them be obligated to perform any of the obligations of the Borrower, the Servicer, the Sub-Originator or any Originator thereunder.

 

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(b) Consol hereby irrevocably agrees that if at any time it shall cease to be the Servicer hereunder, it shall act (if the then-current Servicer so requests) as the data-processing agent of the Servicer and, in such capacity, Consol shall conduct the data-processing functions of the administration of the Receivables and the Collections thereon in substantially the same way that Consol conducted such data-processing functions while it acted as the Servicer. In connection with any such processing functions, the Borrower shall pay to Consol its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses from the Borrower’s own funds (subject to the priority of payments set forth in Section  4.01 ).

SECTION 9.06. Servicing Fee .

(a) Subject to clause (b)  below, the Borrower shall pay the Servicer a fee (the “ Servicing Fee ”) equal to 1.00% per annum (the “ Servicing Fee Rate ”) of the daily average aggregate Outstanding Balance of the Pool Receivables. Accrued Servicing Fees shall be payable from Collections to the extent of available funds in accordance with Section  4.01 .

(b) If the Servicer ceases to be Consol or an Affiliate thereof, the Servicing Fee shall be the greater of: (i) the amount calculated pursuant to clause (a)  above and (ii) an alternative amount specified by the successor Servicer not to exceed 110% of the aggregate reasonable costs and expenses incurred by such successor Servicer in connection with the performance of its obligations as Servicer hereunder.

ARTICLE X

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

SECTION 10.01. Events of Default . If any of the following events (each an “ Event of Default ”) shall occur:

(a) (i) the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer shall fail to perform or observe in any material respect any term, covenant or agreement under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (other than any such failure which would constitute an Event of Default under clause (ii)  or (iii) of this paragraph (a) ), and such failure, solely to the extent capable of cure, shall continue for ten (10) Business Days after the earlier of (x) a responsible officer of the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, such Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer, as applicable, has knowledge of such failure and (y) the date on which written notice of such failure shall have been given to the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, such Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer, as applicable, (ii) the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer shall fail to make when due any payment or deposit to be made by it under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and such failure shall continue unremedied for two (2) Business Days or (iii) Consol shall resign as Servicer, and no successor Servicer reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent shall have been appointed;

 

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(b) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer (or any of their respective officers) under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any information or report delivered by the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, shall prove to have been incorrect or untrue in any material respect when made or deemed made or delivered and such failure, solely to the extent capable of cure, shall continue for ten (10) Business Days after the earlier of (x) a responsible officer of the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, such Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer, as applicable, has knowledge of such failure and (y) the date on which written notice of such failure shall have been given to the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, such Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer, as applicable;

(c) the Borrower or the Servicer shall fail to deliver an Information Package or Interim Report pursuant to this Agreement, and such failure shall remain unremedied for two (2) Business Days;

(d) this Agreement or any security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall for any reason cease to create, or for any reason cease to be, a valid and enforceable first priority perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent with respect to the Collateral, free and clear of any Adverse Claim;

(e) the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any Insolvency Proceeding shall be instituted by or against the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against such Person (but not instituted by such Person), either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days, or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including the entry of an order for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for, it or for any substantial part of its property) shall occur; or the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer shall take any corporate or organizational action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this paragraph;

(f) the Delinquency Ratio for any Fiscal Month shall exceed 2.50%;

(g) a Change in Control shall occur;

(h) a Borrowing Base Deficit shall occur, and shall not have been cured within two (2) Business Days;

(i) (i) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest on any of its Debt when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement, mortgage, indenture or instrument relating to such Debt (whether or not such failure shall have been waived under the related agreement); (ii) any Originator, the Sub-Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer, or any of their respective Subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate, shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest owing under the Revolving Credit Agreement, or on any of

 

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its Debt that is outstanding in a principal amount of at least the Threshold Amount in the aggregate when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement, mortgage, indenture or instrument relating to such Debt (whether or not such failure shall have been waived under the related agreement); (iii) any other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement, mortgage, indenture or instrument relating to any such Debt (as referred to in clause (i)  or (ii) of this paragraph and shall continue after the applicable grace period (not to exceed 30 days), if any, specified in such agreement, mortgage, indenture or instrument (whether or not such failure shall have been waived under the related agreement), if the effect of such event or condition is to give the applicable debtholders the right (whether acted upon or not) to accelerate the maturity of such Debt (as referred to in clause (i)  or (ii) of this paragraph) or to terminate the commitment of any lender thereunder, (iv) any such Debt (as referred to in clause (i)  or (ii) of this paragraph) shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment), redeemed, purchased or defeased, or an offer to repay, redeem, purchase or defease such Debt shall be required to be made or the commitment of any lender thereunder terminated, in each case before the stated maturity thereof or (v) the occurrence of any “Event of Default” under and as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement;

(j) the Performance Guarantor shall fail to perform any of its obligations under the Performance Guaranty and such failures remains unremedied for ten (10) Business Days after the earlier of (x) a responsible officer of the Performance Guarantor has knowledge of such failure and (y) the date on which written notice of such failure shall have been given to the Performance Guarantor;

(k) the Borrower shall fail (x) at any time (other than for ten (10) Business Days following notice of the death or resignation of any Independent Director) to have an Independent Director who satisfies each requirement and qualification specified in Section  8.03(c) of this Agreement for Independent Directors, on the Borrower’s board of directors or (y) to timely notify the Administrative Agent of any replacement or appointment of any director that is to serve as an Independent Director on the Borrower’s board of directors as required pursuant to Section  8.03(c) of this Agreement;

(l) [reserved];

(m) any Letter of Credit is drawn upon and is not fully reimbursed by the Borrower within two (2) Business Days from the date of such draw;

(n) either (i) the Internal Revenue Service shall file notice of a lien pursuant to Section 6323 of the Code with regard to any assets of the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator or the Parent or (ii) the PBGC shall file a notice of a lien pursuant to Section 4068 of ERISA, or a lien is imposed pursuant to Section 303(k) of ERISA, with regard to any of the assets of the Borrower, the Sub-Originator or any Originator;

 

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(o) the occurrence of any of the following events that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change: (i) an ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan or (ii) the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan;

(p) [Reserved];

(q) a Purchase and Sale Termination Event shall occur;

(r) the Borrower shall (x) be required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act or (y) become a “covered fund” under the Volcker Rule;

(s) any material provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document shall cease to be in full force and effect or any of the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, any Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer (or any of their respective Affiliates) shall so state in writing;

(t) one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Borrower, any Originator, the Sub-Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer, or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing involving in the aggregate a liability (not paid or to the extent not covered by a reputable and solvent insurance company) and such judgments and decrees either shall be final and non-appealable or shall not be vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal for any period of 30 consecutive days, and the aggregate amount of all such judgments equals or exceeds the applicable Threshold Amount; or

(u) the Total Net Leverage Ratio calculated as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter shall exceed the ratio of (i) prior to and including the fourth quarter of 2018, 3.25 to 1.0; (ii) prior to and including the fourth quarter of 2019, 3.00 to 1.0; and (iii) prior to and including the fourth quarter of 2020, 2.75 to 1.0. For purposes of this clause (u) , unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, terms used herein (including all defined terms used within such terms ) shall have the respective meaning assigned to such terms in the Revolving Credit Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date; provided , however , if after the Closing Date, any term used herein (including all defined terms used within such terms ) is amended or modified, then for all purposes of this clause (u) , such term shall automatically and without further action on the part of any Person, be deemed to be also so amended or modified, if at the time of such amendment or modification, (i) Administrative Agent and Lenders (or Affiliates thereof) representing at least 66-2/3% of the aggregate Commitments of all Lenders hereunder are parties to the Revolving Credit Agreement and have consented to such amendment or modification and (ii) such amendment or modification is consummated in accordance with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement;

then, and in any such event, the Administrative Agent may (or, at the direction of the Majority Lenders shall) by notice to the Borrower (x) declare the Termination Date to have occurred (in which case the Termination Date shall be deemed to have occurred), (y) declare the Final Maturity Date to have occurred (in which case the Final Maturity Date shall be deemed to have occurred) and (z) declare the Aggregate Capital and all other Borrower Obligations to be immediately due and payable (in which case the Aggregate Capital and all other Borrower

 

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Obligations shall be immediately due and payable); provided that, automatically upon the occurrence of any event (without any requirement for the giving of notice) described in subsection (e)  of this Section  10.01 with respect to the Borrower, the Termination Date shall occur and the Aggregate Capital and all other Borrower Obligations shall be immediately due and payable. Upon any such declaration or designation or upon such automatic termination, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties shall have, in addition to the rights and remedies which they may have under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, all other rights and remedies provided after default under the UCC and under other Applicable Law, which rights and remedies shall be cumulative. Any proceeds from liquidation of the Collateral shall be applied in the order of priority set forth in Section  4.01 .

ARTICLE XI

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

SECTION 11.01. Authorization and Action . Each Credit Party hereby appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties other than those expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents, and no implied obligations or liabilities shall be read into any Transaction Document, or otherwise exist, against the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent does not assume, nor shall it be deemed to have assumed, any obligation to, or relationship of trust or agency with, the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof or any Credit Party except for any obligations expressly set forth herein. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, in no event shall the Administrative Agent ever be required to take any action which exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to any provision of any Transaction Document or Applicable Law.

SECTION 11.02. Administrative Agent s Reliance, Etc . Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them as Administrative Agent under or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Administrative Agent’s servicing, administering or collecting Pool Receivables in the event it replaces the Servicer in such capacity pursuant to Section  9.01 ), in the absence of its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent: (a) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for any Credit Party or the Servicer), independent certified public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts; (b) makes no warranty or representation to any Credit Party (whether written or oral) and shall not be responsible to any Credit Party for any statements, warranties or representations (whether written or oral) made by any other party in or in connection with this Agreement; (c) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement on the part of any Credit Party or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of any Credit Party; (d) shall not be responsible to any Credit Party for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; and (e) shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in so relying, upon any notice (including notice by telephone), consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by facsimile) believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or parties.

 

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SECTION 11.03. Administrative Agent and Affiliates . With respect to any Credit Extension or interests therein owned by any Credit Party that is also the Administrative Agent, such Credit Party shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Credit Party and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any of its Affiliates may generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof and any Person who may do business with or own securities of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof, all as if the Administrative Agent were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to any other Secured Party.

SECTION 11.04. Indemnification of Administrative Agent . Each Lender agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof), ratably according to the respective Percentage of such Lender, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Administrative Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; provided that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

SECTION 11.05. Delegation of Duties . The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

SECTION 11.06. Action or Inaction by Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to take action under any Transaction Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Majority Lenders and assurance of its indemnification by the Lenders, as it deems appropriate. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document in accordance with a request or at the direction of the Majority Lenders, as the case may be, and such request or direction and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all Credit Parties. The Credit Parties and the Administrative Agent agree that unless any action to be taken by the Administrative Agent under a Transaction Document (i) specifically requires the advice or concurrence of the Majority Lenders or (ii) may be taken by the Administrative Agent alone or without any advice or concurrence of a Lender, then the Administrative Agent may take action based upon the advice or concurrence of the Majority Lenders.

 

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SECTION 11.07. Notice of Events of Default; Action by Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from any Credit Party or the Borrower stating that an Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default has occurred hereunder and describing such Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default. If the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, it shall promptly give notice thereof to each Credit Party. The Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, concerning an Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default or any other matter hereunder as the Administrative Agent deems advisable and in the best interests of the Secured Parties.

SECTION 11.08. Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Parties . Each Credit Party expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent. Each Credit Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent that, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, it has made and will continue to make its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, prospects, financial and other conditions and creditworthiness of the Borrower, the Sub-Originator, each Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer and the Pool Receivables and its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to take, or omit, action under any Transaction Document. Except for items expressly required to be delivered under any Transaction Document by the Administrative Agent to any Credit Party, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Credit Party with any information concerning the Borrower, any Originator, the Sub-Originator, the Performance Guarantor or the Servicer that comes into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.

SECTION 11.09. Successor Administrative Agent .

(a) The Administrative Agent may, upon at least thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrower, the Servicer and each Credit Party, resign as Administrative Agent. Except as provided below, such resignation shall not become effective until a successor Administrative Agent is appointed by the LC Bank and the Majority Lenders as a successor Administrative Agent and has accepted such appointment. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the LC Bank and the Majority Lenders, within thirty (30) days after the departing Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, the departing Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Secured Parties, appoint a successor Administrative Agent as successor Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders within sixty (60) days after the departing Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, the departing Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Secured Parties, petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Administrative Agent.

 

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(b) Upon such acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights and duties of the resigning Administrative Agent, and the resigning Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Transaction Documents. After any resigning Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article XI and Article XIII shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 11.10. Structuring Agent . Each of the parties hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Structuring Agent shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement, other than the Structuring Agent’s right to receive fees pursuant to Section  2.03 . Each Credit Party acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on the Structuring Agent in deciding to enter into this Agreement and to take, or omit to take, any action under any Transaction Document.

ARTICLE XII

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE XIII

INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 13.01. Indemnities by the Borrower .

(a) Without limiting any other rights that the Administrative Agent, the Credit Parties, the Affected Persons and their respective assigns, officers, directors, agents and employees (each, a “ Borrower Indemnified Party ”) may have hereunder or under Applicable Law, the Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify each Borrower Indemnified Party from and against any and all claims, losses and liabilities (including Attorney Costs) (all of the foregoing being collectively referred to as “ Borrower Indemnified Amounts ”) arising out of or resulting from this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the use of proceeds of the Credit Extensions or the security interest in respect of any Pool Receivable or any other Collateral; excluding , however , (a) Borrower Indemnified Amounts to the extent a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holds that such Borrower Indemnified Amounts resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Borrower Indemnified Party seeking indemnification and (b) Taxes other than Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc., arising from any non-Tax claim. Without limiting or being limited by the foregoing, the Borrower shall pay on demand (it being understood that if any portion of such payment obligation is made from Collections, such payment will be made at the time and in the order of priority set forth in Section  4.01 ), to each Borrower Indemnified Party any and all amounts necessary to indemnify such Borrower Indemnified Party from and against any and all Borrower Indemnified Amounts relating to or resulting from any of the following (but excluding Borrower Indemnified Amounts and Taxes described in clauses (a)  and (b) above):

(i) any Pool Receivable which the Borrower or the Servicer includes as an Eligible Receivable as part of the Net Receivables Pool Balance but which is not an Eligible Receivable at such time;

 

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(ii) any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed made by the Borrower (or any of its respective officers) under or in connection with this Agreement, any of the other Transaction Documents, any Information Package, any Interim Report or any other information or report delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant hereto which shall have been untrue or incorrect when made or deemed made;

(iii) the failure by the Borrower to comply with any Applicable Law with respect to any Pool Receivable or the related Contract; or the failure of any Pool Receivable or the related Contract to conform to any such Applicable Law;

(iv) the failure to vest in the Administrative Agent a first priority perfected security interest in all or any portion of the Collateral, in each case free and clear of any Lien;

(v) the failure to have filed, or any delay in filing, financing statements (including, as-extracted collateral filings), financing statement amendments, continuation statements or other similar instruments or documents under the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction or other Applicable Laws with respect to any Pool Receivable and the other Collateral and Collections in respect thereof, whether at the time of any Credit Extension or at any subsequent time;

(vi) [reserved];

(vii) any failure of the Borrower to perform any of its duties or obligations in accordance with the provisions hereof and of each other Transaction Document related to Pool Receivables or to timely and fully comply with the Credit and Collection Policy in regard to each Pool Receivable;

(viii) any products liability, environmental or other claim arising out of or in connection with any Pool Receivable or other merchandise, goods or services which are the subject of or related to any Pool Receivable;

(ix) the commingling of Collections of Pool Receivables at any time with other funds;

(x) any investigation, litigation or proceeding (actual or threatened) related to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or the use of proceeds of any Credit Extensions or in respect of any Pool Receivable or other Collateral or any related Contract;

(xi) any failure of the Borrower to comply with its covenants, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document;

(xii) the failure or delay by the Borrower to provide any Obligor with an invoice or other evidence of indebtedness;

 

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(xiii) any setoff with respect to any Pool Receivable;

(xiv) any claim brought by any Person other than a Borrower Indemnified Party arising from any activity by the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower in servicing, administering or collecting any Pool Receivable;

(xv) the failure by the Borrower to pay when due any taxes, including, without limitation, sales, excise or personal property taxes;

(xvi) any failure of a Collection Account Bank to comply with the terms of the applicable Account Control Agreement or any amounts payable by the Administrative Agent to a Collection Account Bank under any Account Control Agreement;

(xvii) any dispute, claim, offset or defense (other than discharge in bankruptcy of the Obligor) of the Obligor to the payment of any Pool Receivable (including, without limitation, a defense based on such Pool Receivable or the related Contract not being a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Obligor enforceable against it in accordance with its terms), or any other claim resulting from or relating to collection activities with respect to such Pool Receivable, the sale of goods or the rendering of services related to such Pool Receivable or the furnishing or failure to furnish any such goods or services or other similar claim or defense not arising from the financial inability of any Obligor to pay undisputed indebtedness;

(xviii) any action taken by the Administrative Agent as attorney-in-fact for the Borrower, any Originator, the Sub-Originator or the Servicer pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document;

(xix) the use of proceeds of any Credit Extension or the usage of any Letter of Credit; or

(xx) any reduction in Capital as a result of the distribution of Collections if all or a portion of such distributions shall thereafter be rescinded or otherwise must be returned for any reason.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, solely for purposes of the Borrower’s indemnification obligations in clauses (ii) , (iii) , (vii) and (xi)  of this Article XIII , any representation, warranty or covenant qualified by the occurrence or non-occurrence of a material adverse effect or similar concepts of materiality shall be deemed to be not so qualified.

(c) Any indemnification under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 13.02. Indemnification by the Servicer .

(a) The Servicer hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Credit Parties, the Affected Persons and their respective assigns, officers, directors, agents and employees (each, a “ Servicer Indemnified Party ”), from and against any loss, liability, expense, damage or injury suffered or sustained by reason of any acts, omissions or alleged acts or omissions arising out of activities of the Servicer pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, including any judgment, award, settlement, Attorney Costs and other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any actual or threatened action, proceeding or claim arising out of the foregoing (all of the foregoing being collectively referred to as, “ Servicer Indemnified Amounts ”); excluding (i) Servicer Indemnified Amounts to the extent a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holds that such Servicer Indemnified Amounts resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Servicer Indemnified Party seeking indemnification, (ii) Taxes other than Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc., arising from any non-Tax claim and (iii) Servicer Indemnified Amounts to the extent the same includes losses in respect of Pool Receivables that are uncollectible solely on account of the insolvency, bankruptcy, lack of creditworthiness or other financial inability to pay or financial or credit condition of the related Obligor. Without limiting or being limited by the foregoing, the Servicer shall pay on demand, to each Servicer Indemnified Party any and all amounts necessary to indemnify such Servicer Indemnified Party from and against any and all Servicer Indemnified Amounts relating to or resulting from any of the following (but excluding Servicer Indemnified Amounts described in clauses (i) , (ii) and (iii)  above):

(i) any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed made by the Servicer (or any of its respective officers) under or in connection with this Agreement, any of the other Transaction Documents, any Information Package or any other information or report delivered by or on behalf of the Servicer pursuant hereto which shall have been untrue or incorrect when made or deemed made;

(ii) the failure by the Servicer to comply with any Applicable Law with respect to any Pool Receivable or the related Contract;

(iii) the failure or delay by the Servicer to provide any Obligor with an invoice or other evidence of indebtedness;

(iv) the commingling of Collections of Pool Receivables at any time with other funds;

(v) any amounts payable by the Administrative Agent to a Collection Account Bank under any Account Control Agreement; or

(vi) any failure of the Servicer to comply with its covenants, obligations and agreements contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

(b) Any indemnification under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE XIV

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 14.01. Amendments, Etc .

(a) No failure on the part of any Credit Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof shall be effective unless in a writing signed by the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and the Majority Lenders (and, in the case of any amendment, also signed by the Borrower), and then such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that (A) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Servicer, affect the rights or duties of the Servicer under this Agreement; (B) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent and each Credit Party:

(i) change (directly or indirectly) the definitions of, Borrowing Base Deficit, Defaulted Receivable, Delinquent Receivable, Eligible Receivable, Facility Limit, Final Maturity Date, or Net Receivables Pool Balance contained in this Agreement or change the calculation of the Borrowing Base;

(ii) reduce the amount of Capital or Interest that is payable on account of any Loan or with respect to any other Credit Extension or delay any scheduled date for payment thereof;

(iii) change any Event of Default;

(iv) release all or a material portion of the Collateral from the Administrative Agent’s security interest created hereunder;

(v) release the Performance Guarantor from any of its obligations under the Performance Guaranty or terminate the Performance Guaranty;

(vi) change any of the provisions of this Section  14.01 or the definition of “Majority Lenders”; or

(vii) change the order of priority in which Collections are applied pursuant to Section  4.01 .

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) no amendment, waiver or consent shall increase any Lender’s Commitment hereunder without the consent of such Lender and (B) no amendment, waiver or consent shall reduce any Fees payable by the Borrower to any Credit Party or delay the dates on which any such Fees are payable, in either case, without the consent of such Credit Party.

 

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SECTION 14.02. Notices, Etc . All notices and other communications hereunder shall, unless otherwise stated herein, be in writing (which shall include facsimile communication) and faxed or delivered, to each party hereto, at its address set forth under its name on Schedule III hereto or at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties hereto. Notices and communications by facsimile shall be effective when sent (and shall be followed by hard copy sent by regular mail), and notices and communications sent by other means shall be effective when received.

SECTION 14.03. Assignability; Addition of Lenders.

(a) Assignment by Lenders . Each Lender may assign to any Eligible Assignee or to any other Lender all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment and any Loan or interests therein owned by it); provided , however that

(i) except for an assignment by a Lender to either an Affiliate of such Lender or any other Lender, each such assignment shall require the prior written consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided , however , that such consent shall not be required if an Event of Default or an Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing);

(ii) each such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of all rights and obligations under this Agreement;

(iii) the amount being assigned pursuant to each such assignment (determined as of the date of the Assignment and Acceptance Agreement with respect to such assignment) shall in no event be less than the lesser of (x) $5,000,000 and (y) all of the assigning Lender’s Commitment; and

(iv) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register, an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement.

Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording from and after the effective date specified in such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, (x) the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement, and to the extent that rights and obligations under this Agreement have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder and (y) the assigning Lender shall, to the extent that rights and obligations have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, relinquish such rights and be released from such obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto).

(b) Register . The Administrative Agent shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain at its address referred to on Schedule III of this Agreement (or such other address of the Administrative Agent notified by the Administrative Agent to the other parties hereto) a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance Agreement delivered to and

 

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accepted by it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, the Commitment of each Lender and the aggregate outstanding Capital (and stated interest) of the Loans of each Lender from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Servicer, the Administrative Agent, and the other Credit Parties shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender under this Agreement for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Servicer, the LC Bank, or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(c) Procedure . Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance Agreement executed and delivered by an assigning Lender and an Eligible Assignee or assignee Lender, the Administrative Agent shall, if such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement has been duly completed, (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register and (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower and the Servicer.

(d) Participations . Each Lender may sell participations to one or more Eligible Assignees (each, a “ Participant ”) in or to all or a portion of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment and the interests in the Loans owned by it); provided , however , that

(i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, its Commitment to the Borrower hereunder) shall remain unchanged, and

(ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties to this Agreement for the performance of such obligations.

The Administrative Agent, the LC Bank, the Lenders, the Borrower and the Servicer shall have the right to continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 5.01 and 5.03 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 5.03(f) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 5.03(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 5.01 or 5.03, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.

(e) Participant Register . Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information

 

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relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any this Agreement) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(f) Assignments by Administrative Agent . This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the Administrative Agent herein shall be assignable by the Administrative Agent and its successors and assigns; provided that in the case of an assignment to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent nor a Lender hereunder, so long as no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such assignment shall require the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

(g) Assignments by the Borrower or the Servicer . Neither the Borrower nor, except as provided in Section  9.01 , the Servicer may assign any of its respective rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and each Lender (such consent to be provided or withheld in the sole discretion of such Person).

(h) Addition of New Lenders . Subject to Section  2.02(c) , the Borrower may, with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the LC Bank, add additional Persons as Lenders. Each new Lender shall become a party hereto, by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent, the LC Bank and the Borrower, an assumption agreement (each, an “ Assumption Agreement ”) in the form of Exhibit  C hereto.

(i) Pledge to a Federal Reserve Bank . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, (i) any Lender or any of its Affiliates may at any time pledge or grant a security interest in all or any portion of its interest in, to and under this Agreement (including, without limitation, rights to payment of Capital and Interest) and any other Transaction Document to secure its obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, without notice to or the consent of the Borrower, the Servicer, any Affiliate thereof or any Credit Party; provided , however , that that no such pledge shall relieve such assignor of its obligations under this Agreement.

(j) Pledge to a Security Trustee . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, (i) any Lender or any of its Affiliates may at any time pledge or grant a security interest in all or any portion of its interest in, to and under this Agreement (including, without limitation, rights to payment of Capital and Interest) and any other Transaction Document to a security trustee in connection with the funding by such Person of Loans, without notice to or the consent of the Borrower, the Servicer, any Affiliate thereof or any Credit Party; provided , however , that that no such pledge shall relieve such assignor of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

89


SECTION 14.04. Costs and Expenses . In addition to the rights of indemnification granted under Section  13.01 hereof, the Borrower agrees to pay on demand all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (together with all amendments, restatements, supplements, consents and waivers, if any, from time to time hereto and thereto), including, without limitation, (i) the reasonable Attorney Costs for the Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties and any of their respective Affiliates with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties and their respective Affiliates as to their rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, (ii) reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including reasonable Attorney Costs) for the Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties and any of their respective Affiliates and agents incurred in connection with the administration and maintenance of this Agreement or the protection and enforcement of their rights and remedies under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document and (iii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of any regular employees and agents of the Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties engaged periodically to perform audits of the Borrower’s books, records and business properties.

SECTION 14.05. No Proceedings; Limitation on Payments . Each of the Servicer, each Lender and each assignee of a Loan or any interest therein, hereby covenants and agrees that it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, the Borrower any Insolvency Proceeding until one year and one day after the Final Payout Date; provided , that the Administrative Agent may take any such action in its sole discretion following the occurrence of an Event of Default.

SECTION 14.06. Confidentiality .

(a) [Reserved].

(b) Each of the Administrative Agent and each other Credit Party, severally and with respect to itself only, agrees to hold in confidence, and not disclose to any Person, any confidential and proprietary information concerning the Borrower, the Servicer and their respective Affiliates and their businesses or the terms of this Agreement (including any fees payable in connection with this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents), except as the Borrower or the Servicer may have consented to in writing prior to any proposed disclosure; provided , however , that it may disclose such information (i) to its Advisors and Representatives, (ii) to its assignees and Participants and potential assignees and Participants and their respective counsel if they agree in writing to hold it confidential in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (iii) to the extent such information has become available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by or through it or its Representatives or Advisors, (iv) at the request of a bank examiner or other regulatory authority or in connection with an examination of any of the Administrative Agent, or any Lender or their respective Affiliates or (v) to the extent it should be (A) required by Applicable Law, or in connection with any legal or regulatory proceeding or (B) requested by any Governmental Authority to disclose such information; provided , that, in the case of clause (v)  above, the Administrative Agent and each Lender will use reasonable efforts to maintain confidentiality and will (unless otherwise prohibited by Applicable Law) notify the Borrower and the Servicer of its making any such disclosure as promptly as reasonably practicable thereafter. Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, severally and with respect to itself only, agrees to be responsible for any breach of this Section by its Representatives and Advisors and agrees that its Representatives and Advisors will be advised by it of the confidential nature of such information and shall agree to comply with this Section.

 

90


(c) As used in this Section, (i) “ Advisors ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s accountants, attorneys and other confidential advisors and (ii) “ Representatives ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates, Subsidiaries, directors, managers, officers, employees, members, investors, financing sources, insurers, professional advisors, representatives and agents; provided that such Persons shall not be deemed to Representatives of a Person unless (and solely to the extent that) confidential information is furnished to such Person.

SECTION 14.07. GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY OTHER CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE PERFECTION, THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OR PRIORITY OF THE INTERESTS OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER IN THE COLLATERAL IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK).

SECTION 14.08. Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart hereof by facsimile or other electronic means shall be equally effective as delivery of an originally executed counterpart.

SECTION 14.09. Integration; Binding Effect; Survival of Termination . This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents contain the final and complete integration of all prior expressions by the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof superseding all prior oral or written understandings. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. This Agreement shall create and constitute the continuing obligations of the parties hereto in accordance with its terms and shall remain in full force and effect until the Final Payout Date; provided , however , that the provisions of Sections 3.08 , 3.09 , 3.10 , 5.01 , 5.03 , 11.04 , 11.06 , 13.01 , 13.02 , 14.04 , 14.05 , 14.06 , 14.09 , 14.11 and 14.13 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 14.10. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION . (a) THE BORROWER AND THE SERVICER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT, FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER

 

91


TRANSACTION DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OF ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 14.10 OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR THE SERVICER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION. EACH OF THE BORROWER AND THE SERVICER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN SECTION  14.10 . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT ANY SUCH DEFENSE. THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.

(b) EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 14.02 . NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

SECTION 14.11. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER (WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT.

SECTION 14.12. Ratable Payments . If any Credit Party, whether by setoff or otherwise, has payment made to it with respect to any Borrower Obligations in a greater proportion than that received by any other Credit Party entitled to receive a ratable share of such Borrower Obligations, such Credit Party agrees, promptly upon demand, to purchase for cash without recourse or warranty a portion of such Borrower Obligations held by the other Credit Parties so that after such purchase each Credit Party will hold its ratable proportion of such Borrower Obligations; provided that if all or any portion of such excess amount is thereafter recovered from such Credit Party, such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

 

92


SECTION 14.13. Limitation of Liability .

(a) No claim may be made by the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof or any other Person against any Credit Party or their respective Affiliates, members, directors, officers, employees, incorporators, attorneys or agents for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) relating to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

(b) The obligations of the Administrative Agent and each of the other Credit Parties under this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents are solely the corporate obligations of such Person. No recourse shall be had for any obligation or claim arising out of or based upon this Agreement or any other Transaction Document against any member, director, officer, employee or incorporator of any such Person.

SECTION 14.14. Intent of the Parties . The parties hereto have entered into this Agreement with the intention that the Loans and the obligations of the Borrower hereunder will be treated under United States federal, and applicable state, local and foreign tax law as debt (the “ Intended Tax Treatment ”). The Borrower, the Servicer, the Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties agree to file no tax return, or take any action, inconsistent with the Intended Tax Treatment unless required by law. Each assignee and each Participant acquiring an interest in a Credit Extension, by its acceptance of such assignment or participation, agrees to comply with the immediately preceding sentence.

SECTION 14.15. USA Patriot Act . Each of the Administrative Agent and each of the other Credit Parties hereby notifies the Borrower and the Servicer that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001) (the “ PATRIOT Act ”), the Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties may be required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, the Originators, the Sub-Originator, the Servicer and the Performance Guarantor, which information includes the name, address, tax identification number and other information regarding the Borrower, the Originators, the Sub-Originator, the Servicer and the Performance Guarantor that will allow the Administrative Agent and the other Credit Parties to identify the Borrower, the Originators, the Sub-Originator, the Servicer and the Performance Guarantor in accordance with the PATRIOT Act. This notice is given in accordance with the requirements of the PATRIOT Act. Each of the Borrower and the Servicer agrees to provide the Administrative Agent and each other Credit Parties, from time to time, with all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act.

SECTION 14.16. Right of Setoff .

(a) Each Credit Party is hereby authorized (in addition to any other rights it may have), at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, to setoff, appropriate and apply (without presentment, demand, protest or other notice which are hereby expressly waived) any deposits and any other indebtedness owing to such Credit Party (including by any branches or Affiliates of such Credit Party), or held by such Credit Party for the account of, the Borrower against amounts owing by the Borrower hereunder; provided that such Credit Party shall notify the Borrower promptly following such setoff.

 

93


(b) Each Credit Party is hereby authorized (in addition to any other rights it may have), at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, to setoff, appropriate and apply (without presentment, demand, protest or other notice which are hereby expressly waived) any deposits and any other indebtedness owing to such Credit Party (including by any branches or Affiliates of such Credit Party), or held by such Credit Party for the account of, the Servicer against amounts owing by the Servicer hereunder; provided that such Credit Party shall notify the Servicer promptly following such setoff.

SECTION 14.17. Severability . Any provisions of this Agreement which are prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 14.18. Mutual Negotiations . This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents are the product of mutual negotiations by the parties thereto and their counsel, and no party shall be deemed the draftsperson of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any provision hereof or thereof or to have provided the same. Accordingly, in the event of any inconsistency or ambiguity of any provision of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, such inconsistency or ambiguity shall not be interpreted against any party because of such party’s involvement in the drafting thereof.

SECTION 14.19. Captions and Cross References . The various captions (including the table of contents) in this Agreement are provided solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, references in this Agreement to any Section, Schedule or Exhibit are to such Section Schedule or Exhibit to this Agreement, as the case may be, and references in any Section, subsection, or clause to any subsection, clause or subclause are to such subsection, clause or subclause of such Section, subsection or clause.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

94


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

  CONSOL FUNDING LLC
 

By: /s/ Steven T. Aspinall

  Name: Steven T. Aspinall
  Title: Vice President

Receivables Financing Agreement

 

S-1


  CONSOL PENNSYLVANIA COAL COMPANY LLC, as the Servicer
 

By: /s/ James A. Brock

  Name: James A. Brock
  Title: President

Receivables Financing Agreement

 

S-2


PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent
By:  

/s/ Michael Brown

Name: Michael Brown
Title: Senior Vice President
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as LC Bank
By:  

/s/ Michael Brown

Name: Michael Brown
Title: Senior Vice President
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Michael Brown

Name: Michael Brown
Title: Senior Vice President

Receivables Financing Agreement

 

S-3


EXHIBIT A

Form of [Loan Request] [LC Request]

[Letterhead of Borrower]

[Date]

[Administrative Agent]

Re: [Loan Request] [LC Request]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to that certain Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2017 among CONSOL Funding LLC (the “ Borrower ”), Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, as Servicer (the “ Servicer ”), the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) and as the LC Bank (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used in this [Loan Request] [LC Request] and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Agreement.

[This letter constitutes a Loan Request pursuant to Section  2.02(a) of the Agreement. The Borrower hereby request a Loan in the amount of [$              ] to be made on [              , 20      ] (of which $[      ] will be funded by PNC and $[      ] will be funded by [      ]. The proceeds of such Loan should be deposited to [Account number], at [Name, Address and ABA Number of Bank]. After giving effect to such Loan, the Aggregate Capital will be [$              ].]

[This letter constitutes an LC Request pursuant to Section  3.02(a) of the Agreement. The Borrower hereby request that the LC Bank issue a Letter of Credit with a face amount of [$              ] on [              , 20      ]. After giving effect to such issuance, the LC Participation Amount will be [$              ].

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof, and after giving effect to such Credit Extension, as follows:

(i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Servicer contained in Sections 7.01 and 7.02 of the Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension as though made on and as of such date unless such representations and warranties by their terms refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date;

(ii) no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default would result from such Credit Extension;

 

Exhibit A-1


(iii) no Borrowing Base Deficit exists or would exist after giving effect to such Credit Extension;

(iv) the Aggregate Capital will not exceed the Facility Limit;

(v) the Termination Date has not occurred; and

(vi) the Aggregate Capital plus the LC Participation Amount exceeds the Minimum Usage Threshold.

 

Exhibit A-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this letter by its duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.

 

Very truly yours,
CONSOL FUNDING LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Exhibit A-3


EXHIBIT B

Form of Reduction Notice

[L ETTERHEAD OF B ORROWER ]

[Date]

[Administrative Agent]

 

  Re: Reduction Notice

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to that certain Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2017 among CONSOL Funding LLC, as borrower (the “ Borrower ”), CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, as Servicer (the “ Servicer ”), the Lenders party thereto, and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used in this Reduction Notice and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Agreement.

This letter constitutes a Reduction Notice pursuant to Section  2.02(d) of the Agreement. The Borrower hereby notifies the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that it shall prepay the outstanding Capital of the Lenders in the amount of [$              ] to be made on [              , 201      ]. After giving effect to such prepayment, the Aggregate Capital will be [$              ] .

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof, and after giving effect to such reduction, as follows:

(i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Servicer contained in Sections  7.01 and 7.02 of the Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such prepayment as though made on and as of such date unless such representations and warranties by their terms refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date;

(ii) no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default would result from such prepayment;

(iii) no Borrowing Base Deficit exists or would exist after giving effect to such prepayment;

(iv) the Termination Date has not occurred; and

(v) the Aggregate Capital plus the LC Participation Amount exceeds the Minimum Usage Threshold.

 

Exhibit B-1


I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the undersigned has executed this letter by its duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.

 

Very truly yours,
CONSOL FUNDING LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Exhibit B-3


EXHIBIT C

[Form of Assignment and Acceptance Agreement]

Dated as of                      , 20     

Section  1 .

 

  Commitment assigned:    $[_____]
  Assignor’s remaining Commitment:    $[_____]
  Capital allocable to Commitment assigned:    $[_____]
  Assignor’s remaining Capital:    $[_____]
  Interest (if any) allocable to Capital assigned:    $[_____]
  Interest (if any) allocable to Assignor’s remaining Capital:    $[_____]

Section  2 .

Effective Date of this Assignment and Acceptance Agreement: [                      ]

Upon execution and delivery of this Assignment and Acceptance Agreement by the assignee and the assignor and the satisfaction of the other conditions to assignment specified in Section  14.03(a) of the Agreement (as defined below), from and after the effective date specified above, the assignee shall become a party to, and, to the extent of the rights and obligations thereunder being assigned to it pursuant to this Assignment and Acceptance Agreement, shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender under that certain Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2017 among CONSOL Funding LLC, CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, as Servicer, the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent and as the LC Bank (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Agreement ”).

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

Exhibit C-1


ASSIGNOR:       [                      ]
      By:                                                              
      Name:
      Title
ASSIGNEE:       [                      ]
      By:                                                              
      Name:
      Title:
      [Address]

 

Accepted as of date first above written:
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
CONSOL FUNDING LLC,
as Borrower
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Exhibit C-2


EXHIBIT D

[Form of Assumption Agreement]

THIS ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of [                      ,              ], is among CONSOL Funding LLC (the “ Borrower ”) and [              ], as lender (the “ Lender ”).

BACKGROUND

The Borrower and various others are parties to a certain Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2017 (as amended through the date hereof and as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Receivables Financing Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meaning assigned to such terms in the Receivables Financing Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. This letter constitutes an Assumption Agreement pursuant to Section  14.03(h) of the Receivables Financing Agreement. The Borrower desires the Lender to [become a party to] [increase its existing Commitment] under the Receivables Financing Agreement, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Receivables Financing Agreement, the [[                      ] Lenders agree[s] to [become Lenders thereunder] [increase its Commitment to the amount set forth as its “Commitment” under the signature of such [              ]Lender hereto].

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the [                      ] Lenders and the [                      ] Administrative Agent as of the date hereof, as follows:

(i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Section  7.01 of the Receivables Financing Agreement are true and correct on and as of such date as though made on and as of such date;

(ii) no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or would result from the assumption contemplated hereby; and

(iii) the Termination Date shall not have occurred.

SECTION 2. Upon execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Borrower and [                      ], satisfaction of the other conditions with respect to the addition of the Lender specified in Section  14.03(h) of the Receivables Financing Agreement (including the written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders) and receipt by the Administrative Agent of counterparts of this Agreement (whether by facsimile or otherwise) executed by each of the parties hereto, [the [              ] Lenders shall become a party to, and have the rights and obligations of Lenders under, the Receivables Financing Agreement and the “Commitment” as shall be as set forth under the signature of each such Lender hereto] [the [              ]Lender shall increase its Commitment to the amount set forth as the “Commitment” under the signature of the [              ]Lender hereto].

 

Exhibit D-1


SECTION 3. THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES HERETO, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, BUT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY OTHER CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF). This Agreement may not be amended or supplemented except pursuant to a writing signed be each of the parties hereto and may not be waived except pursuant to a writing signed by the party to be charged. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and by the different parties on different counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

Exhibit D-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

[                       ], as a Lender

 

By:  

 

Name Printed:  

 

Title:  

 

[Address]  
[Commitment]  

 

Exhibit D-3


CONSOL FUNDING LLC

as Borrower

 

By:  

 

Name Printed:  

 

Title:  

 

 

Exhibit D-4


EXHIBIT E

[Form of Letter of Credit Application]

(Attached)

 

Exhibit E-1


EXHIBIT F

Credit and Collection Policy

(Attached)

 

Exhibit F-1


EXHIBIT G

Form of Information Package

(Attached)

 

Exhibit G-1


EXHIBIT H

Form of Compliance Certificate

To: PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent

This Compliance Certificate is furnished pursuant to that certain Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2017 among CONSOL Funding LLC (the “ Borrower ”), CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company, LLC, as Servicer (the “ Servicer ”), the Lenders party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) and as the LC Bank (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT:

1. I am the duly elected                                      of the Servicer.

2. I have reviewed the terms of the Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and I have made, or have caused to be made under my supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and condition of the Borrower during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements.

3. The examinations described in paragraph 2 above did not disclose, and I have no knowledge of, the existence of any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or an Unmatured Event of Default, as each such term is defined under the Agreement, during or at the end of the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements or as of the date of this Certificate[, except as set forth in paragraph 5 below].

4. Schedule I attached hereto sets forth financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the period referenced on such Schedule I .

[5. Described below are the exceptions, if any, to paragraph 3 above by listing, in detail, the nature of the condition or event, the period during which it has existed and the action which Borrower has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect to each such condition or event:]

 

Exhibit H-1


The foregoing certifications are made and delivered this ______ day of ___________________, 20___.

 

[                      ]
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

Exhibit H-2


SCHEDULE I TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

A. Schedule of Compliance as of                              , 20      with Section  8.02(a) of the Agreement. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms used in this Compliance Certificate have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement.

This schedule relates to the month ended:                                  .

B. The following financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the period ending on                              , 20      , are attached hereto:

 

Exhibit H-3


EXHIBIT I

Closing Memorandum

(Attached)

 

Exhibit I-1


EXHIBIT J

Form of Interim Report

 

Exhibit J-1


SCHEDULE I

Commitments

 

Lender    Commitment
PNC Bank, National Association    $100,000,000

 

Schedule I-1


SCHEDULE II

Lock-Boxes, Collection Accounts and Collection Account Banks

 

Name of

Financial Institution

   Account #    Type of Account/Uses
PNC Bank, National Association    643391    Deposit

 

Schedule II-1


SCHEDULE III

Notice Addresses

 

(A) in the case of the Borrower, at the following address:

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg PA 15317, attention: Treasurer with a copy to:

CONSOL Energy Inc., 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg PA 15317, attention: Treasurer

(B) in the case of the Servicer, at the following address:

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg PA 15317, attention: Treasurer

(C) in the case of the Administrative Agent, at the following address:

PNC Bank, National Association

Tower at PNC Plaza

300 Fifth Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Telephone: (412) 768-2001

Facsimile: (412) 762-9184

Attention: Brian Stanley

(D) in the case of the LC Bank, at the following address:

PNC Bank, National Association

Tower at PNC Plaza

300 Fifth Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Telephone: (412) 768-2001

Facsimile: (412) 762-9184

Attention: Brian Stanley

(E) in the case of any other Person, at the address for such Person specified in the other Transaction Documents; in each case, or at such other address as shall be designated by such Person in a written notice to the other parties to this Agreement.

 

Schedule III-1

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Exhibit 99.1

 

CONSOL Energy Inc.

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317-6506

T (724) 485-4000

www.consolenergy.com

   LOGO

Dear CONSOL Stockholders:

In December 2016, we announced our intention to separate CONSOL Energy Inc. (ParentCo) into two independent, publicly traded companies: a coal company and a natural gas exploration and production (E&P) company. This separation provides current stockholders ownership in two leading and focused companies, each positioned to capitalize on distinct opportunities for growth and profitability, and has been approved by our Board of Directors. The coal company will include our Pennsylvania Mining Complex (PAMC), our ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources LP (CNXC), our marine terminal at the Baltimore Port, our undeveloped coal reserves located in the Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian and Illinois basins and certain related coal assets and liabilities (collectively, the Coal Business). The Coal Business is held by CONSOL Mining Corporation (CoalCo), which is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of ParentCo. The E&P company will include developed and undeveloped oil and gas properties, both leased and owned in fee, located primarily in Appalachia (Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio and Virginia), with a primary focus in the continued development of Marcellus Shale acreage and the delineation and development of Utica Shale acreage, along with certain water services and land resource management services (collectively, the Gas Business). The Gas Business is held through subsidiaries of ParentCo separate from CoalCo.

Management believes that the separation and spin-off of the Coal Business will:

 

  -

improve business and operational decision-making and strategic and management focus for each respective business;

  -

improve each company’s ability to attract, retain and incentivize employees;

  -

improve the Gas Business’s access to capital, while eliminating competition for capital among the two businesses; and

  -

by creating an independent equity structure for each business, improve the understanding of each business in the capital and investor markets, lead to a stronger, more focused investor base for each business, allow each company to use its stock as consideration for acquisitions and enhance the value of its equity-based compensation programs, thereby enabling each business to more fully realize its value.

To implement the separation, ParentCo currently plans to distribute all of the outstanding shares of CoalCo common stock on a pro rata basis to ParentCo stockholders. Each ParentCo stockholder will receive one share of CoalCo common stock for every eight shares of ParentCo common stock held by such stockholder of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2017, the record date, in a distribution that is intended to qualify as generally tax-free to the ParentCo stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares. No fractional shares of CoalCo common stock will be issued. If you would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional share of common stock in the distribution, you will receive the net cash proceeds of the sale of such fractional share instead.

In conjunction with the separation, CoalCo will apply for authorization to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CEIX.” Upon completion of the separation, each ParentCo stockholder as of the record date will continue to own shares of ParentCo and will own a pro rata share of the outstanding shares of common stock of CoalCo. The CoalCo common stock will be issued in book-entry form only, which means that no physical share certificates will be issued. No vote of ParentCo stockholders is required for the distribution.

You do not need to take any action to receive shares of CoalCo common stock to which you are entitled as a ParentCo stockholder, and you do not need to pay any consideration or surrender or exchange your ParentCo common stock. I invite you to read the enclosed information statement, which describes the spin-off in detail and provides other important business and financial information about CoalCo.

We believe the separation provides tremendous opportunities for our businesses and our stockholders, as we work to continue to build long-term shareholder value. Thank you for your continued support of CONSOL Energy and your future support of CoalCo.

Very truly yours,

Nicholas J. DeIuliis

President and Chief Executive Officer


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CONSOL Mining Corporation

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317-6506

T (724) 485-4000

Dear Future CONSOL Mining Corporation Stockholder:

I am excited to welcome you as a future stockholder of CONSOL Mining Corporation (CoalCo), a U.S.-based coal company focused on safely and compliantly producing and selling high-quality bituminous coal from the Northern Appalachian Basin. Our company and its predecessors have been successfully mining coal, primarily in Northern Appalachia, since 1864. We have established ourselves as a leading coal producer in the eastern United States due to our demonstrated ability to efficiently produce and deliver large volumes of high-quality coal with a low cost structure, the strategic location of our mines, our unique marketing strategy, and the industry experience of our management team.

CoalCo will own and operate the Pennsylvania Mining Complex (PAMC), which consists of three underground mines - Bailey, Enlow Fork, and Harvey - and related infrastructure. The PAMC has an annual production capacity of 28.5 million tons, and it controls approximately 767 million tons of proven and probable reserves (as of December 31, 2016). Coal from the PAMC can be sold domestically or abroad, as either high-Btu thermal coal or high-volatile crossover metallurgical coal. The complex includes five longwalls and 15-17 continuous miner sections, which allow us to mine large quantities of coal while maintaining a very competitive cost structure. In addition, CoalCo will own and operate the CNX Marine Terminal, which is located on 200 acres in the Port of Baltimore and gives us access to the seaborne markets for exporting thermal and metallurgical coal. The terminal has a throughput capacity of 15 million tons per year, and it is the only coal marine terminal on the East Coast to be served by two rail lines – Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation. Our management team has decades of experience in developing, operating, and expanding large-scale coal mining operations using the latest technology. Over the last several years, we have created a diversified portfolio of top-performing, environmentally-controlled, rail-served power plant customers in our core market areas in the eastern United States, while also opportunistically participating in the export and crossover metallurgical markets and employing a flexible operating strategy focused on delivering strong cash flows.

The assets of CoalCo, and the team that operates them, have consistently generated significant amounts of free cash flow and have withstood the recent volatility in the coal markets. The separation of CoalCo from ParentCo provides a new opportunity in that CoalCo will now be able to capitalize on its own free cash flow generation and strategic vision to build value for the CoalCo shareholders. Management intends to accomplish this by judiciously selecting from several options, including capitalizing on organic growth opportunities that exist within PAMC and the 1.6 billion tons of additional greenfield reserves that we control, pursuing acquisitions or other business arrangements that complement our operations and expertise, returning capital to our shareholders through dividends or share repurchases, or repaying any outstanding indebtedness. The separation from the combined E&P and coal entity will enable the CoalCo management team to foster its strategic goals and enhance value per share.

In connection with the separation, CoalCo will be renamed CONSOL Energy Inc., and we intend to list CoalCo’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CEIX.”

As we prepare to become a standalone company, we look to build upon our rich heritage, ready to seize the future and excel.

Sincerely,

James Brock

Chief Executive Officer


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INFORMATION STATEMENT

CONSOL Mining Corporation

 

 

This information statement is being furnished to the holders of common stock of CONSOL Energy Inc. (ParentCo) in connection with the distribution by ParentCo to its stockholders of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of CONSOL Mining Corporation (CoalCo or We). CoalCo is a wholly owned subsidiary of ParentCo that was formed to hold and operate ParentCo’s Pennsylvania Mining Operations (PAMC) and certain related coal assets, including ParentCo’s ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources LP (CNXC), which owns a 25% stake in PAMC, ParentCo’s terminal operations at the Port of Baltimore (the CNX Marine Terminal), undeveloped coal reserves and certain related coal assets and liabilities (collectively, the Coal Business). The Coal Business focuses primarily on the extraction, preparation and sale of coal in the Appalachian Basin. To implement the separation, ParentCo currently plans to distribute all of the outstanding shares of CoalCo common stock on a pro rata basis to ParentCo stockholders in a distribution that is intended to qualify as generally tax-free to the ParentCo stockholders for United States (U.S.) federal income tax purposes, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares. We refer to the pro rata distribution of our common stock as the “distribution.”

The distribution is subject to certain conditions, as described in this information statement. You should consult your own tax advisor as to the particular consequences of the distribution to you, including the applicability and effect of any U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax laws.

For every eight shares of common stock of ParentCo held of record by you as of the close of business on November 15, 2017, the record date for the distribution, you will receive one share of CoalCo common stock. You will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of CoalCo common stock that you would have received after application of the above ratio. We expect the shares of CoalCo common stock to be distributed by ParentCo to you on November 28, 2017. We refer to the date of the distribution of CoalCo common stock as the “distribution date.” Until the separation occurs, CoalCo will be a wholly owned subsidiary of ParentCo and consequently, ParentCo will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine and change the terms of the separation, including the establishment of the record date for the distribution and the distribution date.

No vote of ParentCo stockholders is required to effect the distribution. Therefore, you are not being asked for a proxy, and you are requested not to send ParentCo a proxy, in connection with the distribution. You do not need to pay any consideration, exchange or surrender your existing shares of ParentCo common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of CoalCo common stock.

CoalCo was organized as a Delaware corporation on June 21, 2017. ParentCo currently owns all of the outstanding equity of CoalCo. Accordingly, there is no current trading market for CoalCo common stock, although we expect that a limited market, commonly known as a “when-issued” trading market, will develop on or shortly before the record date for the distribution. We expect “regular-way” trading of CoalCo common stock to begin on the first trading day following the distribution date. As discussed under “The Separation and Distribution—Trading Between the Record Date and the Distribution Date,” if you sell your ParentCo common stock in the “regular-way” market after the record date and before the distribution date, you also will be selling your right to receive shares of CoalCo common stock in connection with the separation and distribution. CoalCo will change its name to CONSOL Energy Inc., and intends to have its common stock authorized for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) under the symbol “CEIX.” ParentCo will be renamed “CNX Resources Corporation” and will retain its current stock symbol “CNX” in connection with the separation.

 

 

In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described under the caption “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 1.

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this information statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This information statement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

References in this information statement to specific codes, legislation or other statutory enactments are to be deemed as references to those codes, legislation or other statutory enactments, as amended from time to time.

The date of this information statement is November 3, 2017.

This information statement was first made available to ParentCo stockholders on or about November 6, 2017.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION

     iii  

INFORMATION STATEMENT SUMMARY

     x  

SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

     xxvii  

RISK FACTORS

     1  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     29  

THE SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION

     32  

DIVIDEND POLICY

     40  

CAPITALIZATION

     40  

SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

     42  

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     42  

BUSINESS

     50  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     73  

MANAGEMENT

     103  

BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOLLOWING THE SEPARATION

     104  

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     112  

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

     113  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     126  

COALCO INCENTIVE ARRANGEMENTS AND PLANS

     152  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     156  

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     166  

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL INDEBTEDNESS

     170  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     172  

DESCRIPTION OF COALCO CAPITAL STOCK

     175  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     179  

APPENDIX A NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

     A-1  

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1  


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Presentation of Information

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

   

The information included in this information statement about CoalCo, including the Combined Financial Statements of CoalCo, which primarily comprise the assets and liabilities of ParentCo’s Pennsylvania Mining Complex (PAMC) and certain related coal assets, including ParentCo’s ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources LP (CNXC), which owns a 25% stake in PAMC, ParentCo’s terminal operations at the Port of Baltimore (the CNX Marine Terminal), undeveloped coal reserves and certain other coal-related assets and liabilities (collectively, the Coal Business), assumes the completion of all of the transactions referred to in this information statement in connection with the separation and distribution.

 

   

References in this information statement to the “Pennsylvania Mining Complex” or “PAMC” refers to coal mines, coal reserves and related assets and operations, located primarily in southwestern Pennsylvania and owned 75% by ParentCo and 25% by CNXC.

 

   

References in this information statement to “CoalCo,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “our company” and “the company” refer to CONSOL Mining Corporation, a Delaware corporation and its subsidiaries, after giving effect to the separation and distribution.

 

   

References in this information statement to “ParentCo” refer to CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, including CoalCo and the Coal Business prior to completion of the separation.

 

   

References in this information statement to “GasCo” refer to ParentCo after the completion of the separation and the distribution, in connection with which ParentCo will change its name to CNX Resources Corporation, and at which time its business will comprise the oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) business, focused on Appalachian area natural gas and liquids activity, including production, gathering, processing and acquisition of natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin (collectively the Gas Business).

 

   

References in this information statement to the “separation” refer to the separation of the Coal Business from ParentCo’s other businesses and the creation, as a result of the distribution, of an independent, publicly traded company, CoalCo, to hold the assets and liabilities associated with the Coal Business after the distribution.

 

   

References in this information statement to the “distribution” refer to the distribution of CoalCo’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock to ParentCo stockholders as of the close of business on the record date for the distribution.

 

   

References in this information statement to CoalCo’s per share data assume a distribution ratio of one share of CoalCo common stock for every eight shares of ParentCo common stock.

 

   

References in this information statement to CoalCo’s historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities generally refer to the historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities of the Coal Business as the business was conducted as part of ParentCo prior to the completion of the separation.

 

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Industry Information

Unless indicated otherwise, the information concerning our industry contained in this information statement is based on CoalCo’s general knowledge of and expectations concerning the industry. CoalCo’s market position, market share and industry market size are based on estimates using CoalCo’s internal data and estimates, based on data from various industry analyses, our internal research and adjustments and assumptions. Industry publications and surveys generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources that are believed to be reliable. While we have not been able to independently verify data from industry analyses, we believe based on management’s knowledge that such information is sufficient and reliable for purposes of its inclusion within this information statement. Further, CoalCo’s estimates and assumptions involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates and assumptions.

 

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION

 

What is CoalCo and why is ParentCo separating CoalCo’s business and distributing CoalCo stock?   

CoalCo, currently a wholly owned subsidiary of ParentCo, was formed on June 21, 2017 to own and operate ParentCo’s Coal Business. The separation of CoalCo from ParentCo and the distribution of CoalCo common stock are intended, among other things, to (1) result in improved business and operational decision-making and greater strategic and management focus for each respective business; (2) improve each company’s ability to attract, retain and incentivize employees; (3) improve access to capital for each business while eliminating competition for capital; and (4) create an independent equity structure for each business, resulting in an improved understanding of each business in the capital and investor markets, and a stronger, more focused investor base for each business. We believe that the separation will allow each business to more fully realize its value, and each company to use its stock as consideration for acquisitions and enhance the value of its equity-based compensation programs. ParentCo expects that the separation will result in enhanced long-term performance of each business for the reasons discussed in the sections entitled “The Separation and Distribution—Reasons for the Separation.”

Why am I receiving this document?   

ParentCo is delivering this document to you because you hold shares of ParentCo common stock. If you are a holder of shares of ParentCo common stock as of the close of business on November 15, 2017, the record date of the distribution, you will be entitled to receive one share of CoalCo common stock for every eight shares of ParentCo common stock that you hold at the close of business on such date, resulting in a distribution of all of the outstanding shares of CoalCo common stock (without accounting for cash to be issued in lieu of fractional shares). This document will help you understand how the separation and distribution will affect your post-separation ownership in GasCo and CoalCo.

How will the separation of CoalCo from ParentCo work?   

As part of the separation, and prior to the distribution, ParentCo and its subsidiaries expect to complete an internal restructuring in order to transfer to CoalCo the assets and liabilities associated with the Coal Business that CoalCo will own following the separation. To accomplish the separation, ParentCo will, following the internal restructuring, distribute to its stockholders all of our common stock. Following the separation, the number of shares of ParentCo common stock you own will not change as a result of the separation.

What is the record date for the distribution?   

The record date for the distribution will be November 15, 2017.

When will the distribution occur?   

We expect that the shares of CoalCo common stock will be distributed by ParentCo at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 28, 2017, to holders of record of shares of ParentCo common stock at the close of business on November 15, 2017, the record date for the distribution.

 

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What do stockholders need to do to participate in the distribution?   

Stockholders of ParentCo as of the record date for the distribution will not be required to take any action to receive CoalCo common stock in the distribution, but you are urged to read this entire information statement carefully. No stockholder approval of the distribution is required. You are not being asked for a proxy. You do not need to pay any consideration, exchange or surrender your existing shares of ParentCo common stock, or take any other action to receive your shares of CoalCo common stock. Please do not send in your ParentCo stock certificates. The distribution will not affect the number of outstanding shares of ParentCo common stock or any rights of ParentCo stockholders, although it will affect the market value of each outstanding share of ParentCo common stock.

How will shares of CoalCo common stock be issued?   

You will receive shares of CoalCo common stock through the same channels that you currently use to hold or trade shares of ParentCo common stock, whether through a brokerage account, 401(k) plan or other channel. Receipt of CoalCo shares will be documented for you in the same manner that you typically receive stockholder updates, such as monthly broker statements and 401(k) statements.

  

If you own shares of ParentCo common stock as of the close of business on the record date for the distribution, including shares owned in certificate form, ParentCo, with the assistance of Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (Computershare), the distribution agent, will electronically distribute shares of CoalCo common stock to you or to your brokerage firm on your behalf in book-entry form. Computershare will mail you a book-entry account statement that reflects your shares of CoalCo common stock, or your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the shares.

How many shares of CoalCo common stock will I receive in the distribution?   

ParentCo will distribute to you one share of CoalCo common stock for every eight shares of ParentCo common stock held by you as of close of business on the record date for the distribution. Based on approximately 224.4 million shares of ParentCo common stock outstanding as of October 31, 2017, and applying the distribution ratio (without accounting for cash to be issued in lieu of fractional shares), a total of approximately 28.0 million shares of CoalCo common stock will be distributed to ParentCo’s stockholders. For additional information on the distribution, see “The Separation and Distribution.”

Will CoalCo issue fractional shares of its common stock in the distribution?   

No. CoalCo will not issue fractional shares of its common stock in the distribution. Fractional shares that ParentCo stockholders would otherwise have been entitled to receive will be aggregated and sold in the public market by Computershare. The net cash proceeds of these sales will be distributed pro rata (based on the fractional share such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive) to those stockholders who would otherwise have been entitled to receive fractional shares. Recipients of cash in lieu of fractional shares will not be entitled to any interest on the amounts of payment made in lieu of fractional shares.

 

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What are the conditions to the distribution?   

The distribution is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by ParentCo in its sole discretion) of the following conditions, among others:

 

•    the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) declaring effective the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part; there being no order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement in effect; and no proceedings for such purposes having been instituted or threatened by the SEC;

 

•    the mailing of this information statement or a notice of Internet availability of this information statement to ParentCo stockholders;

 

•    the receipt by ParentCo of a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS), which was received on October 16, 2017, and one or more opinions of its tax advisors, in each case satisfactory to the ParentCo Board of Directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution, including, with respect to the opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, to the effect that the distribution will be a transaction described in Section 355(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code);

 

•    the internal reorganization having been completed and the transfer of assets and liabilities of the Coal Business from ParentCo to CoalCo, and the transfer of certain assets and liabilities of the Gas Business from CoalCo to ParentCo, having been completed in accordance with the separation and distribution agreement;

 

•    the receipt of one or more opinions from an independent appraisal firm to the ParentCo Board of Directors as to the solvency of ParentCo and CoalCo after the completion of the distribution, in each case in a form and substance acceptable to the ParentCo Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion;

  

•    all actions necessary or appropriate under applicable U.S. federal, state or other securities or blue sky laws and the rule and regulations thereunder having been taken or made and, where applicable, having become effective or been accepted;

 

•    the execution of certain agreements contemplated by the separation and distribution agreement;

 

•    no order, injunction or decree issued by any government authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the separation, the distribution or any of the related transactions being in effect;

 

 

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•    the shares of CoalCo common stock to be distributed having been accepted for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution;

 

•    CoalCo having entered into the financing arrangements described under “Description of Material Indebtedness” and ParentCo being satisfied in its sole and absolute discretion that, as of the effective time of the distribution, it will have no further liability under such arrangements;

  

 

•    ParentCo having received $425 million in cash from CoalCo; and

 

•    no other event or development existing or having occurred that, in the judgment of ParentCo’s Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the separation, the distribution and the other related transactions.

 

ParentCo and CoalCo cannot assure you that any or all of these conditions will be met, or that the separation will be consummated even if all of the conditions are met. ParentCo can decline at any time to go forward with the separation. In addition, ParentCo may waive any of the conditions to the distribution. For a complete discussion of all of the conditions to the distribution, see “The Separation and Distribution—Conditions to the Distribution.”

What is the expected date of completion of the separation?   

The completion and timing of the separation are dependent upon a number of conditions. We expect that the shares of CoalCo common stock will be distributed by ParentCo at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 28, 2017, to the holders of record of shares of ParentCo common stock at the close of business on November 15, 2017, the record date for the distribution. However, no assurance can be provided as to the timing of the separation or that all conditions to the distribution will be met, by November 28, 2017 or at all.

Will CoalCo and ParentCo be renamed in conjunction with the Separation?   

Yes. In connection with the separation, CoalCo will change its name to CONSOL Energy Inc. and will apply for authorization to list its common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “CEIX.” ParentCo will change its name to CNX Resources Corporation and will retain its current stock symbol “CNX” on the NYSE.

Can ParentCo decide to cancel the distribution of CoalCo common stock even if all the conditions have been met?   

Yes. Until the distribution has occurred, ParentCo has the right to terminate the distribution, even if all of the conditions are satisfied.

What if I want to sell my ParentCo common stock or my CoalCo common stock?   

You should consult with your financial advisors, such as your stockbroker, bank or tax advisor.

 

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What is “regular-way” and “ex-distribution” trading of ParentCo common stock?   

Beginning on or shortly before the record date for the distribution and continuing up to and through the distribution date, we expect that there will be two markets in ParentCo common stock: a “regular-way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. ParentCo common stock that trades in the “regular-way” market will trade with an entitlement to shares of CoalCo common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. Shares that trade in the “ex-distribution” market will trade without an entitlement to CoalCo common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. If you decide to sell any shares of ParentCo common stock before the distribution date, you should make sure your stockbroker, bank or other nominee understands whether you want to sell your ParentCo common stock with or without your entitlement to CoalCo common stock pursuant to the distribution.

Where will I be able to trade shares of CoalCo common stock?   

CoalCo intends to apply for authorization to list its common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “CEIX.” CoalCo anticipates that trading in shares of its common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis on or shortly before the record date for the distribution and will continue up to and through the distribution date, and that “regular-way” trading in CoalCo common stock will begin on the first trading day following the completion of the distribution. If trading begins on a “when-issued” basis, you may purchase or sell CoalCo common stock up to and through the distribution date, but your transaction will not settle until after the distribution date. CoalCo cannot predict the trading prices for its common stock before, on or after the distribution date.

What will happen to the listing of ParentCo common stock?   

ParentCo common stock will continue to trade on the NYSE after the distribution under its current stock symbol “CNX.” ParentCo will be renamed CNX Resources Corporation upon completion of the separation and distribution.

Will the number of shares of ParentCo common stock that I own change as a result of the distribution?   

No. The number of shares of ParentCo common stock that you own will not change as a result of the distribution.

Will the distribution affect the market price of my ParentCo common stock?   

Yes. As a result of the distribution, ParentCo expects the trading price of shares of GasCo common stock immediately following the distribution to be different from the “regular-way” trading price of ParentCo shares immediately prior to the distribution because the trading price will no longer reflect the value of the Coal Business. There can be no assurance whether the aggregate market value of the GasCo common stock and the CoalCo common stock following the separation will be higher or lower than the market value of ParentCo common stock if the separation did not occur. This means, for example, that the combined trading prices of eight shares of GasCo common stock and one share of CoalCo common stock after the distribution may be equal to, greater than or less than the trading price of eight shares of ParentCo common stock before the distribution.

What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the separation and the distribution?   

It is a condition to the distribution that ParentCo receive a private letter ruling from the IRS, which was received October 16, 2017, and one or more opinions of its tax advisors, in each case

 

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satisfactory to the ParentCo Board of Directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution, including, with respect to the opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, to the effect that the distribution will be a transaction described in Section 355(a) of the Code. Accordingly, it is expected that you generally will not recognize any gain or loss, and no amount will be included in your income, upon your receipt of CoalCo common stock pursuant to the distribution. You will, however, recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share of CoalCo common stock.

  

You should consult your own tax advisor as to the particular consequences of the distribution to you, including the applicability and effect of any U.S. federal, state and local tax laws, as well as any foreign tax laws. For more information regarding the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution, see the section entitled “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

What will CoalCo’s relationship be with GasCo following the separation?   

Following the distribution, ParentCo stockholders will own all of the outstanding shares of CoalCo common stock, and CoalCo will be a separate company from ParentCo. CoalCo will enter into a separation and distribution agreement with ParentCo to effect the separation and to provide a framework for CoalCo’s relationship with GasCo after the separation, and will enter into certain other agreements, including but not limited to a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement, an intellectual property matters agreement and other agreements related to operations of CoalCo post-separation. These agreements will provide for the allocation between CoalCo and GasCo of the assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including investments, property and employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) of ParentCo and its subsidiaries attributable to periods prior to, at and after CoalCo’s separation from ParentCo and will govern the relationship between CoalCo and GasCo subsequent to the completion of the separation. For additional information regarding the separation and distribution agreement and other transaction agreements, see the sections entitled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Separation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Who will manage CoalCo after the separation?   

Led by James Brock, CoalCo’s management team will possess deep knowledge of, and extensive experience in, the coal industry generally. For more information regarding CoalCo’s directors and management, see “Management” and “Board of Directors Following the Separation.”

Are there risks associated with owning CoalCo common stock?   

Yes. Ownership of CoalCo common stock is subject to both general and specific risks relating to CoalCo’s business, the coal industry in which it operates, its ongoing contractual relationships with GasCo and its status as a separate, publicly traded company. Ownership of CoalCo common stock is also subject to risks relating to the separation. Certain of these risks are described in the “Risk Factors” section of this information statement, beginning on page 1. We encourage you to read that section carefully.

 

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Does CoalCo plan to pay dividends?   

The declaration and payment of any dividends in the future by CoalCo with respect to the common stock will be subject to the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors. See “Dividend Policy.”

How will equity-based and other long-term incentive compensation awards held by ParentCo employees be affected as a result of the separation?   

The currently anticipated treatment of equity-based and other long-term incentive compensation awards that may be held by our named executives as of the time of separation is discussed under the section entitled, “The Separation and Distribution— Treatment of Equity-Based Compensation.” Additional information regarding the treatment of such awards is included in the Employee Matters Agreement, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 2.3.

Will CoalCo incur any indebtedness prior to or at the time of the distribution?   

Subject to market conditions and other factors, prior to or concurrent with the separation, CoalCo intends to secure new borrowings from third-party financing sources, a portion of which is anticipated to be distributed to GasCo. See “Description of Material Indebtedness” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business.”

Who will be the distribution agent for the distribution and transfer agent and registrar for CoalCo common stock?   

The distribution agent, transfer agent and registrar for the CoalCo common stock will be Computershare Trust Company, N.A. For questions relating to the transfer or mechanics of the stock distribution, you should contact Computershare toll free at 1-800-622-6757 or non-toll free at 1-781-575-2879.

Where can I find more information about ParentCo and CoalCo?   

Before the distribution, if you have any questions relating to ParentCo’s business performance, you should contact:

 

CONSOL Energy Inc.

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive

Canonsburg, PA 15317-6506

Attention: Investor Relations

 

After the distribution, CoalCo stockholders who have any questions relating to CoalCo’s business performance should contact CoalCo at:

 

CONSOL Energy Inc.

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive

Canonsburg, PA 15317-6506

Attention: Investor Relations

 

The CoalCo investor website ( www.consolenergy.com ) will be operational on or around November 29, 2017. The CoalCo website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not incorporated into this information statement or the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, or in any other filings with, or any information furnished or submitted to, the SEC.

 

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INFORMATION STATEMENT SUMMARY

The following is a summary of material information discussed in this information statement. This summary may not contain all the details concerning the separation or other information that may be important to you. To better understand the separation and distribution and CoalCo’s business and financial position, you should carefully review this entire information statement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the information included in this information statement about CoalCo, including the Combined Financial Statements of CoalCo, assumes the completion of all of the transactions referred to in this information statement in connection with the separation and distribution. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this information statement to “CoalCo,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company” and “the company” refer to CONSOL Mining Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this information statement to “ParentCo” refer to CONSOL Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the Coal Business prior to completion of the separation and GasCo refers to the ParentCo entity and operations following the separation.

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this information statement to our historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities of our businesses are generally intended to refer to the historical assets, liabilities, products, businesses or activities of ParentCo’s Pennsylvania Mining Operations (PAMC), ParentCo’s ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources LP (CNXC) which owns a 25% stake in PAMC, the CNX Marine Terminal, and the undeveloped coal reserves located in the Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian and Illinois basins (the Greenfield Reserves), as such operations were conducted as part of ParentCo prior to completion of the separation.

Our Company

We are a leading, low-cost producer of high-quality bituminous coal from the Northern Appalachian Basin (NAPP) with excellent access to major U.S. and international coal markets and a highly experienced management team. Our company and its predecessors have been mining coal, primarily in NAPP, since 1864. We are a leading producer of high-Btu thermal coal in the NAPP and the eastern United States due to our ability to efficiently produce and deliver large volumes of high-quality coal at competitive prices, the strategic location of our mines, and the industry experience of our management team.

We have the capacity to produce up to 28.5 million tons per year of thermal and crossover metallurgical coal from our PAMC, which consists of three highly productive, well-capitalized underground mines in the Pittsburgh No. 8 coal seam and the largest coal preparation plant in the United States. Coal from the PAMC is valued because of its high energy content (as measured in British thermal units, or Btu, per pound), relatively low levels of sulfur and other impurities, and strong thermoplastic properties that enable it to be used in metallurgical as well as thermal applications. We take advantage of these desirable quality characteristics and our extensive logistical network, which is directly served by both the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads, to aggressively market our product to a broad base of strategically-selected, top-performing power plant customers in the eastern United States.

We also capitalize on the operational synergies afforded by our wholly-owned CNX Marine Terminal in the Port of Baltimore to export our coal to thermal and metallurgical end-users in Europe, Asia, South America, and Canada. Our operations, including the PAMC and the CNX Marine Terminal, have consistently generated strong free cash flows. The PAMC controls 766.7 million tons of high-quality Pittsburgh seam reserves (as of December 31, 2016), enough to allow for approximately 27 years of full-capacity production. In addition, we own or control approximately 1.6 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves in the eastern United States that could provide us with a solid growth platform in the future. Our vision is to maximize cash flow generation through the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of this world-class core asset base, while strategically reducing debt, returning capital through share buybacks or dividends, and when prudent, allocating capital toward compelling growth opportunities.

 



 

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Our major assets include:

   

~90% economic ownership and full operational control of the PAMC, consisting of:

  o

75% undivided interest in the PAMC;

  o

~60% limited partner interest, a 1.7% general partner interest (reflecting 100% of the general partner units) and incentive distribution rights in CNX Coal Resources LP (referred to herein as CNXC), a growth-oriented master limited partnership formed in 2015 to manage and further develop our active coal operations in Pennsylvania, and which owns the remaining 25% stake in PAMC;

   

the CNX Marine Terminal; and

   

1.6 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves in NAPP, the Central Appalachian Basin (CAPP), and the Illinois Basin (ILB).

These assets and the diverse markets they serve provide robust flexibility for generating cash across a wide variety of demand and pricing scenarios. This flexibility begins with the low-cost structure and optionality afforded by our PAMC. The three mines at the PAMC, which include the Bailey, Enlow Fork, and Harvey mines, produce coal from the Pittsburgh No. 8 Coal Seam using longwall mining, a highly automated underground mining technique that produces large volumes of coal at lower costs compared to alternative mining methods. These three mines collectively operate five longwalls, and the production from all three mines is processed at a single, centralized preparation plant, which is connected via conveyor belts to each mine. The Bailey Central Preparation Plant, which can clean and process up to 8,200 raw tons of coal per hour, provides economies of scale while also maintaining the ability to segregate and blend coals based on quality. This infrastructure enables us to tailor our production levels and quality specifications to meet market demands. It also results in a highly productive, low-cost operation as compared to other NAPP coal mines. The PAMC was the most productive longwall operation in NAPP during 2015-2016, producing 6.77 tons of coal per employee hour, compared with an average of 4.94 tons per employee hour for all other currently-operating NAPP longwalls. As of June 30, 2017, productivity further increased from year-end 2016 results to 7.43 tons of coal per employee hour, compared with an average of 5.24 tons per employee hour for all other currently-operating NAPP longwalls. Our high productivity helps drive a low cost structure, which according to Wood Mackenzie was in the first quartile

 



 

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among NAPP coal mines in 2016. Our efficiency strengthens our margins throughout the commodity cycle, and has allowed us to continue to generate positive margins even in challenging pricing environments.

 

LOGO

Coal from the PAMC is versatile in that it can be sold either domestically or abroad, in the thermal coal market or as a crossover product in the high-volatile metallurgical coal market. Domestically, we have a well-established and diverse blue chip customer base, the majority of which is comprised of domestic utility companies located across the eastern United States. In 2016, we shipped coal to 38 plants located in 18 eastern U.S. states. As of June 30, 2017, the PAMC is fully contracted for 2017. For 2018 and 2019, our contracted position as of October 9, 2017 is at 80% and 41%, respectively, assuming a 27 million ton coal sales volume. These committed and contracted sales positions represent the volumes that we currently expect our customers will take under our existing contracts in each of 2017 and 2018, given current market conditions. Certain of our sales contracts include provisions that allow our customers to nominate additional volumes at their option, to carry a portion of their committed tonnage over from

 



 

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one calendar year into a future year, or to increase or decrease their volume commitment for a given time period (e.g., year or quarter) within a specified tonnage range. Each of these provisions could have an impact within each contract, either positively or negatively, on the volume of coal that we are required to deliver under said contracts.

We also sell coal under both short-term and multi-year contracts (as well as in the spot market) that may contain base prices that are subject to pre-established price adjustments that reflect (i) variances in the quality characteristics of coal delivered to the customer beyond threshold quality characteristics specified in the applicable sales contract, (ii) the actual calorific value of coal delivered to the customer, and/or (iii) changes in electric power prices in the markets in which CoalCo’s customers operate, as adjusted for any factors set forth in the applicable contract. Such price adjustments, as well as “price reopener” or similar provisions in our multi-year coal sales contracts discussed above, may reduce the protection from coal price volatility traditionally provided by coal supply contracts. We believe our committed and contracted position is well-balanced in hedging against market downside risk while allowing us to continue to build out the customer portfolio strategically and opportunistically as the market evolves.

Going forward, we plan to continue to execute our sales strategy of targeting top-performing, environmentally-controlled, rail-served power plants in our core market areas in the eastern United States. Our top 15 domestic power plant customers in 2016, which accounted for 82% of our domestic power plant shipments that year, operated at a 15% higher capacity factor than other NAPP rail-served plants in 2016, and have consistently consumed more than 50 million tons of coal per year over the past five years. We have grown our share at these plants from 12% in 2011 to 32% in 2016, and we believe that we can continue to grow this share. Our customer plants consume coal from all four primary coal producing basins in the United States. However, we believe that we are favorably positioned to compete with producers from these basins primarily because of: (i) our significant transportation cost advantage compared to producers in the ILB and the Powder River Basin (PRB), which incur higher rail transportation rates to deliver coal to many of our core market areas in the eastern United States, (ii) our favorable operating environment compared to producers in CAPP, where production has been declining and is expected to continue to decline primarily due to the basin’s high cost production profile, reserve degradation and difficult permitting environment, and (iii) the attractive quality characteristics of our coal, which enable us to compete for demand from a broader range of coal-fired power plants as compared to (x) mining operations in basins that typically produce coal with a comparatively lower heat content, such as the ILB and PRB, (y) mining operations in basins that typically produce coal with a comparatively higher sulfur content, such as the ILB and most areas in NAPP, and (z) mining operations in basins that typically produce coal with a comparatively higher chlorine content, such as certain areas in the ILB.

The PAMC and our 100%-owned CNX Marine Terminal allow us to participate in the international thermal and metallurgical coal markets. The CNX Marine Terminal provides coal transshipments directly from rail cars to ocean-going vessels for both PAMC and third-party shippers, and is the only coal marine terminal on the East Coast served by two rail lines (Norfolk Southern and CSX). Located on 200 acres, the terminal has a throughput capacity of 15 million tons per year, as well as extensive blending capabilities and significant ground storage capacity of 1.1 million tons. In 2016, approximately 8.1 million tons of coal were shipped through the CNX Marine Terminal, with approximately 57% of that amount having been produced at our PAMC. The ability to serve both domestic and international markets with premium thermal and crossover metallurgical coal provides us with significant diversification and optionality, allowing us to pursue upside while helping to minimize both pricing and volume risk. Since 2014, our domestic thermal shipments from the PAMC have ranged from 17.3 to 22.8 million tons per year, our export thermal shipments have ranged from 2.1 to 4.4 million tons per year, and our export metallurgical shipments have ranged from 1.2 to 2.0 million tons per year. After accounting for PAMC tons, the CNX Marine Terminal still has significant surplus capacity that may be used to generate additional revenue by providing services to third parties.

Finally, the 1.6 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves that we control in NAPP, CAPP, and ILB, which are in addition to the substantial reserve base associated with PAMC, feature both thermal and metallurgical reserves.

 



 

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Included among these are approximately 591 million tons and 377 million tons of contiguous greenfield reserves associated with the River Mine and Mason Dixon Mine projects, respectively, which are among the last remaining greenfield Pittsburgh No. 8 coal seam projects in the Northern Appalachian region. Also included are 26 million tons of low-volatile metallurgical coal reserves associated with our Itmann property, 40 million tons of high-volatile metallurgical coal reserves associated with our Martinka property, and 117 million tons of reserves associated with our Birch and Canfield properties that are classified as thermal but that have strong potential as a high-vol or crossover metallurgical product. Our Greenfield Reserves provide additional optionality for organic growth or monetization as market conditions allow.

Industry Overview and Market Outlook

Coal is an abundant and relatively inexpensive natural resource that continues to play a critical role in the electric power generation and steelmaking industries, both in the United States and globally. Coal quality largely depends upon rank (which correlates with heat content, with anthracite, bituminous, sub-bituminous and lignite coal representing the highest to lowest ranking, respectively), level of impurities (such as ash, sulfur, chlorine, and other non-hydrocarbon constituents), and the presence or absence of coking properties. Thermal coal, which is sometimes referred to as “steam” coal, is primarily used by electric utilities and independent power producers to generate electricity, while metallurgical coal, which is sometimes referred to as “coking” coal, is primarily used by steel companies to produce metallurgical coke for use in the steel making process. Coal is also used in certain other industrial processes, such as cement kilns, blast furnaces, and electric arc furnaces, as a source of energy or carbon.

Thermal coal consumption patterns are influenced by many factors, including the demand for electricity, power generation infrastructure, transportation costs, governmental and environmental regulations, and technological developments, as well as the location, availability and cost of other sources of energy such as natural gas, nuclear power, and renewable sources of electricity generation such as hydroelectric, wind, and solar power. Demand for metallurgical coal, on the other hand, is influenced primarily by the worldwide demand for steel. Thermal coal produced in NAPP, where the PAMC is located, is marketed primarily to electric utilities in the eastern United States, as they tend to prefer to source coal with higher heat content at the lowest all-in cost.

Coal accounts for approximately 89% of U.S. fossil energy reserves on a Btu basis, according to the National Mining Association. According to the 2017 BP Statistical Review published in June 2017 (the BP Statistical Review), worldwide proven coal reserves totaled approximately 1,139 billion metric tons at 2016 year end. The United States has the largest proven reserve base in the world with approximately 252 billion metric tons, or 22.1% of total world proven coal reserves. According to the BP Statistical Review, U.S. coal reserves represent over 380 years of domestic supply based on 2016 production rates.

Coal is a major contributor to the world’s energy supply. According to the BP Statistical Review, coal represented approximately 28% of the world’s primary energy consumption in 2016, including approximately 16% and 49% of the regional energy consumption of the United States and the Asia Pacific Region, respectively.

In the United States, in particular, thermal coal continues to be an abundant, low-cost resource. A substantial portion of the power generation infrastructure in the United States remains coal-fired. Although recent environmental regulations together with low-cost natural gas and the subsidized buildout of renewable energy sources have eroded coal’s predominant market share, thermal coal is expected to remain a core fuel for electricity generation. Coal’s share of the U.S. electric power generation mix fell from 39% in 2014 to 30% in 2016, largely as a result of the aforementioned factors and abnormally mild winter weather in 2015-2016, which put additional downward pressure on gas and power prices. However, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects in its 2017 Annual Energy Outlook that coal’s share of the generation mix will rebound from 30% to 32% in 2021, while gas’s share declines from 35% to 28%, driven largely by rising gas prices and the prospects of a more favorable policy stance under the current U.S. presidential administration. The expectation of rising gas prices is supported by EIA’s prediction that annual U.S. net exports of natural gas will grow by 4.6 Tcf from 2016-2021, and industrial demand for natural gas will grow by 0.8 Tcf, while production grows by just 4.4 Tcf.

 



 

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Globally, thermal coal demand from new generating capacity is expected to remain robust, particularly in the seaborne market. According to AME’s Q2 2017 Export Thermal Coal Strategic Market Study (AME Q2 2017 Thermal Coal Study), global seaborne thermal coal demand is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 2.6% between 2016 and 2030, slowing from the 4.4% CAGR witnessed between 2007 and 2016. Although China’s government has communicated an intention to reduce its economy’s carbon intensity through greater energy efficiency and a more diversified energy mix, this is offset by India’s seaborne thermal coal demand, which is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2016 and 2030 due to robust infrastructure development and industrialization. AME expects India to be the largest source of demand for seaborne thermal coal by 2030 at approximately 20% of total global demand, as compared to approximately 15% in 2016. Moreover, electrification in other rapidly growing Southeast Asian countries is expected to serve as an additional strong source of future thermal coal demand due to coal’s cost-competitiveness relative to other fuels. As a result, according to the AME Q2 2017 Thermal Coal Study, thermal coal’s share of total primary energy demand globally is expected to remain relatively constant through 2030 at approximately 29%. As the long-term global demand for thermal coal in the Asia Pacific region continues to rise, however, use of low-quality thermal coal in those markets is expected to become increasingly less desirable as consumers continue to push for higher efficiencies and lower emissions. This interplay is expected to benefit U.S. coal exports, and we believe that it will especially benefit exports of coal from NAPP because of its high Btu content and its favorable access to export infrastructure.

In the seaborne metallurgical coal markets, on the other hand, persistent oversupply in recent years began to subside in 2016 due to a number of international developments impacting both demand and supply. Most importantly, in China, the combination of a stimulus package released by the Chinese government in early 2016 and supply side reforms restricting domestic coal mines to 276 days of operations (down from 330 days) resulted in a sharp increase in Chinese imports of metallurgical coal. According to AME’s Q2 2017 Export Metallurgical Coal Strategic Market Study (AME Q2 2017 Met Coal Study), Chinese imports of metallurgical coal increased 25% in 2016 compared to 2015 to reach 60.0 million metric tons. Coupled with weather-related production issues in Australia, hard coking coal prices reached the highest levels since 2011.

Coking coal prices have receded somewhat since their recent spike as supply has begun to return to the market from China and Australia. Nevertheless, the market is expected to remain well supported on the back of an expected growth in global demand for seaborne metallurgical coal from 2016 to 2030 at a CAGR of approximately 3.2%, according to AME’s Q2 2017 Met Coal Study. This trend is underpinned by the robust growth expected out of India, at a CAGR of approximately 7.8% from 2016-2030 according to AME, making the country the largest importer of metallurgical coal by 2023. Due to the strategic location and quality of its coal reserves, we believe NAPP coal is among the best-suited in the U.S. to take advantage of this expected uptick in global seaborne metallurgical coal demand.

Our Core Strengths

We believe we are well-positioned to successfully execute our business strategies because of the following competitive strengths:

Focus on free cash flow generation supported by industry-leading margins and optimized production levels

We intend to continue our focus on maintaining high margins by optimizing production from our high-quality reserves and leveraging our extensive logistics infrastructure and broad market reach. The PAMC’s low-cost structure, high-quality product, favorable access to rail and port infrastructure, and diverse base of end-use customers allow it to move large volumes of coal at positive cash margins throughout a variety of market conditions. For example, despite challenging domestic market conditions in 2016, which caused total U.S. coal production to fall by 19% year-on-year, PAMC managed to grow production by 8%. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the PAMC generated an average cash margin per ton of $15.22 compared to the median cash margin per ton of $9.97 generated by other coal companies for domestic bituminous thermal coal operations,

 



 

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based on management review of publicly available data for the year ended December 31, 2016. Through our recent capital investment program, we have optimized our mining operations and logistics infrastructure to sustainably drive down our cash operating costs. Furthermore, our significant portfolio of multi-year, committed and priced contracts with our longstanding customer base will enhance our ability to sustain high margins in varied commodity price environments. We believe that these factors will help enable us to maintain higher margins per ton on average than our competitors and better position us to maintain profitability throughout commodity price cycles.

Extensive, High-Quality Reserve Base

The PAMC has extensive high-quality reserves of bituminous coal. We mine our reserves from the Pittsburgh No. 8 Coal Seam, which is a large contiguous formation of uniform, high-Btu coal that is ideal for high productivity, low-cost longwall operations. As of December 31, 2016, the PAMC included 766.7 million tons of proven and probable coal reserves that are sufficient to support at least 27 years of full-capacity production. The advantageous qualities of our coal enable us to compete for demand from a broader range of coal-fired power plants compared to mining operations in basins that typically produce coal with a comparatively lower heat content (ILB and PRB), higher sulfur content (ILB and most areas in NAPP) and higher chlorine content (certain areas of ILB). Our remaining reserves have an average as-received gross heat content of 12,970 Btu/lb (on an as-received basis), while production from the PRB, ILB, CAPP, and the rest of NAPP averages approximately 8,700 Btu/lb, 11,400 Btu/lb, 12,300 Btu/lb, and 12,400 Btu/lb, respectively (based on the average quality reported by EIA for U.S. power plant deliveries for the three years ended June 30, 2017). Moreover, our remaining reserves have an average sulfur content of 2.38% (on an as-received basis), while production from the Illinois Basin averages ~2.9% sulfur and production from the rest of NAPP averages ~3.3% sulfur (again based on EIA power plant delivery data for the three years ended June 30, 2017). With our high Btu content and low-cost structure, our 2016 total costs averaged $1.32 per mmBtu, which is lower than any monthly average Louisiana Henry Hub natural gas spot price during the past 20+ years, and provides a strong foundation for competing against natural gas even after accounting for differences in delivered costs and power plant efficiencies. In addition to the substantial reserve base associated with the PAMC, our 1.6 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves in NAPP, CAPP, and ILB feature both thermal and metallurgical reserves and provide additional optionality for organic growth or monetization as market conditions allow.

World-Class, Well-Capitalized, Low-Cost Longwall Mining Complex

Since 2006, we have invested over $2.0 billion at the PAMC ($1.4 billion of which has been invested in the past five years) to develop technologically advanced, large-scale longwall mining operations and related production and logistics infrastructure. We also have permanently sealed off 85 square miles of already-mined area, reducing the active areas of the mine to just 24.4 square miles and significantly limiting the area that we must ventilate and maintain. As a result, the PAMC is the most productive and efficient coal mining complex in NAPP, averaging 6.77 tons of coal production per employee hour in 2015-2016, compared to 4.94 tons of coal production per employee hour for other currently-operating NAPP longwall mines. As of June 30, 2017, productivity further increased from year-end 2016 results to 7.43 tons of coal per employee hour, compared with an average of 5.24 tons per employee hour for all other currently-operating NAPP longwalls. We believe our substantial capital investment in the PAMC will enable us to maintain high production volumes, low operating costs and a strong safety and environmental compliance record, which we believe are key to supporting stable financial performance and cash flows throughout business and commodity price cycles. As a result, we expect to be able to mine the remaining 27+ years of reserves at the PAMC with only maintenance-of-production levels of capital expenditure.

 



 

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Strategically Located Mining Operations with Advanced Distribution Capabilities and Excellent Access to Key Logistics Infrastructure

Our logistics infrastructure and proximity to coal-fired power plants in the eastern United States provide us with operational and marketing flexibility, reduce the cost to deliver coal to our core markets, and allow us to realize higher netback prices. We believe that we have a significant transportation cost advantage compared to many of our competitors, particularly producers in the ILB and PRB, for deliveries to customers in our core markets and to East Coast ports for international shipping. For example, based on publicly available data and internal estimates, we believe that the transportation cost advantage from our mines compared to ILB mines (not accounting for Btu differences) is approximately $3 to $8 per ton for coal delivered to foreign consumers in Europe and India, $4 to $8 per ton for coal delivered to domestic customers in the Carolinas, and an even more pronounced cost advantage for coal delivered to domestic customers in the mid-Atlantic states. Our ability to accommodate multiple unit trains at the Bailey Central Preparation Plant, which includes a dual-batch loadout facility capable of loading up to 9,000 tons of clean coal per hour and 19.3 miles of track with three sidings, allows for the seamless transition of locomotives from empty inbound trains to fully loaded outbound trains at our facility. Furthermore, the PAMC has among the best access to export infrastructure in the United States. Through our 100%-owned CNX Marine Terminal, served by both the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads, we are able to participate in the world’s seaborne coal markets with premium thermal and crossover metallurgical coal, providing tremendous optionality.

Strong, Well-Established Customer Base Supporting Contractual Volumes

We have a well-established and diverse blue chip customer base, comprised primarily of domestic electric-power-producing companies located in the eastern United States. We have had success entering into multi-year coal sales agreements with our customers due to our longstanding relationships, reliability of production and delivery, competitive pricing and high coal quality. About 90% of our sales in 2016 were to customers that were in our 2015 portfolio, and each of our top 15 domestic power plant customers in 2016 have been in our portfolio for at least three consecutive years. In addition, to mitigate our exposure with respect to coal-fired power plant retirements, we have strategically developed our customer base to include power plants that are economically positioned to continue operating for the foreseeable future and that are equipped with state-of-the-art environmental controls. In 2016, approximately 4% of our total sales were to domestic power plant customers that have announced plans to retire between 2017 and 2023. Moreover, none of our top 15 customer plants, which accounted for 82% of our domestic power plant shipments in 2016, have announced plans to retire. These top 15 plants operated at a 15% higher capacity factor than other NAPP rail-served plants in 2016, highlighting their economic competitiveness even in a challenging power market. In addition to our robust domestic customer base, we also have favorable access to seaborne coal markets through a long-standing commercial and contractual relationship with a leading coal trading and brokering company, Xcoal Energy & Resources, that maintains a broad market presence with foreign coal consumers. We have consistently exported 3.4 to 5.6 million tons of PAMC coal to the seaborne thermal and crossover metallurgical markets in each of the past 5+ years, which represents approximately 20% of annual sales volume.

Highly Experienced Management Team and Operating Team

Our management and operating teams have (i) significant expertise owning, developing and managing complex thermal and metallurgical coal mining operations, (ii) valuable relationships with customers, railroads and other participants across the coal industry, (iii) technical wherewithal and demonstrated success in developing new applications and customers for our coal products, in both the thermal and metallurgical markets, and (iv) a proven track record of successfully building, enhancing and managing coal assets in a reliable and cost-effective manner throughout all parts of the commodity cycle. We intend to leverage these qualities to continue to successfully develop our coal mining assets while efficiently and flexibly managing our operations to maximize operating cash flow.

 



 

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Our Strategy

Our strategy is to safely and compliantly operate our assets to increase shareholder value through the execution of our strategic objectives:

Selectively pursue growth opportunities that maximize shareholder value by capitalizing on synergies with our assets and expertise

We plan to judiciously direct the cash generated by our operations toward those opportunities that present the greatest potential for value creation to our shareholders, particularly those that take advantage of synergies with our asset base and/or with the expertise of our management team. To effectuate this, we plan to regularly and rigorously evaluate opportunities both for organic growth and for acquisitions, joint ventures, and other business arrangements in the coal industry and related industries that complement our core operations. In addition, our ownership interest in CNXC provides us with a unique vehicle for generating cash and raising capital, through the potential future drop down of assets into CNXC, which if utilized will allow us to generate cash to assist in the execution of our growth strategy. Both the PAMC and our Greenfield Reserves present the potential for organic growth projects if long-term market conditions are favorable. For example, we are currently evaluating a project to improve the recovery and processing of fine coal from the Bailey Central Preparation Plant, which has the potential to add up to 1.5 million tons per year of additional clean coal production without additional mining of raw tons. Moreover, the Harvey Mine’s existing infrastructure, including its bottom development, slope belt, and material handling system, is able to support an additional permanent longwall mining system with moderate additional capital investment in mining equipment. Such an investment would further increase the annual production capacity of the PAMC by 5 million tons. Our Greenfield Reserves associated with the Mason Dixon and River Mine projects present additional organic growth opportunities in NAPP, and our Greenfield Reserves associated with the Itmann Mine, Martinka Mine, and Birch Mine provide actionable organic growth opportunities in the metallurgical coal space, should market conditions warrant. Our management team is well-qualified to evaluate organic and external growth opportunities. We intend to prudently use our interest in CNXC to benefit our growth strategy, and plan to carefully weigh any capital investment decisions against alternate uses of the cash to help ensure we are delivering the most value to our shareholders.

Continue to grow our share at top-performing rail-served power plants in our core market areas, while opportunistically pursuing export and crossover metallurgical opportunities

We plan to seek to minimize our market risk and maximize realizations by continuing to focus on selling coal to strategically-selected, top-performing, rail-served power plants located in our core market areas in the eastern United States. Our top 15 power plant customers in 2016 have consistently consumed more than 50 million tons of coal per year in each of the past five years, have operated at a greater capacity factor than other NAPP rail-served plants, and have not announced plans to retire. We have grown our share at these plants from 12% in 2011 to 32% in 2016, and we believe we can continue to grow this share by displacing less competitive supply from NAPP, CAPP, and other basins. We also plan to continue to work on identifying and penetrating new customer plants that we believe are aligned with our strategic objectives and would be a good fit for our coal. To this end, we tested PAMC coal at five new customer plants in 2016. While the majority of our production is directed toward our established base of domestic power plant customers, many of which are secured through annual or multi-year contracts, we also plan to continue to flexibly and opportunistically place a smaller portion of our production in shorter-term opportunities in the export and crossover metallurgical markets. These markets provide us with pricing upside when markets are strong and with volume stability when markets are weak. As of June 30, 2017, the PAMC is fully contracted for 2017. For 2018 and 2019, our contracted position as of October 9, 2017 is at 80% and 41%, respectively, assuming a 27 million ton coal sales volume. We believe our committed and contracted position is well-balanced in hedging against market downside risk while allowing us to continue to build out our portfolio strategically and opportunistically as the market evolves.

 



 

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Drive operational excellence through safety, compliance, and continuous improvement

We intend to continue focusing on our core values of safety, compliance and continuous improvement. We operate some of the most productive, lowest-cost underground mines in the coal industry, while simultaneously setting some of the industry’s highest standards for safety and compliance. From 2013 through 2016, our Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reportable incident rate was approximately 42% lower than the national average underground bituminous coal mine incident rate. Furthermore, our MSHA significant and substantial (S&S) citation rate per 100 inspection hours was approximately 23.5% lower than the industry’s average MSHA S&S citation rate over the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2017. We believe that our focus on safety and compliance promotes greater reliability in our operations, which fosters long-term customer relationships and lower operating costs that support higher margins. Consistent with our core value of continuous improvement, we have improved our productivity from 5.69 tons per employee hour in 2014 to 7.52 tons per employee hour in 2016, and have reduced our cash costs of coal sold per ton by 22.6% over this same period. We intend to continue to grow the economic competiveness of our operations by proactively identifying, pursuing, and implementing efficiency improvements and new technologies that can drive down unit costs without compromising safety or compliance.

Ability to Grow Cash Flow through Drop-Downs into CNXC

Our controlling ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources LP provides us with a unique vehicle for generating cash and raising capital to pursue our growth strategy. Over time we may drop down assets into CNXC. We believe that such drop-downs, if utilized, would allow us to grow CNXC’s ability to make distributions and potentially increase the value of the common units, preferred units and incentive distribution rights of CNXC that we hold. Furthermore, the cash generated from these drop-downs could help us to accelerate the execution of our growth strategy. Finally, we believe that our different classes of securities (C-Corp and MLP) provide us with multiple options for accessing capital markets and taking advantage of the best available cost of capital at any given point in time. We believe this is a unique advantage for us compared to other companies in the coal industry.

Risks Associated with Our Business

An investment in our company is subject to a number of risks, including risks relating to our business, risks related to the separation and risks related to our common stock. Set forth below is a high-level summary of some, but not all, of these risks. Please read the information in the section captioned “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 1 of this information statement, for a more thorough description of these and other risks.

Risks Related to Our Business

 

   

Deterioration in the global economic conditions in any of the industries in which our customers operate, foreign currency fluctuations, a worldwide financial downturn, or negative credit market conditions may have a materially adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations, business and financial condition that we cannot predict.

 

   

Volatility of coal prices, which can fluctuate widely based upon a number of factors beyond our control including oversupply, weather and the price and availability of alternative fuels.

 

   

Risks related to our customer contracts, including failure to extend, renew or obtain new contracts, the terms of such contracts, and our ability to collect payments under the contracts, all of which could adversely affect CoalCo profitability.

 

   

The multiple sources of competition that our business faces, both within the coal industry itself, and also as it relates to alternative fuel sources, can negatively impact our financial results and results of operations.

 



 

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Our required compliance and adherence to various environmental, safety and other governmental regulations and requirements impacts our business, and failure to obtain, maintain and renew governmental permits and approvals and effectuate other required governmental compliance may adversely affect our operations and our profitability.

Risks Related to the Separation

 

   

Our historical and pro forma financial information is not necessarily representative of the results that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

 

   

We may not achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the separation, and the separation may materially adversely affect our business.

 

   

Our plan to separate into two independent publicly traded companies is subject to various risks and uncertainties and may not be completed in accordance with the expected plans or anticipated timeline, or at all, and will involve significant time and expense, which could disrupt or adversely affect our business.

 

   

The combined post-separation value of eight shares of GasCo common stock and one share of CoalCo common stock may not equal or exceed the pre-distribution value of eight shares of ParentCo common stock.

 

   

In connection with our separation from ParentCo, ParentCo will indemnify us for certain liabilities and we will indemnify ParentCo for certain liabilities. If we are required to pay under these indemnities to ParentCo, our financial results could be negatively impacted. The ParentCo indemnity may not be sufficient to hold us harmless from the full amount of liabilities for which ParentCo will be allocated responsibility, and ParentCo may not be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations in the future.

 

   

If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, does not qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, ParentCo, CoalCo and ParentCo stockholders could be subject to significant tax liabilities and, in certain circumstances, CoalCo could be required to indemnify ParentCo for material taxes and other related amounts pursuant to indemnification obligations under the tax matters agreement.

 

   

We may not be able to engage in certain corporate transactions after the separation.

 

   

The transfer to us of certain contracts and other assets may require the consents of, or provide other rights to, third parties. If such consents are not obtained, we may not be entitled to the benefit of such contracts and other assets, which could increase our expenses or otherwise harm our business and financial performance.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

 

   

We cannot be certain that an active trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained after the separation and, following the separation, our stock price may fluctuate significantly.

 

   

A significant number of shares of our common stock may be sold following the distribution which may cause our stock price to decline.

 

   

We cannot guarantee the timing, amount or payment of dividends on our common stock.

 

   

Provisions contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws could discourage a takeover attempt, which may reduce or eliminate the likelihood of a change of control transaction and, therefore, the ability of our stockholders to sell their shares for a premium.

 



 

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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which will limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain an alternative judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents.

The Separation and Distribution

In December 2016, ParentCo announced its intention to separate its Coal Business from its Gas Business. The separation will occur by means of a pro rata distribution to the ParentCo stockholders of all of the common stock of CoalCo.

CoalCo was formed on June 21, 2017 to hold ParentCo’s PAMC operations, CNX Marine Terminal, ParentCo’s ownership interest in CNXC, the Greenfield Reserves and certain other coal related assets and liabilities. Following the separation, CoalCo will hold the assets and liabilities of ParentCo relating to those businesses and assets and the direct and indirect subsidiary entities that currently operate the Coal Business, subject to certain exceptions. After the separation, GasCo will hold ParentCo’s E&P division and related businesses, including those assets and liabilities of ParentCo and its direct and indirect subsidiary entities that currently operate the Gas Business, subject to certain exceptions.

Following the distribution, CoalCo will be a separate company from GasCo.

On October 30, 2017, the ParentCo Board of Directors approved the distribution of CoalCo’s common stock on the basis of one share of CoalCo common stock for every eight shares of ParentCo common stock held as of the close of business on November 15, 2017, the record date for the distribution.

Internal Reorganization

We are currently a wholly owned subsidiary of ParentCo. In connection with the separation, ParentCo will transfer to us employees, operations, assets and liabilities associated with ParentCo’s Coal Business and certain other current and former businesses and activities of ParentCo.

ParentCo has taken and, prior to the distribution, will continue to implement a series of internal reorganization transactions to facilitate the transfers of entities and the related assets and liabilities described above from ParentCo and its subsidiaries to CoalCo. To the extent that any transfer of entities, employees, operations or assets or assumption of liabilities contemplated in connection with the separation and distribution has not been consummated on or prior to the distribution date, the parties will cooperate with each other to effect such transfers or assumptions in the manner set forth below under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with GasCo—Separation Agreement.”

References in this information statement to the “contribution” refer to the transfer to CoalCo of the entities and related employees, operations, assets and liabilities of ParentCo’s Coal Business and certain other current and former businesses and activities of ParentCo.

In connection with the separation, CoalCo will make a cash payment of $425 million to ParentCo. This payment will be partially funded by the proceeds expected to be received from a secured notes offering, along with borrowings under new term loan facilities CoalCo expects to enter into in connection with the separation. It is anticipated that the remainder of the proceeds from the new term loan facilities will be used to fund an intercompany loan to CNXC, so that CNXC can repay and terminate its existing revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes. CoalCo also expects to enter into a new revolving credit facility with borrowing capacity of $300 million and an accounts receivable securitization facility with borrowing capacity of approximately $100 million.

CoalCo’s Post-Separation Relationship with GasCo

CoalCo will enter into a separation and distribution agreement with ParentCo (the separation agreement). In connection with the separation, we will enter into various agreements to effect the separation, and enter into other

 



 

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agreements, or amend or continue under existing agreements that may be in place, to provide a framework for our relationship with GasCo after the separation, including a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement, an intellectual property matters agreement, licensing agreements and other agreements related to operations of CoalCo post-separation. These agreements will provide for the allocation between CoalCo and GasCo of ParentCo’s assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including investments, property and employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) attributable to periods prior to, at and after our separation from ParentCo and will govern certain relationships between us and GasCo after the separation.

For additional information regarding the separation agreement and other transaction agreements, see the sections entitled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Separation” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.” For additional information regarding the internal reorganization, see the section entitled, “The Separation and Distribution—Internal Reorganization.”

Reasons for the Separation

The ParentCo Board of Directors believes that separating its Coal Business from its Gas Business is in the best interests of ParentCo and its stockholders for a number of reasons, including:

 

 

Management Focus and Strategic Decision Making . The separation will position each company to pursue a more focused, industry-specific strategy, will create additional operational flexibility for each company and will enable the management teams of each company to focus on strengthening its core business, operations and other needs, and pursue distinct and targeted opportunities for long-term growth and profitability.

 

 

Allocation of Financial Resources and Access to Capital . The separation will permit each company to efficiently allocate its capital to meet the unique needs of its own business, which will allow each company to intensify its focus on its distinct business priorities. The separation will also facilitate each business having a more appropriate capital structure aligned with its target capital levels and those of its peers, and is expected to increase access to capital by each company.

 

   

Employee Retention and Incentivizing . The separation will result in each business being better positioned to recruit and retain executives and other employees with expertise that is more directly applicable to the needs of its business. Similarly, the Company believes that its efforts to drive financial and operational goals by aligning incentive programs with specific goals applicable to each business are frustrated by its continued operation of two distinct lines of business. As a result of the separation, each business will be able to articulate more defined talent requirements for potential employees, and both recruiters and applicants are expected to have a clearer understanding of the prerequisites and opportunities associated with each business. Additionally, each business will be able to communicate specifically and clearly the goals of incentive programs and how such programs are specifically tailored to and aligned with the financial and operational strategic objectives of each business in connection with recruiting and retaining employees.

 

   

Enhanced Investor Understanding , Corporate Acquisition Currencies and Equity-Based Compensation. The separation brought about by the distribution will improve understanding of each business in the capital markets and allow for a stronger, more focused investor base for each business. Moreover, the separation will create two independent equity structures, enabling each business to use its own business-focused stock as consideration in acquisitions and equity compensation programs and creating a more efficient and valuable transaction currency and compensation tool.

 



 

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The ParentCo Board of Directors also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation, including:

 

   

Risk of Failure to Achieve Anticipated Benefits of the Separation . We may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the separation for a variety of reasons, including, among others: the separation will require significant amounts of management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating our business; and following the separation, we may be more susceptible to market fluctuations, including fluctuations in coal prices, and other adverse events than if we were still a part of ParentCo because our business will be less diversified than ParentCo’s business prior to the completion of the separation.

 

   

Increased Administrative Costs . We will incur substantial costs in connection with the separation and the transition to being a standalone public company, which may include accounting, tax, legal and other professional services costs, recruiting and relocation costs associated with hiring key senior management personnel who are new to CoalCo, tax costs and costs to separate information systems. Due to our smaller scale as a standalone company, our cost of performing such functions could be higher than the amounts reflected in our historical financial statements, which would cause our profitability to decrease.

 

   

Limitations on Strategic Transactions . Under the terms of the tax matters agreement that we will enter into with ParentCo, we will be restricted from taking certain actions that could cause the distribution or certain related transactions to fail to qualify as tax-free transactions under applicable law. These restrictions may limit for a period of time our ability to pursue certain strategic transactions and equity issuances or engage in other transactions that might increase the value of our business.

 

   

Uncertainty Regarding Stock Prices . We cannot predict the effect of the separation on the trading prices of CoalCo or GasCo common stock or know with certainty whether the combined market value of one share of our common stock and eight shares of GasCo common stock will be less than, equal to or greater than the market value of eight shares of ParentCo common stock prior to the distribution.

In determining to pursue the separation, the ParentCo Board of Directors concluded the potential benefits of the separation outweighed the foregoing factors. See the sections entitled “The Separation and Distribution—Reasons for the Separation” and “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this information statement.

Description of Indebtedness

As discussed above, we intend to incur new borrowings from third-party financing sources, which will include an expected secured notes issuance, along with borrowings under new term loan facilities CoalCo expects to enter into in connection with the separation, a portion of which we anticipate will be transferred to ParentCo. It is anticipated that the remainder of the proceeds from the new term loan facilities will be used to fund a loan to CNXC in order to repay and terminate CNXC’s existing revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes. CoalCo also expects to enter into a new revolving credit facility with borrowing capacity of $300 million and an accounts receivable securitization facility with borrowing capacity of approximately $100 million. In addition, CoalCo intends to retain those 5.75% Maryland Economic Development Corporation Port Facilities Refunding Revenue Bonds (MEDCO Revenue Bonds) due September 2025, for which the principal amount as of September 30, 2017 was $103 million, and for which GasCo will remain as a guarantor with CoalCo providing indemnification with respect to such guarantee. For more information, see “Description of Material Indebtedness.”

Third Quarter Estimates

CoalCo management previously prepared preliminary estimated financial information for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, included below, which reflected assumptions and estimates based only on information

 



 

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available to management as of that time. The estimated financial information was prepared in good faith on a consistent basis with prior periods, and we believe the information provided below continues to be accurate. However, financial closing procedures for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 for CoalCo have not yet been finalized, and actual results could differ from our estimates. No independent public accounting firm has performed any procedures with respect to the below financial information for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, nor have they expressed any opinion or other form of assurance with respect to the estimated ranges presented. During the course of the preparation of our combined financial statements and related notes as of and for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, we or our auditors may identify items that would require us to make adjustments to the below estimates. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from the current expectations expressed below. These estimates should not be viewed as a substitute for full interim financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Third quarter financial information

Based upon information available as of the date of this information statement, we currently estimate for the quarter ended September 30, 2017:

 

   

Total Revenues in the range of $310 million to $360 million.

 

   

PAMC Sales Tons of between 6.0 million Tons and 6.6 million Tons, compared to PAMC Sales Tons for quarter ended September 30, 2016 of 6.0 million Tons.

 

   

Average Cost of Coal Sold Per Ton of between $37.10 per ton and $37.50 per ton, compared to Average Cost of Coal Sold Per Ton for quarter ended September 30, 2016 of $35.79 per ton.

 

   

Average Sales Price Per Ton Sold of between $44.00 per ton and $44.30 per ton, compared to Average Sales Price Per Ton Sold for quarter ended September 30, 2016 of $44.30 per ton.

 

   

PAMC Capital Expenditures of between $24 million and $30 million, compared to PAMC Capital Expenditures for quarter ended September 30, 2016 of $12 million.

 

   

Net Income. Net Income of between $5 million and $11 million.

 

   

EBITDA*. EBITDA* of between $58 million and $68 million.

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA*. Adjusted EBITDA of between $63 million and $74 million.

 

   

Bank Adjusted EBITDA*. Bank Adjusted EBITDA between $51 million and $61 million.

*EBITDA, “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Bank Adjusted EBITDA” are “non-GAAP financial measures,” that is, financial measures that either exclude or include amounts that are not excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). For an explanation of these measures and a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

CoalCo management believes that each of these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information that enhances management’s, investors’ and prospective lenders’ ability to evaluate the Company’s operating results and ability to repay its obligations. However, these non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be used in isolation and should not be considered a substitute for any other performance measure determined in accordance with GAAP. Readers are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool, including that other companies may calculate

 



 

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similar non-GAAP financial measures differently than as defined in these materials, limiting their usefulness as a comparative tool. CoalCo compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures. CoalCo further compensates for the limitations of its use of non-GAAP financial measures by presenting comparable GAAP measures. Readers are encouraged to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures contained herein.

EBITDA is defined as earnings before deducting net interest expense (interest expense less interest income), income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA after adjusting for the discrete items listed below. Bank Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Adjusted EBITDA less between $7 million and $11 million of CNXC EBITDA net of cash distributions attributable to the Company, less between $5 million and $2 million of payments on long term employee liabilities net of expense provision.

Although EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Bank Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, management believes that they are useful to an investor in evaluating the Company because they are widely used to evaluate a company’s operating performance. The Company excludes stock-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA because it does not believe it accurately reflects the actual operating expense incurred during the relevant period and may vary widely from period to period irrespective of operating results. Investors should not view these metrics as a substitute for measures of performance that are calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, because all companies do not calculate EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA uniformly, the presentation here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to financial net income is as follows (dollars in 000), with Bank Adjusted EBITDA set forth following the table in narrative form:

 

Dollars in millions    Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
 
     Low      High  

Net Income (Loss)

   $ 5      $ 11  

Add: Interest Expense

     3        4  

Less: Interest Income

             

Add: Income Taxes

     4        5  

Earnings Before Interest & Taxes (EBIT)

     12        20  

Add: Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization

     46        48  

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes and DD&A (EBITDA) from Continuing Operations

   $ 58      $ 68  

Total Pre-tax Adjustments

     5        6  

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 63      $ 74  

Less: Adjusted EBITDA Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

     6        9  

Adjusted EBITDA Attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation Shareholder

   $ 57      $ 65  

Bank Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA less between $7 million and $11 million of CNXC EBITDA net of cash distributions attributable to the Company, less between $5 million and $2 million of payments on long term employee liabilities net of expense provision.

Corporate Information

CoalCo was incorporated in Delaware on June 21, 2017 for the purpose of holding ParentCo’s Coal Business in connection with the separation and distribution described herein. Prior to the transfer of these businesses to us by ParentCo, which will occur prior to the distribution, CoalCo will have no operations and limited assets. The address of our principal executive offices will be 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317-6506.

 



 

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Our telephone number after the distribution will be 724-485-4000. We will as of the time of the separation maintain an Internet site at www.consolenergy.com . Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not incorporated into this information statement or the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, or in any other filings with, or any information furnished or submitted to, the SEC.

Reason for Furnishing this Information Statement

This information statement is being furnished solely to provide information to ParentCo stockholders who will receive shares of CoalCo common stock in the distribution. It is not and is not to be construed as an inducement or encouragement to buy or sell any of CoalCo’s securities. The information contained in this information statement is believed by CoalCo to be accurate as of the date set forth on its cover. Changes may occur after that date and neither ParentCo nor CoalCo will update the information except as may be required in the normal course of their respective disclosure obligations and practices.

 



 

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA

COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

The following summary financial data reflects the combined operations of CoalCo reflecting the historical financial results of the Coal Business. We derived the summary combined income statement data for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and summary combined balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, as set forth below, from our audited Combined Financial Statements, which are included in the “Index to Financial Statements” section of this information statement. We derived the summary combined income statement data for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, and summary combined balance sheet data as of June 30, 2017, as set forth below, from our unaudited Combined Financial Statements, included elsewhere in this information statement. The combined financial statements of CoalCo include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held at ParentCo’s corporate level but are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to CoalCo prior to the separation on a historical basis. See “Note 1—The Proposed Separation and Basis of Presentation” to the combined financial statements for additional information. The historical results do not necessarily indicate the results expected for any future period.

The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the six months ended June 30, 2017 has been prepared to reflect the separation, including the incurrence of indebtedness of approximately $800 million. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Income presented for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the six months ended June 30, 2017, assumes the separation occurred on January 1, 2016. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2017 assumes the separation occurred on June 30, 2017. The assumptions used and pro forma adjustments derived from such assumptions are based on currently available information and we believe such assumptions are reasonable under the circumstances.

The historical and summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data is not necessarily indicative of our results of operations or financial condition had the distribution and its anticipated post-separation capital structure been completed on the dates assumed. They may not reflect the results of operations or financial condition that would have resulted had we been operating as an independent, publicly traded company during such periods. In addition, they are not necessarily indicative of our future results of operations or financial results.

You should read this summary financial data together with “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements,” “Capitalization,” “Selected Historical Combined Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Combined Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement.

 



 

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    As of and for the Six months
ended June 30
    As of and for the year ended December 31,  
    Pro
forma
2017
(Unaudited)
    2017
(Unaudited)
    2016
(Unaudited)
    Pro
forma
2016
(Unaudited)
    2016     2015     2014  

Revenue and Other Income:

             

Coal Sales

  $ 620,155     $ 620,155     $ 476,726     $ 1,065,582     $ 1,065,582     $ 1,289,036     $ 1,616,874  

Other Outside Sales

    27,742       27,742       15,767       31,464       31,464       30,967       41,255  

Freight Revenue

    30,045       30,045       24,557       46,468       46,468       20,499       23,133  

Miscellaneous Other Income

    26,356       32,794       36,133       72,814       82,120       68,193       123,604  

Gain on Sale of Assets

    13,536       13,536       3,904       5,228       5,228       13,025       26,312  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

    717,834       724,272       557,087       1,221,556       1,230,862       1,421,720       1,831,178  

Costs and Expenses:

             

Operating and Other Costs

    452,120       452,876       407,446       876,013       877,177       699,594       1,110,332  
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization     78,503       78,261       77,976       178,561       178,122       195,337       206,684  

Freight Expense

    30,045       30,045       24,557       46,468       46,468       20,499       23,133  
Selling, General, and Administrative Costs     37,417       37,417       18,020       50,044       50,027       55,720       78,724  

Interest Expense

    41,199       7,966       6,496       81,418       14,053       7,544           —  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

    639,284       606,565       534,495       1,232,504       1,165,847       978,694       1,418,873  

Earnings Before Income Tax

    78,550       117,707       22,592       (10,948)       65,015       443,026       412,305  

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

    3,883       19,017       (193)       (14,795)       14,565       125,605       121,353  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income

    74,667       98,690       22,785       3,847       50,450       317,421       290,952  
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest     9,777       9,777       2,293       8,954       8,954       10,410             —  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation Shareholder   $ 64,890     $ 88,913     $ 20,492     $ (5,107)     $ 41,496     $ 307,011     $ 290,952  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):              
Property, plant and equipment, net   $ 2,102,833     $ 2,118,394     $ 2,253,662       $ 2,180,270     $ 2,325,181     $ 2,529,657  
Total assets   $ 2,781,805     $ 2,626,610     $ 2,758,170       $ 2,687,434     $ 2,867,733     $ 3,092,374  
Total equity   $ 377,335     $ 826,297     $ 854,981       $ 800,124     $ 1,061,839     $ 1,246,192  
Cash Flow Statement Data:              
Net cash provided by operating activities     $ 104,027     $ 95,070       $ 329,107     $ 291,693     $ 543,519  
Net cash used in investing activities     $ (6,244)      $ (22,621)        $ (45,758)      $ (130,274)      $ (127,810)   
Net cash used in financing activities     $ (104,355)      $ (70,038)        $ (276,677)      $ (154,917)      $ (415,839)   
Coal Reserves, Production and Sales Data:              
Recoverable reserves (at period end)(1)     2,347,445,054       2,347,445,054       2,579,430,075       2,361,166,000       2,361,166,000       2,590,819,000             —  
Coal tons produced     13,720,946       13,720,946       11,388,925       24,665,589       24,665,589       22,790,165       26,065,985  
Coal tons sold     13,548,745       13,548,745       11,431,269       24,603,559       24,603,559       22,873,470       26,132,593  
Average sales price per ton   $ 45.77     $ 45.77     $ 41.70     $ 43.31     $ 43.31     $ 56.36     $ 61.88  
Average costs per ton sold   $ 34.65     $ 34.65     $ 33.86     $ 34.35     $ 34.35     $ 41.78     $ 43.63  

Other Data:

             

Capital Expenditures

    $ 23,229     $ 27,206       $ 53,600     $ 143,053     $ 348,846  

 



 

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(1)

Includes third-party recoverable assigned coal reserves of 34.6 million tons for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and for the year ended December 31, 2016. Includes third-party recoverable assigned coal reserves of 88.8 million tons for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2015. Recoverable reserves have not been disclosed as of December 31, 2014 due to the impact of prior discontinued operations in that period.

EBITDA is defined as earnings before deducting net interest expense (interest expense less interest income), income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA after adjusting for the discrete items listed below. Although EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, management believes that they are useful to an investor in evaluating CONSOL Energy because they are widely used to evaluate a company’s operating performance. CoalCo excludes stock-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA because it does not believe it accurately reflects the actual operating expense incurred during the relevant period and may vary widely from period to period irrespective of operating results. Readers should not view these metrics as a substitute for measures of performance that are calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, because all companies do not calculate EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA uniformly, the presentation here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

 

     For the six months
ended June 30,
     For the year ended December 31,  
     Pro
forma
2017
     2017      2016      Pro
forma
2016
     2016      2015      2014  

Other Financial Information:

                    

Capital Expenditures

      $ 23,229      $ 27,206         $ 53,600      $ 143,053      $ 348,846  

EBITDA(1)

   $ 198,252      $ 203,934      $ 107,064      $ 249,031      $ 257,190      $ 645,907      $ 618,989  

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

   $ 207,017      $ 212,699      $ 126,124      $ 282,936      $ 291,095      $ 433,642      $ 637,821  

 

(1)

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and reconciliations to our most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, please see “—Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBIT, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

The following table presents a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, EBIT, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which we use in the analysis of our business. A reconcilement of EBIT, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to financial net income is as follows:

 

    For the six months
ended June 30,
    For the year ended December 31,  
    Pro
forma
2017
    2017     2016     Pro
forma
2016
    2016     2015     2014  

Other Financial Information:

             

Net income

  $ 74,667     $ 98,690     $ 22,785     $ 3,847     $ 50,450     $ 317,421     $ 290,952  

Add: Interest expense

    41,199       7,966       6,496       81,418       14,053       7,544        

Add: Income taxes

    3,883       19,017       (193     (14,795     14,565       125,605       121,353  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings Before Interest & Taxes (EBIT)

    119,749       125,673       29,088       70,470       79,068       450,570       412,305  

Add: Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    78,503       78,261       77,976       178,561       178,122       195,337       206,684  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings Before Interest, taxes and DD&A (EBITDA) from continuing operations

    198,252       203,934       107,064       249,031       257,190       645,907       618,989  

Add: Stock-Based Compensation

    8,765       8,765       5,364       11,710       11,710       8,406       19,860  

Add: Transaction fees(1)

                                  7,581        

Add: Pension settlement

                13,696       22,195       22,195       19,053       24,310  

Add: Gains on sale of assets(2)

                                  (7,551     (25,338

Add: OPEB Plan Changes

                                  (244,475      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total pre-tax adjustments

    8,765       8,765       19,060       33,905       33,905       (216,986     18,832  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes and DD&A (Adjusted EBITDA) from continuing operations

  $ 207,017     $ 212,699     $ 126,124     $ 282,936     $ 291,095     $ 428,921     $ 637,821  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 



 

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(1)

Represents legal and professional fees related to a backstop loan relating to the CNXC initial public offering (IPO), other fees and expenses in relationto CNXC and other failed transaction costs.

(2)

Represents the total gains on sale of assets experienced as a result of asset sales not in the normal course of operations.

CoalCo management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information that enhances management’s, investors’ and prospective lenders’ ability to evaluate the Company’s operating results and ability to repay its obligations. However, these non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be used in isolation and should not be considered a substitute for any other performance measure determined in accordance with GAAP. Readers are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool, including that other companies may calculate similar non-GAAP financial measures differently than as defined in these materials, limiting their usefulness as a comparative tool. CoalCo compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures. CoalCo further compensates for the limitations of its use of non-GAAP financial measures by presenting comparable GAAP measures. Readers are encouraged to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures contained herein.

 



 

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this information statement in evaluating us and our common stock. The risk factors generally have been separated into three groups: risks related to our business, risks related to the separation and risks related to our common stock and the securities market.

Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Our operations could be affected by various risks, many of which are beyond our control. Based on current information, we believe that the following list identifies the most significant risk factors that could affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. There may be additional risks and uncertainties that adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in the future that are not presently known, are not currently believed to be material, or are not identified below because they are common to all businesses. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. For more information, see “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.”

Risks Related to Our Business

Deterioration in the global economic conditions in any of the industries in which our customers operate, or a worldwide financial downturn, or negative credit market conditions may have a materially adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations, business and financial condition that we cannot predict.

Economic conditions in a number of industries in which our customers operate, such as electric power generation and steel-making, substantially deteriorated in recent years and reduced the demand for coal. The general economic challenges for some of our customers continued in 2016 and the outlook is uncertain. In addition, liquidity is essential to our business and developing our assets. Renewed or continued weakness in the economic conditions of any of the industries we serve or are served by our customers could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and liquidity in a number of ways. For example:

 

   

demand for electricity in the United States is impacted by industrial production, which if weakened would negatively impact the revenues, margins and profitability of our coal business;

 

   

the tightening of credit or lack of credit availability to our customers could adversely affect our ability to collect our trade receivables;

 

   

our ability to access the capital markets may be restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to raise capital for our business including for exploration and/or development of our coal reserves; and

 

   

a decline in our creditworthiness, which may require us to post letters of credit, cash collateral, or surety bonds to secure certain obligations, all of which would have an adverse effect on our liquidity.

Prices for coal are volatile and can fluctuate widely based upon a number of factors beyond our control including oversupply relative to the demand available for our products, weather and the price and availability of alternative fuels. An extended decline in the prices we receive for our coal will adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and cash flows.

Our financial results are significantly affected by the prices we receive for our coal. In addition, demand can fluctuate widely due to a number of matters beyond our control, including:

 

   

changes in the consumption pattern of industrial consumers, electricity generators and residential users of electricity;

 

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weather conditions in our markets which affect the demand for thermal coal (for example, the unusually warm 2015 - 2016 winter left utilities with large coal stockpiles and depressed the demand for thermal coal);

 

   

with respect to thermal coal, the price and availability of natural gas and the price and supply of imported liquefied natural gas;

 

   

technological advances affecting energy consumption;

 

   

the costs, availability and capacity of transportation infrastructure;

 

   

international developments impacting supply of metallurgical coal, including supply side reforms promulgated in China, and continued expected growth in demand for seaborne metallurgical coal in India; and

 

   

the impact of domestic and foreign governmental laws and regulations, including environmental and climate change regulations and regulations affecting the coal mining industry and coal-fired power plants, and delays in the receipt of, failure to receive, failure to maintain or revocation of necessary governmental permits.

The coal industry also faces concerns with respect to oversupply from time to time. For example, U.S. coal exports decreased by 32% during the first half of 2016 compared with the first half of 2015, as global supply exceeded demand for both thermal and metallurgical coal. Our average sales price per ton sold in 2016 declined 23% from 2015 due to imbalanced supply and demand, and a substantial or extended decline in the prices we receive for our coal could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and liquidity.

Foreign currency fluctuations could adversely affect the competitiveness of our coal abroad.

We compete in international markets against coal produced in other countries. Coal is sold internationally in U.S. dollars and, as a result, general economic conditions in foreign markets and changes in foreign currency exchange rates may provide our foreign competitors with a competitive advantage. As a result, mining costs in competing producing countries may be reduced in U.S. dollar terms based on currency exchange rates, providing an advantage to foreign coal producers. If our competitors’ currencies decline against the U.S. dollar or against our foreign customers’ local currencies, those competitors may be able to continue to offer lower prices for coal to our customers. Furthermore, if the currencies of our overseas customers were to significantly decline in value in comparison to the U.S. dollar, those customers may seek decreased prices for the coal we sell to them. Consequently, currency fluctuations could adversely affect the competitiveness of our products in international markets, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

If our coal customers do not extend existing contracts or do not enter into new multi-year coal sales contracts on favorable terms, profitability of CoalCo’s operations could be adversely affected.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, approximately 65% of the coal CoalCo produced was sold under multi-year sales contracts. If a substantial portion of our multi-year sales contracts are modified or terminated, if force majeure is exercised, or if we are unable to replace or extend the contracts or new contracts are priced at lower levels, our profitability would be adversely affected. The profitability of our multi-year sales coal supply contracts depends on a variety of factors, which vary from contract to contract and fluctuate during the contract term, including our production costs and other factors. Price changes, if any, provided in long-term supply contracts may not reflect our cost increases, and therefore, increases in our costs may reduce our profit margins. In addition, during periods of declining market prices, provisions in our long-term coal contracts for adjustment or renegotiation of prices and other provisions may increase our exposure to short-term coal price and electric power price volatility. As a result, we may not be able to obtain long-term agreements at favorable prices compared to either market conditions, as they may change from time to time, or our cost structure, which may reduce our profitability.

 

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The loss of, or significant reduction in, purchases by our largest coal customers or the failure of any of our customers to buy and pay for coal they committed to purchase could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, we derived over 10% of our coal sales revenue from two coal customers individually and approximately 40% of our total sales revenue were derived from our four largest coal customers. At December 31, 2016, we had approximately nine coal supply agreements with these top two customers that expire at various times from 2017 to 2018. There are inherent risks whenever a significant percentage of total revenues are concentrated with a limited number of customers. Revenues from our largest customers may fluctuate from time to time based on numerous factors, including market conditions, which may be outside of our control. If any of our largest customers experience declining revenues due to market, economic or competitive conditions, we could be pressured to reduce the prices that we charge for our coal, which could have an adverse effect on our margins, profitability, cash flows and financial position. In addition, if any customers were to significantly reduce their purchases of coal from us, including by failing to buy and pay for coal they committed to purchase in sales contracts, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.

Our ability to collect payments from our customers could be impaired if their creditworthiness declines or if they fail to honor their contracts with us.

Our ability to receive payment for coal sold and delivered depends on the continued creditworthiness of our customers. Many utilities have sold their power plants to non-regulated affiliates or third parties that may be less creditworthy, thereby increasing the risk we bear with respect to payment default. These new power plant owners may have credit ratings that are below investment grade. In addition, some of our customers have been adversely affected by the current economic downturn, which may impact their ability to fulfill their contractual obligations. Competition with other coal suppliers could force us to extend credit to customers and on terms that could increase the risk we bear with respect to payment default. We also have a contract to supply coal to an energy trading and brokering customer under which that customer sells coal to end users. If the creditworthiness of our energy trading and brokering customer declines, we may not be able to collect payment for all coal sold and delivered to this customer. If the creditworthiness of our customers declines significantly, our business could be adversely affected. In addition, if customers refuse to accept shipments of our coal for which they have an existing contractual obligation, our revenues will decrease and we may have to reduce production at our mines until our customers’ contractual obligations are honored. Our inability to collect payment from counterparties to our sales contracts may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our inability to acquire additional coal reserves that are economically recoverable may have a material adverse effect on our future profitability.

Our profitability depends substantially on our ability to mine, in a cost-effective manner, coal reserves that possess the quality characteristics that our customers desire. Because our reserves decline as we mine our coal, our future profitability depends upon our ability to acquire additional coal reserves that are economically recoverable to replace the reserves we produce. If we fail to acquire or develop sufficient additional reserves over the long term to replace the reserves depleted by our production, our existing reserves will eventually be depleted, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Decreases in demand for electricity and changes in coal consumption patterns of U.S. electric power generators could adversely affect our business.

Our business is closely linked to domestic demand for electricity, and any changes in coal consumption by U.S. electric power generators would likely impact our business over the long term. According to the EIA, in

 

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2016, the domestic electric power sector accounted for approximately 92% of total U.S. coal consumption. In 2016, the PAMC sold approximately 76% of its coal to U.S. electric power generators, and we have multi-year contracts in place with these electric power generators for a significant portion of our future production. The amount of coal consumed by the electric power generation industry is affected by, among other things:

 

   

general economic conditions, particularly those affecting industrial electric power demand, such as a downturn in the U.S. economy and financial markets;

   

overall demand for electricity;

   

indirect competition from alternative fuel sources for power generation, such as natural gas, fuel oil, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind and solar power, and the location, availability, quality and price of those alternative fuel sources;

   

environmental and other governmental regulations, including those impacting coal-fired power plants; and

   

energy conservation efforts and related governmental policies.

For example, the relatively recent low price of natural gas has resulted, in some instances, in domestic electric power generators increasing natural gas consumption while decreasing coal consumption. Federal and state mandates for increased use of electricity derived from renewable energy sources could affect demand for our coal. Such mandates, combined with other incentives to use renewable energy sources, such as tax credits, could make alternative fuel sources more competitive with coal. A decrease in coal consumption by the electric power generation industry could adversely affect the price of coal, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions.

According to the EIA, although electricity demand fell in only three years between 1950 and 2007, it declined in five of the eight years between 2008 and 2015. The largest drop in electricity demand occurred in 2009, primarily as the result of the steep economic downturn from late 2007 through 2009, which led to a large drop in electricity sales in the industrial sector. Other factors, such as efficiency improvements associated with new appliance standards in the buildings sectors and overall improvement in the efficiency of technologies powered by electricity, have slowed electricity demand growth and may contribute to slower growth in the future, even as the U.S. economy continues its recovery. Further decreases in the demand for electricity, such as decreases that could be caused by a worsening of current economic conditions, a prolonged economic recession or other similar events, could have a material adverse effect on the demand for coal and on our business over the long term.

Changes in the coal industry that affect our customers, such as those caused by decreased electricity demand and increased competition, could also adversely affect our business. Indirect competition from natural gas-fired plants that are relatively less expensive to construct and less difficult to permit has the most potential to displace a significant amount of coal-fired electric power generation in the near term, particularly from older, less efficient coal-fired powered generators. For example, according to the EIA, installed U.S. natural gas-fired net summer generating capacity increased by about 7 gigawatt from 2014-2015, while installed coal-fired net summer generating capacity decreased by about 19 gigawatt over the same period. In addition, uncertainty caused by federal and state regulations could cause coal customers to be uncertain of their coal requirements in future years, which could adversely affect our ability to sell coal to our customers under multi-year sales contracts.

The availability and reliability of transportation facilities and fluctuations in transportation costs could affect the demand for our coal, and any significant damage to our CNX Marine Terminal facility that impacts its use could impair our ability to supply coal to our customers.

Transportation logistics play an important role in allowing us to supply coal to our customers. Any significant delays, interruptions or other limitations on the ability to transport our coal could negatively affect our operations. Our coal is transported from our mining complex by rail, truck or a combination of these methods. To

 

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reach markets and end customers, our coal may also be transported by barge or by ocean vessels loaded at terminals, including our CNX Marine Terminal. Disruption of transportation services because of weather-related problems, strikes, lock-outs, terrorism, governmental regulation, third-party action or other events could temporarily impair our ability to supply coal to customers and adversely affect our profitability. In addition, transportation costs represent a significant portion of the delivered cost of coal and, as a result, the cost of delivery is a critical factor in a customers’ purchasing decision. Increases in transportation costs, including increases resulting from emission control requirements and fluctuation in the price of diesel fuel and demurrage, could make our coal less competitive. Any disruption of the transportation services we use or increase in transportation costs could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Disruption in shipment levels over longer periods of time at the CNX Marine Terminal could cause our customers to look to other sources for their coal needs, negatively affecting our revenues and results of operations.

Competition within the coal industry may adversely affect our ability to sell our products. Increased competition or a loss of our competitive position could adversely affect our sales of, or our prices for, our coal products, which could impair our profitability.

We compete with other coal producers primarily on the basis of price, coal quality, transportation costs and reliability. We compete with coal producers in various regions of the United States and with some foreign coal producers for domestic sales primarily to electric power generators. Demand for our thermal coal by our principal electric power generator customers is affected by the delivered price of competing coals, other fuel supplies and alternative generating sources, including nuclear, natural gas, oil and renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric and wind power. The domestic coal industry has experienced consolidation in recent years, including consolidation among some of our major competitors. In addition, substantial overcapacity exists in the coal industry and most large coal companies have filed bankruptcy proceedings which could enable them to lower their production costs and thereby reduce the price for their coal. We cannot assure you that the result of current or further consolidation in the coal industry or current or future bankruptcy proceedings of our coal competitors will not adversely affect our competitive position. We also compete with both domestic and foreign coal producers for sales in international markets. We sell coal to foreign electricity generators, which sales are significantly affected by international demand and competition. Potential changes to international trade agreements, trade concessions or other political and economic arrangements may benefit coal producers operating in countries other than the United States. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete on the basis of price or other factors with companies that in the future may benefit from favorable foreign trade policies or other arrangements.

Any reduction in our ability to compete in coal markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The characteristics of coal may make it costly for electric power generators and other coal users to comply with various environmental standards regarding the emissions of impurities released when coal is burned which could cause utilities to replace coal-fired power plants with alternative fuels. In addition, various incentives have been proposed to encourage the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources. A reduction in the use of coal for electric power generation could decrease the volume of our domestic coal sales and adversely affect our results of operations.

Coal contains impurities, including sulfur, mercury, chlorine and other elements or compounds, many of which are released into the air along with fine particulate matter and carbon dioxide when it is burned. Complying with regulations on these emissions can be costly for electric power generators. For example, in order to meet the federal Clean Air Act limits for sulfur dioxide emissions from electric power plants, coal users will need to install scrubbers, use sulfur dioxide emission allowances (some of which they may purchase) or switch to other fuels. Each option has limitations. Lower sulfur coal may be more costly to purchase on an energy basis than higher sulfur coal depending on mining and transportation costs. The cost of installing scrubbers is significant and emission allowances may become more expensive as their availability declines. Switching to

 

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other fuels may require expensive modification of existing plants. Because higher sulfur coal currently accounts for a significant portion of our sales, the extent to which electric power generators switch to alternative fuel could materially affect us. Recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rulemaking proceedings requiring additional reductions in permissible emission levels of impurities by coal-fired plants will likely make it more costly to operate coal-fired electric power plants and may make coal a less attractive fuel alternative for electric power generation in the future. Examples are (i) implementation of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) to require reductions of seasonal nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions from power plants in the eastern United States to address ozone pollution; and (ii) the Utility Maximum Achievable Control Technology (Utility MACT) rule, better known as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS) rule, which included more stringent new source performance standards (NSPS) for particulate matter (PM), mercury, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX), for new and existing coal-fired power plants. The rule was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 29, 2015 and sent back to the D.C. Circuit Court to determine whether to remand and allow the EPA to address the rule’s deficiencies or to vacate and nullify the rule; nevertheless most coal-fired electric power generators have already taken steps to comply with the rule. On April 18, 2017 the EPA asked the Court to delay arguments over MATs to allow the Trump Administration time to fully review the findings.

Apart from actual and potential regulation of emissions, water use, waste water discharge, and solid waste management from coal-fired plants, state and federal mandates for increased use of electricity from renewable energy sources could have an impact on the market for our coal. Several states have enacted legislative mandates requiring electricity suppliers to use renewable energy sources to generate a certain percentage of power. There have been numerous proposals to establish a similar uniform, national standard although none of these proposals have been enacted to date. Possible advances in technologies and incentives, such as tax credits, to enhance the economics of renewable energy sources could make these sources more competitive with coal. Any reductions in the amount of coal consumed by domestic electric power generators as a result of current or new standards for the emission of impurities or incentives to switch to alternative fuels or renewable energy sources could reduce the demand for our coal, thereby reducing our revenues and adversely affecting our business and results of operations.

Regulation of greenhouse gas emissions may increase our operating costs and reduce the value of our coal assets and such regulation, as well as uncertainty concerning such regulation could adversely impact the market for coal, as well as for our securities.

While climate change legislation in the U.S. is unlikely in the next several years, the issue of global climate change continues to attract considerable public and scientific attention with widespread concern about the impacts of human activity, especially the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide and methane. Combustion of fossil fuels, such as the coal we produce, results in the creation of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by coal end-users, such as coal-fired electric power generation plants. Numerous proposals have been made and are likely to continue to be made at the international, national, regional and state levels of government that are intended to limit emissions of GHGs. Several states have already adopted measures requiring reduction of GHGs within state boundaries. Other states have elected to participate in voluntary regional cap-and-trade programs like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in the northeastern U.S.

The Obama Administration laid out the Climate Action Plan to limit emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from coal-fired and natural gas-fired power plants. The EPA proposed numerous regulatory actions to address CO2, including New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for CO2 from both new power plants and existing and modified/reconstructed power plants. The agency’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) Rule, which went into effect on December 22, 2015, set state-specific rate-based goals for CO2 emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units, and created emission guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to address greenhouse gas emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units. Numerous petitions challenging the CPP Rule were consolidated into one case, West Virginia v. EPA . While the litigation is still ongoing at the circuit court level, a mid-litigation application to the Supreme Court resulted in a stay of the CPP Rule. On September 27, 2016, an en banc panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard oral

 

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arguments in the case. The decision, originally expected in early 2017, has been stayed as a result of a March 28, 2017 executive order directing the EPA to begin the process of reviewing and possibly rescinding the CPP Rule. The EPA filed a motion and the motion was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit requesting the stay while the EPA conducts their review of the CPP Rule. If the review does not result in any rule changes, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will rule on the legality of the CPP Rule.

The current Administration’s executive order promoting energy independence and economic growth issued on March 28, 2017 requires the review of existing regulations that potentially burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources. The review of existing regulations may not result in any changes and any changes made to existing regulations may not produce the intended favorable results desired by the new Administration. The executive order also directed the Council on Environmental Quality to rescind its final guidance entitled, “Final Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Effects of Climate Change in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Reviews.” The guidance previously directed agencies to consider proposed actions and their effects on climate change (GHG emissions would have been a key indicator being assessed under any NEPA review). Such review considerations may have created additional delays or costs in any NEPA review processes for energy producers and generators and may have prevented the acquisition of any necessary federal approvals for energy producers and generators.

Internationally, the Kyoto Protocol, which set binding emission targets for developed countries (which was not ratified by the United States) was nominally extended past its expiration date of December 2012 with a requirement for a new legal construct to be put into place by 2015. In December 2015, the United Nations Climate Change Conference was held and an agreement was reached between the countries participating in the conference, including the United States, to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6° Fahrenheit) compared to pre-industrial levels. This agreement, known as the Paris Agreement, calls for zero net anthropogenic greenhouse gas emission to be reached during the second half of the 21st century. Each party is to prepare a plan on its contributions to reach this goal; each plan is to be filed in a publicly available registry. The Paris Agreement does not create any binding obligations for nations to limit their GHG emissions but rather includes pledges to voluntarily limit or reduce future emissions. Although the United States became a party to the Paris Agreement in April 2016, the current Administration subsequently terminated its participation in June 2017. However, the Paris Agreement stipulates that participating countries must wait four years before withdrawing from the agreement.

Additionally, coalbed methane must be expelled from our underground coal mines for mining safety reasons and is vented into the atmosphere when the coal is mined. Coalbed methane has a greater GHG effect than carbon dioxide. If regulation of GHG emissions does not exempt the release of coalbed methane, we may have to further reduce our methane emissions, pay higher taxes, incur costs to purchase credits that permit us to continue operations as they now exist at our underground coal mines or perhaps curtail coal production. In 2010 the EPA declined a petition to regulate methane emissions from coal mines, and on May 13, 2014 the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the EPA’s denial of the petition. The current Administration’s stated stance of unburdening domestic energy production will make it more unlikely that coalbed methane will be regulated in a manner that adds higher costs to producers in the short- term.

Apart from governmental regulation, investment banks based both domestically and internationally have announced that they have adopted climate change guidelines for lenders. The guidelines require the evaluation of carbon risks in the financing of electric power generation plants which may make it more difficult for utilities to obtain financing for coal-fired plants.

Adoption of comprehensive legislation or regulation focusing on GHG emission reductions for the United States or other countries where we sell coal, or the inability of utilities to obtain financing in connection with coal-fired plants, may make it more costly to operate fossil fuel fired (especially coal-fired) electric power generation plants and make fossil fuels less attractive for electric utility power plants in the future. Depending on

 

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the nature of the regulation or legislation, natural gas-fueled power generation could become more economically attractive than coal-fueled power generation. Apart from actual regulation, uncertainty over the extent of regulation of GHG emissions may inhibit utilities from investing in the building of new coal-fired plants to replace older plants or investing in the upgrading of existing coal-fired plants. Any reduction or substantial delay in the amount of coal consumed by domestic electric power generators as a result of actual or potential regulation of greenhouse gas emissions could decrease demand for our fossil fuels, thereby reducing our revenues and materially and adversely affecting our business and results of operations. Our customers may also have to invest in carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies in order to burn coal and comply with future GHG emission standards.

In addition, there have also been efforts in recent years affecting the investment community, including investment advisers, sovereign wealth funds, public pension funds, universities and other groups, promoting the divestment of fossil fuel equities and also pressuring lenders to limit funding to companies engaged in the extraction of fossil fuel reserves. The impact of such efforts may adversely affect the demand for and price of securities issued by us, and impact our access to the capital and financial markets.

Environmental regulations introduce uncertainty that could adversely impact the market for coal with potential short and long-term liabilities.

The Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and similar state laws protect species endangered or threatened with extinction. Protection of endangered and threatened species may cause us to modify mining plans, or develop and implement species-specific protection and enhancement plans to avoid or minimize impacts to endangered species or their habitats. A number of species indigenous to the areas where we operate are protected under the ESA.

CoalCo utilizes certain pipelines in connection with its coal businesses. Mitigation permits from the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) are typically required for certain impacts these pipelines cause to streams and wetlands. On June 29, 2015, the EPA promulgated a proposed rule called “Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’ (WoUS) Under the Clean Water Act.” The rule expanded the scope of the CWA to include previously non-jurisdictional streams, wetlands, and waters, making these areas jurisdictional inter-coastal waters of the U.S. On August 27, 2015, the District Court of North Dakota blocked implementation of the rule in 13 states prior to the rule’s effective date of August 28, 2015. On October 9, 2015, the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit blocked implementation of the rule nationwide. The U.S. Supreme Court will now decide which court has jurisdiction - federal appeals court or district courts. A decision is expected sometime in mid-2017. Meanwhile, the current Administration is working to rescind and replace the rulemaking that would re-establish the 1986 rule and implement the 2008 guidance, which is less onerous than the currently litigated rule.

Management and regulation of point source discharges covered under the National Pollutant Discharge Eliminations System (NPDES) of the CWA have undergone recent changes and proposed changes at both the state and federal level that have the potential to affect the long-term treatment and discharge of water from coal mines. CWA section 304(b) requires EPA to annually review and, if appropriate, revise Effluent Guidelines. States are required by the CWA to conduct a comprehensive review of the state water quality standards every three years (the Triennial Review). On December 23, 2016 EPA published a draft Field-Based Methods for Developing Aquatic Life Criteria for Specific Conductivity, which could impact NPDES permits with conductivity limits. However, this draft document is also under review pursuant to Executive Order 13783.

Our coal mining operations are subject to operating risks, which could increase our operating expenses and decrease our production levels which could adversely affect our results of operations. Our coal operations are also subject to hazards and any losses or liabilities we suffer from hazards which occur in our operations may not be fully covered by our insurance policies.

Our coal mining operations are underground mines. Underground mining and related processing activities present inherent risks of injury to persons and damage to property and equipment. Our mines are

 

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subject to a number of operating risks that could disrupt operations, decrease production and increase the cost of mining at particular mines for varying lengths of time thereby adversely affecting our operating results. In addition, if an operating risk occurs in our mining operations, we may not be able to produce sufficient amounts of coal to deliver under our multi-year coal contracts. Our inability to satisfy contractual obligations could result in our customers initiating claims against us or canceling their contracts. The operating risks that may have a significant impact on our coal operations include:

 

   

variations in thickness of the layer, or seam, of coal;

 

   

adverse geological conditions, including amounts of rock and other natural materials intruding into the coal that could affect the stability of the roof and the side walls of the mine - for example, unit costs were negatively impacted in 2016 due to adverse geological conditions at Enlow Fork Mine, primarily related to sandstone intrusions, which resulted in reduced coal production at that mine;

 

   

environmental hazards;

 

   

equipment failures or unexpected maintenance problems;

 

   

fires or explosions, including as a result of methane, coal, coal dust or other explosive materials and/or other accidents;

 

   

inclement or hazardous weather conditions and natural disasters or other force majeure events;

 

   

seismic activities, ground failures, rock bursts or structural cave-ins or slides;

 

   

delays in moving our longwall equipment;

 

   

railroad derailments;

 

   

security breaches or terroristic acts; and

 

   

other hazards that could also result in personal injury and loss of life, pollution and suspension of operations.

The occurrence of any of these risks at our coal mining operations could adversely affect our ability to conduct coal mining operations or result in substantial loss to us as a result of claims for:

 

   

personal injury or loss of life;

 

   

damage to and destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, including our coal properties and our coal production or transportation facilities;

 

   

pollution and other environmental damage to our properties or the properties of others;

 

   

potential legal liability and monetary losses;

 

   

regulatory investigations and penalties;

 

   

suspension of our operations; and

 

   

repair and remediation costs.

In addition, the occurrence of any of these events in our coal mining operations which prevents our delivery of coal to a customer and which is not excusable as a force majeure event under our coal sales agreement, could result in economic penalties, suspension or cancellation of shipments or ultimately termination of the coal sales agreement.

Although we maintain insurance for a number of risks and hazards, we may not be insured or fully insured against the losses or liabilities that could arise from a significant accident in our coal operations. We may

 

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elect not to obtain insurance for any or all of these risks if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. Moreover, a significant mine accident could potentially cause a mine shutdown. The occurrence of an event that is not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may not be able to obtain equipment, parts and raw materials in a timely manner, in sufficient quantities or at reasonable costs to support our coal mining operations.

Coal mining consumes large quantities of commodities including steel, copper, rubber products and liquid fuels and requires the use of capital equipment. Some commodities, such as steel, are needed to comply with roof control plans required by regulation. The prices we pay for commodities and capital equipment are strongly impacted by the global market. A rapid or significant increase in the costs of commodities or capital equipment we use in our operations could impact our mining operations costs because we may have a limited ability to negotiate lower prices, and, in some cases, may not have a ready substitute.

We use equipment in our coal mining and transportation operations such as continuous mining units, conveyors, shuttle cars, rail cars, locomotives, roof bolters, shearers and shields. We procure this equipment from a concentrated group of suppliers, and obtaining this equipment often involves long lead times. Occasionally, demand for such equipment by mining companies can be high and some types of equipment may be in short supply. Delays in receiving or shortages of this equipment, as well as the raw materials used in the manufacturing of supplies and mining equipment, which, in some cases, do not have ready substitutes, or the cancellation of our supply contracts under which we obtain equipment and other consumables, could limit our ability to obtain these supplies or equipment. In addition, if any of our suppliers experiences an adverse event, or decides to no longer do business with us, we may be unable to obtain sufficient equipment and raw materials in a timely manner or at a reasonable price to allow us to meet our production goals and our revenues may be adversely impacted. We use considerable quantities of steel in the mining process. If the price of steel or other materials increases substantially or if the value of the U.S. dollar declines relative to foreign currencies with respect to certain imported supplies or other products, our operating expenses could increase. Any of the foregoing events could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

For mining operations, CoalCo must obtain, maintain, and renew governmental permits and approvals which if we cannot obtain in a timely manner would reduce our production, cash flow and results of operations.

The pace with which the government issues permits needed for new operations and for on-going operations to continue coal mining has negatively impacted expected production. Any such delays, as well as any denial of a coal mining permit, could reduce our production, cash flows and results of operations. See “Business- Legal and Environmental Proceedings- Environmental Proceedings” for disclosure regarding the factual determinations underlying the decision by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in September of 2017 to withhold a prior permit submission for continued longwall mining in the 4L panel at the Bailey Mine, and the impact that the determination has had on our operations to date, and may have on our operations in the future.

Existing and future government laws, regulations and other legal requirements relating to protection of the environment, and others that govern our business may increase our costs of doing business for coal and may restrict our coal operations.

We are subject to laws, regulations and other legal requirements enacted or adopted by federal, state and local authorities, as well as foreign authorities relating to protection of the environment. These include those legal requirements that govern discharges of substances into the air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of contaminated sites, groundwater quality and availability, threatened and endangered plant and wildlife protection, reclamation and restoration of mining properties after

 

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mining is completed, the installation of various safety equipment in our mines, remediation of impacts of surface subsidence from underground mining, and work practices related to employee health and safety. Complying with these requirements, including the terms of our permits, has had, and will continue to have, a significant effect on our costs of operations and competitive position.

In addition, there is the possibility that we could incur substantial costs as a result of violations under environmental laws. Any additional laws, regulations and other legal requirements enacted or adopted by federal, state and local authorities, as well as foreign authorities or new interpretations of existing legal requirements by regulatory bodies relating to the protection of the environment could further affect our costs of operations and competitive position. The Clean Water Act is being used by opponents of mountain top removal mining as a means to challenge permits and bring citizen suits to make coal mining more expensive. At CoalCo’s subsidiary Fola Coal Company, LLC, six citizen suits have been filed challenging water discharge permits. Two of those suits were settled in 2014, and a federal court has issued liability rulings in three of the other matters.

Our mines are subject to stringent federal and state safety regulations that increase our cost of doing business at active operations and may place restrictions on our methods of operation. In addition, government inspectors under certain circumstances, have the ability to order our operations to be shutdown based on safety considerations.

The Federal Coal Mine Safety and Health Act (MSHA) and Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act impose stringent health and safety standards on mining operations. Regulations that have been adopted are comprehensive and affect numerous aspects of mining operations, including training of mine personnel, mining procedures, the equipment used in mine emergency procedures and other matters. Most states in which we operate have programs for mine safety and health regulation and enforcement. The various requirements mandated by law or regulation can place restrictions on our methods of operations, and potentially lead to fees and civil penalties for the violation of such requirements, creating a significant effect on operating costs and productivity. In addition, government inspectors under certain circumstances, have the ability to order our operation to be shutdown based on safety considerations. If an incident were to occur at one of our coal mines, it could be shut down for an extended period of time and our reputation with our customers could be materially damaged.

Our operations may impact the environment or cause exposure to hazardous substances, and our properties may have environmental contamination, which could result in liabilities to us.

Our operations currently use hazardous materials and generate limited quantities of hazardous wastes from time to time. Drainage flowing from or caused by mining activities can be acidic with elevated levels of dissolved metals, a condition referred to as “acid mine drainage.” We could become subject to claims for toxic torts, natural resource damages and other damages, as well as for the investigation and clean-up of soil, surface water, groundwater, and other media. Such claims may arise, for example, out of conditions at sites that we currently own or operate, as well as at sites that we previously owned or operated, or may acquire. Our liability for such claims may be joint and several, so that we may be held responsible for more than our share of the contamination or other damages, or for the entire share.

We maintain coal refuse areas and slurry impoundments at a number of our coal mining complexes. Such areas and impoundments are subject to extensive regulation. Structural failure of a slurry impoundment or coal refuse area could result in extensive damage to the environment and natural resources, such as bodies of water that the coal slurry reaches, as well as liability for related personal injuries and property damages, and injuries to wildlife. Some of our impoundments overlie mined out areas, which can pose a heightened risk of failure and of damages arising out of failure. If one of our impoundments were to fail, we could be subject to claims for the resulting environmental contamination and associated liability, as well as for fines and penalties. Our coal refuse areas and slurry impoundments are designed, constructed, and inspected by our company and by regulatory authorities according to stringent environmental and safety standards.

 

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We have reclamation, mine closing obligations and gas well plugging obligations. If the assumptions underlying our accruals are inaccurate, we could be required to expend greater amounts than anticipated.

The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act as well as various state laws establish operational, reclamation and closure standards for all our coal mining operations and require us, under certain circumstances, to plug natural gas wells. We accrue for the costs of current mine disturbance, gas well plugging and of final mine closure, including the cost of treating mine water discharge where necessary. Estimates of our total reclamation, mine-closing and degasification and well plugging liabilities, which are based upon permit requirements and our experience, were approximately $257 million at June 30, 2017. The amounts recorded are dependent upon a number of variables, including the estimated future closure costs, estimated proved reserves, assumptions involving profit margins, inflation rates, and the assumed credit-adjusted risk-free interest rates. If these accruals are insufficient or our liability in a particular year is greater than currently anticipated, our future operating results could be adversely affected.

Most states where we operate require us to post bonds for the full cost of coal mine reclamation (full cost bonding). West Virginia is not a full cost bonding state. West Virginia has an alternative bond system (ABS) for coal mine reclamation which consists of (i) individual site bonds posted by the permittee that are less than the full estimated reclamation cost plus (ii) a bond pool (Special Reclamation Fund) funded by a per ton fee on coal mined in the State which is used to supplement the site specific bonds if needed in the event of bond forfeiture.

Pennsylvania is expanding its full cost bonding program to cover all coal mine bonding, further increasing the amount of surety bonds we must seek in order to permit its mining activities. We have been able to post surety bonds with the states to secure our reclamation obligations. If our creditworthiness declines, states may seek to require us to post letters of credit or cash collateral to secure those obligations, or we may be unable to obtain surety bonds, in which case we would be required to post letters of credit. Additionally, the sureties that post bonds on our behalf may require us to post security in order to secure the obligations underlying these bonds. Posting letters of credit in place of surety bonds or posting security to support these surety bonds would have an adverse effect on our liquidity.

We face uncertainties in estimating our economically recoverable coal reserves, and inaccuracies in our estimates could result in lower than expected revenues, higher than expected costs and decreased profitability.

Coal reserves are economically recoverable when the price at which they are expected to be sold exceeds their expected cost of production and selling. We base our coal reserve information on geologic data, coal ownership information and current and proposed mine plans. These estimates are periodically updated to reflect past coal production, new drilling information and other geologic or mining data. Similar to natural gas reserves, there are uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities and values of economically recoverable coal reserves, including many factors beyond our control. As a result, estimates of economically recoverable coal reserves are by their nature uncertain. Information about our reserves consists of estimates based on engineering, economic and geological data assembled and analyzed by our staff. Some of the factors and assumptions which impact economically recoverable coal reserve estimates include:

 

   

geologic conditions;

 

   

historical production from the area compared with production from other producing areas;

 

   

the assumed effects of regulations and taxes by governmental agencies;

 

   

our ability to obtain, maintain and renew all required permits;

 

   

future improvements in mining technology;

 

   

assumptions governing future prices; and

 

   

future operating costs, including the cost of materials and capital expenditures.

 

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In addition, we hold substantial coal reserves in areas containing Marcellus Shale and other shales. These areas are currently the subject of substantial exploration for oil and natural gas, particularly by horizontal drilling. If a natural gas well is in the path of our mining for coal, we may not be able to mine through the well unless we purchase it. Although in the past we have purchased vertical wells, the cost of purchasing a producing horizontal well could be substantially greater. Horizontal wells with multiple laterals extending from the well pad may access larger natural gas reserves than a vertical well which could result in higher costs. In future years, the cost associated with purchasing natural gas wells which are in the path of our coal mining may make mining through those wells uneconomical thereby effectively causing a loss of significant portions of our coal reserves.

Each of the factors which impacts reserve estimation may in fact vary considerably from the assumptions used in estimating the reserves. For these reasons, estimates of coal reserves may vary substantially. Actual production, revenues and expenditures with respect to our coal reserves will likely vary from estimates, and these variances may be material. As a result, our estimates may not accurately reflect our actual coal reserves.

Defects may exist in our chain of title for our undeveloped coal reserves where we have not done a thorough chain of title examination of our undeveloped coal reserves. We may incur additional costs and delays to mine coal because we have to acquire additional property rights to perfect our title to coal rights. If we fail to acquire additional property rights to perfect our title to coal rights, we may have to reduce our estimated reserves.

Title to most of our owned or leased properties and mineral rights is not usually verified until we make a commitment to mine a property, which may not occur until after we have obtained necessary permits and completed exploration of the property. In some cases, we rely on title information or representations and warranties provided by our lessors or grantor’s. Our right to mine certain of our reserves has in the past been, and may again in the future be, adversely affected if defects in title, boundaries or other rights necessary for mining exist or if a lease expires. Any challenge to our title or leasehold interests could delay the mining of the property and could ultimately result in the loss of some or all of our interest in the property. From time to time we also may be in default with respect to leases for properties on which we have mining operations. In such events, we may have to close down or significantly alter the sequence of such mining operations which may adversely affect our future coal production and future revenues. If we mine on property that we do not own or lease, we could incur liability for such mining and be subject to regulatory sanction and penalties.

In order to obtain, maintain or renew leases or mining contracts to conduct our mining operations on property where these defects exist, we may in the future have to incur unanticipated costs. In addition, we may not be able to successfully negotiate new leases or mining contracts for properties containing additional reserves, or maintain our leasehold interests in properties where we have not commenced mining operations during the term of the lease. As a result, our results of operations, business and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

CoalCo and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal proceedings, which may have an adverse effect on our business.

We are party to a number of legal proceedings in the normal course of business activities. Defending these actions, especially purported class actions, can be costly, and can distract management. There is the potential that the costs of defending litigation in an individual matter or the aggregation of many matters could have an adverse effect on our cash flows, results of operations or financial position. See “Business—Legal and Environmental Proceedings” for further discussion of pending legal proceedings.

 

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We have obligations for long-term employee benefits for which we accrue based upon assumptions which, if inaccurate, could result in our being required to expense greater amounts than anticipated.

We provide various long-term employee benefits to inactive and retired employees. We accrue amounts for these obligations. At June 30, 2017, the current and non-current portions of these obligations included:

 

   

postretirement medical and life insurance ($694 million);

 

   

coal workers’ pneumoconiosis benefits ($117 million);

 

   

pension benefits ($73 million); and

 

   

workers’ compensation ($77 million).

However, if our assumptions are inaccurate, we could be required to expend greater amounts than anticipated. Salary retirement benefits are funded in accordance with Employer Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) regulations. The other obligations are unfunded. In addition, the federal government and several states in which we operate consider changes in workers’ compensation and black lung laws from time to time. Such changes, if enacted, could increase our benefit expense and our collateral requirements.

A failure by Murray Energy to satisfy the liabilities it assumed from ParentCo, perform its obligations under various agreements, the performance of which by Murray Energy ParentCo guaranteed, or under various agreements with ParentCo, could require us to indemnify GasCo, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

In 2013, Murray Energy and its subsidiaries (Murray Energy) acquired approximately $2.4 billion of liabilities which had been reflected on ParentCo books. The consolidated balance sheet liabilities at the time of sale were comprised of approximately $2.1 billion of other postemployment benefits (OPEB) and other liabilities. In addition to these assumed liabilities, Murray Energy acquired or assumed certain ParentCo payment obligations, performance guarantees, equipment leases or subleases. The current maximum estimated exposure under the Murray Energy guarantees as of June 30, 2017 was believed to be approximately $39 million. The leases and subleases entered into with Murray Energy relate to approximately $39 million of equipment. Murray Energy is primarily liable for the acquired retiree medical liabilities under the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefits Act of 1992, referred to herein as the Coal Act, but ParentCo remains secondarily liable. At the time of the sale, the Coal Act liabilities Murray Energy acquired were approximately $307 million and it was estimated that the servicing cost for these liabilities would be approximately $26 million for 2017, and would decline thereafter since the beneficiaries consist principally of miners who retired prior to 1994. Any failure by Murray Energy to satisfy these assumed liabilities or perform under these agreements could result in substantial claims against ParentCo by third-parties. On November 12, 2013, in connection with the transaction with ParentCo, Moody’s assigned Murray Energy a family credit rating of B3 (speculative and subject to high credit risk) and its secured second lien notes due 2021 a rating of Caa1 (poor standing and subject to very high credit risk). Since the 2013 transaction, Murray Energy’s credit ratings have been downgraded by Moody’s. In June 2017, Moody’s upgraded Murray Energy to a family credit rating of B3 and the rating on its secured second lien notes to Caa2 with a stable outlook. As part of the separation and distribution CoalCo has agreed to indemnify GasCo as it relates to certain of these obligations. If Murray Energy fails to satisfy these assumed liabilities, payment obligations or Coal Act liabilities and we are called upon to perform our indemnity obligation to GasCo, our results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

Terrorist attacks or a cyber incident could result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss.

We have become increasingly dependent upon digital technologies, including information systems, infrastructure and cloud applications and services, to operate our businesses, to process and record financial and

 

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operating data, communicate with our employees and business partners, as well as other activities related to our businesses. Strategic targets, such as energy-related assets, may be at greater risk of future physical attacks by terrorists or cyber attacks than other targets in the United States. Deliberate attacks on our assets, or security breaches in our systems or infrastructure, or the systems or infrastructure of third-parties, or the cloud could lead to corruption or loss of our proprietary data and potentially sensitive data, delays in production or delivery, difficulty in completing and settling transactions, challenges in maintaining our books and records, environmental damage, communication interruptions, other operational disruptions and third-party liability. Our insurance may not protect us against such occurrences. Consequently, it is possible that any of these occurrences, or a combination of them, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, as cyber incidents continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to cyber incidents.

Our sales of thermal coal are from three mines at one location in Pennsylvania, making us vulnerable to risks associated with operating in a single geographic area.

Our sales of thermal coal, as well as our thermal coal reserves, are from our Bailey Mine, Enlow Fork Mine and Harvey Mine located in Greene County, Pennsylvania. In addition, we also rely upon one coal processing plant and rail load facility, located in Enon, Pennsylvania for shipping coal from all of these mines. Any disruption in the functioning of this coal processing plant and rail load-out facility such as the structural failure at our above ground conveyor system or in transportation in this area could significantly reduce our sales of thermal coal and adversely affect our results of operation and financial condition.

Certain provisions in our multi-year coal sales contracts may provide limited protection during adverse economic conditions, may result in economic penalties to us or permit the customer to terminate the contract.

Price adjustment, “price reopener” and other similar provisions in our multi-year coal sales contracts may reduce the protection from coal price volatility traditionally provided by coal supply contracts. Price reopener provisions are present in several of our multi-year coal sales contracts. These price reopener provisions may automatically set a new price based on prevailing market price or, in some instances, require the parties to agree on a new price, sometimes within a specified range of prices. In a limited number of agreements, failure of the parties to agree on a price under a price reopener provision can lead to termination of the contract. Any adjustment or renegotiations leading to a significantly lower contract price could adversely affect our profitability.

Most of our coal sales agreements contain provisions requiring us to deliver coal within certain ranges for specific coal quality characteristics such as heat content, sulfur, ash, moisture, volatile matter, grindability, ash fusion temperature and size consist. Failure to meet these conditions could result in penalties or rejection of the coal at the election of the customer. Our coal sales contracts also typically contain force majeure provisions allowing for the suspension of performance by either party for the duration of specified events. Force majeure events include, but are not limited to, floods, earthquakes, storms, fire, faults in the coal seam or other geologic conditions, other natural catastrophes, wars, terrorist acts, civil disturbances or disobedience, strikes, railroad transportation delays caused by a force majeure event and actions or restraints by court order and governmental authority or arbitration award. Depending on the language of the contract, some contracts may terminate upon continuance of an event of force majeure that extends for a period greater than three to twelve months and some contracts may obligate us to perform notwithstanding what would typically be a force majeure event.

Our ability to operate our business effectively could be impaired if we fail to attract and retain skilled personnel, or if a meaningful segment of our employees become unionized.

Our ability to operate our business and implement our strategies depends, in part, on our continued ability to attract and retain the skilled personnel necessary to conduct our business. Efficient coal mining using

 

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modern techniques and equipment requires skilled laborers in multiple disciplines such as electricians, equipment operators, mechanics, engineers and welders, among others. Although we have not historically encountered shortages for these types of skilled labor, competition in the future may increase for such positions, especially as it relates to needs of other industries with respect to these positions, including oil and gas. If we experience shortages of skilled labor in the future, our labor and overall productivity or costs could be materially adversely affected. In the future, we may utilize a greater number of external contractors for portions of our operations. The costs of these contractors have historically been higher than that of our employed laborers. If our labor and contractor prices increase, or if we experience materially increased health and benefit costs with respect to our employees, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

None of our employees who conduct mining operations at the PAMC are currently represented by a labor union or covered under a collective bargaining agreement, although many employers in our industry have employees who belong to a union. It is possible that our employees who conduct mining operations at the PAMC may join or seek recognition to form a labor union, or we may be required to become a labor agreement signatory. If some or all of the employees who conduct mining operations at the PAMC were to become unionized, it could adversely affect productivity, increase labor costs and increase the risk of work stoppages at our mines. If a work stoppage were to occur, it could interfere with operations at the PAMC and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions. In addition, the mere fact that a portion of our labor force could be unionized may harm our reputation in the eyes of some investors and thereby negatively affect our share price.

The majority of our common units in CNX Coal Resources LP are subordinated to other common units and we may not receive distributions from CNX Coal Resources LP.

As of June 30, 2017, we held 11.6 million subordinated units (representing a 41.8 percent limited partnership interest) in CNXC. The balance of our CNXC limited partnership interests are held in the form of preferred and common units. On October 2, 2017, ParentCo provided a conversion notice to CNXC with respect to all Class A Units owned by it, and thereafter caused all such Class A Units to convert, on a 1-to-1 ratio, into common units representing limited partner interests in CNXC. Subordinated units are not entitled to any distribution from CNXC unless CNXC makes a minimum quarterly distribution of at least $0.4678 per Class A Preferred Unit and $0.5125 per common unit. CNXC made minimum distributions per subordinated unit equal to the distribution per common unit for five of the six quarters since CNXC’s IPO. CNXC did not meet the requirement for a subordinated unit distribution with respect to fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 and we did not receive a distribution per subordinated unit, however, CNXC was able to make minimum distributions per subordinated unit equal to the distribution per common unit with respect to the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016 and declared minimum distributions per subordinated unit equal to the distribution per common unit with respect to the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016. We cannot assure you that CNXC will continue to be able to make or will make the required minimum quarterly distribution on its preferred and common units or that we will receive any future distributions on our subordinated units. Failure by CNXC to make distributions to us on our subordinated units could adversely affect our liquidity.

Risks Related to the Separation

We may be unable to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve from our separation from ParentCo.

We believe that, as an independent, publicly traded company, we will continue to, among other things, focus our financial and operational resources on our specific business, growth profile and strategic priorities, design and implement corporate strategies and policies targeted to our operational focus and strategic priorities, guide our processes and infrastructure to focus on our core strengths, implement and maintain a capital structure designed to meet our specific needs and more effectively respond to industry dynamics. However, we may be unable to achieve some or all of these benefits. For example, in order to position ourselves for the separation, we

 

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are undertaking a series of strategic, structural and process realignment and restructuring actions within our operations. These actions may not provide the benefits we currently expect, and could lead to disruption of our operations, loss of, or inability to recruit, key personnel needed to operate and grow our business following the separation, weakening of our internal standards, controls or procedures and impairment of our key customer and supplier relationships. In addition, completion of the proposed separation will require significant amounts of management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating and growing our business. If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve as an independent company, or do not achieve them in the time we expect, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

The combined market value of GasCo and our shares after the spin-off may not equal or exceed the market value of ParentCo shares prior to the spin-off.

We cannot assure you that the combined trading prices of GasCo common stock and our common stock after the spin-off, as adjusted for any changes in the combined capitalization of these companies, will be equal to or greater than the market price of ParentCo common stock prior to the spin-off. Until the market has fully evaluated the Gas Business of GasCo without the Coal Business, the price at which GasCo common stock trades may fluctuate significantly. Similarly, until the market has fully evaluated our company, the price at which our common stock trades may fluctuate significantly.

We may be unable to complete, on a timely or cost-effective basis, the changes necessary to operate as an independent company.

Although many components of operation as an independent company are well established as a result of CNXC’s historic existence, there remains a number of business and organization changes that will be required to complete our transition to a new standalone public company. We expect these changes, which may include staffing adjustments, new hires and reassignment of responsibilities, adoption of new processes, systems and controls, and transitioning services provided by ParentCo to internally provided services, to continue for the foreseeable future.

Following the separation and distribution, ParentCo will have no obligation to provide us with assistance other than the transition services outlined in the transition services agreement, along with such other arrangements as have otherwise been contractually agreed to as outlined in the other agreements described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with GasCo.” These services do not include every service we have received from ParentCo in the past, and ParentCo is only obligated to provide these services for limited periods from the distribution date. Accordingly, following the separation and distribution, we will need to provide internally or obtain from unaffiliated third parties the services we currently receive from ParentCo. These services include information technology, tax, legal, insurance and other administrative activities, the effective and appropriate performance of which is critical to our operations. We may be unable to replace these services in a timely manner or on terms and conditions as favorable as those we receive from ParentCo. In particular, ParentCo’s information technology networks and systems are complex, and duplicating these networks and systems will be challenging. Because our business previously operated in part as a component of the wider ParentCo organization, we may be unable to successfully establish the infrastructure or implement the changes necessary to operate independently, or we may incur additional costs that could adversely affect our business. Additionally, while we have developed certain internal controls and procedures, such internal controls and procedures have not yet been fully implemented in connection with our operations as a standalone company. The process of implementing our internal controls could require significant attention from management and we cannot be certain that we will successfully implement and maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future. Difficulties encountered in their implementation could harm our results of operations or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. If we fail to obtain the quality of administrative services necessary to operate effectively or incur greater costs in obtaining these services, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow may be materially and adversely affected.

 

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Our historical combined and unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data are not necessarily representative of the results we would have achieved as an independent, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

The historical combined and unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data we have included in this information statement may not reflect what our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would have been had we been an independent, publicly traded company during the periods presented or what our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will be in the future when we are an independent company. This is primarily because:

 

   

Prior to our separation, our business was operated by ParentCo as part of its broader corporate organization, rather than as an independent, publicly traded company.

 

   

Our working capital requirements and capital for our general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and capital expenditures, historically have been satisfied as part of the company-wide cash management practices of ParentCo. While our business historically has generated sufficient cash to finance our working capital and other cash requirements, following the separation and distribution, we will no longer have access to ParentCo’s cash pool. Without the opportunity to obtain financing from ParentCo, we may need to obtain additional financing from banks, through public offerings or private placements of debt or equity securities or other arrangements.

 

   

We will enter into transactions with ParentCo that did not exist prior to the separation, and modify certain existing arrangements between CNXC and ParentCo. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with GasCo.”

 

   

Other significant changes may occur in our cost structure, management, financing, tax profile and business operations as a result of our operating as a company separate from ParentCo.

The pro forma financial data included in this information statement is based on the best information available, which in part includes a number of estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions may prove not to be accurate, and accordingly, our pro forma financial data should not be assumed to be indicative of what our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows actually would have been as a stand-alone company or to be a reliable indicator of what our financial condition or results of operations actually may be in the future.

For more information about our past financial performance and the basis of presentation of our financial statements, see “Selected Historical Condensed Combined Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements” and our Annual Combined Financial Statements and the notes thereto.

As an independent, publicly traded company, we may not enjoy the same benefits that we did as part of ParentCo.

There is a risk that, by separating from ParentCo, we may become more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than we would have been if we were still a part of the current ParentCo organizational structure. As part of ParentCo, we have been able to enjoy certain benefits from ParentCo’s operating diversity, purchasing power and opportunities to pursue integrated strategies with ParentCo’s other businesses. As an independent, publicly traded company, we will be smaller and, as such, will not have similar diversity or integration opportunities and may not have similar purchasing power or access to capital markets. Additionally, as part of ParentCo, we have been able to leverage the ParentCo historical market reputation and performance and brand identity to recruit and retain key personnel to run our business. As an independent, publicly traded company, we will not have the same historical market reputation and performance or brand

 

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identity as ParentCo and it may be more difficult for us to recruit or retain such key personnel. Further, we may be more vulnerable to changing market conditions, such as changes in the coal industry, which could result in increased volatility in our cash flows, working capital and financing requirements and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We will incur significant costs in connection with the separation and distribution, as well as costs associated with operating as an independent, publicly traded company, which may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Prior to the distribution, we will make a cash payment of $425 million to ParentCo, funded primarily by third-party indebtedness incurred by us prior to the separation and distribution. We incurred approximately $33 million in costs associated with raising the third-party indebtedness. In addition, we will be subject to ongoing interest and principal payments during the term of this indebtedness. Following the separation, we expect to incur and pay non-recurring transition, financing and other expenses. We currently anticipate that our obligations with respect to these transaction-related expenses are expected to total between approximately $13 to $15 million. We also expect to incur certain ongoing costs associated with operating as an independent, publicly traded company and extra costs related to the creation of an IT function and reporting systems. We expect to spend an appropriate amount of capital to relocate and/or augment some of our infrastructure and creating our new IT systems. The ongoing costs of the separation may adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. For more information regarding the separation and our anticipated costs to operate as an independent, publicly traded company, see “The Separation and Distribution.”

The terms of our separation from ParentCo and the related agreements and other transactions with ParentCo were determined by ParentCo and thus may be less favorable to us than the terms we could have obtained from an unaffiliated third party.

Prior to the completion of the distribution, we will enter into various agreements or amend certain of the existing agreements in place between ParentCo and CNXC to complete the separation of our business from ParentCo and govern our ongoing relationships, including, among others, a separation and distribution agreement, a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement, an intellectual property matters agreement, a master cooperation and safety agreement and other agreements related to operations of CoalCo post-separation.

Under a transition services agreements, ParentCo will continue to provide various interim corporate support services to us and we will provide various interim support services to ParentCo. Under the transition services agreement for operations, we will be providing support services for ParentCo’s continuing operations through the term of the existing contracts. The separation agreement will provide for, among other things, our responsibility for liabilities relating to our business and the responsibility of ParentCo for liabilities unrelated to our business. Among other things, the separation agreement will contain indemnification obligations and ongoing commitments of us and ParentCo designed to make our company financially responsible for substantially all liabilities that may exist relating to our business activities, whether incurred prior to or after the separation and including potential indemnification obligations for veil-piercing actions brought by or on behalf of the Company. If we are required to indemnify ParentCo under the circumstances set forth in the separation agreement or other agreements, we may be subject to substantial liabilities.

For a description of these agreements and the other agreements that we will enter into with ParentCo, please read “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

 

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If we fail to develop or maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our shares.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports, prevent fraud and operate successfully as a public company. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results would be harmed. We cannot be certain that our efforts to develop and maintain our internal controls will be successful, that we will be able to maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future or that we will be able to comply with our obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any failure to develop or maintain effective internal controls, or difficulties encountered in implementing or improving our internal controls, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Ineffective internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our shares.

Some contracts and other assets which will need to be transferred or assigned from ParentCo or its affiliates to CoalCo in connection with CoalCo’s separation from ParentCo may require the consent or involvement of a third party. If such consent is not given, CoalCo may not be entitled to the benefit of such contracts and other assets in the future, which could negatively impact CoalCo’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The separation agreement provides that in connection with CoalCo’s separation from ParentCo, a number of contracts with third-parties and other assets are to be transferred or assigned from ParentCo or its affiliates to CoalCo. However, the transfer or assignment of certain of these contracts or assets require providing guarantees or the consent of a third party to such a transfer or assignment. Similarly, in some circumstances, CoalCo and another business unit of ParentCo are joint beneficiaries of contracts, and CoalCo will need to enter into a new agreement with the third-party to replicate the existing contract or assign the portion of the existing contract related to CoalCo’s business. It is possible that some parties may use the requirement of a guarantee or consent or the fact that the separation is occurring to seek more favorable contractual terms from CoalCo or to seek to terminate the contract. If CoalCo is unable to provide a guarantee or obtain such consents on commercially reasonable and satisfactory terms or if the contracts are terminated, CoalCo may be unable to obtain some of the benefits, assets and contractual commitments which are intended to be allocated to CoalCo as part of CoalCo’s separation from ParentCo. The failure to timely complete the assignment of existing contracts or assets, or the negotiation of new arrangements, or a termination of any of those arrangements, could negatively impact CoalCo’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, where CoalCo does not intend to provide a guarantee or obtain consent from third party counterparties based on CoalCo’s belief that no guarantee or consent is required, the third party counterparties may challenge a transfer of assets on the basis that the terms of the applicable commercial arrangements require that a guarantee be provided or the third party counterparty’s consent. CoalCo may incur substantial litigation and other costs in connection with any such claims and, if CoalCo does not prevail, CoalCo’s ability to use these assets could be adversely impacted.

Our customers, prospective customers, suppliers or other companies with whom we conduct business may need assurances that our financial stability on a stand-alone basis is sufficient to satisfy their requirements for doing or continuing to do business with them.

Some of our customers, prospective customers, suppliers or other companies with whom we conduct business may need assurances that our financial stability on a stand-alone basis is sufficient to satisfy their requirements for doing or continuing to do business with them, and may require us to provide additional credit support, such as letters of credit or other financial guarantees. Any failure of parties to be satisfied with our financial stability could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.

 

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In connection with our separation we will assume, and indemnify ParentCo for, certain liabilities. If we are required to make payments pursuant to these indemnities to ParentCo, we may need to divert cash to meet those obligations and our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively impacted. In addition, ParentCo may indemnify us for certain liabilities. ParentCo’s indemnity may not be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of liabilities for which it will be allocated responsibility, and ParentCo may not be able to satisfy its indemnification obligations in the future.

Pursuant to the terms of the separation agreement and certain other agreements to be entered into as part of the separation, we will agree to assume, and indemnify ParentCo for, certain liabilities for uncapped amounts, which may include, among other items, associated defense costs, settlement amounts and judgments. For additional detail regarding these indemnification obligations, please see the section of this information statement entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with GasCo.” Although such obligations are not currently quantifiable, such potential payments pursuant to these indemnities could be significant, and could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, particularly indemnities relating to our actions that could impact the tax-free nature of the contribution, the distribution and certain related transactions, which are set forth in detail in the tax matters agreement and separation agreement, as well as the risk factor below entitled “ If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, does not qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, ParentCo, CoalCo and ParentCo stockholders could be subject to significant tax liabilities and, in certain circumstances, CoalCo could be required to indemnify ParentCo for material taxes and other related amounts pursuant to indemnification obligations under the tax matters agreement .” Third parties could also seek to hold us responsible for liabilities of ParentCo’s business. GasCo will agree to indemnify us for such liabilities, but such indemnity from GasCo may not be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of such liabilities, and GasCo may not be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from GasCo any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses ourselves. Each of these risks could negatively affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

If the distribution, together with certain related transactions, does not qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, ParentCo, CoalCo and ParentCo stockholders could be subject to significant tax liabilities and, in certain circumstances, CoalCo could be required to indemnify ParentCo for material taxes and other related amounts pursuant to indemnification obligations under the tax matters agreement.

It is a condition to the distribution that ParentCo receives a private letter ruling from the IRS, which was received on October 16, 2017, and one or more opinions of its tax advisors, in each case satisfactory to the ParentCo Board of Directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and the distribution, including, with respect to the opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, to the effect that the distribution will be a transaction described in Section 355(a) of the Code. The IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors will be based upon and rely on, among other things, various facts and assumptions, as well as certain representations, statements and undertakings of ParentCo and CoalCo, including those relating to the past and future conduct of ParentCo and CoalCo. If any of these representations, statements or undertakings is, or becomes, inaccurate or incomplete, or if ParentCo or CoalCo breaches any of its representations or covenants contained in any of the separation-related agreements and documents or in any documents relating to the IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion(s) of tax advisors, the IRS private letter ruling and/or opinion(s) of tax advisors may be invalid and the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized.

Notwithstanding receipt of the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors, the IRS could determine that the distribution and/or certain related transactions should be treated as taxable transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions, or undertakings upon which the IRS private letter ruling or the opinion(s) of tax advisors were based are false or have been violated. In addition, neither the IRS private letter ruling nor the opinion(s) of tax advisors will address all of the issues that are relevant to determining whether the distribution, together with certain related transactions,

 

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qualifies as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the opinion(s) of tax advisors represent the judgment of such tax advisors and are not binding on the IRS or any court, and the IRS or a court may disagree with the conclusions in the opinion(s) of tax advisors. Accordingly, notwithstanding receipt by ParentCo of the IRS private letter and the opinion(s) of tax advisors, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert that the distribution and/or certain related transactions do not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. In the event the IRS were to prevail with such challenge, ParentCo, CoalCo and ParentCo stockholders could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability.

If the distribution, together with related transactions, fails to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, in general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, ParentCo would recognize taxable gain as if it had sold the CoalCo common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value (unless ParentCo and CoalCo jointly make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the distribution, in which case, in general, (i) the ParentCo group would recognize taxable gain as if CoalCo had sold all of its assets in a taxable sale in exchange for an amount equal to the fair market value of the CoalCo common stock and the assumption of all CoalCo’s liabilities and (ii) CoalCo would obtain a related step up in the basis of its assets and, if the distribution fails to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355, in general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, ParentCo stockholders who receive CoalCo shares in the distribution would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of such shares. For more information, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

Under the tax matters agreement that ParentCo will enter into with CoalCo, CoalCo may be required to indemnify ParentCo against any additional taxes and related amounts resulting from (i) an acquisition of all or a portion of the equity securities or assets of CoalCo, whether by merger or otherwise (and regardless of whether CoalCo participated in or otherwise facilitated the acquisition), (ii) other actions or failures to act by CoalCo or (iii) any of CoalCo’s representations, covenants or undertakings contained in any of the separation-related agreements and documents or in any documents relating to the IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion(s) of tax advisors being incorrect or violated. Any such indemnity obligations could be material. For a more detailed discussion, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with GasCo—Tax Matters Agreement.”

We may not be able to engage in desirable strategic or capital-raising transactions after the separation.

Under current law, a spin-off can be rendered taxable as a result of certain post-spin-off acquisitions of shares or assets of the spun-off corporation. For example, a spin-off may result in taxable gain to the parent corporation under Section 355(e) of the Code if the spin-off were later deemed to be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, shares representing a 50% or greater interest (by vote or value) in the spun-off corporation. To preserve the tax-free treatment of the separation and the distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and in addition to CoalCo’s indemnity obligation described above, the tax matters agreement will restrict CoalCo, for the two-year period following the separation, except in specific circumstances, from:

 

   

entering into any transaction pursuant to which all or a portion of the shares of CoalCo common stock would be acquired, whether by merger or otherwise;

 

   

issuing equity securities beyond certain thresholds;

 

   

repurchasing shares of CoalCo capital stock other than in certain open-market transactions; and

 

   

ceasing to actively conduct certain of its businesses.

The tax matters agreement will also prohibit CoalCo from taking or failing to take any other action that would prevent the distribution and certain related transactions from qualifying as a transaction that is generally

 

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tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. These restrictions may limit our ability to pursue certain strategic transactions, equity issuances or repurchases or other transactions that we may believe to be in the best interests of our stockholders or that might increase the value of our business. For more information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with GasCo—Tax Matters Agreement.”

After the distribution, certain of our directors and officers may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their equity ownership in GasCo.

Although no CoalCo directors or officers will serve at both companies following the separation and distribution, certain of our directors and executive officers may own shares of GasCo common stock, and the individual holdings may be significant for some of these individuals compared to their total assets. This ownership in both companies may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for GasCo and us. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute that may arise between GasCo and us regarding the terms of the agreements governing the internal reorganization, the distribution and the relationship thereafter between the companies, including with respect to the indemnification of certain matters. For more information on certain procedures we will institute with regard to such matters, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions.”

Until the distribution occurs, ParentCo has the sole discretion to change the terms of the distribution in ways which may be unfavorable to CoalCo.

Until the distribution occurs, ParentCo will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine and change the terms of the distribution, including the establishment of the record date and distribution date. These changes could be unfavorable to CoalCo. In addition, ParentCo may decide at any time not to proceed with the separation, including to pursue other strategic alternatives with respect to the Coal Business, including alternatives that have previously been presented to, and are continuously considered and discussed by, management of ParentCo.

The completion of the separation will constitute a change of control under CNXC’s current senior secured revolving credit facility (CNXC Revolver), which would be an event of default thereunder if we fail to refinance the CNXC Revolver.

The completion of the separation will constitute a change of control under the terms of the CNXC Revolver, which would result in an event of default under the CNXC Revolver. Although CoalCo expects that the CNXC Revolver will be refinanced in connection with the completion of the separation, there is no assurance that such refinancing will occur on acceptable terms or at all. If refinancing is not obtained for the CNXC Revolver and ParentCo nevertheless elects to consummate the separation, the separation would trigger a default under the CNXC Revolver, which, unless waived, would give the lenders under the CNXC Revolver all remedies available to a secured lender, and they could elect to terminate their commitments, cease making further loans, cause their loans to become immediately due and payable in full, institute foreclosure proceedings against CNXC or its assets and force CNXC and its subsidiaries into bankruptcy or liquidation.

No vote of ParentCo stockholders is required in connection with the distribution. As a result, if the distribution occurs and you do not want to receive CoalCo common stock in the distribution, your sole recourse will be to divest yourself of your ParentCo common stock prior to the record date.

No vote of ParentCo stockholders is required in connection with the distribution. Accordingly, if the distribution occurs and you do not want to receive CoalCo common stock in the distribution, your only recourse will be to divest yourself of your ParentCo common stock prior to the record date for the distribution.

 

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As a public company, we will be required to publish more detailed information about our business, operations and financial performance which will be available for our customers, competitors and other third parties.

Historically, information about our business and operations was presented as part of the broader ParentCo corporate organization. As an independent, publicly traded company, we will be required to publicly provide more detailed information about our business and operations, including financial information, as a stand-alone company. This information will be accessible to our customers, suppliers and competitors, each of which may factor the new information into their commercial dealings with us or in the markets in which we operate. The use of such information by third parties in the marketplace could have an adverse effect on us and our results of operations, including our relative level of profitability.

There may be substantial disruption to our business and distraction of our management and employees as a result of the separation, and the uncertainty associated with the separation may otherwise adversely impact our operations and relationships with key stakeholders.

There may be substantial disruption to our business and distraction of our management and employees from day-to-day operations because matters related to the separation may require substantial commitments of time and resources, which could otherwise have been devoted to other opportunities that could have been beneficial to us.

In addition, the uncertainty surrounding whether or when the separation will occur and other aspects of the separation may adversely affect our ability to enter into new customer agreements or extend or expand existing customer relationships if potential and existing customers choose to wait to learn whether the separation will proceed before committing to new, extended or expanded customer relationships with us. Similarly, suppliers, vendors and other businesses or organizations that we may seek to contract with or expand existing relationships with us may choose to wait to enter into new agreements or arrangements or change existing agreements or arrangements with us. If such uncertainty continues for a protracted period, our ability to secure new, extended or expanded customer relationships may be adversely affected, or we may be compelled to pay higher fees or incur new or higher expenses to operate and maintain our business. We cannot predict whether or when any adverse effects on our business will result from these uncertainties, but such effects, if any, could materially and adversely affect our revenues and results of operations in future periods.

Furthermore, the uncertainty surrounding the separation may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. We operate in an industry that currently experiences a high level of competition among different companies for qualified and experienced personnel. The uncertainty relating to the possibility of the separation may increase the risk that we could experience higher than normal rates of attrition or that we experience increased difficulty in attracting qualified personnel or incur higher expenses to do so. High levels of attrition among the management and employee personnel necessary to operate our business or difficulties or increased expense incurred to replace any personnel who leave, could materially adversely affect our business or results of operations.

The separation and distribution and related internal reorganization transactions may expose CoalCo to potential liabilities arising out of state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws and legal dividend requirements.

If CoalCo files for bankruptcy or is otherwise determined or deemed to be insolvent under federal bankruptcy laws, a court could deem the separation and distribution or certain internal reorganization transactions undertaken by ParentCo in connection with the separation to be a fraudulent conveyance or transfer. Fraudulent conveyances or transfers are defined to include transfers made or obligations incurred with the actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud current or future creditors or transfers made or obligations incurred for less than reasonably equivalent value when the debtor was insolvent, or that rendered the debtor insolvent, inadequately capitalized or unable to pay its debts as they become due. A court could void the transactions or impose substantial liabilities upon CoalCo, which could adversely affect CoalCo’s financial condition and its results of

 

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operations. Among other things, the court could require CoalCo stockholders to return to ParentCo some or all of the shares of CoalCo common stock issued in the separation and distribution, or require CoalCo to fund liabilities of other companies involved in the reorganization transactions for the benefit of creditors.

The distribution of CoalCo common stock is also subject to review under state corporate distribution statutes. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the DGCL), a corporation may only pay dividends to its stockholders either (i) out of its surplus (net assets minus capital) or (ii) if there is no such surplus, out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Although ParentCo intends to make the distribution of CoalCo common stock entirely out of surplus, CoalCo cannot assure you that a court will not later determine that some or all of the distribution to ParentCo stockholders was unlawful.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock and the Securities Market

We cannot be certain that an active trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained after the distribution, and following the distribution, our stock price may fluctuate significantly.

A public market for our common stock does not currently exist. We anticipate that on or prior to the record date for the distribution, trading of shares of our common stock will begin on a “when-issued” basis and will continue through the last trading day prior to the distribution date. However, we cannot guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be sustained for our common stock after the distribution. If an active trading market does not develop for our stock, you may have difficulty selling your shares at an attractive price, or at all. In addition, we cannot predict the price at which shares of our common stock may trade after the distribution.

Similarly, ParentCo cannot predict the effect of the distribution on the trading prices of its common stock. After the distribution, ParentCo common stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE. Subject to the consummation of the distribution, we expect our common stock to be listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “CEIX.” The combined trading prices of ParentCo common stock and our common stock after the distribution, as adjusted for any changes in the combined capitalization of these companies, may not be equal to or greater than the trading price of ParentCo common stock prior to the distribution. Until the market has fully evaluated the remaining business of ParentCo without our business, and fully evaluated us, the price at which ParentCo’s or our common stock trade may fluctuate significantly.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including:

 

   

our business profile and market capitalization may not fit the investment objectives of ParentCo’s current stockholders, causing a shift in our initial investor base, and our common stock may not be included in some indices in which ParentCo common stock is included, causing certain holders to be mandated to sell their shares of our common stock;

 

   

our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;

 

   

the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock after the distribution;

 

   

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

 

   

changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates or our earnings guidance;

 

   

the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;

 

   

overall market fluctuations and domestic and worldwide economic conditions; and

 

   

other factors described in these “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this information statement.

 

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Stock markets in general have experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of either or both classes of our common stock. As a result of these factors, holders of our common stock may not be able to resell their shares at or above the initial market price following the separation or may not be able to resell them at all. In addition, price volatility with our common stock may be greater if trading volume is low.

If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our company, or issue unfavorable commentary about us or downgrade our shares, the price of our shares could decline.

The trading market for our shares will depend in part on the research and reports that third-party securities analysts publish about our company and our industry. Because our ordinary shares will initially be distributed to the public through the spin-off, there will not be a marketing effort relating to the initial distribution of our shares of the type that would typically be part of an initial public offering of shares. We may be unable or slow to attract research coverage and if one or more analysts cease coverage of our company, we could lose visibility in the market. In addition, one or more of these analysts could use estimation or valuation methods that we do not agree with, downgrade our shares or issue other negative commentary about our company or our industry. As a result of one or more of these factors, the trading price of our shares could decline.

A future sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may cause our stock price to decline.

Any sales of substantial amounts of shares of our common stock in the public market or the perception that such sales might occur, in connection with the distribution or otherwise, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. Upon completion of the distribution, we expect that we will have an aggregate of approximately 28.0 million shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. These shares will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), unless the shares are owned by one of our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

We are unable to predict whether large amounts of our common stock will be sold in the open market following the distribution. We are also unable to predict whether a sufficient number of buyers would be in the market at that time.

We cannot guarantee the timing, amount, or payment of dividends on our common stock in the future.

The payment and amount of any future dividend will be subject to the sole discretion of our post-distribution, independent board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition and prospects, our capital requirements and access to capital markets, covenants associated with certain of our debt obligations, legal requirements and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant, and there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay a dividend in the future.

There may be substantial changes in CoalCo’s stockholder base.

Many investors holding ParentCo common stock may hold that stock because of a decision to invest in a company with Parent’s profile. Following the distribution, the shares of CoalCo common stock held by those investors will represent an investment in a company with a different profile. This may not be aligned with a holder’s investment strategy and may cause the holder to sell the shares. As a result, CoalCo’s stock price may decline or experience volatility as CoalCo’s stockholder base changes.

Your percentage of ownership in us may be diluted in the future.

Your percentage ownership in us may be diluted because of equity issuances for acquisitions, capital market transactions or otherwise, including, without limitation, equity awards that we may be granting to our directors, officers and employees. Such issuances may have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

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Certain CoalCo employees will have rights to purchase or receive shares of CoalCo common stock after the separation as a result of the conversion of their ParentCo stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units to CoalCo stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units. The conversion of these ParentCo awards into CoalCo awards is described in further detail in the section entitled “The Separation and Distribution—Treatment of Equity-Based Compensation.” As of the date of this information statement, the exact number of share units of CoalCo common stock that will be subject to the converted CoalCo stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units is not determinable; and therefore it is not possible to determine the extent to which your percentage ownership in CoalCo could be diluted as a result of the conversion. It is anticipated that the compensation committee of the board of directors of CoalCo will grant additional equity awards to CoalCo employees and directors after the distribution, from time to time, under CoalCo’s compensation and employee benefit plans. These additional awards will have a dilutive effect on CoalCo’s earnings per share, which could adversely affect the market price of CoalCo’s common stock.

In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will authorize us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, including preferences over our common stock with respect to dividends and distributions, as our board of directors generally may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could dilute the voting power or reduce the value of our common stock. For example, we could grant the holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events or to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we could assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of our common stock. For more information, see “Description of CoalCo Capital Stock.”

Certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, and of Delaware law, may prevent or delay an acquisition of us, which could decrease the trading price of our common stock.

CoalCo’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws will contain, and Delaware law contains, provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the bidder and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with CoalCo’s board of directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include, among others:

 

   

the inability of our stockholders to act by written consent unless such written consent is unanimous;

 

   

the inability of our stockholders to call special meetings;

 

   

rules regarding how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at stockholder meetings;

 

   

the right of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval;

 

   

the fact that our board of directors will initially be divided into three classes; and

 

   

the ability of our directors, and not stockholders, to fill vacancies (including those resulting from an enlargement of our board of directors) on our board of directors.

In addition, following the distribution, we will be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. Section 203 provides that, subject to limited exceptions, persons that (without prior board approval) acquire, or are affiliated with a person that acquires, more than 15% of the outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation shall not engage in any business combination with that corporation, including by merger, consolidation or acquisitions of additional shares, for a three-year period following the date on which that person or its affiliate becomes the holder of more than 15% of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock.

 

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We believe these provisions will protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers. However, these provisions could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or the removal of existing management, of deterring potential acquirers from making an offer to our stockholders and of limiting any opportunity to realize premiums over prevailing market prices for our common stock in connection therewith. This could be the case notwithstanding that a majority of our stockholders might benefit from such a change in control or offer.

In addition, an acquisition or further issuance of CoalCo’s stock could trigger the application of Section 355(e) of the Code, causing the distribution to be taxable to ParentCo. For a discussion of Section 355(e) of the Code, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.” Under the tax matters agreement, CoalCo would be required to indemnify ParentCo for the resulting tax, and this indemnity obligation might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control that you may consider favorable.

Our certificate of incorporation will designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain an alternative judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents.

Our certificate of incorporation will provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for:

 

   

any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf;

 

   

any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or agents to us or our stockholders;

 

   

any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our bylaws;

 

   

any action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to such Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein; or

 

   

any action asserting an internal corporate claim as defined in Section 115 of the DGCL.

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise holding any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of, and consented to, the provisions of our certificate of incorporation described in the preceding sentence. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and such persons. Alternatively, if a court were to find these provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This information statement and other materials ParentCo and CoalCo have filed or will file with the SEC contain or incorporate by reference “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “may,” “outlook,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “sees,” “should,” “targets,” “will,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that reflect CoalCo’s expectations, assumptions, or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the separation and distribution, including the timing and expected benefits thereof; forecasts concerning global demand for coal, changes in coal prices and our ability to develop our existing coal reserves and successfully execute our mining plans, competition and growth opportunities for coal, and other applications; targeted financial results or operating performance; and statements about CoalCo’s strategies, outlook, and business and financial prospects. These statements reflect beliefs and assumptions that are based on CoalCo’s perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results, performance, or outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by those forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others:

 

   

whether the separation is completed, as expected or at all, and the timing of the separation and the distribution;

 

   

whether the conditions to the distribution are satisfied;

 

   

whether the operational, strategic and other benefits of the separation can be achieved;

 

   

whether the costs and expenses of the separation can be controlled within expectations;

 

   

deterioration in economic conditions in any of the industries in which our customers operate may decrease demand for our products, impair our ability to collect customer receivables and impair our ability to access capital;

 

   

volatility and wide fluctuation in coal prices based upon a number of factors beyond our control including oversupply relative to the demand available for our products, weather and the price and availability of alternative fuels;

 

   

an extended decline in the prices we receive for our coal affecting our operating results and cash flows;

 

   

foreign currency fluctuations that could adversely affect the competitiveness of our coal abroad;

 

   

our customers extending existing contracts or entering into new long-term contracts for coal on favorable terms;

 

   

our reliance on major customers;

 

   

our inability to collect payments from customers if their creditworthiness declines or if they fail to honor their contracts;

 

   

our inability to acquire additional coal reserves;

 

   

the availability and reliability of transportation facilities and other systems, disruption of rail, barge, gathering, processing and transportation facilities and other systems that deliver our coal to market and fluctuations in transportation costs;

 

   

a loss of our competitive position because of the competitive nature of coal industries, or a loss of our competitive position because of overcapacity in these industries impairing our profitability;

 

   

coal users switching to other fuels in order to comply with various environmental standards related to coal combustion emissions;

 

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the impact of potential, as well as any adopted environmental regulations including any relating to greenhouse gas emissions on our operating costs as well as on the market for natural coal and for our securities;

 

   

the risks inherent in coal operations, including our reliance upon third party contractors, being subject to unexpected disruptions, including geological conditions, equipment failure, delays in moving out longwall equipment, railroad derailments, security breaches or terroristic acts and other hazards, timing of completion of significant construction or repair of equipment, fires, explosions, seismic activities, accidents and weather conditions which could impact financial results;

 

   

decreases in the availability of, or increases in, the price of commodities or capital equipment used in our coal mining operations;

 

   

obtaining, maintaining and renewing governmental permits and approvals for our coal operations;

 

   

the effects of government regulation on the discharge into the water or air, and the disposal and clean-up of, hazardous substances and wastes generated during our coal operations;

 

   

the effects of stringent federal and state employee health and safety regulations, including the ability of regulators to shut down our operations;

 

   

the potential for liabilities arising from environmental contamination or alleged environmental contamination in connection with our past or current coal operations;

 

   

the effects of mine closing, reclamation and certain other liabilities;

 

   

defects in our chain of title for our undeveloped reserves or failure to acquire additional property to perfect our title to coal rights;

 

   

uncertainties in estimating our economically recoverable coal reserves;

 

   

the outcomes of various legal proceedings, including those which are more fully described herein;

 

   

exposure to employee-related long-term liabilities;

 

   

failure by Murray Energy to satisfy liabilities it acquired from ParentCo, or failure to perform its obligations under various arrangements, which ParentCo guaranteed and for which we have indemnification obligations to ParentCo;

 

   

information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss resulting from a terrorist attack or cyber incident;

 

   

operating in a single geographic area;

 

   

certain provisions in our multi-year coal sales contracts may provide limited protection during adverse economic conditions, and may result in economic penalties or permit the customer to terminate the contract;

 

   

the majority of our common units in CNX Coal Resources LP are subordinated, and we may not receive distributions from CNX Coal Resources LP;

 

   

the potential failure to retain and attract skilled personnel of CoalCo;

 

   

the impact of the separation and the distribution and risks relating to CoalCo’s ability to operate effectively as an independent, publicly-traded company, including various costs associated with operation, and any difficulties associated with enhancing our accounting systems and internal controls and complying with financial reporting requirements;

 

   

unfavorable terms in our separation from ParentCo, related agreements and other transactions and CoalCo’s agreement to provide certain indemnification to ParentCo following the separation;

 

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any failure of CoalCo’s customers, prospective customers, suppliers or other companies with whom CoalCo conducts business to be satisfied with CoalCo’s financial stability, or CoalCo’s failure to obtain any consents that may be required under existing contracts and other arrangements with third parties;

 

   

a determination by the IRS that the distribution or certain related transactions should be treated as a taxable transaction;

 

   

CoalCo’s ability to engage in desirable strategic or capital-raising transactions after the separation;

 

   

the existence of any actual or potential conflicts of interest of CoalCo’s directors or officers because of their equity ownership in GasCo;

 

   

exposure to potential liabilities arising out of state and federal fraudulent conveyance laws and legal dividend requirements as a result of the separation and related transactions;

 

   

uncertainty with respect to CoalCo common stock, including as to whether an active trading market will develop for CoalCo common stock, potential stock price volatility and future dilution;

 

   

the existence of certain anti-takeover provisions in our governance documents, which could prevent or delay an acquisition of CoalCo and negatively impact the trading price of CoalCo common stock; and

 

   

other unforeseen factors.

The above list of factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include those discussed under “Risk Factors” in this information statement and in our publicly filed documents referred to in “Where You Can Find More Information.” CoalCo disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

 

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THE SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION

Overview

In December 2016, ParentCo announced its intention to separate its Coal Business from its Gas Business. The separation will occur by means of a pro rata distribution to ParentCo stockholders of all of the common stock of CoalCo, which was formed to hold ParentCo’s Pennsylvania Mining Operations (PAMC) and certain related coal assets, including ParentCo’s ownership interest in CNXC, which owns a 25% stake in PAMC, the CNX Marine Terminal, the Greenfield Reserves and certain other related coal assets and liabilities (collectively, the Coal Business). The number of shares of ParentCo common stock you own will not change as a result of the separation.

In connection with such distribution, we expect that:

 

   

ParentCo will complete an internal reorganization, which we refer to as the “internal reorganization,” as a result of which CoalCo will become the parent company of the ParentCo operations comprising, and the entities that will conduct, the Coal Business;

 

   

CoalCo will change its name to CONSOL Energy Inc. and ParentCo will change its name to CNX Resources Corporation; and

 

   

CoalCo will incur approximately $800 million of indebtedness from third-party financing sources, as described further in “Description of Material Indebtedness,” a portion of which we anticipate will be distributed by CoalCo to GasCo. In addition, CoalCo intends to retain those 5.75% MEDCO Revenue Bonds due September 2025, for which the principal amount as of September 30, 2017 was $103 million, and for which GasCo will remain as a guarantor with CoalCo providing indemnification with respect to such guarantee.

On October 30, 2017, the ParentCo Board of Directors approved the distribution of all of CoalCo’s common stock to holders of ParentCo common stock as of the close of business on November 15, 2017, the record date for the distribution. At 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 28, 2017, the distribution date, each ParentCo stockholder will receive one share of CoalCo common stock for every eight shares of ParentCo common stock held at the close of business on the record date for the distribution, as described below. ParentCo stockholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares of CoalCo common stock that they would have received after application of this ratio.

Upon completion of the separation, each ParentCo stockholder as of the record date will continue to own shares of ParentCo and will own a proportionate share of the outstanding shares of common stock of CoalCo. You will not be required to make any payment, surrender or exchange your ParentCo common stock or take any other action to receive your shares of CoalCo common stock in the distribution. The distribution of CoalCo common stock as described in this information statement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. For a more detailed description of these conditions, see “Conditions to the Distribution” below.

Reasons for the Separation

The ParentCo Board of Directors believes that separating its Coal Business from its Gas Business is in the best interests of ParentCo and its stockholders for a number of reasons, including:

 

   

Management Focus and Strategic Decision Making . The separation will position each company to pursue a more focused, industry-specific strategy, will create additional operational flexibility and will enable the management teams of each company to focus on strengthening its core business, operations and other needs, and pursue distinct and targeted opportunities for long-term growth and profitability.

 

   

Allocation of Financial Resources and Access to Capital . The separation will permit each company to efficiently allocate its capital to meet the unique needs of its own business, which will allow each

 

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company to intensify its focus on its distinct business priorities. The separation will also facilitate each business having a more appropriate capital structure aligned with its target capital levels and those of its peers, and is expected to increase access to capital.

 

   

Employee Retention and Incentivizing . The separation will result in each business being better positioned to recruit and retain executives and other employees with expertise that is more directly applicable to the needs of its business. Similarly, the Company believes that its efforts to drive financial and operational goals by aligning incentive programs with specific goals applicable to each business are frustrated by its continued operation of two distinct lines of business. As a result of the separation, each business will be able to articulate more defined talent requirements for potential employees, and both recruiters and applicants are expected to have a clearer understanding of the prerequisites and opportunities associated with each business. Additionally, each business will be able to communicate specifically and clearly the goals of incentive programs and how such programs are specifically tailored to and aligned with the financial and operational strategic objectives of each business in connection with recruiting and retaining employees.

 

   

Enhanced Investor Understanding, Corporate Acquisition Currencies and Equity-Based Compensation. The separation brought about by the distribution will improve understanding of each business in the capital markets and allow for a stronger, more focused investor base for each business. Moreover, the separation will create two independent equity structures, enabling each business to use its own business-focused stock as consideration in acquisitions and equity compensation programs and creating a more efficient and valuable transaction currency and compensation tool.

The ParentCo Board of Directors also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation, including:

 

   

Risk of Failure to Achieve Anticipated Benefits of the Separation . We may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the separation for a variety of reasons, including, among others: the separation will require significant amounts of management’s time and effort, which may divert management’s attention from operating our business; and following the separation, we may be more susceptible to market fluctuations, including fluctuations in coal prices, and other adverse events than if we were still a part of ParentCo because our business will be less diversified than ParentCo’s business prior to the completion of the separation.

 

   

Increased Administrative Costs . We will incur substantial costs in connection with the separation and the transition to being a standalone public company, which may include accounting, tax, legal and other professional services costs, recruiting and relocation costs associated with hiring key senior management personnel who are new to CoalCo, tax costs and costs to separate information systems. Due to our smaller scale as a standalone company, our cost of performing such functions could be higher than the amounts reflected in our historical financial statements, which would cause our profitability to decrease.

 

   

Limitations on Strategic Transactions . Under the terms of the tax matters agreement that we will enter into with ParentCo, we will be restricted from taking certain actions that could cause the distribution or certain related transactions to fail to qualify as tax-free transactions under applicable law. These restrictions may limit for a period of time our ability to pursue certain strategic transactions and equity issuances or engage in other transactions that might increase the value of our business.

 

   

Uncertainty Regarding Stock Prices . We cannot predict the effect of the separation on the trading prices of CoalCo or GasCo common stock or know with certainty whether the combined market value of one share of our common stock and eight shares of GasCo common stock will be less than, equal to or greater than the market value of eight shares of ParentCo common stock prior to the distribution.

 

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In determining to pursue the separation, the ParentCo Board of Directors concluded the potential benefits of the separation outweighed the foregoing factors. See the sections entitled “The Separation and Distribution—Reasons for the Separation” and “Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this information statement.

Formation of CoalCo

CoalCo was formed in Delaware on June 21, 2017 for the purpose of holding ParentCo’s Coal Business. As part of the plan to separate the Coal Business from the remainder of its businesses, in connection with the internal reorganization, ParentCo plans to transfer, or otherwise ensure the transfer of, the equity interests of certain entities, including CNXC, that are expected to operate the Coal Business and the assets and liabilities of the Coal Business to CoalCo prior to the distribution.

When and How You Will Receive the Distribution

With the assistance of Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the distribution agent for the distribution (the distribution agent or Computershare), ParentCo expects to distribute CoalCo common stock at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 28, 2017, the distribution date, to all holders of outstanding ParentCo common stock as of the close of business on November 15, 2017, the record date for the distribution. Computershare, which currently serves as the transfer agent and registrar for ParentCo common stock, will serve as the settlement and distribution agent in connection with the distribution and the transfer agent and registrar for CoalCo common stock.

If you own ParentCo common stock as of the close of business on the record date for the distribution, CoalCo common stock that you are entitled to receive in the distribution will be issued electronically, as of the distribution date, to you in direct registration form or to your bank or brokerage firm on your behalf. If you are a registered holder, Computershare will then mail you a direct registration account statement that reflects your shares of CoalCo common stock. If you hold your ParentCo shares through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the CoalCo shares. Direct registration form refers to a method of recording share ownership when no physical share certificates are issued to stockholders, as is the case in this distribution. If you sell ParentCo common stock in the “regular-way” market up to and including the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of CoalCo common stock in the distribution.

Commencing on or shortly after the distribution date, if you hold physical share certificates that represent your ParentCo common stock and you are the registered holder of the shares represented by those certificates, the distribution agent will mail to you an account statement that indicates the number of shares of CoalCo common stock that have been registered in book-entry form in your name.

Most ParentCo stockholders hold their common stock through a bank or brokerage firm. In such cases, the bank or brokerage firm is said to hold the shares in “street name” and ownership would be recorded on the bank or brokerage firm’s books. If you hold your ParentCo common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will credit your account for the CoalCo common stock that you are entitled to receive in the distribution. If you have any questions concerning the mechanics of having shares held in “street name,” please contact your bank or brokerage firm.

Transferability of Shares You Receive

Shares of CoalCo common stock distributed to holders in connection with the distribution will be transferable without registration under the Securities Act, except for shares of common stock received by persons who may be deemed to be our affiliates. Persons who may be deemed to be our affiliates after the distribution generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by or are under common control with us, which may include certain of our executive officers, directors or principal stockholders. Securities held by our affiliates will be subject to resale restrictions under the Securities Act. Our affiliates will be permitted to sell shares of our common stock only pursuant to an effective registration statement or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, such as the exemption afforded by Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

 

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Number of Shares of CoalCo Common Stock You Will Receive

For every eight shares of ParentCo common stock that you own at the close of business on November 15, 2017, the record date for the distribution, you will receive one share of CoalCo common stock on the distribution date. ParentCo will not distribute any fractional shares of CoalCo common stock to its stockholders. Instead, if you are a registered holder, Computershare will aggregate fractional shares of common stock into whole shares, sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices and distribute the aggregate cash proceeds (net of discounts and commissions) of the sales pro rata (based on the fractional share such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive) to each holder who otherwise would have been entitled to receive a fractional share in the distribution. The distribution agent, in its sole discretion, without any influence by ParentCo or CoalCo, will determine when, how, and through which broker-dealer and at what price to sell the whole shares of common stock. Any broker-dealer used by the distribution agent will not be an affiliate of either ParentCo or CoalCo and the distribution agent is not an affiliate of either ParentCo or CoalCo. Neither CoalCo nor ParentCo will be able to guarantee any minimum sale price in connection with the sale of these shares. Recipients of cash in lieu of fractional shares will not be entitled to any interest on the amounts of payment made in lieu of fractional shares.

The net cash proceeds of these sales of fractional shares will be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” for an explanation of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution. If you hold physical certificates for shares of ParentCo common stock and are the registered holder, you will receive a check from the distribution agent in an amount equal to your pro rata share of the net cash proceeds of the sales. We estimate that it will take approximately two weeks from the distribution date for the distribution agent to complete the distributions of the net cash proceeds. If you hold your shares of ParentCo common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, your bank or brokerage firm will receive, on your behalf, your pro rata share of the net cash proceeds of the sales and will electronically credit your account for your share of such proceeds.

Treatment of Equity-Based Compensation

In connection with the separation, equity-based awards granted by ParentCo prior to the separation are expected to be treated as described below, except as otherwise set forth in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Subsequent Events” with respect to certain unvested equity awards of Messrs. Brock and Salvatori and certain other employees of CoalCo. As of the separation, these awards will be held by (i) current employees of CoalCo and its subsidiaries (CoalCo Employees), (ii) current employees of GasCo and its subsidiaries (GasCo Employees), (iii) certain former employees classified as former employees of either CoalCo or GasCo for purposes of post-separation compensation and benefits matters (Former Employees), and (iv) nonemployee directors of GasCo (GasCo Nonemployee Directors) and nonemployee directors of CoalCo (CoalCo Nonemployee Directors).

Stock Options

Stock Options Held by GasCo Employees, CoalCo Employees, GasCo Nonemployee Directors, CoalCo Nonemployee Directors and Former Employees. Each outstanding award of ParentCo stock options will continue to relate to GasCo common stock following the separation, provided that the exercise price of, and number of shares subject to, each such award will be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original ParentCo stock option award, subject to rounding. The adjusted GasCo stock option award will otherwise continue to have the same terms and conditions that applied to the original ParentCo award prior to the separation.

Restricted Share Units (RSUs)

RSUs Held by CoalCo Employees and CoalCo Nonemployee Directors . Outstanding RSU awards originally granted in 2015 and held by CoalCo employees who have been designated as Grades 14 and lower will

 

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automatically vest three days prior to the record date, assuming approval from the compensation committee of ParentCo (the ParentCo Compensation Committee). All other outstanding RSU awards originally granted in 2015 and held by CoalCo Employees or CoalCo Nonemployee Directors will be converted into RSU awards with respect to CoalCo common stock. The number of shares subject to each such award will be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original ParentCo award, subject to rounding. Such adjusted award will otherwise continue to have the same terms and conditions that applied to the original ParentCo award prior to the separation. Any outstanding ParentCo RSU awards that contain early vesting provisions originally based on ParentCo common stock reaching a predetermined price will be equitably adjusted based on CoalCo’s stock price following the separation.

RSUs Held by GasCo Employees, GasCo Nonemployee Directors and Former Employees (CoalCo and GasCo). Each outstanding RSU award held by a GasCo Employee, GasCo Nonemployee Director, CoalCo Nonemployee Director and/or Former Employee will continue to relate to GasCo common stock following the separation, provided that the number of shares subject to each such award will be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original ParentCo award, subject to rounding. Such adjusted award will otherwise continue to have the same terms and conditions that applied to the original ParentCo award prior to the separation. Any outstanding ParentCo RSU awards that contain early vesting provisions originally based on ParentCo common stock reaching a predetermined price will be equitably adjusted based on GasCo’s stock price following the separation.

Performance Share Units (PSUs)

PSUs Held by CoalCo Employees. Each outstanding ParentCo PSU Award held by a CoalCo Employee will be converted into a PSU Award with respect to CoalCo common stock following the separation. The number of shares subject to each such award will be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original ParentCo award, subject to rounding. Further, the relevant performance conditions applicable for the vesting of any such PSU Award (i) will be equitably adjusted following the separation to address the impact of the separation on said conditions for 2017 and (ii) for annual periods after 2017 will be adjusted to reflect CoalCo performance measurements. Such adjusted award will otherwise continue to have the same terms and conditions that applied to the original ParentCo award prior to the separation.

PSUs Held by GasCo Employees and Former Employees . Each outstanding PSU award held by a GasCo Employee or Former Employee will relate to GasCo common stock following the separation, provided that the number of shares subject to each such award will be adjusted in a manner intended to preserve the aggregate intrinsic value of the original ParentCo award, subject to rounding. Further, the relevant performance conditions applicable for the vesting of any such PSU Award (i) may be equitably adjusted to address the impact of the separation on said conditions and (ii) for annual periods after 2017, may be adjusted to reflect GasCo performance metrics. Such adjusted award will otherwise continue to have the same terms and conditions that applied to the original ParentCo award prior to the separation.

Internal Reorganization

As part of the separation, and prior to the distribution, ParentCo and its subsidiaries expect to complete an internal reorganization in order to transfer to CoalCo the Coal Business that it will hold following the separation. Among other things and subject to limited exceptions, the internal reorganization is expected to result in CoalCo owning, directly or indirectly, the operations comprising, and the entities that conduct, the Coal Business.

The internal reorganization is expected to include various restructuring transactions pursuant to which (i) the operations, assets and liabilities of ParentCo and its subsidiaries used to conduct the Coal Business will be separated from the operations, assets and liabilities of ParentCo and its subsidiaries used to conduct the Gas Business and (ii) such Coal Business operations, assets and liabilities and investments will be contributed, transferred, or otherwise allocated to CoalCo or one of its direct or indirect subsidiaries. Such restructuring

 

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transactions may take the form of asset transfers, mergers, demergers, divisions, conversions, dividends, contributions and similar transactions, and may involve the formation of new domestic subsidiaries to own and operate the Coal Business or the Gas Business.

As part of this internal reorganization, ParentCo will contribute to CoalCo certain assets, including equity interests in entities that are expected to conduct the Coal Business.

Following the completion of the internal reorganization and immediately prior to the distribution, CoalCo will be the parent company of the entities that will conduct the Coal Business, and ParentCo (through subsidiaries other than CoalCo and its subsidiaries) will remain the parent company of the entities that are expected to conduct the Gas Business.

Results of the Distribution

After the distribution, CoalCo will be an independent, publicly traded company. The actual number of shares to be distributed will be determined at the close of business on November 15, 2017, the record date for the distribution, and will reflect any exercise of ParentCo options or vesting of other equity-based awards between the date the ParentCo Board of Directors declares the distribution and the record date for the distribution. The distribution will not affect the number of outstanding shares of ParentCo common stock or any rights of ParentCo stockholders. ParentCo will not distribute any fractional shares of CoalCo common stock.

We will enter into a separation agreement and other related agreements with ParentCo, and amend or modify, or otherwise retain unchanged, currently existing agreements between ParentCo and CNXC, before the distribution to effect the separation and provide a framework for our relationship with GasCo after the separation. These agreements will provide for the allocation between GasCo and CoalCo of ParentCo’s assets, liabilities and obligations (including employee benefits, intellectual property, and tax-related assets and liabilities) attributable to periods prior to CoalCo’s separation from ParentCo and will govern the relationship between GasCo and CoalCo after the separation. For a more detailed description of these agreements, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Market for CoalCo Common Stock

There is currently no public trading market for CoalCo common stock. CoalCo intends to apply to list its common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “CEIX.” CoalCo has not and will not set the initial price of its common stock. The initial price will be established by the public markets.

We cannot predict the price at which CoalCo common stock will trade after the distribution. In fact, the combined trading prices, after the distribution, of the shares of CoalCo common stock that each ParentCo stockholder will receive in the distribution and the ParentCo common stock held at the record date for the distribution may not equal the “regular-way” trading price of the ParentCo common stock immediately prior to the distribution. The price at which CoalCo common stock trades may fluctuate significantly, particularly until an orderly public market develops. Trading prices for CoalCo common stock will be determined in the public markets and may be influenced by many factors. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Common Stock and the Securities Market.”

Incurrence of Debt

CoalCo intends to incur certain indebtedness prior to or concurrent with the separation. Subject to market conditions and other factors, prior to or concurrent with the separation, CoalCo intends to secure new borrowings from third-party financing sources, including new term loan facilities. CoalCo has undertaken a secured notes offering, a portion of the proceeds of which we anticipate will be distributed to GasCo. CoalCo anticipates

 

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that the remainder of the proceeds of the new term loan facilities will be used to fund a loan to CNXC in order to repay and terminate CNXC’s existing revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes. CoalCo also expects to enter into a new revolving credit facility with borrowing capacity of $300 million and an accounts receivable securitization facility with borrowing capacity of approximately $100 million. In addition, CoalCo intends to retain those 5.75% MEDCO Revenue Bonds due September 2025, for which the principal amount as of September 30, 2017 was $103 million, and for which GasCo will remain as a guarantor with CoalCo providing indemnification with respect to such guarantee. ParentCo’s existing senior unsecured notes are expected to remain an obligation of GasCo after the separation, except to the extent that GasCo uses funds received by it from CoalCo to repay existing indebtedness. For more information, see “Description of Material Indebtedness.”

Trading Between the Record Date and Distribution Date

Beginning on or shortly before the record date for the distribution and continuing up to and including through the distribution date, ParentCo expects that there will be two markets in ParentCo common stock: a “regular-way” market and an “ex-distribution” market. ParentCo common stock that trades on the “regular-way” market will trade with an entitlement to CoalCo common stock distributed in the distribution. ParentCo common stock that trades on the “ex-distribution” market will trade without an entitlement to CoalCo common stock distributed in the distribution. Therefore, if you sell shares of ParentCo common stock in the “regular-way” market up to and including through the distribution date, you will be selling your right to receive shares of CoalCo common stock in the distribution. If you own ParentCo common stock at the close of business on the record date and sell those shares on the “ex-distribution” market up to and including through the distribution date, you will receive the shares of CoalCo common stock that you are entitled to receive pursuant to your ownership of shares of ParentCo common stock as of the record date.

Furthermore, beginning on or shortly before the record date for the distribution and continuing up to and including the distribution date, CoalCo expects that there will be a “when-issued” market in its common stock. “When-issued” trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. The “when-issued” trading market will be a market for CoalCo common stock that will be distributed to holders of ParentCo common stock on the distribution date. If you owned ParentCo common stock at the close of business on the record date for the distribution, you would be entitled to CoalCo common stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. You may trade this entitlement to shares of CoalCo common stock, without trading the ParentCo common stock you own, on the “when-issued” market. On the first trading day following the distribution date, “when-issued” trading with respect to CoalCo common stock will end, and “regular-way” trading will begin.

Conditions to the Distribution

The distribution will be effective at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 28, 2017, which is the distribution date, provided that the conditions set forth in the separation agreement have been satisfied (or waived by ParentCo in its sole and absolute discretion), including, among others:

 

   

the SEC declaring effective the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part; there being no order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement in effect; and no proceedings for such purposes having been instituted or threatened by the SEC;

 

   

the mailing of a notice of Internet availability of this information statement or this information statement to ParentCo stockholders;

 

   

the receipt by ParentCo of a private letter ruling from the IRS, which was received on October 16, 2017, and one or more opinions of its tax advisors, in each case satisfactory to the ParentCo Board of Directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and distribution, including, with respect to the opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, to the effect that the distribution will be a transaction described in Section 355(a) of the Code;

 

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the internal reorganization having been completed and the transfer of assets and liabilities of the Coal Business from ParentCo to CoalCo, and the transfer of assets and liabilities of the Gas Business from CoalCo to ParentCo, having been completed in accordance with the separation and distribution agreement;

 

   

the receipt of one or more opinions from an independent appraisal firm to the ParentCo Board of Directors as to the solvency of ParentCo and CoalCo after the completion of the distribution, in each case in a form and substance acceptable to the ParentCo Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion;

 

   

all actions necessary or appropriate under applicable U.S. federal, state or other securities or blue sky laws and the rule and regulations thereunder having been taken or made and, where applicable, having become effective or been accepted;

 

   

the execution of certain agreements contemplated by the separation and distribution agreement;

 

   

no order, injunction or decree issued by any government authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the separation, the distribution or any of the related transactions being in effect;

 

   

the shares of CoalCo common stock to be distributed each having been accepted for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of distribution;

 

   

CoalCo having entered into the financing arrangements described under “Description of Material Indebtedness” and ParentCo being satisfied in its sole and absolute discretion that, as of the effective time of the distribution, it will have no further liability under such arrangements;

 

   

ParentCo having received $425 million from CoalCo; and

 

   

no other event or development existing or having occurred that, in the judgment of ParentCo’s Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, makes it inadvisable to effect the separation, the distribution and the other related transactions.

ParentCo will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine (and change) the terms of, and whether to proceed with, the distribution and, to the extent it determines to so proceed, to determine the record date for the distribution and the distribution date, and the distribution ratio for CoalCo common stock. ParentCo will also have sole and absolute discretion to waive any of the conditions to the distribution. ParentCo does not intend to notify its stockholders of any modifications to the terms of the separation or distribution that, in the judgment of its Board of Directors, are not material. For example, the ParentCo Board of Directors might consider material such matters as significant changes to the distribution ratio and the assets to be contributed or the liabilities to be assumed in the separation. To the extent that the ParentCo Board of Directors determines that any modifications by ParentCo materially change the material terms of the distribution, ParentCo will notify ParentCo stockholders in a manner reasonably calculated to inform them about the modification as may be required by law, by, for example, publishing a press release, filing a current report on Form 8-K or circulating a supplement to this information statement.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

The payment of any dividends in the future, and the timing and amount thereof, is within the discretion of CoalCo’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors’ decision regarding the payment of dividends will depend on many factors, such as our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, debt service obligations, restrictive covenants in any existing debt facilities, industry practice, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant. Our ability to pay dividends will depend on our ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and on our access to the capital markets. We cannot guarantee that we will pay a dividend in the future or continue to pay any dividends if and when we commence paying dividends.

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2017 on a historical basis and on a pro forma basis to give effect to the pro forma adjustments included in our unaudited pro forma financial information. The information below is preliminary and is not necessarily indicative of what our capitalization would have been had the separation, distribution and related financing transactions been completed as of June 30, 2017. In addition, it is not indicative of our future capitalization. This table should be read in conjunction with “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements,” “Selected Historical Combined Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our combined financial statements and notes included in the “Index to Financial Statements” section of this information statement.

 

     June 30, 2017
     Actual   Pro Forma
As Adjusted
 
     (Amounts in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,739     $ 152,739  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt(1):

    

New Revolving Credit Facility(2)

            

AR Securitization Facility(2)

            

Term Loan A Facility

           100,000  

Term Loan B Facility

           400,000  

MEDCO Revenue Bonds

     102,865       102,865  

Senior Secured Notes(3)

           300,000  

CNXC Revolving Credit Facility(4)

     190,000        

Capital lease obligations (including current maturities)(5)

     13,473       13,575  

Miscellaneous Debt

     2,678       2,678  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Debt

     309,016       919,118  

Parent net investment / stockholders’ equity

    

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share

           280  

Additional paid-in capital

           628,316  

Parent net investment

     1,077,558        

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (393,471     (393,471
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total parent net investment, stockholder equity and other comprehensive loss

     684,087       235,125  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interest

     142,210       142,210  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity

     826,297       377,335  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 1,135,313     $ 1,296,453  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(1)

Actual and pro forma as adjusted amounts reflected before netting associated debt issuance costs and original issuance discount.

 

(2)

CoalCo anticipates that, upon the time of separation, it will have no outstanding borrowings under the New Revolving Credit Facility or AR Securitization Facility.

 

(3)

Assumes notes are issued at par.

 

(4)

On the date of separation, CoalCo anticipates entering into an intercompany loan with CNXC to provide a working capital facility previously provided by the CNXC Revolver.

 

(5)

Increases in capital leases related to vehicle leases associated with certain personnel becoming CoalCo employees in connection with the separation.

 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents the selected historical combined financial data for CoalCo, which we derived from our unaudited Combined Financial Statements and our audited Combined Financial Statements, which are included in the “Index to Financial Statements” section of this information statement.

The historical results do not necessarily indicate the results expected for any future period. To ensure a full understanding, you should read the selected historical combined financial data presented below in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the combined financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this information statement.

 

    Six Months
Ended June 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2017     2016     2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  
    (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)                                
(dollars in thousands)                                          

Statement of Income

Information:

Coal Sales

  $ 620,155     $ 476,726     $ 1,065,582     $ 1,289,036     $ 1,616,874     $ 1,357,319     $ 1,323,679  

Other Outside Sales:

    27,742       15,767       31,464       30,967       41,255       43,364       57,345  

Freight Revenue

    30,045       24,557       46,468       20,499       23,133       17,778       50,901  

Miscellaneous Other Income

    32,794       36,133       82,120       68,193       123,604       61,034       62,533  

Gain on Sale of Assets

    13,536       3,904       5,228       13,025       26,312       46,404       29,655  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

    724,272       557,087       1,230,862       1,421,720       1,831,178       1,525,899       1,524,113  

Net Income:

    98,690       22,785       50,450       317,421       290,952       313,773       367,959  

Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation Shareholder

    88,913       20,492       41,496       307,011       290,952       313,773       367,959  

Balance Sheet Data (at period end):

         

Total assets

  $ 2,626,610     $ 2,758,170     $ 2,687,434     $ 2,867,733     $ 3,092,374     $ 3,156,312     $ 3,104,767  

Total long-term debt

  $ 301,548     $ 299,629     $ 313,639     $ 286,526     $ 110,199     $ 108,332     $ 109,272  

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements presented below have been derived from CoalCo’s historical combined financial statements included in this information statement. While the historical combined financial statements reflect the past financial results of the Coal Business, these pro forma statements give effect to the separation of that business into an independent, publicly traded company, as described under “Summary—The Separation and Distribution.”

The Unaudited Pro Forma Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the six months ended June 30, 2017 have been prepared as though the spin-off occurred on January 1, 2016. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet at June 30, 2017 has been prepared as though the spin-off occurred on June 30, 2017. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements are for illustrative purposes only, and do not reflect what our financial position and results of operations would have been had the separation occurred on the dates indicated and are not necessarily indicative of our future financial position and future results of operations.

The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based on available information and assumptions our management believes are reasonable; however, such adjustments are estimates and may not prove to be accurate. The

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements have been derived from our historical combined financial statements included in this information statement and include certain adjustments to give effect to events that are (i) directly attributable to the spin-off and related transaction agreements, (ii) factually supportable, and (iii) with respect to the statements of income, expected to have a continuing impact on CoalCo.

The pro forma adjustments to reflect the separation include:

 

   

The tax-free distribution, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of shares of our common stock to ParentCo stockholders, at a ratio of one share of our common stock for every eight ParentCo common shares outstanding as of the record date for the distribution, and the resulting elimination of CoalCo’s historical parent net investment;

 

   

the effect of our anticipated post-separation capital structure, which includes the issuance of approximately $800 million of additional indebtedness as described in this information statement;

 

   

the distribution of $425 million to ParentCo;

 

   

the transfers of certain corporate and other assets and liabilities comprising the Coal Business between us and ParentCo; and

 

   

the impact of, and transactions contemplated by, the separation and distribution agreement, including the transition services agreement, tax matters agreement, employee matters agreement, intellectual property matters agreement and other agreements between us and ParentCo and the provisions contained therein.

Historically, ParentCo has charged its operating subsidiaries for various corporate costs incurred in the operation of the business. These costs may not be representative, either positively or negatively, of the future costs we will incur as an independent, public company. Effective with the separation, we will assume responsibility for all corporate functions and related costs. Certain of these activities will continue to be performed by ParentCo under a transition service agreement for a limited period of time. We will incur incremental costs as an independent public company, including costs to replace services previously provided by ParentCo, as well as other stand-alone costs. Due to the scope and complexity of these activities, the amount and timing of these incremental costs could vary and, therefore, are not included as adjustments within the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements.

As part of our transition to being a stand-alone public company we will incur separation costs related to the following:

 

   

finance, tax and other professional costs pertaining to the spin-off and establishing us as a stand-alone public company;

 

   

costs to separate our information systems from ParentCo; and

 

   

other separation costs.

We have not adjusted the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income for these estimated separation costs as the costs are not expected to have an ongoing effect on our operating results.

Due to the scope and complexity of these activities, the amount of these costs could increase or decrease materially and the timing of incurrence could change.

As a result of the separation and distribution, we will become subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We will be required to establish procedures and practices as a standalone public company in order to comply with our obligations under those laws and the related rules and regulations. Any change in costs or expenses associated with operating as a standalone company would constitute projected amounts based on estimates and, therefore, are not factually supportable; as such, the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements have not been adjusted for any such estimated changes.

 

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The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our historical combined financial statements, “Capitalization” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this information statement. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements constitute forward-looking information and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. See “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this information statement.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

    Historical
Predecessor
    Pro Forma Adjustments           Total
Pro Forma
       
      Financing
Adjustments
          Spin-Off
Adjustments
               

Revenue and Other Income:

             

Coal Sales

  $     620,155     $     —       $       $     620,155    

Other Outside Sales

    27,742                       27,742    

Freight Revenue

    30,045                       30,045    

Miscellaneous Other Income

    32,794                   (6,438     (b)       26,356    

Gain on Sale of Assets

    13,536                       13,536    
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total Revenue and Other Income

    724,272               (6,438       717,834    

Costs and Expenses:

             

Operating and Other Costs

    452,876               (756     (b)       452,120    

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

    78,261               242       (b)       78,503    

Freight Expense

    30,045                       30,045    

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

    37,417                       37,417    

Interest Expense

    7,966       33,233       (f)               41,199    
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total Costs And Expenses

    606,565       33,233         (514       639,284    

Earnings Before Income Tax

    117,707       (33,233       (5,924       78,550    

Income Tax

    19,017       (12,845     (g)       (2,289     (g)       3,883    
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Net Income

    98,690       (20,388       (3,635       74,667    

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

    9,777                       9,777    
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   
Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation Shareholder   $ 88,913     $     (20,388     $ (3,635     $ 64,890    
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Net Income per Share:

             

Basic and Diluted

            $ 2.31       (h

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:

             

Basic and Diluted

              28,046,220       (h

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

            Pro Forma Adjustments               
     Historical
Predecessor
     Financing
Adjustments
           Spin-Off
Adjustments
           Total
Pro Forma
 

Revenue and Other Income:

               

Coal Sales

   $     1,065,582      $     —        $        $     1,065,582  

Other Outside Sales

     31,464                          31,464  

Freight Revenue

     46,468                          46,468  

Miscellaneous Other Income

     82,120                     (9,306     (b)        72,814  

Gain on Sale of Assets

     5,228                          5,228  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

     1,230,862                 (9,306        1,221,556  

Costs and Expenses:

               

Operating and Other Costs

     877,177                 (1,164     (b)        876,013  

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     178,122                 439       (b)        178,561  

Freight Expense

     46,468                          46,468  

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

     50,027                 17       (b)        50,044  

Interest Expense

     14,053        67,365       (f)                 81,418  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Costs And Expenses

     1,165,847        67,365          (708        1,232,504  

Earnings Before Income Tax

     65,015        (67,365        (8,598        (10,948

Income Tax

     14,565        (26,037     (g)        (3,323     (g)        (14,795
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Income

     50,450        (41,328        (5,275        3,847  

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

     8,954                          8,954  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation Shareholder

   $ 41,496      $ (41,328      $ (5,275      $ (5,107
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Income per Share:

               

Basic and Diluted

                $ (0.18 )(h) 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:

               

Basic and Diluted

                  28,046,220  (h) 

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

AS OF JUNE 30, 2017

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

    Historical
Predecessor
    Pro Forma Adjustments   Total
Pro Forma
 
      Financing
Adjustments
        Spin-Off
Adjustments
       

ASSETS

           

Current Assets:

           

Cash and Cash Equivalents

  $ 6,739     $ 146,000     (a)(d)   $       $ 152,739  

Trade Accounts Receivable

    107,028                       107,028  

Other Receivables

    17,445               2,835     (b)     20,280  

Other Receivables - Related Party

    32                       32  

Inventories

    60,286                       60,286  

Prepaid Expenses

    12,364               (44   (b)     12,320  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

    203,894       146,000         2,791         352,685  

Property, Plant and Equipment:

           

Property, Plant and Equipment

    4,613,940               (11,626   (b)     4,602,314  

Less—Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

    2,495,546               3,935     (b)     2,499,481  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Property, Plant and Equipment—Net

    2,118,394               (15,561       2,102,833  

Other Assets:

           

Other Assets

    111,759       7,000     (a)     14,965     (b)     133,724  

Deferred Tax Asset

    192,563                       192,563  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Other Assets

    304,322       7,000         14,965         326,287  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 2,626,610     $ 153,000       $ 2,195       $ 2,781,805  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

           

Current Liabilities:

           

Accounts Payable

  $ 72,263     $       $ 327     (b)   $ 72,590  

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

    3,643               54     (b)     3,697  

Other Accrued Liabilities

    283,393               6,278     (b)     295,359  
          5,688     (c)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

    359,299               12,347         371,646  

Long-Term Debt:

           

Long-Term Debt

    291,344       580,708     (a)             872,052  

Capital Lease Obligations

    10,204               48     (b)     10,252  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Debt

    301,548       580,708         48         882,304  

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

           

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

    652,206                       652,206  

Pneumoconiosis Benefits

    107,321                       107,321  

Asset Retirement Obligations

    228,576               139     (b)     228,715  

Workers’ Compensation

    64,689                       64,689  

Salary Retirement

    72,529                       72,529  

Other

    14,145               10,915     (b)     25,060  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

    1,139,466               11,054         1,150,520  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

    1,800,313       580,708         23,449         2,404,470  

Equity:

           

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share

                  280     (e)     280  

Additional paid-in capital

                  628,316     (e)     628,316  

Parent Net Investment

    1,077,558       (427,708   (a)(d)     (644,162   (b)(e)      
          (5,688   (c)  

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

    (393,471                     (393,471
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Parent Net Investment and Other Comprehensive Income

    684,087       (427,708       (21,254       235,125  

Noncontrolling Interest

    142,210                       142,210  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY

    826,297       (427,708       (21,254       377,335  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

  $ 2,626,610     $ 153,000       $ 2,195       $ 2,781,805  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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Note 1: Basis of Pro Forma Presentation

In December 2016, ParentCo announced its intention to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies: a coal company and a natural gas exploration and production (E&P) company. The coal company will include our PAMC, our ownership interest in CNXC, our marine terminal at the Port of Baltimore, our undeveloped coal reserves located in the Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian and Illinois basins and certain related coal assets and liabilities (collectively, the Coal Business). CoalCo was formed in Delaware on June 21, 2017 for the purpose of holding ParentCo’s Coal Business. The spin-off transaction, which is expected to be tax-free to ParentCo stockholders, will be effected through a pro rata distribution of our stock to existing ParentCo stockholders. Immediately following the distribution, ParentCo stockholders will own 100 percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock. After the spin-off, we will operate as an independent, publicly traded company. Unless otherwise indicated or except where the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us” or “our” refer to CONSOL Mining Corporation, which will be renamed CONSOL Energy Inc., in connection with the separation. ParentCo will be renamed CNX Resources Corporation in connection with the separation.

In connection with the spin-off, among other things, we intend to consummate the financing transactions as described in more detail in Note 2: The Spin-Off Transactions, below.

The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements are based on our historical combined financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this information statement, and have been prepared to reflect the spin-off and related transactions, including the incurrence of indebtedness of approximately $800 million represented by the notes and borrowings under our new senior secured credit facilities. The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based on preliminary estimates, accounting judgments and currently available information and assumptions that management believes are reasonable. These adjustments are included only to the extent they are directly attributable to the spinoff and related transactions and the appropriate information is known and factually supportable.

Note 2: The Spin-Off Transactions

The Spin-Off

In connection with the spin-off, ParentCo will undergo an internal reorganization so as to facilitate, at the time of the separation, the transfer to us of certain employees, operations, assets and liabilities associated with ParentCo’s coal operations and certain other current and former businesses and activities of ParentCo. In addition, at the time of separation we will transfer certain assets and liabilities to ParentCo mainly related to certain royalties, receivables and promissory notes that will not be conveyed to CoalCo in connection with the separation.

Financing Transactions

In connection with the spin-off, we expect to complete certain financing transactions on or prior to the completion of the spin-off, including the repayment of certain existing indebtedness (Financing Transactions).

 

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The following tables summarize the anticipated sources and expected uses of proceeds in connection with the Financing Transactions, as if they had occurred as of June 30, 2017. The actual amounts set forth in the table and in the accompanying footnotes are subject to adjustment and may differ at the time of the consummation of the Financing Transactions depending on several factors, including, among others, fluctuations in indebtedness between June 30, 2017 and the actual closing dates of the Financing Transactions, payments of accrued interest subsequent to June 30, 2017, and differences from our estimated fees and expenses.

 

Sources

   Amount 
(in thousands)
    

Uses

   Amount 
(in thousands)
 

New TLA Facility

   $ 100,000     

Repay CNXC Revolver

   $ 190,000  

New TLB Facility

     400,000     

Cash transfer to ParentCo(1)

     425,000  

New Notes

     300,000     

Fees, costs and expenses(1)

     39,000  
     

Cash to balance sheet(1)(2)

     146,000  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total Sources

   $ 800,000      Total Uses    $ 800,000  
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

(1)

Subject to adjustment based on final relevant financing fees and expenses.

 

(2)

To be used for general corporate purposes.

Note 3: Pro Forma Adjustments

(a) To reflect the $190 million repayment of the CNXC Revolver, the write-off of $2.7 million of deferred financing fees associated with the CNXC Revolver and the entrance into the following debt agreements in connection with the spin-off:

(i) $100 million Term Loan A Facility (TLA Facility) with a four year maturity;

(ii) $400 million Term Loan B Facility (TLB Facility) with a five year maturity including a 2% original issuance discount;

(iii) $300 million revolving credit facility (Revolving Credit Facility) with a four year maturity, of which no amounts are expected to be outstanding as of the date of the separation;

(iv) $300 million second lien secured notes (Notes) with an eight year maturity; and

(v) a $100 million anticipated accounts receivable securitization facility (the AR Securitization Facility), of which no amounts are expected to be outstanding at the date of the separation.

Deferred financing fees associated with the TLA Facility, the TLB Facility, the new Revolving Credit Facility, AR Securitization Facility and the Notes were $7 million, $8.5 million, $6 million, $1 million and $8.5 million, respectively, and will be amortized over the respective terms of the agreements.

(b) In connection with the spin-off, ParentCo will transfer certain corporate and other assets and liabilities to us, including certain property, plant and equipment, and certain guarantees of ParentCo. In addition, we will transfer certain assets and liabilities to ParentCo mainly related to certain surface acres, royalties, receivables, accrued property taxes and promissory notes that will not be conveyed to or retained by CoalCo in connection with the separation. The revenues and expenses associated with the transfer of these assets and liabilities between CoalCo and ParentCo have been adjusted on the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements.

The separation and distribution, tax matters, transition services, employee matters and indemnification agreements have not been finalized, and the pro forma statements will be revised in future amendments to reflect the impact of those agreements, to the extent they are deemed material.

(c) Reflects the accrual of $5.7 million of transaction costs attributable to the separation and distribution transaction that are not already included in accrued expenses as of June 30, 2017. These are factually supportable because such amounts are based on reliable, documented evidence such as invoices for costs incurred to date and estimates from third-parties for additional costs to be incurred in connection with the spin-off. Such costs are

 

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non-recurring in nature and directly related to the separation and, therefore, are reflected as a reduction to equity and not included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income.

(d) To reflect the transfer of $425 million to ParentCo with the proceeds from the debt agreements discussed in (a).

(e) Reflects the elimination of net parent investment as a result of the anticipated post-separation capital structure. Upon the consummation of the separation and distribution, net parent investment will be eliminated and the newly issued equity will be allocated between common stock and additional paid-in-capital based on the number of shares of CoalCo common stock outstanding at the distribution date.

(f) To reflect the adjustment to interest expense, including the amortization of deferred financing fees associated with the new indebtedness to be entered into in connection with the closing of the spin-off and related transactions.

 

     For the
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2017
    For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

Elimination of historical interest expense – CNXC Revolver

   $ (4,961   $ (9,023

Commitment fees on Revolving Credit Facility and AR Securitization Facility

     1,050       2,100  

Interest on TLA Facility (1)

     2,875       5,750  

Interest on TLB Facility (1)

     14,500       29,000  

Interest on Notes (1)

     16,500       33,000  

Amortization of deferred financing fees – TLA Facility

     875       1,750  

Amortization of deferred financing fees – TLB Facility

     850       1,700  

Amortization of original issuance discount – TLB Facility

     138       275  

Amortization of deferred financing fees – Notes

     531       1,063  

Amortization of deferred financing fees – Revolving Credit Facility and AR Securitization Facility

     875       1,750  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total pro forma interest expense

   $ 33,233     $ 67,365  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

The adjustments to record interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016 are estimated based off the terms of the debt agreements described in Note 3(a) above. The adjustments to record interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016 are estimated by assuming interest rates of 5.75%, 7.25% and 11.00% for the TLA Facility, TLB Facility and the Notes, respectively. For each 0.125% change in estimated interest rates on the variable rate debt, interest expense would increase or decrease by approximately $0.3 million and $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016, respectively.

(g) Reflects the associated income tax benefit (expense) for all of the adjustments noted above. The income tax provision was based on the estimated federal and state statutory tax rate of 38.65% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016, respectively. We expect our effective rate in future years, however, to vary from these estimated statutory rates.

(h) The calculation of pro forma basic and diluted earnings per share and pro forma weighted-average shares outstanding for the period presented are based on the weighted-average number of shares of CoalCo outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016, adjusted for the assumed distribution ratio of one share of CoalCo common stock for every eight (8) shares of ParentCo common stock outstanding. This calculation may not be indicative of the dilutive effect that will actually result from CoalCo stock-based awards issued in connection with the adjustment of outstanding ParentCo stock-based awards or the grant of new stock-based awards. The number of dilutive shares of CoalCo common stock underlying CoalCo stock-based awards issued in connection with the adjustment of outstanding ParentCo stock-based awards will not be determined until after the distribution date.

 

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BUSINESS

All dollar amounts discussed in this section are in millions of U.S. dollars, except for per unit amounts, and unless otherwise indicated. This section discusses CoalCo’s business assuming the completion of all of the transactions described in this information statement, including the separation.

Our Company

CoalCo (CoalCo or the company) is a leading, low-cost producer of high-quality bituminous coal, focused on the extraction and preparation of coal in the Appalachian Basin. Our predecessors have been mining coal, primarily in the Appalachian Basin, since 1864. We are a leading producer of high-Btu thermal coal in the Northern Appalachian Basin and the eastern United States due to our ability to efficiently produce and deliver large volumes of high-quality coal at competitive prices, the strategic location of our mines, and the industry experience of our management team.

Coal from the PAMC is valued because of its high energy content (as measured in Btu per pound), relatively low levels of sulfur and other impurities, and strong thermoplastic properties that enable it to be used in metallurgical as well as thermal applications. We take advantage of these desirable quality characteristics and out extensive logistical network, which is directly served by both the Norfolk Southern and CSC railroads, to aggressively market our product to a broad base of strategically-selected, top-performing power plant customers in the eastern United States. We also capitalize on the operational synergies afforded by the CNX Marine Terminal to export our coal to thermal and metallurgical end-users in Europe, Asia, South America and Canada.

Our operations, including the PAMC and the CNX Marine Terminal, have consistently generated strong cash flows. As of December 31, 2016, the PAMC controls 766.7 million tons of high-quality Pittsburgh seam reserves, enough to allow for approximately 27 years of full-capacity production. In addition, we own or control approximately 1.6 billion tons in the form of greenfield reserves located in the Northern Appalachian (NAPP), the Central Appalachian (CAPP) and the Illinois Basins (ILB), which we believe could provide a solid growth platform in the future. CoalCo’s vision is to maximize cash flow generation through the safe, compliant and efficient operation of this core asset base, while strategically reducing debt, returning capital through share buybacks or dividends, and, when prudent, allocating capital toward compelling growth opportunities.

Our core businesses consist of our:

 

   

Pennsylvania Mining Operations: The PAMC, which includes the Bailey Mine, the Enlow Fork Mine and the Harvey Mine, has extensive high-quality coal reserves. We mine our reserves from the Pittsburgh No. 8 Coal Seam, which is a large contiguous formation of uniform, high-Btu thermal coal that is ideal for high productivity, low-cost longwall operations. The design of the PAMC is optimized to produce large quantities of coal on a cost-efficient basis. We are able to sustain high production volumes at comparatively low operating costs due to, among other things, the technologically advanced longwall mining systems, logistics infrastructure and safety. All of our mines utilize longwall mining, which is a highly automated underground mining technique that produces large volumes of coal at lower costs compared to other underground mining methods. We own a 75% undivided interest in PAMC, with the remaining 25% being owned by CNXC, as discussed below.

 

   

CNXC Ownership: Approximately 60% LP ownership and 100% GP ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources LP (CNXC), a growth-oriented master limited partnership formed by ParentCo to manage and further develop its active coal operations in Pennsylvania. At December 31, 2016, CNXC’s assets included a 25% undivided interest in, and full operational control over, PAMC.

 

   

CNX Marine Terminal: Through our subsidiary CNX Marine Terminal Inc. we provide coal export terminal services through the Port of Baltimore. The terminal can either store coal or load coal directly into vessels from rail cars. It is also one of the few terminals in the United States served by two railroads, Norfolk Southern Corporation and CSX Transportation Inc.

 

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Undeveloped Reserves: Ownership of approximately 1.6 billion tons of high-quality, undeveloped coal reserves located in the NAPP, the CAPP and the ILB.

A map showing the location of CoalCo’s significant properties is below:

 

LOGO

CoalCo defines itself through its core values which are:

 

   

Safety,

 

   

Compliance, and

 

   

Continuous Improvement.

These values are the foundation of CoalCo’s identity and are the basis for how management defines continued success. We believe CoalCo’s rich resource base, coupled with these core values, allows management to create value for the long-term. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects in its 2017 annual Energy Outlook that coal’s share of the U.S. electric power generation mix will rebound from 30% in 2016 to 32% in 2021, driven largely by rising gas prices and the prospects of a more favorable policy stance under the current U.S. presidential administration. We believe that the use of coal will continue for many years as a principal fuel sources for electricity in the United States. Additionally, we believe that as worldwide economies grow, the demand for electricity from fossil fuels will grow as well, resulting in expansion of worldwide demand for our coal.

CoalCo’s strategy is to increase stockholder value through the development and growth of its existing natural coal assets and participation in global coal markets.

CoalCo’s coal assets align with our long-term strategic objectives. Our current production, which includes the Bailey, Enlow Fork, and Harvey mines, can be sold domestically or abroad, as either thermal coal or high volatile

 

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metallurgical coal. These low-cost mines, with five longwalls, produce a high-Btu Pittsburgh-seam coal that is lower in sulfur than many Northern Appalachian coals. Our onsite logistics infrastructure at the preparation plant includes a dual-batch train loadout facility capable of loading up to 9,000 tons of coal per hour and 19.3 miles of track linked to separate Class I rail lines owned by Norfolk Southern and CSX, which enables us to simultaneously accommodate multiple unit trains and significantly increases our efficiency in meeting our customers’ transportation needs. Our ability to accommodate multiple unit trains allows for the seamless transition of locomotives from empty inbound trains to fully loaded outbound trains at our facility. These mines and their logistics infrastructure, along with our 100%-owned CNX Marine Terminal, which is served by both Norfolk Southern and CSX, will allow CoalCo to participate in the world’s thermal and metallurgical coal markets. The ability to serve both domestic and international markets with premium thermal and crossover metallurgical coal provides tremendous optionality.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe we are well-positioned to successfully execute our business strategies because of the following competitive strengths:

Focus on free cash flow generation supported by industry-leading margins and optimized production levels

We intend to continue our focus on maintaining high margins by optimizing production from our high-quality reserves and leveraging our extensive logistics infrastructure and broad market reach. The PAMC’s low-cost structure, high-quality product, favorable access to rail and port infrastructure, and diverse base of end-use customers allow it to move large volumes of coal at positive cash margins throughout a variety of market conditions. For example, despite challenging domestic market conditions in 2016, which caused total U.S. coal production to fall by 19% year-on-year, PAMC managed to grow production by 8%. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the PAMC generated an average cash margin per ton of $15.22 compared to the median cash margin per ton of $9.97 generated by other coal companies for domestic bituminous thermal coal operations, based on management review of publicly available data for the year ended December 31, 2016. Through our recent capital investment program, we have optimized our mining operations and logistics infrastructure to sustainably drive down our cash operating costs. Furthermore, our significant portfolio of multi-year, committed and priced contracts with our longstanding customer base will enhance our ability to sustain high margins in varied commodity price environments. We believe that these factors will help enable us to maintain higher margins per ton on average than our competitors and better position us to maintain profitability throughout commodity price cycles.

Extensive, High-Quality Reserve Base

The PAMC has extensive high-quality reserves of bituminous coal. We mine our reserves from the Pittsburgh No. 8 Coal Seam, which is a large contiguous formation of uniform, high-Btu coal that is ideal for high productivity, low-cost longwall operations. As of December 31, 2016, the PAMC included 766.7 million tons of proven and probable coal reserves that are sufficient to support at least 27 years of full-capacity production. The advantageous qualities of our coal enable us to compete for demand from a broader range of coal-fired power plants compared to mining operations in basins that typically produce coal with a comparatively lower heat content (ILB and PRB), higher sulfur content (ILB and most areas in NAPP) and higher chlorine content (certain areas of ILB). Our remaining reserves have an average as-received gross heat content of 12,970 Btu/lb (on an as-received basis), while production from the PRB, ILB, CAPP, and the rest of NAPP averages approximately 8,700 Btu/lb, 11,400 Btu/lb, 12,300 Btu/lb, and 12,400 Btu/lb, respectively (based on the average quality reported by EIA for U.S. power plant deliveries for the three years ended June 30, 2017). Moreover, our remaining reserves have an average sulfur content of 2.38% (on an as-received basis), while production from the Illinois Basin averages ~2.9% sulfur and production from the rest of NAPP averages ~3.3% sulfur (again based on EIA power plant delivery data for the three years ended June 30, 2017). With our high Btu content and low-cost structure, our 2016 total costs averaged $1.32 per mmBtu, which is lower than any monthly average Louisiana

 

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Henry Hub natural gas spot price during the past 20+ years, and provides a strong foundation for competing against natural gas even after accounting for differences in delivered costs and power plant efficiencies. In addition to the substantial reserve base associated with the PAMC, our 1.6 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves in NAPP, CAPP, and ILB feature both thermal and metallurgical reserves and provide additional optionality for organic growth or monetization as market conditions allow.

World-Class, Well-Capitalized, Low-Cost Longwall Mining Complex

Since 2006, we have invested over $2.0 billion at the PAMC ($1.4 billion of which has been invested in the past five years) to develop technologically advanced, large-scale longwall mining operations and related production and logistics infrastructure. We also have permanently sealed off 85 square miles of already-mined area, reducing the active areas of the mine to just 24.4 square miles and significantly limiting the area that we must ventilate and maintain. As a result, the PAMC is the most productive and efficient coal mining complex in NAPP, averaging 6.77 tons of coal production per employee hour in 2015-2016, compared to 4.94 tons of coal production per employee hour for other currently-operating NAPP longwall mines. As of June 30, 2017, productivity further increased to 7.43 tons of coal per employee hour, compared with an average of 5.24 tons per employee hour for all other currently-operating NAPP longwalls. We believe our substantial capital investment in the PAMC will enable us to maintain high production volumes, low operating costs and a strong safety and environmental compliance record, which we believe are key to supporting stable financial performance and cash flows throughout business and commodity price cycles. As a result, we expect to be able to mine the remaining 27+ years of reserves at the PAMC with only maintenance-of-production levels of capital expenditure.

Strategically Located Mining Operations with Advanced Distribution Capabilities and Excellent Access to Key Logistics Infrastructure

Our logistics infrastructure and proximity to coal-fired power plants in the eastern United States provide us with operational and marketing flexibility, reduce the cost to deliver coal to our core markets, and allow us to realize higher netback prices. We believe that we have a significant transportation cost advantage compared to many of our competitors, particularly producers in the ILB and PRB, for deliveries to customers in our core markets and to East Coast ports for international shipping. For example, based on publicly available data and internal estimates, we believe that the transportation cost advantage from our mines compared to ILB mines (not accounting for Btu differences) is approximately $3 to $8 per ton for coal delivered to foreign consumers in Europe and India, $4 to $8 per ton for coal delivered to domestic customers in the Carolinas, and an even more pronounced cost advantage for coal delivered to domestic customers in the mid-Atlantic states. Our ability to accommodate multiple unit trains at the Bailey Central Preparation Plant, which includes a dual-batch loadout facility capable of loading up to 9,000 tons of clean coal per hour and 19.3 miles of track with three sidings, allows for the seamless transition of locomotives from empty inbound trains to fully loaded outbound trains at our facility. Furthermore, the PAMC has among the best access to export infrastructure in the United States. Through our 100%-owned CNX Marine Terminal, served by both the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads, we are able to participate in the world’s seaborne coal markets with premium thermal and crossover metallurgical coal, providing tremendous optionality.

Strong, Well-Established Customer Base Supporting Contractual Volumes

We have a well-established and diverse blue chip customer base, comprised primarily of domestic electric-power-producing companies located in the eastern United States. We have had success entering into multi-year coal sales agreements with our customers due to our longstanding relationships, reliability of production and delivery, competitive pricing and high coal quality. About 90% of our sales in 2016 were to customers that were in our 2015 portfolio, and each of our top 15 domestic power plant customers in 2016 have been in our portfolio for at least three consecutive years. In addition, to mitigate our exposure with respect to coal-fired power plant retirements, we have strategically developed our customer base to include power plants that are economically positioned to continue operating for the foreseeable future and that are equipped with state-of-the-art environmental controls. In 2016, approximately 4% of our total sales were to domestic power plant customers that have announced plans to retire between 2017 and 2023. Moreover, none of our top 15 customer plants,

 

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which accounted for 82% of our domestic power plant shipments in 2016, have announced plans to retire. These top 15 plants operated at a 15% higher capacity factor than other NAPP rail-served plants in 2016, highlighting their economic competitiveness even in a challenging power market. Since 2011, the Company has increased its market share at the Company’s top 15 customer plans from 12% to 32%. In addition to our robust domestic customer base, we also have favorable access to seaborne coal markets through our long-standing commercial relationship with a leading coal trading and brokering company that maintains a broad market presence with foreign coal consumers. We have consistently exported 3.4 to 5.6 million tons of PAMC coal to the seaborne thermal and crossover metallurgical markets in each year since 2011, which represents approximately 20% of annual sales volume.

Highly Experienced Management Team and Operating Team

Our management and operating teams have (i) significant expertise owning, developing and managing complex thermal and metallurgical coal mining operations, (ii) valuable relationships with customers, railroads and other participants across the coal industry, (iii) technical wherewithal and demonstrated success in developing new applications and customers for our coal products, in both the thermal and metallurgical markets, and (iv) a proven track record of successfully building, enhancing and managing coal assets in a reliable and cost-effective manner throughout all parts of the commodity cycle. We intend to leverage these qualities to continue to successfully develop our coal mining assets while efficiently and flexibly managing our operations to maximize operating cash flow.

Our Strategy

Our strategy is to safely and compliantly operate our assets to increase shareholder value through the execution of our strategic objectives:

Selectively pursue growth opportunities that maximize shareholder value by capitalizing on synergies with our assets and expertise

We plan to judiciously direct the cash generated by our operations toward those opportunities that present the greatest potential for value creation to our shareholders, particularly those that take advantage of synergies with our asset base and/or with the expertise of our management team. To effectuate this, we plan to regularly and rigorously evaluate opportunities both for organic growth and for acquisitions, joint ventures, and other business arrangements in the coal industry and related industries that complement our core operations. In addition, our ownership interest in CNXC provides us with a unique vehicle for generating cash and raising capital, through the potential future drop down of assets into CNXC, which if utilized will allow us to generate cash to assist in the execution of our growth strategy. Both the PAMC and our Greenfield Reserves present the potential for organic growth projects if long-term market conditions are favorable. For example, we are currently evaluating a project to improve the recovery and processing of fine coal from the Bailey Central Preparation Plant, which has the potential to add up to 1.5 million tons per year of additional clean coal production without additional mining of raw tons. Moreover, the Harvey Mine’s existing infrastructure, including its bottom development, slope belt, and material handling system, is able to support an additional permanent longwall mining system with moderate additional capital investment in mining equipment. Such an investment would further increase the annual production capacity of the PAMC by 5 million tons. Our Greenfield Reserves associated with the Mason Dixon and River Mine projects present additional organic growth opportunities in NAPP, and our Greenfield Reserves associated with the Itmann Mine, Martinka Mine, and Birch Mine provide actionable organic growth opportunities in the metallurgical coal space, should market conditions warrant. Our management team has extensive experience in developing, operating and marketing a wide variety of coal assets previously owned by ParentCo, and is well-qualified to evaluate organic and external growth opportunities. We intend to prudently use our interest in CNXC to benefit our growth strategy, and plan to carefully weigh any capital investment decisions against alternate uses of the cash to help ensure we are delivering the most value to our shareholders.

 

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Continue to grow our share at top-performing rail-served power plants in our core market areas, while opportunistically pursuing export and crossover metallurgical opportunities

We plan to seek to minimize our market risk and maximize realizations by continuing to focus on selling coal to strategically-selected, top-performing, rail-served power plants located in our core market areas in the eastern United States. Our top 15 power plant customers in 2016 have consistently consumed more than 50 million tons of coal per year in each of the past five years, have operated at a greater capacity factor than other NAPP rail-served plants, and have not announced plans to retire. We have grown our share at these plants from 12% in 2011 to 32% in 2016, and we believe we can continue to grow this share by displacing less competitive supply from NAPP, CAPP, and other basins. We also plan to continue to work on identifying and penetrating new customer plants that we believe are aligned with our strategic objectives and would be a good fit for our coal. To this end, we tested PAMC coal at five new customer plants in 2016. While the majority of our production is directed toward our established base of domestic power plant customers, many of which are secured through annual or multi-year contracts, we also plan to continue to flexibly and opportunistically place a smaller portion of our production in shorter-term opportunities in the export and crossover metallurgical markets. These markets provide us with pricing upside when markets are strong and with volume stability when markets are weak. As of June 30, 2017, the PAMC is fully contracted for 2017. For 2018 and 2019, our contracted position as of October 9, 2017 is at 80% and 41%, respectively, assuming a 27 million ton coal sales volume. We believe our committed and contracted position is well-balanced in hedging against market downside risk while allowing us to continue to build out our portfolio strategically and opportunistically as the market evolves.

Drive operational excellence through safety, compliance, and continuous improvement

We intend to continue focusing on our core values of safety, compliance and continuous improvement. We operate some of the most productive, lowest-cost underground mines in the coal industry, while simultaneously setting some of the industry’s highest standards for safety and compliance. From 2013 through 2016, our Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reportable incident rate was approximately 42% lower than the national average underground bituminous coal mine incident rate. Furthermore, our MSHA significant and substantial (S&S) citation rate per 100 inspection hours was approximately 23.5% lower than the industry’s average MSHA S&S citation rate over the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2017. We believe that our focus on safety and compliance promotes greater reliability in our operations, which fosters long-term customer relationships and lower operating costs that support higher margins. Consistent with our core value of continuous improvement, we have improved our productivity from 5.69 tons per employee hour in 2014 to 7.52 tons per employee hour in 2016, and have reduced our cash costs of coal sold per ton by 22.6% over this same period. We intend to continue to grow the economic competiveness of our operations by proactively identifying, pursuing, and implementing efficiency improvements and new technologies that can drive down unit costs without compromising safety or compliance.

Ability to Grow Cash Flow through Drop-Downs into CNXC

Our controlling ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources LP provides us with a unique vehicle for generating cash and raising capital to pursue our growth strategy. Over time we may drop down assets into CNXC. We believe that such drop-downs, if utilized, would allow us to grow CNXC’s ability to make distributions and potentially increase the value of the units and incentive distribution rights of CNXC that we hold. Furthermore, the cash generated from these drop-downs could help us to accelerate the execution of our growth strategy. Finally, we believe that our different classes of securities (C-Corp and MLP) provide us with multiple options for accessing capital markets and taking advantage of the best available cost of capital at any given point in time. We believe this is a unique advantage for us compared to other companies in the coal industry.

 

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Detail Coal Operations.

Coal Reserves.

At December 31, 2016, CoalCo had an estimated 2.4 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves. As of December 31, 2016, the PAMC included 766.7 million tons of proven and probable coal reserves that are sufficient to support at least 27 years of full-capacity production. Reserves are the portion of the proven and probable tonnage that meet CoalCo’s economic criteria regarding mining height, preparation plant recovery, depth of overburden and stripping ratio. Generally, these reserves would be commercially mineable at year-end price and cost levels. Spacing of points of observation for confidence levels in reserve calculations is based on guidelines in U.S. Geological Survey Circular 891 (Coal Resource Classification System of the U.S. Geological Survey). Our estimates for proved reserves have the highest degree of geologic assurance. Estimates for proved reserves are based on points of observation that are equal to or less than 0.5 miles apart. Estimates for probable reserves have a moderate degree of geologic assurance and are computed from points of observation that are between 0.5 to 1.5 miles apart. An exception is made concerning spacing of observation points with respect to our Pittsburgh No. 8 coal seam reserves. Because of the well-known continuity of this seam, spacing requirements are 3,000 feet or less for proved reserves and between 3,000 and 8,000 feet for probable reserves.

CoalCo’s estimates of proven and probable coal reserves do not rely on isolated points of observation. Small pods of reserves based on a single observation point are not considered; continuity between observation points over a large area is necessary for proved or probable reserves. Estimates of the Company’s coal reserves have historically been calculated both by internal geologists and engineers employed by ParentCo, and independent third parties. Reserve estimates and evaluation processes are periodically audited by independent third parties to ensure accuracy. CoalCo’s proven and probable coal reserves fall within the range of commercially marketed coals in the United States. The marketability of coal depends on its value-in-use for a particular application, and this is affected by coal quality, such as sulfur content, ash and heating value. Modern power plant boiler design aspects can compensate for coal quality differences that occur. Therefore, any of CoalCo’s coals can be marketed for the electric power generation industry.

CoalCo’s proven and probable coal reserves include 87.0 million tons of undeveloped reserves that are classified as high-vol, mid-vol, or low-vol metallurgical coal. Additionally, the growth in worldwide demand for metallurgical coal allows some of our proven and probable coal reserves, currently classified as thermal coals but that possess certain qualities, to be sold as metallurgical coal. The extent to which we can sell thermal coals as crossover metallurgical coals depends upon a number of factors, including the quality characteristics of the reserve, the specific quality requirements and constraints of the end-use customer, and market conditions (which affect whether customers are compelled to substitute lower-quality crossover coals for higher-quality metallurgical coals in their blends to realize economic benefits). The addition of this cross-over market adds additional assurance to CoalCo that all of its proven and probable coal reserves are commercially marketable.

CoalCo assigns coal reserves to our mining complex. The amount of coal we assign to the mining complex generally is sufficient to support mining through the duration of our current mining permit. Under federal law, we must renew our mining permits every five years. All assigned reserves have their required permits or governmental approvals, or there is a high probability that these approvals will be secured. In addition, our mining complex may have access to additional reserves that have not yet been assigned. We refer to these reserves as accessible. Accessible reserves are proven and probable coal reserves that can be accessed by an existing mining complex, utilizing the existing infrastructure of the complex to mine and to process the coal in this area. Mining an accessible reserve does not require additional capital spending beyond that required to extend or to continue the normal progression of the mine, such as the sinking of airshafts or the construction of portal facilities.

Some reserves may be accessible by more than one mine because of the proximity of many of our mines to one another. In the table below, the accessible reserves indicated for a mine are based on our review of current mining plans and reflect our best judgment as to which mine is most likely to utilize the reserve. Assigned and

 

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unassigned coal reserves are proven and probable coal reserves which are either owned or leased. The leases have terms extending up to 30 years and generally provide for renewal through the anticipated life of the associated mine. These renewals are exercisable by the payment of minimum royalties. Under current mining plans, assigned reserves reported will be mined out within the period of existing leases or within the time period of probable lease renewal periods.

Mining Complexes

Bailey Mine. The Bailey mine is the first mine that CONSOL Energy developed at the Pennsylvania mining complex. As of December 31, 2016, the Bailey mine’s assigned and accessible reserve base contained an aggregate of 259.7 million tons of clean recoverable proven and probable coal with an average as-received gross heat content of approximately 12,900 Btus per pound and an approximate average pounds of SO 2 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) of 4.2. While operating two longwalls, the production capacity of the Bailey mine is 11.5 million tons of coal per year. Construction of the slope and initial air shaft began in 1982. The slope development reached the coal seam at a depth of approximately 600 feet and, following development of the slope bottom, commercial coal production began in 1984. Longwall mining production commenced in 1985, and the second longwall was placed into operation in 1987. In 2010, a new slope and overland belt system was commissioned, which allowed a large percentage of the Bailey mine to be sealed off. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Bailey mine produced 12.1, 10.2 and 12.3 million tons of coal, respectively. The Bailey mine uses approximately seven continuous mining units to develop the mains and gate roads for its longwall panels. On average, the longwalls have a panel width (or face length) of approximately 1,500 feet, a panel length of approximately 12,000 feet and a seam height of approximately 7.5 feet.

Enlow Fork Mine. The Enlow Fork mine is located directly north of the Bailey mine. As of December 31, 2016, the Enlow Fork mine’s assigned and accessible reserve base contained an aggregate of 306.5 million tons of clean recoverable proven and probable coal with an average as-received gross heat content of approximately 13,000 Btus per pound and an approximate average lb SO2/mmBtu of 3.4. While operating two longwalls, the production capacity of the Enlow Fork mine is 11.5 million tons of coal per year. Initial underground development was started from the Bailey mine while the Enlow Fork slope was being constructed. Once the slope bottom was developed and the slope belt became operational, seals were constructed to separate the two mines. Following development of the slope bottom, commercial coal production began in 1989. Longwall mining production commenced in 1991 with the second longwall coming online in 1992. In 2014, a new slope and overland belt system was commissioned and a substantial portion of the Enlow Fork mine was sealed. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Enlow Fork mine produced 9.6, 9.0 and 10.6 million tons of coal, respectively. The Enlow Fork mine uses approximately seven continuous mining units to develop the mains and gate roads for its longwall panels. On average, the longwalls have a panel width (or face length) of approximately 1,500 feet, a panel length of approximately 12,000 feet and a seam height of approximately 7.8 feet.

Harvey Mine. The Harvey mine is located directly east of the Bailey and Enlow Fork mines. As of December 31, 2016, the Harvey mine’s assigned and accessible reserve base contained an aggregate of 200.5 million tons of clean recoverable proven and probable coal with an average as-received gross heat content of approximately 12,900 Btus per pound and an approximate average lb SO2/mmBtu of 3.5. While operating one longwall, the production capacity of the Harvey mine is 5.5 million tons of coal per year. Similar to the Enlow Fork mine, the Harvey mine was developed off of the Bailey mine’s slope bottom. Once the slope for the Harvey mine was placed into operation, seals were built to separate the two mines, and the original slope was dedicated solely to the Harvey mine, which eliminated the need to make significant capital expenditures to develop, among other things, a new slope, air shaft and portal facility. Development of the Harvey mine began in 2009, and construction of the supporting surface facilities commenced in 2011. Longwall mining production commenced in March 2014. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Harvey mine produced 3.0, 3.6 and 3.2 million tons of coal, respectively. The Harvey mine uses approximately four continuous mining units to develop the mains and gate roads for its longwall panels. The longwall has a panel width (or face length) of approximately 1,500 feet, a panel length of approximately 15,000 feet and a seam height of approximately 6.3

 

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feet. The Harvey mine’s existing infrastructure, including its bottom development, slope belt and material handling system, has the capacity to add one incremental permanent longwall mining system with additional mine development and capital investment.

The following table provides the location of CoalCo’s active mining complexes and the coal reserves associated with each operation.

 

Proven and Probable Assigned and Accessible Coal Reserves as of December 31, 2016 and 2015
    Preparation
Facility
Location
  Reserve
Class
  Coal
Seam
  Average
Seam
Thickness
(feet)
  As Received Heat
Value(1)
(Btu/lb)
  Recoverable Reserves(2)
              Owned
(%)
  Leased
(%)
  Tons in
Millions

Mine/
Reserve

          Typical   Range       12/31/2016   12/31/2015

ASSIGNED–OPERATING

PA Mining Operations

Bailey

  Enon, PA   Assigned Operating   Pittsburgh   7.5   12,950   12,860 –

13,030

  43%   57%   89.0   101.1
    Accessible   Pittsburgh   7.5   12,910   12,700 –

13,170

  78%   22%   170.7   170.7

Harvey

  Enon, PA   Assigned Operating   Pittsburgh   6.3   13,040   12,920 –

13,160

  86%   14%   20.4   23.4
    Accessible   Pittsburgh   7.6   12,900   12,840 –

13,130

  99%   1%   180.1   180.1

Enlow Fork

  Enon, PA   Assigned Operating   Pittsburgh   7.8   12,980   12,820 –

13,190

  99%   1%   31.2   10.9
    Accessible   Pittsburgh   7.6   13,040   12,780 –

13,180

  76%   24%   275.3   305.3
                 

 

 

 

Total Assigned Operating and Accessible

  766.7   791.5
                 

 

 

 

                 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The heat values shown for Assigned Operating reserves are based on the 2016 actual quality and five-year forecasted quality for each mine/reserve, assuming that the coal is washed to an extent consistent with normal full-capacity operation of the complex’s preparation plant. Actual quality is based on laboratory analysis of samples collected from coal shipments delivered in 2016. Forecasted quality is derived from exploration sample analysis results, which have been adjusted to account for anticipated moisture and for the effects of mining and coal preparation. The heat values shown for Accessible Reserves are based on as received, dry values obtained from drill hole analyses, adjusted for moisture, and prorated by the associated Assigned Operating product values to account for similar mining and processing methods.

 

(2)

Recoverable reserves are calculated based on the area in which mineable coal exists, coal seam thickness, and average density determined by laboratory testing of drill core samples. This calculation is adjusted to account for coal that will not be recovered during mining and for losses that occur if the coal is processed after mining. Reserves tons are reported on an as-received basis, based on the anticipated product moisture. Reserves are reported only for those coal seams that are controlled by ownership or leases.

 

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The following table sets forth our unassigned proven and probable coal reserves by region:

 

CoalCo Unassigned Recoverable Coal Reserves as of December 31, 2016 and 2015  
            Recoverable Reserves(2)      Recoverable
Reserves
(Tons in
Millions)
12/31/2015
 

Coal Producing Region

   As Received Heat
Value(1) (Btu/lb)
     Owned
(%)
     Leased
(%)
     Tons in
Millions
12/31/2016
    

Northern Appalachia (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Northern West Virginia) (3)

     11,400 – 13,400         85%         15%         1,054.0         1,054.4   

Central Appalachia (Virginia, Southern West Virginia)

     12,400 – 14,100         77%         23%         157.2         260.0   

Illinois Basin (Illinois, Western Kentucky, Indiana)

     11,600 – 12,000         79%         21%         348.7         396.1   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

        83%         17%             1,559.9             1,710.5   
           

 

 

    

 

 

 
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

The heat value (gross calorific values) estimates for Northern Appalachian and Central Appalachian Unassigned coal reserves include adjustments for moisture that may be added during mining or processing as well as for dilution by rock lying above or below the coal seam. The heat value estimates for the Illinois Basin Unassigned reserves are based primarily on exploration drill core data that may not include adjustments for moisture added during mining or processing, or for dilution by rock lying above or below the coal seam.

 

(2)

Recoverable reserves are calculated based on the area in which mineable coal exists, coal seam thickness, and average density determined by laboratory testing of drill core samples. This calculation is adjusted to account for coal that will not be recovered during mining and for losses that occur if the coal is processed after mining. Reserve calculations do not include adjustment for moisture that may be added during mining or processing, nor do the calculations include adjustments for dilution from rock lying above or below the coal seam. Reserves are reported only for those coal seams that are controlled by ownership or leases.

 

(3)

140.8 Million tons of the Northern Appalachia leased tons are controlled by Consolidation Coal Company, a former subsidiary of ParentCo that was sold in December 2013. As of filing these tons are still controlled by Consolidation Coal Company but are shown in CoalCo’s reserves due to a binding agreement that these tons will be released to CoalCo following consent of the lessor.

 

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The following table classifies CoalCo coals by rank, projected sulfur dioxide emissions and heating value (Btu per pound). The table also classifies bituminous coals as high, medium and low volatile which is based on fixed carbon and volatile matter.

 

 CoalCo Proven and Probable Recoverable Coal Reserves

By Product (In Millions of Tons) as of December 31, 2016

 
     £ 1.20 lbs.     > 1.20 £ 2.50 lbs.     > 2.50 lbs.              
     S02/MMBtu     S02/MMBtu     S02/MMBtu              
     Low     Med     High     Low     Med     High     Low     Med     High           Percent
By
 

By Region

   Btu     Btu     Btu     Btu     Btu     Btu     Btu     Btu     Btu     Total     Product  

Metallurgical(1):

                  

High Vol A Bituminous

     —        —        —        —        —        39.6        —        —        —        39.6        1.7%   

Med Vol Bituminous

     —        5.1        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        5.1        0.2%   

Low Vol Bituminous

     —        —        16.0        —        —        26.3        —        —        —        42.3        1.8%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Metallurgical

     —        5.1        16.0        —        —        65.9        —        —        —        87.0        3.7%   

Thermal(1):

                  

High Vol A Bituminous

     —        46.0        —        6.1        65.4        12.9        44.5        1,134.4        611.7        1,921.0        81.4%   

High Vol B Bituminous

     —        —        —        —        101.1        —        —        139.3        —        240.4        10.3%   

High Vol C Bituminous

     —        —        —        —        —        —        108.3        —        —        108.3        4.6%   

Low Vol Bituminous

     —        —        —        —        —        —        —        —        4.5        4.5        0.2%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Thermal

     —        46.0        —        6.1        166.5        12.9        152.8        1,273.7        616.2        2,274.2        96.3%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     —         51.1         16.0         6.1         166.5         78.8         152.8         1,273.7         616.2         2,361.2        100.0%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Percent of Total

         —     2.2 %       0.7 %       0.3 %       7.1 %       3.2 %       6.5 %       53.9 %       26.1 %       100.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(1)

143.3 Million tons for the Mason Dixon Project are controlled by Consolidation Coal Company, a former subsidiary of ParentCo that was sold in December 2013. As of this filing, these tons are still controlled by Consolidation Coal Company but are shown in CoalCo’s reserves due to a binding agreement that these tons will be released upon consent of the lessor.

Title to coal properties that we lease or purchase and the boundaries of these properties are verified by law firms retained by us at the time we lease or acquire the properties. Consistent with industry practice, abstracts and title reports are reviewed and updated approximately five years prior to planned development or mining of the property. If defects in title or boundaries of undeveloped reserves are discovered in the future, control of and the right to mine reserves could be adversely affected.

The following table sets forth, with respect to properties that we lease to other coal operators, the total royalty tonnage, acreage leased and the amount of income (net of related expenses) we received from royalty payments for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

 

Year

   Total
Royalty
Tonnage
(in thousands)
   Total
Coal
Acreage
Leased
   Total
Royalty
Income
(in thousands)
2016    3,530     213,371     $9,684 
2015    7,459     235,066     $14,914 
2014    10,230     281,894     $18,460 

Royalty tonnage leased to third parties is not included in the amounts of produced tons that we report. Proven and probable reserves do not include reserves attributable to properties that we lease to third parties.

Production

In the year ended December 31, 2016, 100% of CoalCo’s production came from underground mines equipped with longwall mining systems. CoalCo employs longwall mining systems in our underground mines where the geology is favorable and reserves are sufficient. Underground longwall systems are highly mechanized, capital

 

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intensive operations. Mines using longwall systems have a low variable cost structure compared with other types of mines and can achieve high productivity levels compared with those of other underground mining methods. Because CoalCo has substantial reserves readily suitable to these operations, CoalCo believes that these longwall mines can increase capacity at a low incremental cost.

The following table shows the production, in millions of tons, for CoalCo’s mines for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the location of each mine, the type of mine, the type of equipment used at each mine, method of transportation and the year each mine was established or acquired by us.

 

       Preparation                           Tons Produced      Year  
       Facility      Mine      Mining             (in millions)      Established  

Mine

     Location      Type      Equipment      Transportation      2016      2015      2014      or Acquired  

PA Mining Operations

                          

Bailey

 

     Enon, PA        U        LW/CM        R R/B        12.1         10.2         12.3         1984   

Enlow Fork

 

     Enon, PA        U        LW/CM        R R/B        9.6         9.0         10.6         1990   

Harvey(1)

 

     Enon, PA        U        LW/CM        R R/B        3.0         3.6         3.2         2014   
                 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

 

     24.7         22.8         26.1      
                 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

S

 

  

Surface

U

 

  

Underground

LW

 

  

Longwall

CM

 

  

Continuous Miner

S/L

 

  

Stripping Shovel and Front End Loaders

R

 

  

Rail

R/B

 

  

Rail to Barge

T

 

  

Truck

(1)

 

  

Completed development work and was placed in service in March 2014. Normalized for a full-year of production, tons produced for the Harvey mine in 2014 would have totaled an estimated 4.6 million tons, and tons produced across all three mines would have totaled an estimated 27.5 million tons.

Coal Marketing and Sales

The following table sets forth the Company produced tons sold and average sales price for the period indicated:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2016      2015      2014  

Company Produced Tons Sold (in millions)

     24.6         22.9         26.1   

Average Sales Price Per Ton Sold

   $             43.31       $             56.36       $             61.88   

We sell coal produced by our mines and additional coal that is purchased by us for resale from other producers. We maintain United States sales offices in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. In addition, we sell coal through agents and to brokers and unaffiliated trading companies. Approximately 75% of our 2016 coal sales were made to U.S. electric generators, 22% of our 2016 coal sales were priced on export markets and 3% of our coal sales were made to other domestic customers. We had sales to over 35 customers from our 2016 coal operations. During 2016, two customers each comprised over 10% of our coal sales, and the top four coal customers accounted for over 40% of our coal sales. Annual metallurgical coal revenues for the past three years ranged from $58.3 million to $74.7 million.

Coal Contracts and Pricing

We sell coal to an established customer base through opportunities as a result of strong business relationships, or through a formalized bidding process. Contract volumes range from a single shipment to multi-year agreements for millions of tons of coal. The average contract term is between one to three years. As a normal course of

 

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business, efforts are made to renew or extend contracts scheduled to expire. Although there are no guarantees, we generally have been successful in renewing or extending contracts in the past. For the year ended December 31, 2016, over 65% of all the coal we produced was sold under contracts with terms of one year or more.

CoalCo expects total Consolidated PA Mining Operations annual sales to be approximately 26.0-27.0 million tons for 2017 and 27.0 million tons for 2018. Coal pricing for contracts with terms of one year or less are generally fixed. Coal pricing for multiple-year agreements generally provide the opportunity to periodically adjust the contract prices through pricing mechanisms consisting of one or more of the following:

 

   

Fixed price contracts with pre-established prices;

 

   

Periodically negotiated prices that reflect market conditions at the time;

 

   

Price restricted to an agreed-upon percentage increase or decrease;

 

   

Base-price-plus-escalation methods which allow for periodic price adjustments based on inflation indices, or other negotiated indices; or

 

   

Netback pricing.

The volume of coal to be delivered is specified in each of our coal contracts. Although the volume to be delivered under the coal contracts is stipulated, the parties may vary the timing of the deliveries within specified limits. Coal contracts typically contain force majeure provisions allowing for the suspension of performance by either party for the duration of specified events. Force majeure events include, but are not limited to, unexpected significant geological conditions or natural disasters. Depending on the language of the contract, some contracts may terminate upon continuance of an event of force majeure that extends for a period greater than three to twelve months.

Of our 2016 sales tons, approximately 75% were sold to U.S. electric generators, 14% were priced on export thermal markets, 8% were priced on export metallurgical markets and 3% were sold to other domestic customers. In 2016 we derived greater than 10% of our total coal sales revenue from two customers: Duke Energy Corporation and GenOn Energy, Inc. As of December 31, 2016, we had approximately nine sales agreements with these customers that expire at various times between 2017 and 2018.

During the past three years, our average realization (sales price per ton sold) for coal produced from the PAMC decreased from $61.88/ton in 2014 to $56.36/ton in 2015 to $43.31/ton in 2016. However, our average realization has since rebounded from a low of $40.61/ton during the second quarter of 2016 to $46.80 during the first quarter of 2017. Pricing for our product depends strongly on conditions in the domestic thermal coal market, which accounted for at least 75% of our total sales volumes in each of 2014, 2015, and 2016.

The prices we are able to achieve in the domestic thermal market depend on a number of factors, including: (i) the supply-demand balance for Northern Appalachian coal, (ii) prices for other competing sources of energy used for electricity generation, such as natural gas, (iii) power prices in the regions we serve, (iv) prices for coals from other basins (including the Central Appalachian Basin, Illinois Basin, and Powder River Basin) that compete in these same regions, and (v) pricing under our longer-term contracts, which may have been entered into under different market conditions. For example, the 30% decrease in our average realization from 2014 to 2016 occurred during a period when Henry Hub spot natural gas prices decreased by 42%, from an average of $4.37/mmBtu in 2014 to an average of $2.52/mmBtu in 2016, putting pressure on power prices and on the demand for coal-fired electric power generation.

Moreover, abnormally mild weather during the winter of 2015-2016 disrupted the coal supply-demand balance and caused U.S. power plant coal inventories to swell, further pressuring domestic thermal pricing and demand. At the same time, imbalances in global supply and demand for coal caused substantial declines in pricing in the two other primary markets we serve – the export thermal market and the export metallurgical market – during the

 

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2014-2016 period. For example, prompt month API 2 index prices (the benchmark price reference for coal imported into northwest Europe) averaged about 32% lower during the first nine months of 2016 than they did during calendar year 2014, and quarterly global coking coal benchmark prices also averaged about 32% lower during the first nine months of 2016 than they did in calendar year 2014. Pricing in all three of our primary markets began to recover during the latter part of 2016, and by Q1 2017, both the API 2 and the global coking coal benchmark were above 2014 levels, and Henry Hub spot natural gas prices were up by just over $1/mmBtu vs. the year-ago quarter. This helped to drive the rebound in pricing for our coal noted above.

Distribution

Coal is transported from CoalCo’s mining operations to customers by railroad cars, trucks, vessels or a combination of these means of transportation. Most customers negotiate their own transportation rates and we employ transportation specialists who negotiate freight and equipment agreements with various transportation suppliers, including railroads, barge lines, terminal operators, ocean vessel brokers and trucking companies for certain customers.

Coal Competition

Both the domestic and international coal industries are highly competitive, with numerous producers selling into all markets that use coal. CoalCo competes against several other large producers and numerous small producers in the United States and overseas. Demand for our coal by our principal customers is affected by many factors including:

 

   

the price of competing coal and alternative fuel supplies, including nuclear, natural gas, oil and renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric power, wind or solar;

 

   

environmental and government regulation;

 

   

coal quality;

 

   

transportation costs from the mine to the customer;

 

   

the reliability of fuel supply;

 

   

worldwide demand for steel;

 

   

natural disasters/weather; and

 

   

political changes in international governments.

Continued demand for CoalCo’s coal and the prices that CoalCo obtains are affected by demand for electricity, technological developments, environmental and governmental regulation, and the availability and price of competing coal and alternative fuel supplies. We sell coal to foreign electricity generators which are significantly affected by international demand and competition.

CNX Coal Resources LP

In July 2015, CNX Coal Resources LP (CNXC) closed its initial public offering of 5,000,000 common units representing limited partnership interests at a price to the public of $15.00 per unit. The underwriters in the CNXC initial public offering exercised an over-allotment option to purchase and resell 561,067 common units to the public at $15.00 per unit. CNXC’s general partner is CNX Coal Resources GP LLC (the CNXC GP), which upon separation and distribution will be a wholly owned subsidiary of CoalCo.

In September 2016, CNXC and its wholly owned subsidiary, CNX Thermal Holdings LLC (CNX Thermal), entered into a Contribution Agreement with CONSOL Energy, Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC and

 

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Conrhein Coal Company (the Contributing Parties) under which CNX Thermal acquired an additional 5% undivided interest in and to the Pennsylvania Mine Complex, in exchange for (i) cash consideration in the amount of $21.5 and (ii) CNXC’s issuance of 3,956,496 Class A Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in CNXC at an issue price of $17.01 per Class A preferred Unit, or an aggregate $67.3 in equity consideration.

On October 2, 2017, ParentCo provided a conversion notice to CNXC with respect to all Class A Units owned by it, and thereafter caused all such Class A Units to convert, on a 1-to-1 ratio, into common units representing limited partner interests in CNXC.

Upon completion of the separation and distribution, CoalCo, or its subsidiaries, will hold all of ParentCo’s current ownership interest in CNXC, which consists of (i) 5,006,496 common units and 11,611,067 subordinated units (representing a 60.1 percent limited partnership interest), and (ii) 1.7% general partner interest and all incentive distribution rights (IDRs). Subordinated units are not entitled to any distribution from CNXC unless CNXC makes a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.4678 per Class A Preferred Unit and $0.5125 per common unit. CNXC made minimum distributions per subordinated unit equal to the distribution per common unit for five of the six quarters since CNXC’s IPO. CNXC did not meet the requirement for a subordinated unit distribution with respect to fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016. IDRs entitle the holder to receive increasing percentages, up to a maximum of 48%, of the available cash CNXC distributes from operating surplus in excess of $0.5894 per unit per quarter. The maximum distribution of 48% does not include any distributions that the CNXC GP or its affiliates may receive on common units, subordinated units, preferred units or the CNXC GP interest that they own. CNXC has entered into various agreements with ParentCo and certain of its affiliates, which generally will be assumed by CoalCo as part of the separation and distribution.

Terminal Services

In 2016, approximately 8.1 million tons of coal were shipped through CoalCo’s subsidiary, CNX Marine Terminals Inc.‘s, exporting terminal in the Port of Baltimore. Approximately 57% of the tonnage shipped was produced by CoalCo’s PA Mining Operations. The terminal can either store coal or load coal directly into vessels from rail cars. It is also one of the few terminals in the United States served by two railroads, Norfolk Southern Corporation and CSX Transportation Inc. CNX Marine Terminal has significant storage capacity of 1.1 million tons with more than thirty acres of capacity for stockpiles. The facility possesses extensive blending capabilities, and has handled over 10 million tons of coal per year on average since 2010, with a potential maximum throughput capacity of 15 million tons annually. Since mid-2016 CNX Marine Terminal has been operated as a standalone business, rather than a captive entity of ParentCo.

Non-Core Coal Assets and Surface Properties

CoalCo owns significant coal assets that are not in our short or medium term development plans. We continually explore the monetization of these non-core assets by means of sale, lease, contribution to joint ventures, or a combination of the foregoing in order to bring the value of these assets forward for the benefit of our stockholders.

Employee and Labor Relations

At December 31, 2016, CoalCo would have had 1,661 employees.

Laws and Regulations

Overview

Our coal mining operations are subject to various types of federal, state and local laws and regulations. Regulations relating to our operations include permitting and other licensing requirements; reclamation and restoration of properties after coal mining operations are completed; storage, transportation and disposal of

 

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materials used or generated by mining operations; the calculation, reporting and disbursement of taxes; surface subsidence from underground mining; discharge of water from coal mining operations; air quality standards; protection of wetlands; endangered plant and wildlife protection; and employee health and safety. Numerous governmental permits and approvals under these laws and regulations are required for mining operations. Lastly, the electric power generation industry is subject to extensive regulation regarding the environmental impact of its power generation activities, which could affect demand for our coal products.

Compliance with these laws has substantially increased the cost of mining of coal for all coal producers. We post surety performance bonds or letters of credit pursuant to federal and state mining laws and regulations for the estimated costs of reclamation and mine closing, often including the cost of treating mine water discharge. We endeavor to conduct our mining operations in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. However, because of extensive and comprehensive regulatory requirements against a backdrop of variable geologic and seasonal conditions, permit exceedances and violations during mining operations can and do occur. The possibility exists that new legislation or regulations may be adopted which would have a significant impact on our coal mining operations or our customers’ ability to use our coal and may require us or our customers to change their operations significantly or incur substantial costs.

CoalCo is committed to complying with all laws and regulations. This commitment is evident in CoalCo’s demonstrated cost and effort to abate and control pollution and/or contamination at its facilities. CoalCo made capital expenditures for environmental control facilities of approximately $0.6 million, $18.4 million, and $19.1 million in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. CoalCo does not expect to have any capital expenditures in 2017 for environmental control facilities.

Environmental Laws

Clean Air Act and Related Regulations. The federal Clean Air Act (CAA) and corresponding state laws and regulations regulate air emissions primarily through permitting and/or emissions control requirements, which affects coal mining, coal handling, and processing. We are required to obtain pre-approval for construction or modification of certain facilities, to meet stringent air permit requirements, or to use specific equipment, technologies or best management practices to control emissions. The CAA indirectly and significantly affects the U.S. coal industry by extensively regulating the air emissions of coal-fired electric power generating plants operated by our customers. Coal contains impurities, such as sulfur, mercury and other constituents, many of which are released into the air when coal is burned. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), a regulated GHG, is also emitted when coal is burned. Environmental regulations governing emissions from coal-fired electric generating plants increase the costs to operate and could affect demand for coal as a fuel source and affect the volume of our sales. Moreover, additional environmental regulations increase the likelihood that existing coal-fired electric generating plants will be decommissioned, including plants to which CoalCo sells coal to, and reduce the likelihood that new coal-fired plants will be built in the future.

In early 2012, the EPA promulgated or finalized several rules for New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for coal- and oil- fired power plants which also have a negative effect on coal-generating facilities. The Utility Maximum Control Technology (UMACT) rule requires more stringent NSPS for particulate matter (PM), SO 2 and nitrogen oxides (NOX) and the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule requires new mercury and air toxic standards. In November 2012, the EPA published a notice of reconsideration of certain aspects of the UMACT and MATS rules. Following reconsideration in April 2013 and again in April 2014, the EPA promulgated final UMACT and MATS rules in November 2014 at which point the standards become applicable to new power plants. The final rules have higher emission limits, but the standards are still stringent and compliance with the rules is expensive.

The CAA requires the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for certain pollutants and the CAA identifies two types of NAAQS. Primary standards provide public health protection, including protecting the health of “sensitive” populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly. Secondary standards

 

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provide public welfare protection, including protection against decreased visibility and damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings. On October 1, 2015, the EPA finalized the NAAQS for ozone pollution and reduced the limit to 70 parts per billion (ppb) from the previous 75 ppb standard. The final rule could have a large impact on the coal mining industry as states would be required to update their permitting standards to meet these potentially unachievable limits. Six states have now filed a petition for review in the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Further, the EPA announced in June 2017 that a related compliance deadline for the states has been extended one year, giving states more time to develop air quality plans.

On July 6, 2011, the EPA finalized a rule known as the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). CSAPR regulates cross-border emissions of criteria air pollutants such as SO 2 and NOX, as well as byproducts, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone by requiring states to limit emissions from sources that “contribute significantly” to noncompliance with air quality standards for the criteria air pollutants. If the ambient levels of criteria air pollutants are above the thresholds set by the EPA, a region is considered to be in “nonattainment” for that pollutant and the EPA applies more stringent control standards for sources of air emissions located in the region. In April 2014, the Supreme Court reversed a decision of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals that vacated the rule. Following remand and briefing, in October 2014 the D.C. Circuit Court of appeals granted a motion to lift a stay of the rule and allow the EPA to modify the CSAPR compliance deadline by three-years, setting the stage for issuance of the proposed rule. Implementation of CSAPR phase 1 began in 2015, with phase 2 beginning in 2017. On September 7, 2016, the EPA finalized an update to the CSAPR for the 2008 ozone NAAQS by issuing the final CSAPR update.

On March 27, 2012, the EPA published its proposed NSPS for CO 2 emissions from new coal-powered electric generating units. The proposed rule would have applied to new power plants and to existing plants that make major modifications. If the rule had been adopted as proposed, only new coal-fired power plants with CO 2 capture and storage (CCS) could have met the proposed emission limits. Commercial scale CCS is not likely to be available in the near future, and if available, it may make coal-fired electric generation units uneconomical compared to new gas-fired electric generation units. On January 8, 2014, the EPA re-proposed NSPS for CO 2 for new fossil fuel fired power plants and rescinded the rules that were proposed on April 12, 2012.

On September 20, 2013, the EPA issued a new proposal to control carbon emissions from new power plants. Under the CPP proposal, the EPA would establish separate NSPS for CO 2 emissions for natural gas-fired turbines and coal-fired units. The proposed “Carbon Pollution Standard for New Power Plants” replaces the earlier proposal released by the EPA in 2012. On August 3, 2015, the EPA finalized the Carbon Pollution Standards to cut carbon emissions from new, modified and reconstructed power plants, which would have become effective on October 23, 2015.

On June 2, 2014, the EPA proposed additional CPP regulations to cut carbon emissions from existing power plants. Under this proposed rule, the EPA would create emission guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to address GHG emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units. Specifically, the EPA is proposing state-specific rate-based goals for CO 2 emissions from the power sector, as well as guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to achieve the state-specific goals.

On August 3, 2015, the EPA finalized the CPP Rule to cut carbon pollution from existing power plants, which would have become effective on December 22, 2015. Numerous petitions challenging the CPP Rule have been consolidated into one case, West Virginia v. EPA. While the litigation is still ongoing at the circuit court level, a mid-litigation application to the Supreme Court resulted in a stay of the CPP Rule. On September 27, 2016, an en banc panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard oral arguments in the case. The decision, originally expected in early 2017, has been stayed as a result of a March 28, 2017 executive order directing the EPA to begin the process of reviewing and possibly rescinding the CPP Rule. The EPA filed a motion and the motion was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit requesting the stay while the EPA conducts their review of the CPP Rule. If the review does not result in any rule changes, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will rule on the legality of the CPP Rule. On October 10, 2017, the EPA formally proposed repeal the CPP, which relies on a re-interpretation of CAA 111(d), on which the CPP was originally premised.

 

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The current Administration’s executive order promoting energy independence and economic growth issued on March 28, 2017 requires the review of existing regulations that potentially burden the development or use of domestically produced energy resources. The review of existing regulations may not result in any changes and any changes made to existing regulations may not produce the intended favorable results desired by the new Administration. The executive order also directed the Council on Environmental Quality to rescind its final guidance entitled, “Final Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Effects of Climate Change in National Environmental Policy Act Reviews.” The guidance previously directed agencies to consider proposed actions and their effects on climate change (GHG emissions would have been a key indicator being assessed under any NEPA review). Such review considerations may have created additional delays or costs in any NEPA review processes for energy producers and generators and may have prevented the acquisition of any necessary federal approvals for energy producers and generators.

Clean Water Act. The federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and corresponding state laws affect our coal operations by regulating discharges into surface waters. Permits requiring regular monitoring and compliance with effluent limitations and reporting requirements govern the discharge of pollutants into regulated waters. The CWA and corresponding state laws include requirements for: improvement of designated “impaired waters” (i.e., not meeting state water quality standards) through the use of effluent limitations; anti-degradation regulations which protect state designated “high quality/exceptional use” streams by restricting or prohibiting discharges; requirements to treat discharges from coal mining properties for non-traditional pollutants, such as chlorides, selenium and dissolved solids; requirements to minimize impacts and compensate for unavoidable impacts resulting from discharges of fill materials to regulated streams and wetlands; and requirements to dispose of produced wastes and other oil and gas wastes at approved disposal facilities. In addition, the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) requirements of the CWA apply to all CoalCo operations that use or produce fluids and require the implementation of plans to address any spills and the installation of secondary containment around all storage tanks. These requirements may cause CoalCo to incur significant additional costs that could adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and cash flows.

CoalCo requires certain surface structures for its processing of coal, placement of refuse, and transportation of materials through pipelines and above-ground conveyance systems. On April 21, 2014 the EPA published a proposed rule called “Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’ (WoUS) Under the Clean Water Act.” The proposal would expand the scope of the CWA to include previously non-jurisdictional streams, wetlands, and waters, making these areas jurisdictional inter-coastal waters of the U.S. In February 2015 the EPA and ACOE issued a memorandum of understanding to withdraw the WoUS Interpretive Rule. The EPA published the latest version of the WoUS rule (the Clean Water Rule) on June 29, 2015, which was to become effective on August 28, 2015. However, on August 27, 2015, the District Court of North Dakota blocked implementation of the rule in 13 states. On October 9, 2015, the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit blocked implementation of the rule nationwide. The U.S. Supreme Court will now decide which court has jurisdiction—federal appeals court or district courts. Oral arguments on the case have been scheduled for October 11, 2017. Meanwhile, the current Administration has announced that it is working to rescind and replace the rulemaking, reestablish the 1986 rule and implement the 2008 guidance, which is less onerous than the current rule being litigated.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and corresponding state laws and regulations affect coal mining by imposing requirements for the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes. Facilities at which hazardous wastes have been treated, stored or disposed of are subject to corrective action orders issued by the EPA that could adversely affect our financial results, financial condition and cash flows.

In 2010, the EPA proposed options for the regulation of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCRs) from the electric power sector as either hazardous waste or non-hazardous waste. On December 19, 2014, the EPA announced the first national regulations for the disposal of CCRs from electric utilities and independent power producers under RCRA. On April 17, 2015, the EPA finalized these regulations under the solid waste provisions (Subtitle D) of RCRA and not the hazardous waste provisions (Subtitle C) which became effective on October 19, 2015. The

 

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EPA affirms in the preamble to the final rule that “this rule does not apply to CCR placed in active or abandoned underground or surface mines.” Instead, “the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and the EPA will address the management of CCR in mine fills in a separate regulatory action(s).” On November 3, 2015, the EPA published the final rule Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards (ELG), revising the regulations for the Steam Electric Power Generating category which became effective on January 4, 2016. The rule sets the first federal limits on the levels of toxic metals in wastewater that can be discharged from power plants, based on technology improvements in the steam electric power industry over the last three decades. The combined effect of the CCR and ELG regulations has forced power generating companies to close existing ash ponds and will likely force the closure of certain older existing coal burning power plants that can’t comply with the new standards.

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act . The federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) establishes minimum national operational and reclamation standards for all surface mines, as well as most aspects of underground mines. SMCRA requires that comprehensive environmental protection and reclamation standards be met during the course of and following completion of mining activities. Permits for all mining operations must be obtained from the U.S. Office of Surface Mining (OSM) or, where state regulatory agencies have adopted federally approved state programs under SMCRA, the appropriate state regulatory authority. States that operate federally approved state programs may impose standards which are more stringent than the requirements of SMCRA and OSM’s regulations and in many instances have done so. Our active mining complexes are located in Pennsylvania which has primary jurisdiction for enforcement of SMCRA through its approved state program. In addition, SMCRA imposes a reclamation fee on all current mining operations, the proceeds of which are deposited in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund (AML Fund), which is used to restore unreclaimed and abandoned mine lands mined before 1977. The current per ton fee is $0.28 per ton for surface mined coal and $0.12 per ton for underground mined coal. These fees are currently scheduled to be in effect until September 30, 2021.

Federal and state laws require bonds to secure our obligations to reclaim lands used for mining and to satisfy other miscellaneous obligations. These bonds are typically renewable on a yearly basis. Surety bond costs have increased while the market terms of surety bonds have generally become less favorable. It is possible that surety-bond issuers may refuse to renew bonds or may demand additional collateral. Any failure to maintain, or inability to acquire, surety bonds that are required by state and federal laws would have a material adverse effect on our ability to produce coal, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.

Excess Spoil, Coal Mine Waste, Diversions, and Buffer Zones for Perennial and Intermittent Streams. The OSM has issued final amendments to regulations concerning stream buffer zones, stream channel diversions, excess spoil, and coal mine waste to comply with an order issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on February 20, 2014, which vacated the stream buffer zone rule that was published December 12, 2008. On July 27, 2015, the OSM published the proposed Stream Protection Rule (SPR). After much debate and thousands of comments, the final SPR was published by the OSM in the Federal Register on December 20, 2016. The final SPR requires the restoration of the physical form, hydrologic function, and ecological function of the segment of a perennial or intermittent stream that a permittee mines through. Additionally, it requires that the post-mining surface configuration of the reclaimed mine site include a drainage pattern, including ephemeral streams, similar to the pre-mining drainage pattern, with exceptions for stability, topographical changes, fish and wildlife habitat, etc. The rule also requires the establishment of a 100-foot-wide streamside vegetative corridor of native species (including riparian species, when appropriate) along each bank of any restored or permanently-diverted perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral stream. This rulemaking was nullified by Congress under the Congressional Review Act in February 2017.

Health and Safety Laws

Mine Safety. Legislative and regulatory changes have required us to purchase additional safety equipment, construct stronger seals to isolate mined out areas, and engage in additional training. We have also experienced

 

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more aggressive inspection protocols and with new regulations the amount of civil penalties has increased. The actions taken thus far by federal and state governments include requiring:

 

   

the caching of additional supplies of self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) devices underground;

 

   

the purchase and installation of electronic communication and personal tracking devices underground;

 

   

the purchase and installation of proximity detection services on continuous miner machines;

 

   

the placement of refuge chambers, which are structures designed to provide refuge for groups of miners during a mine emergency when evacuation from the mine is not possible, which will provide breathable air for 96 hours;

 

   

the replacement of existing seals in worked-out areas of mines with stronger seals;

 

   

the purchase of new fire resistant conveyor belting underground;

 

   

additional training and testing that creates the need to hire additional employees;

 

   

more stringent rock dusting requirements; and

 

   

the purchase of personal dust monitors for collecting respirable dust samples from certain miners.

On October 2, 2015, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published proposed rules for underground coal mining operations concerning proximity detection systems for coal hauling machines and scoops. On January 15, 2015, MSHA published a final rule requiring underground coal mine operations to equip continuous mining machines, except full-face continuous mining machines, with proximity detection systems. The proximity detection system strengthens protection for miners by reducing the potential of pinning, crushing and striking hazards that result in accidents involving life-threatening injuries and death. The final rule became effective March 15, 2015 and included a phased in schedule for newly manufactured and in-service equipment. In 2010 MSHA rolled out the “End Black Lung, Act Now” initiative. As a result, MSHA implemented a new final rule on August 1, 2014 to lower miners’ exposure to respirable coal mine dust including using the new Personal Dust Monitor (PDM) technology. This final rule was implemented in three phases. The first phase began August 1, 2014 and utilizes the current gravimetric sampling device to take full shift dust samples from the current designated occupations and areas. It also requires additional record keeping and immediate corrective action in the event of overexposure. The second phase began February 1, 2016 and requires additional sampling for designated and other occupations using the new continuous personal dust monitor (CPDM) technology, which provides real time dust exposure information to the miner. The necessary CPDM equipment required to meet compliance with the new rule was ordered at a cost of $2 million. Dust Coordinators and Dust Technicians were also hired to meet the staffing demand to manage compliance with the new rule. The final phase of the rule was effective on August 1, 2016. when the current respirable dust standard was reduced from 2.0 to 1.5mg/m3 for designated occupations and from 1.0 to 0.5mg/m3 for Part 90 Miners.

Black Lung Legislation. Under federal black lung benefits legislation, each coal mine operator is required to make payments of black lung benefits or contributions to:

 

   

current and former coal miners totally disabled from black lung disease;

 

   

certain survivors of a coal miner who dies from black lung disease or pneumoconiosis; and

 

   

a trust fund for the payment of benefits and medical expenses to claimants whose last mine employment was before January 1, 1970, where no responsible coal mine operator has been identified

 

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for claims (where a coal miner’s last coal employment was after December 31, 1969), or where the responsible coal mine operator has defaulted on the payment of such benefits. The trust fund is funded by an excise tax on U.S. production of up to $1.10 per ton for deep mined coal and up to $0.55 per ton for surface-mined coal, neither amount to exceed 4.4% of the gross sales price.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) made two changes to the Federal Black Lung Benefits Act. First, it provided changes to the legal criteria used to assess and award claims by creating a legal presumption that miners are entitled to benefits if they have worked at least 15 years in underground coal mines, or in similar conditions, and suffer from a totally disabling lung disease. To rebut this presumption, a coal company would have to prove that a miner did not have black lung or that the disease was not caused by the miner’s work. Second, it changed the law so black lung benefits will continue to be paid to dependent survivors when the miner passes away, regardless of the cause of the miner’s death. The changes will result in increased cost to CoalCo of complying with the Federal Black Lung Benefits Act. In addition to the federal legislation, we are also liable under various state statutes for black lung claims.

Other State and Local Laws

Ownership of Coal Rights . CoalCo acquires ownership or leasehold rights to coal properties prior to conducting operations on those properties. As is customary in the coal industry, we have generally conducted only a summary review of the title to coal rights that are not in our development plans, but which we believe we control. This summary review is conducted at the time of acquisition or as part of a review of our land records to determine control of coal rights. Given ParentCo’s long history as a coal producer, we believe we have a well-developed ownership position relating to our coal control. Prior to the commencement of development operations on coal properties, we conduct a thorough title examination and perform curative work with respect to significant defects. We generally will not commence operations on a property until we have cured any material title defects on such property. We are typically responsible for the cost of curing any title defects. We have completed title work on substantially all of our coal producing properties and believe that we have satisfactory title to our producing properties in accordance with standards generally accepted in the industry.

Available Information

CoalCo will as of the time of separation maintain a website at www. consolenergy .com. CoalCo will make available, free of charge, on this website our future annual report 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 1934 Act), as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are available, electronically filed with, or furnished to the SEC, and are also available at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. Apart from SEC filings, we also use our website to publish information which may be important to investors, such as presentations to analysts. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not incorporated into this information statement or the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, or in any other filings with, or any information furnished or submitted to, the SEC.

Legal and Environmental Proceedings

In the normal course of business, CoalCo and its subsidiaries are subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such matters as personal injury, wrongful death, damage to property, exposure to hazardous substances, governmental regulations including environmental remediation, employment and contract disputes and other claims and actions arising out of the normal course of business. CoalCo accrues the estimated loss for these lawsuits and claims when the loss is probable and can be estimated. CoalCo’s current estimated accruals related to these pending claims, individually and in the aggregate, are immaterial to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of CoalCo. It is possible that the aggregate loss in the future with respect to these lawsuits and claims could ultimately be material to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of CoalCo; however, such amounts cannot be reasonably estimated. The amount claimed against CoalCo is disclosed below when an amount is expressly stated in the lawsuit or claim, which is not often the case.

 

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The following royalty, land rights and other lawsuits and claims include those for which a loss is reasonably possible, but not probable, and accordingly, an accrual may not have been recognized. These claims are influenced by many factors which prevent the estimation of a range of potential loss. These factors include, but are not limited to, generalized allegations of unspecified damages (such as improper deductions), discovery having not commenced or not having been completed, unavailability of expert reports on damages and non-monetary issues being tried.

Fitzwater Litigation . Three nonunion retired coal miners filed an amended complaint on April 24, 2017 against ParentCo, Fola Coal Company, LLC, CONSOL of Kentucky and Consolidation Coal Company in West Virginia Federal Court alleging ERISA violations in the termination of retiree health care benefits. The Plaintiffs contend they relied to their detriment on oral statements and promises of “lifetime health benefits” allegedly made by various members of management during Plaintiffs’ employment and that they were allegedly denied access to Summary Plan Documents that clearly reserved to the Company the right to modify or terminate the CONSOL Energy Inc. Retiree Health and Welfare Plan. Plaintiffs request that retiree health benefits be reinstated and seek to represent a class of all nonunion retirees of Fola Coal Company, LLC and CONSOL of Kentucky. The Company believes it has meritorious defense and intends to vigorously defend this suit.

Casey Litigation . The Company has become aware of (but not served with) a Complaint filed on August 23, 2017, on behalf of two nonunion retired coal miners against ParentCo, CONSOL Buchanan Mining Co., Inc. and Consolidation Coal Company in West Virginia Federal Court alleging ERISA violations in the termination of retiree health care benefits. Filed by the same lawyers who filed the Fitzwater litigation , and raising nearly identical claims, the plaintiffs contend they relied to their detriment on oral promises of “lifetime health benefits” allegedly made by various members of management during plaintiffs’ employment and that they were not provided with copies of Summary Plan Documents clearly reserving to the Company the right to modify or terminate the existing Retiree Health and Welfare Plan. Plaintiffs request that retiree health benefits be reinstated for them and their dependents and seek to represent a class of all nonunion retirees of any ParentCo subsidiary that operated or employed individuals in McDowell or Mercer Counties, West Virginia, or Buchanan or Tazewell Counties, Virginia whose retiree welfare benefits were terminated.

Virginia Mine Void Litigation . Four lawsuits naming Consolidation Coal Company, Island Creek Coal Company, CNX Gas Company, and/or ParentCo have recently concluded in favor of the companies. After the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants in two of the actions upon its finding that plaintiffs’ claims are barred by the applicable statutes of limitation, plaintiffs appealed both cases to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. On March 9, 2017, the Fourth Circuit affirmed and entered judgment in favor of the defendants. Plaintiffs did not seek review by the U.S. Supreme Court and those judgments are now final. As a direct result of the Fourth Circuit action, Motions for Voluntary Dismissal were filed and granted by the court in both of the two remaining cases. On January 26, 2016, six mine void lawsuits that had twice before been filed and voluntarily dismissed were refiled for a third time in state court but have not been served. Because each had twice before been filed and voluntarily dismissed, and because the most recent refilings were not served within a one-year period, under these procedural circumstances these actions should no longer be viable under federal or Virginia state law. The complaints sought damages and injunctive relief in connection with the transfer of water from mining activities at Buchanan Mine into void spaces in inactive ICCC mines adjacent to the Buchanan operations, voids ostensibly underlying plaintiffs’ properties. While some of the plaintiffs claimed an ownership interest in the coal, others had some interest in one or more of the fee, surface, oil/gas or other mineral estates. The suits alleged the water storage precluded access to and damaged coal, impeded coalbed methane gas production and was made without compensation to the property owners. Plaintiffs sought recovery in tort, contract and trespass assumpsit (quasi-contract). The suits each sought damages between $50,000 and in excess of $100,000 plus punitive damages.

Environmental Proceedings On September 4, 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provided notice that it required additional time to review the technical merits of a prior permit submission for continued longwall mining in the 4L panel at the Bailey Mine (the 4L Pending Permit), in light of a recent

 

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Environmental Hearing Board (EHB) decision, which is discussed further below. As a result, the longwall was idled at that time and workforce adjustments were made, pending further developments with the DEP and permit submission. This was the first time in the 35-year history of the Bailey Mine that a needed mining permit had not been received in a timely fashion.

As noted above, the DEP’s determination with respect to the 4L Pending Permit related to part of an August 2017 EHB decision that impacts the application of DEP-required stream mitigation techniques, specifically the installation of synthetic stream-channel liner systems. The EHB is the quasi-judicial agency that hears appeals of DEP permitting decisions. The EHB decision held, in part, that the requirement to install a stream-channel liner system constituted impermissible pollution under applicable environmental laws. That determination had direct and specific implications for the 4L Pending Permit with respect to undermining one particular stream, Polen Run, for which the DEP was proposing to require the installation of the stream-channel liner system as a mitigation measure. The DEP requested alternative mitigation measures for consideration, which ParentCo supplied. Due to the narrowly focused EHB decision, the DEP is carefully reviewing alternative approaches and continues to evaluate the requested data submitted in support of the 4L Pending Permit. Given the potential for a protracted review, ParentCo felt it prudent to temporarily idle the longwall and dismantle and relocate it to another panel where it held an operating permit.

To that end, on September 18, 2017, ParentCo issued a press release stating that the DEP was requiring additional time to evaluate the approval of the 4L Pending Permit and that, as a result of this ongoing evaluation, ParentCo determined to move the longwall to another permitted panel in order to resume operations. The longwall was moved and resumed operations the first week of October 2017. Management has implemented several measures to mitigate the production impact from this delay, including working additional unscheduled shifts as compared to the previous five and a half day schedule. This operating schedule change is intended to allow ParentCo to meet customer needs.

ParentCo continues to work closely with the necessary agencies to obtain operating permits to allow for continuity of longwall mining operations. The PAMC operates five total longwalls, with many of the approved permits as far out as ten years in advance.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) in conjunction with the audited Combined Financial Statements and corresponding notes and the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements and corresponding notes included elsewhere in this information statement. This MD&A contains forward-looking statements and covers periods prior to the consummation of the separation, and accordingly the discussion of such historical periods does not necessarily reflect the impact the separation may have on CoalCo. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risk, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Please see “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.

All amounts discussed are in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

The Separation

In December 2016, ParentCo announced its intent to separate into two independent, publicly-traded companies (the separation): CoalCo, which will hold ParentCo’s PAMC and certain related coal assets, including ParentCo’s ownership interest in CNXC, which owns a 25% stake in PAMC, the CNX Marine Terminal, and Greenfield Reserves (collectively, the Coal Business), and an oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) company focused on Appalachian area natural gas and liquids activities, including production, gathering, processing and acquisition of natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin (the Gas Business) of ParentCo.

The separation will occur by means of a pro rata distribution by ParentCo of all of the outstanding common stock of CoalCo. ParentCo, the existing publicly traded company, will continue to own the Gas Business. In connection with the separation, CoalCo will change its name to CONSOL Energy Inc. and ParentCo, the existing publicly traded company, will continue to own the Gas Business and will change its name to CNX Resources Corporation.

The separation transaction, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2017, is subject to a number of conditions, including, but not limited to: final approval by ParentCo’s Board of Directors; receipt of a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, which was received on October 16, 2017, and one or more opinions of its tax advisors, in each case satisfactory to ParentCo’s Board of Directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the transaction; and the SEC declaring effective the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part.

CoalCo and GasCo will enter into a separation agreement that will identify the assets to be transferred, the liabilities to be assumed and the contracts to be transferred to each of CoalCo and GasCo as part of the separation of ParentCo into two companies, and will provide for when and how these transfers and assumptions will occur. ParentCo may, at any time and for any reason until the proposed transaction is complete, abandon the separation plan or modify its terms.

For purposes of the following sections of the MD&A, we use the terms “CoalCo,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” when referring to periods prior to the distribution, to refer to the Coal Business of ParentCo.

Our Business

We are a leading, low-cost producer of high-quality bituminous coal from the Northern Appalachian Basin (NAPP) with excellent access to major U.S. and international coal markets and a highly experienced management team. Our company and its predecessors have been mining coal, primarily in NAPP, since 1864. We have the capacity to produce up to 28.5 million tons per year of thermal and crossover metallurgical coal from our PAMC, which consists of three highly productive, well-capitalized underground mines in the Pittsburgh No. 8 coal seam

 

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and the largest coal preparation plant in the United States. Coal from the PAMC is valued because of its high energy content (as measured in British thermal units, or Btu, per pound), relatively low levels of sulfur and other impurities, and strong thermoplastic properties that enable it to be used in metallurgical as well as thermal applications. We take advantage of these desirable quality characteristics and our extensive logistical network, which is directly served by both the Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads, to aggressively market our product to a broad base of strategically-selected, top-performing power plant customers in the eastern United States. We also capitalize on the operational synergies afforded by our wholly-owned CNX Marine Terminal in the Port of Baltimore to export our coal to thermal and metallurgical end-users in Europe, Asia, South America, and Canada. Our operations, including the PAMC and the CNX Marine Terminal, have consistently generated strong cash flows. The PAMC controls 766.7 million tons of high-quality Pittsburgh seam reserves (as of December 31, 2016), enough to allow for approximately 27 years of full-capacity production. In addition, we own or control approximately 1.6 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves in the eastern United States that could provide us with a solid growth platform in the future. Our vision is to maximize cash flow generation through the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of this world-class core asset base, while strategically reducing debt, returning capital through share buybacks or dividends, and when prudent, allocating capital toward compelling growth opportunities.

Our major assets include:

   

~90% economic ownership and full operational control of the PAMC, consisting of:

  o

75% undivided interest in the PAMC;

  o

~60% limited partner interest, a 1.7% general partner interest (reflecting 100% of the general partner units) and incentive distribution rights (IDRs) in CNX Coal Resources LP, which is a growth-oriented master limited partnership formed by us in 2015 to manage and further develop our active coal operations in Pennsylvania, and which owns the remaining 25% stake in PAMC;

   

the CNX Marine Terminal; and

   

1.6 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves in NAPP, the CAPP, and the ILB.

These assets and the diverse markets they serve provide robust flexibility for generating cash across a wide variety of demand and pricing scenarios. This flexibility begins with the low-cost structure and optionality afforded by our PAMC. The three mines at the PAMC, which include the Bailey, Enlow Fork, and Harvey mines, produce coal from the Pittsburgh No. 8 Coal Seam using longwall mining, a highly automated underground mining technique that produces large volumes of coal at lower costs compared to alternative mining methods. These three mines collectively operate five longwalls, and the production from all three mines is processed at a single, centralized preparation plant, which is connected via conveyor belts to each mine. The Bailey Central Preparation Plant, which can clean and process up to 8,200 raw tons of coal per hour, provides economies of scale while also maintaining the ability to segregate and blend coals based on quality. This infrastructure enables us to tailor our production levels and quality specifications to meet market demands. It also results in a highly productive, low-cost operation as compared to other NAPP coal mines. The PAMC was the most productive longwall operation in NAPP during 2015-2016, producing 6.77 tons of coal per employee hour, compared with an average of 4.94 tons per employee hour for all other currently-operating NAPP longwalls. As of June 30, 2017, productivity further increased to 7.43 tons of coal per employee hour, compared with an average of 5.24 tons per employee hour for all other currently-operating NAPP longwalls. Our high productivity helps drive a low cost structure, which according to Wood Mackenzie was in the first quartile among NAPP coal mines in 2016. Our efficiency strengthens our margins throughout the commodity cycle, and has allowed us to continue to generate positive margins even in challenging pricing environments.

Coal from the PAMC is versatile in that it can be sold either domestically or abroad, in the thermal coal market or as a crossover product in the high-volatile metallurgical coal market. Domestically, we have a well-established and diverse blue chip customer base, the majority of which is comprised of domestic utility companies located across the eastern United States. In 2016, we shipped coal to 38 plants located in 18 eastern U.S. states. As of June 30, 2017, the PAMC is fully contracted for 2017. For 2018 and 2019, our contracted position as of October 9, 2017 is at

 

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80% and 41%, respectively, assuming a 27 million ton coal sales volume. We believe our committed and contracted position is well-balanced in hedging against market downside risk while allowing us to continue to build out the customer portfolio strategically and opportunistically as the market evolves.

Going forward, we plan to continue to execute our sales strategy of targeting top-performing, environmentally-controlled, rail-served power plants in our core market areas in the eastern United States. Our top 15 domestic power plant customers in 2016, which accounted for 82% of our domestic power plant shipments that year, operated at a 15% higher capacity factor than other NAPP rail-served plants in 2016, and have consistently consumed more than 50 million tons of coal per year over the past five years. We have grown our share at these plants from 12% in 2011 to 32% in 2016, and we believe that we can continue to grow this share. Our customer plants consume coal from all four primary coal producing basins in the United States. However, we believe that we are favorably positioned to compete with producers from these basins primarily because of: (i) our significant transportation cost advantage compared to producers in the ILB and the Powder River Basin (PRB), which incur higher rail transportation rates to deliver coal to many of our core market areas in the eastern United States, (ii) our favorable operating environment compared to producers in CAPP, where production has been declining and is expected to continue to decline primarily due to the basin’s high cost production profile, reserve degradation and difficult permitting environment, and (iii) the attractive quality characteristics of our coal, which enable us to compete for demand from a broader range of coal-fired power plants as compared to (x) mining operations in basins that typically produce coal with a comparatively lower heat content, such as the ILB and PRB, (y) mining operations in basins that typically produce coal with a comparatively higher sulfur content, such as the ILB and most areas in NAPP, and (z) mining operations in basins that typically produce coal with a comparatively higher chlorine content, such as certain areas in the ILB.

The PAMC and our 100%-owned CNX Marine Terminal allow us to participate in the international thermal and metallurgical coal markets. The CNX Marine Terminal provides coal transshipments directly from rail cars to ocean-going vessels for both PAMC and third-party shippers, and is the only coal marine terminal on the East Coast served by two rail lines (Norfolk Southern and CSX). Located on 200 acres, the terminal has a throughput capacity of 15 million tons per year, as well as extensive blending capabilities and significant ground storage capacity of 1.1 million tons. In 2016, approximately 8.1 million tons of coal were shipped through the CNX Marine Terminal, with approximately 57% of that amount having been produced at our PAMC. The ability to serve both domestic and international markets with premium thermal and crossover metallurgical coal provides us with significant diversification and optionality, allowing us to pursue upside while helping to minimize both pricing and volume risk. Since 2014, our domestic thermal shipments from the PAMC have ranged from 17.3 to 22.8 million tons per year, our export thermal shipments have ranged from 2.1 to 4.4 million tons per year, and our export metallurgical shipments have ranged from 1.2 to 2.0 million tons per year. Historically, the CNX Marine Terminal served as a captive provider to company-owned or partnered mines. In 2016 the Company opened the terminal to third parties to utilize surplus capacity. The CNX Marine Terminal has since signed multiple third party contracts with market-based terms, including take-or-pay contract minimums, and is currently on track in 2017 to exceed its record throughput, set in 2011, of 12.9 million tons. After accounting for PAMC tons, the CNX Marine Terminal still has significant surplus capacity that may be used to generate additional revenue by providing services to third parties.

Finally, the 1.6 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves that we control in NAPP, CAPP, and ILB, which are in addition to the substantial reserve base associated with PAMC, feature both thermal and metallurgical reserves. Included among these are approximately 591 million tons and 377 million tons of contiguous greenfield reserves associated with the River Mine and Mason Dixon Mine projects, respectively, which are among the last remaining greenfield Pittsburgh No. 8 coal seam projects in the Northern Appalachian region. Also included are 26 million tons of low-volatile metallurgical coal reserves associated with our Itmann property, 40 million tons of high-volatile metallurgical coal reserves associated with our Martinka property, and 117 million tons of reserves associated with our Birch and Canfield properties that are classified as thermal but that have strong potential as a high-vol or crossover metallurgical product. Our Greenfield Reserves provide additional optionality for organic growth or monetization as market conditions allow.

 

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Results of Operations

2017 Outlook:

 

   

Our 2017 coal sales is expected to be approximately 26.0-27.0 million tons.

   

Due to a reduction in coal price realizations resulting from a cooler than normal summer, modest delivery impacts related to the railroads, and the permit delay relating to Bailey Mine discussed under “Legal and Environmental Proceedings”, which may negatively impact anticipated 2017 revenue amounts, we have decreased our expected 2017 coal capital investment to be between $92-$108 million, down from the previously stated amounts of $112-$120 million. These amounts intend to be utilized primarily for refuse storage area and maintenance capital expenditures related to equipment, buildings and other infrastructure. None of the anticipated expenditures are material in amount or represent a material project for our business.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared with the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation Shareholder

CONSOL Mining Corporation had net income attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation shareholder of $89 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to net income attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation shareholder of $20 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

CONSOL Mining Corporation primarily consists of the Pennsylvania Mining Operations Complex (PAMC), as well as various corporate and other business activities that are not allocated to PAMC. The other business activities include CNX Marine Terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities, income taxes, as well as various other non-operated activities.

PAMC ANALYSIS

The principal activities of the PAMC division are mining, preparation and marketing of thermal coal, sold primarily to power generators. It also includes selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other activities assigned to the PAMC division.

 

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PAMC had earnings before income tax of $111 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to earnings before income tax of $46 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Variances are discussed below.

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
(in millions)    2017      2016      Difference  

Coal Sales

   $              620      $              477      $             143   

Freight Revenue

     30        25         

Miscellaneous Other Income

     6        7        (1)  

Gain on Sales of Assets

     6                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

    
662
 
    
509
 
    
153 
 

Operating Costs and Expenses:

        

Operating Costs

     390        313        77   

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     79        74         
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Operating Costs and Expenses

    
469
 
    
387
 
    
82 
 

Other Costs:

        

Other Costs

     11        25        (14)  

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     5        9        (4)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Other Costs

     16        34        (18)  

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

     32        13        19   

Freight Expense

     30        25         

Interest Expense

    
4
 
    
4
 
    
— 
 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

    
551
 
    
463
 
    
88 
 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings Before Income Taxes

   $ 111      $ 46      $ 65   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Add: Interest Expense

     4        4        — 

Add: Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization

     84        83       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA*

     199        133        66 

Add: Stock-Based Compensation

     8        3       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA*

   $  207      $  136      $  71 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and discussion regarding why management views these non-GAAP measures to be useful in reviewing the company’s results of operations, please see “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Coal Sales . PAMC coal sales were $620 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $477 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The $143 million increase was attributable to a 2.1 million increase in tons sold and a $4.07 per ton higher average sales price. The increase in tons sold was primarily due to increased demand, in part due to higher natural gas prices. The higher average sales price per ton sold in the 2017 period was primarily the result of a tighter supply-demand balance in the international thermal and crossover metallurgical coal markets that the PAMC complex serves. The API2 index (the benchmark price reference for coal imported into northwest Europe) was up more than 60% versus the year-ago period, and global coking coal prices were up by an even greater percentage in the period-to-period comparison.

Freight Revenue and Freight Expense . Freight revenue is the amount billed to customers for transportation costs incurred. This revenue is based on the weight of coal shipped, negotiated freight rates and method of transportation, primarily rail, used by the customers to which the Company contractually provides transportation services. Freight revenue is completely offset in freight expense. Freight revenue and freight expense were both $30 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $25 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The $5 million increase was due to increased shipments where transportation services were contractually provided.

 

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Gain on Sales of Assets . Gain on sale of assets was $6 million, primarily due to the sale of certain coal rights during the six months ended June 30, 2017. No such transactions occurred during the six months ended June 30, 2016.

Operating Costs and Expenses . Operating costs and expenses are comprised of costs related to produced tons sold, along with changes in both the volumes and carrying values of coal inventory. Operating costs and expenses include items such as direct operating costs, royalty and production taxes, employee-related expenses and depreciation, depletion, and amortization costs. Total operating costs and expenses for the PAMC division were $469 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, or $82 million higher than the $387 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Total costs per PAMC ton sold were $34.65 per ton for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $33.86 per ton for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase in the cost of coal sold was driven by an increase in production-related costs as more coal was mined to meet market demand, as well as an increase in mine development activity. Productivity for the six months ended June 30, 2017, as measured by tons per employee-hour, improved by 6% compared to the year earlier period.

Other Costs . Other costs, which include costs such as coal reserve holding costs and purchased coal costs, decreased $18 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily attributable to prior year costs related to: the temporary idling of one longwall at the PAMC complex to optimize the production schedule and discretionary 401(k) contributions; offset by a reduction in litigation expense. This period-over-period decrease was partially offset by a current period increase in costs related to externally purchased coal for blending purposes only.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs . CNXC entered into a service agreement with CONSOL Energy that required CONSOL Energy, and now CONSOL Mining Corporation, to provide certain selling, general and administrative services. These services are paid monthly based on an agreed upon fixed fee that is reset at least annually. There is also an additional portion of CONSOL Energy’s selling, general and administrative costs that is allocated to the PAMC division, outside of the service agreement, based on a percentage of total revenue and a percentage of total projected capital expenditures. The amount of selling, general and administrative costs related to the PAMC division was $32 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $13 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The $19 million increase in the period-to-period comparison is primarily due to an increase in incentive compensation, stock based compensation and other allocated and non-allocated charges, none of which were individually material.

Interest Expense . Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, of $4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, is primarily comprised of interest on the CNXC revolving credit facility.

PAMC coal revenue and cost components on a per unit basis for these periods were as follows:

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2017      2016      Variance     Percent
Change
 

Tons Sold (in millions)

     13.5        11.4        2.1       18.4%  

Average Sales Price Per Ton Sold

   $     45.77      $     41.70      $ 4.07       9.8%  

Total Operating Costs Per Ton Sold

   $ 28.91      $ 27.39      $ 1.52       5.5%  

Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per Ton Sold

     5.74        6.47        (0.73     (11.3)%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total Costs Per Ton Sold

   $ 34.65      $ 33.86      $     0.79       2.3%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Average Margin Per Ton Sold

   $ 11.12      $ 7.84      $ 3.28       41.8%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

The increase in overall tons sold was primarily due to increased demand, in part due to higher natural gas prices. The higher average sales price per ton sold in the 2017 period was primarily the result of a tighter supply-demand balance in the international thermal and crossover metallurgical coal markets that the PAMC complex serves.

 

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The PAMC division priced 3.9 million tons on the export market for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to 3.6 million tons for the six months ended June 30, 2016. All other tons were sold on the domestic market. Changes in the total costs per ton sold were primarily driven by an increase in production-related costs as more coal was mined to meet market demand, as well as an increase in mine development activity.

OTHER ANALYSIS

Other includes expenses from various corporate and diversified business activities that are not allocated to the PAMC division. The diversified business activities include coal terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other non-operated activities, none of which are individually significant to the Company.

Other business activities had earnings before income tax of $7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to a loss before income tax of $23 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Variances are discussed below.

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,
(in millions)    2017   2016   Variance

Other Outside Sales

   $             28     $             16     $             12  

Miscellaneous Other Income

     27       28       (1

Gain on Sale of Assets

     7       4       3  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

     62       48       14  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and Other Costs

     52       69       (17

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

     5       5        

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     (6     (5     (1

Interest Expense

     4       2       2  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

     55       71       (16
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(Loss) Before Income Tax

     7       (23     30  

Income Tax Expense

     19             19  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

     (12     (23     11  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add: Interest Expense

     4       2       2  

Add: Income Tax Expense

     19             19  

Add: Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization

     (6     (5     (1
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA*

     5       (26     31  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add: Stock Based Compensation

     1       2       (1

Add: Pension Settlement

           14       (14
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA*

   $ 6     $ (10   $ 16  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and discussion regarding why management views these non-GAAP measures to be useful in reviewing the company’s results of operations, please see “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Other Outside Sales. Other outside sales consists of sales from CNX Marine Terminal which is located on 200 acres in the port of Baltimore, Maryland and provides access to international coal markets. CNX Marine Terminal sales were $28 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $16 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The $12 million increase in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to an increase in both the tons processed at the terminal and the rates charged to process those tons.

 

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Miscellaneous Other Income . Miscellaneous other income decreased $1 million in the period-to-period comparison due to the following items:

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
(in millions)    2017      2016      Variance  

Royalty Income

   $                 12       $                 4       $                 8   

Rental Income

     11         18         (7)   

Right of Way

                   (5)   

Other Income

            —          
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Miscellaneous Other Income

   $ 27       $ 28       $ (1)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating and Other Costs . Operating and Other Costs were $52 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $69 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Operating and Other Costs decreased in the period-to-period comparison due to the following items:

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
(in millions)    2017      2016      Variance  

CNX Marine Terminal

   $                 9       $                 8       $                 1   

Lease Rental Expense

     11         15         (4)   

Workers’ Compensation

                   (1)   

UMWA Expenses

                   —   

UMWA OPEB Expense

     22         22         —   

Coal Reserve Holding Costs

                   (1)   

Closed and Idle Mines

                   (1)   

Pension

     (4)                (11)   

Other

                   —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating and Other Cost

   $ 52       $ 69       $ (17)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Selling, General and Administrative Costs . Selling General and Administrative costs are costs allocated to CONSOL Mining Corporation from CONSOL Energy Inc. for shared services and remained consistent in the period-to-period comparison.

Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization. Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization benefit of $6 million and $5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, was primarily due to reductions of $19 million and $21 million, respectively, related to changes in CONSOL Mining Corporation’s Asset Retirement Obligation at several closed mine locations.

Interest Expense . Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, of $4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and $2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, is primarily comprised of interest on the 5.75% MEDCO Revenue Bonds.

 

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Income Taxes . The effective income tax rate when excluding noncontrolling interest was 17.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to (1.0)% for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The effective rates for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were calculated using the annual effective rate projections on recurring earnings and include tax liabilities related to certain discrete transactions. The fluctuation in the effective rate is primarily attributable to the impact of percentage of depletion on the respective period’s pre-tax income.

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,  
(in millions)    2017      2016      Variance      Percent
Change
 

Total Company Earnings Before Income Tax Excluding Noncontrolling Interest

   $           108      $           20      $             88         440.0%   

Income Tax Expense

   $ 19      $ —        $ 19         100.0%   

Effective Income Tax Rate

     17.6%        (1.0)%        18.6%     

Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 :

Net Income Attributable to CoalCo Shareholder

CoalCo had net income attributable to CoalCo shareholder of $41 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to net income attributable to CoalCo shareholder of $307 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

CoalCo primarily consists of the Pennsylvania Mining Operations Complex (PAMC), as well as various corporate and other business activities that are not allocated to PAMC. The other business activities include CNX Marine Terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities, income taxes, as well as various other non-operated activities.

PAMC ANALYSIS

The principal activities of the PAMC division are mining, preparation and marketing of thermal coal, sold primarily to power generators. It also includes selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other activities assigned to the PAMC division.

 

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PAMC had earnings before income tax of $131 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to earnings before income tax of $405 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Variances are discussed below.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
(in millions)    2016      2015      Difference

Coal Sales

   $          1,066      $         1,289       $          (223)  

Freight Revenue

     46        20         26   

Miscellaneous Other Income

     13                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

     1,125        1,313         (188)  

Operating Costs and Expenses:

        

Operating Costs

     691        789         (98)  

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     154        167         (13)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Operating Costs and Expenses

     845        956         (111)  

Other Costs:

        

Other Costs

     42        (122)        164   

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     14        10          
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Other Costs

     56        (112)        168   

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

     38        41         (3)  

Freight Expense

     46        20         26   

Interest Expense

     9                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

     994        908         86   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings Before Income Taxes

   $ 131      $ 405       $ (274)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Add: Interest Expense

     9                

Add: Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization

     168        177         (9)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA*

     308        585         (277)  

Add: Stock-Based Compensation

     8                

Add: Other CNX MLP Transaction Fees

            12         (12)  

Add: OPEB Plan Changes

            (129)        129   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA*

   $ 316      $ 473       $ (157)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and discussion regarding why management views these non-GAAP measures to be useful in reviewing the company’s results of operations, please see “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Coal Sales. PAMC coal sales were $1,066 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $1,289 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The $223 million decrease was attributable to a $13.05 per ton lower average sales price, offset by a 1.7 million increase in tons sold. The lower average sales price per PAMC ton sold was primarily the result of the continued decline in both the domestic and global thermal coal markets, particularly in the first half of 2016. The decline was related to higher customer inventories and lower gas prices after persistently mild 2015 weather. The increase in overall tons sold reflects the improvement in both domestic and international coal demand throughout the second half of 2016.

Freight Revenue and Freight Expense . Freight revenue is the amount billed to customers for transportation costs incurred. This revenue is based on the weight of coal shipped, negotiated freight rates and method of transportation, primarily rail, used by the customers to which the Company contractually provides transportation services. Freight revenue is completely offset in freight expense. Freight revenue and freight expense were both $46 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $20 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The $26 million increase was due to increased shipments where transportation services were contractually provided.

 

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Miscellaneous Other Income . Miscellaneous other income was $13 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Approximately $6 million of the increase was the result of a partial coal contract buyout in the current period. The remaining $3 million increase was the result of various transactions that occurred during both periods, none of which were individually material.

Operating Costs and Expenses . Operating costs and expenses are comprised of costs related to produced tons sold, along with changes in both the volumes and carrying values of coal inventory. Operating costs and expenses include items such as direct operating costs, royalty and production taxes, employee-related expenses and depreciation, depletion, and amortization costs. Total operating costs and expenses for the PAMC division were $845 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, or $111 million lower than the $956 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Total costs per PAMC ton sold were $34.35 per ton in the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $41.78 per ton in the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease in the cost of coal sold was driven by the idling of one longwall at the PAMC complex for approximately 90 days, a reduction of staffing levels, vendor concessions and a realignment of employee benefits. All of the above steps resulted in more consistent operating schedules, reduced labor costs and improved productivity. Productivity for the year ended December 31, 2016, as measured by tons per employee hour, improved by 17% compared to the year earlier period, despite the reduced number of longwalls in operation.

Other Costs . Other costs include items that are assigned to the PAMC division but are not included in unit costs. Other costs and expenses increased $168 million in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase was due to the following:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,
     2016    2015   Variance

OPEB Plan Changes

   $                 —      $                 (129)     $                 129  

Idle Mine Costs

     19              19  

Purchased Coal Costs

     6              6  

Litigation Expense

     4              4  

Severance Expense

     1              1  

Coal Reserve Holding Costs

     4        5       (1)  

Discretionary 401(k) Contributions

     9              9  

Amortization of Capitalized Interest

     9        9        

Other

     4        3       1  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Costs

   $ 56      $ (112   $ 168  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Income of $129 million related to OPEB plan changes made in May 2015 for retired employees. No such transactions occurred during the year ended December 31, 2016.

   

Idle Mine Costs increased $19 million, due to the temporary idling of one longwall at the PAMC complex for approximately 90 days in the first half of 2016 to optimize operating schedules.

   

Purchased Coal Costs increased $6 million due to higher volumes of coal that needed to be purchased to fulfill various contracts.

   

Litigation expense relates to approximately $3 million of costs which were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2016 related to the proposed consent decree with respect to the Bailey mine complex. See Note 11—Commitments and Contingent Liabilities of the Notes to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The remaining change was the result of various transactions that occurred, none of which were individually material.

   

Severance Expense of $1 million was incurred during the year ended December 31, 2016 in connection with the Company’s ongoing cost reduction efforts. No such transactions occurred in the prior period.

   

Discretionary 401(k) Contributions relate to a bonus of $9 million that was incurred during the year ended December 31, 2016 as a result of company performance and management approval.

   

Other increased $1 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to various transactions that occurred, none of which were material.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Costs . Upon execution of the CNXC IPO, CNXC entered into a service agreement with ParentCo that required ParentCo to provide certain selling, general and administrative services. These services are paid monthly based on an agreed-upon fixed fee that is reset at least annually. See Note 3—Related Party Transactions of the Notes to the Audited Combined Financial Statements in this information statement for additional information. The amount of selling, general and administrative costs related to PAMC operations was $38 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $41 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Interest Expense . Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, of $9 million and $3 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, is primarily comprised of interest on the CNXC revolving credit facility that was drawn upon after the CNXC IPO on July 7, 2015.

PAMC coal revenue and cost components on a per unit basis for these periods were as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2016      2015      Variance      Percent
Change
 

Tons Sold (in millions)

     24.6        22.9        1.7        7.4%  

Average Sales Price Per Ton Sold

   $     43.31      $     56.36      $   (13.05)        (23.2%)  

Total Operating Costs Per Ton Sold

   $ 28.09      $ 34.47      $ (6.38)        (18.5%)  

Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per Ton Sold

     6.26        7.31        (1.05)        (14.4%)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total Costs Per Ton Sold

   $ 34.35      $ 41.78      $ (7.43)        (17.8%)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Average Margin Per Ton Sold

   $ 8.96      $ 14.58      $ (5.62)        (38.5%)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

The lower average sales price per ton sold in the 2016 period was primarily the result of the overall decline in the domestic and global thermal coal markets, particularly in the first half of 2016. This decline was primarily related to higher customer inventories and lower gas prices after persistently mild 2015 weather. This was off-set by an increase in overall tons sold reflecting the improvement in both domestic and international coal demand throughout the second half of 2016.

The PAMC operations priced 5.4 million tons on the export market for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to 5.5 million tons for the year ended December 31, 2015. All other tons were sold on the domestic market. Changes in the average cost of goods sold per ton were primarily driven by the idling of one longwall at the PAMC complex for approximately 90 days, a reduction of staffing levels and a realignment of employee benefits in the current year. All of the above steps resulted in more consistent operating schedules, reduced labor costs, and improved productivity.

OTHER ANALYSIS

Other includes expenses from various corporate and diversified business activities that are not allocated to PAMC division. The diversified business activities include coal terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other non-operated activities, none of which are individually significant to the Company.

 

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Other business activities had a loss before income tax of $66 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to earnings before income tax of $38 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Variances are discussed below.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)    2016   2015   Variance

Other Outside Sales

   $             31     $             31     $             —  

Miscellaneous Other Income

     69       65       4  

Gain on Sale of Assets

     5       13       (8
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

     105       109       (4
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and Other Costs

     143       33       110  

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

     13       15       (2

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     10       18       (8

Interest Expense

     5       5        
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

     171       71       100  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss Before Income Tax

     (66     38       (104

Income Tax Expense

     15       126       (111
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

   $ (81   $ (88   $ 7  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add: Interest Expense

     5       5        

Add: Income Tax Expense

     15       126       (111

Add: Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization

     10       18       (8
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA*

     (51     61       (112
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add: Stock Based Compensation

     4       3       1  

Add: Pension Settlement

     22       19       3  

Add: Gain on Sale of Non-Core Assets

           (8     8  

Add: OPEB Plan Changes

           (115     115  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA*

   $ (25   $ (40   $ 15  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and discussion regarding why management views these non-GAAP measures to be useful in reviewing the company’s results of operations, please see “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Other Outside Sales. Other outside sales consists of sales from CNX Marine Terminal which is located on 200 acres in the Port of Baltimore and provides access to international coal markets. CNX Marine Terminal sales were $31 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Miscellaneous Other Income. Miscellaneous other income was $69 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $65 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The change is due to the following items:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)    2016    2015    Variance  

Purchased Coal Sales

   $                       —      $                       2      $                     (2)  

Rental Income

     35        37        (2)  

Royalty Income

     20        15         

Right of Way Sales

     11        8         

Other Income

     3        3        —   
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Miscellaneous Other Income

   $ 69      $ 65      $  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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Operating and Other Costs . Operating and Other Costs increased $110 million in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase was due to the following:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)    2016    2015      Variance

OPEB Plan Changes

   $                 —      $                 (125)      $                 125  

Coal Reserve Holding Costs

     19        8        11  

Pension Settlement

     22        19        3  

Closed and Idle Mines

     9        9         

Purchased Coal

            1        (1)  

UMWA Expenses

     9        10        (1)  

Workers’ Compensation

     6        7        (1)  

Lease Rental Expense

     30        31        (1)  

CNX Marine Terminals

     18        20        (2)  

UMWA OPEB Expense

     43        47        (4)  

Pension Expense

     (14)        6        (20)  

Other

     1               1  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating and Other Costs

   $ 143      $ 33      $ 110  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

   

Income of $125 million was the result of modifications made to the OPEB plan in May 2015 for retired employees. No such transactions occurred in the current period. See Note 8—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans in the Notes to Combined Financial Statements for additional information.

   

Coal Reserve Holding Costs increased $11 million in the period-to-period comparison, primarily as a result of the surrender of various leases in the current period.

   

Pension Settlement expense is required when lump sum distributions made for a given plan year exceed the total of the service and interest costs for that same plan year. Settlement accounting was triggered in both periods.

   

Purchased Coal decreased $1 million due to lower volumes of coal that needed to be purchased to fulfill various contracts.

   

Lease Rental Expense decreased $1 million primarily due to the buyout of certain leased equipment in the current period.

   

Costs associated with the CNX Marine Terminal decreased $2 million due to a reduction in labor costs.

   

UMWA OPEB Expense decreased $4 million primarily due to a decrease in interest costs.

   

Pension Expense decreased $20 million in the period-to-period comparison due to a decrease in actuarially-calculated amortization related to modifications made to the pension plan in May 2015.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs . Selling General and Administrative costs are costs allocated to CoalCo from CONSOL Energy Inc. for shared services. The decrease in costs in the period-to-period comparison is due to a decrease in the amounts allocated by CONSOL Energy.

Interest Expense . Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, of $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, is primarily comprised of bond interest related to CNX Marine Terminals.

Income Taxes . The effective income tax rate when excluding noncontrolling interest was 26.0% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to 29.0% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The effective rates for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were calculated using the annual effective rate projections on recurring earnings and include tax liabilities related to certain discrete transactions. The fluctuation in the effective tax rates is primarily attributable to the impact of percentage depletion on the respective period’s pre-tax income. Our effective tax rate for 2016 was also impacted by a settlement of prior IRS and state tax examinations. As part

 

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of our IRS examination of the 2010-2013 tax years, the Company was able to claim bonus depreciation deduction, resulting in a net cash refund of $58 million. The bonus depreciation adversely impacted earnings by reducing the Company’s percentage depletion adjustment on our mining operations and reducing our Section 199 manufacturing deductions in the years 2010-2013. This resulted in a net charge to earnings of $14 million.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)    2016   2015   Variance     Percent
Change

Total Company Earnings Before Income Tax Excluding

Noncontrolling Interest

   $             56     $             433     $             (377)       (87.1)%  

Income Tax Expense

   $ 15     $ 126     $ (111)       (88.1)%  

Effective Income Tax Rate

     26.0     29.0     (3.0)  

Year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014:

Net Income Attributable to CoalCo Shareholder

CoalCo had net income attributable to CoalCo shareholder of $307 million, for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to net income attributable to CoalCo shareholder of $291 million, for the year ended December 31, 2014.

CoalCo primarily consists of the PAMC, as well as various corporate and other business activities that are not allocated to PAMC. The other business activities include CNX Marine Terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities, income taxes, as well as various other non-operated activities.

PAMC ANALYSIS

The principal activities of the PAMC division are mining, preparation and marketing of thermal coal, sold primarily to power generators. It also includes selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other activities assigned to the PAMC division.

 

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PAMC had earnings before income tax of $405 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to earnings before income tax of $431 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Variances are discussed below.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)    2015   2014    Difference

Coal Sales

   $         1,289     $          1,617      $ (328

Freight Revenue

     20       23        (3

Miscellaneous Other Income

     4       38        (34

Gain on Sales of Assets

           1        (1
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

     1,313       1,679        (366

Operating Costs and Expenses:

       

Operating Costs

     789       975        (186

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     167       165                       2  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Operating Costs and Expenses

     956       1,140        (184

Other Costs:

       

Other Costs

     (122     8        (130

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     10       8        2  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Other

     (112     16        (128

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

     41       69        (28

Freight Expense

     20       23        (3

Interest Expense

     3              3  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

   $ 908     $ 1,248      $ (340
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings Before Income Taxes

   $ 405     $ 431      $ (26
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Add: Interest Expense

     3              3  

Add: Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization

     177       173        4  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

EBITDA*

     585       604        (19

Add: Stock-Based Compensation

     5       17        (12

Add: Other CNX MLP Transaction Fees

     12              12  

Add: OPEB Plan Changes

     (129            (129
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA*

   $ 473     $ 621      $ (148
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

*

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and discussion regarding why management views these non-GAAP measures to be useful in reviewing the company’s results of operations, please see “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Coal Sales . PAMC coal sales were $1,289 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $1,617 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The $328 million decrease was attributable to a 3.2 million decrease in company produced tons sold and a $5.52 lower average sales price per ton sold. The lower tons sold and average sales price per PAMC operations ton sold were primarily the result of the continued decline in both the domestic and global thermal coal markets. Due to the weak domestic thermal spot market, 5.5 million tons were sold on the export market for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 3.3 million tons for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Freight Revenue and Freight Expense . Freight revenue is the amount billed to customers for transportation costs incurred. This revenue is based on the weight of coal shipped, negotiated freight rates and method of transportation, primarily rail, used by the customers to which the Company contractually provides transportation services. Freight revenue is completely offset in freight expense. Freight revenue and freight expense were both

 

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$20 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $23 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The $3 million decrease was due to decreased shipments where transportation services were contractually provided.

Miscellaneous Other Income . Miscellaneous other income was $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $38 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Approximately $30 million of the decrease related to a coal customer contract buyout in the prior period. The remaining $4 million decrease was the result of various transactions that occurred during both periods, none of which were individually material.

Operating Costs and Expenses . Operating costs and expenses are comprised of costs related to produced tons sold, along with changes in both the volumes and carrying values of coal inventory. Operating costs and expenses include items such as direct operating costs, royalty and production taxes, employee-related expenses and depreciation, depletion, and amortization costs. Total operating costs and expenses for the PAMC division were $956 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, or $184 million lower than the $1,140 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Total costs per PAMC operations ton sold were $41.78 per ton in the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $43.63 per ton in the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in the cost of coal sold was driven by improved operational efficiencies, better geological conditions, a reduced workforce, a decrease in stream subsidence expense and other ongoing cost reduction efforts. In order to preserve margins, the PAMC moved to a four-day work week in May 2015, compared to a normal five-day per week schedule. The decrease in unit costs was primarily the result of a change in allocation methodology, whereby OPEB plan changes are no longer included in unit costs.

Other Costs. Other costs include items that are assigned to the PAMC division but are not included in unit costs, such as OPEB plan changes, coal reserve holding costs and purchased coal costs. Total other costs and expenses decreased $128 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease was primarily due to income of $129 million related to OPEB plan changes made in May 2015 for retired employees. No such transactions occurred during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs . Upon execution of the CNXC IPO, CNXC entered into a service agreement with ParentCo that required ParentCo to provide certain selling, general and administrative services. These services are paid monthly based on an agreed-upon fixed fee that is reset at least annually.

Interest Expense . Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, of $3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 is primarily comprised of interest on the CNXC revolving credit facility that was drawn upon after the CNXC IPO on July 7, 2015.

Sales tons, average sales price and average cost of goods sold per ton for the PAMC operations were as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,
     2015    2014    Variance   Percent
Change
 

Tons Sold (in millions)

     22.9        26.1        (3.2     (12.3%)  

Average Sales Price Per Ton Sold

   $ 56.36      $ 61.88      $ (5.52     (8.9%)  

Total Operating Costs Per Ton Sold

   $ 34.47      $ 37.29      $ (2.82     (7.6%)  

Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per Ton Sold

     7.31        6.34        0.97       15.3%  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Total Costs Per Ton Sold

   $ 41.78      $ 43.63      $ (1.85     (4.2%)  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Average Margin Per Ton Sold

   $ 14.58      $ 18.25      $ (3.67     (20.1%)  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The lower average sales price per ton sold in the 2015 period was primarily the result of the continued decline in both the domestic and global thermal coal markets. Due to the weak domestic thermal spot market in 2014, the PAMC priced 5.5 million tons on the export market for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 3.3 million tons for the year ended December 31, 2014. All other tons were sold on the domestic market.

Changes in the average cost of goods sold per ton were primarily driven by improved operational efficiencies, better geological conditions, a reduced workforce, a decrease in stream subsidence expense and other ongoing cost reduction efforts. In order to preserve margins, PAMC operations moved to a four-day work week in May 2015, compared to a normal five-day per week schedule. The decrease in unit costs was primarily the result of Pension and OPEB plan modifications for active employees in September 2014.

OTHER ANALYSIS

Other includes expenses from various corporate and diversified business activities that are not allocated to PAMC division. The diversified business activities include coal terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other non-operated activities, none of which are individually significant to the Company.

Other business activities had earnings before income tax of $38 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to a loss before income tax of $19 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Variances are discussed below.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)    2015   2014   Variance

Other Outside Sales

   $ 31     $ 41     $ (10

Miscellaneous Other Income

     65       85       (20

Gain on Sale of Assets

     13       26       (13
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

                 109                   152               (43
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating and Other Costs

     33       127       (94

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

     15       10       5  

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     18       34       (16

Interest Expense

     5             5  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

     71       171       (100
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(Loss) Before Income Tax

     38       (19     57  

Income Tax Expense

     126       121       5  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

   $ (88   $ (140   $ 52  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add: Interest Expense

     5             5  

Add: Income Tax Expense

     126       121       5  

Add: Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization

     18       34       (16
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA*

     61       15       46  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add: Stock Based Compensation

     3       3        

Add: Pension Settlement

     19       24       (5

Add: Gain on Sale of Non-Core Assets

     (8     (25     17  

Add: OPEB Plan Changes

     (115           (115
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA*

   $ (40   $ 17     $ (57
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and discussion regarding why management views these non-GAAP measures to be useful in reviewing the company’s results of operations, please see “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

 

 

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Other Outside Sales. Other outside sales consists of sales from CNX Marine Terminal which is located on 200 acres in the port of Baltimore and provides access to international coal markets. CNX Marine Terminal sales were $31 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $41 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The $10 million decrease in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to a decrease in through-put volumes and rates in the current period.

Miscellaneous Other Income. Miscellaneous other income was $65 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $85 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The change is due to the following items:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)    2015    2014    Variance  

Purchased Coal Sales

   $      $      $ (7)          

Rental Income

     37         44         (7)          

Right of Way Sales

                   1           

Royalty Income

     15         20         (5)          

Other Income

                   (2)          
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Miscellaneous Other Income

   $             65       $             85       $             (20)          
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating and Other Costs . Operating and other costs decreased $94 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease was due to the following:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
(in millions)    2015      2014    Variance  

OPEB Plan Changes

   $             (125)      $ (36)      $ (89)  

Purchased Coal

            14        (13)  

Closed and Idle Mines

            20        (11)  

Pension Settlement

     19         29        (10)  

CNX Marine Terminals

     20         26        (6)  

Coal Reserve Holding Costs

            11        (3)  

Lease Rental Expense

     31         33        (2)  

UMWA Expenses

     10         10         

Workers’ Compensation

            4        3  

OPEB Expense

     47         15        32  

Pension Expense

            1        5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating and Other Costs

   $ 33       $             127      $                             (94)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

   

Income of $125 million was the result of modifications made to the OPEB plan in May 2015 for retired employees. Income of $36 million was the result of changes made to the OPEB plan during the year ended December 31, 2014. See Note 8—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Plans in the Notes to Combined Financial Statements for additional information.

   

Purchased Coal costs decreased $13 million due to lower volumes of coal that needed to be purchased to fulfill various contracts.

   

Closed and Idle Mines decreased $11 million, primarily due to a $7 million decrease in property taxes and a $5 million decrease in permitting and compliance costs. The remaining change was due to various transactions that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

   

Pension Settlement expense is required when lump sum distributions made for a given plan year exceed the total of the service and interest costs for that same plan year. Settlement accounting was triggered in both periods.

   

Costs associated with the CNX Marine Terminal decreased $6 million due to a reduction in labor costs.

   

Lease Rental Expense decreased $2 million primarily due to the buyout of certain leased equipment in the current period.

 

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Workers’ Compensation increased $3 million primarily due to a change in the allocation methodology in the current period.

   

OPEB Expense increased $32 million primarily due to a change in the allocation methodology in 2015.

   

Pension Expense increased $5 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to a change in the allocation methodology in 2015, offset in part, by modifications made to the Pension plan in September 2014.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs . Selling, General and Administrative costs are costs allocated to CoalCo from ParentCo for shared services. The increase in costs in the period-to-period comparison is due to an increase in the amounts allocated by ParentCo.

Interest Expense . Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized, of $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, is primarily comprised of bond interest related to CNX Marine Terminals.

Income Taxes . The effective income tax rate when excluding noncontrolling interest was 29.0% for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 29.6% for the year ended December 31, 2014. The effective rates for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were calculated using the annual effective rate projections on recurring earnings and include tax liabilities related to certain discrete transactions.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
(in millions)    2015      2014      Variance      Percent
Change
 
Total Company Earnings Before Income Tax Excluding Noncontrolling Interest    $         433         $ 412         $         21                    5.1%  

Income Tax Expense

   $ 126         $         121         $ 5            4.1%  

Effective Income Tax Rate

     29.0%        29.6%        (0.6)%     

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA is defined as earnings before deducting net interest expense (interest expense less interest income), income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA after adjusting for the discrete items listed below. Although EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, management believes that they are useful to an investor in evaluating CONSOL Energy because they are widely used to evaluate a company’s operating performance. CoalCo excludes stock-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA because it does not believe it accurately reflects the actual operating expense incurred during the relevant period and may vary widely from period to period irrespective of operating results. Readers should not view these metrics as a substitute for measures of performance that are calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, because all companies do not calculate EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA uniformly, the presentation here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

 

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Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures

EBIT, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

The following tables present a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, EBIT, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which we use in the analysis of our business.

 

    For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2017
    For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2016
 

(in millions)

  PAMC
Division
    Other
Division
    Combined     PAMC
Division
    Other
Division
    Combined  

Net Income (Loss)

  $ 111     $ (12   $ 99     $ 46     $ (23   $ 23  

Add: Income Tax Expense

          19       19                    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes

        111               7               118               46       (23               23  

Add: Interest Expense

    4       4       8       4               2       6  

Add: Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization

    84       (6     78       83       (5     78  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA*

    199       5       204       133       (26     107  

Add: Stock-Based Compensation

    8       1       9       3       2       5  

Add: Pension Settlement

                            14       14  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA*

  $ 207     $ 6     $ 213     $ 136     $ (10   $ 126  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    For the Year Ended
December 31, 2016
    For the Year Ended
December 31, 2015
    For the Year Ended
December 31, 2014
 

(in millions)

  PAMC
Division
    Other
Division
    Combined     PAMC
Division
    Other
Division
    Combined     PAMC
Division
    Other
Division
    Combined  

Net Income (Loss)

  $ 131     $ (81   $ 50     $ 405     $ (88   $ 317     $ 431     $ (140   $ 291  

Add: Income Tax Expense

          15       15             126       126             121       121  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes

    131       (66     65       405       38       443       431       (19     412  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Add: Interest Expense

    9       5       14       3       5       8                    

Add: Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization

    168       10       178       177       18       195       173       34       207  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA*

    308       (51     257       585       61       646       604       15       619  

Add: Stock-Based Compensation

    8       4       12       5       3       8       17       3       20  

Add: Pension Settlemnet

          22       22             19       19             24       24  

Add: Gain on Sale of Non-Core Assets

                            (8     (8           (25     (25

Add: OPEB Plan Changes

                      (129     (115     (244                  

Add: Other CNXC MLP Transactions Fees

                —             12             —       12                    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA*

  $     316     $ (25   $         291     $     473     $ (40   $         433     $       621     $         17     $         638  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CoalCo management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information that enhances management’s, investors’ and prospective lenders’ ability to evaluate the Company’s operating results and ability to repay its obligations. However, these non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be used in isolation and should not be considered a substitute for any other performance measure determined in accordance with GAAP. Readers are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool, including that other companies may calculate similar non-GAAP financial measures differently than as defined in these materials, limiting their usefulness as a comparative tool. CoalCo compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures. CoalCo further compensates for the limitations of its use of non-GAAP financial measures by presenting comparable GAAP measures. Readers are encouraged to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures contained herein.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of the Combined Financial Statements of CoalCo in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Financial Statements and at the date of the financial statements. See Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to the Audited Combined Financial Statements in this information statement for further discussion. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making the judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We evaluate our estimates on an on-going basis. Actual results could differ from those estimates upon subsequent resolution of identified matters. Management believes that the estimates utilized are reasonable. The following critical accounting policies are materially impacted by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB), Salaried Pensions, Workers’ Compensation and Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP) . Liabilities and expenses for OPEB, pension, workers’ compensation and CWP are determined using actuarial methodologies and incorporate significant assumptions, including the interest rate used to discount the future estimated liability, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, and several assumptions relating to the employee workforce (salary increases, health care cost trend rates, retirement age, and mortality).

The interest rate used to discount future estimated liabilities is determined using a Company-specific yield curve model (above-mean) developed with the assistance of an external actuary. The Company-specific yield curve uses a subset of the expanded bond universe to determine the Company-specific discount rate. Bonds used in the yield curve are rated AA by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s as of the measurement date. The yield curve model parallels the plans’ projected cash flows.

The assumed rate of return on plan assets can also impact CoalCo’s pension liability. The market related asset value is derived by taking the cost value of assets as of December 31, 2016 and multiplying it by the average 36-month ratio of the market value of assets to the cost value of assets. CoalCo’s pension plan weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2016 consisted of 51% equity securities and 49% debt securities.

The estimated liabilities recognized at December 31, 2016 and the benefit payments made for the year ended December 31, 2016 were as follows (Dollars in Thousands):

 

Plan

  

Estimated Liability as of December 31,
2016

  

Benefit Payments for the year ended
December 31, 2016

OPEB

   $700,085    $45,387

Pension

   $102,743    $35,709

Workers’ Compensation

   $78,099    $16,688

CWP

   $118,836    $10,191

Mine Closure Obligations . The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act established operational, reclamation and closure standards for all aspects of surface mining as well as most aspects of deep mining. CoalCo accrues for the costs of current coal mine disturbance and final coal mine and gas well closure, including the cost of treating mine water discharge where necessary. Estimates of our total mine-closing and gas well closing liabilities, which are based upon permit requirements and CoalCo engineering expertise related to these requirements, including the current portion, were approximately $257 million at June 30, 2017. This liability is reviewed annually, or when events and circumstances indicate an adjustment is necessary, by CoalCo management and engineers. The estimated liability can significantly change if actual costs vary from assumptions or if governmental regulations change significantly.

 

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Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations requires that the fair value of an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The present value of the estimated asset retirement costs is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. Asset retirement obligations primarily relate to the closure of mines and gas wells and the reclamation of land upon exhaustion of coal and gas reserves. Changes in the variables used to calculate the liabilities can have a significant effect on the mine closing and gas well closing liabilities. The amounts of assets and liabilities recorded are dependent upon a number of variables, including the estimated future retirement costs, estimated proved reserves, assumptions involving profit margins, inflation rates and the assumed credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate.

Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations also requires depreciation of the capitalized asset retirement cost and accretion of the asset retirement obligation over time. The depreciation will generally be determined on a units-of-production basis, whereas the accretion to be recognized will escalate over the life of the producing assets, typically as production declines.

Income Taxes . CoalCo’s operations have historically been included in the income tax filings of CONSOL Energy. The provision for income taxes in the CoalCo’s combined statement of income is based on a separate return methodology using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized using enacted tax rates for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. All available evidence, both positive and negative, must be considered in determining the need for a valuation allowance.

CoalCo evaluates all tax positions taken on the state and federal tax filings to determine if the position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. For positions that meet the more likely than not to be sustained criteria, an evaluation to determine the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement is determined. A previously recognized tax position is reversed when it is subsequently determined that a tax position no longer meets the more likely than not threshold to be sustained. The evaluation of the sustainability of a tax position and the probable amount that is more likely than not is based on judgment, historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates, that are not readily apparent from other sources, form the basis for recognizing an uncertain tax liability. Actual results could differ from those estimates upon subsequent resolution of identified matters.

Stock-Based Compensation . As of December 31, 2016, ParentCo has issued four types of share-based payment awards in which CoalCo employees may participate: options, restricted stock units, performance stock options, and performance share units.

The fair value of each restricted stock unit awarded is equivalent to the closing market price of a share of the ParentCo’s stock on the date of the grant. The fair value of each performance share unit is determined by a Monte Carlo simulation method. The fair value of each option is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. All outstanding performance stock options are fully vested.

Contingencies . CoalCo is currently involved in certain legal proceedings. We have accrued our estimate of the probable costs for the resolution of these claims. This estimate has been developed in consultation with legal counsel involved in the defense of these matters and is based upon the nature of the lawsuit, progress of the case in court, view of legal counsel, prior experience in similar matters, and management’s intended response. Future results of operations for any particular quarter or annual period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions or the outcome of these proceedings. Legal fees associated with defending these various lawsuits and claims are expensed when incurred. See Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Audited Combined Financial Statements in this information statement for more information.

 

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Coal Reserves . There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities and values of economically recoverable coal reserves, including many factors beyond our control. As a result, estimates of economically recoverable coal reserves are by their nature uncertain. Information about our reserves consists of estimates based on engineering, economic and geological data assembled and analyzed by our staff. Our coal reserves are periodically reviewed by an independent third party consultant. Some of the factors and assumptions which impact economically recoverable reserve estimates include:

 

   

geological conditions;

 

   

historical production from the area compared with production from other producing areas;

 

   

the assumed effects of regulations and taxes by governmental agencies;

 

   

assumptions governing future prices; and

 

   

future operating costs.

Each of these factors may in fact vary considerably from the assumptions used in estimating reserves. For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable quantities of gas and coal attributable to a particular group of properties, and classifications of these reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of future net cash flows, may vary substantially. Actual production, revenues and expenditures with respect to our reserves will likely vary from estimates, and these variances may be material. See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of the uncertainties in estimating our reserves.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets. Impairment of long-lived assets is recorded when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying value. The carrying value of the assets is then reduced to its estimated fair value which is usually measured based on an estimate of future discounted cash flows. There were no impairment losses recognized during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historically, ParentCo has provided capital, cash management and other treasury services to CoalCo. ParentCo will continue to provide these services to CoalCo until the separation is consummated. Only cash amounts specifically attributable to CoalCo are reflected in the Combined Financial Statements of CoalCo. Transfers of cash, both to and from ParentCo’s centralized cash management system, are reflected as a component of Net Change in Parent Advancement in the Combined Financial Statements of CoalCo.

CoalCo’s primary future cash needs will be centered on operating activities, including working capital, as well as recurring and strategic capital expenditures. Following the separation, CoalCo’s capital structure and sources of liquidity will change significantly from its historical capital structure. CoalCo will no longer participate in capital management with ParentCo, rather CoalCo’s ability to fund its cash needs will depend on its ongoing ability to generate and raise cash in the future. Although we believe that our future cash from operations, together with our access to capital markets, will provide adequate resources to fund our operating and investing needs, our access to, and the availability of, financing on acceptable terms in the future will be affected by many factors, including: (i) our credit rating; (ii) the liquidity of the overall capital markets; and (iii) the current state of the economy and economic conditions in the coal industries, and other financial and business factors, some of which are beyond CoalCo’s control. There can be no assurances that we will continue to have access to capital markets on terms acceptable to us. See “Risk Factors” for a further discussion.

CoalCo owns 75% of the PAMC and CNXC owns the remaining 25%. CoalCo has a 61.5% economic ownership interest in CNXC through our various holdings of the general partner and limited partner interests of CNXC.

 

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During the twelve months ended June 30, 2017, CNXC’s share of our pro forma Adjusted EBITDA, net of the cash distributions CoalCo received from CNXC, was $61.5 million. Additionally, CoalCo has certain liabilities attributable to OPEB, Salaried Pensions, Workers’ Compensation and Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis. The impacts from these liabilities on the income statement can differ from the amount of cash CoalCo expends to pay the actual periodic costs of such liabilities. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2017, our cash costs exceeded the income statement expenses for these items by $21.3 million.

Cash Flows (in millions)

 

    

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,
     2017    2016    Change

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

   $ 104       $ 95       $ 9               

Cash Used in Investing Activities

   $ (6)      $ (23)      $ 17               

Cash Used in Financing Activities

   $             (104)      $         (70)      $             (34)              

Cash provided by operating activities increased $9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to six months ended June 30, 2016 primarily due to a $76 million increase in net income, offset by changes in various operating assets and liabilities that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Cash used in investing activities decreased $17 million in the period-to-period comparison due to a $4 million decrease in capital expenditures primarily related to a decrease in building and infrastructure expenditures and equipment purchases and a $13 million increase in proceeds from asset sales related to the sale of surface rights.

Cash used in financing activities increased $34 million, primarily due to a $24 million difference in the revolving credit facility activity in the period-to-period comparison, which was comprised of $13 million in borrowing during the six months ended June 30, 2016 versus $11 million of payments during the six months ended June 30, 2017. The remaining variance is primarily due to an $8 million change in Net Parent Distributions.

 

Cash Flows (in millions)

 

        
    

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,
     2016    2015    Change

Cash Provided By Operating Activities

   $ 329       $ 292       $ 37               

Cash Used In Investing Activities

   $ (46)      $ (130)      $ 84               

Cash Used In Financing Activities

   $         (277)      $         (155)      $             (122)              

Cash provided by operating activities increased $37 million in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily due to a $50 million increase in other assets. The change in other assets primarily related to cash payments for stream mitigation credits in the year ended December 31, 2015. No such transaction occurred in the year ended December 31, 2016. The remaining decrease was due to changes in various operating assets and liabilities that occurred throughout both periods, none of which were individually material.

Cash used in investing activities decreased $84 million in the period-to-period comparison primarily due to a $37 million decrease in equipment purchases and rebuilds, a $25 million decrease in preparation plant expenditures and a $25 million decrease in land project expenditures. The remaining variance is due to various other items that occurred throughout both periods none of which were individually material.

 

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Cash used in financing activities increased $122 million in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to the 2015 IPO, which resulted in net proceeds from the issuance of common units of $148 million plus $185 million of borrowings on the CNXC Revolver, along with $16 million in debt issuance and financing fees. The decreases were offset by $16 million in borrowing in 2016 on the CNXC Revolver. The remaining variance is primarily due to changes in Net Parent Distributions.

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Following the separation, CoalCo’s capital structure and sources of liquidity will differ from our condensed historical capital structure. Please refer to the “The Separation and Distribution,” “Capitalization” and “Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Statements” sections included elsewhere in this information statement for additional information regarding the capital structure of CoalCo following the distribution. Following the separation, CoalCo will no longer participate in cash management and intercompany funding arrangements with ParentCo. Our ability to fund our operating and capital needs will depend on our ability to generate cash from operations and access capital markets. The following table and discussion summarize our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016, that may have an impact on liquidity and cash flows in future periods.

Contractual Obligations. CoalCo is required to make future payments under various contracts. CoalCo also has commitments to fund its pension plans, provide payments for other postretirement benefit plans, and fund capital projects. The following is a summary of our significant contractual obligations at December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

 

    Payments due by Year Ending December 31
    Less Than 1
Year
  1-3
Years
  3-5
Years
  More
Than 5
Years
  Total
Purchase Order Firm Commitments           $ 1,719       $       $       $       $ 1,719  
Long-Term Debt     373       607       201,520       104,043       306,543  
Interest on Long-term Debt     13,975       28,021       16,014       24,838       82,848  
Capital (Finance) Lease Obligations     3,703       6,378       5,434             15,515  
Interest on Capital (Finance) Lease Obligations     789       1,045       291             2,125  

Operating Lease Obligations

    93,818       86,214       41,332       20,696       242,060  
Long-Term Liabilities—Employee Related (a)     67,059       132,238       129,300       585,844       914,441  

Other Long-Term Liabilities (b)

    188,237       53,146       45,743       165,295       452,421  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Contractual Obligations (c)

    $     369,673       $   307,649       $   439,634       $   900,716     $   2,017,672  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Employee related long-term liabilities include other post-employment benefits, work-related injuries and illnesses. Estimated salaried retirement contributions required to meet minimum funding standards under ERISA are excluded from the pay-out table due to the uncertainty regarding amounts to be contributed. CoalCo does not expect to contribute to the pension in 2017.

(b)

Other long-term liabilities include mine reclamation and closure and other long-term liability costs.

(c)

The significant obligation table does not include obligations to taxing authorities due to the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate settlement of amounts and timing of these obligations.

Debt. Subject to market conditions and other factors, prior to or concurrent with the separation, CoalCo intends to secure new borrowings from third-party financing sources, a portion of which is anticipated to be distributed to GasCo. In addition, CoalCo intends to retain those 5.75% MEDCO Revenue Bonds due September 2025, for

 

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which the principal amount as of June 30, 2017 was $103 million, and for which GasCo will remain as a guarantor with CoalCo providing indemnification with respect to such guarantee.

Total Equity. CoalCo had total equity of $826,297 thousand at June 30, 2017 compared to $800,124 thousand at December 31, 2016 and $1,061,839 thousand at December 31, 2015. See the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity in this information for additional details.

On July 27, 2017, the Board of Directors of CNXC declared a cash distribution to the Partnership’s unitholders for the second quarter of 2017 of $0.5125 per common and subordinated units and $0.4678 per Class A Preferred Unit. The cash distribution was paid on August 15, 2017 to the unitholders of record at the close of business on August 7, 2017.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions. CoalCo does not maintain off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or others that are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on CoalCo’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources which are not disclosed in the Notes to the Audited Combined Financial Statements. CoalCo participates in the United Mine Workers of America (the “UMWA”) Combined Benefit Fund and the UMWA 1992 Benefit Plan which generally accepted accounting principles recognize on a pay as you go basis. These benefit arrangements may result in additional liabilities that are not recognized on the balance sheet at December 31, 2016. The various multi-employer benefit plans are discussed in Note 10—Other Benefit Plans in the Notes to the Audited Combined Financial Statements in this information statement. CoalCo also uses a combination of surety bonds, corporate guarantees and letters of credit to secure our financial obligations for employee-related, environmental, performance and various other items which are not reflected on the balance sheet at December 31, 2016. Management believes these items will expire without being funded. See Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Audited Combined Financial Statements included in this information statement for additional details of the various financial guarantees that have been issued by CoalCo.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Update 2017-01 - Business Combinations (Topic 805). This update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on CoalCo’s financial statements.

In December 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-19 - Technical Corrections and Improvements, which covers a wide range of Topics in the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). The amendments in this Update represent changes to clarify, correct errors, or make minor improvements to the ASC, making it easier to understand and apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. The amendments generally fall into one of the following categories: amendments related to differences between original guidance and the ASC, guidance clarification and reference corrections, simplification, or minor improvements. Most of the amendments in this Update do not require transition guidance and are effective upon issuance of this Update.

In October 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-17 - Consolidation (Topic 810): Interests Held through Related Parties that are Under Common Control, which amends the consolidation guidance on how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity (VIE) should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE. The Update requires the reporting entity, in determining whether it satisfies the second characteristic of a primary beneficiary, to include its indirect variable interests in a VIE held through related parties that are under common control on a proportionate basis as opposed to in their entirety. The

 

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amendments in this Update will be applied retrospectively and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on CoalCo’s financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-15 - Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments relate to debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, and beneficial interests in securitization transactions. The Update also states that, in the absence of specific guidance for cash receipts and payments that have aspects of more than one class of cash flows, an entity should classify each separately identifiable source or use within the cash receipts and payments on the basis of their nature in financing, investing, or operating activities. In situations in which cash receipts or payments cannot be separated by source or use, the appropriate classification should depend on the activity that is likely to be the predominant source or use of cash flows for the item. The amendments in the Update will be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented and, for public entities, are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Management is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on CoalCo’s financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-13 - Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which provides financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. To achieve this, the amendments in this Update replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The measurement of expected credit losses will be based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. The amendments in this Update will be applied using a modified-retrospective approach and, for public entities, are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those annual periods. Management believes this guidance will not have a material impact on CoalCo’s financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Update 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605 - Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. The objective of the amendments in this Update is to improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services and should disclose sufficient information, both qualitative and quantitative, to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The following updates to Topic 606 were made during 2016:

 

   

In March 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-08 - Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies how an entity determines whether it is a principal or an agent for goods or services promised to a customer as well as the nature of the goods or services promised to their customers.

 

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In April 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-10 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which seeks to address implementation issues in the areas of identifying performance obligations and licensing.

 

   

In May 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-12 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which seeks to address implementation issues in the areas of collectability, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration, and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition.

 

   

In December 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-20 - Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which includes amendments related to loan guarantee fees, contract costs, provisions for losses on construction and production-type contracts, scope, disclosures, contract modification, contract asset versus receivable, refund liability and advertising costs.

The new standards are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with the option to adopt as early as annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Management continues to evaluate the impacts that these standards will have on CoalCo’s financial statements, specifically as it relates to contracts that contain positive electric power price related adjustments. CoalCo anticipates using the modified retrospective approach at adoption as it relates to ASU 2014-09.

In March 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-09 - Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Specifically, this Update states that: all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement; excess tax benefits should be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity; an entity can make an accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures when they occur; the threshold to qualify for equity classification permits withholding up to the maximum statutory tax rates in the applicable jurisdictions; and cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity. For public entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on CoalCo’s financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842), which increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Update 2016-02 does retain a distinction between finance leases and operating leases, which is substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous lease guidance.

Retaining this distinction allows the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease to not significantly change from previous GAAP. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities, but to recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For both financing and operating leases, the right-to-use asset and lease liability will be initially measured at the present value of the lease payments in the statement of financial position. The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. Management is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on CoalCo’s financial statements.

 

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Market Risks

In addition to the risks inherent in operations, CoalCo is exposed to financial, market, political and economic risks. The following discussion provides additional detail regarding CoalCo’s exposure to the risks of changing commodity prices and foreign exchange rates. CoalCo is exposed to market price risk in the normal course of selling coal. CoalCo sells coal in the spot market and under both short-term and multi-year contracts that may contain base prices subject to pre-established price adjustments that reflect (i) variances in the quality characteristics of coal delivered to the customer beyond threshold quality characteristics specified in the applicable sales contract, (ii) the actual calorific value of coal delivered to the customer, and/or (iii) changes in electric power prices in the markets in which CoalCo’s customers operate, as adjusted for any factors set forth in the applicable contract.

CoalCo has established risk management policies and procedures to strengthen the internal control environment of the marketing of commodities produced from its asset base. CoalCo’s market risk strategy incorporates fundamental risk management tools to assess market price risk and establish a framework in which management can maintain a portfolio of transactions within pre-defined risk parameters.

Almost all of CoalCo’s transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars, and, as a result, it does not have material exposure to currency exchange-rate risks. However, because coal is sold internationally in U.S. dollars, general economic conditions in foreign markets and changes in foreign currency exchange rates may provide CoalCo’s foreign competitors with a competitive advantage. If CoalCo’s competitors’ currencies decline against the U.S. dollar or against CoalCo’s foreign customers’ local currencies, those competitors may be able to offer lower prices for coal to CoalCo’s customers. Furthermore, if the currencies of CoalCo’s overseas customers were to significantly decline in value in comparison to the U.S. dollar, those customers may seek decreased prices for the coal CoalCo sells to them. Consequently, currency fluctuations could adversely affect the competitiveness of CoalCo’s coal in international markets.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers Following the Distribution

The following table sets forth information regarding individuals who are serving as our executive officers and are expected to continue to serve following the distribution and is followed by biographical information. All CoalCo executive officers are currently employees of ParentCo or its wholly-owned subsidiary Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC (CPCC), and some also serve as executive officers of ParentCo or CNXC. After the separation and distribution, the individuals will no longer be employed by ParentCo, but will continue to serve in their roles with the CNXC GP to the extent applicable.

 

Name

  

Age

  

Position

James A. Brock

  

61

  

Chief Executive Officer

David M. Khani

  

53

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Katharine Fredriksen

  

52

  

President

Kurt Salvatori

  

47

  

Chief Administrative Officer

James McCaffrey

  

60

  

Senior Vice President- Coal Marketing

Martha A. Wiegand

  

46

  

General Counsel and Secretary

James A. Brock , Chief Executive Officer of CONSOL Mining. Mr. Brock has served as Chief Operating Officer-Coal of ParentCo since December 10, 2010, and as Chief Executive Officer and a director of the CNXC GP since March 16, 2015. He served as Senior Vice President-Northern Appalachia-West Virginia Operations of ParentCo from 2007 to 2010. From 2006 to 2007, Mr. Brock served as Vice President-Operations of ParentCo. Mr. Brock began his career with ParentCo in 1979 at the Matthews Mine and since then has served at various locations in many positions including Section Foreman, Mine Longwall Coordinator, General Mine Foreman and Superintendent. With a career in coal spanning five decades, we believe Mr. Brock’s extensive knowledge of our industry and our operations gained during his years of service with ParentCo in positions of increasing responsibility in its coal operations will provide our board of directors with valuable experience.

David M. Khani , Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CONSOL Mining. Mr. Khani served the same role at ParentCo from March 1, 2013 to August 2, 2017. Mr. Khani joined ParentCo in 2011 as Vice President of Finance, where he played a key role in the growth of ParentCo’s E&P business, and has been deeply involved in the separation of the Coal Business. Prior to joining ParentCo, Mr. Khani was with FBR Capital Markets & Co., an investment banking and advisory firm, and held the following positions: Director of Research from February 2007 through October 2010, and then Co-Director of Research from November 2010 through August 2011. Mr. Khani also serves as Chief Financial Officer and a Board Member of CNXC and CONE Midstream Partners LP.

Katharine Fredriksen , President of CONSOL Mining. Ms. Fredriksen has served as Senior Vice President for Diversified Business Units and Environmental Affairs at ParentCo since June 20, 2016, where she is responsible for the management of ParentCo’s health, safety and environmental matters, including management of ParentCo’s environmental legacy coal liabilities. She is also responsible for overseeing operation of the Baltimore Marine Terminal. For a portion of 2016, she was responsible for Central Appalachia mining operations. Prior to that time, Ms. Fredriksen served as Senior Vice President of Health, Safety and Environmental from August 2015 to June 2016, and Senior Vice President of Environmental Strategy and Regulatory Affairs from January 2011 to August 2015. Previously, Ms. Fredriksen served in the George W. Bush administration as Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Policy and International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy.

James McCaffrey , Senior Vice President- Coal Marketing of CONSOL Mining. Mr. McCaffrey has served as Senior Vice President- Sales of CPCC since June 2016. From January 2013 to current time, Mr. McCaffrey has served as Senior Vice President- Energy Marketing for CPCC, and from April 2002 to June 2016, Mr. McCaffrey

 

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served as Senior Vice President of Sales, Vice President of Materials & Supply Chain Management and Senior Vice President- CNX Land Resources for ParentCo. Mr. McCaffrey started his career as a coal miner with ParentCo in 1976, and joined ParentCo’s management team as Vice President and General Manager of Consolidation Coal Mining Operations in March 2002.

Kurt Salvatori , Chief Administrative Officer of CONSOL Mining. Mr. Salvatori has served as Vice President- Administration of CPCC since January 1, 2017. Previously Mr. Salvatori served as Vice President Shared Services for ParentCo from 2016 to January 2017, and prior to that as Vice President Human Resources from September 2011 to June 2016. Mr. Salvatori joined CONSOL Energy in April 1992 and held numerous positions at CONSOL Energy and CNX Gas Corporation, including Director of Human Resources from April 2006 to September 2011, Manager of Human Resources from January 2005 to April 2006, and Supervisor of Retirement and Investment Plans from April 2002 to January 2005.

Martha A. Wiegand , General Counsel and Secretary of CONSOL Mining. Ms. Wiegand has served as General Counsel and Secretary of the CNXC GP since March 16, 2015. Ms. Wiegand joined ParentCo’s Legal Department in December 2008 as Senior Counsel and was promoted to Associate General Counsel of ParentCo effective in 2012, where she was responsible for a variety of legal matters, including coal and natural gas marketing and transportation, labor and employment, financing arrangements and certain corporate transactions. Prior to joining ParentCo, Ms. Wiegand worked for approximately 10 years for several large Pittsburgh-based law firms, where she handled financing and corporate transactions for clients in the banking and energy industries, among others. She is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and a member of the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOLLOWING THE SEPARATION

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that, following the separation, our Board of Directors will initially be divided into three classes, with each director serving for a term ending at the election of directors at the third annual meeting of stockholders at which the director was elected, subject to the provisions described in the remainder of this paragraph. The two directors designated as Class I directors will have initial terms expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the separation, expected to be held in 2018. Directors up for reelection at this annual meeting will be elected to a new three year term expiring in 2021. The two directors designated as Class II directors will have initial terms expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the separation, expected to be held in 2019. Directors up for reelection at this annual meeting will be elected to a new three year term expiring in 2022. The two directors designated as Class III directors will have initial terms expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the separation, expected to be held in 2020. Each director whose term expires at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders or any annual meeting thereafter (and any other individual who is nominated for election at any such meeting) will be elected for a term expiring the next annual meeting of stockholders.

 

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The following table sets forth those individuals expected to serve on CoalCo’s Board of Directors following completion of the separation. Biographical information is provided for each director (other than Mr. Brock, whose biographical information is set forth above under “Management”). All of the individuals listed below, other than Mr. Brock, our Chief Executive Officer, currently serve as directors of ParentCo and are expected to continue to do so until the separation, at which time they will resign from the board of directors of ParentCo. As described in “Description of CoalCo Capital Stock” our Board will initially be divided into three classes. Disclosure will be provided on a Form 8-K prior to the closing of the distribution regarding the specific classes into which each director will be placed, once such determination has been made.

 

     Age      Audit
Committee
     Compensation
Committee
     Nominating
and
Corporate
Governance
Committee
     Health, Safety and
Environmental
Committee
 

James A. Brock

     61                 X  

Alvin R. Carpenter

     75           X           C  

John T. Mills

     69        C        X           X  

Joseph P. Platt

     69           C        X        X  

William P. Powell (Chair)

     61        X           X        X  

Edwin S. Roberson

     72        X           C        X  

 

C = Chair

Alvin R. Carpenter . Mr. Carpenter has served as a member of the ParentCo Board of Directors since June 2013, and currently serves as a member Compensation Committee, Finance and Investment (F&I) Committee and the Health, Safety and Environmental (HS&E) Committee. He retired from CSX Corporation (CSX), a railroad company, in February 2001, where he had served as vice chairman from July 1999 until his retirement. From 1962 until February 2001, he held various positions with CSX, including President and Chief Executive Officer of CSX Transportation, Inc. from 1992 to 1999 and Executive Vice President-Sales and Marketing of CSX Transportation, Inc. from 1989 to 1992. Mr. Carpenter served as a director of Stein Mart, Inc., a retail company, from 1996 to 2015, where he served as chairman of its compensation committee and as a member of the corporate governance committee. Mr. Carpenter served as a director of Regency Centers Corporation, an owner and developer of dominant, grocery-anchored retail centers, from 1993 until 2016, where he served as a member of its audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees. He served as a director of Lender Processing Services, Inc. from 2009 until it was sold to Fidelity National Financial, Inc. in January 2014, where he had served as its lead director, chairman of the corporate governance and nominating committee and as a member of the compensation committee. Additionally, he previously served on the boards of PSS World Medical, Inc., Barnett Bank, Inc., Nations Bank, American Heritage Life Insurance Company, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida, One Valley Bancorp of West Virginia and Florida Rock Industries, Inc. He also chaired Governor Jeb Bush’s Commission on Workers’ Compensation Reform and served on Governor Bush’s Advisory Council on Base Realignment and Closure. Mr. Carpenter will bring over 50 years of business experience to our Board, including 40 years of experience in the railroad industry where he has served in a wide variety of operating, planning and sales and marketing positions. In addition to the business expertise he developed while employed in the railroad industry, Mr. Carpenter has developed significant expertise in the areas of corporate governance, compensation and audit matters through his service on various public company boards.

John T. Mills . Mr. Mills has served on the ParentCo Board of Directors since March 2006, and currently serves as Chair of its Audit Committee and as a member of its Compensation Committee and HS&E Committee. From December 2007 until August 2015, he served on the board of directors of Cal Dive International Inc., a marine contractor providing manned diving, derrick, pipelay and pipe burial services to the offshore oil and natural gas industry, where he served as lead independent director, and as a member of the audit, compensation, and corporate governance and nominating committees. From January 2008 through June 2010, Mr. Mills was a member of the board of directors and audit, conflicts and risk management committees of Regency GP, LLC, the general partner of Regency GP, LP, the general partner of Regency Energy Partners LP, a natural gas gathering,

 

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processing and transportation master limited partnership. Mr. Mills joined the board of directors of Horizon Offshore, Inc., a marine construction company, in June 2002 and served as the chairman of the board of directors from September 2004 until December 2007, when Horizon Offshore, Inc. was acquired by Cal Dive International, Inc. Mr. Mills was the Chief Financial Officer of Marathon Oil Corporation, an integrated energy company, from January 2002 until his retirement in December 2003. In 2011, Mr. Mills attended the Harvard Business School program “Making Corporate Boards More Effective.” As a licensed attorney with over 40 years of business experience, including 16 years as an officer of Marathon Oil Corporation and U.S. Steel Corporation, Mr. Mills will bring significant knowledge and experience to our Board. In particular, Mr. Mills brings an in-depth understanding of the evaluation of organic growth capital projects and acquisition and disposition opportunities, and the importance of maintaining a competitive capital structure and liquidity. In addition, having previously served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration, and later Chief Financial Officer of Marathon Oil Corporation, Mr. Mills has developed a wealth of financial knowledge with respect to the oversight of (i) the preparation of consolidated financial statements, (ii) internal audit functions, and (iii) public accountants, skills which are critical to our company and particularly our Audit Committee.

Joseph Platt . Mr. Platt has served on the ParentCo Board of Directors since May 2016, and currently serves as Chair of its Compensation Committee and as a member of its F&I Committee and HS&E Committee. He is the general partner at Thorn Partners, LP, a family limited partnership, a position he has held since 1998. Mr. Platt’s career at Johnson and Higgins, a global insurance broker and employee benefits consultant (J&H), spanned 27 years until 1997, when J&H was sold to Marsh & McLennan Companies. At the time of the sale, Mr. Platt was an owner, director and executive vice president of J&H. Mr. Platt has served on the board of directors of Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd., a property and casualty reinsurer, since 2004 and has been its lead independent director since 2007, and also serves as an independent director of BlackRock’s Open End & Liquidity Funds and on the boards of various other nonpublic companies and not-for-profit institutions. Mr. Platt will bring significant financial, compensation and risk management expertise to our Board.

William P. Powell . Mr. Powell has served on the ParentCo Board of Directors since January 2004, and currently serves as Chair of its F&I Committee and as a member of its Nominating and Corporate Governance (N&CG) Committee and the HS&E Committee. Mr. Powell previously was a director of Cytec Industries, a global specialty chemicals and materials company, from 1993 until its merger with Solvay SA in December 2015, where he served as lead independent director, chair of the governance committee and as a member of the audit committee. Until May 2007, Mr. Powell was a Managing Director of William Street Advisors, a New York City-based merchant banking boutique. Mr. Powell resigned from William Street Advisors to establish a family office, 535 Partners LLC, where he serves as Managing Partner. Prior to his time at William Street Advisors, he served as a Managing Director of UBS Warburg LLC and its predecessor Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. since 1991. With an MBA degree and over 30 years of financial, management and investment experience, Mr. Powell will bring a wealth of knowledge to our Board. Having served on multiple public company boards for over 20 years, Mr. Powell also has significant expertise in corporate governance matters.

Edwin S. Roberson . Mr. Roberson has served on the ParentCo Board of Directors since May 2016, and currently serves as a member of its Audit Committee, N&CG Committee, and HS&E Committee. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Christ Community Health Services, a health system of eight clinics providing high quality healthcare to the underserved in the Memphis, Tennessee community, a position he held since 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Roberson served as Chief Executive Officer of various cancer research and biotech firms, and as President of Beacon Consulting, LLC, a business consulting firm, from 2006 to 2011. From 1991 to 2006, he worked at Conwood LLC, the nation’s second-largest manufacturer of smokeless tobacco products and a major seller and distributor of tobacco products manufactured by third parties, where he served in several roles, including Chief Financial Officer and, ultimately, President. After serving in the Army from 1969 to 1971, where he was awarded two Bronze Stars in Vietnam, Mr. Roberson began his professional career at KPMG, an international accounting and consulting firm, where he was a tax partner until 1991. Mr. Roberson also served on the board of Paragon National Bank, where he was chairman of the audit committee. Mr. Roberson serves on the board of directors of Infocare, Inc. (US). Additionally, he also serves on the board of directors of several private

 

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corporations and currently serves or has served as a board member for a number of educational, religious, civic and charitable organizations, including Duke University Divinity School, the Boy Scouts of America, and Chairman of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. Mr. Roberson will bring significant leadership skills and financial, accounting and strategy expertise to our Board. Further, Mr. Roberson is a certified public accountant.

Director Independence

Providing objective, independent judgment is at the core of a board’s oversight function. CoalCo’s Corporate Governance Guidelines will provide that a director will be “independent” if such director meets the standards for independence set forth in the SEC rules and the NYSE Listed Company Manual. In order for a CoalCo director to be deemed “independent” in accordance with such standards (i) the CoalCo Board must affirmatively determine that the director has no material relationship with CoalCo or any subsidiary in its group and (ii) none of the following can be true with respect to such director:

 

(i)

the director is, or has been within the previous three years, employed by CoalCo or its subsidiaries, or an immediate family member is, or has been within the previous three years, an executive officer of CoalCo; provided, that employment as an interim Chairman of the Board or CEO or other executive officer shall not disqualify a director from being considered independent following that employment;

 

(ii)

the director or an immediate family member has received, during any twelve-month period within the last three years, more than $120,000 in direct compensation from CoalCo or its subsidiaries, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service); provided, that compensation received by a director for former service as an interim Chairman of the Board or CEO or other executive officer need not be considered in determining independence under this paragraph (ii) and provided further, that compensation received by an immediate family member for service as an employee of CoalCo or its subsidiaries (other than an executive officer) need not be considered in determining independence under this paragraph (ii);

 

(iii)

(A) the director or an immediate family member is a current partner of the firm that is CoalCo’s internal auditor or external auditor (each an Audit Firm); (B) the director is a current employee of an Audit Firm; (C) the director has an immediate family member who is a current employee of an Audit Firm and who personally works on CoalCo’s audit or (D) the director or an immediate family member was, within the previous three years (but is no longer), a partner or employee of an Audit Firm and personally worked on CoalCo’s audit within that time;

 

(iv)

the director or an immediate family member is, or has been within the previous three years, employed as an executive officer of another company where any of CoalCo’s present executive officers at the same time serves or served on such company’s compensation (or equivalent) committee of the board of directors; or

 

(v)

the director is a current employee, or an immediate family member is an executive officer, of a company that has made payments to, or received payments from, CoalCo or its subsidiaries for property or services in an amount which, in any of the previous three fiscal years, exceeds the greater of $1 million or 2% of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues. For purposes of the foregoing, both the payments and the consolidated gross revenues to be measured shall be those reported in the last completed fiscal year; and

 

(vi)

for members of the audit committee only: other than in the capacity as a member of the audit committee, the Board or any other committee of the Board, the director (A) does not accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from CoalCo or its subsidiaries; provided that compensatory fees do not include the receipt of fixed amounts of compensation under a retirement plan (including deferred compensation) for prior service with CoalCo or its subsidiaries (provided that such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service) or (B) is not an affiliated person of CoalCo or its subsidiaries.

 

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Any relationship that falls below a threshold set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines to be adopted, or is not otherwise listed in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, or may not be required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of SEC Regulation S-K, will be deemed to be an immaterial relationship. CoalCo also intends for members of its Audit and Compensation Committees to satisfy all applicable independence standards.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Effective upon the completion of the distribution, our Board of Directors will have the following four standing committees: Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance (N&CG), and Health, Safety & Environmental (HS&E). The Board of Directors is expected to adopt written charters for each standing committee, which will be made available on our website in connection with the separation.

Following our listing on the NYSE and in accordance with the relevant transition provisions applicable to companies listing in conjunction with a spin-off transaction, each of the Audit, Compensation, and N&CG Committees will consist solely of directors who have been determined by the Board of Directors to be independent in accordance with SEC regulations, NYSE listing standards and CoalCo’s governance guidelines (including the heightened independence standards for members of the Audit and Compensation Committees).

The following sets forth the expected primary responsibilities of the committees of the Board of Directors:

 

Committee

  

Responsibilities

Audit Committee

  

•    Assist the Board in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, CoalCo’s compliance with its legal and regulatory requirements, our risk management policies and practices and CoalCo’s cybersecurity;

 

•    Interact with and evaluate the performance and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

•    Provide general oversight over the accounting principles employed in our financial reporting and the effectiveness of CoalCo’s internal controls over financial reporting and the performance of our internal audit function; and

 

•    Prepare any required Audit Committee Report.

Each member of the Audit Committee will be financially literate, and the Board of Directors will determine which committee members qualify as “financial experts” under applicable SEC rules.

Compensation Committee

  

•    Establish and review CoalCo’s compensation philosophies, policies, plans and programs, consistent with CoalCo’s objectives and stockholder interests, for our non-employee directors, executive officers and certain other employees;

 

•    Review the performance of our executive officers and award incentive compensation;

 

•    Review and monitor our management development and succession plans and activities;

 

•    Engage and oversee any outside compensation consultant; and

 

•    Prepare any required Compensation Committee Report.

 

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Committee

  

Responsibilities

The Compensation Committee may form and delegate its authority to subcommittees when appropriate (including subcommittees of management). Executive officers will not determine the amount or form of executive or director compensation, although the Chief Executive Officer may provide recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding compensation changes and incentive compensation for executive officers other than himself. See “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

Nominating & Corporate

Governance Committee

  

•    Identify qualified individuals for nomination, election or appointment to the Board of Directors;

 

•    Ensure appropriate Board composition, and recommend appropriate Board structure and operations;

 

•    Oversee and assess CoalCo’s corporate governance system, including the responsibilities of Board members and committees, and related policies and procedures;

•    Oversee annual evaluations of the Board, committees, and management, including the CEO; and

 

•    recommend each director nominee to our Board for nomination for election at the annual meeting, taking into account nomination candidates whose names are submitted by stockholders.

CoalCo does not anticipate maintaining a separate policy regarding the diversity of its Board members. However, we expect that the N&CG Committee, and ultimately the Board, will seek director nominees with diverse personal and professional backgrounds, experience and perspectives that, when combined, provide a diverse portfolio of experience and knowledge that will well serve CoalCo’s governance and strategic needs.

 

Health, Safety & Environmental

Committee

  

•    Provide risk oversight of CoalCo’s policies and procedures with respect to health, safety, environmental and security matters;

  

•    Review CoalCo’s strategy, including objectives and policies, relative to the protection of the safety and health of employees, contractors, customers and the public, and environmental protection;

  

•    Review material compliance issues or pending or threatened proceedings regarding health, safety or environmental matters, and management’s response to the same; and

  

•    Review any significant health, safety and environmental public policy and legislative, political and social issues and trends.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During our fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, CoalCo was not an independent company, and did not have a compensation committee or any other committee serving a similar function. Decisions as to the compensation of those who will serve as CoalCo’s executive officers prior to the separation were made by ParentCo and the board of directors of the CNXC GP as described in “Executive Compensation” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

 

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Corporate Governance

We are committed to conducting our businesses in accordance with the highest level of ethical and corporate governance standards. We expect the Board will periodically review its corporate governance practices and take other actions to address changes in regulatory requirements, developments in governance best practices and matters raised by stockholders. The following describes some of the actions we expect the Board to take to help ensure that our conduct earns the respect and trust of stockholders, customers, business partners, employees and the communities in which we live and work.

Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

In connection with the separation and distribution, the Board will adopt corporate governance guidelines that set forth the responsibilities of the Board and the qualifications and independence of its members and the members of its standing committees. We expect that these practices will be reviewed annually by the N&CG Committee.

In addition, in connection with the separation and distribution, the Board is expected to adopt, among other codes and policies, a code of business conduct and ethics policy setting forth standards applicable to all of our employees, including our CEO and senior financial officers; once adopted, these documents will be available on our website at www. consolenergy .com after the distribution. Only the Board or a committee thereof will be able to waive the code of conduct as it applies to our directors or executive officers. Any waiver of the code of conduct for our executive officers, service providers, contractors or directors will be promptly disclosed to our stockholders in any manner as may be required by law or NYSE regulation. Any additions or amendments to our ethics policy, and waivers thereof for our executive officers or directors, will be posted on the corporate governance page of our website, and similarly provided without charge upon written request.

Procedures for Treatment of Complaints Regarding Accounting, Internal Accounting Controls, and Auditing Matters

In accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, CoalCo expects that its Audit Committee will adopt procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting controls or auditing matters and to allow for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees and others of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

Qualification and Nominations of Directors

The N&CG Committee charter that is expected to be adopted in connection with the separation and distribution will provide that the N&CG Committee considers and recommends to the Board nominees for election to or for filling any vacancy on the Board in accordance with our by - laws, our governance guidelines, and the N&CG Committee’s charter. The N&CG Committee is expected to periodically review the requisite skills and characteristics of Board members as well as the size, composition, functioning and needs of the Board as a whole.

It is expected that, to be considered for Board membership, a nominee for director must be an individual of high personal and professional integrity, who has demonstrated exceptional ability and judgment, and who will be effective, in conjunction with the other nominees to our Board, in collectively serving the long - term interests of all of our stockholders. The N&CG Committee is also expected to consider Board members independence, the financial literacy of members of the Audit Committee, the qualification of Audit Committee members as “financial experts,” and the diversity, skills, background and experiences of members of the Board in the context of the needs of the Board. The N&CG Committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem to be in the best interests of CoalCo and our stockholders.

Whenever the Committee concludes, based on the reviews or considerations described above or due to a vacancy, that a new nominee to the Board is required or advisable, it will consider recommendations from directors,

 

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management, stockholders and, if it deems appropriate, consultants retained for that purpose. In such circumstances, it will evaluate individuals recommended by stockholders in the same manner as nominees recommended from other sources. Stockholders who wish to recommend an individual for nomination should send that person’s name and supporting information to the Committee, in care of the company’s Secretary. CoalCo’s amended and restated bylaws will contain provisions that address the process by which a stockholder may nominate an individual to stand for election to the Board. Stockholders who wish to directly nominate an individual for election as a director, without going through the Committee or using our proxy materials, will be required to comply with the procedures in our by - laws.

Communication with Non-Management Members of our Board of Directors

Information for stockholders and other parties interested in communicating with our Board or our independent directors, individually or as a group, will be available on our website at www. consolenergy .com after the separation and distribution. CoalCo’s Secretary will forward communications relating to Board matters to the Chairman; and communications relating to matters within a Board committee s area of responsibility to the chair of the appropriate committee.

Risk Oversight

The Board of Directors will be actively engaged in overseeing and reviewing CoalCo’s strategic direction and objectives, taking into account (among other considerations) CoalCo’s risk profile and exposures. It will be management’s responsibility to manage risk and bring to the Board of Directors’ attention the most material risks to the company. The Board of Directors will have oversight responsibility of the processes established to report and monitor systems for material risks applicable to the company. The Board of Directors will annually review the company’s enterprise risk management and receive regular updates on risk exposures.

Various aspects of the board of directors’ risk oversight will be delegated to its committees, which will meet regularly and report back to the full board. The following committees are expected to play significant roles in carrying out the risk oversight function:

 

   

The Audit Committee will oversee risks related to the company’s financial statements, the financial reporting and disclosure processes, the financial and other internal controls, accounting and legal matters. The Audit Committee will select and retain the company’s independent auditor and will also oversee the internal audit function. The company’s independent outside auditors and the vice president of the company’s internal audit department will be expected to regularly identify and discuss with the Audit Committee risks and related mitigation measures that may arise during their regular reviews of the company’s financial statements and audit work. The Audit Committee will meet separately on a regular basis with representatives of the independent auditing firm and the vice president of the company’s internal audit department. The Audit Committee will also be expected to review management’s annual capital expenditure plans and management’s assessment of the company’s capital structure, including dividend policies and stock repurchase programs.

 

   

The Compensation Committee will be expected to evaluate the risks and rewards associated with the company’s compensation philosophy and programs. The Compensation Committee will review and approve compensation programs with features designed to reward long-term achievement and discourage excessive short-term risk taking. It is expected that an independent executive compensation consulting firm hired by the Compensation Committee will advise the committee with respect to executive compensation practices and programs, including the risks associated with each of them.

 

   

The N&CG Committee will monitor our corporate governance practices against applicable requirements, including those of the NYSE, and against evolving developments and will be responsible for our code of conduct and ethics, including the code of business conduct applicable to the company’s

 

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employees. The Nominating and Governance Committee will also consider issues associated with the independence of the company’s board members.

 

   

The HS&E Committee will monitor, evaluate and address various risks associated with health, safety, the environment and security (including cybersecurity), and will review material compliance issues with health, safety and environmental regulatory requirements, material pending or threatened administrative, and regulatory or judicial proceedings regarding such matters.

Each committee will have the authority to engage such independent counsel as the committee deems necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities. Annually, CoalCo’s chief executive officer and other senior executives, as deemed appropriate by management or the board members, will make a presentation to our Board of Directors about risks associated with our business and how CoalCo manages and mitigates those risks. Because overseeing risk is an ongoing process, the Board of Directors also will be expected to discuss risk throughout the year at other meetings in relation to proposed actions or discussions with respect to various aspects of CoalCo’s operations.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Our Board of Directors will determine compensation to be paid to the CoalCo Nonemployee Directors following the separation and distribution. Compensation for CoalCo Nonemployee Directors is anticipated to consist of a mix of cash and equity-based compensation. The Chairman and committee chairs of our Board of Directors are anticipated to receive additional payments for their services in that capacity. In late 2017 or early 2018, the CoalCo Compensation Committee expects to undertake a review of competitive data and best practices with the input of an independent expert compensation consultant to determine our Board of Directors compensation going forward. We have not yet paid any compensation to the CoalCo Nonemployee Directors. Mr. Brock, our Chief Executive Officer, will not receive any additional compensation in connection with his service on our Board of Directors.

The table below sets forth the expected components of compensation for CoalCo Nonemployee Directors following the separation (to be prorated based on actual service periods), which compensation remains subject to final approval by our Board of Directors.

 

Element of 2017 Annual Compensation

   Dollar Value of
Board Compensation
(January 1, 2017 -
December 31, 2017)
 

Chairman Retainer

   $ 200,000  

Board Retainer

   $ 120,000  

Committee Chair Retainer (excluding Audit Committee and Compensation Committee Chair Retainer)

   $ 10,000  

Audit Committee Chair Retainer

   $ 30,000  

Compensation Committee Chair Retainer

   $ 20,000  

Audit Committee Member Retainer (excluding Audit Committee Chair Retainer)

   $ 7,500  

Annual Equity Award (Stock Options)

   $ 150,000  

Chairman Equity Award (Stock Options)

   $ 300,000  

Following the separation, the Board of Directors may adopt stock ownership guidelines for directors.

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Introduction

As discussed above, CoalCo is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of ParentCo and not an independent company, and its compensation committee has not yet been formed. For purposes of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) and executive compensation disclosures, the individuals listed below are collectively referred to as our named executives. These named executives include our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the three most highly compensated individuals designated as CoalCo executive officers, based on 2016 compensation from ParentCo, its wholly-owned subsidiary CPCC, and/or the CNXC GP, as applicable:

 

   

James A. Brock, CoalCo Chief Executive Officer . Prior to the separation, Mr. Brock served as the Chief Operating Officer – Coal of ParentCo, and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and director of the CNXC GP.

   

David M. Khani, CoalCo Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer . Prior to the separation, Mr. Khani served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ParentCo until August 2, 2017, and thereafter assumed the position of Chief Financial Officer of CoalCo and the CNXC GP.

   

Katharine Fredriksen, CoalCo President . Prior to the separation, Ms. Fredriksen served as Senior Vice President for Diversified Business Units and Environmental Affairs of ParentCo.

   

James McCaffrey, CoalCo Senior Vice President—Coal Marketing . Prior to the separation, Mr. McCaffrey served as Senior Vice President for Energy Marketing for CPCC.

   

Kurt Salvatori, CoalCo Chief Administrative Officer . Prior to the separation, Mr. Salvatori served as the Vice President – Administration for CPCC.

Determinations regarding the 2016 compensation of our named executives, which correlate to their respective positions held in 2016, may be summarized as follows:

 

   

As named executive officers of ParentCo, decisions regarding the 2016 compensation of Messrs. Brock and Khani were recommended by the Chief Executive Officer of ParentCo and approved by the ParentCo Compensation Committee, other than with respect to CNXC phantom unit awards granted to Mr. Brock in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of the CNXC GP under the CNX Coal Resources LP 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the CNXC LTIP), which phantom unit awards were determined by the Board of Directors of the CNXC GP (the CNXC GP Board).

   

Decisions regarding the 2016 compensation of Messrs. McCaffrey, Salvatori and Ms. Fredriksen were made by ParentCo management in accordance with ParentCo’s plans and performance.

As historical compensation decisions relating to our named executives primarily were based on the compensation philosophy, practices and objectives of ParentCo, this CD&A primarily focuses on ParentCo’s executive compensation program and does not necessarily reflect the compensation programs that will be adopted by CoalCo following the separation. We also discuss grants made under the CNXC LTIP and other compensation decisions made by the CNXC GP Board where warranted. The CoalCo Compensation Committee anticipates reviewing the compensation of its named executive officers at, on or around the Effective Time.

This CD&A, which relates to 2016 compensation determinations, contains references to one or more financial measures (indicated by *) utilized by ParentCo that have not been calculated in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of disclosed non-GAAP financial measure used by ParentCo in its 2016 compensation determinations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is provided in Appendix A to this information statement.

 

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ParentCo 2016 Compensation Setting Process

ParentCo Compensation Philosophy and Objectives . ParentCo’s executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain key executives who drive success and industry leadership through compensation that:

 

   

links a significant portion of total compensation to performance to create long-term stockholder value;

   

consists primarily of stock-based compensation, which encourages executives to act as owners and aligns their interests with those of ParentCo’s stockholders;

   

is tied to ParentCo’s overall corporate performance, financial and operational goals (both annual and long-term);

   

enhances retention in a highly competitive market by subjecting a significant portion of total compensation to multi-year vesting or performance conditions;

   

discourages unnecessary and excessive risk taking; and

   

provides a competitive total pay opportunity.

Key factors that affected ParentCo’s 2016 compensation determinations include the nature and scope of an executive’s responsibilities, an executive’s performance (including contribution to financial results), and outside compensation consultant report(s) on survey and/or reported data for compensation paid to executives with similar responsibilities at similarly-situated companies.

Results of ParentCo 2017 Stockholder Vote on Named Executive Compensation . Approximately 94% of the shares voted at ParentCo’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders approved ParentCo’s 2016 executive compensation program. ParentCo believes that this vote outcome was positively impacted by ParentCo’s active historic stockholder engagement and continued efforts to structure executive compensation to better align the interests of its named executives and stockholders. Following the separation, CoalCo intends to engage with its stockholders on matters relating to executive compensation.

Use of Peer Group and Other Benchmarking Data . A primary factor considered by the ParentCo Compensation Committee in determining the total compensation opportunity available to each of its named executive officers is whether such total compensation opportunity is competitive with the total compensation opportunities offered to similarly-situated executives by ParentCo’s competitors. Due to ParentCo’s historically unique position of being both a natural gas and coal producer, for 2016 compensation purposes, the ParentCo Compensation Committee used a peer group of companies that included a mix of both natural gas and coal companies, against which the ParentCo Compensation Committee measured its overall compensation program. In selecting the peer group companies, the ParentCo Compensation Committee also considered ParentCo’s revenue and market capitalization relative to these peers and their business segment revenue.

In consideration of the above, the following peer companies were used by the ParentCo Compensation Committee to help establish 2016 compensation for Messrs. Brock and Khani, who were named executive officers of ParentCo in 2016:

 

Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.

  

EOG Resources, Inc.

  

Range Resources

Antero Resources

  

EQT Corporation

  

Southwestern Energy Co

Arch Coal Inc.

  

Noble Energy, Inc.

  

Teck Resources

Cabot Oil and Gas

  

Peabody Energy Corp

  

Walter Energy

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

  

QEP Resources, Inc.

  

WPX Energy, Inc.

Devon Energy Corporation

     

Role of ParentCo Compensation Consultant . In 2016, the ParentCo Compensation Committee engaged Willis Towers Watson to assist with the development of ParentCo’s 2016 executive compensation program. Willis Towers Watson provided no other services to ParentCo and its affiliates during 2016. The ParentCo Compensation Committee looked to its compensation consultant to review the elements of ParentCo’s

 

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compensation program, including the appropriate mix of short- and long-term incentives, and for any recommendations of modifications thereto, based on their review of the market practices of a peer group of companies and ParentCo’s compensation objectives. The consultant also provided ongoing input on the design of ParentCo’s incentive programs and the underlying performance metrics.

Process for Evaluating Compensation . In the first quarter of 2016, the ParentCo Compensation Committee met to establish the base salaries, incentive opportunities and related performance goals of ParentCo’s compensation programs, including its STIC and LTIC programs (both as defined below), for ParentCo named executive officers, including Messrs. Brock and Khani. To establish such compensation, ParentCo’s Human Resources personnel made initial assessments that were reviewed by the ParentCo Chief Executive Officer. This assessment included relevant industry salary practices, the complexity and level of responsibility associated with Messrs. Brock’s and Khani’s positions, their positions’ overall importance to ParentCo relative to other executive positions, and the competitiveness of their overall total compensation. A similar, but less formal process was undertaken by ParentCo management as it related to the establishment of base salaries, incentive opportunities and related performance goals, including its STIC and LTIC programs, for our other named executives. After considering these factors, and in consultation with the ParentCo Chief Executive Officer and Willis Towers Watson, the ParentCo Compensation Committee and the ParentCo Board of Directors approved the 2016 compensation packages for Messrs. Brock and Khani, and ParentCo management approved the 2016 compensation packages for Ms. Fredriksen and Messrs. McCaffrey and Salvatori. Long-term compensation granted to Mr. Brock in 2016 under the CNXC LTIP was determined and approved by the CNXC GP Board, as further described below.

After the separation, CoalCo anticipates that our Board of Directors (and its compensation committee, once formed) will determine the process for setting compensation with respect to our named executives. Our Board of Directors (or its compensation committee) will also select its own peer group of companies against whom it may choose to benchmark or compare its compensation programs.

 

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Elements of 2016 Compensation Program

The following chart shows the compensation elements applicable to our named executives in 2016:

 

Compensation
Element

 

Form of
Compensation

 

Performance Criteria/Formula/2016 Results

   

Applicability

 

Purpose and Key Facts

Base Salary

  Cash     All named executives   Provide fixed compensation necessary to attract and retain key executives and employees and to offset the cyclicality in ParentCo’s business that may impact variable pay year-to-year.
               
Short-Term Incentive Compensation (STIC)       All named executives   Provide incentives to achieve free cash flow*, operational, and stock price performance goals applicable to ParentCo and reward employees for the achievement of those goals.
 

Cash

 

Performance Measure

 

   

Modifier

 

     

 

Total
Result

 

 
 

 

   
    Free Cash Flow*     +/-     Safety +/- 20%     =       200%      
        Environmental +/- 5%         
        Stock Price +/- 5%        
               
               
Long-Term Incentive Compensation (LTIC)  

CNXC Phantom Units

(vesting one-third per year for three years)

 

 

  Mr. Brock   Create a strong incentive to achieve short- and long-term performance objectives and strategic plan goals, and align management’s interests with those of ParentCo stockholders and CNXC unitholders. Equity awards also are intended to retain executive talent.
 

ParentCo Performance Share Units

(vesting one-fifth per year for five years)

 

 

  All named executives  
               
      Performance Measure (2016 –2020)     Weight    


 Total Units 
Earned
2016
Tranche
 
 
 
 
 

Messrs. Khani, McCaffrey, Salvatori and Ms. Fredriksen

 
    Relative TSR (S&P 500)     50%     200%      
    Absolute Stock Price     50%            
               
  Options (vesting one-third per year for three years)      
               
Other Agreements and Benefits  

Change in Control Agreements

Other Retirement Benefits

 

 

  All named executives   Attract and retain key management members and, for change in control agreements, motivate named executives to take actions that are in the best interests of ParentCo and/or CNXC, as applicable.
               

Limited Perquisites

  See Summary Compensation Table     All named executives   Provide a competitive compensation package.

2016 Base Salary . Base salary is designed to provide a competitive fixed rate of pay recognizing the named executives’ different levels of responsibility and performance. In setting base salary amounts for 2016, ParentCo considered factors including, but not limited to, external market data, the internal worth and value assigned to the

 

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named executive’s role and responsibilities, and the named executive’s skills and performance. The chart below shows named executives’ base salary amounts for 2016 (rounded up to the nearest dollar):

 

CoalCo Named Executive

   Base Salary for 2016  

Chief Executive Officer

   $ 410,000  

Chief Financial Officer

   $ 517,625  

President

   $ 250,118  

SVP - Coal Marketing

   $ 379,710  

Chief Administrative Officer

   $ 220,835  

2016 STIC Program . The ParentCo 2016 STIC program was designed to deliver annual cash awards when ParentCo is successful in meeting or exceeding established performance targets and to pay less, or nothing at all, when ParentCo and/or its employees fall short of these targets. The STIC program provides incentive compensation (measured at target) that is comparable to compensation provided by companies with which ParentCo competes for executive talent.

The 2016 STIC (applicable to the January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016 performance period) was structured to align management’s interests with the key goal of generating free cash flow* for ParentCo. The free cash flow* performance factor, which was based on ParentCo’s operating cash flow, was calculated as follows:

 

Operating

Cash

Flow(1)

  

-

  

Capital Expenditures

  

+

  

Asset

Sales

  

+

  

MLP

Distributions

Received(2)

  

=

  

Target Free Cash Flow*

 

(1)

The calculation of this ParentCo metric is set forth on Appendix A.

 

(2)

Refers to distributions that ParentCo received from CNXC and CONE Midstream Partners LP.

The free cash flow* performance factor had a score ranging from 0% – 200%, with a target score of 100%. If the threshold, or minimum, score of 50% had not been achieved, a score of zero would have been assigned, with no payout. Payout of the 2016 STIC could potentially have been modified by safety, environmental and stock price modifiers. The target free cash flow* performance factor was derived from the annual board-approved profit objective for ParentCo for 2016. Accordingly, the 2016 STIC award payout formula was as follows:

 

Annual

Base Salary

  

X

 

Target

Opportunity Percentage

(% of Base Salary)

  

X

  

(Free Cash Flow*

Performance Factor +/-

Modifiers)

(up to 200%)

  

=

  

STIC Award Payout

The free cash flow* performance factor metrics and percentage payout for the 2016 STIC, as well as ParentCo’s achievement of the same, were as follows:

 

Performance Factor – Free Cash Flow*  
(Metrics and % Payout)              

Metrics

          Payout (%)  

Threshold

   $ 166 M        50

Target

   $ 585 M        100

Maximum

   $ 866 M        200

Actual 2016 Results

   $ 957 M        200

As indicated in the chart above, in 2016, ParentCo achieved free cash flow* performance in excess of the maximum STIC payout, resulting in the named executives receiving annual STIC payouts as reflected below, based on their target payout (as a percentage of base salary) multiplied by the maximum payout percentage of

 

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200%. Due to the level of achievement for 2016, which exceeded the maximum STIC payout, the safety, environmental and stock price modifiers were not considered and therefore did not affect the 2016 STIC payout.

 

CoalCo Named Executive

   Target Opportunity
Percentages

(% of Base Salary)(1)
    Target Payout
Opportunity
     STIC Payout Score
(% of Opportunity)
    Actual
Payout
 

Chief Executive Officer

     65   $ 266,500        200   $ 533,000 (2) 

Chief Financial Officer

     70   $ 362,338        200   $ 725,000 (2) 

President

     35   $ 87,541        200   $ 175,082  

SVP- Coal Marketing

     50   $ 189,855        200   $ 379,710  

Chief Administrative Officer

     30   $ 66,250        200   $ 132,501  

 

(1)

The ParentCo Compensation Committee (with respect to Messrs. Brock and Khani) and ParentCo management (with respect to Ms. Fredriksen and Messrs. McCaffrey and Salvatori) determined the 2016 target opportunity percentages, based on a review of competitive data and performance.

 

(2)

Rounded up to the nearest thousand.

ParentCo LTIC . The ParentCo LTIC program is designed to create a strong incentive for our named executives to achieve the longer-term performance objectives in ParentCo’s strategic plan and to align management’s interests with those of ParentCo’s stockholders. Awards granted under the LTIC are made pursuant to the ParentCo Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the ParentCo LTIP).

In January 2016, the ParentCo Compensation Committee restructured the LTIC program to encourage retention, more fully align management’s interests with those of ParentCo’s stockholders and continue focus on stockholder return. The ParentCo Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Brock would receive his 2016 long-term incentive opportunity in the form of PSUs (55%) and CNXC phantom units (45%) (as further approved by the CNXC GP Board), while Mr. Khani would receive his 2016 long-term incentive opportunity in the form of PSUs (55%) and ParentCo stock options (45%). ParentCo management determined that Ms. Fredriksen and Messrs. McCaffrey and Salvatori would receive their 2016 long-term incentive opportunity in the form of PSUs (55%) and ParentCo stock options (45%).

2016 – 2020 PSU Grants and Payout. In January 2016, the named executives were granted PSUs that vest, if earned, ratably over a five-year period (January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2020) based on annual ParentCo performance measurements. The vesting of the 2016 – 2020 PSU awards will be calculated annually based on the following pre-established, equally-weighted ParentCo performance goals, with the aggregate payout capped at 200% of target:

 

(i)

Total Stockholder Return (TSR) of ParentCo relative to the S&P 500 (measured at the end of each year during the five-year performance period using the 10-day average closing stock price of ParentCo ending December 31 for the applicable tranche); and

 

(ii)

absolute stock price appreciation of ParentCo (measured at the end of each year during the five-year performance period using the 10-day average closing stock price per share of ParentCo against the grant date of $6.87 (the GDSP) as the starting point).

 

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LOGO

 

(1)

Straight-line interpolation between performance levels.

 

(2)

After reviewing ParentCo’s prior stock price performance and consideration of ParentCo’s business plan, the ParentCo Compensation Committee considered the stock price goals applicable to the remaining tranches of the 2016 – 2020 PSU awards to be challenging but attainable.

In the event that a tranche fails to pay out at the end of any annual tranche period with respect to the absolute stock price measure (a Missed Year), the unvested PSUs attributable to the Missed Year may still become fully vested, at a target level, if ParentCo achieves target performance (or greater) as determined after the end of a future tranche. The opportunity to recoup any missed payouts may occur for any prior tranche, but only up to target performance for that prior period.

The named executives received the following target awards for the 2016 – 2020 PSUs in the dollar amounts shown below:

 

Named Executive

   PSUs (Target) ($)  

Chief Executive Officer

     550,000  

Chief Financial Officer

     1,100,000  

President

     52,250  

SVP- Coal Marketing(1)

     137,500  

Chief Administrative Officer

     41,250  

 

(1)

Pursuant to the terms of Mr. McCaffrey’s retention agreement described below, ParentCo agreed that, if ParentCo shipped 24,462 thousand tons of coal from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 from the Bailey complex (the Coal Tonnage Goal) and he remained employed with ParentCo or its subsidiaries through December 31, 2016, he would vest in his 2016-2020 PSUs, subject to the attainment of the performance goals as determined by the ParentCo Compensation Committee after the end of the applicable performance period. The Coal Tonnage Goal was achieved and Mr. McCaffrey vested in his right to this award, subject to the attainment of the award’s performance goals as determined by the ParentCo Compensation Committee.

 

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In January 2017, the ParentCo Compensation Committee determined the payout, based on strict adherence to the above formula, of the first tranche of the 2016 – 2020 PSU awards, based on ParentCo’s relative TSR and absolute stock price performance during 2016. Based on the targets described above and the actual performance results for 2016 shown in the below chart, the ParentCo Compensation Committee determined that the first tranche of the 2016 – 2020 PSUs was earned at 200% of target, with (i) a relative TSR score of 200%, and (ii) an average stock price score of 200%.

 

Performance Metric

   Performance Results      Units Earned
(%)
    Weighting
(%)
    Total Units Earned
(%)
 

Relative TSR(1)

     99.5 percentile        200     50     200

Absolute Stock Price Per Share (2)

   $ 18.98        200     50     200

 

(1)

Relative TSR for the 2016 tranche was measured by comparing ParentCo’s 10-day average closing stock price per share ending on December 31, 2016 against those of the companies in the S&P 500 as of the same date against their 10-day average closing stock price per share ending on December 31, 2015. Dividends were included on a cash basis.

 

(2)

The absolute stock price metric for the 2016 tranche was measured by comparing ParentCo’s GDSP of $6.87 per share against ParentCo’s 10-day average closing stock price per share ending December 31, 2016 of $18.98 per share.

As a result of the achievement of the above performance factors, the named executives earned the following payouts with respect to the 2016 PSU tranche:

 

CoalCo Named Executive

   2016 PSU Tranche
(at target)
     Target Payout
(%)
    Payout Amounts
(# of shares)
 

Chief Executive Officer

     13,854        200     27,708  

Chief Financial Officer

     27,708        200     55,416  

President

     1,316        200     2,632  

SVP- Coal Marketing

     3,462        200     6,924  

Chief Administrative Officer

     1,038        200     2,076  

2016 – 2018 Option Grants. In order to provide competitive compensation, retain key executive talent, and align management’s interests with ParentCo’s stockholders, in January 2016, Messrs. Khani, McCaffrey, Salvatori and Ms. Fredriksen received awards of time-based, three-year ratable vesting option awards. Mr. Brock did not receive an option award as part of his 2016 LTIC, and instead received an equity award pursuant to the CNXC LTIP due to his service as Chief Executive Officer and a director of the CNXC GP (please see below under “2016 CNXC Phantom Unit Award to Mr. Brock”). The 2016 option awards granted to Messrs. Khani, McCaffrey, Salvatori and Ms. Fredriksen were as follows:

 

CoalCo Named Executive

   Aggregate Dollar Value of
3-Year Option Award
 

Chief Financial Officer

   $ 900,000  

President

   $ 42,750  

SVP- Coal Marketing(1)

   $ 112,500  

Chief Administrative Officer

   $ 33,750  

 

(1)

Pursuant to the terms of Mr. McCaffrey’s retention agreement described below, ParentCo agreed that, if ParentCo achieved the Coal Tonnage Goal and he remained employed with ParentCo or its subsidiaries through December 31, 2016, he would vest in his 2016 option award with such award remaining exercisable until the expiration date of the option term. As described above, the Coal Tonnage Goal was achieved and Mr. McCaffrey vested in his 2016 option award.

Payout of ParentCo PSUs Covering 2014 – 2016 Performance Period. In January 2014, the ParentCo Compensation Committee approved an award of PSUs to ParentCo’s named executive officers and other key

 

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employees of ParentCo at that time, including Messrs. Khani and McCaffrey, which awards had a performance period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016. Additional information regarding the 2014 – 2016 PSUs is included in ParentCo’s Proxy Statement filed on March 25, 2015. In 2016, the ParentCo Compensation Committee determined the actual payout of the 2014 – 2016 PSU awards by strictly adhering to the following formula, with the two metrics of relative TSR and average Return on Capital Employed (ROCE*) being equally weighted.

 

LOGO

Based on the above targets and the actual performance results shown in the below chart, the ParentCo Compensation Committee determined that, with respect to the three-year performance period of January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016, the PSUs were earned at 100% of target, based on (i) a TSR score of 0% and (ii) a ROCE* score of 200%, as follows:

 

Performance Metric

  

Performance Results

   Units Earned (%)     Weighting (%)     Total Units Earned (%)  

TSR(1)

   4.5% (Below Threshold)      0     50     100

ROCE*(2)

   12.25% (Outstanding)      200     50  

 

(1)

TSR was measured by comparing ParentCo’s 10-day average closing stock price per share ending on December 31, 2013 and the companies in the S&P 500 as of that same date against the 10-day average closing stock price per share of ParentCo ending December 31, 2016.

 

(2)

The calculation of the ROCE* result is set forth on Appendix A.

As a result of the above performance determinations, Messrs. Khani and McCaffrey earned the following PSUs for the 2014 – 2016 performance period:

 

CoalCo Named Executive

   PSUs Granted in January 2014 (Target)

(including Dividend Equivalents)

     Shares of Common Stock

Issued (Earned PSUs)

 

Chief Financial Officer

     13,561        13,561  

SVP- Coal Marketing(1)

     3,476        3,476  

 

(1)

Pursuant to the terms of Mr. McCaffrey’s retention agreement described below, ParentCo agreed that, if ParentCo achieved the Coal Tonnage Goal and he remained employed with ParentCo or its subsidiaries through December 31, 2016, he would vest in his 2014-2016 PSUs, subject to the attainment of the performance goals as determined by the ParentCo Compensation Committee after the end of the performance period. The Coal Tonnage Goal was achieved and Mr. McCaffrey vested in his right to this award, subject to the attainment of the award’s performance goals as determined by the ParentCo Compensation Committee.

2016 CNXC Phantom Unit Award to Mr. Brock

CNXC Phantom Units . In 2016, the CNXC GP Board granted long-term incentive awards, consisting of phantom units, under the CNXC LTIP to certain of its executives and key employees. For 2016, the only named executive

 

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who received a long-term incentive award under the CNXC LTIP was Mr. Brock. Mr. Brock was awarded 56,963 CNXC phantom units in 2016, which vest one-third per year and are settled upon vesting in common units of CNXC (on a one-for-one basis) or, at the discretion of the CNXC GP Board, in cash.

Other Compensation Policies and Information in Effect During 2016

Retirement Benefit Plans . ParentCo maintains retirement benefit plans, including supplemental retirement plans, which are intended to attract and retain key talent. ParentCo also continues to move toward a defined contribution strategy to deliver retirement benefits to its employees. In 2014, ParentCo froze the retirement plan for its employees and eliminated retiree medical for all active employees, including our named executives.

Change in Control Agreements . Our named executives have entered into change in control severance agreements with ParentCo and/or its affiliates, which we refer to as the CIC Agreements. The CIC Agreements provide for a “double trigger” requirement before severance benefits may be paid, in that a named executive will only receive severance benefits if his or her employment is terminated or constructively terminated after, or in connection with, a change in control (as defined in the applicable CIC Agreements) and such named executive enters into a general release of claims as provided in the CIC Agreement. Under these circumstances, the named executives would be entitled to receive a lump-sum cash severance payment equal to a multiple of base pay, plus a multiple of incentive pay (as defined in the applicable CIC Agreement), as follows:

 

CoalCo Named Executive

   Multiple of Base Salary and Incentive Pay

Chief Executive Officer

   2.0

Chief Financial Officer

   2.5

President

   1.5

SVP - Coal Marketing

   2.0

Chief Administrative Officer

   2.0

Additionally, in connection with a change in control only, equity grants would accelerate and vest. To protect the business interests of CNXC and ParentCo, the CIC Agreements and applicable equity award agreements also contain confidentiality obligations, a one-year non-competition covenant and a two-year non-solicitation covenant. In connection with the separation and distribution, CoalCo will determine whether to enter into new change in control severance agreements with our named executives, which would supersede the CIC Agreements discussed here and elsewhere in this information statement. Certain of the CIC Agreements discussed herein have since been superseded by new agreements. See “Subsequent Events” below for additional detail.

McCaffrey Retention Agreement . On March 31, 2016, ParentCo entered into a retention agreement with Mr. McCaffrey which provided as follows:

 

   

If the Coal Tonnage Goal was achieved and he remained employed with ParentCo or its subsidiaries through December 31, 2016, any equity incentive awards granted to him under the ParentCo LTIP, to the extent unvested, would vest on December 31, 2016 and, in the case of (i) option awards, remain exercisable until the expiration date of the option term and (ii) PSU awards, continue to be subject to the attainment of the applicable performance goals as determined by the ParentCo Compensation Committee after the end of the applicable performance period.

 

   

If Mr. McCaffrey remains employed with ParentCo or its subsidiaries through December 31, 2017, any equity incentive awards granted to him under the ParentCo LTIP in 2017 will vest on December 31, 2017 and, in the case of (i) option awards, remain exercisable until the expiration date of the option term and (ii) PSU awards, continue to be subject to the attainment of the applicable performance goals as determined by the ParentCo Compensation Committee after the end of the applicable performance period.

 

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Notwithstanding the forgoing, if ParentCo or its subsidiary terminated his employment for cause, the retention agreement would be immediately null and void.

Clawback Policy . ParentCo has in place a compensation clawback policy, which provides that ParentCo may seek to recover performance-based cash and equity incentive compensation paid to an executive officer in the three years prior to a restatement as a result of ParentCo’s material non-compliance with the financial reporting requirements of the securities laws if (i) such officer is responsible for such restatement and (ii) the amount paid to the officer would have been lower had it been calculated based on such restated financial statements. CoalCo will determine the type of clawback policy that is appropriate for it following the separation.

Stock Ownership Guidelines for Certain Named Executives . ParentCo has stock ownership guidelines applicable to its named executives, which requires that they own a minimum number of shares of ParentCo stock, based upon a multiple of base salary. The guidelines provide each officer with a five-year period from their appointment as an officer to achieve the applicable ownership level. The ownership requirements applicable to the named executives with respect to ParentCo stock are as follows:

 

Named Executive

   Ownership Requirement
(As Multiple of Base Salary)
 

Chief Executive Officer

     2.5  

Chief Financial Officer

     3.5  

President

     1.0  

SVP - Coal Marketing

     1.5  

Chief Administrative Officer

     1.5  

ParentCo’s stock ownership guidelines were implemented to further align officers’ interests with those of ParentCo’s stockholders and to comply with what it believes are best practices. ParentCo reviews compliance with the stock ownership guidelines annually. CoalCo expects to make a determination regarding adoption of a stock ownership policy applicable to the named executives and their ownership of CoalCo shares following the separation.

No Hedging/Pledging Policy . ParentCo’s insider trading policy prohibits directors, officers and employees from engaging in any of the following activities with respect to securities of ParentCo and its subsidiaries (except as otherwise may be approved in writing by ParentCo’s General Counsel): (i) purchases on margin; (ii) short sales; (iii) buying or selling options (other than the grant and exercise of compensatory stock options by ParentCo to directors, officers and employees), including buying or selling puts or calls or other hedging transactions; or (iv) pledging ParentCo or subsidiary securities (provided, however, that brokerage account agreements may grant security interests in securities held at the broker to secure payment and performance obligations of the brokerage account holder in the ordinary course). CNXC has also adopted an insider hedging policy with similar prohibitions against hedging and pledging CNXC units. CoalCo expects to adopt a no hedging/pledging policy following the separation.

Perquisites . ParentCo provides limited perquisites that it believes are reasonable, competitive and consistent with its compensation program. ParentCo’s principal perquisite programs are more fully described in the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table. ParentCo does not provide tax gross-ups on ParentCo-provided perquisite programs to its named executive officers. It is anticipated that a similar approach will be adopted by CoalCo after the separation.

Tax, Accounting, and Regulatory Considerations . ParentCo considers the effects of tax, accounting and other regulatory requirements in designing and implementing its compensation programs, and while these factors may impact plan designs, ultimately decisions reflect the pay strategy of ParentCo and program intent. With some exceptions, Section 162(m) of the Code limits ParentCo’s deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to certain covered employees (generally ParentCo’s chief executive officer and the three next highest-paid

 

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executive officers, other than the chief financial officer). Compensation paid to covered employees is not subject to the deduction limitation if it is considered “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. In order to serve the interests of ParentCo’s stockholders, performance-based awards are structured to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code to maximize ParentCo’s tax deductions.

Although ParentCo strives to provide the named executives with compensation packages that will preserve deductibility of significant components of those packages to the extent reasonably practicable or consistent with ParentCo’s compensation objectives, the ParentCo Compensation Committee believes that ParentCo stockholder interests are best served by not restricting flexibility in structuring, determining and ultimately approving payment with respect to these compensation programs (even if the programs or such decisions may result in certain nondeductible compensation).

In the case of CoalCo, Section 162(m) includes a special transition period for certain spin-offs of subsidiaries of publicly held companies that become separately held public companies. During this transition period, any compensation paid to covered employees under our equity and annual cash incentive plans will be exempt from the deduction limits under Section 162(m) for a limited period of time even without stockholder approval, so long as the other applicable requirements of Section 162(m) are met (i.e., requirements relating to the composition of the compensation committee, the performance goals and the certification of the performance goals). This transition period is applicable for compensation paid in connection with annual incentive bonuses, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or restricted stock units prior to the first regularly scheduled meeting of our stockholders that occurs beginning 12 months after the date of the separation.

Compensation Policies and Practices as They Relate to ParentCo’s Risk Management . ParentCo’s 2016 compensation program was designed to motivate and reward ParentCo’s employees for their performance during the fiscal year and over the long term, and for taking appropriate business risks.

In January 2016, the ParentCo Compensation Committee reviewed an assessment of the risks, if any, to ParentCo associated with ParentCo’s compensation policies and practices. The ParentCo Compensation Committee, with management, reviewed and discussed the design features, characteristics, performance metrics and approval mechanisms for all of its various compensation components, to determine whether any of the compensation policies or programs could create risks that would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on ParentCo. The assessment was also reviewed by ParentCo’s Internal Auditors and Human Resources Department. Based on this review, management, the ParentCo Compensation Committee and the ParentCo Board of Directors identified the following risk mitigating components, which they believed would likely reduce excessive risk-taking and mitigate incentives to maximize short-term results at the expense of long-term value:

 

   

Balanced Pay Mix: The target compensation mix of executive officers, including our named executives, is heavily weighted toward long-term incentive compensation.

   

Mix of Performance Metrics: ParentCo does not rely on a single performance metric to determine payouts for performance-based awards. Instead, performance targets are tied to a variety of metrics. Performance-based awards are also based, in part, on the achievement of strategic and operational objectives in addition to the foregoing metrics.

   

Calculation and Verification of Performance: Controls are in place to ensure accuracy of calculations as to actual performance against metrics. In cases where management determines performance scores, the ParentCo Compensation Committee and Board generally review and make judgments regarding these determinations.

   

Cap on Incentive Payouts: ParentCo’s incentive programs use financial measures with sliding scales, with amounts, if potentially earned, interpolated between threshold, target and maximum. Payouts are capped at a percentage of the target award to protect against excessive payouts.

 

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Performance Period and Vesting Schedules: The performance period and vesting schedules for long-term incentives overlap and, therefore, reduce the motivation to maximize performance in any one period.

   

Stock Ownership and Retention Guidelines: These policies require named executives to own equity in ParentCo and retain shares of ParentCo acquired through equity grants for the long-term.

Based on the review of ParentCo’s internal controls and the risk mitigating components of ParentCo’s compensation programs identified in the management team’s risk assessment, together with the assistance of its outside compensation consultant, it was determined that ParentCo’s compensation policies and practices do not encourage executives or other non-executive employees to take excessive risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on ParentCo. In the future, this risk assessment will be performed by the CoalCo Board of Directors or its compensation committee post separation.

Subsequent Events

Messrs. Brock and Salvatori each entered into an Amended and Restated Change in Control Severance Agreement with ParentCo, CNXC, the CNXC GP and CPCC on February 7, 2017. Notwithstanding the additional affiliates of ParentCo made party to the amended and restated agreements, the terms of these agreements are generally similar to the CIC Agreements that were in effect for each of Messrs. Brock and Salvatori as of December 31, 2016 discussed below. However, the amended and restated agreements differ in the following respects as to what each executive is entitled to receive upon an involuntary termination (including constructive termination) associated with a change in control:

 

   

in Mr. Salvatori’s case, a lump sum payment equal to 1.5 times his base pay plus 1.5 times his incentive pay (reduced from a multiple of 2.0 under Mr. Salvatori’s prior CIC Agreement);

   

continued medical and dental benefits for a period of 18 months following the date of termination, or monthly reimbursements in lieu thereof (reduced from a 24 month period under the prior CIC Agreements);

   

a lump-sum cash payment equal to the total amount that the executive would have received under ParentCo’s, CPCC’s or the CNXC GP’s 401(k) plan as a company match if such executive was eligible to participate in such 401(k) plan for the 18 month period after the date of termination, assuming such executive had contributed the maximum amount to the 401(k) plan for the match (reduced from a 24 month period under the prior CIC Agreements); and

   

a lump-sum cash payment equal to the difference between the present value of the executive’s accrued pension benefits at date of termination under ParentCo’s, CPCC’s or the CNXC GP’s qualified defined benefit pension plans and (if eligible) any plan or plans providing nonqualified retirement benefits and the present value of the accrued pension benefits to which such executive would have been entitled under the pension plans if he had continued participation in those plans for a period of 18 months after the date of termination (reduced from a 24 month period under Mr. Brock’s prior CIC Agreement, and increased from a 12 month period under Mr. Salvatori’s prior CIC Agreement).

In addition, the definition of change of control was revised to include the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a transfer of ownership of assets or interests comprising more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the book value of the PAMC segment on ParentCo’s books as of September 30, 2016 (other than to CNXC or its subsidiaries, or to ParentCo subsidiaries); (ii) ParentCo fails to control, directly or indirectly, the CNXC GP; or (iii) other than a time when ParentCo or its subsidiaries do not control the CNXC GP, a change in control of ParentCo. As a result of this change of control definition, Messrs. Brock’s and Salvatori’s equity awards, as well as the equity awards held by one other employee of CoalCo, to the extent unvested, will vest at the time of the separation and, in the case of PSU award payout, if any, continue to be contingent upon the achievement of the applicable performance goals.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

As discussed above, in 2016, Messrs. Brock and Khani were named executive officers of ParentCo, and Mr. Brock has also served, and will continue after the separation to serve, as an executive officer of the CNXC GP. Ms. Fredriksen served as an officer of ParentCo. Prior to the separation, Messrs. McCaffrey and Salvatori served, and will continue after the separation to serve, as officers of CPCC.

ParentCo and CNXC currently have in place an omnibus agreement under which CNXC agreed to reimburse ParentCo on a monthly basis for compensation-related expenses (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts) attributable to the portion of a named executive’s compensation that is allocable to the CNXC GP, including the compensation of Mr. Brock. During 2015 and 2016, Mr. Brock devoted approximately 100% of his overall professional working time to the business and affairs of the PAMC. Messrs. McCaffrey and Salvatori devoted such time as was necessary based on their respective allocations of responsibilities. Net to CNXC’s 25% undivided interest in the PAMC, CNXC reimburses ParentCo for approximately 25% of the total compensation related expenses (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts) incurred by ParentCo and attributable to the compensation of Mr. Brock. Bonus and long-term incentive compensation were not included in the amounts for the period from July 7, 2015 to December 31, 2015 as they were not a direct reimbursement to ParentCo. Please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” for additional information regarding the omnibus agreement.

Summary Compensation Table – 2016, 2015 and 2014

The following table discloses the historical compensation earned by, or paid to, our named executives during the years indicated, including all compensation-related expenses disclosed above, which were paid by ParentCo (other than awards granted during 2016 under the CNXC LTIP, which were paid by CNXC). Titles refer to each named executive’s accepted position at CoalCo following the separation.

 

Name and

Principal
Position(1)

(a)

  Year
(b)
    Salary
(c)
    Stock
Awards(2)

(e)
    Option
Awards(2)

(f)
    Non-Equity
Incentive
Compensation(3)

(g)
    Changes in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(4)

(h)
    All Other
Compensation

(i)
    Total
(j)
 

James A. Brock,

    2016     $ 409,654     $ 2,368,779           $ 533,000     $ 301,970     $ 45,606 (5)    $ 3,659,009  

Chief Executive Officer

    2015     $ 399,032     $ 766,181           $ 212,000     $ 7,422     $ 21,873     $ 1,406,508  

David M. Khani,

    2016     $ 517,188     $ 3,837,558     $ 1,855,103     $ 725,000     $ 87,749     $ 51,297 (6)    $ 7,073,895  

Chief Financial Officer

    2015     $ 504,539     $ 1,770,399           $ 288,000     $ 30,412     $ 48,885     $ 2,642,235  
    2014     $ 489,000     $ 1,797,637           $ 686,000     $ 89,804     $ 44,339     $ 3,106,780  

Katharine Fredriksen,

    2016     $ 247,619     $ 71,667     $ 44,496     $ 175,082     $ 25,120     $ 42,829 (7)    $ 606,813  

President

               

James McCaffrey,

Senior Vice President- Coal Marketing

    2016     $ 379,710     $ 362,657 (8)    $ 187,533 (8)    $ 379,710     $ 321,741     $ 66,534 (9)    $ 1,697,885  

Kurt Salvatori,

Chief Administrative Officer

    2016     $ 218,264     $ 56,584     $ 35,129     $ 132,501     $ 82,253     $ 39,294 (10)    $ 564,025  

 

(1)

We have excluded compensation for prior years to the extent permitted by applicable SEC rules. Mr. Khani was a “named executive officer” for purposes of ParentCo’s SEC disclosures in 2016, 2015 and 2014. Mr. Brock was a “named executive officer” for purposes of ParentCo’s SEC disclosure in 2016 and a “named executive officer” for purposes of CNXC’s SEC disclosure in 2016 and 2015. None of Ms. Fredriksen, Mr. McCaffrey or Mr. Salvatori were “named executive officers” for purposes of either ParentCo or CNXC SEC disclosure in 2016, 2015 or 2014.

 

(2)

ParentCo Equity Awards: The values set forth in the columns reflect ParentCo awards of (i) PSUs granted to all named executives in 2016, (ii) options granted to Messrs. Khani, McCaffrey, Salvatori and Ms. Fredriksen in 2016, (iii) PSUs and RSUs

 

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granted to Messrs. Brock and Khani in 2015, and (iv) PSUs and RSUs granted to Mr. Khani in 2014. These values are based on the aggregate grant date fair value of such awards computed in accordance with SEC rules and FASB ASC Topic 718. The amounts reported in these columns reflect the accounting cost for these awards, and do not correspond to the actual economic value that may be received by the named executives.

 

    

Additionally, please note the following regarding the ParentCo 2016 PSU and option awards:

 

   

2016 PSUs . For the 2016 PSUs for Messrs. Brock and Khani, the grant date fair value is computed based upon a Monte Carlo simulation for both the TSR component and the Absolute Stock Price (ASP) component, which results in a valuation of 182% of the ParentCo stock price on May 11, 2016 of $15.23 per share. The TSR fair value component was determined using four primary input assumptions for an asset projection: the risk- free rate (.80%), the dividend yield for ParentCo (0%), the volatility of returns (68.30%), and the assumed correlation in stock returns among the comparator group, the S&P 500. The grant date fair value of the TSR portion was $26.81. The ASP fair value component requires three primary input assumptions for an asset projection: the risk-free rate (1.14%), the dividend yield (0%) for ParentCo, and the volatility of returns (52.80%). The grant date fair value of the ASP portion was $28.57. The value of the 2016 PSU awards in the Stock Awards column for FASB ASC Topic 718 purposes assumes that the highest level of the conditions will be achieved (resulting in no additional expense in the future).

   

2016 PSUs . For the 2016 PSUs for Ms. Fredriksen and Messrs. McCaffrey and Salvatori, the grant date fair value is computed based upon a Monte Carlo simulation for both the TSR component and the ASP component, which results in a valuation of 137% of the ParentCo stock price on January 29, 2016 of $7.94 per share. The TSR fair value component was determined using four primary input assumptions for an asset projection: the risk-free rate (.92%), the dividend yield for ParentCo (.50%), the volatility of returns (57.85%), and the assumed correlation in stock returns among the comparator group, the S&P 500. The grant date fair value of the TSR portion was $11.25. The ASP fair value component requires three primary input assumptions for an asset projection: the risk-free rate (1.31%), the dividend yield (.50%) for ParentCo, and the volatility of returns (48.86%). The grant date fair value of the ASP portion was $10.52. The value of the awards in the Stock Awards column on the January 29, 2016 grant date for FASB ASC Topic 718 purposes assumes that the highest level of the conditions will be achieved (resulting in no additional expense in the future).

   

2016 Options . For the 2016 options for Mr. Khani, the grant date fair value is computed based upon a Black-Scholes Model. The fair value of the options was determined using various assumptions: expected volatility (61.11%), dividend yield (0%), and the risk-free rate (1.12%). The grant date fair value of the options was $8.08.

   

2016 Options . For the 2016 options for Ms. Fredriksen and Messrs. McCaffrey and Salvatori, the grant date fair value is computed based upon a Black-Scholes Model. The fair value of the options was determined using various assumptions: expected volatility (61.42%), dividend yield (.50%), and the risk-free rate (1.21%). The grant date fair value of the options was $4.08.

 

    

A discussion of the relevant assumptions made in the valuation of these PSU and option awards is provided in Note 17 of ParentCo’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

    

For the 2015 and 2014 RSUs, the grant date fair value is computed based upon the closing price per share of ParentCo’s stock on the actual grant date, which was $28.95 and $37.35, respectively. The 2015 and 2014 PSUs are made up of a performance component (ROCE*) and a TSR component. The performance component is computed based upon the closing price per share of ParentCo’s stock on the grant date, which was $28.95 and $37.35 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The TSR component is computed using a Monte Carlo simulation with the same basic assumptions as described above: the risk-free rate (.74% in 2015 and .66% in 2014), the dividend yield for ParentCo (.86% in 2015 and .67% in 2014), the volatility of returns (32.30% in 2015 and 40.60% in 2014), and the assumed correlation in stock returns among the comparator group, the S&P 500. The fair value of the TSR component was $31.22 in 2015 and $48.50 in 2014.

 

    

CNXC Equity Awards: For Mr. Brock, the 2016 value reflects an award of CNXC phantom units granted under the CNXC LTIP, and is based on the aggregate grant date fair value of the award computed in accordance with SEC rules and FASB ASC Topic 718 based upon the closing price of CNXC units on the date of grant. A discussion of the relevant assumptions made in the valuation of the grant is provided in Note 20 of the 2016 Annual Report of CNXC for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

(3)

Includes cash incentives earned in the applicable year under the ParentCo STIC program. The relevant performance measures underlying the cash awards were satisfied in the applicable annual performance period.

 

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(4)

Amounts reflect the actuarial increase in the present value of the named executives’ benefits under ParentCo’s Employee Retirement Plan (qualified plan), ParentCo’s Retirement Restoration Plan, ParentCo’s Supplemental Retirement Plan (SERP) and ParentCo’s Defined Contribution Restoration Plan. These amounts were determined using the interest rate and mortality assumptions set forth in the financial statements of ParentCo’s applicable Annual Reports on Form 10-K (Notes 14, 16 and 16 in the ParentCo Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively). Pension values may fluctuate significantly from year to year depending on a number of factors, including age, years of service, average annual earnings and the assumptions used to determine the present value, such as the discount rate. It should be noted that the pension values are calculated pursuant to SEC requirements that are based on assumptions used in preparing ParentCo’s audited financial statements for the applicable fiscal years and do not present actual value delivered to the named executives for those years.

 

(5)

For 2016, Mr. Brock’s personal benefits include spousal travel and a company vehicle. The amount shown also includes $15,900 in matching contributions and $15,900 in discretionary contributions made by ParentCo under its 401(k) plan.

 

(6)

For 2016, Mr. Khani’s personal benefits include an annual vehicle allowance, annual physical exam, and luncheon and city club dues. The amount shown also includes $15,900 in matching contributions and $15,900 in discretionary contributions made by ParentCo under its 401(k) plan.

 

(7)

For 2016, Ms. Fredriksen’s personal benefits include an annual vehicle allowance. The amount shown also includes $14,914 in matching contributions and $14,914 in discretionary contributions made by ParentCo under its 401(k) plan.

 

(8)

Amount includes $174,064 in column (e) and $70,441 in column (f) associated with the modification and acceleration of vesting of Mr. McCaffrey’s equity awards, as described under “ Understanding Our Change in Control and Employment Termination Tables and Information-Retention Agreement ” below, valued in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

 

(9)

For 2016, Mr. McCaffrey’s personal benefits include an annual vehicle allowance, annual physical exam, and country club dues and associated tax gross up. The amount shown also includes $15,900 in matching contributions and $15,900 in discretionary contributions made by ParentCo under its 401(k) plan.

 

(10)

For 2016, Mr. Salvatori’s personal benefits include an annual vehicle allowance. The amount shown also includes $13,147 in matching contributions and $13,147 in discretionary contributions made by ParentCo under its 401(k) plan.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards – 2016

The following table sets forth each grant made to our named executives in the 2016 fiscal year under plans established by ParentCo or under the CNXC LTIP.

 

Name

  Grant
Date
    Estimated Possible Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive

Plan Awards
(ParentCo STIC Awards)(1)
    Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive

Plan Awards
(ParentCo PSUs)(2)
    All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)
    All
Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
    Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
    Grant
Date
Fair
Value of
Stock
and
Option
Awards
(Target)(4)
($)
 
    Threshold
($)
    Target
($)
    Maximum
($)
    Threshold
(#)
    Target
(#)
    Maximum
(#)
         

James A. Brock

          106,600       266,500       533,000                                            
    1/29/16 (3)                        34,635       69,270       138,540                       $ 1,918,779  
    1/29/16 (5)                                          56,963                 $ 450,000  

David M. Khani

          144,935       362,338       724,676                                            
    1/29/16 (3)                        69,270       138,540       277,080                       $ 3,837,558  
    1/29/16 (3)                                                229,592     $ 7.94     $ 1,855,103  

Katharine Fredriksen

          43,771       87,541       175,082                                            
    1/29/16 (3)                        3,291       6,581       13,162                       $ 71,667  
    1/29/16 (3)                                                10,906     $ 7.94     $ 44,496  

James McCaffrey

          94,927       189,855       379,710                                            
    1/29/16 (3)                        8,659       17,318       34,636                       $ 362,657 (6) 
    1/29/16 (3)                                                28,699     $ 7.94     $ 187,533 (6) 

Kurt Salvatori

          33,125       66,250       132,501                                            
    1/29/16 (3)                        2,598       5,196       10,392                       $ 56,584  
    1/29/16 (3)                                                8,610     $ 7.94     $ 35,129  

 

(1)

Awards were made pursuant to the ParentCo STIC program under the ParentCo Executive Annual Incentive Plan. Actual incentive plan payments based on fiscal 2016 performance are set forth in column (g) of the Summary Compensation Table.

 

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(2)

These columns report the number of ParentCo PSUs that may be earned pursuant to awards granted under the ParentCo LTIP. The amounts reflect threshold (50%), target (100%), and maximum (200%) performance levels.

 

(3)

Grants were made under the ParentCo LTIP.

 

(4)

The values set forth in this column reflect awards of 2016-2020 ParentCo PSUs (at target), ParentCo options, and CNXC phantom units and are based on the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The values set forth in this table may not correspond to the actual values that will be realized by the named executives.

 

(5)

Grant was made under the CNXC LTIP.

 

(6)

Amount includes $174,064 and $70,441 associated with the modification and acceleration of vesting of Mr. McCaffrey’s PSU award and 2016 option award, respectively, as described under “ Understanding Our Change in Control and Employment Termination Tables and Information-Retention Agreement ” below, valued in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

Understanding Our Summary Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Tables

Historically, as further described in the CD&A, pursuant to various plans adopted by ParentCo and CNXC, our named executives were eligible to receive annual cash incentive awards based on the achievement of certain performance targets, and long-term equity awards generally in the form of options, RSUs, and PSUs under the ParentCo LTIP and/or phantom units under the CNXC LTIP. Each of these elements of compensation and the plans under which they are awarded are discussed below in greater detail.

ParentCo STIC Program . The ParentCo STIC program provides participants with an opportunity to earn performance based annual cash bonus awards. Target annual bonus levels are established at the beginning of each year and are based on a percentage of the executive’s base salary. To be eligible to receive an annual award under the ParentCo STIC program, a named executive must generally be an active, full-time employee on December 31 of the year in which the award was granted. For more information on the ParentCo STIC program, see “ Compensation and Discussion Analysis ” above.

ParentCo PSUs . The PSU awards represent a contingent right to receive shares of ParentCo common stock, to the extent such units are earned, and become payable pursuant to the terms of the ParentCo LTIP and related award documents.

ParentCo Options . Option grants to employees generally vest ratably over a three-year period from the grant date with each option, once vested, representing the right to receive a share of stock upon exercise of the option. The ParentCo Compensation Committee (or its designee) determines the number of options to be granted to each participant, the term of the option (generally ten years), and the other terms and conditions of their option awards.

ParentCo RSUs . RSUs were granted under the ParentCo LTIP. The ParentCo Compensation Committee determined the number of RSUs to be granted to each participant, the duration of such awards, the conditions under which the RSUs may be forfeited to ParentCo, and the other terms and conditions of such awards.

CNXC LTIP . In 2016, CNXC issued long-term incentive awards consisting of phantom units, which vest one-third per year under the CNXC LTIP to its executives and key employees. In 2016, CNXC issued phantom units to Mr. Brock as discussed above.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End for ParentCo – 2016

The following table sets forth all unexercised options and unvested RSU and PSU awards that have been awarded to our named executives under the ParentCo LTIP and were outstanding as of December 31, 2016.

 

          Option
Awards
                                  Stock
Awards
       

Name (a)

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
(b)
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
(c)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#) (d)
    Option
Exercise
Price
($) (e)
    Option
Expiration
Date
(f)
    Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
(#) (g)
    Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested(1)
($) (h)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested(2)
(#) (i)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested(1)
($) (j)
 

James A. Brock

    6,432 (3)                  34.850       2/20/2017                          
    3,111 (4)                  78.650       2/19/2018                          
    6,347 (5)                  27.900       2/17/2019                          
    4,115 (6)                  50.500       2/16/2020                          
    6,329 (7)                  48.610       2/23/2021                          
    12,420 (8)                  36.14       1/26/2022                          
                                  10,983 (9)      200,220              
                                  10,896 (10)      198,634              
                                  27,708 (11)      505,117              
                                              125,179       2,282,013  

David M. Khani

    7,487 (8)                  35.820       3/01/2022                          
          229,592 (12)            7.940       1/29/2026                          
                                  22,510 (9)      410,357              
                                  19,885 (13)      362,504              
                                  13,561 (14)      247,217              
                                  55,416 (11)      1,010,234              
                                              254,821       4,645,387  

Katharine Fredriksen

    2,911 (7)                  48.610       2/23/2021                          
    3,371 (8)                  36.140       3/01/2022                          
          10,906 (12)            7.940       1/29/2026                          
                                  1,406 (9)      25,631              
                                  2,632 (11)      47,981              
                                              12,177       221,987  

James McCaffrey

    3,458 (15)                  39.470       4/02/2017                          
    3,566 (3)                  34.850       2/20/2017                          
    3,457 (4)                  78.650       2/19/2018                          
    8,815 (5)                  27.900       2/17/2019                          
    5,716 (6)                  50.500       2/16/2020                          
    6,329 (7)                  48.610       2/23/2021                          
    8,872 (8)                  36.140       1/26/2022                          
    28,699 (12)(17)              7.940       1/29/2026          
                                                     
                                  6,924 (11)      126,225              
                                              31,187       568,539  

Kurt Salvatori

    1,505 (5)                  27.900       2/17/2019                          
    1,372 (6)                  50.500       2/16/2020                          
    570 (16)                  53.130       4/01/2021                          
    1,506 (7)                  48.610       2/23/2021                          
    2,661 (8)                  36.14       1/26/2022                          
    8,610 (12)          7.940       1/29/2026          
                                  1,893 (9)      34,509              
                                  2,076 (11)      37,845              
                                              10,050       183,212  

 

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(1)

The market value for ParentCo RSUs and PSUs was determined by multiplying the closing market price for ParentCo common stock on December 30, 2016 ($18.23) by the number of shares relating to the RSU and PSU awards.

(2)

This column shows the aggregate number of unvested ParentCo PSUs for which the performance period has not lapsed. The performance period for the ParentCo PSU awards granted in 2016 is January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2020, vesting 20% per year (with only the 2017 through 2020 tranches remaining outstanding). The performance period for the PSU awards granted in 2015 is January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017. The ParentCo PSU amounts presented for the 2016 PSU awards are based on achieving performance goals at the maximum level and for the 2015 PSU awards are based on achieving performance goals at the target level.

(3)

ParentCo options granted on February 20, 2007 that vested and became exercisable in three equal annual installments (subject to rounding) beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

(4)

ParentCo options granted February 19, 2008 that vested and became exercisable in three equal annual installments (subject to rounding) beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

(5)

ParentCo options granted February 17, 2009 that vested and became exercisable in three equal annual installments (subject to rounding) beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

(6)

ParentCo options granted February 16, 2010 that vested and became exercisable in three equal annual installments (subject to rounding) beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

(7)

ParentCo options granted February 23, 2011 that vested and became exercisable in three equal annual installments (subject to rounding) beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

(8)

ParentCo options granted February 29, 2012 that vested and became exercisable in three equal annual installments (subject to rounding) beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date

(9)

ParentCo RSUs granted on January 31, 2014 and January 30, 2015 vest in three equal annual installments (subject to rounding) beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

(10)

ParentCo RSUs granted on September 24, 2014 which, subject to continued employment, vest in one lump sum on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.

(11)

The performance period for the 2016 tranche of the 2016 ParentCo PSU awards was January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016. The amounts are based on actual performance results for the period.

(12)

ParentCo options granted on January 29, 2016 that vest and become exercisable in three equal annual installments (subject to rounding) beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

(13)

ParentCo RSUs granted on January 31, 2014, which, subject to continued employment, vest in one lump sum on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.

(14)

The performance period for the ParentCo PSU awards was January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016. The amounts are based on actual performance results for the period.

(15)

ParentCo options granted on April 2, 2007 that vested and became exercisable in three equal annual installments (subject to rounding) beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

(16)

ParentCo options granted on April 1, 2011 that vested and became exercisable in three equal annual installments (subject to rounding) beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

(17)

Vesting of ParentCo options accelerated pursuant to terms of the Retention Agreement discussed in “ Understanding Our Change in Control and Employment Termination Tables and Information .”

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End for CNXC– 2016

The following table sets forth the outstanding equity award that was granted to Mr. Brock under the CNXC LTIP and that was outstanding as of December 31, 2016.

 

    Option Awards     Stock Awards  

Name
(a)

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
(Exercisable)
(b)
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
(Unexercisable)
(c)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options(#)
Options
(d)
    Option
Exercise
Price

($)
(e)
    Option
Expiration
Date
(f)
    Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have Not
Vested(1)

(#)
(g)
    Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested(2)

($)
(h)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have Not
Vested

(#)
(i)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
or Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have Not
Vested

($)
(j)
 

James A. Brock

                                  56,963     $ 1,039,575              

David M. Khani

                                                     

Katharine Fredriksen

                                                     

James McCaffrey

                                                     

Kurt Salvatori

                                                     

 

(1)

These phantom units were granted on January 29, 2016 and vest in three equal installments (subject to rounding) beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

 

(2)

The market value for CNXC phantom units was determined by multiplying the closing market price for CNXC common units on December 30, 2016 ($18.25) by the number of units underlying the award. These phantom units were granted on January 29, 2016 and vest in three equal annual installments (subject to rounding) beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table – 2016

The following table sets forth information concerning each exercise of ParentCo stock options and the vesting of RSUs and PSUs of ParentCo during the 2016 fiscal year.

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards (1)  

Name

   Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise(#)
     Value
Realized
on Exercise($)
     Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting(#)
     Value
Realized on
Vesting($)
 

James A. Brock

                   7,072           59,334  

David M. Khani

                   13,462           112,946  

Katharine Fredriksen

                   1,409        11,821  

James McCaffrey

                   7,990        105,945  

Kurt Salvatori

                   1,897        16,031  

 

(1)

Values include vesting of RSU awards granted in each of 2014 and 2015.

Pension Benefits Table – 2016

The following table provides information with respect to each plan offered by ParentCo that provides for specified retirement payments or benefits, or payments or benefits that will be provided primarily following

 

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retirement, including tax-qualified defined benefit plans and non-qualified defined benefit plans (which we refer to as the Supplemental Retirement Plan and the New Restoration Plan), but excluding nonqualified defined contribution plans.

 

Name

   ParentCo Plan Name    Number of
Years
Credited
Service

(#)
     Present Value
of Accumulated
Benefit(1)

($)
     Payments
During
Last
Fiscal
Year

($)
 

James A. Brock

   Employee Retirement Plan      34      $ 1,249,683         
   Retirement Restoration Plan      25      $ 167,902         
   Supplemental Retirement Plan      20      $ 1,493,346         
   New Restoration Plan      5      $ 187,503         

David M. Khani

   Employee Retirement Plan      3      $ 33,841         
   Supplemental Retirement Plan      0.25      $ 17,014         
   New Restoration Plan      5      $ 265,359         

Katharine Fredriksen

   Employee Retirement Plan      4      $ 8,492         
   Supplemental Retirement Plan      1      $ 38,912         
   New Restoration Plan      5      $ 67,245         

James McCaffrey

   Employee Retirement Plan      38      $     1,409,681         
   Retirement Restoration Plan      29      $ 522,747         
   Supplemental Retirement Plan      20      $ 1,416,965         
   New Restoration Plan      5      $ 154,763         

Kurt Salvatori

   Employee Retirement Plan      23      $ 340,977         
   Supplemental Retirement Plan      20      $ 267,514         
   New Restoration Plan      5      $ 53,555         

 

(1)

The accumulated benefits included in this column were computed through December 31, 2016 using the assumptions stated in the financial statements included in ParentCo’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K (Note 14).

Understanding Our Pension Benefits Table

This section provides information regarding ParentCo’s retirement programs, which include the following:

 

   

Employee Retirement Plan;

   

Retirement Restoration Plan;

   

Supplemental Retirement Plan; and

   

New Restoration Plan.

Employee Retirement Plan (the Pension Plan)

The Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan that pays retirement benefits based on years of service and compensation. It is a qualified plan, meaning that it is subject to a variety of IRS rules. These rules contain various requirements on coverage, funding, vesting and the amount of compensation that can be taken into account in calculating benefits. The Pension Plan has a fairly broad application across ParentCo’s employee population and formed a part of the general retirement benefit program available to employees through December 31, 2015. Effective January 1, 2016, the Pension Plan was frozen.

Eligibility. The Pension Plan covers employees of ParentCo and affiliated participating companies that are classified as regular, full-time employees or that complete 1,000 hours of service during a specified twelve-month period. The Pension Plan does not include other categories of individuals, such as leased employees,

 

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independent contractors and employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement that does not provide for participation in the Pension Plan. On September 30, 2014, the Pension Plan was amended to reduce future accruals of pension benefits as of December 31, 2014. The plan amendment called for a hard freeze of the Pension Plan on December 31, 2014 for employees who were under age 40 or had less than 10 years of service as of September 30, 2014. In addition, employees hired or rehired on or after October 1, 2014 are not eligible to participate in the Pension Plan. Beginning January 1, 2015, ParentCo contributed an additional 3% Qualified Non-Elective Contribution (QNEC) of eligible compensation into the ParentCo’s qualified 401(k) plan (401(k) Plan) accounts for these affected employees. Employees who were age 40 or over and had at least 10 years of service as of September 30, 2014 continued in the Pension Plan unchanged and were not eligible for the QNEC. As a result of this amendment, Mr. Khani and Ms. Fredriksen received the additional 3% QNEC into their 401(k) plan accounts effective January 1, 2015 and did not accrue any additional benefits under the Pension Plan after December 31, 2014. Messrs. Brock, McCaffrey and Salvatori were not impacted by these changes and continued in the Pension Plan unchanged, with no eligibility for the QNEC, during 2015. On September 9, 2015, the Pension Plan was amended to cease future accruals of pension benefits as of December 31, 2015. The plan amendment implemented a hard freeze of the Pension Plan on December 31, 2015 for all remaining participants in the plan. In addition, the 401(k) plan was amended to end the additional 3% QNEC as of December 31, 2015. As a result of these amendments, Messrs. Brock, McCaffrey and Salvatori have not accrued any additional benefits under the Pension Plan after December 31, 2015 and Mr. Khani and Ms. Fredriksen have ceased to receive any further QNEC under the 401(k) plan after December 31, 2015.

Incapacity Retirement. Employees who have attained age 40 with at least ten years of service who are deemed disabled and consequently receive a Social Security disability award (proving the disability occurred while employed by ParentCo or a participating affiliated company) are eligible for an incapacity retirement resulting in an unreduced benefit under the Pension Plan, payable in the form of an annuity, commencing the month following termination. Messrs. Brock, McCaffrey and Salvatori have satisfied the age and service conditions necessary to be eligible for incapacity retirement under the Pension Plan as of December 31, 2016, if they had incurred a qualifying disability on that date.

Separation Retirement. Employees who terminate employment with five or more years of service prior to attaining age 50, or who have attained age 50 but have fewer than ten years of service upon termination, qualify for separation retirement. Payment of the accrued vested benefit is payable at an amount reduced for payments commencing prior to age 65, or the full benefit may be paid at age 65. As of December 31, 2016, Messrs. Khani, Salvatori and Ms. Fredriksen are eligible for separation retirement under the Pension Plan.

Early Retirement. Employees who have completed ten or more years of service and are age 50 or older upon termination are eligible for early retirement. Under early retirement, an employee may elect to defer payment to age 65 or elect to begin receiving payment the first of any month up to age 65, subject to a reduction for age. Payments commencing prior to age 65 are reduced based on various early reduction schedules depending upon age at the payment commencement date and years of service at the time of termination. As of December 31, 2016, Messrs. Brock and McCaffrey are eligible for early retirement under the Pension Plan.

Normal Retirement. Employees who terminate employment and have attained age 65 qualify for normal retirement. Payment of the full benefit commences the month following termination. None of the named executives qualify for normal retirement under the Pension Plan as of December 31, 2016.

Form of Payment. The portion of accrued pension benefits earned under the Pension Plan as of December 31, 2005 may be, upon the election of the participant, paid in the form of a lump-sum payment except in the case of an incapacity retirement as discussed above. Pension benefits earned after January 1, 2006 are payable in the form of a single life annuity, 50% joint and survivor annuity, 75% joint and survivor annuity or 100% joint and survivor annuity.

Calculation of Benefits. Pension benefits, which are now frozen, are based on an employee’s years of service and average monthly pay during the employee’s five highest-paid years while eligible for service under the Pension

 

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Plan. Average monthly pay for this purpose excludes compensation in excess of limits imposed by the Code. Due to the Plan being frozen, average monthly pay is based on pay as of December 31, 2014 for Mr. Khani and Ms. Fredriksen and as of December 31, 2015 for Messrs. Brock, McCaffrey and Salvatori. Prior to January 1, 2006, pension benefits were calculated based on the average monthly pay during the employee’s three highest-paid years and included annual amounts payable under ParentCo’s STIC program, again excluding compensation in excess of limits imposed by the Code.

Retirement Restoration Plan (the Restoration Plan)

The Restoration Plan is an unfunded deferred compensation plan maintained by ParentCo for the benefit of employees whose eligible compensation under the Pension Plan exceeded limits imposed by the federal income tax laws. ParentCo established this plan in order to attract and retain persons that ParentCo considered to be important to its success by providing retirement benefits that are not restricted by the statutory limitations imposed by the Code.

In December 2006, ParentCo’s Board authorized amendments to the Restoration Plan which froze the plan effective December 31, 2006 for ParentCo employees. After the applicable date, no existing participant accrues benefits and no compensation or service is counted for purposes of the Restoration Plan. A participant’s benefit is calculated as of the applicable date with reference to the participant’s benefits under the Pension Plan as of that date.

To comply with Section 409A of the federal income tax laws, the Restoration Plan was further amended to provide that all distributions of benefits accrued and vested under the plan as of December 31, 2006 will be paid in a lump sum. Any such lump-sum distribution of benefits will be paid no later than 30 days following the later to occur of the end of the month following the month in which the participant turns age 50 or the end of the month following the month in which the participant incurs a separation of service. The benefits will be calculated and actuarially reduced, as necessary (using assumptions specified in the Pension Plan), based on a participant’s benefits being initially expressed as a single life annuity payable commencing on such participant’s normal retirement date.

Payment under the plan may not commence prior to age 50, except in the event of an incapacity retirement or under a termination due to a change in control. Payments commencing prior to age 65 are reduced based on various early reduction schedules depending upon age at the payment commencement date and years of service at the time of termination. Benefits under the Restoration Plan are paid in the form of a lump sum. As of December 31, 2016, Messrs. Brock and McCaffrey were eligible for early retirement under the Restoration Plan.

Supplemental Retirement Plan

On December 5, 2006, ParentCo’s Board approved and adopted the Supplemental Retirement Plan, effective January 1, 2007. Certain modifications were made to the Supplemental Retirement Plan which became effective December 4, 2007. ParentCo’s Supplemental Retirement Plan is designed primarily for the purpose of providing benefits for a select group of management and highly compensated employees of ParentCo and its subsidiaries and is intended to qualify as a top hat plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. ParentCo’s Supplemental Retirement Plan is an unfunded, unsecured obligation of ParentCo, the benefits of which will be paid from its general assets.

All of the named executives are participants in the Supplemental Retirement Plan. In September 2011, ParentCo’s Board of Directors authorized amendments to the Supplemental Retirement Plan, which froze the plan effective December 31, 2011 for current and future ParentCo employees, except for certain officers referred to hereafter as the excepted employees. After the applicable date, no existing participant or future ParentCo employee, other than the excepted employees, accrues benefits and no compensation or service is counted for

 

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purposes of calculating benefits under the Supplemental Retirement Plan. Frozen participant’s years of service will continue to accrue solely for vesting purposes. All of the named executives are frozen participants under the Supplemental Retirement Plan. ParentCo established the Supplemental Retirement Plan in order to attract and maintain persons that we considered to be important to our success by providing benefits that are not restricted by the statutory limitations imposed by the federal income tax laws.

The ParentCo Compensation Committee has reserved the right to terminate a participant’s participation in the Supplemental Retirement Plan at any time. Additionally, if a participant’s employment is terminated or if a participant no longer meets the Supplemental Retirement Plan’s basic eligibility standards, the participant’s participation in the Supplemental Retirement Plan (and such person’s right to accrue any benefits thereunder) will terminate automatically with no further action required. Final average compensation and years of service will be determined at such time.

The amount of each participant’s benefits under the plan as of age 65 (expressed as an annual amount) will be equal to 50% of final average compensation multiplied by the service fraction as calculated on the participant’s date of employment termination with ParentCo. Final average compensation means the average of a participant’s five highest consecutive annual compensation amounts (annual base salary plus amounts received under the STIC program) while employed by ParentCo or its subsidiaries. The service fraction means a fraction with a numerator equal to a participant’s number of years of service and with a denominator of 20. The service fraction can never exceed one.

The benefits described above will be reduced by a participant’s age 65 vested benefits (including benefits which have been paid or are payable in the future (converted to an annual amount)) under: (i) the Pension Plan; (ii) the Restoration Plan; and (iii) any other plan or arrangement providing retirement-type benefits, including arrangements with prior employers, to the extent service with such other employer or under such arrangement is credited under the Supplemental Retirement Plan. No benefit will be vested under the Supplemental Retirement Plan until a participant has five years of service with ParentCo or its participating subsidiaries while the participant meets the eligibility standards in the plan.

Benefits under the Supplemental Retirement Plan will be paid in the form of a life annuity with a guaranteed term of 20 years (which will be the actuarial equivalent of a single life annuity) commencing in the month following the later to occur of: (a) the end of the month following the month in which the participant turns age 50, or (b) the end of the month following the month in which the employment termination of a participant occurs. In the event the benefits commence prior to the participant’s normal retirement age, the benefit will be actuarially reduced as necessary (using assumptions specified in the Pension Plan).

New Restoration Plan

In September 2011, ParentCo’s Board approved and adopted the New Restoration Plan, effective January 1, 2012. The New Restoration Plan is designed primarily for the purpose of providing benefits for a select group of management and highly compensated employees of ParentCo and its subsidiaries and is intended to qualify as a “top hat” plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The New Restoration Plan is an unfunded, unsecured obligation of ParentCo, the benefits of which will be paid from its general assets. ParentCo employees who are eligible to participate and accrue benefits in the Supplemental Retirement Plan are ineligible to participate in the New Restoration Plan.

ParentCo’s Board established the New Restoration Plan upon the freezing of the Supplemental Retirement Plan as to certain employees in order to attract and retain persons that we considered to be important to our success by providing benefits that are not restricted by the statutory limitations imposed by the federal income tax laws. All of the named executives are participants in the New Restoration Plan.

The ParentCo Compensation Committee has reserved the right to terminate a participant’s participation in the New Restoration Plan at any time. Additionally, if a participant’s employment is terminated or if a participant no

 

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longer meets the New Restoration Plan’s basic eligibility standards, the participant’s participation in the New Restoration Plan (and such person’s right to accrue any benefits thereunder) will terminate automatically with no further action required.

Eligibility for benefits under the New Restoration Plan is determined each calendar year (the Award Period). Participants whose sum of annual base pay as of December 31 and amounts received under the ParentCo STIC program or other annual incentive program earned for services rendered by the participant during the Award Period exceed the compensation limits imposed by section 401(a)(17) of the Code (up to $265,000 for 2016) are eligible for benefits under the New Restoration Plan for the Award Period. The amount of each eligible participant’s benefit under the plan is equal to 9% times annual base salary as of December 31 and amounts received under the ParentCo STIC program or other annual incentive program earned for services rendered by the participant during the Award Period less 6% times the lesser of annual base salary as of December 31 or the compensation limit imposed by the Code for the Award Period ($265,000 for 2016).

Benefits under the New Restoration Plan will be paid in the form of two hundred forty (240) equal monthly installments, with each installment equal to the value of the participant’s account at commencement divided by two hundred forty (240). Benefits shall commence in the month immediately following the later to occur of (i) the month in which the participant turns age 60, or (ii) the month containing the six-month anniversary date of the participant’s separation from service.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control Tables

Except as otherwise provided, the following narrative and tables set forth the potential payments and the value of other benefits that would vest or otherwise accelerate vesting at, following, or in connection with any termination, including without limitation resignation, incapacity retirement or a constructive termination of a named executive, or a change in control of ParentCo, or, if applicable to the named executive, a change in control of CNXC, or a change in the named executive’s responsibilities, as such scenarios are contemplated in the contracts, agreements, plans or arrangements described below.

The payments and benefits detailed in the table below are in addition to any payments and benefits under the plans and arrangements that are offered or provided generally to all salaried employees on a nondiscriminatory basis and any accumulated vested benefits for each named executive, including those set forth in the Pension Benefits Table – 2016, and any stock options vested as of December 31, 2016 (which are set forth in the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table for ParentCo – 2016). The table assumes that employment termination and/or the change in control occurred on December 31, 2016 and a valuation of ParentCo’s common stock based on its closing market price per share on December 30, 2016 of $18.23 per share, and a valuation of CNXC’s common units based on its closing market price per unit on December 30, 2016 of $18.25 per unit. The table also assumes that the named executive will take all action necessary or appropriate for such person to receive the maximum available benefit, such as execution of a release of claims and compliance with restrictive covenants described below.

 

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JAMES A. BROCK*

 

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon
Termination Compensation:

  Incapacity
Retirement
(with a social
security
disability)
    Termination
for Good
Reason or
Not for Cause
(reduction
in force)
    Termination
For Cause
    Death     Disability
(without a
social
security
disability)
    Change in
Control
Termination(1)
 

Compensation:

           

Base Salary

                                $ 820,000  

Short-Term Incentive(2)

                    $ 266,500           $ 610,002  

Severance Pay Plan(3)

        $ 197,115                          
Long-Term Incentive Compensation:(4)            

Options: Unvested

                                   

RSUs: Unvested

  $ 341,193     $ 341,193           $ 341,193           $ 341,193  

PSUs: Unvested

  $ 174,364     $ 261,545           $ 766,663     $ 174,364     $ 766,663  
CNXC Phantom Units: Unvested   $ 1,039,575                 $ 1,039,575           $ 1,039,575  

Benefits and Perquisites:

           

Outplacement service

                                $ 25,000  
Continuation of medical/ drug/ dental benefits(5)                                 $ 24,019  

401(k) payment

                                $ 31,800  

Restoration Plan

                                $ 9,189  
Supplemental Retirement Plan(6)                                 $ 1,166,120  

New Restoration Plan

                                $ 66,678  

280G Tax Reduction(7)

                                $ (1,086,351
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL

  $   1,555,132     $   799,853           $   2,413,931     $   174,364     $   3,813,888  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Applicable footnotes follow the last table in this section of the information statement.

 

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DAVID M. KHANI*

 

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon
Termination Compensation:

  Incapacity
Retirement
(with a social
security
disability)
    Termination
for Good
Reason or
Not for Cause
(reduction
in force)
    Termination
For Cause
    Death     Disability
(without a
social
security
disability)
    Change in
Control
Termination(1)
 

Compensation:

           

Base Salary

                                $ 1,294,063  

Short-Term Incentive(2)

                    $ 362,338           $ 1,165,833  

Severance Pay Plan(3)

        $ 79,635                          
Long-Term Incentive
Compensation:(4)
           

Options: Unvested

  $ 2,362,502                 $ 2,362,502           $ 2,362,502  

RSUs: Unvested

  $ 772,861     $ 772,861           $ 772,861           $ 772,861  

PSUs: Unvested

  $ 402,968     $ 604,452           $ 1,614,686     $ 402,968     $ 1,614,686  
CNX Phantom Units: Unvested                                    

Benefits and Perquisites:

           

Outplacement service

                                $ 25,000  
Continuation of medical/drug/dental benefits(5)                                 $ 24,506  
Supplemental Retirement Plan(6)                                 $ 17,617  

401(k) payment

                                $ 39,750  

New Restoration Plan

                                $ 148,323  

280G Tax Reduction(7)

                                $ (1,846,594
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL

  $   3,538,331     $   1,456,948           $   5,112,387     $   402,968     $   5,618,547  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Applicable footnotes follow the last table in this section of the information statement.

 

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KATHARINE FREDRIKSEN*

 

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon
Termination Compensation:

  Incapacity
Retirement
(with a social
security
disability)
    Termination
for Good
Reason or
Not for Cause
(reduction
in force)
    Termination
For Cause
    Death     Disability
(without a
social
security
disability)
    Change in
Control
Termination(1)
 

Compensation:

           

Base Salary

                                $ 375,177  

Short-Term Incentive(2)

                    $ 87,541           $ 161,483  

Severance Pay Plan(3)

        $ 38,480                          
Long-Term Incentive Compensation:(4)            

Options: Unvested

  $ 112,223                 $ 112,223           $ 112,223  

RSUs: Unvested

  $ 25,631     $ 25,631           $ 25,631           $ 25,631  

PSUs: Unvested

  $ 20,016     $ 30,025           $ 78,013     $ 20,016     $ 78,013  
CNXC Phantom Units:
Unvested
                                   

Benefits and Perquisites:

           

Outplacement service

                                $ 25,000  
Continuation of medical/drug/dental benefits(5)                                 $ 8,015  

401(k) payment

                                $ 22,511  
Supplemental Retirement Plan(6)                                 $ 46,097  

New Restoration Plan

                                $ 23,430  

280G Tax Reduction(7)

                                   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL

  $     157,870     $     94,136           $     303,408     $     20,016     $     877,580  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Applicable footnotes follow the last table in this section of the information statement.

 

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JAMES MCCAFFREY*

 

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon
Termination Compensation:

  Incapacity
Retirement
(with a social
security
disability)
    Termination
for Good
Reason or
Not for Cause
(reduction
in force)
    Termination
For Cause
    Death     Disability
(without a
social
security
disability)
    Change in
Control
Termination(1)
 

Compensation:

           

Base Salary

                                $ 759,419  

Short-Term Incentive(2)

                    $ 189,855           $ 439,285  

Severance Pay Plan(3)

        $ 182,553                      
Long-Term Incentive Compensation:(4)(8)            

Options: Unvested

                                   

RSUs: Unvested

                                   

PSUs: Unvested

                                $ 189,632  
CNXC Phantom Units: Unvested                                    

Benefits and Perquisites:

           

Outplacement service

                                $ 25,000  
Continuation of medical/drug/dental benefits(5)                                 $ 25,516  

401(k) payment

                                $ 31,800  

Restoration Plan

                                $ 34,942  
Supplemental Retirement Plan(6)                                 $ 1,109,609  

New Restoration Plan

                                $ 52,265  

280G Tax Reduction(7)(8)

                                $ (52,889
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL

        $   182,553           $   189,855           $   2,614,579  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Applicable footnotes follow the last table in this section of the information statement.

 

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KURT SALVATORI*

 

Executive Benefits and Payments Upon
Termination Compensation:

  Incapacity
Retirement
(with a social
security
disability)
    Termination
for Good
Reason or
Not for Cause
(reduction
in force)
    Termination
For Cause
    Death     Disability
(without a
social
security
disability)
    Change in
Control
Termination(1)
 

Compensation:

           

Base Salary

                                $ 441,670  

Short-Term Incentive(2)

                    $ 66,250           $ 165,452  

Severance Pay Plan(3)

        $ 106,171                          
Long-Term Incentive Compensation:(4)            

Options: Unvested

  $ 88,597                 $ 88,597           $ 88,597  

RSUs: Unvested

  $ 34,509     $ 34,509           $ 34,509           $ 34,509  

PSUs: Unvested

  $ 21,074     $ 31,611           $ 69,500     $ 21,074     $ 69,500  
CNXC Phantom Units: Unvested                                    

Benefits and Perquisites:

           

Outplacement service

                                $ 25,000  
Continuation of medical/drug/dental benefits(5)                                 $ 28,814  

401(k) payment

                                $ 26,500  
Supplemental Retirement Plan(6)                                 $ 514,327  

New Restoration Plan

                                $ 19,009  

280G Tax Reduction(7)

                                $ (236,047
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL

  $   144,180     $   172,291           $   258,856     $   21,074     $   1,177,331  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Applicable footnotes follow the last table in this section of the information statement.

 

(1)

If a change in control as described in the applicable agreements occurred and the named executive’s employment did not terminate, the named executive would be entitled only to the payments and benefits shown under Long-Term Incentive Compensation. The narrative following these tables contains a description of events that constitute a “change in control.”

 

(2)

In the event of death, each named executive would earn the short-term incentive award. In the event of a qualifying termination in connection with a change in control, each named executive, pursuant to his change in control agreement, would be entitled to a prorated payment of his “short-term incentive” compensation based upon the length of service during the year in which the termination occurred. Assuming a target payout for 2016 and a change in control at year-end, each individual would receive, in addition to the amount shown in the table, the amounts set forth in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards tables under the target amounts for non-equity incentive plan awards.

 

(3)

The Severance Pay Plan for Salaried Employees provides one week of severance for every year of service with a minimum of eight weeks and a maximum of 25 weeks in the event that employment is involuntarily terminated because of a reduction in workforce. As of December 31, 2016, Messrs. Brock, McCaffrey and Salvatori were entitled to 25 weeks of severance, and Mr. Khani and Ms. Fredriksen were entitled to eight weeks of severance.

 

(4)

If a currently employed named executive is eligible for Early Retirement, each as defined by the applicable equity award agreements, that named executive would be entitled to the following amounts for unvested RSUs under any termination scenario except termination for cause (in which case, the equity is forfeited): Mr. Brock – $57,662 and Mr. McCaffrey – $0 (as amounts have already vested). Messrs. Khani, Salvatori

 

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and Ms. Fredriksen are not eligible for Early Retirement and, as such, would not receive the value of such equity awards in the event of an Early Retirement. The values for long-term incentive compensation represent the value of the unvested ParentCo options, RSUs and PSUs, which would accelerate and vest or would continue to vest according to the vesting schedule, depending on the termination event. The value of the ParentCo unvested options, RSUs and PSUs was calculated using a closing market price per share of $18.23 for ParentCo (noting that no value is listed for the options when the strike price exceeds $18.23 and assumes target payout for the PSUs granted in 2015 and threshold payout for the PSUs granted in 2016 as to the 2017 through 2020 tranches). The value of the CNXC phantom units included in Mr. Brock’s table was calculated using a closing market price per unit of $18.25 for CNXC units. For the PSUs granted in 2014, which had a performance period ending December 31, 2016, and for the PSUs granted in 2016 with a 2016 tranche performance period ending December 31, 2016, we have not included these amounts since the performance periods, in each case, ended on December 31, 2016.

 

(5)

In the event of a qualifying termination in connection with a change in control, as of December 31, 2016, Messrs. Brock and Khani, Ms. Fredriksen, and Messrs. McCaffrey and Salvatori pursuant to their change in control agreements, would be entitled to the continuation of medical, drug, and dental coverage for a period of 24 months, 30 months, 18 months, 24 months and 24 months, respectively.

 

(6)

In the event of a termination for cause, no benefit is payable. Benefits vest immediately in the event of termination due to disability, death or change in control. Further, the SERP pays an unreduced benefit in the event of Incapacity Retirement or Disability, and accordingly, Messrs. Brock and Khani, Ms. Fredriksen, and Messrs. McCaffrey and Salvatori would receive $575,709, $20,365, $54,707, $642,282 and $522,914, respectively, in such cases.

 

(7)

This calculation is an estimate only. Note that actual payments for Messrs. Brock, Khani, McCaffrey and Salvatori would be reduced pursuant to the terms of their change in control agreement by the amounts shown in the above tables under “280G Tax Reduction.” Payments on an actual change of control may differ based on factors such as transaction price, timing of employment termination and payments, methodology for valuing stock options, changes in compensation, reasonable compensation analyses and the value of the covenant not to compete. Assumptions used include:

 

   

Marginal federal, Pennsylvania state and FICA tax rates of 39.6%, 3.07% and 2.35%, respectively;

   

Any payments with respect to the 2015 bonus were not contingent on the change in control (and thus, not required to be included in the calculation);

   

Stock options are assumed to become fully vested and/or exercisable and are valued in accordance with Rev. Proc. 98-34 and Q&A 24(c) of Code Section 280G based on expected life of the option; and

   

No value was attributed to non-competition covenants nor was the position taken that any part of the value of the performance-based equity and long-term incentive plans provided to the applicable named executive was reasonable compensation for services prior to the change of control, which would have reduced the estimated excise tax gross-up payment, if any.

 

(8)

Various award amounts received due to accelerated vesting pursuant to the terms of the Retention Agreement, which is discussed below.

Understanding Our Change in Control and Employment Termination Tables and Information

This section provides information regarding the following ParentCo agreements and/or plans that provide for benefits to be paid to our named executives in connection with employment termination and/or a change in control with respect to ParentCo and CNXC.

 

   

Change in Control Agreements;

   

Retention Agreement;

   

ParentCo Stock Option Agreements;

   

ParentCo RSU Agreements;

 

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ParentCo PSU Award Agreements;

   

CNXC Phantom Unit Award Agreements;

   

Supplemental Retirement Plan;

   

New Restoration Plan; and

   

Severance Pay Plan for Salaried Employees.

Change in Control Agreements . As of December 31, 2016, each of our named executives had change in control severance agreements in place with ParentCo and/or its affiliates, which we refer to as the CIC Agreements.

The CIC Agreements provide severance benefits to the named executives if they are terminated (i) after, or in connection with, a ParentCo change in control for any reason, other than cause, death or disability (as defined below), not more than three months prior to or within two years after such change in control, or at the request of a third party initiating the change in control, or (ii) within the two-year period after a change in control, if the executive is constructively terminated (as defined below). Under the circumstances described above, our named executives would be entitled to receive:

 

   

a lump sum cash payment equal to a multiple of base pay plus a multiple of incentive pay (the applicable multiples are 2.5 for Mr. Khani, 1.5 for each of Ms. Fredriksen, and 2.0 for each of Messrs. Brock, McCaffrey and Salvatori);

 

   

a pro-rated payment of his incentive pay for the year in which termination occurs;

 

   

for a specified period (24 months, 30 months, 18 months, 24 months and 24 months for Messrs. Brock and Khani, Ms. Fredriksen, and Messrs. McCaffrey and Salvatori, respectively), the continuation of medical and dental coverage (or monthly reimbursements in lieu of continuation);

 

   

if the executive would have been eligible for post-retirement medical benefits had the executive retired from employment during the applicable period, but is not so eligible due to termination, then at the conclusion of the benefit period, the executive is entitled to receive additional continued group medical coverage comparable to that which would have been available under the post-retirement program for so long as such coverage would have been available under such program, or the executive will receive monthly reimbursements in lieu of such coverage;

 

   

a lump sum cash payment equal to the total amount that the executive would have received under ParentCo’s 401(k) plan as a match if the executive was eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan for a specified period after the executive’s termination date (24 months, 30 months, 18 months, 24 months and 24 months for Messrs. Brock and Khani, Ms. Fredriksen, and Messrs. McCaffrey and Salvatori, respectively) and the executive contributed the maximum amount to the 401(k) plan for the match;

 

   

a lump-sum cash payment equal to the difference between the present value of the executive’s accrued pension benefits at the executive’s termination date under ParentCo’s qualified defined benefit pension plan and (if eligible) any plan or plans providing nonqualified retirement benefits and the present value of the accrued pension benefits to which the executive would have been entitled under the pension plans if the executive had continued participation in those plans for a specified period after the executive’s termination date (24 months, 30 months, 18 months, 24 months and 12 months for Messrs. Brock and Khani, Ms. Fredriksen, and Messrs. McCaffrey and Salvatori, respectively);

 

   

a lump-sum cash payment of $25,000 in order to cover the cost of outplacement assistance services and other expenses associated with seeking other employment; and

 

   

any amounts earned, accrued or owing but not yet paid as of the executive’s termination date, payable in a lump sum, and any benefits accrued or earned in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plans or programs.

In addition, upon a change in control, all equity awards granted to the named executives will become fully vested and/or exercisable on the date the change in control occurs, and all stock options will remain exercisable for the

 

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period set forth in the applicable award agreement. The CIC Agreements contain confidentiality, noncompetition and nonsolicitation obligations pursuant to which the named executives have agreed not to compete with the business for one year, or to solicit employees for two years, following a termination of employment, when such executive is receiving severance benefits under the CIC Agreement.

No payments or benefits are provided under the CIC Agreements unless the executive executes, and does not revoke, a written release of any and all claims (other than for entitlements under the terms of the CIC Agreement or which may not be released under the law). For purposes of the CIC Agreements, cause is a determination by the ParentCo Board of Directors that the executive has (a) been convicted of, or has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or any misdemeanor involving fraud, embezzlement or theft; or (b) wrongfully disclosed material confidential information, intentionally violated any material express provision of ParentCo’s code of conduct for executives and management employees (as then in effect) or intentionally failed or refused to perform any of the executive’s material assigned duties, and any such failure or refusal has been demonstrably and materially harmful to ParentCo. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the executive will not be deemed to have been terminated for cause under clause (b) above unless the majority of the members of the ParentCo Board of Directors, plus one additional member of such board, find that, in its good-faith opinion, the executive has committed an act constituting cause, and such resolution is delivered in writing to the executive.

For purposes of the CIC Agreements, a change in control generally means:

 

(i)

the acquisition by any individual, entity or group of beneficial ownership of more than 25% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of ParentCo; provided, however, that the following acquisitions will not constitute a change in control: (A) any issuance of voting stock of ParentCo directly from ParentCo that is approved by the then incumbent Board, (B) any acquisition by ParentCo (or any subsidiaries) of voting stock of ParentCo, (C) any acquisition of voting stock of ParentCo by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by ParentCo or any subsidiary of ParentCo, (D) any acquisition of voting stock of ParentCo by an underwriter holding securities of ParentCo in connection with a public offering thereof, or (E) any acquisition of voting stock of ParentCo by any person pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of (iii) below;

 

(ii)

individuals who constitute the Board as of the agreement date cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election, or nomination for election by ParentCo’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then comprising the incumbent Board are deemed to have then been a member of the incumbent Board, but excluding any individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board;

 

(iii)

consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation of ParentCo or a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ParentCo, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of ParentCo, or other transaction involving ParentCo, unless, in each case, immediately following such transaction, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of voting stock of ParentCo immediately prior to such transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power or securities of the then outstanding shares of voting stock or securities of the entity resulting from such transaction or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof, (B) no person other than ParentCo beneficially owns 25% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the entity resulting from such transaction or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof and (C) at least a majority of the members of the Board of the entity resulting from such transaction or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof were members of the incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such transaction; or

 

(iv)

approval by the shareholders of ParentCo of a complete liquidation or dissolution of ParentCo, except pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of (iii) above.

 

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In addition, Mr. Brock’s CIC Agreement included within the change in control definition a third party acquisition of greater than 75% of the book value of assets comprising the coal division.

For purposes of the CIC Agreements, a constructive termination means: (a) a material adverse change in position; (b) a material reduction in annual base salary or target bonus or a material reduction in employee benefits; (c) a material adverse change in circumstances as determined in good faith by the executive, including a material change in the scope of business or other activities for which the executive was responsible prior to the change in control, which has rendered the executive unable to carry out, has materially hindered the executive’s performance of, or has caused the executive to suffer a material reduction in, any of the authorities, powers, functions, responsibilities or duties attached to the position the executive held immediately prior to the change in control; (d) the liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation or reorganization of ParentCo or transfer of substantially all its business or assets, unless the successor assumes all duties and obligations of ParentCo under the applicable CIC Agreement; or (e) the relocation of the executive’s principal work location to a location that increases the executive’s normal commute by 50 miles or more or that requires travel increases by a material amount.

Retention Agreement . As further described in “ Compensation Discussion and Analysis ,” ParentCo entered into a retention agreement with Mr. McCaffrey on March 31, 2016 which provided for the vesting of (i) his outstanding equity incentive awards under the ParentCo LTIP if the Coal Tonnage Goal was attained and he remained employed with ParentCo or its subsidiaries through December 31, 2016 and (ii) any 2017 equity incentive awards granted to him under the ParentCo LTIP in 2017 if he remained employed with ParentCo or its subsidiaries through December 31, 2017.

ParentCo Stock Options . In the event that a named executive’s employment with ParentCo (including any affiliate of ParentCo) is terminated for cause (as defined in the ParentCo LTIP) or the named executive breaches noncompetition or proprietary information covenants (see description below), then any stock option (whether vested or unvested) that is granted to the named executive will be canceled and forfeited in its entirety on the date of termination of employment or breach of covenant, as applicable. In addition, any stock option exercised during the six-month period prior to such termination of employment or breach of covenant, as applicable, will be rescinded, and the named executive will be required to pay to ParentCo within 10 days an amount in cash equal to the gain realized by the exercise of the stock option.

In the event that the named executive’s employment terminates voluntarily, due to disability (as defined in the ParentCo LTIP) or by ParentCo without cause (as defined in the ParentCo LTIP), the nonvested portion of any stock option will be deemed cancelled on the termination date and the vested portion, if any, of the stock option as of the date of such termination will remain exercisable for the lesser of a period of 90 days following termination or until the expiration date of the stock option. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, if such termination occurs by reason of an incapacity retirement as defined in the Pension Plan (or any successor plan) and as provided in the award agreement, then in that event the non-vested portion of the stock option will continue to vest and become exercisable in the ordinary course and will remain exercisable until the stock option’s expiration date.

In the event that employment with ParentCo (including any affiliate) is terminated without cause and after a decision that such termination qualifies for special vesting treatment, the nonvested portion of a stock option will continue to vest and become exercisable in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the award agreement and will remain exercisable until the expiration date. In the event that the named executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death, the non-vested portion of the stock option will vest in its entirety immediately upon the date of death and will remain exercisable for the lesser of a period of three years following death or the expiration date.

ParentCo RSUs . All shares subject to RSU awards that are issued under the ParentCo LTIP will vest (i.e., will not be subject to forfeiture as the result of employment termination) upon the occurrence of certain specified

 

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termination of employment events, such as incapacity retirement under the Pension Plan, as in effect at that time, or termination of employment by reason of death or as part of a reduction in force as specified and implemented by ParentCo.

In no event will any shares vest in the event that employment with ParentCo is terminated for cause as defined in the ParentCo LTIP (see below) or if a named executive leaves ParentCo’s employment for any reason other than in connection with a special vesting event.

In addition, if employment is terminated for cause or the named executive breaches the noncompetition or proprietary information covenant (see below), then, in addition to awards being cancelled with respect to any unvested shares, the named executive will also forfeit all of his or her right, title and interest in and to any shares which have vested under existing awards and which are held by him at that time or are otherwise subject to deferred issuance. In addition, to the extent a named executive has sold any of his or her vested shares within the six-month period ending with the date of the named executive’s termination for cause or breach of the noncompetition or proprietary information covenant or at any time thereafter, then the named executive will be required to repay to ParentCo, within 10 days after receipt of written demand from ParentCo, the cash proceeds received upon each such sale, provided the demand is made by ParentCo within one year after the date of that sale.

In the event that employment is terminated because of a reduction in force, the named executive will not be subject to the noncompetition and certain non-solicitation provisions contained in the award agreement.

ParentCo PSUs . PSUs also include special vesting provisions in connection with certain employment termination circumstances.

With respect to PSUs granted during 2016, in the event the named executive’s employment with ParentCo (or an affiliate) is terminated (i) on or after the date the named executive has reached the age of 62, (ii) on account of death or disability, or (iii) by action taken by ParentCo (including any affiliate) without cause and after a decision by the ParentCo Compensation Committee that such termination without cause qualifies for special vesting treatment (a Qualifying Separation), the named executive will be entitled to retain the PSUs and receive payment therefor, to the extent earned and payable; provided, however, that in the case of a termination on or after the named executive has reached the age of 62 or on account of disability, the named executive will only be entitled to retain a prorated portion of the PSUs determined at the end of the performance period, based on the ratio of the number of complete months that the named executive worked in the performance period.

If the named executive’s employment with ParentCo or any affiliate generally is terminated for any other reason, including by the named executive voluntarily, or by ParentCo (including any affiliate) with or without cause (other than in connection with a Qualifying Separation), the PSUs awarded to the named executive will be cancelled and forfeited.

With respect to outstanding PSUs granted prior to 2016, the termination provisions generally are the same, except that (i) there will be no Qualifying Separation, and (ii) if a named executive’s employment terminates by reason of a reduction in force as specified and implemented by ParentCo prior to any payment date, the named executive will be entitled to retain the PSUs and receive payment therefore, to the extent earned and payable.

CNXC Phantom Units

Upon the termination of a named executive’s services for any reason, including upon any change in control of CNXC or the CNXC GP, all unvested CNXC phantom units are automatically forfeited without further action and for no consideration; provided, however, that the plan administrator of the CNXC LTIP will have discretion to (i) accelerate the time of exercisability or vesting or payment of an award, (ii) require awards to be surrendered in exchange for a cash payment or substitute other rights or property for the award, (iii) provide for the award to

 

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assumed by a successor or one of its affiliates, with appropriate adjustments thereto, (iv) cancel unvested awards without payment, or (v) make other adjustments to awards as the plan administrator deems appropriate to reflect the applicable transaction or event.

Equity Incentive Plan Definitions . The following definitions and provisions are set forth in the ParentCo LTIP:

Cause is defined, unless otherwise defined in the applicable award agreement, as a determination by the ParentCo Compensation Committee that a person has committed an act of embezzlement, fraud, dishonesty or breach of fiduciary duty to ParentCo, deliberately and repeatedly violated the rules of ParentCo or the valid instructions of ParentCo’s Board of Directors or an authorized officer of ParentCo, made any unauthorized disclosure of any of the material secrets or confidential information of ParentCo, or engaged in any conduct that could reasonably be expected to result in material loss, damage or injury to ParentCo.

Disability is defined, unless otherwise defined in the applicable award agreement, as an award recipient’s inability, because of physical or mental incapacity or injury (that has continued for a period of at least 12 consecutive calendar months) to perform for ParentCo or an affiliate of ParentCo substantially the same services as he or she performed prior to incurring the incapacity or injury.

Change in Control and Restrictive Covenant Provisions

ParentCo Options, RSUs and PSUs. All ParentCo Options, RSU and PSU awards and any other awards granted by ParentCo, whether or not vested, vest upon a change in control, which is defined under the ParentCo LTIP as (unless otherwise defined in the applicable award agreement) the earliest to occur of:

 

   

any one person (other than ParentCo, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of ParentCo, and any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of ParentCo in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of ParentCo stock), or more than one person acting as a group, is or becomes the beneficial owner of shares that, together with the shares held by that person or group, possess more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of ParentCo’s shares;

   

a majority of members of ParentCo’s Board of Directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of ParentCo’s Board of Directors prior to the date of the appointment or election; or

   

the sale of all or substantially all of ParentCo’s assets.

However, in the event the accelerated vesting of the awards, either alone or together with any other payments or benefits to which the named executive may otherwise become entitled from ParentCo in connection with the change in control would, in ParentCo’s good-faith opinion, be deemed to be a parachute payment under Section 280G of the Code (or any successor provision), then, unless any agreement between the named executive and ParentCo provides otherwise, the number of awards that vest on this accelerated basis will be reduced to the extent necessary to ensure, in ParentCo’s good-faith opinion, that no portion of the accelerated award will be considered such a parachute payment.

All stock option and unit awards contain a covenant regarding confidential information and trade secrets, pursuant to which the recipient must agree, at any time during or after his or her employment with ParentCo, not to disclose or use for his (or her) or any other person’s or entity’s own benefit or purposes, other than ParentCo and its affiliates, any proprietary confidential information or trade secrets, which are unique to ParentCo and not generally known to the industry or the public. In addition, upon termination with ParentCo for any reason, the award recipient must immediately return all materials relating to the business of ParentCo and its affiliates, excluding personal notes, notebooks and diaries, and may not retain or use for such person’s own account at any time any trade names, trademarks or other proprietary business designation used or owned in connection with the business of ParentCo or its affiliates.

 

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With respect to outstanding PSUs, upon a change in control, the applicable performance goals will be deemed to have been achieved on such date and the PSUs will be paid based on performance relative to such goals as of such date, with the value of such PSUs to be settled on the closing date of the change in control transaction; provided, however, that in the event of a change in control, PSUs may be settled in cash and/or securities or other property.

CNXC Phantom Units. As noted above, upon the termination of a named executive’s service for any reason (including in connection with a change in control), all CNXC phantom units that have not vested prior to or in connection with such termination of service are automatically forfeited without further action and for no consideration. Notwithstanding, all unvested CNXC phantom unit awards, may, at the discretion of the CNXC plan administrator, which is the CNXC GP Board, vest upon a change in control, which is defined under the CNXC LTIP as (unless otherwise defined in the applicable award agreement) the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

 

   

any person or group within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than the CNXC GP, CONE Gathering LLC (CONE) or ParentCo or an affiliate thereof (as determined immediately prior to such event), shall become the beneficial owner, by way of merger, acquisition, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or otherwise, of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the equity interests in the CNXC GP, CNXC or CONE;

   

the limited partners of CNXC approve, in one or a series of transactions, a plan of complete liquidation of CNXC;

   

the sale or other disposition by either the CNXC GP or CNXC of all or substantially all of the CNXC GP’s or CNXC’s assets, respectively, in one or more transactions to any person other than the CNXC GP, CNXC, CONE or ParentCo or an affiliate thereof;

   

a transaction resulting in a person other than the CNXC GP, CONE or ParentCo or an affiliate thereof (as determined immediately prior to such event) being the sole general partner of CNXC; or

   

a Change in Control as defined in the ParentCo LTIP.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control as defined above constitutes a payment event with respect to any CNXC award which provides for the deferral of compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code or such compensation otherwise would be subject to Section 409A, the transaction or event described in the first four bullets above with respect to such award must also constitute a change in control event, as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5), and as relates to the holder of such Award, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A.

Phantom unit awards contain a covenant regarding confidential information and trade secrets, pursuant to which the recipient must agree, at any time during or after his or her employment with CNXC, the CNXC GP, or any of their affiliates, not to disclose or use for his (or her) or any other person’s or entity’s own benefit or purposes, other than CNXC, the CNXC GP and their affiliates, any proprietary confidential information or trade secrets, which are unique to CNXC, the CNXC GP and their affiliates and not generally known to the industry or the public. In addition, upon termination with CNXC, the CNXC GP and their affiliates for any reason, the award recipient must immediately return all materials relating to the business of CNXC, the CNXC GP and their affiliates, excluding personal notes, notebooks and diaries, and may not retain or use for such person’s own account at any time any trade names, trademarks or other proprietary business designation used or owned in connection with the business of CNXC, the CNXC GP and their affiliates.

Supplemental Retirement Plan. If a participant’s employment with ParentCo or any subsidiary terminates for cause (which is defined in ParentCo’s Supplemental Retirement Plan to include a violation of any nonsolicitation, noncompetition or nondisclosure provision contained in any agreement entered into by and between a participant and ParentCo or any subsidiary), no benefits will be payable under the Supplemental Retirement Plan. Additionally, each participant agrees by participating in the Supplemental Retirement Plan that within ten (10) days after the date we provide the participant with a notice that there has occurred a termination

 

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on account of cause, the participant will pay to us in cash an amount equal to any and all distributions paid to or on behalf of such participant under the plan within the six (6) months prior to the date of the earliest breach. A forfeiture of Supplemental Retirement Plan benefits will also occur for certain cause events even if the event does not occur or is not discovered until after any termination of employment. Benefits under the Supplemental Retirement Plan will immediately vest upon death or disability of a participant or upon a change in control (as described below).

Further, the participant will be entitled to receive the vested benefits in a lump sum payment if the participant’s employment is terminated after, or in connection with, a change of control (as defined in the Supplemental Retirement Plan) on account of:

 

   

an involuntary termination associated with a change in control within the two year period after the change in control, or

   

a termination by ParentCo other than for cause or due to the participant’s death or disability that (A) occurs not more than three months prior to the date on which a change in control occurs, or (B) is required by a third party who initiates a change in control.

The benefit will be calculated as if the participant terminated on the date of the change in control, but the participant will be considered only for purposes of applying the appropriate actuarial reduction to have a minimum age of 55 and a minimum of 20 years of credited service. Additional service credit will also be provided for the term of any payments under a participant’s CIC Agreement, if any, with ParentCo.

New Restoration Plan. In the event a participant in the New Restoration Plan terminates employment with ParentCo and its subsidiaries in connection with a change in control (as defined in the New Restoration Plan), the participant is entitled to a contribution to the New Restoration Plan for the year in which the termination occurs. If such termination occurs prior to September 30 of a calendar year, then such contribution will be based upon the participant’s base salary and target bonus for the year and, if such termination occurs on or after September 30 of a calendar year, such contribution will be based upon the participant’s base salary and actual bonus for the year. Notably, the same contribution treatment applies for participants who incur an involuntary termination of employment due to death, disability, incapacity retirement or reduction in force, and the same compensation treatment for terminations that occur on or after September 30 applies to participants who voluntarily resign from employment. If a participant’s employment terminates on account of cause (as defined in the New Restoration Plan), no benefits will be payable under the plan. Additionally, each participant agrees by participating in the New Restoration Plan that within ten (10) days after the date we provide the participant with a notice that there has occurred a termination on account of cause, the participant will pay to us in cash an amount equal to any and all distributions paid to or on behalf of such participant under the plan within the six (6) months prior to the date of the earliest breach. A forfeiture of New Restoration Plan benefits will also occur for certain cause events even if the event does not occur or is not discovered until after any termination of employment.

Severance Pay Plan for Salaried Employees. Eligible employees of ParentCo are entitled to receive benefits under the Severance Pay Plan immediately upon completion of one year of continuous service with ParentCo. Pursuant to the terms of the Severance Pay Plan, upon an involuntary termination that is part of a workforce reduction, the employee is entitled to one week’s compensation for each completed full year of continuous service, with a minimum of eight weeks and up to a maximum of 25 weeks’ compensation, subject to the Severance Pay Plan’s reemployment provisions described below. Benefits under the Severance Pay Plan do not apply where the employee is terminated for cause (as defined in the Severance Pay Plan) or resigns, or where such employee’s employment ends in connection with the sale of stock or all or part of ParentCo’s assets and the employee is offered employment by the purchaser (or its affiliate) of the stock or all or part of ParentCo’s assets.

Calculation of the one week’s compensation is made on the basis of straight time pay (excluding any bonus or overtime compensation) for such employee’s permanently assigned position. In addition to severance benefits,

 

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employees are granted any vacation pay to which they are entitled. Employees with less than one year of service are paid only up to and including the date of termination.

In the event that the terminated employee is re-employed as a full-time employee before the severance pay period has expired, the employee shall reimburse ParentCo for the amount of severance benefits which relate to the unexpired period. If the employee was granted vacation pay, the employee may, at his or her option, remit the vacation pay to ParentCo and schedule a later vacation at a time mutually agreed upon with ParentCo.

Employees will not be entitled to severance under the plan unless and until such employee executes, and does not revoke, a release, deemed satisfactory by ParentCo, waiving any and all claims against ParentCo, its affiliates and subsidiaries and all related parties.

 

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COALCO INCENTIVE ARRANGEMENTS AND PLANS

CoalCo Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan

CoalCo plans to adopt the CONSOL Mining Corporation Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan (the CoalCo Plan) in connection with the separation. The following is a summary of the principal terms of the CoalCo Plan, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the CoalCo Plan, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 10.10 hereto. The CoalCo equity-based awards into which the outstanding ParentCo equity-based awards will be converted upon separation (see “The Separation and Distribution—Treatment of Equity-Based Compensation”) will be issued pursuant to the CoalCo Plan and, therefore, will reduce the shares authorized for issuance under the CoalCo Plan.

Purpose of the CoalCo Plan

The purposes of the CoalCo Plan are to promote the interests of CoalCo and our stockholders by (i) attracting and retaining eligible non-employee directors, executive officers and other key employees of CoalCo and its affiliates; (ii) motivating such individuals by means of cash and equity performance-related incentives to achieve annual and long-range performance goals; (iii) enabling such individuals to acquire shares of CoalCo; (iv) assuming and governing awards originally granted under the ParentCo LTIP; and (v) enabling such individuals to participate in the long-term growth and financial success of CoalCo.

Administration and Overview of the CoalCo Plan 

Under the CoalCo Plan, our Board of Directors will have the authority to grant awards to employees and directors of CoalCo and its affiliates. Subject to the terms of the CoalCo Plan and applicable law, our Board of Directors generally may delegate authority to the CoalCo compensation committee, once formed, and matters to CoalCo’s officers. Under the terms of the CoalCo Plan, our Board of Directors will have the authority, among other matters, to (i) designate participants in the CoalCo Plan, (ii) determine the types of awards that may be granted thereunder, including the number of shares relating to such awards, (iii) determine the terms and conditions of such awards, including vesting, exercisability, and forfeiture provisions, and (iv) cancel, suspend or modify outstanding awards. Our Board of Directors also will have the authority to interpret the CoalCo Plan, establish, amend and rescind rules applicable to the CoalCo Plan or awards thereunder, approve the terms and provisions of any award agreements, determine whether any corporate transaction, such as a spin-off or joint venture, will result in a participant’s termination of service, and make all determinations relating to awards under the CoalCo Plan.

Authorized Shares

Subject to the adjustment provisions of the CoalCo Plan, the total number of shares authorized and available for issuance under the CoalCo Plan is 2,600,000. Shares of CoalCo common stock issuable under the CoalCo Plan may be made available from authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. Shares tendered in payment of the exercise price of a stock option or a stock appreciation right (SAR), not issued upon the settlement of SARs, repurchased by CoalCo using proceeds from a stock option exercise or delivered to or withheld by CoalCo to pay federal, state or local withholding taxes may not be added back to the available pool of shares authorized under the CoalCo Plan. If awards granted under the CoalCo Plan are otherwise forfeited, cancelled or expired, the shares underlying such awards will become available for issuance under the CoalCo Plan.

Types of Awards

The following types of awards may be granted under the CoalCo Plan:

 

   

Incentive and non-qualified stock options;

 

   

SARs;

 

   

Restricted shares;

 

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RSUs;

 

   

Performance awards (cash and equity);

 

   

Deferred share units (DSUs);

 

   

ParentCo awards converted in connection with the separation; and

 

   

Other forms of awards authorized by the CoalCo Plan, whether equity or cash based.

These forms of awards may have a performance feature under which the award is not earned unless performance goals are achieved.

Limitations on Awards

Generally, participants in the CoalCo Plan may not be granted, in any one calendar year of CoalCo, (i) stock options or SARs for more than 500,000 shares, (ii) share-based performance awards intended to be performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code for more than 500,000 shares (based on a maximum award level on the grant date), or (iii) cash-payable performance awards intended to be performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code for more than $4,000,000 (based on a maximum award level on the grant date). Additionally, CoalCo Nonemployee Directors may not be granted, in any one fiscal year of CoalCo, awards specifically awarded under the CoalCo Plan that have an aggregate maximum value, calculated as of the respective grant dates, of more than $400,000. The foregoing limitations do not apply to awards converted or substituted in connection with certain corporate transactions or events involving CoalCo, as described in the CoalCo Plan.

Stock Options

Except as otherwise set forth under CoalCo Nonemployee Directors , the CoalCo Plan permits the granting of both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of CoalCo common stock, provided that incentive stock options may only be granted to employees of CoalCo or a parent or subsidiary of CoalCo. Our Board of Directors will establish the exercise price at the time each option is granted. The CoalCo Plan provides that (i) the option exercise price for each share covered by an option may not be less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date the option is granted (or 110% of the fair market value in the case of an incentive stock option granted to an employee who is a 10% Stockholder (as defined in the CoalCo Plan)), except in the case of substitute awards granted in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by CoalCo, or with respect to converted awards granted in connection with the separation, and (ii) the term of the option may not exceed 10 years from the grant date (or five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% Stockholder).

The exercise price of options granted under the CoalCo Plan may be paid for in cash or its equivalent, by exchanging shares of CoalCo common stock (subject to the terms of the CoalCo Plan), by another means approved by our Board of Directors, or by a combination of the foregoing, provided that the combined value of all cash and cash equivalents and the fair market value of any such shares so tendered to CoalCo as of the date of such tender is at least equal to the option price. A participant may also elect to pay all or any portion of the aggregate exercise price by having CoalCo shares with a fair market value on the exercise date equal to the aggregate exercise price withheld by the company or sold by a broker-dealer.

Stock Appreciation Rights

SARs entitle the participant to receive an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the exercise date of the SAR over the grant price. SARs may be granted in tandem with another award, in addition to another award, or freestanding and unrelated to another award. SARs granted in tandem with or in addition to an award may be granted either at the same time as the award or, except in the case of incentive stock options, at a later time. The CoalCo Plan provides that SARs will have (i) grant prices no less

 

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than the fair market value of a share of CoalCo common stock on the grant date and (ii) terms no longer than 10 years. Our Board of Directors will determine whether a SAR may be settled in cash, CoalCo shares, or a combination of both, and will determine at or after the time of each SAR grant the methods of exercise, methods and form of settlement, and any other applicable terms and conditions.

Restricted Stock and RSUs

Restricted stock and RSUs may also be granted under the CoalCo Plan. Our Board of Directors will determine the number of shares of restricted stock and/or the number of RSUs to be granted to each participant, as well as the duration of such awards, the conditions under which the restricted stock and RSUs may be forfeited and other terms and conditions.

Shares of restricted stock and RSUs may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, except, in the case of restricted stock, as provided in the CoalCo Plan or the applicable award agreements. Each RSU has a value equal to the fair market value of a share on the settlement or payment date of such award. RSUs may be paid in cash, shares, other securities, or other property, as determined in the sole discretion of our Board of Directors, upon the lapse of restrictions applicable to the award or pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreement.

Performance Awards

Performance awards may be granted under the CoalCo Plan. A “performance award” consists of a right that is:

 

   

denominated and/or payable in cash, shares of CoalCo common stock or any other form of award issuable under the CoalCo Plan (or any combination thereof);

 

   

valued, as determined by our Board of Directors, in accordance with the achievement of performance goals during the applicable performance periods; and

 

   

payable at such time and in such form as our Board of Directors determines.

The applicable performance period may consist of one or more calendar years or other period for which performance is being measured. Performance awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of the performance period, or on a deferred basis. For awards intended to be performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, performance goals, the achievement of which will be necessary to receive the underlying performance award, will be pre-established by the Board of Directors and relate to one or more of the following performance measures (subject to such modifications as specified by our Board of Directors): cash flow; cash flow from operations; earnings (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization or some variation thereof); earnings per share, diluted or basic; earnings per share from continuing operations; internal rate of return; net asset turnover; inventory turnover; capital expenditures; debt; debt reduction; working capital; return on investment; return on sales; net or gross sales; market share; share price; equity ratios; economic value added; cost of capital; assets or change in assets; expenses; expense reduction levels; productivity; delivery performance; safety record and/or performance; environmental record and/or performance; mine closures; stock price; interest-sensitivity gap levels; return on equity or capital employed; total or relative increases to stockholder return; return on capital; return on assets or net assets; revenue; income or net income; operating income or net operating income; operating profit or net operating profit; gross margin, operating margin or profit margin; finding and development costs; volumes metrics (including volumes sold, volumes produced, volumes transported and similar measures); operating efficiency metrics; charge-offs; non-performing assets; asset sale targets; asset quality levels; value of assets; employee retention/attrition rates; investments; regulatory compliance; satisfactory internal or external audits; improvement of financial ratings; value creation; achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives; and completion of acquisitions, business expansion, product diversification and other non-financial operating and management performance objectives.

To the extent consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Board of Directors may determine that certain adjustments will apply, in whole or in part, in such manner as determined by the Board of Directors, to include or

 

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exclude the effect of any of the following events that occur during a performance period including the following: the impairment of tangible or intangible assets; asset write-downs; litigation or claim judgments or settlements; acquisitions or divestitures; gains/losses on the sale of assets; foreign exchange gains and/or losses; expenses related to stock offerings and stock repurchases; the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results; business combinations, reorganizations and/or restructuring programs, including, but not limited to, reductions in force and early retirement incentives; currency fluctuations; and any unusual, infrequent or non-recurring items, including, but not limited to, such items described in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations or the financial statements and notes thereto appearing in CoalCo’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year. Performance measures may be determined either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either CoalCo as a whole or to a business unit or subsidiary entity thereof (except in the case of awards adjusted and converted due to the separation), either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured over a period of time including any portion of a year, annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Board of Directors.

Our Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, also establish such additional restrictions or conditions that must be satisfied as conditions precedent to the payment of all or a portion of any performance award. Our Board of Directors may also reduce the amount of any performance award if it concludes that such reduction is necessary or appropriate based on: (i) an evaluation of such participant’s performance; (ii) comparisons with compensation received by other similarly situated individuals working within our industry or peer group; (iii) our financial results and conditions; or (iv) such other factors or conditions that our Board of Directors deems relevant; provided that the Board of Directors will not have the discretion to increase any award that is intended to be performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.

Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash Awards

Other stock-based awards may also be granted under the CoalCo Plan, which consist of any right that is not an award described above and is denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into shares), as deemed by the Board of Directors to be consistent with the purposes of the CoalCo Plan. The Board of Directors will determine the terms and conditions of any such other stock-based awards, subject to the terms of the CoalCo Plan and any applicable award agreement. An award may also be in the form of a cash award, with such vesting or other restrictions, if any, as determined by the Board of Directors.

CoalCo Nonemployee Directors

CoalCo Nonemployee Directors may receive grants of equity-based and other awards, subject to the terms of the CoalCo Plan. Except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, the Board of Directors may grant to CoalCo Nonemployee Directors (i) stock option awards that vest ratably over a period of three years from the date of grant, (ii) deferred stock units in lieu of all or any portion of the annual retainer or meeting fees otherwise payable to such directors, and (iii) any other types of awards described in the CoalCo Plan.

Dividends

As discussed under “Dividend Policy,” the payment of any dividends in the future, and the timing and amount thereof, is within the discretion of our Board of Directors. Under the CoalCo Plan, dividends and other distributions paid on or in respect of any shares of restricted stock or RSUs may be paid directly to the participant, or may be reinvested in additional shares of restricted stock or RSUs, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion; provided, however, that no such dividends or distributions may be paid with respect to unvested restricted stock or unvested RSUs, including any unvested awards that are subject to performance measures, until such awards vest.

 

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Change in Control

In the event that CoalCo engages in a transaction constituting a Change in Control (as defined in the CoalCo Plan), our Board of Directors will have complete authority and discretion, but not the obligation, to accelerate the vesting of outstanding awards and the termination of restrictions on shares granted under the CoalCo Plan. In addition, the Board of Directors may, if deemed appropriate, in its discretion and in connection with a Change in Control: (i) provide for an equivalent award or substitute award in respect of securities of the surviving entity of such transaction; (ii) upon advance notice to the affected participants, cancel any outstanding options or SARs and pay an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares covered by the award, or (iii) subject to limited exceptions, make provision for a cash payment or payment of other property in settlement of such award.

Amendment and Termination

Generally our Board of Directors may amend, suspend, discontinue or terminate the CoalCo Plan or any award agreement or any portion thereof at any time; provided that no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination will be made without shareholder approval, if required by NYSE or as otherwise deemed necessary, or without the consent of the affected participant, if such action would adversely affect his or her material rights under any outstanding award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors may make modifications or amendments to the extent necessary to conform to Section 162(m), Section 409A or any other provision of the federal income tax laws.

Cancellation of Awards

Our Board of Directors may cause any award granted under the CoalCo Plan to be canceled in consideration of a cash payment or alternative award made to the holder of such canceled award equal in value to the fair market value of such canceled award, except to the extent that such payment would violate the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the CoalCo Plan, except for adjustments pursuant to applicable provisions of the CoalCo Plan or in connection with certain corporate transactions or events involving CoalCo, the terms of outstanding options or SARs may not be amended to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding options or SARs or to cancel outstanding options or SARs in exchange for cash, other awards or options or SARs with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original options or SARs without obtaining stockholder approval.

Clawback

Notwithstanding any other provisions in the CoalCo Plan, any award that is subject to recovery under any law, government regulation, stock exchange listing requirement or company policy shall be subject to such deductions, recoupment and clawback as may be required to be made pursuant to such law, government regulation, stock exchange listing requirement or company policy, as may be in effect from time to time, and which may operate to create additional rights for the company with respect to awards and recovery of amounts relating thereto. By accepting awards under the CoalCo Plan, participants agree and acknowledge that they are obligated to cooperate with, and provide any and all assistance necessary to, the company to recover or recoup any award or amounts paid under the CoalCo Plan subject to clawback pursuant to such law, government regulation, stock exchange listing requirement, or company policy. Such cooperation and assistance will include, but is not limited to, executing, completing and submitting any documentation necessary to recover or recoup any award or amounts paid under the CoalCo Plan from a participant’s accounts, or pending or future compensation or awards.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Agreements with GasCo

Following the separation and distribution, CoalCo and GasCo will operate separately, each as an independent public company. In connection with the separation, CoalCo will enter into the separation agreement with

 

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ParentCo, and will also enter into various other agreements, or modify or amend existing agreements that are currently in place between ParentCo and CNXC, which are discussed below, to effect the separation and provide a framework for its relationship with GasCo after the separation, including a transition services agreement, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement, an intellectual property matters agreement and other agreements related to operations of CoalCo post-separation. These agreements, together with the existing agreements discussed below between ParentCo and CNXC and the documents and agreements by which the internal reorganization will be effected, will provide for the allocation between CoalCo and GasCo of ParentCo’s assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including investments, property and employee benefits, and tax-related assets and liabilities) attributable to periods prior to, at and after CoalCo’s separation from ParentCo and will govern certain relationships between CoalCo and GasCo after the separation.

Separation Agreement

Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities. The separation agreement will identify the assets to be transferred, the liabilities to be assumed and the contracts to be transferred to each of CoalCo and GasCo as part of the separation of ParentCo into two companies, and will provide for when and how these transfers and assumptions will occur. In particular, the separation agreement will provide that, among other things, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein:

 

   

certain assets related to ParentCo’s Coal Business, which we refer to as the “CoalCo Assets,” will be transferred to CoalCo or one of its subsidiaries, including:

 

   

equity interests in CNXC and certain ParentCo subsidiaries that hold assets relating to the Coal Business;

 

   

certain intellectual property, software, information and technology used in the Coal Business or related to the CoalCo Assets, the CoalCo Liabilities or CoalCo’s business;

 

   

facilities related to the Coal Business, including a portion of the current headquarters of ParentCo;

 

   

contracts (or portions thereof) that relate to the Coal Business;

 

   

rights and assets expressly allocated to CoalCo pursuant to the terms of the separation agreement or certain other agreements entered into in connection with the separation;

 

   

permits that primarily relate to the Coal Business; and

 

   

other assets that are included in CoalCo’s pro forma balance sheet, such as pension assets included in CoalCo’s Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements;

 

   

certain liabilities related to the Coal Business or the CoalCo Assets, which we refer to as the “CoalCo Liabilities,” will be retained by or transferred to CoalCo, including certain liabilities associated with legacy pension and other employee legacy liabilities. Subject to limited exceptions, liabilities that relate to the Coal Business, including liabilities of various legal entities that will be subsidiaries of CoalCo following the separation, will be CoalCo Liabilities;

 

   

the treatment of certain outstanding guarantees given by ParentCo will be addressed. The majority of guarantees given by ParentCo with respect to certain sales contracts, equipment leases, land leases, and royalties with third parties with respect to various CoalCo Assets or that are held by various CoalCo subsidiaries will be severed prior to the distribution; the treatment of those that must continue in place at the time of the distribution (the Guarantees) will be set forth in the separation agreement. In all events, when the Guarantees expire, they will be renegotiated in the name of CoalCo; and

 

   

all of the assets and liabilities (whether accrued, contingent or otherwise) other than the CoalCo Assets and CoalCo Liabilities (such assets and liabilities, other than the CoalCo Assets and the CoalCo Liabilities, we refer to as the GasCo Assets and GasCo Liabilities, respectively) of ParentCo will be retained by or transferred to GasCo.

 

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Except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement or any ancillary agreement, neither CoalCo nor ParentCo will make any representation or warranty as to the assets, business or liabilities transferred or assumed as part of the separation, as to any approvals or notifications required in connection with the transfers, as to the value of or the freedom from any security interests of any of the assets transferred, as to the absence or presence of any defenses or right of setoff or freedom from counterclaim with respect to any claim or other asset of either CoalCo or ParentCo, or as to the legal sufficiency of any document or instrument delivered to convey title to any asset or thing of value to be transferred in connection with the separation. All assets will be transferred on an “as is,” “where is” basis, and the respective transferees will bear the economic and legal risks that any conveyance will prove to be insufficient to vest in the transferee good and marketable title, free and clear of all security interests, that any necessary consents or governmental approvals are not obtained, or that any requirements of law, agreements, security interests or judgments are not complied with.

Information in this information statement with respect to the assets and liabilities of the parties following the distribution is presented based on the allocation of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the separation agreement, unless the context otherwise requires. The separation agreement will provide that in the event that the transfer of certain assets and liabilities to CoalCo or GasCo, as applicable, does not occur prior to the separation, then until such assets or liabilities are able to be transferred, CoalCo or GasCo, as applicable, will hold such assets on behalf and for the benefit of the other party and will pay, perform and discharge such liabilities, for which the other party will reimburse CoalCo or GasCo, as applicable, for all commercially reasonable payments made in connection with the performance and discharge of such liabilities.

The Distribution. The separation agreement will also govern the rights and obligations of the parties regarding the distribution following the completion of the separation. On the distribution date, ParentCo will distribute to its stockholders that hold ParentCo common stock as of the record date for the distribution, all of the issued and outstanding common stock of CoalCo, on a pro rata basis. Stockholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional shares. Following the distribution, CoalCo will be a separate company from GasCo.

Conditions to the Distribution. The separation agreement will provide that the distribution is subject to satisfaction (or waiver by ParentCo) of certain conditions. These conditions are described under “The Separation and Distribution—Conditions to the Distribution.” ParentCo will have the sole and absolute discretion to determine (and change) the terms of, and to determine whether to proceed with, the distribution and, to the extent that it determines to so proceed, to determine the record date for the distribution, the distribution date and the distribution ratio.

Claims. In general, each party to the separation agreement will assume liability for all pending, threatened and unasserted legal matters related to its own business or its assumed or retained liabilities and will indemnify the other party for any liability to the extent arising out of or resulting from such assumed or retained legal matters.

Releases. The separation agreement will provide that CoalCo and its affiliates will release and discharge GasCo and its affiliates from all liabilities assumed by CoalCo as part of the separation, from all acts and events occurring or failing to occur, and all conditions existing, on or before the distribution date relating to CoalCo’s business, and from all liabilities existing or arising in connection with the implementation of the separation, except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement. GasCo and its affiliates will release and discharge CoalCo and its affiliates from all liabilities retained by GasCo and its affiliates as part of the separation, from all acts and events occurring or failing to occur, and all conditions existing, on or before the distribution date relating to GasCo’s business, and from all liabilities existing or arising in connection with the implementation of the separation, except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement.

These releases will not extend to obligations or liabilities under any agreements between the parties that remain in effect following the separation, which agreements include the separation agreement and the other agreements described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

 

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Indemnification. In the separation agreement, CoalCo will agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless GasCo, each of GasCo’s affiliates and each of GasCo and its affiliates’ respective directors, officers and employees, from and against all liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from:

 

   

the CoalCo Liabilities;

 

   

CoalCo’s failure or the failure of any other person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any of the CoalCo Liabilities, in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, at or after the distribution;

 

   

except to the extent relating to a GasCo Liability, any Guarantees, indemnification or contribution obligation for the benefit of CoalCo by GasCo that survives the distribution;

 

   

any breach by CoalCo of the separation agreement or any of the ancillary agreements; and

 

   

any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission of material fact in the Form 10, this information statement (as amended or supplemented), or certain other registration statements, except for any such statements or omissions made explicitly in GasCo’s name.

GasCo will agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless CoalCo, each of CoalCo’s affiliates and each of CoalCo and CoalCo’s affiliates’ respective directors, officers and employees from and against all liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from:

 

   

the GasCo Liabilities;

 

   

the failure of GasCo or any other person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any of the GasCo Liabilities, in accordance with their respective terms whether prior to, at or after the distribution;

 

   

except to the extent relating to a CoalCo Liability, any guarantee, indemnification or contribution obligation for the benefit of GasCo by CoalCo that survives the distribution;

 

   

any breach by GasCo of the separation agreement or any of the ancillary agreements; and

 

   

any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission of a material fact made explicitly in GasCo’s name in the Form 10, this information statement (as amended or supplemented), or certain other registration statements.

The separation agreement will also establish procedures with respect to claims subject to indemnification and related matters.

Insurance. The separation agreement will provide for the allocation between the parties of rights and obligations under existing insurance policies with respect to occurrences prior to the distribution and will set forth procedures for the administration of insured claims and related matters.

Further Assurances. In addition to the actions specifically provided for in the separation agreement, except as otherwise set forth therein or in any ancillary agreement, both CoalCo and ParentCo will agree in the separation agreement to use reasonable best efforts, prior to, on and after the distribution date, to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by the separation agreement and the ancillary agreements.

Dispute Resolution. The separation agreement will contain provisions that govern, except as otherwise provided in any ancillary agreement, the resolution of disputes, controversies or claims that may arise between CoalCo and GasCo related to the separation or distribution and that are unable to be resolved through good faith discussions between CoalCo and GasCo. These provisions will contemplate that efforts will be made to resolve disputes, controversies and claims by escalation of the matter to executives of CoalCo and GasCo, and that, if such efforts

 

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are not successful, either CoalCo or GasCo may submit the dispute, controversy or claim to mandatory, nonbinding mediation or, if such nonbinding mediation is not successful, binding arbitration, subject to the provisions of the separation agreement.

Expenses. Except as expressly set forth in the separation agreement or in any ancillary agreement, or as otherwise agreed in writing by ParentCo and CoalCo, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the separation prior to, as of or after the distribution date, will be paid by the party incurring such cost and expense; provided, that certain costs and expenses outlined in the schedules to the separation agreement relating to certain professional services, NYSE listing authorization, and dissemination of the Form 10 and this information statement will be allocated equally between ParentCo and CoalCo.

Other Matters. Other matters governed by the separation agreement will include access to financial and other information, confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions, access to and provision of records and treatment of outstanding guarantees and similar credit support.

Termination. The separation agreement will provide that it may be terminated, and the separation and distribution may be modified or abandoned, at any time prior to the distribution date in the sole and absolute discretion of ParentCo without the approval of any person, including CoalCo or ParentCo stockholders. In the event of a termination of the separation agreement, no party, nor any of its directors, officers or employees, will have any liability of any kind to the other party or any other person. After the distribution date, the separation agreement may not be terminated, except by an agreement in writing signed by both GasCo and CoalCo.

Transition Services Agreement

CoalCo and ParentCo will enter into a transition services agreement in connection with the separation pursuant to which CoalCo and GasCo and their respective affiliates will provide each other, on an interim, transitional basis, various services, including, but not limited to, employee benefits administration, information technology services, regulatory services, general administrative services and other support services. The agreed-upon charges for such services are generally intended to allow the servicing party to charge a price comprised of the internal costs and expense incurred by the servicing party plus a modest predetermined profit in the form of a mark-up of such out-of-pocket expenses. Based on current assumptions, the cost of the services to be provided by each party is estimated to be approximately $1.4 million for services provided by GasCo to CoalCo and less than $200,000 for services provided by CoalCo to GasCo. The party receiving each transition service will be provided with reasonable information that supports the charges for such transition service by the party providing the service.

Subject to certain exceptions, the liabilities of each party providing services under the transition services agreement will generally be limited to the aggregate charges actually paid to such party by the other party pursuant to the transition services agreement. The transition services agreement also will provide that the provider of a service will not be liable to the recipient of such service for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages.

In addition to the transition services outlined in the transition services agreement, it is anticipated that David Khani will enter into a Consulting Agreement with CNX Gas Company LLC, a subsidiary of ParentCo and a party to the limited liability company agreement of CONE Gathering LLC. Mr. Khani currently serves as a director of CONE Gathering LLC and CONE Midstream GP LLC, which is the general partner of CONE Midstream Partners LP, a master limited partnership formed in 2014 by ParentCo and Noble Energy, Inc., primarily to own, operate, develop and acquire natural gas gathering and other midstream energy assets in the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. As referenced in his biographical information, Mr. Khani also currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of the general partner of CONE. Pursuant to the terms of the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Khani will continue to serve as GasCo’s designee in these roles for a limited period following the separation, which is not currently expected to exceed six months, while an appropriate replacement is found. During the term of the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Khani will not be an employee of GasCo, will have the status of an independent contractor, and will not have the authority to act as agent of the GasCo.

 

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Tax Matters Agreement

In connection with the separation, CoalCo and ParentCo will enter into a tax matters agreement that governs the parties’ respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to taxes (including taxes arising in the ordinary course of business and taxes, if any, incurred as a result of any failure of the distribution and certain related transactions to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes), tax attributes, the preparation and filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax proceedings, and assistance and cooperation in respect of tax matters.

In addition, the tax matters agreement will impose certain restrictions on us and our subsidiaries (including restrictions on share issuances, business combinations, sales of assets and similar transactions) designed to preserve the tax-free status of the distribution and certain related transactions. The tax matters agreement will provide special rules that allocate tax liabilities in the event the distribution, together with certain related transactions, is not tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, under the tax matters agreement, each party will be expected to be responsible for any taxes imposed on ParentCo or CoalCo that arise from the failure of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) and certain other relevant provisions of the Code, to the extent that the failure to so qualify is attributable to actions, events or transactions relating to such party’s respective stock, assets or business, or a breach of the relevant representations or covenants made by that party in the tax matters agreement.

As discussed elsewhere in this information statement, notwithstanding receipt by ParentCo of the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors, the IRS could assert that the distribution does not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the IRS were successful in taking this position, ParentCo, CoalCo and ParentCo stockholders could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability. In addition, certain events that may or may not be within the control of ParentCo or CoalCo could cause the distribution and certain related transactions to not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Depending on the circumstances, CoalCo may be required to indemnify ParentCo for taxes (and certain related losses) resulting from the distribution and certain related transactions not qualifying as tax-free.

If the distribution fails to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in general, ParentCo would recognize taxable gain as if it had sold the CoalCo common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value (unless ParentCo and CoalCo jointly make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the distribution, in which case, in general, (i) the ParentCo group would recognize taxable gain as if CoalCo had sold all of its assets in a taxable sale in exchange for an amount equal to the fair market value of the CoalCo common stock and the assumption of all CoalCo’s liabilities and (ii) CoalCo would obtain a related step up in the basis of its assets) and ParentCo stockholders who receive CoalCo common stock in the distribution would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of such CoalCo common stock.

Employee Matters Agreement

CoalCo and ParentCo will enter into an employee matters agreement in connection with the separation to allocate liabilities and responsibilities relating to employment matters, employee compensation and benefits plans and programs, and other related matters. The employee matters agreement will govern certain compensation and employee benefit obligations with respect to the current and former employees and non-employee directors of each company.

The employee matters agreement will provide that, unless otherwise specified, GasCo will be responsible for certain liabilities associated with current and former employees of GasCo and its subsidiaries and certain other former employees classified as former employees of GasCo for purposes of post-separation compensation and benefits matters, and CoalCo will be responsible for certain liabilities associated with current and former employees of CoalCo and its subsidiaries and certain other former employees classified as former employees of CoalCo for purposes of post-separation compensation and benefits matters.

 

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The employee matters agreement will also govern the treatment of equity-based awards granted by ParentCo prior to the separation. See “The Separation and Distribution—Treatment of Equity-Based Compensation.”

Master Cooperation and Safety Agreement

In connection with the separation, CoalCo and ParentCo will enter into two master cooperation and safety agreements, which will contain provisions related to the safe and economical operation of GasCo’s Gas Business and CoalCo’s Coal Business where the parties have overlapping interests. The first will be accomplished via two amendments to an existing master cooperation and safety agreement that will relate to operations at the PAMC, and is discussed below under the heading “Cooperation and Safety Agreement.” The second master cooperation and safety agreement will relate to the safe and economical operation of the CNX Marine Terminal and other non-PAMC operations of the Coal Business and ParentCo’s natural gas business where joint interests exist, including with respect to surface rights and use and subsidence issues. Further, GasCo will agree to sign and deliver any waiver or consent necessary to allow coal mining operations of CoalCo in the vicinity of certain properties or gas rights owned by GasCo, and CoalCo will agree that GasCo has the right to capture gas from any well associated with CoalCo’s properties, subject to CoalCo’s right to preclude GasCo from capturing gas with respect to any active mining area in order to promote safety for and productivity of its coal operations. For certain wells and related infrastructure, CoalCo may be required to reimburse certain plugging and abandonment costs and to compensate GasCo for certain broadly-defined reserves that it is not able to produce because of our coal mining activities.

Other Agreements

Agreements with CNXC

Following the separation and distribution, CoalCo will own those ownership interests of CNXC previously owned by ParentCo. CNXC and ParentCo (and certain of ParentCo’s affiliates, some of which will become subsidiaries of CoalCo pursuant to the internal restructuring prior to the separation) have previously entered into various agreements regarding the relationship between the two entities. The material terms of these agreements, which are anticipated to either be assumed by CoalCo, continue unmodified between the current parties, modified and amended in connection with the separation or subsumed within the related party agreements discussed above, are set forth below. These agreements, together with the documents discussed above and agreements by which the internal reorganization will be effected, will provide for the allocation between CoalCo and CNXC of certain assets, employees, liabilities and obligations relating to the management and operation of PAMC.

Operating Agreement

Under the current operating agreement, CNX Thermal Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNXC, has agreed to serve as the operator and assumed management and control over the day-to-day operations of the PAMC for the life of the mines. As operator, CNX Thermal Holdings is responsible for managing and conducting all operations with respect to the PAMC, including: (i) mining the PAMC; (ii) handling coal production and delivery thereof to purchasers and/or facilities; (iii) operating the beltlines transporting raw coal into the PAMC’s preparation plant and loading facility; (iv) storing, preparing, treating, managing and loading coal at the preparation plant and, if applicable, blending coal; (v) disposing, stockpiling, handling, treating and/or storing all coal refuse; and (vi) planning and coordinating of anticipated mining operations.

CNX Thermal, as the operator under the operating agreement, also possesses the following responsibilities for managing and conducting the following additional operational services with respect to the PAMC: (i) health, environmental, safety and security services, including MSHA reporting; (ii) services related to the acquisition, divestiture, management and administration of the real property interests underlying the PAMC; (iii) acquiring, managing and administering all permits necessary for the operation of the PAMC in material compliance with such permits; (iv) services necessary to market the production from the PAMC and negotiate, manage and administer the contracts necessary for the operation of the PAMC; (v) logistics relating to operation of the

 

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PAMC; and (vi) preparing, or causing to be prepared, such daily reports typically prepared by an operator of a mining complex similar to the PAMC that are prepared in the ordinary course of business and monthly per ton reports and annual reserve reports.

Pursuant to the operating agreement, a two-member operating committee, meets quarterly to review the annual budget for the PAMC. While CNX Thermal Holdings has been delegated the authority and responsibility for managing and further developing the PAMC, certain material actions, including the approval of the annual plan and budget and any permanent or extended temporary decommissioning of any of the mines at the PAMC, will require the unanimous consent of the operating committee. CNX Thermal Holdings may be removed as operator only in the event of its bankruptcy or gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the operational services.

Any liabilities arising from the operation of the PAMC that are not the result of CNX Thermal Holdings’ gross negligence or willful misconduct will be borne by CNX Thermal Holdings, certain ParentCo subsidiaries pro rata in relation to such person’s ownership percentage of the PAMC. Under the operating agreement, CNX Thermal Holdings invoices ParentCo through its subsidiaries on a monthly basis for its pro rata share of the costs associated with the operation of the PAMC. The total amount of such amounts invoiced was approximately $414.5 million for 2016.

It is anticipated that the operating agreement will remain in effect following the separation with the current parties thereto, with amendment or modification as deemed necessary.

Employee Services Agreement

Pursuant to an employee services agreement ParentCo, through a wholly-owned subsidiary that will, as part of the separation, become a wholly-owned subsidiary of CoalCo, provides personnel to mine and process coal from the PAMC and perform the operational services that CNXC is charged with providing under the operating agreement described above. CNXC provides reimbursement for (i) all direct third-party costs and expenses actually incurred in providing operational services, including royalties required to be paid on the coal mined, certain taxes applicable to the coal and coal workers, per-ton reclamation fees or taxes and penalties imposed by any governmental authority for violation of any law or regulation arising out of performance of the operational services, except to the extent such penalties were as a result of gross negligence or willful misconduct, (ii) salary, benefits and other compensation costs of employees performing the operational services to the extent such employees are performing the operational services; and (iii) market rate rental fees for use of assets in performing the operational services, if any. CNXC paid approximately $45.0 million to ParentCo for such reimbursed expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016. It is currently anticipated that, since the wholly-owned subsidiary that is currently a party to the employee services agreement will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of CoalCo, the employee services agreement will not require assignment or amendment in connection with the separation, and will remain in effect following the separation.

Cooperation and Safety Agreements

CNX Thermal is party to a master cooperation and safety agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of ParentCo pursuant to which CNX Thermal, in its capacity as operator of the PAMC, coordinates mining activities relating to the PAMC with the oil and natural gas drilling and development activities of ParentCo in and around the PAMC. The cooperation and safety agreement, which CoalCo anticipates will remain in place with GasCo following the separation and has been amended for certain necessary changes, contains provisions related to the safe and economical operation of the PAMC coal business and ParentCo’s natural gas business where joint interests exist, including with respect to surface rights and use and subsidence issues.

Contract Agency Agreement

CNX Thermal Holdings, is party to a contract agency agreement with CONSOL Energy Sales Company (CES), a current subsidiary of ParentCo that will, as part of the separation, become a wholly-owned subsidiary of CoalCo.

 

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Under the contract agency agreement, CES acts as agent to market and sell the coal produced from the PAMC and administers CNXC’s existing coal purchase and sale contracts, including any extensions or renewals thereof, and any new coal purchase and sale contracts for the sale of coal produced from the PAMC. The administration of these coal purchase and sale contracts includes CES’ making elections, enforcing rights, executing coal sale confirmations and invoicing, in each case at our direction and with respect to the coal reserves attributable to our interests and CES’ interest in the PAMC. Because it governs certain contracts which pertain to both coal and natural gas sales, the contract agency agreement will be amended in connection with the separation to remove those contracts and parties that pertain to GasCo operations. Otherwise, the amended contract agency agreement will remain in effect between CNX Thermal Holdings and CES following the separation.

Terminal Throughput Agreement

CNX Thermal Holdings is party to a terminal throughput agreement with CNX Marine Terminals, Inc. (CNX Marine), a current subsidiary of ParentCo that will, as part of the separation, become a wholly-owned subsidiary of CoalCo. Under the terminal and throughput agreement, CNXC has the option, but not the obligation, to transport or to cause to be transported through the CNX Marine Terminal up to 5 million tons of coal each calendar year for a terminal fee of $4 per ton of coal transported through the CNX Marine Terminal, plus certain standard fees for long-term or excess storage, re-handling services at the CNX Marine Terminal (if elected) and certain fees related to the docking and undocking of vessels at the CNX Marine Terminal. The per ton terminal fee and other fees may be reasonably escalated by the owner of the CNX Marine Terminal on a quarterly basis based on changes in the volume of coal shipped through the CNX Marine Terminal and increases in operating costs at the terminal. The terminal throughput agreement will not require assignment or amendment in connection with the separation, and will remain in effect following the separation.

Water Supply and Services Agreement

CNXC is party to a water supply and services agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of ParentCo pursuant to which it has the option, but not the obligation, to (i) acquire water from ParentCo for a fee of $3.50 per thousand gallons of water (the supply fee), in an amount up to 600 gallons per minute and (ii) cause ParentCo to treat and dispose of water produced from the PAMC for a fee of $1.91 per thousand gallons of water (the treatment fee). The supply fee is subject to a renegotiation based on market conditions at the end of the initial term, and the treatment fee is subject to annual renegotiation based on market conditions and operating costs of the water treatment facility. The water supply and services agreement, which will remain in place with GasCo following the separation, is being amended to revise and remove certain services provided under the agreement, and otherwise has an initial term of five years and will automatically renew for additional one-year terms unless terminated by either party on not less than 30 days’ prior notice.

Omnibus Agreement

CNXC and the CNXC GP are parties to an omnibus agreement with ParentCo, and certain other subsidiaries of ParentCo that address the matters discussed below. In the event ParentCo ceases to control the CNXC GP, either party may terminate the omnibus agreement, provided that the indemnification obligations will survive any such termination in accordance with their terms. Under the omnibus agreement, as it has been amended and restated, CNXC pays ParentCo an administrative support fee for the provision of certain administrative support services and an executive support fee for the provision of certain executive support services for its benefit. The omnibus agreement also addresses reimbursement for certain administrative and support costs incurred. The administrative support fee may change each calendar year, as determined by ParentCo in good faith after consultation with the CNXC GP, to accurately reflect the degree and extent of the general and administrative services provided to CNXC and may be adjusted to reflect, among other things, the contribution, acquisition or disposition of assets to or by CNXC or to reflect any change in the cost of providing general and administrative services Under the omnibus agreement, until the date that ParentCo no longer controls the CNXC GP, if

 

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ParentCo determines to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or part of its retained 75% undivided interest in the PAMC or CNX Marine Terminal, ParentCo must provide CNXC with an opportunity to make the first offer to acquire such interests and assets.

Under the omnibus agreement, ParentCo has indemnification obligations to CNXC for certain liabilities under the omnibus agreement, including those relating to (i) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the contribution agreement; (ii) all pre-contribution tax liabilities attributable to the assets contributed to CNXC; (iii) certain operational and title matters, including the failure to have the ability to operate under any governmental license, permit or approval or valid title to the contributed assets, in each case, that is necessary to own or operate any contributed assets; (iv) except to the extent resulting from CNXC’s breach of the operating standard in the operating agreement, ParentCo’s ownership of its retained 75% interest in and to the PAMC; (v) certain liabilities retained by ParentCo; (vi) ParentCo’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the provision of general and administrative services or management services under the omnibus agreement; and (vii) a breach by ParentCo of the other agreements discussed herein.

CNXC also has the following indemnification obligations to ParentCo: (i) the use, ownership or operation of CNXC assets, including certain environmental liabilities; (ii) any liabilities incurred by ParentCo under the other agreements discussed herein, or by CNXC’s breach of the cooperation and safety agreement; and (iii) those relating to CNXC’s operation of the PAMC under permits and/or bonds, letters of credit, guarantees, deposits and other pre-payments held by ParentCo. Under the omnibus agreement, certain indemnification obligations by ParentCo are limited to pre-identified liabilities, and/or a deductible of $1.0 million per claim. For purposes of calculating the deductible, a “claim” will include all liabilities that arise from a discrete act or event. There is no limit on the amount for which ParentCo or CNXC will indemnify under the omnibus agreement once the deductible is met.

In connection with the separation, the omnibus agreement will be amended to (i) confirm that the omnibus agreement will remain in place and not be terminated, (ii) add CoalCo as a new party to the agreement and cause CoalCo to replace Parent under the terms of the omnibus agreement (except as described in (iii)), and (iii) acknowledge Parent’s agreement that it shall continue to have indemnification obligations relating to matters arising under the omnibus agreement that occurred prior to the time of separation, including as it relates to administrative support services and executive support obligations provided under the omnibus agreement prior to the separation. As it relates to the existing indemnification obligations that remain in place as between GasCo and CNXC under the omnibus agreement, as amended, following the separation, we will provide indemnification to GasCo as it relates to such ongoing indemnification obligations relating to the Coal Business, as part of the separation agreement.

Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions

CoalCo will adopt a written Related Person Policy and Procedures to set forth policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions with directors, nominees for director, executive officers and certain family members (related persons). We expect that the policy will provide that, prior to entering into a potential related person transaction (which is generally a transaction in excess of $120,000 involving CoalCo and a related person), the related person must notify our chief financial officer and general counsel of the material facts regarding the transaction. If our chief financial officer and general counsel determine that the proposed transaction is in fact a related person transaction, the details of the transaction are presented to our Audit Committee (or if it is not practicable or desirable to wait until the next Audit Committee meeting, to the chairman of the Audit Committee) for approval. The Audit Committee or Chairman, as applicable, will consider all relevant facts and circumstances including the terms of the transaction and terms that would be available to unrelated parties, the benefits to us and, if the transaction involves an independent director, any impact the transaction would have on such director’s independence. The Audit Committee or Chairman, as applicable, will also inform our N&CG Committee of any related person transactions involving directors or nominees. Since the SEC’s related party regulation also applies to directors’ and executive officers’ family

 

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members, as well as entities in which they may be deemed to have an indirect material interest, it is possible that related person transactions could occur without a director or executive officer being aware of them and seeking approval in accordance with the policy. When we become aware of a related person transaction that has not been previously approved, the policy will require that the details of the transaction be presented to our Audit Committee or Chairman, as applicable, for ratification or other action.

The Board of Directors is expected to consider the following types of potential related person transactions and pre-approve them under the company’s Related Person Transaction Approval Policy as not presenting material conflicts of interest:

 

   

employment of executive officers (except employment of an executive officer that is an immediate family member of another executive officer, director, or nominee for director) as long as the Compensation Committee has approved the executive officers’ compensation;

 

   

director compensation that the Board of Directors has approved;

 

   

any transaction with another entity in which the aggregate amount involved does not exceed the greater of $1 million or 2% of the other entity’s total annual revenues, if a related person’s interest arises only from:

 

   

such person’s position as an employee or executive officer of the other entity; or

 

   

such person’s position as a director of the other entity; or

 

   

the ownership by such person, together with his or her immediate family members, of less than a 10% equity interest in the aggregate in the other entity (other than a partnership); or

 

   

both such position as a director and ownership as described in the foregoing two bullets; or

 

   

such person’s position as a limited partner in a partnership in which the person, together with his or her immediate family members, have an interest of less than 10%;

 

   

charitable contributions in which a related person’s only relationship is as an employee (other than an executive officer), or a director or trustee, if the aggregate amount involved does not exceed the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the charitable organization’s total annual receipts;

 

   

transactions, such as the receipt of dividends, in which all stockholders receive proportional benefits;

 

   

transactions involving competitive bids;

 

   

transactions involving the rendering of services as a common or contract carrier, or public utility, at rates or charges fixed in conformity with law or governmental authority; and

 

   

transactions with a related person involving services as a bank depositary of funds, transfer agent, registrar, trustee under a trust indenture, or similar services.

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

The following is a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution of CoalCo common stock to “U.S. holders” (as defined below) of ParentCo common stock. This summary is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date of this information statement, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations and change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. This discussion applies only to U.S. holders of shares of ParentCo common stock who hold such shares as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment).

 

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The distribution is conditioned upon the receipt by ParentCo of a private letter ruling from the IRS, which was received on October 16, 2017, and one or more opinions of its tax advisors, in each case, satisfactory to the ParentCo Board of Directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the separation and the distribution, including, with respect to the opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, to the effect that, subject to the accuracy of and compliance with certain representations, assumptions, and covenants, the distribution will be a transaction described in Section 355(a) of the Code.

This discussion is based upon the assumption that the distribution, together with certain related transactions, will be consummated in accordance with the separation agreement and the other separation-related agreements and as described in this information statement and that the IRS takes no position inconsistent with the opinion(s) described above. This summary is not intended to be, and it should not be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular stockholder. It does not discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular holder in light of its particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules under the Code (including, but not limited to, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, broker-dealers, partners in partnerships that hold ParentCo or CoalCo common stock, pass-through entities (or investors therein), traders in securities who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting, holders who hold ParentCo or CoalCo common stock as part of a “hedge,” “straddle,” “conversion,” “synthetic security,” “integrated investment” or “constructive sale transaction,” individuals who receive CoalCo common stock upon the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, holders who are liable for alternative minimum tax or any holders who actually or constructively own or owned more than 5% of ParentCo common stock). This discussion also does not address any tax consequences arising under the unearned Medicare contribution tax pursuant to the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, nor does it address any tax considerations under state, local or foreign laws or U.S. federal laws other than those pertaining to the U.S. federal income tax. The distribution may be taxable under such other tax laws and all holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the applicability and effect of any such tax laws.

If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds ParentCo common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the distribution.

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is any beneficial owner of ParentCo common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or (ii) it has a valid election in place under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.

THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS A SUMMARY OF MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION UNDER CURRENT LAW AND IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, AND IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER. ALL HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION TO THEM, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS.

 

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The IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors will be based upon and rely on, among other things, various facts and assumptions, as well as certain representations, statements and undertakings of CoalCo and ParentCo (including those relating to the past and future conduct of CoalCo and ParentCo). If any of these representations, statements or undertakings is, or becomes, inaccurate or incomplete, or if CoalCo or ParentCo breach any of their respective representations or covenants contained in any of the separation-related agreements and documents or in any documents relating to the IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion(s) of tax advisors, such IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinion(s) of tax advisors may be invalid and the conclusions reached therein could be jeopardized.

Notwithstanding receipt by ParentCo of the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors, the IRS could determine that the distribution and/or certain related transactions should be treated as taxable transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it determines that any of the representations, assumptions or undertakings upon which the IRS private letter ruling or the opinion(s) of tax advisors was based are false or have been violated. In addition, neither the IRS private letter ruling nor the opinion(s) of tax advisors will address all of the issues that are relevant to determining whether the distribution, together with certain related transactions, qualifies as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and an opinion of a tax advisor represents the judgment of such tax advisor and is not binding on the IRS or any court and the IRS or a court may disagree with the conclusions in the opinion(s) of tax advisors. Accordingly, notwithstanding receipt by ParentCo of the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert that the distribution and/or certain related transactions do not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. In the event the IRS were to prevail with such challenge, ParentCo, CoalCo and ParentCo stockholders could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability. Please refer to “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences if the Distribution is Taxable” below.

It is expected that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

subject to the discussion below regarding Section 355(e) of the Code, no gain or loss will be recognized by, and no amount will be includible in the income of, ParentCo upon the distribution, other than gain or income arising in connection with certain internal restructurings undertaken in connection with the separation and distribution (including with respect to any portion of the borrowing proceeds transferred to ParentCo from CoalCo that is not used for qualifying purposes) and with respect to any “excess loss account” or “intercompany transaction” required to be taken into account by ParentCo under U.S. Treasury regulations relating to consolidated federal income tax returns;

 

   

no gain or loss will be recognized by (and no amount will be included in the income of) U.S. holders of ParentCo common stock upon the receipt of CoalCo common stock in the distribution, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares of CoalCo common stock (as described below);

 

   

the aggregate tax basis of the ParentCo common stock and the CoalCo common stock received in the distribution (including any fractional share interest in CoalCo common stock for which cash is received) in the hands of each U.S. holder of ParentCo common stock immediately after the distribution will equal the aggregate tax basis of ParentCo common stock held by the U.S. holder immediately before the distribution, allocated between the ParentCo common stock and the CoalCo common stock (including any fractional share interest in CoalCo common stock for which cash is received) in proportion to the relative fair market value of each on the date of the distribution; and

 

   

the holding period of the CoalCo common stock received by each U.S. holder of ParentCo common stock in the distribution (including any fractional share interest in CoalCo common stock for which cash is received) will generally include the holding period at the time of the distribution for the ParentCo common stock with respect to which the distribution is made.

A U.S. holder who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of CoalCo common stock in the distribution will be treated as having sold such fractional share for cash, and will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to

 

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the difference between the amount of cash received and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such fractional share. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for its ParentCo common stock exceeds one year at the time of distribution.

If a U.S. holder of ParentCo common stock holds different blocks of ParentCo common stock (generally shares of ParentCo common stock purchased or acquired on different dates or at different prices), such holder should consult its tax advisor regarding the determination of the basis and holding period of shares of CoalCo common stock received in the distribution in respect of particular blocks of ParentCo common stock.

U.S. Treasury regulations require certain U.S. holders who receive shares of CoalCo common stock in the distribution to attach to such U.S. holder’s federal income tax return for the year in which the distribution occurs a detailed statement setting forth certain information relating to the tax-free nature of the distribution.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences if the Distribution is Taxable.

As discussed above, notwithstanding receipt by ParentCo of the IRS private letter ruling and the opinion(s) of tax advisors, the IRS could assert that the distribution does not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the IRS were successful in taking this position, some or all of the consequences described above would not apply and ParentCo, CoalCo and ParentCo stockholders could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liability. In addition, certain events that may or may not be within the control of ParentCo or CoalCo could cause the distribution and certain related transactions to not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Depending on the circumstances, CoalCo may be required to indemnify ParentCo for taxes (and certain related losses) resulting from the distribution and certain related transactions not qualifying as tax-free.

If the distribution fails to qualify as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in general, ParentCo would recognize taxable gain as if it had sold the CoalCo common stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value (unless ParentCo and CoalCo jointly make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the distribution, in which case, in general, (i) the ParentCo group would recognize taxable gain as if CoalCo had sold all of its assets in a taxable sale in exchange for an amount equal to the fair market value of the CoalCo common stock and the assumption of all CoalCo’s liabilities and (ii) CoalCo would obtain a related step up in the basis of its assets) and ParentCo stockholders who receive CoalCo common stock in the distribution would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of such CoalCo common stock.

Even if the distribution were to otherwise qualify as tax-free under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, it may result in taxable gain to ParentCo under Section 355(e) of the Code if the distribution were later deemed to be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire, directly or indirectly, shares representing a 50% or greater interest (by vote or value) in ParentCo or CoalCo. For this purpose, any acquisitions of ParentCo or CoalCo shares within the period beginning two years before the separation and ending two years after the separation are presumed to be part of such a plan, although CoalCo or ParentCo may be able to rebut that presumption.

In connection with the distribution, CoalCo and ParentCo will enter into a tax matters agreement pursuant to which CoalCo will be responsible for certain liabilities and obligations following the distribution. In general, under the terms of the tax matters agreement, if the distribution, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code (including as a result of Section 355(e) of the Code) and, in each case, such failure were the result of actions taken after the distribution by ParentCo or CoalCo, the party responsible for such failure will be responsible for all taxes imposed on ParentCo or CoalCo to the extent such taxes result from such actions. However, if such failure was the result of any acquisition of CoalCo shares or assets, or of any of CoalCo’s representations, statements or undertakings being incorrect, incomplete or breached, CoalCo generally will be responsible for all taxes imposed as a result of such acquisition or breach. For a discussion of the tax matters agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Tax Matters Agreement.”

 

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CoalCo’s indemnification obligations to ParentCo under the tax matters agreement are not expected to be limited in amount or subject to any cap. If CoalCo is required to pay any taxes or indemnify ParentCo and its subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors under the circumstances set forth in the tax matters agreement, CoalCo may be subject to substantial liabilities.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting.

Payments of cash to U.S. holders of ParentCo common stock in lieu of fractional shares of CoalCo common stock may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (currently, at a rate of 28%), unless such U.S. holder delivers a properly completed IRS Form W-9 certifying such U.S. holder’s correct taxpayer identification number and certain other information, or otherwise establishing a basis for exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS A SUMMARY OF MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION UNDER CURRENT LAW AND IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, AND IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER. THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION DOES NOT PURPORT TO ADDRESS ALL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION OR TAX CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY ARISE UNDER THE TAX LAWS OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS OR THAT MAY APPLY TO PARTICULAR CATEGORIES OF SHAREHOLDERS. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISTRIBUTION TO THEM, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS, AND THE EFFECT OF POSSIBLE CHANGES IN TAX LAWS THAT MAY AFFECT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES DESCRIBED ABOVE.

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL INDEBTEDNESS

CoalCo anticipates incurring certain indebtedness prior to, or substantially concurrently with, the separation. Subject to market conditions and other factors, it is anticipated that CoalCo will enter into various secured financing arrangements in connection with the separation. A portion of the proceeds of the funded debt will be transferred to ParentCo in connection with the separation, as discussed in further detail below. Further, CoalCo intends to retain those 5.75% MEDCO Revenue Bonds due September 2025, for which the principal amount as of September 30, 2017 was $103 million, and for which GasCo will remain as a guarantor with CoalCo providing indemnification with respect to such guarantee. As a result of these contemplated financing transactions, upon consummation of the separation CoalCo currently expects to have total indebtedness of approximately $903 million, excluding surety bonds, OPEB and certain other long-term liabilities.

Additional details regarding the anticipated terms of the revolving credit facility, term loan facilities and other facilities is set forth below. Each summary is based on current expectations and is subject to modification prior to the time that each facility is entered into, which is anticipated to occur prior to, or substantially concurrently with, the separation, and is in all cases qualified in its entirety to the full text of the applicable agreements, which, once finalized, will each be filed as an exhibit to a future amendment to the registration statement on Form 10 of which this information statement is a part, or a periodic filing on Form 8-K if such agreement is finalized following the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form 10.

CoalCo Credit Facilities

CoalCo anticipates entering into a revolving credit facility with commitments up to $300 million (the Revolving Credit Facility), a Term Loan A Facility of up to $100 million (the TLA Facility) and a Term Loan B Facility of up to $400 million (the TLB Facility, and together with the Revolving Credit Facility and the TLA Facility, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities) in connection with the separation, the proceeds of which, together with the proceeds of the notes, will be used, among other things, to (i) make a cash payment of $425 million to ParentCo, (ii) refinance as an intercompany loan the existing indebtedness of CNXC under the CNXC Revolver, (iii) to pay

 

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related fees and expenses and (iv) otherwise fund CoalCo’s working capital needs and general corporate purposes following the separation.

Borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facilities will bear interest at a floating rate which can be, at our option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin.

The Revolving Credit and TLA Facilities are expected to mature on the date that is four years following the closing date. The TLB Facility is expected to mature on the date that is five years following the closing date.

Starting with the quarter ending March 31, 2018, the TLA Facility is expected to amortize in equal quarterly installments of (i) 3.75% of the original principal amount thereof, for the first eight quarterly installments, (ii) 6.25% of the original principal amount thereof for the subsequent four quarterly installments and (iii) 11.25% of the original principal amount thereof for the quarterly installments thereafter, with the remaining balance due at final maturity.

Starting with the quarter ending March 31, 2018, the TLB Facility is expected to amortize in equal quarterly installments in an amount equal to 0.25% per annum of the original principal amount thereof, with the remaining balance due at final maturity.

Obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are expected to be guaranteed by (i) all owners of the 75% undivided economic interest in the PAMC held by CoalCo, (ii) any other members of the CoalCo group that own any portion of the collateral securing the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iii) subject to certain customary exceptions and agreed materiality thresholds, all other existing or future direct or indirect wholly owned restricted subsidiaries of CoalCo (excluding CNXC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries). As currently contemplated, all obligations are expected to be secured by, subject to certain exceptions (including a limitation of pledges of equity interests in certain subsidiaries and certain thresholds with respect to real property), a first-priority lien on (i) the 75% undivided economic interest in the PAMC held by CoalCo, (ii) the limited partner units of CNXC held by CoalCo, (iii) the CNX Marine Terminal and (iv) the 1.6 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves.

The Senior Secured Credit Facilities are expected to contain a number of customary affirmative covenants. In addition, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are expected to contain a number of negative covenants, that, subject to certain exceptions, will include limitations on (among other things): indebtedness, liens, investments, restricted payments, and prepayments of junior indebtedness.

The Revolving Credit Facility and TLA Facility are also expected to include financial covenants, including (i) a maximum first lien gross leverage ratio, (ii) a maximum total net leverage ratio, and (iii) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. It is anticipated that the Senior Secured Credit Facilities will contain customary events of default, including with respect to a failure to make payments when due, cross-default and cross-judgment default and certain bankruptcy and insolvency events.

New CNXC Facility

The CNXC Revolver is expected to be replaced with a new affiliated company revolving credit facility (the New CNXC Facility) with aggregate commitments not exceeding $275 million. As currently contemplated, CoalCo, or one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries that is a guarantor under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, will serve as lender under the New CNXC Facility, the proceeds of which will be utilized to refinance the existing CNXC Revolver, to provide working capital for CNXC following the separation and for other general corporate purposes. The New CNXC Facility is expected to mature no earlier than 91 days after the maturity of the TLB Facility.

The collateral obligations under the New CNXC Facility are expected to generally mirror the current CNXC Revolver, as is the list of entities that will act as guarantors thereunder. The New CNXC Facility is expected to be subject to financial covenants relating to a maximum first lien gross leverage ratio and a maximum total net leverage ratio, which will be calculated on a consolidated basis for CNXC and its restricted subsidiaries at the end of each fiscal quarter. The New CNXC Facility is also expected to contain a number of customary affirmative covenants and negative covenants, including limitations on the ability of CNXC to incur additional indebtedness (subject to certain limited exceptions).

 

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Second Lien Notes

Prior to the separation, CoalCo anticipates, subject to market conditions, completing an offering of up to $300 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured second lien debt instruments (the Second Lien Financing). It is currently anticipated that a substantial portion of the net proceeds of the issuance of the Second Lien Financing will be used to make a cash payment to ParentCo in connection with the separation, with any remaining proceeds used for general corporate purposes of CoalCo. Additional information with respect to the Second Lien Financing will be included in an amendment to this information statement.

Other Debt

CoalCo expects to retain those 5.75% MEDCO Revenue Bonds due September 2025, for which the principal amount as of September 30, 2017 was $103 million, and for which GasCo is expected to remain as a guarantor with CoalCo providing indemnification with respect to such guarantee. ParentCo’s existing unsecured senior notes and senior revolving credit facility are expected to remain an obligation of GasCo after the separation. In addition, in connection with the separation, CoalCo expects to enter into a $100 million accounts receivable securitization facility (AR Securitization Facilitiy).

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Before the separation and distribution, all of the outstanding shares of CoalCo common stock will be owned beneficially and of record by ParentCo. Following the separation and distribution, CoalCo expects to have outstanding an aggregate of approximately 28.0 million shares of common stock based upon approximately 224.4 million shares of ParentCo common stock issued and outstanding on October 31, 2017, excluding treasury shares, assuming no exercise of ParentCo options and applying the distribution ratio.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

The following table reports the number of shares of CoalCo common stock that CoalCo expects will be beneficially owned, immediately following the completion of the distribution by each person who is expected to beneficially own more than 5% of CoalCo common stock at such time. The table is based upon information available as of October 31, 2017 as to those persons who beneficially own more than 5% of ParentCo common stock and assumes a distribution of one share of CoalCo common stock for every eight shares of ParentCo common stock held by such persons. A person has beneficial ownership of shares if the person has the power to vote or dispose of such shares. This power can be exclusive or shared, direct or indirect. In addition, a person is considered by SEC rules to beneficially own shares underlying options and convertible securities that are presently exercisable or convertible or will become exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the date that beneficial ownership is calculated.

 

     Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
     Percent
of
Class (1)
 

Southeastern Asset Management, Inc. (2)

     

6410 Poplar Ave., Suite 900

Memphis, TN 38119

     5,964,562        21.27

BlackRock, Inc. (3)

     

55 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10055

     1,929,538        6.88

Greenlight Capital, Inc. (4)

     

140 East 45th Street, 24th Floor

New York, NY 10017

     1,925,396        6.87

Franklin Mutual Advisors, LLC (5)

     

101 John F. Kennedy Parkway

Short Hills, NJ 07078-2789

     1,691,223        6.03

The Vanguard Group, Inc. (6)

     

100 Vanguard Boulevard

Malvern, PA 19355

     1,638,105        5.84

 

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(1)

As of October 31, 2017, there were 224,369,758 shares of ParentCo common stock outstanding, which based on the distribution ratio of one share of CoalCo common stock for every eight shares of ParentCo common stock on the Record Date, would result in 28,046,219 shares of CoalCo common stock outstanding upon the effectiveness of the Distribution.

(2)  

Based on a Schedule 13D/A filed with respect to ParentCo common stock by Southeastern Asset Management, Inc., an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, on October 13, 2017. Southeastern Asset Management, Inc. is deemed to be the beneficial owner of and has sole voting power with respect to 20,493,590 ParentCo shares, shared or no voting power with respect to 24,068,475 (shared) and 3,154,436 (no voting) ParentCo shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 22,848,026 ParentCo shares and shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 24,868,475 ParentCo shares. The Schedule 13D/A indicates that Longleaf Partners Fund, an investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act, shares voting and dispositive power with Southeastern Asset Management, Inc. with respect to 11,536,742 ParentCo shares, and that Longleaf Partners Small-Cap Fund, an investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act, shares voting and dispositive power with Southeastern Asset Management, Inc. with respect to 12,285,409 ParentCo shares.

(3)  

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with respect to ParentCo common stock by BlackRock, Inc. on January 23, 2017, BlackRock, Inc., as a parent holding company for a number of investment management subsidiaries, is deemed to have sole voting power with respect to 14,729,789 ParentCo shares and be the beneficial owner of and have sole dispositive power with respect to 15,436,305 ParentCo shares. The following subsidiaries of BlackRock, Inc. are investment advisors which hold shares of our common stock: BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited, BlackRock Life Limited, BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A., BlackRock Asset Management Schweiz AG, BlackRock Fund Managers Ltd, BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., BlackRock International Limited, and BlackRock Japan Co. Ltd.

(4)  

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with respect to ParentCo common stock on February 14, 2017 by Greenlight Capital, Inc. (“Greenlight Inc.”), DME Advisors, LP (“DME Advisors”), DME Capital Management, LP (“DME CM”), DME Advisors GP, LLC (“DME GP” and together with Greenlight Inc., DME Advisors and DME, CM, “Greenlight”), and David Einhorn, the principal of Greenlight, reporting ownership as of December 31, 2016. Greenlight Inc. is deemed to be the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 8,717,267 ParentCo shares, DME Advisors is deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 2,214,900 ParentCo shares, DME CM is deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 4,380,606 ParentCo shares, DME GP is deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 6,595,506 ParentCo shares, and Mr. Einhorn is deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 15,403,173 ParentCo shares.

(5)  

Based on a Schedule 13G filed with respect to ParentCo common stock by Franklin Mutual Advisors, LLC with the SEC on February 7, 2017, Franklin Mutual Advisors, LLC is deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 13,529,788 ParentCo shares. The securities reported are beneficially owned by one or more open-end investment companies or other managed accounts that are investment management clients of Franklin Mutual Advisors, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

(6)  

Based on a Schedule 13G/A filed with respect to ParentCo common stock by the Vanguard Group, Inc. on February 10, 2017. The Vanguard Group, Inc. is deemed to be the beneficial holder of and has sole voting power with respect to 117,506 ParentCo shares, shared voting power with respect 22,778 ParentCo shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 12,973,806 ParentCo shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 131,037 ParentCo shares.

 

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Share Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors

The following table sets forth information, immediately following the completion of the distribution and calculated as of October 31, 2017, based upon the distribution of one share of CoalCo common stock for every eight shares of ParentCo common stock, regarding (i) each expected director and named executive officer of CoalCo and (ii) all of CoalCo’s expected directors and executive officers as a group. A person has beneficial ownership of shares if the person has the power to vote or dispose of such shares. This power can be exclusive or shared, direct or indirect. In addition, a person is considered by SEC rules to beneficially own shares underlying options and convertible securities that are presently exercisable or convertible or will become exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the date that beneficial ownership is calculated. The address of each director, director nominee and executive officer shown in the table below is c/o CONSOL Mining Corporation, 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317-6506.

 

     Shares
Beneficially
Owned (2)
     Percent
of
Class (1)
 

James A. Brock

     8,723        *  

David M. Khani

     8,948        *  

Katharine Fredriksen

     734        *  

Kurt Salvatori

     1,237        *  

James McCaffrey

     1,942        *  

Alvin R. Carpenter

     11,700        *  

John T. Mills

     6,389        *  

Joseph P. Platt

     0        *  

William P. Powell

     4,876        *  

Edwin S. Roberson (3)

     760        *  

All directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)

     46,009        *  

 

*

Indicates less than one percent (1%) ownership

(1)

As of October 31, 2017, there were 224,369,758 shares of ParentCo common stock outstanding, which based on the distribution ratio of one share of CoalCo common stock for every eight shares of ParentCo common stock on the Record Date, would result in 28,046,219 shares of CoalCo common stock outstanding upon the effectiveness of the Distribution.

(2)  

Beneficial ownership totals in this column do not include any shares issuable pursuant to ParentCo options that are currently exercisable (or may become exercisable on or before December 30, 2017), as all outstanding ParentCo options will upon the separation be exercisable for shares of GasCo common stock, and will not convert into options that entitle the holder to any shares of CoalCo common stock, as outlined in greater detail in the Employee Matters Agreement.

(3)  

Accounts for the conversion of 6,086 ParentCo deferred stock units held by Mr. Roberson based on the distribution ratio; however, this conversion will actually occur pursuant to the provisions outlined in Employee Matters Agreement based on the CoalCo Ratio (as defined therein), which will not be determinable until the conclusion of the first three trading days following the date of the Distribution.

 

 

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DESCRIPTION OF COALCO CAPITAL STOCK

CoalCo’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws will be amended and restated prior to the distribution. The following is a summary of the material terms of our capital stock that will be contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws. The summaries and descriptions below do not purport to be complete statements of the relevant provisions of our certificate of incorporation or by-laws that will be in effect at the time of the distribution, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to these documents, which you must read (along with the applicable provisions of Delaware law) for complete information on our capital stock as of the time of the distribution. The certificate of incorporation and by-laws, each in a form expected to be in effect at the time of the distribution, will be included as exhibits in a future amendment to CoalCo’s registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part. We will include our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws, as in effect at the time of the distribution, in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. The following also summarizes certain relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (which we refer to as the DGCL). Since the terms of the DGCL are more detailed than the general information provided below, you should read the actual provisions of the DGCL for complete information.

General

CoalCo will be authorized to issue 62,500,000 shares, of which:

 

   

shares will be designated as common stock, par value $0.01 per share; and

   

shares will be designated as preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.

Immediately following the distribution, we expect that approximately 28.0 million shares of our common stock will be issued and outstanding, and that no shares of our preferred stock will be issued and outstanding.

Common Stock

Dividend Rights. Holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive dividends only if and when declared by the Board of Directors. However, no dividend will be declared or paid on our common stock until CoalCo has paid (or declared and set aside funds for payment of) all dividends that have accrued on all classes of CoalCo’s outstanding preferred stock.

Voting Rights. Holders of our common stock will be entitled to one (1) vote per share and they will not have any cumulative voting rights.

Liquidation Rights. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of CoalCo, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payments to holders of preferred stock of amounts determined by the Board of Directors, plus any accrued dividends, the company’s remaining assets will be divided among holders of our common stock pro rata.

Preemptive or Other Subscription Rights. Holders of our common stock will not have any preemptive right to subscribe for any securities of the company.

Conversion and Other Rights. No conversion, redemption or sinking fund provisions will apply to our common stock, and our common stock will be not liable to further call or assessment by the company. All issued and outstanding shares of our common stock will be fully paid and non-assessable.

Preferred Stock

Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors will be authorized to issue up to shares of preferred stock in one or more series without further action by the holders of

 

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our common stock. Our Board of Directors will have the discretion, subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law and by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock.

Although our Board of Directors does not currently intend to do so, it could authorize us to issue a class or series of preferred stock that could, depending upon the terms of the particular class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control of our company, even if such transaction or change of control involves a premium price for our stockholders or our stockholders believe that such transaction or change of control may be in their best interests. CoalCo’s Board of Directors may be able to issue preferred stock with voting rights or conversion rights that, if exercised, could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock.

Limitation on Liability of Directors; Indemnification; Insurance

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties as directors, and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will include such an exculpation provision. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws will include provisions that indemnify, to the fullest extent allowable under the DGCL, the personal liability of directors or officers for monetary damages for actions taken as a director or officer of CoalCo, or for serving at CoalCo’s request as a director or officer or another position at another corporation or enterprise, as the case may be. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws will also provide that we must indemnify and advance reasonable expenses to our directors and officers, subject to our receipt of an undertaking from the indemnified party as may be required under the DGCL. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will expressly authorize us to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance to protect CoalCo, its directors, officers and certain employees against certain liabilities.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions that will be in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws 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 our directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit CoalCo and its stockholders. Your investment may be adversely affected to the extent that, in a class action or direct suit, CoalCo pays the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions. However, these provisions will not limit or eliminate our rights, or those of any stockholder, to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care. The provisions will not alter the liability of directors under the federal securities laws.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Various Provisions of Delaware Law and our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws

Provisions of the DGCL and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws could make it more difficult to acquire CoalCo by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids that our Board of Directors may consider inadequate and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the company to first negotiate with our Board of Directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure it outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Provisions. CoalCo will be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover statute. In general, Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the acquisition of shares that resulted in a stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business

 

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combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our Board of Directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by our stockholders.

Classified Board. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that, following the separation, our Board will initially be divided into three classes, with each director serving for a term ending at the election of directors at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting of stockholders at which the director was elected, subject to the provisions described below. For so long as there are three classes of directors, the number of directors in each class shall be as near as possible to one-third of the total number of directors. Each class will initially consist of two directors.

The two directors designated as Class I directors will have initial terms expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders following the separation, expected to be held in 2018. Directors up for reelection at this annual meeting will be elected to a new three year term expiring in 2021. The two directors designated as Class II directors will have initial terms expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the separation, expected to be held in 2019. Directors up for reelection at this annual meeting will be elected to a new three year term expiring in 2022. The two directors designated as Class III directors will have initial terms expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the separation, expected to be held in 2020. Each director whose term expires at the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders or any annual meeting thereafter (and any other individual who is nominated for election at any such meeting) shall be elected for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders. As a result of these provisions, one-third of our total number of directors will be up for election at each of the first three annual meetings of stockholders following the separation, two-thirds of the total number will be up for election at the fourth annual meeting of stockholders following the separation, and beginning with the fifth annual meeting of stockholders following the separation (expected to be held in 2022), all of our directors will be subject to annual election. Prior to the annual meeting of stockholders held in 2021, it would take at least two elections for any individual or group to gain control of the Board of Directors. Accordingly, these provisions could discourage a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to control us. Any amendment to the classified Board provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least three quarters (75%) of the voting power of all outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote thereon.

Size of Board; Vacancies; Removal. Our amended and restated by-laws will provide that the number of directors on our Board of Directors will be fixed exclusively by our Board of Directors. Any vacancies created in our Board of Directors resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause will be filled by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum is present, or by a sole remaining director. Any director appointed to fill a vacancy on our Board of Directors will be appointed for a term expiring at the next election of directors and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified.

Our amended and restated by-laws will provide that at any time at which the Board of Directors is divided into classes, stockholders may only remove directors for cause, and only with the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. Upon the Board of Directors no longer being divided into classes, stockholders may remove our directors with or without cause, with the approval of at least 66 2/3% of shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.

Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that stockholders may not act by written consent unless such written consent is unanimous. Stockholder action must otherwise take place at the annual or a special meeting of our stockholders.

 

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Special Stockholder Meetings. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that the chairman of our Board of Directors, our chief executive officer or our Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board of Directors may call special meetings of our stockholders.

Advance Notice for Stockholder Proposals and Nominations. Our amended and restated by-laws will establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors (other than nominations made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors).

Certain Effects of Authorized but Unissued Stock. We may issue additional shares of common stock or preferred stock without stockholder approval, subject to applicable rules of the NYSE and Delaware law, for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public or private offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions, and employee benefit plans and equity grants. The existence of unissued and unreserved common and preferred stock may enable us to issue shares to persons who are friendly to current management, which could discourage an attempt to obtain control of CoalCo by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise. We will not solicit approval of our stockholders for issuance of common or preferred stock unless our Board of Directors believes that approval is advisable or is required by applicable stock exchange rules or Delaware law.

No Cumulative Voting. The DGCL provides that stockholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless the company’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will not provide for cumulative voting.

Exclusive Forum. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of CoalCo, any action asserting a claim for or based on a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director or officer of CoalCo to CoalCo or to CoalCo stockholders, including a claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against CoalCo or any current or former director or officer of CoalCo arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or by-laws, any action asserting a claim relating to or involving CoalCo governed by the internal affairs doctrine, or any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL. However, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, the action may be brought in the federal court for the District of Delaware.

Listing

In connection with the separation, CoalCo will be renamed CONSOL Energy Inc., and we intend to apply to have our shares of common stock listed on the NYSE under the symbol “CEIX.”

Sale of Unregistered Securities

In connection with its incorporation on June 21, 2017, CoalCo issued 100 shares of its common stock to ParentCo pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. We did not register the issuance of the issued shares under the Securities Act because such issuance did not constitute a public offering.

Other than as noted above, in the past three years, CoalCo has not sold any securities, including sales of reacquired securities, new issues, securities issued in exchange for property, services or other securities and new securities resulting from the modification of outstanding securities.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

After the distribution, the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock will be Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement on Form 10 with the SEC with respect to the shares of our common stock being distributed as contemplated by this information statement. This information statement is a part of, and does not contain all of the information set forth in, the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to CoalCo and CoalCo common stock, please refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules. Statements made in this information statement relating to any contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement include the material terms of such contract or other document. However, such statements are not necessarily complete, and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract or document. You may review a copy of the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, at the SEC’s public reference room, located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330, as well as on the Internet website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov . Information contained on or connected to any website referenced in this information statement is not incorporated into this information statement or the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part, or in any other filings with, or any information furnished or submitted to, the SEC .

As a result of the distribution, CoalCo will become subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.

We intend to furnish holders of our common stock with annual reports containing combined financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and audited and reported on, with an opinion expressed, by an independent registered public accounting firm.

You should rely only on the information contained in this information statement or to which this information statement has referred you. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information or to make any representation not contained in this information statement.

 

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APPENDIX A

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

162(m) Considerations

STIC 2016 . The 2016 STIC was designed to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code by including a funding pool of 2% of 2016 annual EBITDA. The 2016 EBITDA pool was $12,520,140. The 2016 STIC Plan payout was based upon a free cash flow metric. This metric for 2016 was $956,656,000. Both measures were calculated as described below under “ Calculation for the 2016 Performance Period of the STIC ” and the tables on the following pages.

PSUs (2014-2016) . The 2014-2016 PSU awards were designed to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code by containing objective, performance-based three-year cumulative conditions of TSR and ROCE. The TSR relative to the S&P 500 was not achieved. The actual TSR was at the 4.5 percentile which did not meet the goal of the 25 th percentile for a 50% payout. The ROCE metric was achieved at 12.25% which exceeded the 7.5% threshold for a 200% payout. The ROCE goal was calculated as provided below under “ Calculation for the 2014-2016 PSUs.

Calculations of EBITDA, Free Cash Flow, and ROCE . We define EBITDA as earnings before deducting net interest expense (interest expense less interest income), income taxes, and depreciation, depletion, and amortization. ROCE is defined as return on capital employed.

Calculations for the 2016 Performance Period of the STIC

 

 

EBITDA Pool. Adjusted per Program Document (2016): The EBITDA pool of $12,520,140 for the 2016 Executive STIC was calculated as 2% of $626,007,000. The EBITDA funding pool was calculated without regard to: (i) the effect of changes in accounting principles; (ii) expenses associated with reorganizations and/or restructuring programs, including, but not limited to, reductions in force (pursuant to ASC 420) and early retirement incentives; (iii) the impairment of tangible or intangible assets (pursuant to ASC 360); (iv) all gains or losses on sales of assets; and (v) any unusual or infrequent items reported in ParentCo’s earnings release.

 

Free Cash Flow Metric (2016). The free cash flow metric was calculated as Free Cash Flow = Operating Cash Flow - Capital Expenditures + Asset Sales.

Calculations for the 2014-2016 PSUs . ROCE will be calculated as a three-year average. On an annual basis, ROCE will be calculated using (A) net income plus after-tax cost of interest as the numerator (without regard to: (i) fluctuations in natural gas and coal prices from those prices used in the ParentCo Board-approved profit objective; (ii) the effect of changes in accounting principles; (iii) expenses associated with reorganizations and/or restructuring programs, including, but not limited to, reductions in force (pursuant to ASC 420) and early retirement incentives; (iv) the impairment of tangible or intangible assets (pursuant to ASC 360); (v) all gains or losses on sales of assets; and (vi) any extraordinary, unusual, or infrequent items reported in ParentCo’s earnings release) and (B) net assets (average of current and prior year-end balance: total assets minus total liabilities plus all interest-bearing debt) as the denominator.

 

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GAAP Reconciliations - EBITDA Pool and Free Cash Flow of 2016 STIC Program and ROCE Goal of the 2014-2016 PSUs

EBIT AND EBITDA TABLE DECEMBER 2014, 2015 and 2016 (000 OMITTED)

 

      2016

Net Income (Loss)

   $ (839,148

Add: Loss from Discontinued Operations

   $ 303,183  

Add: Interest Expense

   $ 191,476  

Less: Interest Income

   $ (1,507

Less: Income Taxes

   $ 10,010  

Earnings (Loss) Before Interest & Taxes from Continuing Operations

   $ (335,986

Loss from Discontinued Operations

   $ (303,183

Add: Income Taxes from Discontinued Operations

   $ (173,566

Loss Before Interest & Taxes from Discontinued Operations

   $ (476,749

EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INTEREST & TAXES

   $ (812,735

Earnings (Loss) Before Interest & Taxes from Continuing Operations

   $ (335,986

Add: Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization (DD&A)

   $ 598,503  

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes and DD&A

   $ 262,517  

Loss Before Interest & Taxes from Discontinued Operations

   $ (476,749

Add: Depreciation, Depletion & Amortization from Discontinued Operations

   $ 14,443  

Earnings (Loss) Before Interest, Taxes and DD&A from Discontinued Operations

   $ (462,306

EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES AND DD&A

   $ (199,789

Less: Non-controlling Interest

   $ (8,954

EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES AND DD&A ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONSOL ENERGY INC. SHAREHOLDERS

   $ (208,743

Add Back: Unusual or Infrequent Items Reported in Earnings Release

   $ 406,784  

Add Back: Impairment of Tangible or Intangible Assets

   $ 355,681  

Add Back: Gains or Losses on Sales of Assets

   $ 72,285  

ADJUSTED EBITDA FUNDING POOL

   $ 626,007  

2% of EBITDA Pool

   $             12,520  

 

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ROCE TABLE (000 OMITTED)

 

      2014   2015   2016

Total Assets

   $ 11,401,290     $ 11,292,273     $ 10,056,941  

Less: Total Current Liabilities

   $ (1,132,787   $ (1,416,943   $ (1,310,476

Add: Current Portion of Debt

   $ 5,655     $ 6,926     $ 9,325  

Less: Long-Term Liabilities

   $ (5,100,626   $ (4,782,707   $ (4,348,127

Add: Long-Term Portion of Debt

   $ 3,189,928     $ 2,995,791     $ 2,755,137  

AVERAGE CAPITAL EMPLOYED

   $ 8,363,460     $ 8,095,340     $ 7,162,800  

Net Income

   $ 163,090     $ (364,475   $ (839,148

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

   $ 12,991     $ (134,425   $ (163,556

Effective Tax Rate

     7.38     26.94     16.31

Financing Costs:

      

Interest on Third-Party Debt

   $ 227,219     $ 194,091     $ 185,711  

All Other Financing Costs

   $ 23,280     $ 17,447     $ 17,825  

Total Financing Costs

   $ 250,499     $ 211,538     $ 203,536  

Total Financing Costs (After-Tax)

   $ 232,018     $ 154,541     $ 170,336  

Add: Adjustment for Flux in Gas Prices

   $ 32,748     $ 415,402     $ 732,738  

Add: Adjustment for Flux in Coal Prices

   $ 123,408     $ 322,507     $ 600,877  

Add: Adjustment for Reorganizations

   $     $ 7,760     $ 4,061  

Add: Adjustment for Unusual, Infrequent, or Non-Recurring Items

   $ 56,632     $ 306,075     $ 698,602  

EARNINGS EXCLUDING FINANCING COSTS

   $ 607,896     $ 841,810     $ 1,367,466  

Average Capital Employed

   $ 8,363,460     $ 8,095,340     $ 7,162,800  

YTD ROCE

     7.27     10.40     19.09

FREE CASH FLOW DECEMBER 2016 (000 OMITTED)

 

      Free Cash Flow

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

   $ 469,285  

Capital Expenditures

   $ (226,820

Proceeds From Sales of Assets

   $ 59,902  

Noble Exchange Agreement

   $ 213,295  

Net Investment in Equity Affiliates

   $ 73,743  

Capital Expenditures of Discontinued Operations

   $ (8,295

Proceeds From Sale of Buchanan Mine

   $ 403,817  

Payments on Sale of Miller Creek/Fola

   $ (28,271

FREE CASH FLOW

   $             956,656  

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

           Page        

Audited Combined Financial Statements

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2  

Combined Statements of Income for the years ended December  31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

     F-3  

Combined Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014

     F-4  

Combined Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015

     F-5  

Combined Statements of Equity for the years ended December  31, 2016, 2015, and 2014

     F-7  

Statements of Combined Cash Flows for the years ended December  31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

     F-8  

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

     F-9  

Unaudited Combined Financial Statements

  

Combined Statements of Income for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)

     F-40  

Combined Statements of Comprehensive Income for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)

     F-41  

Combined Statements of Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

     F-41  

Combined Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

     F-42  

Statements of Combined Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)

     F-44  

Notes to Unaudited Combined Financial Statements

     F-45  

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of CONSOL Energy Inc. and Subsidiaries

We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of CONSOL Mining Corporation as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related combined statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of CONSOL Mining Corporation’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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of CONSOL Mining Corporation’s 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 CONSOL Mining Corporation’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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of CONSOL Mining Corporation at December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the combined results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

July 10, 2017

 

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CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2016      2015      2014  

Revenue and Other Income:

        

Coal Sales

   $     1,065,582       $     1,289,036       $     1,616,874   

Other Outside Sales

     31,464         30,967         41,255   

Freight Revenue

     46,468         20,499         23,133   

Miscellaneous Other Income

     82,120         68,193         123,604   

Gain on Sale of Assets

     5,228         13,025         26,312   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

     1,230,862         1,421,720         1,831,178   

Costs and Expenses:

        

Operating and Other Costs

     877,177         699,594         1,110,332   

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     178,122         195,337         206,684   

Freight Expense

     46,468         20,499         23,133   

Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

     50,027         55,720         78,724   

Interest Expense

     14,053         7,544         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

     1,165,847         978,694         1,418,873   

Earnings Before Income Tax

     65,015         443,026         412,305   

Income Tax

     14,565         125,605         121,353   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Income

     50,450         317,421         290,952   

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

     8,954         10,410         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation Shareholder

   $ 41,496       $ 307,011       $ 290,952   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     For the Years Ended
December 31,
     2016   2015   2014

Net Income

   $ 50,450     $ 317,421     $ 290,952   

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):

      

Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of tax: $18,101, $51,745,     ($56,754))

     (31,409     (89,442     97,553   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive Income

     (31,409     (89,442     97,553   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income

     19,041       227,979       388,505   

Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

     9,216       10,410       —   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income Attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation Shareholder

   $ 9,825     $ 217,569     $ 388,505   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     December 31,  
     2016      2015  

ASSETS

     

Current Assets:

     

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 13,311       $ 6,639   

Trade Accounts Receivables

     95,707         78,888   

Other Receivables

     23,320         19,689   

Other Receivables - Related Party

     34         —   

Inventories

     50,161         52,977   

Prepaid Expenses

     17,601         25,104   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     200,134         183,297   

Property, Plant and Equipment:

     

Property, Plant and Equipment

     4,593,395         4,562,540   

Less—Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     2,413,125         2,237,359   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Property, Plant and Equipment—Net

     2,180,270         2,325,181   

Other Assets:

     

Other Assets

     122,451         99,652   

Deferred Tax Asset

     184,579         259,603   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Other Assets

     307,030         359,255   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $     2,687,434       $     2,867,733   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     December 31,
     2016   2015

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

  Current Liabilities:

    

  Accounts Payable

   $ 82,897     $ 75,663  

  Accounts Payable - Related Party

           13,741  

  Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

     4,076       1,032  

  Other Accrued Liabilities

     292,121       266,552  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Total Current Liabilities

     379,094       356,988  

Long-Term Debt:

    

  Long-Term Debt

     301,827       285,777  

  Capital Lease Obligations

     11,812       749  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Total Long-Term Debt

     313,639       286,526  

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

    

  Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

     659,474       630,892  

  Pneumoconiosis Benefits

     108,073       111,903  

  Asset Retirement Obligations

     246,279       256,032  

  Workers’ Compensation

     65,932       68,416  

  Salary Retirement

     99,872       79,832  

  Other

     14,947       15,305  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

     1,194,577       1,162,380  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  TOTAL LIABILITIES

     1,887,310       1,805,894  

Equity:

    

  Parent Net Investment

     1,057,694       1,276,482  

  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

     (400,063     (368,392
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Total Parent Net Investment and Other Comprehensive Loss

     657,631       908,090  

Noncontrolling Interest

     142,493       153,749  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  TOTAL EQUITY

     800,124       1,061,839  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $     2,687,434     $     2,867,733  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     Parent
Net
Investment
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)
  Noncontrolling
Interest
  Total
Equity
December 31, 2013    $     1,756,546     $ (376,503   $     $ 1,380,043  
Net Income      290,952           290,952  
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of ($56,754) Tax)               97,553             97,553  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income      290,952       97,553             388,505  
Net Parent Distributions      (522,356         (522,356
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014      1,525,142       (278,950           1,246,192  
Net Income      307,011         10,410       317,421  
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of ($51,745) Tax)        (89,442       (89,442
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income      307,011       (89,442     10,410       227,979  
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest          (5,060     (5,060
Proceeds from Sale of MLP Interest          148,399       148,399  
Net Parent Distributions      (555,671         (555,671
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2015      1,276,482       (368,392     153,749       1,061,839  
Net Income      41,496         8,954       50,450  
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of $18,101 Tax)        (31,671     262       (31,409
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income      41,496       (31,671     9,216       19,041  
Amortization of Unit-Based Compensation Awards          1,185       1,185  
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest          (21,657     (21,657
Net Parent Distributions      (260,284         (260,284
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2016    $ 1,057,694     $ (400,063   $     142,493     $      800,124  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

STATEMENTS OF COMBINED CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

         For the Years Ended December 31,    
     2016   2015   2014

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

      

Net Income

   $ 50,450     $ 317,421     $ 290,952  

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:

      

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     178,122       195,337       206,684  

Stock-Based Compensation

     11,710       8,406       19,860  

Gain on Sale of Assets

     (5,228     (13,025     (26,312

Deferred Income Taxes

     91,525       72,616       40,664  

Unit Based Compensation

     1,185              

Changes in Operating Assets:

      

Accounts and Notes Receivable

     (17,608     63,764       (36,756

Inventories

     3,352       4,951       22,441  

Prepaid Expenses

     7,503       (485     (1,606

Changes in Other Assets

     (10,652     (60,346     (12,994

Changes in Operating Liabilities:

      

Accounts Payable

     (4,152     (575     48,187  

Other Operating Liabilities

     24,913       (57,973     7,186  

Changes in Other Liabilities

     (10,609     (266,700     (15,819

Other

     8,596       28,302       1,032  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     329,107       291,693       543,519  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

      

Capital Expenditures

     (53,600     (143,053     (348,846

Proceeds from Sales of Assets

     7,842       12,779       221,036  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

     (45,758     (130,274     (127,810
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

      

Payments on Miscellaneous Borrowings

     431       (5,829     5,835  

Net Proceeds from CNXC Revolver

     16,000       185,000        

Net Proceeds from sale of MLP Interest

           148,359        

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest

     (21,657     (5,060      

Debt Issuance and Financing Fees

     (482     (16,336      

Net Parent Distributions

     (270,969     (461,051     (421,674
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

     (276,677     (154,917     (415,839

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     6,672       6,502       (130

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

     6,639       137       267  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

   $         13,311     $         6,639     $           137  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, CONSOL Mining Corporation paid interest expense, net of capitalized interest, of $14,053, $7,544 and $-, respectively. The following are non-cash transactions that impact the investing and financing activities of CONSOL Mining Corporation. As of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, CONSOL Mining Corporation purchased goods and services related to capital projects in the amount of $2,355, $11,962 and $-, respectively, which are included in accounts payable. As of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, there were capital equipment transfers of ($575), $105,074, and $112,480 and non-cash settlements of parent receivables of $1,600, ($2,088) and $8,062, respectively, between CONSOL Mining Corporation and CONSOL Energy that are included in Net Parent Distributions.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATMENTS

(Dollars in Thousands)

NOTE 1—THE PROPOSED SEPARATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

The Proposed Separation

In December 2016, CONSOL Energy announced its intent to separate into two independent, publicly-traded companies (the separation): CONSOL Mining Corporation (Predecessor), which will hold CONSOL Energy’s Pennsylvania Mining Operations (PAMC) and certain related coal assets, including CONSOL Energy’s ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources LP (CNXC), which owns a 25% stake in PAMC, the CNX Marine Terminal, and Greenfield Reserves (collectively, the Coal Business), and an oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) company focused on Appalachian area natural gas and liquids activities, including production, gathering, processing and acquisition of natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin (the Gas Business) of CONSOL Energy.

The separation will occur by means of a pro rata distribution by CONSOL Energy of all of the common stock of the Predecessor. CONSOL Energy, the existing publicly traded company, will continue to own the Gas Business.

The separation transaction, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2017, is subject to a number of conditions, including, but not limited to: final approval by CONSOL Energy’s Board of Directors; receipt of a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, which was received October 16, 2017, and one or more opinions of its tax advisors, in each case, satisfactory to the ParentCo Board of Directors, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the transaction; and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) declaring effective the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part.

CONSOL Mining Corporation and CONSOL Energy will enter into an agreement (the Separation Agreement) that will identify the assets to be transferred, the liabilities to be assumed and the contracts to be transferred to each of CONSOL Mining Corporation and CONSOL Energy as part of the separation of CONSOL Energy into two companies, and will provide for when and how these transfers and assumptions will occur. CONSOL Energy may, at any time and for any reason until the proposed transaction is complete, abandon the separation plan or modify its terms.

Basis of Presentation

The Combined Financial Statements of CONSOL Mining Corporation are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and require management to make certain judgments, estimates, and assumptions. These may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. They also may affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates upon subsequent resolution of identified matters. The Combined Financial Statements of CONSOL Mining Corporation include the accounts of CONSOL Mining Corporation and companies in which CONSOL Mining Corporation has a controlling interest. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in affiliates and other joint ventures over which CONSOL Mining Corporation has significant influence but does not have effective control. Investments in affiliates in which CONSOL Mining Corporation cannot exercise significant influence are accounted for on the cost method.

Principles of Combination

The Combined Financial Statements include certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held at CONSOL Energy’s corporate level but are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Predecessor.

 

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All significant transactions and accounts within the Predecessor have been eliminated. All significant intercompany transactions between CONSOL Energy and the Predecessor have been included within Parent Net Investment in these Combined Financial Statements.

Cost Allocations

Historically, CONSOL Energy has charged its operating subsidiaries for various corporate costs incurred in the operation of the business. Accordingly, no significant additional cost allocations were necessary for the preparation of these combined financial statements. The Combined Financial Statements of CONSOL Mining Corporation may not reflect the actual expenses that would have been incurred and may not reflect CONSOL Mining Corporation’s combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows had it been a standalone company during the periods presented. Actual costs that would have been incurred if CONSOL Mining Corporation had been a standalone company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure, capital structure, and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure. Transactions between CONSOL Mining Corporation and CONSOL Energy, have been included as related party transactions in these Combined Financial Statements and are considered to be effectively settled for cash at the time the transaction is recorded. The total net effect of the settlement of these transactions is reflected in the Statements of Combined Cash Flows as a financing activity and in the Combined Balance Sheet as Parent Net Investment.

Long-term employee obligations, comprised of pensions, OPEB, CWP, and worker’s compensation have been allocated to CONSOL Mining Corporation on the basis of the underlying employees comprising those plans.

All external debt not directly attributable to the Predecessor has been excluded from the Combined Balance Sheet of CONSOL Mining Corporation.

NOTE 2—SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

A summary of the significant accounting policies of CONSOL Mining Corporation is presented below. These, together with the other notes that follow, are an integral part of the Combined Financial Statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as various disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates included in the preparation of the combined financial statements are related to other postretirement benefits, coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, workers’ compensation, salary retirement benefits, asset retirement obligations, contingencies, and the values of coal reserves.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Predecessor, excluding CNX Coal Resources LP, participates in CONSOL Energy’s centralized cash management system. The centralized cash management system entitles the Predecessor to issue checks against the central bank account for on-going operations. The presented checks against the central bank account are reflected as contributions of CONSOL Energy’s equity investment. Remaining cash includes CNX Coal Resources LP cash balance, petty cash on hand, and on deposit at banking institutions that is not included in the centralized cash management system.

Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. CONSOL Mining Corporation reserves for specific accounts receivable when it is probable that all or a part of an outstanding

 

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balance will not be collected. Collectability is determined based on terms of sale, credit status of customers and various other circumstances. CONSOL Mining Corporation regularly reviews collectability and establishes or adjusts the allowance as necessary using the specific identification method. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Reserves for uncollectable amounts were not material in the periods presented. In addition, there were no material financing receivables with a contractual maturity greater than one year at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of coal inventory is determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method and includes labor, supplies, equipment costs, operating overhead, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and other related costs. The cost of supplies inventory is determined by the average cost method and includes operating and maintenance supplies to be used in the operation of the Predecessor’s coal mines.

The Predecessor’s inventories consisted of the following:

 

     December 31,  
     2016      2015  

Coal

   $ 7,800      $ 4,660  

Supplies

     42,361        48,317  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Inventories

   $         50,161      $         52,977  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost upon acquisition. Costs of developing new underground mines and certain underground expansion projects are capitalized and typically include those costs incurred to make the mineral physically accessible. Such costs generally include those to create mine shafts and to drive main entries for ventilation, haulage costs, personnel costs, the construction of airshafts and roof protection.

Expenditures which extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment are capitalized. Costs of additional mine facilities required to maintain production after a mine reaches the production stage, generally referred to as “receding face costs,” are expensed as incurred; however, the costs of additional airshafts and new portals are capitalized. Planned major maintenance costs which do not extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment are expensed as incurred. Interest costs applicable to major asset additions are capitalized during the construction period.

Coal exploration costs are expensed as incurred and include costs incurred to ascertain existence, location, extent or quality of ore or minerals before beginning the development stage of the mine.

Airshafts and capitalized mine development associated with a coal reserve are amortized on a units-of-production basis as the coal is produced so that each ton of coal is assigned a portion of the unamortized costs. The Predecessor employs this method to match costs with the related revenues realized in a particular period. Rates are updated when revisions to coal reserve estimates are made. Coal reserve estimates are reviewed when information becomes available that indicates a reserve change is needed, or at a minimum once per year. Any material effect from changes in estimates is disclosed in the period the change occurs. Amortization of development cost begins when the development phase is complete and the production phase begins. At an underground mine, the end of the development phase and the beginning of the production phase takes place when construction of the mine for economic extraction is substantially complete. Coal extracted during the development phase is incidental to the mine’s production capacity and is not considered to shift the mine into the production phase.

 

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When properties are retired or otherwise disposed, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any profit or loss on disposition is recognized in Gain on Sale of Assets in the Combined Statements of Income.

Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or lease terms, generally as follows:

 

     Years                    

Buildings and improvements

   10 to 45                    

Machinery and equipment

   3 to 25

Leasehold improvements

   Life of Lease

Coal reserves are controlled either through fee ownership or by lease. The duration of the leases vary; however, the lease terms are generally extended automatically through the exhaustion of economically recoverable reserves, as long as active mining continues. Coal interests held by lease provide the same rights as fee ownership for mineral extraction and are legally considered real property interests. The Predecessor also makes advance payments (advanced mining royalties) to lessors under certain lease agreements that are recoupable against future production, and it makes payments that are generally based upon a specified rate per ton or a percentage of gross realization from the sale of the coal.

Advance mining royalties are advance payments made to lessors under terms of mineral lease agreements that are recoupable against future production and are amortized using the units-of-production method. Depletion of leased coal interests is computed using the units-of-production method over proven and probable coal reserves. Advance mining royalties and leased coal interests are evaluated at least once per year for impairment. More frequent tests are required on an interim basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Any revisions are accounted for prospectively as changes in accounting estimates.

Costs to obtain coal lands are capitalized based on the cost at acquisition and are amortized using the units-of-production method over all estimated proven and probable reserve tons assigned and accessible to the mine. Proven and probable coal reserves exclude non-recoverable coal reserves and anticipated processing losses. Rates are updated when revisions to coal reserve estimates are made. Coal reserve estimates are reviewed when events and circumstances indicate a reserve change is needed, or at a minimum once a year. Amortization of coal interests begins when the coal reserve is produced. At an underground mine, a ton is considered produced once it reaches the surface area of the mine. Any material effect from changes in estimates is disclosed in the period the change occurs.

Costs for purchased and internally developed software are expensed until it has been determined that the software will result in probable future economic benefits and management has committed to funding the project. Thereafter, all direct costs of materials and services incurred in developing or obtaining software, including certain payroll and benefit costs of employees associated with the project, are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life which does not exceed seven years.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Predecessor impairs long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying value. The carrying value of the assets is then reduced to its estimated fair value which is usually measured based on an estimate of future discounted cash flows. The Predecessor did not record any impairments during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

 

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Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

Postretirement benefit obligations established by the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 (the Coal Act) are treated as a multi-employer plan which requires expense to be recorded for the associated obligations as payments are made. Postretirement benefits other than pensions, except for those established pursuant to the Coal Act, are accounted for in accordance with the Retirement Benefits Compensation and Non-retirement Postemployment Benefits Compensation Topics of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which requires employers to accrue the cost of such retirement benefits for the employees’ active service periods. Such liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and CONSOL Mining Corporation is primarily self-insured for these benefits. Differences between actual and expected results or changes in the value of obligations are recognized through Other Comprehensive Income.

Pneumoconiosis Benefits and Workers’ Compensation

The Predecessor is required by federal and state statutes to provide benefits to certain current and former totally disabled employees or their dependents for awards related to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. The Predecessor is also required by various state statutes to provide workers’ compensation benefits for employees who sustain employment-related physical injuries or some types of occupational disease. Workers’ compensation benefits include compensation for their disability, medical costs, and on some occasions, the cost of rehabilitation. CONSOL Mining Corporation is primarily self-insured for these benefits. Provisions for estimated benefits are determined on an actuarial basis.

Asset Retirement Costs

Mine closing costs and costs associated with dismantling and removing de-gasification facilities are accrued using the accounting treatment prescribed by the Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. This topic requires the fair value of an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The present value of the estimated asset retirement costs is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. Generally, the capitalized asset retirement cost is depreciated on a units-of-production basis. Accretion of the asset retirement obligation is recognized over time and generally will escalate over the life of the producing asset, typically as production declines. Accretion is included in Operating and Other Costs on the Combined Statements of Income. Asset retirement obligations primarily relate to the closure of mines, which includes treatment of water and the reclamation of land upon exhaustion of coal reserves.

Accrued mine closing costs, perpetual care costs, reclamation and costs associated with dismantling and removing de-gasification facilities are regularly reviewed by management and are revised for changes in future estimated costs and regulatory requirements.

Subsidence

Subsidence occurs when there is sinking or shifting of the ground surface due to the removal of underlying coal. Areas affected may include, although are not limited to, streams, property, roads, pipelines and other land and surface structures. Total estimated subsidence claims are recognized in the period when the related coal has been extracted and are included in Operating and Other Costs on the Combined Statements of Income and Other Accrued Liabilities on the Combined Balance Sheets. On occasion, the Predecessor prepays the estimated damages prior to undermining the property, in return for a release of liability. Prepayments are included as assets and either recognized as Prepaid Expenses or in Other Assets on the Combined Balance Sheets if the payment is made less than or greater than one year, respectively, prior to undermining the property.

Retirement Plans

CONSOL Mining Corporation has non-contributory defined benefit retirement plans. Effective December 31, 2015, the Predecessor’s qualified defined benefit retirement plans have been frozen. The benefits for these plans

 

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are based primarily on years of service and employees’ pay. These plans are accounted for using the guidance outlined in the Compensation - Retirement Benefits Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The cost of these retiree benefits are recognized over the employees’ service periods. CONSOL Mining Corporation uses actuarial methods and assumptions in the valuation of defined benefit obligations and the determination of expense. Differences between actual and expected results or changes in the value of obligations and plan assets are recognized through Other Comprehensive Income.

Stock-Based Compensation

Eligible CONSOL Mining Corporation employees have historically participated in CONSOL Energy’s equity-based compensation plans. CONSOL Energy recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Compensation Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. CONSOL Energy recognizes these compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite services period of the award, which is generally the awards vesting term. The compensation expense recorded by CONSOL Mining Corporation, in all periods presented, includes the expense associated with employees historically attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation operations.

Under the CNXC 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP), the CNXC GP issued long-term equity based awards intended to compensate the recipients thereof based on the performance of CNXC’s common units and the recipients continued service during the vesting period, as well as to align CNXC’s long-term interests with those of the unitholders. The LTIP limits the number of units that may be delivered pursuant to vested awards to 2,300,000 common units, subject to proportionate adjustment in the event of unit splits and similar events. Common units subject to awards that are canceled, forfeited, withheld to satisfy exercise prices or tax withholding obligations or otherwise terminated without delivery of the common units will be available for delivery pursuant to other awards.

The CNXC GP has also granted equity-based phantom units that vest over a period of a director’s continued service. The phantom units will be paid in common units or an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of a unit based on the vesting date. The awards may accelerate upon a change in control of CNXC. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting term.

Income Taxes

The Predecessor’s operations have historically been included in the income tax filings of CONSOL Energy. The provision for income taxes in the Predecessor’s combined statement of income is based on a separate return methodology using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, the provision for income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable (or received or receivable) for the current year plus the change in deferred taxes during the year calculated as if the Predecessor was a standalone taxpayer filing hypothetical income tax returns where applicable. Any additional accrued tax liability or refund arising as a result of this approach is assumed to be immediately settled with CONSOL Energy as a component of Parent Net Investment. Deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid, and result from differences between the financial and tax bases of CONSOL Mining Corporation’s assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when enacted. Deferred tax assets are reflected in the combined balance sheet for net operating losses, credits or other attributes to the extent that such attributes are expected to transfer to CONSOL Mining Corporation upon the separation. Any difference from attributes generated in a hypothetical return on a separate return basis is adjusted as a component of Parent Net investment.

Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that a tax benefit will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, management considers all potential sources of taxable income, including income available in carry-back periods, future

 

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reversals of taxable temporary differences, projections of taxable income, and income from tax planning strategies, as well as all available positive and negative evidence. Positive evidence includes factors such as a history of profitable operations, projections of future profitability within the carry-forward period, including from tax planning strategies, and CONSOL Mining Corporation’s experience with similar operations. Existing favorable contracts and the ability to sell products into established markets are additional positive evidence. Negative evidence includes items such as cumulative losses, projections of future losses, or carry-forward periods that are not long enough to allow for the utilization of a deferred tax asset based on existing projections of income. Deferred tax assets for which no valuation allowance is recorded may not be realized upon changes in facts and circumstances, resulting in a future charge to establish a valuation allowance. Existing valuation allowances are re-examined under the same standards of positive and negative evidence. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will be realized, the appropriate amount of the valuation allowance, if any, is released. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are also re-measured to reflect changes in underlying tax rates due to law changes and the granting and lapse of tax holidays.

Tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return are recorded when such benefits meet a more likely than not threshold. Otherwise, these tax benefits are recorded when a tax position has been effectively settled, which means that the statute of limitation has expired or the appropriate taxing authority has completed their examination even though the statute of limitations remains open. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized as part of the provision for income taxes and are accrued beginning in the period that such interest and penalties would be applicable under relevant tax law until such time that the related tax benefits are recognized.

Parent Net Investment

Parent Net Investment is primarily comprised of the Predecessor’s undivided interest in (i) CONSOL Energy’s initial investment in CONSOL Mining Corporation (and any subsequent adjustments thereto); (ii) the accumulated net earnings; (iii) net transfers to or from CONSOL Energy, including those related to cash management functions performed by CONSOL Energy; (iv) non-cash changes in financing arrangements, including the conversion of certain related party liabilities into Parent Net Investment and stock-based compensation; and (v) corporate cost allocations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are recognized when title passes to the customers and the price is fixed and determinable. For domestic coal sales, this generally occurs when coal is loaded at the mine or at offsite storage locations. For export coal sales, this generally occurs when coal is loaded onto marine vessels at terminal locations. Coal contract price per ton are fixed and determinable prior to the passage of coal title. Except for normal quality adjustments and positive electric power price related adjustments, none of the Company’s coal sales contracts allow for retroactive adjustments to pricing after title to the coal has passed. These adjustments were not material for any of the periods presented. Revenues for coal sold that relate to production under royalty contracts are recorded on a gross basis.

Freight Revenue and Expense

Shipping and handling costs invoiced to coal customers and paid to third-party carriers are recorded as Freight-Outside Coal revenue and Freight Expense, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Major Customers

The Predecessor markets its high-Btu bituminous thermal coal primarily to electric utilities in the eastern United States, its core market. The Predecessor derived a significant portion of its revenues from two customers who represented at least 10% of its total coal sales revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2016, the Predecessor had approximately nine sales agreements with these customers that expire at various times between 2017 and 2018.

 

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Concentration of credit risk is summarized below:

 

     December 31,  
     2016      2015  

Thermal coal utilities

   $ 62,525      $ 58,281  

Coal brokers and distributors

     28,955        14,435  

Other

     4,227        6,172  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Accounts Receivable Trade

   $         95,707      $         78,888  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Contingencies

From time to time, the Predecessor is subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such matters as personal injury, wrongful death, damage to property, exposure to hazardous substances, governmental regulations (including environmental remediation), employment and contract disputes, and other claims and actions, arising out of the normal course of business. Liabilities are recorded when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. Estimates are developed through consultation with legal counsel involved in the defense of these matters and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. Legal fees associated with defending these various lawsuits and claims are expensed when incurred.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In January 2017, the FASB issued Update 2017-01 - Business Combinations (Topic 805). This update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on CONSOL Mining Corporation’s financial statements.

In December 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-19 - Technical Corrections and Improvements, which covers a wide range of Topics in the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). The amendments in this Update represent changes to clarify, correct errors, or make minor improvements to the ASC, making it easier to understand and apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. The amendments generally fall into one of the following categories: amendments related to differences between original guidance and the ASC, guidance clarification and reference corrections, simplification, or minor improvements. Most of the amendments in this Update do not require transition guidance and are effective upon issuance of this Update.

In October 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-17 - Consolidation (Topic 810): Interests Held through Related Parties that are Under Common Control, which amends the consolidation guidance on how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity (VIE) should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that VIE. The Update requires the reporting entity, in determining whether it satisfies the second characteristic of a primary beneficiary, to include its indirect economic interests in a VIE held through related parties that are under common control on a proportionate basis as opposed to in their entirety. The amendments in this Update will be applied retrospectively and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on CONSOL Mining Corporation’s financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-15 - Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments relate to debt prepayment or debt extinguishment

 

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costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, and beneficial interests in securitization transactions. The Update also states that, in the absence of specific guidance for cash receipts and payments that have aspects of more than one class of cash flows, an entity should classify each separately identifiable source or use within the cash receipts and payments on the basis of their nature in financing, investing, or operating activities. In situations in which cash receipts or payments cannot be separated by source or use, the appropriate classification should depend on the activity that is likely to be the predominant source or use of cash flows for the item. The amendments in the Update will be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented and, for public entities, are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Management is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on CONSOL Mining Corporation’s financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-13 - Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which provides financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. To achieve this, the amendments in this Update replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The measurement of expected credit losses will be based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. The amendments in this Update will be applied using a modified-retrospective approach and, for public entities, are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those annual periods. Management believes this guidance will not have a material impact on CONSOL Mining Corporation’s financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Update 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605 - Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. The objective of the amendments in this Update is to improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services and should disclose sufficient information, both qualitative and quantitative, to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The following updates to Topic 606 were made during 2016:

 

   

In March 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-08 - Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies how an entity determines whether it is a principal or an agent for goods or services promised to a customer as well as the nature of the goods or services promised to their customers.

   

In April 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-10 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which seeks to address implementation issues in the areas of identifying performance obligations and licensing.

   

In May 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-12 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which seeks to address implementation issues in the areas of collectability, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration, and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition.

 

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In December 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-20 - Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which includes amendments related to loan guarantee fees, contract costs, provisions for losses on construction and production-type contracts, scope, disclosures, contract modification, contract asset versus receivable, refund liability and advertising costs.

The new standards are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with the option to adopt as early as annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Management continues to evaluate the impacts that these standards will have on CONSOL Mining Corporation’s financial statements, specifically as it relates to contracts that contain positive electric power price related adjustments. CONSOL Mining Corporation anticipates using the modified retrospective approach at adoption as it relates to ASU 2014-09.

In March 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-09 - Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Specifically, this Update states that: all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement; excess tax benefits should be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity; an entity can make an accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures when they occur; the threshold to qualify for equity classification permits withholding up to the maximum statutory tax rates in the applicable jurisdictions; and cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity. For public entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on CONSOL Mining Corporation’s financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842), which increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Update 2016-02 does retain a distinction between finance leases and operating leases, which is substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous lease guidance. Retaining this distinction allows the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease to not significantly change from previous GAAP. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities, but to recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For both financing and operating leases, the right-to-use asset and lease liability will be initially measured at the present value of the lease payments in the statement of financial position. The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. Management is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on CONSOL Mining Corporation’s financial statements.

Subsequent Events

Events and transactions subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated through July 10, 2017, the date these financial statements were issued, for potential recognition in the financial statements or disclosure in the accompanying footnotes.

NOTE 3—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

During 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Predecessor’s related parties included CONSOL Energy and its subsidiaries, including Fairmont Supply Company, which was a wholly-owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy until December 2014.

 

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The Combined Statements of Income include expense allocations for certain corporate functions historically performed by CONSOL Energy, including allocations of stock based compensation and general corporate expenses related to legal, treasury, human resources, information technology and other administrative services. Those allocations, which are included in Selling, General and Administrative Costs in the Combined Statements of Income, were based primarily on specific identification, head counts and coal tons produced. Also, the Predecessor used centralized cash management activities at CONSOL Energy for collections and payments related to normal course of business accounts receivable and payments for goods and services. The balance of any receivable/payable from CONSOL Energy and other affiliates are presented as contributions/distributions in these combined financial statements.

The Predecessor believes that transactions with related parties, other than certain transactions with CONSOL Energy related to administrative services, were conducted on terms comparable to those with unrelated parties and would not have been materially different had they been calculated on a stand-alone basis. However, such expenses may not be indicative of the actual level of expense that the Predecessor would have incurred if it had operated as an independent, publicly-traded company or of the costs expected to be incurred in the future. It would be impracticable to estimate what the costs related to administrative services provided by CONSOL Energy would have been with an unrelated third party.

Fairmont Supply Company also sold the Predecessor supplies for use in its mines during the year ended December 31, 2014.

In July 2015, CNXC closed its initial public offering of 5,000,000 common units representing limited partnership interests at a price to the public of $15.00 per unit. Additionally, Greenlight Capital entered into a common unit purchase agreement with CNXC pursuant to which Greenlight Capital agreed to purchase, and CNXC agreed to sell, 5,000,000 common units at a price per unit equal to $15.00, which equates to $75,000 in net proceeds. CNXC’s general partner is CNX Coal Resources GP, a wholly owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy. The underwriters of the IPO filing exercised an over-allotment option of 561,067 common units to the public at $15.00 per unit.

In connection with the Initial Public Offering (IPO), CNXC entered into a $400,000 senior secured revolving credit facility with certain lenders and PNC Bank, National Association (PNC), as administrative agent. Obligations under the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by CNXC’s subsidiaries (the guarantor subsidiaries) and are secured by substantially all of CNXC’s and CNXC’s subsidiaries’ assets pursuant to a security agreement and various mortgages. Under the new revolving credit facility, CNXC made an initial draw of $200,000, and after origination fees of $3,000, the net proceeds were $197,000.

The total net proceeds related to these transactions that were distributed to CONSOL Energy were $342,711.

In September 2016, CNXC and its wholly owned subsidiary, CNX Thermal Holdings LLC (CNX Thermal), entered into a Contribution Agreement with CONSOL Energy, Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC and Conrhein Coal Company (the Contributing Parties) under which CNX Thermal acquired an additional 5% undivided interest in and to the Pennsylvania Mine Complex, in exchange for (i) cash consideration in the amount of $21,500 and (ii) CNXC’s issuance of 3,956,496 Class A Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in CNXC at an issue price of $17.01 per Class A preferred Unit (the Class A Preferred Unit Issue Price), or an aggregate $67,300 in equity consideration. The Class A Preferred Unit Issue Price was calculated as the volume-weighted average trading price of CNXC’s common units (the Common Units) over the trailing 15-day trading period ending on September 29, 2016 (or $14.79 per unit), plus a 15% premium.

In connection with the PAMC acquisition, in September 2016, the CNXC GP and CNXC entered into the First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement (the “Amended Omnibus Agreement”) with CONSOL Energy and certain of its subsidiaries. Under the Amended Omnibus Agreement, CONSOL Energy indemnified CNXC for certain liabilities. The Amended Omnibus Agreement also amended CNXC’s obligations to CONSOL Energy

 

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with respect to the payment of an annual administrative support fee and reimbursement for the provisions of certain management and operating services provided, in each case to reflect structural changes in how those services are provided to CNXC by CONSOL Energy.

Charges for services from CONSOL Energy include the following:

 

     December 31,  
     2016      2015      2014  

Operating and Other Costs

   $ 4,251      $ 6,793      $ 6,707  

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

     3,826        8,926        11,384  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Services from CONSOL Energy

   $             8,077      $             15,719      $             18,091  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, CNXC had a net payable to CONSOL Energy in the amount of $1,764 and $1,666, respectively. This payable includes reimbursements for business expenses, executive fees, stock-based compensation and other items under the omnibus agreement.

NOTE 4—LONG-TERM DEBT:

 

     December 31,  
     2016      2015  

Debt:

     

Revolving Credit Facility - CNX Coal Resources LP

   $ 201,000      $ 185,000  

MEDCO Revenue Bonds in Series due September 2025 at 5.75%

     102,865        102,865  
Advance Royalty Commitments (7.73%, and 16.35% Weighted Average Interest Rate, respectively)      2,678        3,962  

Less: Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs

     4,343        5,375  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 302,200      $ 286,452  

Less: Amounts Due in One Year*

     373        675  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt

   $     301,827      $     285,777  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

* Excludes current portion of Capital Lease Obligations of $3,703 and $357 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Annual undisclosed maturities on long-term debt during the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,    Amount  

2017

     $373  

2018

     $314  

2019

     $292  

2020

      $201,270  

2021

     $250  

Thereafter

      $104,044  
  

 

 

 

Total Long-term Debt Maturities

      $306,543  
  

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 5—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

The Predecessor’s property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

 

     December 31,
2016
     December 31,
2015
 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plant and Equipment

   $ 2,680,453       $ 2,663,314   

Airshafts

     381,755         361,872   

Coal Properties and Surface Lands

     861,048         865,581   

Mine Development

     344,139         344,298   

Advance Mining Royalties

     326,000         327,475   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Property, Plant and Equipment

     4,593,395         4,562,540   

Less Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     2,413,125         2,237,359   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

   $       2,180,270       $       2,325,181   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 6—OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES:

 

     December 31,  
           2016                  2015        

Subsidence liability

   $ 104,437       $ 86,860   

Accrued payroll and benefits

     17,326         15,640   

Equipment lease rental

     15,286         15,286   

Accrued other taxes

     12,732         6,071   

Litigation

     12,532         13,215   

Deferred revenue

     10,520         4,670   

Short-term incentive compensation

     6,073         3,211   

Other

     21,986         23,902   

Current portion of long-term liabilities:

     

Postretirement benefits other than pensions

     40,611         40,863   

Mine closing

     14,276         22,599   

Workers’ compensation

     13,596         14,507   

Gas well closing

     11,983         10,346   

Pneumoconiosis benefits

     10,763         9,382   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Other Accrued Liabilities

   $         292,121       $         266,552   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 7—ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS:

The Predecessor accrues for mine closing costs, perpetual water care costs, costs related to the dismantling and removing of natural gas related facilities and surface reclamation costs using the accounting treatment prescribed by the Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The Predecessor recognizes capitalized asset retirement costs by increasing the carrying amount of related long-lived assets.

 

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The reconciliation of changes in the asset retirement obligations:

 

     December 31,
     2016   2015

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 288,977     $ 318,899  

Accretion expense

     20,111       22,740  

Payments

     (11,637     (15,384

Revisions in estimated cash flows

     (25,427     (31,481

Other

     514       (5,797
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $     272,538     $     288,977  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2015, Other includes ($2,133) related to the disposition of two Perpetual Care sites and ($2,355) related to the disposition of a non-producing mine.

NOTE 8—PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (OPEB):

Pension:

CONSOL Mining Corporation has non-contributory defined benefit retirement plans. Effective December 31, 2015, CONSOL Mining Corporation’s qualified defined benefit retirement plan was frozen. The benefits for these plans are based primarily on years of service and employees’ pay. CONSOL Mining Corporation’s qualified pension plan allows for lump-sum distributions of benefits earned up until December 31, 2005, at the employees’ election.

On September 30, 2014, the qualified pension plan was amended to reduce future accruals of pension benefits as of January 1, 2015. The plan amendment called for a hard freeze of the qualified defined benefit pension plan on January 1, 2015 for employees who were under age 40 or had less than 10 years of service as of September 30, 2014. Employees who were age 40 or over and had at least 10 years of service continued in the defined benefit pension plan unchanged. The modifications to the pension plan resulted in a $21,624 reduction in the pension liability.

On August 31, 2015, the qualified pension plan was remeasured to reflect an announced plan amendment that reduced accruals of pension benefits as of January 1, 2016. The plan amendment called for a hard freeze of the qualified defined benefit pension plan on January 1, 2016 for all remaining participants in the plan. The modifications to the pension plan resulted in a $26,352 reduction in the pension liability. The amendment resulted in a remeasurement of the qualified pension plan at August 31, 2015, which increased the pension liability by $17,793.

In the third quarter of 2015, CONSOL Mining Corporation remeasured its pension plan as a result of the previously discussed plan amendment. In conjunction with this remeasurement, the method used to estimate the service and interest components of net periodic benefit cost for pension was changed. This change was also made to other postretirement benefits in the fourth quarter during the annual remeasurement of that plan. This change, compared to the previous method, resulted in a decrease in the service and interest components for pension cost in the third quarter. Historically, CONSOL Mining Corporation estimated these service and interest cost components utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. CONSOL Mining Corporation has elected to utilize a full yield curve approach in the estimation of these components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. This change was made to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows to the corresponding spot yield curve rates. This change is immaterial to CONSOL Mining

 

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Corporation’s financial statements. CONSOL Mining Corporation has accounted for this change as a change in accounting estimate that is inseparable from a change in accounting principle and, accordingly, accounted for it prospectively.

According to the Defined Benefit Plans Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification, if the lump sum distributions made during a plan year, which for CONSOL Mining Corporation is January 1 to December 31, exceed the total of the projected service cost and interest cost for the plan year, settlement accounting is required. Lump sum payments exceeded this threshold during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014. Accordingly, CONSOL Mining Corporation recognized settlement expense of $22,196, $19,053, and $29,095 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 respectively, in Operating and Other Costs in the Combined Statements of Income. The settlement charges resulted in remeasurements of the pension plan during 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Other Postretirement Benefit Plans:

Certain subsidiaries of CONSOL Mining Corporation provide medical and prescription drug benefits to retired employees covered by the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 (the Coal Act). Represented hourly employees are eligible to participate based upon the terms of the National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement of 2011.

On September 30, 2014, the Salaried OPEB plan and Production and Maintenance (P&M) OPEB plans were remeasured to reflect an announced plan amendment that reduced retiree medical and life insurance benefits as of September 30, 2014. Effective September 30, 2014, no retiree medical, prescription drug or life benefits were to be provided to active employees. Salaried and P&M retirees as of September 30, 2014 were to continue in the OPEB plans for a maximum period up to December 31, 2019 and coverage thereafter was eliminated (see below for information on an additional amendment made to these plans in 2015). CONSOL Mining Corporation elected to make cash transition payments totaling approximately $46,282 to the active employees whose retiree medical, prescription drug and life insurance benefits were eliminated by the changes to the OPEB plans. These cash payments are not considered to be post-retirement benefits, and as such, they are not reflected in the actuarial calculations related to the OPEB plans. The amendment to the OPEB plans resulted in a $315,439 reduction in the OPEB liability and a curtailment gain of $35,633.

On May 31, 2015, the Salaried OPEB and P&M OPEB plans were remeasured to reflect another plan amendment which eliminated Salaried and P&M OPEB benefits at December 31, 2015. The amendment to the OPEB plans resulted in a $43,598 reduction in the OPEB liability. The amendment also resulted in a remeasurement of the OPEB plan at May 31, 2015, which decreased the liability by $1,070. CONSOL Mining Corporation recognized income of $235,541 related to amortization of prior service credits, coupled with recognition of actuarial losses in Operating and Other Costs in the Combined Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 2015 as a result of the changes made to the Salaried and P&M OPEB plans.

CONSOL Mining Corporation will incur savings from cost containment changes related to pharmacy benefits, which were implemented on January 1, 2017, and increased member responsibility when using out-of-network providers and facilities, which will be implemented on March 27, 2017. These plan amendments resulted in a $28,164 reduction in the OPEB liability during the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

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The reconciliation of changes in the benefit obligation, plan assets and funded status of these plans at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits
at December 31,
  Other Postretirement
Benefits
at December 31,
     2016   2015   2016   2015

Change in benefit obligation:

        

Benefit obligation at beginning of period

   $ 751,617     $ 858,864     $ 671,755     $ 760,959  

Service cost

     1,533       8,256              

Interest cost

     25,048       31,655       24,241       27,238  

Actuarial loss (gain)

     46,885       (38,909     77,640       (9,224

Plan amendments

                 (28,164     (43,598

Plan transfer*

                       (5,242

Plan curtailments

           (26,352            

Plan settlements

     (54,197     (51,497            

Participant contributions

                       1,649  

Benefits and other payments

     (35,709     (30,400     (45,387     (60,027
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at end of period

   $ 735,177     $ 751,617     $ 700,085     $ 671,755  
        

Change in plan assets:

        

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period

   $ 669,039     $ 751,176     $     $  

Actual return (loss) on plan assets

     50,575       (9,293            

Company contributions

     2,726       9,053       45,387       58,378  

Participant contributions

                       1,649  

Benefits and other payments

     (35,709     (30,400     (45,387     (60,027

Plan settlements

     (54,197     (51,497            
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at end of period

   $ 632,434     $ 669,039     $     $  
        

Funded status:

        

Current liabilities

   $ (2,871   $ (2,746   $ (40,611   $ (40,863

Noncurrent liabilities

     (99,872     (79,832     (659,474     (630,892
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net obligation recognized

   $ (102,743   $ (82,578   $ (700,085   $ (671,755
        

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of:

        

Net actuarial loss

   $ 295,152     $ 283,528     $ 426,392     $ 367,920  

Prior service credit

     (1,372     (1,874     (28,164      
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net amount recognized (before tax effect)

   $     293,780     $     281,654     $     398,228     $     367,920  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* The plan transfer relates to the IBNR (incurred but not reported) costs associated with the terminated Salaried and P&M OPEB plans. These costs are now included in Other Accrued Liabilities in the Combined Balance Sheets.

 

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The components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows:

 

    Pension Benefits   Other Postretirement Benefits
    For the Years Ended December 31,   For the Years Ended December 31,
    2016   2015   2014   2016   2015   2014

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

           

Service cost

  $ 1,533     $ 8,256     $ 16,913     $     $     $ 7,089  

Interest cost

    25,048       31,655       34,998       24,241             27,238       44,177  

Expected return on plan assets

    (46,674     (51,528     (51,400                  

Amortization of prior service credits

    (502     (579     (1,129           (336,327     (21,163

Recognized net actuarial loss

    9,163       20,870       23,544       19,168       102,875       28,682  

Curtailment loss (gain)

          5       (549                 (35,633

Settlement loss (gain)

    22,196       19,053       29,095             (8,932      
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

  $       10,764     $       27,732     $       51,472     $       43,409     $ (215,146   $       23,152  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss which are expected to be recognized in 2017 net periodic benefit costs:

 

     Pension
Benefits
    Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 

Prior service credit recognition

   $ (502   $ (2,405

Actuarial loss recognition

   $           8,897     $           23,112  

CONSOL Mining Corporation utilizes a corridor approach to amortize actuarial gains and losses that have been accumulated under the Pension Plan. Cumulative gains and losses that are in excess of 10% of the greater of either the projected benefit obligation (PBO) or the market-related value of plan assets are amortized over the expected remaining future lifetime of all plan participants for the Pension plan.

CONSOL Mining Corporation also utilizes a corridor approach to amortize actuarial gains and losses that have been accumulated under the OPEB Plan. Cumulative gains and losses that are in excess of 10% of the greater of either the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO) or the market-related value of plan assets are amortized over the average future remaining lifetime of the current inactive population for the OPEB plan.

The following table provides information related to pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2016      2015  

Projected benefit obligation

   $     735,177      $     751,617  

Accumulated benefit obligation

   $ 733,542      $ 749,805  

Fair value of plan assets

   $ 632,434      $ 669,039  

 

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Assumptions:

The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations are as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits      Other Postretirement Benefits  
     For the Year Ended      For the Year Ended  
     December 31,      December 31,  
       2016          2015          2014          2016          2015          2014    

Discount rate

     4.31%        4.50%        4.07%        4.22%        4.50%        4.03%  

Rate of compensation increase

     3.90%        3.80%        3.80%        —          —          —    

The discount rates are determined using a Company-specific yield curve model (above-mean) developed with the assistance of an external actuary. The Company-specific yield curve models (above-mean) use a subset of the expanded bond universe to determine the Company-specific discount rate. Bonds used in the yield curve are rated AA by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s as of the measurement date. The yield curve models parallel the plans’ projected cash flows, and the underlying cash flows of the bonds included in the models exceed the cash flows needed to satisfy the Predecessor’s plans.

The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs are as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits at     

Other
Postretirement

Benefits at

 
     December 31,      December 31,  
       2016          2015          2016          2015    

Discount rate

     4.52%        4.07%        4.50%        4.03%  

Expected long-term return on plan assets

     7.25%        7.75%        —          —    

Rate of compensation increase

     3.80%        3.80%        —          —    

The long-term rate of return is the sum of the portion of total assets in each asset class held multiplied by the expected return for that class, adjusted for expected expenses to be paid from the assets. The expected return for each class is determined using the plan asset allocation at the measurement date and a distribution of compound average returns over a twenty year time horizon. The model uses asset class returns, variances and correlation assumptions to produce the expected return for each portfolio. The return assumptions used forward-looking gross returns influenced by the current Treasury yield curve. These returns recognize current bond yields, corporate bond spreads and equity risk premiums based on current market conditions.

The assumed health care cost trend rates are as follows:

 

     At December 31,  
         2016             2015      

Health care cost trend rate for next year

     6.31     6.49

Rate to which the cost trend is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)

     4.50     4.50

Year that the rate reaches ultimate trend rate

     2038       2038  

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the medical plans. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

     1 Percentage
Point Increase
     1 Percentage
Point Decrease
 

Effect on total of service and interest cost components

   $ 3,659      $ (3,053)  

Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

   $ 84,381      $ (71,751)  

 

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Plan Assets:

CONSOL Mining Corporation’s overall investment strategy is to meet current and future benefit payment needs through diversification across asset classes, fund strategies and fund managers to achieve an optimal balance between risk and return and between income and growth of assets through capital appreciation. Consistent with the objectives of the Trust and in consideration of the Trust’s current funded status and the current level of market interest rates, the Retirement Board has approved an asset allocation strategy that will change over time in response to future improvements in the Trust’s funded status and/or changes in market interest rates. Such changes in asset allocation strategy are intended to allocate additional assets to the fixed income asset class should the Trust’s funded status improve. In this framework, the current target allocation for plan assets is 26% U.S. equity securities, 16.5% non-U.S. equity securities, 7.5% global equity securities and 50% fixed income. Both the equity and fixed income portfolios are comprised of both active and passive investment strategies. The Trust is primarily invested in Mercer Common Collective Trusts. Equity securities consist of investments in large and mid/small cap companies; non-U.S. equities are derived from both developed and emerging markets. Fixed income securities consist of U.S. as well as international instruments, including emerging markets. The core domestic fixed income portfolios invest in government, corporate, asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed obligations. The average quality of the fixed income portfolio must be rated at least “investment grade” by nationally recognized rating agencies. Within the fixed income asset class, investments are invested primarily across various strategies such that its overall profile strongly correlates with the interest rate sensitivity of the Trust’s liabilities in order to reduce the volatility resulting from the risk of changes in interest rates and the impact of such changes on the Trust’s overall financial status. Derivatives, interest rate swaps, options and futures are permitted investments for the purpose of reducing risk and to extend the duration of the overall fixed income portfolio; however, they may not be used for speculative purposes. All or a portion of the assets may be invested in mutual funds or other commingled vehicles so long as the pooled investment funds have an adequate asset base relative to their asset class; are invested in a diversified manner; and have management and/or oversight by an Investment Adviser registered with the SEC. The Retirement Board, as appointed by the CONSOL Mining Corporation Board of Directors, reviews the investment program on an ongoing basis including asset performance, current trends and developments in capital markets, changes in Trust liabilities and ongoing appropriateness of the overall investment policy.

In May 2015, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update that removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy investments for which fair values are estimated using the net asset value practical expedient provided by Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurement. This new guidance is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. In accordance with this Update, certain investments in 2016, 2015 and 2014 that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 in the below fair value hierarchy but are included in the total.

The fair values of plan assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 by asset category are as follows:

 

     Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016    Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015
          Quoted                   Quoted          
          Prices in                   Prices in          
          Active                   Active          
          Markets for    Significant    Significant         Markets for    Significant    Significant
          Identical    Observable    Unobservable         Identical    Observable    Unobservable
          Assets    Inputs    Inputs         Assets    Inputs    Inputs
     Total    (Level 1)    (Level 2)    (Level 3)    Total    (Level 1)    (Level 2)    (Level 3)

Asset Category

                       

Cash/Accrued Income

   $ 639      $ 639      $      $      $ 631      $ 631      $      $  

US Equities (a)

     11        11                      10        10                

Mercer Common Collective Trusts (b)

     631,784                             668,398                       
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total

   $   632,434      $   650      $      $      $   669,039      $           641      $           —      $           —  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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  (a)

This category includes investments in US common stocks and corporate debt.

 

  (b)

Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy but are included in the total.

There are no investments in CONSOL Energy or CONSOL Mining Corporation stock held by these plans at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

There are no assets in the other postretirement benefit plans at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Cash Flows:

If necessary, CONSOL Mining Corporation intends to contribute to the pension trust using prudent funding methods. However, CONSOL Mining Corporation does not expect to contribute to the pension plan trust in 2017. Pension benefit payments are primarily funded from the trust. CONSOL Mining Corporation expects to pay benefits of $2,871 from the non-qualified pension plan in 2017. CONSOL Mining Corporation does not expect to contribute to the other postemployment plan in 2017 and intends to pay benefit claims as they are due.

The following benefit payments, reflecting expected future service, are expected to be paid:

 

            Other  
     Pension      Postretirement  
     Benefits      Benefits  

2017

   $ 47,340      $ 40,611  

2018

   $ 47,066      $ 43,829  

2019

   $ 46,174      $ 43,932  

2020

   $ 45,735      $ 44,136  

2021

   $ 44,167      $ 44,233  

Year 2022-2026

   $           223,536      $           215,248  

NOTE 9—COAL WORKERS’ PNEUMOCONIOSIS (CWP) AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION:

Under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, as amended, CONSOL Mining Corporation is responsible for medical and disability benefits to employees and their dependents resulting from occurrences of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis disease. CONSOL Mining Corporation is also responsible under various state statutes for pneumoconiosis benefits. CONSOL Mining Corporation primarily provides for these claims through a self-insurance program. The calculation of the actuarial present value of the estimated pneumoconiosis obligation is based on an annual actuarial study by independent actuaries and uses assumptions regarding disability incidence, medical costs, indemnity levels, mortality, death benefits, dependents and interest rates which are derived from actual company experience and outside sources. Recent legislative changes have not been favorable for CWP. Although these changes have not had a significant impact on the liability, CONSOL Mining Corporation has noticed an increase in claims. Actuarial gains or losses can result from differences in incident rates and severity of claims filed as compared to original assumptions.

CONSOL Mining Corporation must also compensate individuals who sustain employment-related physical injuries or some types of occupational diseases and, on some occasions, for costs of their rehabilitation. Workers’ compensation laws will also compensate survivors of workers who suffer employment-related deaths. Workers’ compensation laws are administered by state agencies, and each state has its own set of rules and regulations regarding compensation that is owed to an employee that is injured in the course of employment. CONSOL Mining Corporation primarily provides for these claims through a self-insurance program. CONSOL Mining

 

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Corporation recognizes an actuarial present value of the estimated workers’ compensation obligation calculated by independent actuaries. The calculation is based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported as well as various assumptions, including discount rate, future healthcare trend rate, benefit duration and recurrence of injuries. Actuarial gains or losses associated with workers’ compensation have resulted from discount rate changes and differences in claims experience and incident rates as compared to prior assumptions.

 

     CWP  

Workers’

Compensation

     at December 31,   at December 31,
     2016   2015   2016   2015

Change in benefit obligation:

        

Benefit obligation at beginning of period

   $ 121,285     $ 124,815     $ 81,502     $ 87,946  

State administrative fees and insurance bond premiums

                 3,199       3,510  

Service cost

     4,327       6,194       7,466       9,201  

Interest cost

     4,283       5,116       2,499       3,131  

Actuarial loss (gain)

     439       (5,089     121       (4,007

Benefits paid

     (10,191     (9,751     (16,688     (18,619

Curtailment gain

     (1,307                  

Settlements

                       340  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at end of period

   $     118,836     $     121,285     $     78,099     $       81,502  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Current assets

   $     $     $ 1,429     $ 1,421  

Current liabilities

     (10,763     (9,382     (13,596     (14,507

Noncurrent liabilities

     (108,073     (111,903     (65,932     (68,416
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net obligation recognized

   $ (118,836   $ (121,285   $ (78,099   $ (81,502
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of:

        

Net actuarial gain

   $ (62,714   $ (68,101   $ (12,656   $ (13,171
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net amount recognized (before tax effect)

   $ (62,714   $ (68,101   $ (12,656   $ (13,171
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The components of the net periodic cost are as follows:

 

     CWP   Workers’ Compensation
     For the Years Ended   For the Years Ended
     December 31,   December 31,
     2016   2015   2014   2016   2015   2014

Service cost

   $ 4,327     $ 6,194     $ 5,587     $ 7,466     $ 9,201     $ 9,585  

Interest cost

     4,283       5,116       5,537       2,499       3,131       3,506  

Recognized net actuarial gain

     (4,948     (5,576     (6,196     (395     (30     (375

State administrative fees and insurance bond premiums

                       3,199       3,510       3,285  

Curtailment gain

     (1,307                              
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic cost

   $ 2,355     $ 5,734     $ 4,928     $ 12,769     $ 15,812     $ 16,001  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The following are amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income that are expected to be recognized in 2017 net periodic benefit costs:

 

         Workers’
     CWP   Compensation
     Benefits   Benefits

Actuarial gain recognition

   $ (7,631   $ (598

CONSOL Mining Corporation utilizes a corridor approach to amortize actuarial gains and losses that have been accumulated under the Workers’ Compensation and CWP plans. Cumulative gains and losses that are in excess of 10% of the greater of either the estimated liability or the market-related value of plan assets are amortized over the expected average remaining future service of the current active membership of the Workers’ Compensation and CWP plans.

Assumptions:

The weighted-average discount rates used to determine benefit obligations and net periodic cost are as follows:

 

     CWP   Workers’ Compensation
     For the Years Ended   For the Years Ended
     December 31,   December 31,
     2016   2015   2014     2016       2015       2014  

Benefit obligations

     4.40     4.60     4.21     4.05     4.26     3.84

Net periodic cost

     4.60     4.21     4.75     4.26     3.84     4.57

Discount rates are determined using a Company-specific yield curve model (above-mean) developed with the assistance of an external actuary. The Company-specific yield curve models (above-mean) use a subset of the expanded bond universe to determine the Company-specific discount rate. Bonds used in the yield curve are rated AA by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s as of the measurement date. The yield curve models parallel the plans’ projected cash flows, and the underlying cash flows of the bonds included in the models exceed the cash flows needed to satisfy the Predecessor’s plans.

Cash Flows:

CONSOL Mining Corporation does not intend to make contributions to the CWP or Workers’ Compensation plans in 2017, but it intends to pay benefit claims as they become due.

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future claims as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

 

          Workers’ Compensation
     CWP
Benefits
   Total
Benefits
   Actuarial
Benefits
   Other
Benefits

2017

   $ 10,763      $ 15,579      $ 12,168      $ 3,411  

2018

   $ 8,417      $ 14,890      $ 11,393      $ 3,497  

2019

   $ 7,606      $ 14,760      $ 11,176      $ 3,584  

2020

   $ 7,137      $ 14,743      $ 11,069      $ 3,674  

2021

   $ 6,963      $ 14,755      $ 10,990      $ 3,765  

Year 2022-2026

   $         35,714      $         75,045      $         54,758      $         20,287  

NOTE 10—OTHER BENEFIT PLANS:

UMWA Benefit Trusts:

The Coal Act created two multi-employer benefit plans: (1) the United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund (the Combined Fund) into which the former UMWA Benefit Trusts were merged, and (2) the

 

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Table of Contents

United Mine Workers of America 1992 Benefit Plan (1992 Benefit Plan). CONSOL Mining Corporation accounts for required contributions to these multi-employer trusts as expense when incurred.

The Combined Fund provides medical and death benefits for all beneficiaries of the former UMWA Benefit Trusts who were actually receiving benefits as of July 20, 1992. The 1992 Benefit Plan provides medical and death benefits to orphan UMWA-represented members eligible for retirement on February 1, 1993, and for those who retired between July 20, 1992 and September 30, 1994. The Coal Act provides for the assignment of beneficiaries to former employers and the allocation of unassigned beneficiaries (referred to as orphans) to companies using a formula set forth in the Coal Act. The Coal Act requires that responsibility for funding the benefits to be paid to beneficiaries be assigned to their former signatory employers or related companies. This cost is recognized when contributions are assessed. CONSOL Mining Corporation’s total contributions under the Coal Act were $8,455, $9,239 and $10,121 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Based on available information at December 31, 2016, CONSOL Mining Corporation’s obligation for the Combined Fund and 1992 Benefit Plans is estimated to be approximately $93,795.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Tax Relief and Healthcare Act of 2006 (the 2006 Act) and the 1992 Benefit Plan, CONSOL Mining Corporation is required to provide security in an amount based on the annual cost of providing health care benefits for all individuals receiving benefits from the 1992 Benefit Plan who are attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation, plus all individuals receiving benefits from an individual employer plan maintained by CONSOL Mining Corporation who are entitled to receive such benefits. In accordance with the terms of the 2006 Act and the 1992 Benefit Plan, CONSOL Mining Corporation must secure its obligations by posting letters of credit, which were $19,170, $21,473 and $21,394 at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The 2016, 2015 and 2014 security amounts were based on the annual cost of providing health care benefits and included a reduction in the number of eligible employees.

Investment Plan:

CONSOL Energy has an investment plan available to most non-represented employees in which CONSOL Mining Corporation employees may participate. Throughout the year ended December 31, 2016, the Predecessor’s matching contribution was 6% of eligible compensation contributed by eligible employees. In conjunction with the qualified pension plan changes in 2015, the Predecessor contributed an additional 3% of eligible compensation into the 401(k) plan accounts for employees hired or rehired on or after October 1, 2014 or who were under age 40 or had less than 10 years of service with the Predecessor as of September 30, 2014. This additional contribution was eliminated on January 1, 2016. The Predecessor may also make discretionary contributions to the Plan ranging from 1% to 6% (1% to 4% prior to January 1, 2016) of eligible compensation for eligible employees (as defined by the Plan). Discretionary contributions made by the Predecessor were $9,499 for the year ended December 31, 2016. There were no such discretionary contributions made by the Predecessor for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Total payments and costs were $17,687, $13,729 and $11,564 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Long-Term Disability:

CONSOL Mining Corporation has a Long-Term Disability Plan available to all eligible full-time salaried employees. The benefits for this plan are based on a percentage of monthly earnings, offset by all other income benefits available to the disabled.

 

           For the Years Ended      
December 31,
     2016   2015   2014

Benefit cost

   $     1,936     $     2,383     $     2,014  

Discount rate assumption used to determine net periodic benefit costs

     3.71     3.18     3.53

 

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Liabilities incurred under the Long-Term Disability Plan are included in Other Accrued Liabilities and Long-Term Liabilities–Other in the Combined Balance Sheets and amounted to a combined total of $17,421, $18,008 and $20,409 at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

NOTE 11—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

The Predecessor is subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such matters as personal injury, wrongful death, damage to property, exposure to hazardous substances, governmental regulations including environmental remediation, employment and contract disputes and other claims and actions arising out of the normal course of business. The Company accrues the estimated loss for these lawsuits and claims when the loss is probable and reasonably estimable. The Predecessor current estimated accruals related to these pending claims, individually and in the aggregate, are immaterial to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Predecessor. It is possible that the aggregate loss in the future with respect to these lawsuits and claims could ultimately be material to the Predecessor’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, such amounts cannot be reasonably estimated. The amount claimed against the Predecessor is disclosed below when an amount is expressly stated in the lawsuit or claim, which is not often the case.

Fitzwater Litigation : Three nonunion retired coal miners have sued CONSOL Energy Inc., Fola Coal Company and Consolidation Coal Company in West Virginia Federal Court alleging ERISA violations in the termination of retiree health care benefits. The Plaintiffs contend they relied to their detriment on oral statements and promises of “lifetime health benefits” allegedly made by various members of management during Plaintiffs’ employment and that they were allegedly denied access to Summary Plan Documents that clearly reserved to the Predecessor the right to modify or terminate the CONSOL Energy Inc. Retiree Health and Welfare Plan. Plaintiffs request that retiree health benefits be reinstated and seek to represent a class of all nonunion retirees of CONSOL Energy and its subsidiaries. The Predecessor believes it has meritorious defense and intends to vigorously defend this suit.

Virginia Mine Void Litigation . Four lawsuits naming Consolidation Coal Company, Island Creek Coal Company, CNX Gas Company, and/or CONSOL Energy have recently concluded in favor of the companies. After the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants in two of the actions upon its finding that plaintiffs’ claims are barred by the applicable statutes of limitation, plaintiffs appealed both cases to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. On March 9, 2017, the Fourth Circuit affirmed and entered judgment in favor of the defendants. Plaintiffs did not seek review by the U.S. Supreme Court and those judgments are now final. As a direct result of the Fourth Circuit action, Motions for Voluntary Dismissal were filed and granted by the court in both of the two remaining cases. On January 26, 2016, six mine void lawsuits that had twice before been filed and voluntarily dismissed were refiled for a third time in state court but have not been served. Because each had twice before been filed and voluntarily dismissed, and because the most recent refilings were not served within a one-year period, under these procedural circumstances these actions should no longer be viable under federal or Virginia state law. The complaints sought damages and injunctive relief in connection with the transfer of water from mining activities at Buchanan Mine into void spaces in inactive ICCC mines adjacent to the Buchanan operations, voids ostensibly underlying plaintiffs’ properties. While some of the plaintiffs claimed an ownership interest in the coal, others had some interest in one or more of the fee, surface, oil/gas or other mineral estates. The suits alleged the water storage precluded access to and damaged coal, impeded coalbed methane gas production and was made without compensation to the property owners. Plaintiffs sought recovery in tort, contract and trespass assumpsit (quasi-contract). The suits each sought damages between $50,000 and in excess of $100,000 plus punitive damages.

Other Matters: The Predecessor is a defendant in certain other legal proceedings arising out of the conduct of its business. In the opinion of management, based upon an investigation of these matters and discussion with legal counsel, the ultimate outcome of such other legal proceedings and compliance reviews, individually and in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Predecessor’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

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Employee-related financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support the United Mine Workers’ of America’s 1992 Benefit Plan and various state workers’ compensation self-insurance programs. Environmental financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various performance bonds related to reclamation and other environmental issues. Coal and other financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various sales contracts. Other guarantees have been extended to support insurance policies, legal matters, full and timely payments of mining equipment leases, and various other items necessary in the normal course of business.

At December 31, 2016, the Predecessor has provided the following financial guarantees, unconditional purchase obligations and letters of credit to certain third parties, as described by major category in the following table. These amounts represent the maximum potential of total future payments that the Predecessor could be required to make under these instruments. These amounts have not been reduced for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. Generally, recoveries under reclamation bonds would be limited to the extent of the work performed at the time of the default. No amounts related to these financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities in the financial statements. CONSOL Mining Corporation management believes that these guarantees will expire without being funded, and therefore the commitments will not have a material adverse effect on financial condition.

 

     Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
     Total
Amounts
Committed
   Less Than
1 Year
   1-3 Years    3-5 Years    Beyond
5 Years

Letters of Credit:

              

Employee-Related

   $ 82,273      $ 67,871      $ 14,402      $      $  

Environmental

     998        600        398                

Other

     23,326        22,626        700                
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Letters of Credit

     106,597        91,097        15,500                
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Surety Bonds:

              

Employee-Related

     112,810        111,510        1,300                

Environmental

     509,341        478,379        30,962                

Other

     10,609        10,442        166        1         
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Surety Bonds

     632,760        600,331        32,428        1         
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Guarantees:

              

Other

     74,203        41,285        17,767        13,401        1,750  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Guarantees

     74,203        41,285        17,767        13,401        1,750  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Commitments

   $ 813,560      $ 732,713      $ 65,695      $ 13,402      $ 1,750  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

The Predecessor regularly evaluates the likelihood of default for all guarantees based on an expected loss analysis and records the fair value, if any, of its guarantees as an obligation in the combined financial statements.

 

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NOTE 12—LEASES:

CONSOL Mining Corporation uses various leased facilities and equipment in its operations. Future minimum lease payments under capital and operating leases, together with the present value of the net minimum capital lease payments, at December 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

     Capital
Leases
     Operating
Leases
 

Year Ended December 31,

     

2017

   $ 4,492      $ 93,818  

2018

     3,779        56,197  

2019

     3,644        30,017  

2020

     3,473        21,119  

2021

     2,252        20,213  

Thereafter

            20,696  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

   $           17,640      $           242,060  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less amount representing interest (2.00% – 6.00%)

     2,125     
  

 

 

    

Present value of minimum lease payments

     15,515     

Less amount due in one year

     3,703     
  

 

 

    

Total Long-Term Capital Lease Obligation

   $ 11,812     
  

 

 

    

Rental expense under operating leases was $87,903, $83,423, and $84,034 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

At December 31, 2016, certain of the above capital leases for mining equipment are subleased to a third-party. The following represents the minimum payments including interest for those capital subleases:

 

    2017             2018             2019             2020             2021             Thereafter             Total      
$     3,699     $     3,699     $     3,699     $     3,699     $     2,157     $         —     $     16,953  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2016, certain of the above operating leases for mining equipment are subleased to third-parties. The following represents the minimum rental payments for those operating subleases:

 

    2017             2018             2019             2020             2021             Thereafter             Total      
$     40,299     $     13,819     $     6,909     $         —     $         —     $         —     $     61,027  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CONSOL Mining Corporation leases certain owned mining equipment to a third-party under operating leases. The owned equipment included in gross property, plant and equipment was $26,005, with $15,603 accumulated depreciation at December 31, 2016 and $31,059, with $12,424 accumulated depreciation, at December 31, 2015.

At December 31, 2016, scheduled minimum rental payments for operating leases related to this equipment were as follows:

 

    2017             2018             2019             2020             2021             Thereafter             Total      
$     4,496     $     2,992     $     1,701     $     627     $         —     $         —     $     9,816  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 13—SEGMENT INFORMATION:

CONSOL Mining Corporation consists of one principal business division: Pennsylvania Mining Complex (PAMC). The principal activities of the PAMC division are mining, preparation and marketing of thermal coal, sold primarily to power generators. It also includes selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other activities assigned to the PAMC division.

CONSOL Mining Corporation’s Other division includes expenses from various corporate and diversified business activities that are not allocated to the PAMC division. The diversified business activities include coal terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other non-operated activities, none of which are individually significant to the Predecessor.

Industry segment results for the year ended December 31, 2016 are:

 

     PAMC    Other   Adjustments
and
Eliminations
   Combined

Sales—Outside

   $ 1,065,582      $     $      $ 1,065,582  

Other Outside Sales

            31,464              31,464  

Freight—Outside

     46,468                     46,468  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Sales and Freight

   $           1,112,050      $     31,464     $             —      $         1,143,514  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Tax

   $ 130,708      $ (65,693   $      $ 65,015  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Segment Assets

   $ 1,982,206      $ 705,228     $      $ 2,687,434  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

   $ 168,195      $ 9,927     $      $ 178,122  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

   $ 50,809      $ 2,791     $      $ 53,600  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Industry segment results for the year ended December 31, 2015 are:

 

     PAMC    Other    Adjustments
and
Eliminations
   Combined

Sales—Outside

   $ 1,289,036      $      $      $ 1,289,036  

Other Outside Sales

            30,967               30,967  

Freight—Outside

     20,499                      20,499  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Sales and Freight

   $         1,309,535      $         30,967      $             —      $         1,340,502  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings Before Income Tax

   $ 404,994      $ 38,032      $      $ 443,026  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Segment Assets

   $ 2,076,301      $ 791,432      $      $ 2,867,733  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

   $ 176,864      $ 18,473      $      $ 195,337  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

   $ 136,291      $ 6,762      $      $ 143,053  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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Industry segment results for the year ended December 31, 2014 are:

 

     PAMC    Other   Adjustments
and
Eliminations
   Combined

Sales—Outside

   $ 1,616,874      $     $      $ 1,616,874  

Other Outside Sales

            41,255              41,255  

Freight—Outside

     23,133                     23,133  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Sales and Freight

   $ 1,640,007      $ 41,255     $      $ 1,681,262  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Tax

   $ 430,968      $ (18,663   $      $ 412,305  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Segment Assets

   $ 2,094,041      $ 998,333     $      $ 3,092,374  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

   $ 173,316      $ 33,368     $      $ 206,684  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

   $ 341,229      $ 7,617     $      $ 348,846  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Segment Information to Combined Amounts:

Revenue and Other Income:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,
     2016    2015    2014

Total Segment Sales and Freight from External Customers

   $     1,143,514      $     1,340,502      $     1,681,262  

Other Income not Allocated to Segments

     82,120        68,193        123,604  

Gain on Sale of Assets

     5,228        13,025        26,312  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Combined Revenue and Other Income

   $ 1,230,862      $ 1,421,720      $ 1,831,178  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Tax:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,
     2016   2015   2014

Segment Income Before Income Taxes for reportable business segments

   $     79,068     $     450,570     $     412,305  

Interest expense

     (14,053     (7,544      
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings Before Income Tax

   $ 65,015     $ 443,026     $ 412,305  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enterprise-Wide Disclosures:

CONSOL Mining Corporation’s Revenues by geographical location (A):

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,
     2016    2015    2014

United States

   $ 962,258      $ 1,081,081      $ 1,464,923  

Asia

     109,312        106,954        66,912  

Europe

     40,704        112,844        121,909  

South America

     25,406        28,060        19,013  

Canada

     5,834        11,563        8,505  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Revenues and Freight from External Customers (B)

   $     1,143,514      $     1,340,502      $     1,681,262  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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(A) CONSOL Mining Corporation attributes revenue to individual countries based on the location of the customer.

(B) CONSOL Mining Corporation has contractual relationships with certain U.S. based customers who distribute coal to international markets. The table above reflects the ultimate destination of CONSOL Mining Corporation coal.

CONSOL Mining Corporation’s Property, Plant and Equipment by geographical location:

 

     December 31,
     2016    2015    2014

United States

   $ 2,169,246      $ 2,314,157      $     2,518,633  

Canada

     11,024        11,024        11,024  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Property, Plant and Equipment, net

   $     2,180,270      $     2,325,181      $ 2,529,657  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

NOTE 14—MISCELLANEOUS OTHER INCOME:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,
     2016    2015    2014

Rental Income

   $ 34,789      $ 36,908      $ 44,367  

Royalty Income - Non-Operated Coal

     19,739        15,356        19,608  

Right of Way Issuance

     11,281        10,827        6,667  

Coal Contract Buyout

     6,288               30,000  

Purchased Coal Sales

     5,757        1,596        9,029  

Interest Income

     1,166        410        135  

Other

     3,100        3,096        13,798  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Other Income

   $           82,120      $           68,193      $           123,604  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

NOTE 15—INCOME TAXES:

Income tax expense (benefit) provided on earnings consisted of:

 

     For The Years Ended December 31,
           2016               2015                2014      

Current:

       

U.S. Federal

   $ (76,447   $ 49,435      $ 68,753  

U.S. State

     (1,924     2,591        9,970  

Non-U.S.

     1,411       963        1,966  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

     (76,960     52,989        80,689  

Deferred:

       

U.S. Federal

     89,268       66,187        39,524  

U.S. State

     2,257       6,429        1,140  
     91,525       72,616        40,664  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Income Tax Expense

   $ 14,565     $ 125,605      $ 121,353  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

The components of the net deferred taxes are as follows:

 

     December 31,
             2016                   2015        

Deferred Tax Assets:

    

Postretirement benefits other than pensions

   $ 255,507     $ 246,173  

Mine closing

     85,003       91,593  

Pneumoconiosis benefits

     43,371       44,446  

Mine subsidence

     39,251       32,839  

Salary retirement

     37,498       30,261  

Workers’ compensation

     28,530       29,956  

Gas well closing

     14,464       14,297  

Long-term disability

     6,358       9,067  

State bonus, net of Federal

     3,175       2,674  

Reclamation

           198  

Other

     8,042       8,572  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Deferred Tax Assets

     521,199       510,076  

Valuation Allowance

            
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Deferred Tax Assets

     521,199       510,076  

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

    

Property, plant and equipment

     (256,947     (168,992

Equity Partnerships

     (67,498     (68,081

Advance mining royalties

     (12,175     (13,400
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Deferred Tax Liabilities

     (336,620     (250,473
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Deferred Tax Asset (Liability)

   $ 184,579     $ 259,603  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A valuation allowance is required when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. All available evidence, both positive and negative, must be considered in determining the need for a valuation allowance. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, positive evidence considered included financial earnings generated over the past three years for certain subsidiaries, reversals of financial to tax temporary differences and the implementation of and/or ability to employ various tax planning strategies. Negative evidence included financial and tax losses generated in prior periods, the inability to achieve forecasted results for those periods and the expectation that future financial results from normal operations would not be sufficient to support full utilization of certain tax credits within the foreseeable future. CONSOL Mining Corporation has no net operating losses and no valuation allowances at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Management will continue to assess the potential for realized deferred tax assets based upon income forecast data and the feasibility of future tax planning strategies and may record adjustments to valuation allowances against deferred tax assets in future periods, as appropriate, that could materially impact net income.

 

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Table of Contents

The following is a reconciliation, stated as a percentage of pretax income, of the United States statutory federal income tax rate to CONSOL Mining Corporation’s effective tax rate:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,
     2016   2015   2014
     Amount   Percent   Amount   Percent   Amount   Percent

Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate

   $ 19,621       35.0   $ 151,416       35.0   $ 144,307       35.0

Excess tax depletion

     (21,856     (39.0     (27,720     (6.4     (22,048     (5.3

Effect of domestic production activities

     1,621       2.9       (4,933     (1.1     (5,956     (1.4

IRS and state tax examination settlements

     14,048       25.1                   (1,327     (0.3

Net effect of state income taxes

     (52     (0.1     5,725       1.3       6,125       1.5  

Net effect of state tax rate change on DIT

     1,049       1.9       1,042       0.2              

Other

     134       0.2       75             252       0.1  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income Tax Expense / Effective Rate

   $ 14,565       26.0   $ 125,605       29.0   $ 121,353       29.6
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As part of our IRS examination of the tax years 2010-2013 we were able to claim bonus depreciation resulting in a net cash refund of $58,000. The bonus depreciation deduction adversely impacts earnings by reducing our percentage depletion adjustment on our mining operations and reducing our Section 199 manufacturing deduction in the years 2010-2013. This resulted in a net charge to earnings of $14,048.

CONSOL Mining Corporation had no unrecognized tax expense or benefit as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

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Table of Contents

CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
Revenue and Other Income:    2017    2016

  Coal Sales

   $ 620,155      $ 476,726  

  Other Outside Sales

     27,742        15,767  

  Freight Revenue

     30,045        24,557  

  Miscellaneous Other Income

     32,794        36,133  

  Gain on Sale of Assets

     13,536        3,904  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

     724,272        557,087  

Costs and Expenses:

     

  Operating and Other Costs

     452,876        407,446  

  Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     78,261        77,976  

  Freight Expense

     30,045        24,557  

  Selling, General, and Administrative Costs

     37,417        18,020  

  Interest Expense

     7,966        6,496  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

     606,565        534,495  
     

Earnings Before Income Tax

     117,707        22,592  

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

     19,017        (193
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Income

     98,690        22,785  

  Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

     9,777        2,293  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net Income Attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation Shareholder

   $         88,913      $           20,492  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
     2017    2016

Net Income

   $ 98,690       $ 22,785  

Other Comprehensive Income:

     

Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of tax: ($3,786), ($3,621))

     6,569         6,284  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive Income

     6,569         6,284  
     

Comprehensive Income

     105,259         29,069  
     

Less: Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

     9,754         2,293  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income Attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation Shareholder

   $       95,505       $         26,776  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(Dollars in Thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Parent
Net
Investment
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)
  Noncontrolling
Interest
  Total
Equity

Balance at December 31, 2016

   $ 1,057,694     $ (400,063   $ 142,493     $ 800,124  

Net Income

     88,913             9,777       98,690  
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments (Net of ($3,786) Tax)            6,592       (23                 6,569  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income

     88,913                   6,592                   9,754       105,259  

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest

                 (10,935     (10,935

Amortization of Stock-Based Compensation Awards

                 1,706       1,706  

Treasury Stock Activity

                 (808     (808

Net Parent Distributions

     (69,049                 (69,049
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2017

   $     1,077,558     $ (393,471   $ 142,210     $ 826,297  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     June 30,      December 31,  
     2017      2016  

ASSETS

     

Current Assets:

     

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 6,739      $ 13,311  

Trade Accounts Receivable

     107,028        95,707  

Other Receivables

     17,445        23,320  

Other Receivables - Related Party

     32        34  

Inventories

     60,286        50,161  

Prepaid Expenses

     12,364        17,601  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     203,894        200,134  

Property, Plant and Equipment:

     

Property, Plant and Equipment

     4,613,940        4,593,395  

Less—Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     2,495,546        2,413,125  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Property, Plant and Equipment—Net

     2,118,394        2,180,270  

Other Assets:

     

Other Assets

     111,759        122,451  

Deferred Tax Asset

     192,563        184,579  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Other Assets

     304,322        307,030  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $     2,626,610      $     2,687,434  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

UNAUDITED COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     June 30,   December 31,
     2017   2016

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities:

    

  Accounts Payable

   $ 72,263     $ 82,897  

  Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

     3,643       4,076  

  Other Accrued Liabilities

     283,393       292,121  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     359,299       379,094  

  Long-Term Debt:

    

  Long-Term Debt

     291,344       301,827  

  Capital Lease Obligations

     10,204       11,812  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Debt

     301,548       313,639  

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

    

  Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

     652,206       659,474  

  Pneumoconiosis Benefits

     107,321       108,073  

  Asset Retirement Obligations

     228,576       246,279  

  Workers’ Compensation

     64,689       65,932  

  Salary Retirement

     72,529       99,872  

  Other

     14,145       14,947  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

     1,139,466       1,194,577  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  TOTAL LIABILITIES

     1,800,313       1,887,310  

Equity:

    

  Parent Net Investment

     1,077,558       1,057,694  

  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

     (393,471     (400,063
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Parent Net Investment and Other Comprehensive Loss

     684,087       657,631  

Noncontrolling Interest

     142,210       142,493  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY

     826,297       800,124  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 2,626,610     $ 2,687,434  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

STATEMENTS OF COMBINED CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
     2017   2016

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net Income

   $       98,690     $       22,785  

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:

    

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     78,261       77,976  

Stock-Based Compensation

     8,765       5,364  

Gain on Sale of Assets

     (13,536     (3,904

Deferred Income Taxes

     (11,770     55,125  

Unit Based Compensation

     1,706       615  

Changes in Operating Assets:

    

Accounts and Notes Receivable

     (4,749     (7,909

Inventories

     (10,125     4,238  

Prepaid Expenses

     5,237       9,644  

Changes in Other Assets

     10,625       (17,088

Changes in Operating Liabilities:

    

Accounts Payable

     (16,400     (18,246

Other Operating Liabilities

     (8,728     2,476  

Changes in Other Liabilities

     (34,847     (37,834

Other

     898       1,828  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     104,027       95,070  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Capital Expenditures

     (23,229     (27,206

Proceeds from Sales of Assets

     16,985       4,585  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

     (6,244     (22,621
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

Payments on Miscellaneous Borrowings

     (1,990     (147

Net (Payments on) Proceeds from CNXC Revolver

     (11,000     13,000  

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest

     (10,935     (10,825

Net Parent Distributions

     (79,622     (72,066

Tax Cost from Unit-Based Compensation

     (808      
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

     (104,355     (70,038

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     (6,572     2,411  

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

     13,311       6,639  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

   $ 6,739     $ 9,050  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, CONSOL Mining Corporation paid interest expense, net of capitalized interest, of $7,966 and $6,496, respectively.

The following are non-cash transactions that impact the investing and financing activities of CONSOL Mining Corporation.

As of June 30, 2017 and 2016, CONSOL Mining Corporation purchased goods and services related to capital projects in the amount of $53 and $1,703, respectively, which are included in accounts payable. As of June 30, 2017 and 2016, there were capital equipment transfers of ($1,808) and $615, respectively, between CONSOL Mining Corporation and CONSOL Energy that are included in Net Parent Distributions.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these combined financial statements.

 

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CONSOL MINING CORPORATION

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in Thousands)

NOTE 1—THE PROPOSED SEPARATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The Proposed Separation

In December 2016, CONSOL Energy announced its intent to separate into two independent, publicly-traded companies (the separation): CONSOL Mining Corporation (Predecessor), which will hold CONSOL Energy’s Pennsylvania Mining Operations (PAMC) and certain related coal assets, including CONSOL Energy’s ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources LP (CNXC), which owns a 25% stake in PAMC, the CNX Marine Terminal, and Greenfield Reserves (collectively, the Coal Business), and an oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) company focused on Appalachian area natural gas and liquids activities, including production, gathering, processing and acquisition of natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin (the Gas Business) of CONSOL Energy.

The separation will occur by means of a pro rata distribution by CONSOL Energy of all of the common stock of the Predecessor. CONSOL Energy, the existing publicly traded company, will continue to own the Gas Business.

The separation transaction, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2017, is subject to a number of conditions, including, but not limited to: final approval by CONSOL Energy’s Board of Directors; receipt of a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service and one or more opinions of its tax advisors, in each case, regarding certain U.S. federal income tax matters relating to the transaction; and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) declaring effective the registration statement of which this information statement forms a part.

CONSOL Mining Corporation and CONSOL Energy will enter into an agreement (the Separation Agreement) that will identify the assets to be transferred, the liabilities to be assumed and the contracts to be transferred to each of CONSOL Mining Corporation and CONSOL Energy as part of the separation of CONSOL Energy into two companies, and will provide for when and how these transfers and assumptions will occur. CONSOL Energy may, at any time and for any reason until the proposed transaction is complete, abandon the separation plan or modify its terms.

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited Combined Financial Statements of CONSOL Mining Corporation are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and require management to make certain judgments, estimates, and assumptions. These may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. They also may affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates upon subsequent resolution of identified matters. The unaudited Combined Financial Statements of CONSOL Mining Corporation include the accounts of CONSOL Mining Corporation and companies in which CONSOL Mining Corporation has a controlling interest. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in affiliates and other joint ventures over which CONSOL Mining Corporation has significant influence but does not have effective control. Investments in affiliates in which CONSOL Mining Corporation cannot exercise significant influence are accounted for on the cost method.

Cost Allocations

Historically, CONSOL Energy has charged its operating subsidiaries for various corporate costs incurred in the operation of the business. Accordingly, no significant additional cost allocations were necessary for the

 

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preparation of these unaudited Combined Financial Statements. The unaudited Combined Financial Statements of CONSOL Mining Corporation may not reflect the actual expenses that would have been incurred and may not reflect CONSOL Mining Corporation’s combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows had it been a standalone company during the periods presented. Actual costs that would have been incurred if CONSOL Mining Corporation had been a standalone company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure, capital structure, and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure. Transactions between CONSOL Mining Corporation and CONSOL Energy have been included as related party transactions in these unaudited Combined Financial Statements and are considered to be effectively settled for cash at the time the transaction is recorded. The total net effect of the settlement of these transactions is reflected in the unaudited Statements of Combined Cash Flows as a financing activity and in the unaudited Combined Balance Sheets as Parent Net Investment.

All external debt not directly attributable to the Predecessor has been excluded from the unaudited Combined Balance Sheets of CONSOL Mining Corporation.

NOTE 2—SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

A summary of the significant accounting policies of CONSOL Mining Corporation is presented below. These, together with the other notes that follow, are an integral part of the unaudited Combined Financial Statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as various disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates included in the preparation of the unaudited Combined Financial Statements are related to other postretirement benefits, coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, workers’ compensation, salary retirement benefits, asset retirement obligations, contingencies, and the values of coal reserves.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Predecessor participates in CONSOL Energy’s centralized cash management system. The centralized cash management system entitles the Predecessor to issue checks against the central bank account for on-going operations. The presented checks against the central bank account are reflected as contributions of CONSOL Energy’s equity investment. Remaining cash includes petty cash on hand and on deposit at banking institutions that are not included in the centralized cash management system.

Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. CONSOL Mining Corporation reserves for specific accounts receivable when it is probable that all or a part of an outstanding balance will not be collected, such as customer bankruptcies. Collectability is determined based on terms of sale, credit status of customers and various other circumstances. CONSOL Mining Corporation regularly reviews collectability and establishes or adjusts the allowance as necessary using the specific identification method. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Reserves for uncollectable amounts were not material in the periods presented. In addition, there were no material financing receivables with a contractual maturity greater than one year at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of coal inventory is determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method and includes labor, supplies, equipment costs, operating overhead,

 

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depreciation, depletion and amortization, and other related costs. The cost of supplies inventory is determined by the average cost method and includes operating and maintenance supplies to be used in operation of the Predecessor’s coal mines.

The Predecessor’s inventories consisted of the following:

 

     June 30,
2017
     December 31,
2016
 

Coal

   $ 17,170      $ 7,800  

Supplies

     43,116        42,361  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Inventories

   $                 60,286      $                 50,161  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost upon acquisition. Costs of developing new underground mines and certain underground expansion projects are capitalized and typically include those costs incurred to make the mineral physically accessible. Such costs generally include those to create mine shafts and to drive main entries for ventilation, haulage costs, personnel costs, the construction of airshafts and roof protection.

Expenditures which extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment are capitalized. Costs of additional mine facilities required to maintain production after a mine reaches the production stage, generally referred to as “receding face costs,” are expensed as incurred; however, the costs of additional airshafts and new portals are capitalized. Planned major maintenance costs which do not extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment are expensed as incurred. Interest costs applicable to major asset additions are capitalized during the construction period.

Coal exploration costs are expensed as incurred and include costs incurred to ascertain existence, location, extent or quality of ore or minerals before beginning the development stage of the mine.

Airshafts and capitalized mine development associated with a coal reserve are amortized on a units-of-production basis as the coal is produced so that each ton of coal is assigned a portion of the unamortized costs. The Predecessor employs this method to match costs with the related revenues realized in a particular period. Rates are updated when revisions to coal reserve estimates are made. Coal reserve estimates are reviewed when information becomes available that indicates a reserve change is needed, or at a minimum once per year. Any material effect from changes in estimates is disclosed in the period the change occurs. Amortization of development cost begins when the development phase is complete and the production phase begins. At an underground mine, the end of the development phase and the beginning of the production phase takes place when construction of the mine for economic extraction is substantially complete. Coal extracted during the development phase is incidental to the mine’s production capacity and is not considered to shift the mine into the production phase.

When properties are retired or otherwise disposed, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any profit or loss on disposition is recognized in Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets in the unaudited Combined Statements of Income.

Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or lease terms, generally as follows:

 

     Years

Buildings and improvements

   10 to 45

Machinery and equipment

   3 to 25

Leasehold improvements

   Life of Lease            

 

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Coal reserves are controlled either through fee ownership or by lease. The duration of the leases vary; however, the lease terms are generally extended automatically through the exhaustion of economically recoverable reserves, as long as active mining continues. Coal interests held by lease provide the same rights as fee ownership for mineral extraction and are legally considered real property interests. The Predecessor also makes advance payments (advanced mining royalties) to lessors under certain lease agreements that are recoupable against future production, and it makes payments that are generally based upon a specified rate per ton or a percentage of gross realization from the sale of the coal.

Advance mining royalties are advance payments made to lessors under terms of mineral lease agreements that are recoupable against future production and are amortized using the units-of-production method. Depletion of leased coal interests is computed using the units-of-production method over proven and probable coal reserves. Advance mining royalties and leased coal interests are evaluated at least once per year for impairment. More frequent tests are required on an interim basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Any revisions are accounted for prospectively as changes in accounting estimates.

Costs to obtain coal lands are capitalized based on the cost at acquisition and are amortized using the units-of-production method over all estimated proven and probable reserve tons assigned and accessible to the mine. Proven and probable coal reserves exclude non-recoverable coal reserves and anticipated processing losses. Rates are updated when revisions to coal reserve estimates are made. Coal reserve estimates are reviewed when events and circumstances indicate a reserve change is needed, or at a minimum once a year. Amortization of coal interests begins when the coal reserve is produced. At an underground mine, a ton is considered produced once it reaches the surface area of the mine. Any material effect from changes in estimates is disclosed in the period the change occurs.

Costs for purchased and internally developed software are expensed until it has been determined that the software will result in probable future economic benefits and management has committed to funding the project. Thereafter, all direct costs of materials and services incurred in developing or obtaining software, including certain payroll and benefit costs of employees associated with the project, are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life which does not exceed seven years.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Predecessor impairs long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying value. The carrying value of the assets is then reduced to its estimated fair value which is usually measured based on an estimate of future discounted cash flows. The Predecessor did not record any impairments during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

Postretirement benefit obligations established by the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act of 1992 (the Coal Act) are treated as a multi-employer plan which requires expense to be recorded for the associated obligations as payments are made. Postretirement benefits other than pensions, except for those established pursuant to the Coal Act, are accounted for in accordance with the Retirement Benefits Compensation and Non-retirement Postemployment Benefits Compensation Topics of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which requires employers to accrue the cost of such retirement benefits for the employees’ active service periods. Such liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and CONSOL Mining Corporation is primarily self-insured for these benefits. Differences between actual and expected results or changes in the value of obligations are recognized through Other Comprehensive Income.

 

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Pneumoconiosis Benefits and Workers’ Compensation

The Predecessor is required by federal and state statutes to provide benefits to certain current and former totally disabled employees or their dependents for awards related to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis. The Predecessor is also required by various state statutes to provide workers’ compensation benefits for employees who sustain employment-related physical injuries or some types of occupational disease. Workers’ compensation benefits include compensation for their disability, medical costs, and on some occasions, the cost of rehabilitation. CONSOL Mining Corporation is primarily self-insured for these benefits. Provisions for estimated benefits are determined on an actuarial basis.

Asset Retirement Costs

Mine closing costs and costs associated with dismantling and removing de-gasification facilities are accrued using the accounting treatment prescribed by the Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. This topic requires the fair value of an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The present value of the estimated asset retirement costs is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. Generally, the capitalized asset retirement cost is depreciated on a units-of-production basis. Accretion of the asset retirement obligation is recognized over time and generally will escalate over the life of the producing asset, typically as production declines. Accretion is included in Operating and Other Costs on the unaudited Combined Statements of Income. Asset retirement obligations primarily relate to the closure of mines, which includes treatment of water and the reclamation of land upon exhaustion of coal reserves.

Accrued mine closing costs, perpetual care costs, reclamation and costs associated with dismantling and removing de-gasification facilities are regularly reviewed by management and are revised for changes in future estimated costs and regulatory requirements.

Subsidence

Subsidence occurs when there is sinking or shifting of the ground surface due to the removal of underlying coal. Areas affected may include, although are not limited to, streams, property, roads, pipelines and other land and surface structures. Total estimated subsidence claims are recognized in the period when the related coal has been extracted and are included in Operating and Other Costs on the unaudited Combined Statements of Income and Other Accrued Liabilities on the unaudited Combined Balance Sheets. On occasion, the Predecessor prepays the estimated damages prior to undermining the property, in return for a release of liability. Prepayments are included as assets and either recognized as Prepaid Expenses or in Other Assets on the unaudited Combined Balance Sheets if the payment is made less than or greater than one year, respectively, prior to undermining the property.

Retirement Plans

CONSOL Mining Corporation has non-contributory defined benefit retirement plans. Effective December 31, 2015, CONSOL Mining Corporation’s qualified defined benefit retirement plans have been frozen. The benefits for these plans are based primarily on years of service and employees’ pay. These plans are accounted for using the guidance outlined in the Compensation - Retirement Benefits Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The cost of these retiree benefits are recognized over the employees’ service periods. CONSOL Mining Corporation uses actuarial methods and assumptions in the valuation of defined benefit obligations and the determination of expense. Differences between actual and expected results or changes in the value of obligations and plan assets are recognized through Other Comprehensive Income.

Stock-Based Compensation

Eligible CONSOL Mining Corporation employees have historically participated in CONSOL Energy’s equity-based compensation plans. CONSOL Energy recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based compensation

 

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awards based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Compensation Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. CONSOL Energy recognizes these compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the award’s vesting term. The compensation expense recorded by CONSOL Mining Corporation, in all periods presented, includes the expense associated with employees historically attributable to CONSOL Mining Corporation operations, as well as the expense associated with the allocation of stock compensation expense for corporate employees.

Under the CNXC 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”), the general partner issued long-term equity based awards intended to compensate the recipients thereof based on the performance of CNXC’s common units and the recipients’ continued service during the vesting period, as well as to align CNXC’s long-term interests with those of the unitholders. The LTIP limits the number of units that may be delivered pursuant to vested awards to 2,300,000 common units, subject to proportionate adjustment in the event of unit splits and similar events. Common units subject to awards that are canceled, forfeited, withheld to satisfy exercise prices or tax withholding obligations or otherwise terminated without delivery of the common units will be available for delivery pursuant to other awards.

CNXC’s general partner has also granted equity-based phantom units that vest over a period of a director’s continued service. The phantom units will be paid in common units or an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of a unit based on the vesting date. The awards may accelerate upon a change in control of CNXC. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting term.

Income Taxes

The Predecessor’s operations have historically been included in the income tax filings of CONSOL Energy. The provision for income taxes in the Predecessor’s unaudited Combined Statements of Income is based on a separate return methodology using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, the provision for income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable (or received or receivable) for the current year plus the change in deferred taxes during the year calculated as if the Predecessor was a standalone taxpayer filing hypothetical income tax returns where applicable. Any additional accrued tax liability or refund arising as a result of this approach is assumed to be immediately settled with CONSOL Energy as a component of Parent Net Investment. Deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid, and result from differences between the financial and tax bases of CONSOL Mining Corporation’s assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when enacted. Deferred tax assets are reflected in the unaudited Combined Balance Sheets for net operating losses, credits or other attributes to the extent that such attributes are expected to transfer to CONSOL Mining Corporation upon the separation. Any difference from attributes generated in a hypothetical return on a separate return basis is adjusted as a component of Parent Net Investment.

Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that a tax benefit will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, management considers all potential sources of taxable income, including income available in carry-back periods, future reversals of taxable temporary differences, projections of taxable income, and income from tax planning strategies, as well as all available positive and negative evidence. Positive evidence includes factors such as a history of profitable operations, projections of future profitability within the carry-forward period, including from tax planning strategies, and CONSOL Mining Corporation’s experience with similar operations. Existing favorable contracts and the ability to sell products into established markets are additional positive evidence. Negative evidence includes items such as cumulative losses, projections of future losses, or carry-forward periods that are not long enough to allow for the utilization of a deferred tax asset based on existing projections of income. Deferred tax assets for which no valuation allowance is recorded may not be realized upon changes in facts and circumstances, resulting in a future charge to establish a valuation allowance. Existing valuation allowances are re-examined under the same standards of positive and negative evidence. If it is determined that it

 

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is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will be realized, the appropriate amount of the valuation allowance, if any, is released. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are also re-measured to reflect changes in underlying tax rates due to law changes and the granting and lapse of tax holidays.

Tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return are recorded when such benefits meet a more likely than not threshold. Otherwise, these tax benefits are recorded when a tax position has been effectively settled, which means that the statute of limitation has expired or the appropriate taxing authority has completed their examination even though the statute of limitations remains open. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized as part of the provision for income taxes and are accrued beginning in the period that such interest and penalties would be applicable under relevant tax law until such time that the related tax benefits are recognized.

Parent Net Investment

Parent Net Investment is primarily comprised of the Predecessor’s undivided interest in (i) CONSOL Energy’s initial investment in CONSOL Mining Corporation (and any subsequent adjustments thereto); (ii) the accumulated net earnings; (iii) net transfers to or from CONSOL Energy, including those related to cash management functions performed by CONSOL Energy; (iv) non-cash changes in financing arrangements, including the conversion of certain related party liabilities into Parent Net Investment and stock-based compensation; and (v) corporate cost allocations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are recognized when title passes to the customers and the price is fixed and determinable. For domestic coal sales, this generally occurs when coal is loaded at the mine or at offsite storage locations. For export coal sales, this generally occurs when coal is loaded onto marine vessels at terminal locations. Coal contract price per ton are fixed and determinable prior to the passage of coal title. Except for normal quality adjustments and positive electric power price related adjustments, none of the Company’s coal sales contracts allow for retroactive adjustments to pricing after title to the coal has passed. These adjustments were not material for any of the periods presented. Revenues for coal sold that relate to production under royalty contracts are recorded on a gross basis.

Freight Revenue and Expense

Shipping and handling costs invoiced to coal customers and paid to third-party carriers are recorded as Freight-Outside Coal revenue and Freight Expense, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Major Customers

The Predecessor markets its high-Btu bituminous thermal coal primarily to electric utilities in the eastern United States, its core market. The Predecessor derived a significant portion of its revenues from two customers who represented at least 10% of its total coal sales revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. As of June 30, 2017, the Predecessor had approximately seven sales agreements with these customers that expire at various times between 2017 and 2018.

Contingencies

From time to time, the Predecessor is subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such matters as personal injury, wrongful death, damage to property, exposure to hazardous substances, governmental regulations (including environmental remediation), employment and contract disputes, and other claims and actions, arising out of the normal course of business. Liabilities are recorded when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. Estimates are developed through consultation

 

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with legal counsel involved in the defense of these matters and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. Legal fees associated with defending these various lawsuits and claims are expensed when incurred.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2017, the FASB issued Update 2017-09 - Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, which reduces diversity in practice and cost and complexity when applying the guidance in this Topic to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The amendments in this Update provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The amendments in the Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on CONSOL Mining Corporation’s financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued Update 2017-07 - Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which improves the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The amendments in the Update require that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. Because CONSOL Mining Corporation does not present an income from operations subtotal, that requirement is not applicable. Additionally, the Predecessor’s service cost component is deemed immaterial, and therefore, the other components of net benefit cost will not be presented separately. For public entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year for which financial statements have not been issued. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on CONSOL Mining Corporation’s financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-15 - Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments relate to debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, and beneficial interests in securitization transactions. The Update also states that, in the absence of specific guidance for cash receipts and payments that have aspects of more than one class of cash flows, an entity should classify each separately identifiable source or use within the cash receipts and payments on the basis of their nature in financing, investing, or operating activities. In situations in which cash receipts or payments cannot be separated by source or use, the appropriate classification should depend on the activity that is likely to be the predominant source or use of cash flows for the item. The amendments in the Update will be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented and, for public entities, are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Management is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on CONSOL Mining Corporation’s financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Update 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605 - Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. The objective of the amendments in this Update is to improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and

 

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International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services and should disclose sufficient information, both qualitative and quantitative, to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The following updates to Topic 606 were made during 2016:

 

   

In March 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-08 - Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies how an entity determines whether it is a principal or an agent for goods or services promised to a customer as well as the nature of the goods or services promised to their customers.

   

In April 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-10 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which seeks to address implementation issues in the areas of identifying performance obligations and licensing.

   

In May 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-12 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which seeks to address implementation issues in the areas of collectability, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration, and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition.

   

In December 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-20 - Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which includes amendments related to loan guarantee fees, contract costs, provisions for losses on construction and production-type contracts, scope, disclosures, contract modification, contract asset versus receivable, refund liability and advertising costs.

The new standards are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with the option to adopt as early as annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Management continues to evaluate the impacts that these standards will have on CONSOL Mining Corporation’s financial statements, specifically as it relates to contracts that contain positive electric power price related adjustments. CONSOL Mining Corporation anticipates using the modified retrospective approach to adoption as it relates to ASU 2014-09.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Update 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842), which increases transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Update 2016-02 does retain a distinction between finance leases and operating leases, which is substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous lease guidance. Retaining this distinction allows the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease to not significantly change from previous GAAP. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities, but to recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For both financing and operating leases, the right-to-use asset and lease liability will be initially measured at the present value of the lease payments in the statement of financial position. The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. Management is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on CONSOL Mining Corporation’s financial statements.

Subsequent Events

Events and transactions subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated through September 7, 2017, the date these financial statements were issued, for potential recognition in the financial statements or disclosure in the accompanying footnotes.

 

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NOTE 3—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2016, the Predecessor’s related parties included CONSOL Energy and its subsidiaries.

The unaudited Combined Statements of Income include expense allocations for certain corporate functions historically performed by CONSOL Energy, including allocations of stock-based compensation and general corporate expenses related to legal, treasury, human resources, information technology and other administrative services. Those allocations, which are included in Selling, General and Administrative Costs in the unaudited Combined Statements of Income, were based primarily on specific identification, head counts and coal tons produced. Also, the Predecessor used centralized cash management activities at CONSOL Energy for collections and payments related to normal course of business accounts receivable and payments for goods and services. The balance of any receivable/payable from CONSOL Energy and other affiliates are presented as contributions/distributions in these unaudited combined financial statements.

The Predecessor believes that transactions with related parties, other than certain transactions with CONSOL Energy related to administrative services, were conducted on terms comparable to those with unrelated parties and would not have been materially different had they been calculated on a stand-alone basis. However, such expenses may not be indicative of the actual level of expense that the Predecessor would have incurred if it had operated as an independent, publicly-traded company or of the costs expected to be incurred in the future. It would be impracticable to estimate what the costs related to administrative services provided by CONSOL Energy would have been with an unrelated third party.

In September 2016, CNXC and its wholly owned subsidiary, CNX Thermal Holdings LLC (CNX Thermal), entered into a Contribution Agreement with CONSOL Energy, Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC and Conrhein Coal Company (the Contributing Parties) under which CNX Thermal acquired an additional 5% undivided interest in and to the Pennsylvania Mine Complex, in exchange for (i) cash consideration in the amount of $21,500 and (ii) CNXC’s issuance of 3,956,496 Class A Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in CNXC at an issue price of $17.01 per Class A preferred Unit (the “Class A Preferred Unit Issue Price”), or an aggregate $67,300 in equity consideration. The Class A Preferred Unit Issue Price was calculated as the volume-weighted average trading price of CNXC’s common units (the “Common Units”) over the trailing 15-day trading period ending on September 29, 2016 (or $14.79 per unit), plus a 15% premium.

In connection with the PAMC acquisition, in September 2016, the General Partner and CNXC entered into the First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement (the “Amended Omnibus Agreement”) with CONSOL Energy and certain of its subsidiaries. Under the Amended Omnibus Agreement, CONSOL Energy indemnified CNXC for certain liabilities. The Amended Omnibus Agreement also amended CNXC’s obligations to CONSOL Energy with respect to the payment of an annual administrative support fee and reimbursement for the provisions of certain management and operating services provided, in each case to reflect structural changes in how those services are provided to CNXC by CONSOL Energy.

Charges for services from CONSOL Energy include the following:

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,
                 2017                            2016            

Operating and Other Costs

   $ 1,739      $ 2,536  

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

     1,454        2,305  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Services from CONSOL Energy

   $ 3,193      $ 4,841  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, CNXC had a net payable to CONSOL Energy in the amount of $2,196 and $1,666, respectively. This payable includes reimbursements for business expenses, executive fees, stock-based compensation and other items under the omnibus agreement.

 

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NOTE 4—LONG-TERM DEBT:

 

     June 30,
2017
   December 31,
2016

Debt:

     

Revolving Credit Facility - CNX Coal Resources LP

   $ 190,000       $ 201,000   

MEDCO Revenue Bonds in Series due September 2025 at 5.75%

     102,865         102,865   

Advance Royalty Commitments (7.73% Weighted Average Interest Rate)

     2,678         2,678   

Less: Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs

     3,826         4,343   
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   $ 291,717       $ 302,200   

Less: Amounts Due in One Year*

     373         373   
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

      Long-Term Debt

   $         291,344       $         301,827   
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

* Excludes current portion of Capital Lease Obligations of $3,270 and $3,703 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

NOTE 5—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

The Predecessor’s property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

 

     June 30,
2017
   December 31,
2016

Plant and Equipment

   $ 2,696,928       $ 2,680,453   

Airshafts

     384,959         381,755   

Coal Properties and Surface Lands

     861,141         861,048   

Mine Development

     344,140         344,139   

Advance Mining Royalties

     326,772         326,000   
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Property, Plant and Equipment

     4,613,940         4,593,395   

Less Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     2,495,546         2,413,125   
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

   $ 2,118,394       $ 2,180,270   
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

NOTE 6—OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES:

 

     June 30,
2017
   December 31,
2016

  Subsidence liability

   $ 108,838       $ 104,437   

  Accrued payroll and benefits

     19,360         17,326   

  Litigation

     12,215         12,532   

  Equipment lease rental

     11,624         15,286   

  Deferred revenue

     8,803         10,520   

  Accrued other taxes

     7,223         12,732   

  Short-term incentive compensation

     2,163         6,073   

  Other

     19,873         21,986   

Current portion of long-term liabilities:

     

  Postretirement benefits other than pensions

     42,220         40,611   

  Asset retirement obligations

     28,675         26,259   

  Workers’ compensation

     12,809         13,596   

  Pneumoconiosis benefits

     9,590         10,763   
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Other Accrued Liabilities

   $         283,393       $           292,121   
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 7—PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (“OPEB”):

Components of Net Periodic Benefit (Credit) Cost are as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits   Other Post-Employment Benefits
     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
  For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
             2017                   2016                   2017                   2016        

Service Cost

   $ 1,518     $ 777     $     $  

Interest Cost

     12,242       13,045       11,972       12,121  

Expected Return on Plan Assets

     (21,191     (23,738            

Amortization of Prior Service Credits

     (120     (120     (1,203      

Recognized Net Actuarial Loss

     3,910       3,467       11,556       9,584  

Settlement Loss

           13,696              
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Periodic Benefit (Credit) Cost

   $ (3,641   $ 7,127     $ 22,325     $ 21,705  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the Defined Benefit Plans Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, if the lump sum distributions made during a plan year, which for CONSOL Mining Corporation is January 1 to December 31, exceed the total of the projected service cost and interest cost for the plan year, settlement accounting is required. Lump sum payments exceeded this threshold during the six months ended June 30, 2016. Accordingly, CONSOL Mining Corporation recognized settlement expense of $13,696 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 in Operating and Other Costs in the unaudited Combined Statements of Income. The settlement charges resulted in a remeasurement of the pension plan.

NOTE 8—COAL WORKERS’ PNEUMOCONIOSIS (CWP) AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION:

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost are as follows:

 

     CWP   Workers’ Compensation
     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
  For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
             2017                   2016                   2017                   2016        

Service Cost

   $ 2,259     $ 2,244     $ 2,867     $ 3,733  

Interest Cost

     2,025       2,176       1,160       1,250  

Amortization of Actuarial Gain

     (3,816     (2,571     (299     (198

Administrative Fees

     303             270        

State Administrative Fees and Insurance Bond Premiums

                 1,360       1,665  

Curtailment Gain

           (1,307            
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

   $ 771     $ 542     $ 5,358     $ 6,450  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE 9—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

The Predecessor is subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such matters as personal injury, wrongful death, damage to property, exposure to hazardous substances, governmental regulations including environmental remediation, employment and contract disputes and other claims and actions arising out of the normal course of business. The Predecessor accrues the estimated loss for these lawsuits and claims when the loss is probable and reasonably estimable. The Predecessor’s current estimated accruals related to these pending claims, individually and in the aggregate, are immaterial to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Predecessor. It is possible that the aggregate loss in the future with respect to these lawsuits and claims could ultimately be material to the Predecessor’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows;

 

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however, such amounts cannot be reasonably estimated. The amount claimed against the Predecessor is disclosed below when an amount is expressly stated in the lawsuit or claim, which is not often the case.

Fitzwater Litigation: Three nonunion retired coal miners have sued CONSOL Energy Inc., Fola Coal Company (AMVEST), Consolidation Coal Company and CONSOL of Kentucky Inc. (COK) in West Virginia Federal Court alleging ERISA violations in the termination of retiree health care benefits. The Plaintiffs contend they relied to their detriment on oral statements and promises of “lifetime health benefits” allegedly made by various members of management during Plaintiffs’ employment and that they were allegedly denied access to Summary Plan Documents that clearly reserved to the Company the right to modify or terminate the CONSOL Energy Inc. Retiree Health and Welfare Plan. Pursuant to plaintiffs amended complaint filed on April 24, 2017, plaintiffs request that retiree health benefits be reinstated and seek to represent a class of all nonunion retirees who were associated with AMVEST and COK areas of operation. The Predecessor believes it has meritorious defense and intends to vigorously defend this suit.

Casey Litigation: The Company has become aware of (but not served with) a Complaint filed on August 23, 2017, on behalf of two nonunion retired coal miners against Parent, CONSOL Buchanan Mining Co., Inc. and Consolidation Coal Company in West Virginia Federal Court alleging ERISA violations in the termination of retiree health care benefits. Filed by the same lawyers who filed the Fitzwater litigation, and raising nearly identical claims, the Plaintiffs contend they relied to their detriment on oral promises of “lifetime health benefits” allegedly made by various members of management during Plaintiffs’ employment and that they were not provided with copies of Summary Plan Documents clearly reserving to the Company the right to modify or terminate the Retiree Health and Welfare Plan. Plaintiffs request that retiree health benefits be reinstated for them and their dependents and seek to represent a class of all nonunion retirees of any Parent subsidiary that operated or employed individuals in McDowell or Mercer Counties, West Virginia, or Buchanan or Tazewell Counties, Virginia whose retiree welfare benefits were terminated.

Other Matters: The Predecessor is a defendant in certain other legal proceedings arising out of the conduct of its business. In the opinion of management, based upon an investigation of these matters and discussion with legal counsel, the ultimate outcome of such other legal proceedings and compliance reviews, individually and in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Predecessor’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Employee-related financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support the United Mine Workers’ of America’s 1992 Benefit Plan and various state workers’ compensation self-insurance programs. Environmental financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various performance bonds related to reclamation and other environmental issues. Coal and other financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various sales contracts. Other guarantees have been extended to support insurance policies, legal matters, full and timely payments of mining equipment leases, and various other items necessary in the normal course of business.

 

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At June 30, 2017, the Predecessor has provided the following financial guarantees, unconditional purchase obligations and letters of credit to certain third parties, as described by major category in the following table. These amounts represent the maximum potential of total future payments that the Predecessor could be required to make under these instruments. These amounts have not been reduced for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. Generally, recoveries under reclamation bonds would be limited to the extent of the work performed at the time of the default. No amounts related to these financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities in the financial statements. CONSOL Mining Corporation management believes that these guarantees will expire without being funded, and therefore the commitments will not have a material adverse effect on financial condition.

 

     Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
     Total
Amounts
Committed
   Less Than
1 Year
   1-3 Years    3-5 Years    Beyond
5 Years
 

Letters of Credit:

              

Employee-Related

   $ 83,836      $ 39,934      $ 43,902      $      $  

Environmental

     998        998                       

Other

     9,847        5,555        4,292                
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Letters of Credit

     94,681        46,487        48,194                
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Surety Bonds:

              

Employee-Related

     112,460        112,460                       

Environmental

     506,200        500,502        5,698                

Other

     11,840        11,357        482        1         
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Surety Bonds

     630,500        624,319        6,180        1         
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Guarantees:

              

Other

     38,373        10,227        16,426        10,840        880  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Guarantees

     38,373        10,227        16,426        10,840        880  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total Commitments

   $       763,554      $         681,033      $         70,800      $         10,841      $               880  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

The Predecessor regularly evaluates the likelihood of default for all guarantees based on an expected loss analysis and records the fair value, if any, of its guarantees as an obligation in the combined financial statements.

NOTE 10—SEGMENT INFORMATION:

CONSOL Mining Corporation consists of one principal business division: Pennsylvania Mining Complex (PAMC). The principal activities of the PAMC division are mining, preparation and marketing of thermal coal, sold primarily to power generators. It also includes selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other activities assigned to the PAMC division.

CONSOL Mining Corporation’s Other division includes expenses from various corporate and diversified business activities that are not allocated to the PAMC division. The diversified business activities include coal terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities, as well as various other non-operated activities, none of which are individually significant to the Predecessor.

 

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Industry segment results for the six months ended June 30, 2017 are:

 

     PAMC      Other     Adjustments
and
Eliminations
     Combined  

Sales—Outside

   $ 620,155      $     $      $ 620,155  

Other Outside Sales

            27,742              27,742  

Freight—Outside

     30,045                     30,045  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Sales and Freight

   $ 650,200      $ 27,742     $      $ 677,942  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings Before Income Tax

   $ 110,658      $ 7,049     $      $ 117,707  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Segment Assets

   $         1,938,811      $     687,799     $             —      $       2,626,610  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

   $ 83,703      $ (5,442   $      $ 78,261  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

   $ 21,888      $ 1,341     $      $ 23,229  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Industry segment results for the six months ended June 30, 2016 are:

 

     PAMC      Other     Adjustments
and
Eliminations
     Combined  

Sales—Outside

   $ 476,726      $     $      $ 476,726  

Other Outside Sales

            15,767              15,767  

Freight—Outside

     24,557                     24,557  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Sales and Freight

   $ 501,283      $ 15,767     $      $ 517,050  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Tax

   $ 45,847      $ (23,255   $      $ 22,592  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Segment Assets

   $         2,038,366      $     719,804     $             —      $       2,758,170  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

   $ 82,964      $ (4,988   $      $ 77,976  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

   $ 26,003      $ 1,203     $      $ 27,206  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Segment Information to Combined Amounts:

Earnings Before Income Tax:

 

     For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
     2017    2016

Segment Income Before Income Taxes for reportable business segments

   $       125,673      $       29,088  

Less: Interest expense

     7,966        6,496  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Earnings Before Income Tax

   $ 117,707      $ 22,592  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 11—MISCELLANEOUS OTHER INCOME:

 

     For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2017      2016  

Royalty Income - Non-Operated Coal

   $ 12,193      $ 4,433  

Rental Income

     11,133        17,623  

Purchased Coal Sales

     6,098        604  

Interest Income

     1,047        423  

Right of Way Issuance

     994        5,581  

Contract Buyout

            6,288  

Other

     1,329        1,181  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Other Income

   $         32,794      $         36,133  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 12—INCOME TAXES:

The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was 17.6% and (1.0%), respectively. The fluctuation in the effective tax rates is primarily attributable to the impact of the percentage of depletion on the respective period’s pre-tax income.

The effective rate for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the income tax benefit for excess percentage depletion.

 

F-60

Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO

CONSOL Energy Completes Spin-Off as Independent Publicly Traded Low-Cost Producer and Exporter of Coal

Foundational assets include the Pennsylvania Mining Complex, a premier low-cost producer in Northern Appalachia, and the Ownership of CONSOL Marine Terminal, a major East Coast exporter of U.S. coals

Begins “regular way” trading today on NYSE under ticker “CEIX”

Canonsburg, PA – November 29, 2017 – CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE: CEIX) (CONSOL), formerly named CONSOL Mining Corporation, today announced that it has completed the separation from its former parent company CNX Resources Corporation (NYSE: CNX), formerly named CONSOL Energy Inc., and has begun operating as an independent, publicly-traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CEIX”. CONSOL is a low-cost producer of high-Btu thermal and crossover metallurgical coals from its Pennsylvania Mining Complex in the Northern Appalachian Basin, and it also owns and operates a major coal export terminal located in the Port of Baltimore. The company is well positioned to capitalize on the ongoing recovery in the coal markets, and its coal assets and management team have a demonstrated capability of generating strong free cash flow throughout all parts of the commodity cycle.

“This is a monumental event in the history of a 150-plus year old company. I am very excited about what the future has in store for CONSOL and about being able to lead a team of extremely talented people. The coal assets that are the foundation of our company today are well-capitalized and have a well-documented history of generating strong free cash flow. We look forward to now allocating capital to further develop this globally known platform that stands apart within the industry in terms of safety, margins, and productivity. We are committed to strong financial discipline and will be rate-of-return-driven as we evaluate future growth and capital return opportunities. I also want to take this opportunity to thank our advisors, banking partners and investors who provided us with the necessary support to make this spin-off possible. We are coming out with a strong balance sheet and liquidity that complements our asset base. Investor expectations are re-emerging and the timing of our spin ties very nicely to prior upcycles that should create value for all of our stakeholders” said Jimmy Brock, Chief Executive Officer of CONSOL Energy Inc.

Capitalization

As of November 28, 2017, CONSOL has total debt of approximately $918 million after taking into account the various financings entered into as part of the spin-off, unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of approximately $142 million and total liquidity of approximately $354 million, after accounting for $88 million in outstanding letters of credit. We also anticipate entering into an accounts receivables securitization facility by the end of 2017 that is anticipated to provide us with additional liquidity of approximately $50 million. Based on the when-issued share price at the close of business on November 28, 2017, and approximately 28 million shares outstanding, the current equity market capitalization of CEIX is approximately $600 million. CEIX is expected to be added to the S&P Small Cap 600 GICS Coal & Consumable Fuels Sub-Industry Index.


Completion of the Spin-off

Under the terms of the separation and distribution agreement, on November 28, 2017, the CNX Resources Corporation stockholders received a distribution of one share of common stock of the newly named CONSOL Energy for every 8 shares of the CNX Resources Corporation’s common stock held as of the close of business on the record date of November 15, 2017. No fractional shares of CONSOL Energy were issued, and stockholders will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares.

In connection with the distribution, the former parent changed its name from CONSOL Energy Inc. to CNX Resources Corporation and retained its ticker symbol “CNX” on the New York Stock Exchange. At the same time, the newly formed CONSOL Mining Corporation changed its name to CONSOL Energy Inc., and its common stock begins trading today on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “CEIX”.

In addition, the former parent transferred all of its ownership interest in CNX Coal Resources LP to CONSOL Energy Inc. as part of the separation. As a result, CNX Coal Resources LP changed its name to CONSOL Coal Resources LP and changed its ticker to “CCR”.

About CONSOL Energy Inc.

CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE: CEIX) is a Canonsburg-based producer and exporter of high-Btu bituminous thermal and crossover metallurgical coal. It owns and operates some of the most productive longwall mining operations in the Northern Appalachian Basin. Our flagship operation is the Pennsylvania Mining Complex, which has the capacity to produce approximately 28.5 million tons of coal per year and is comprised of 3 large-scale underground mines: Bailey, Enlow Fork, and Harvey. The company also owns and operates the CONSOL Marine Terminal, which is located in the port of Baltimore and has a throughput capacity of approximately 15 million tons per year. In addition to the ~767 million reserve tons associated with the Pennsylvania Mining Complex, the company also controls approximately 1.6 billion tons of greenfield thermal and metallurgical coal reserves located in the major coal-producing basins of the eastern United States. Additional information regarding CONSOL Energy may be found at www.consolenergy.com .

Contacts:

Investor:

Mitesh Thakkar, (724) 485-3133

miteshthakkar@consolenergy.com

Media:

Zach Smith, (724) 485-4017

zacherysmith@consolenergy.com

Cautionary Statements:

Various statements in this release, including those that express a belief, expectation or intention, may be considered forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. The forward-looking statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future production, revenues, income and capital spending. When we use the words “believe,” “intend,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “could,” “estimate,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” or their negatives, or other similar expressions, the statements which include those words are usually forward-looking statements. When we describe strategy that involves risks or uncertainties, we are


making forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release, if any, speak only as of the date of this press release; we disclaim any obligation to update these statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control.    Please see the Registration Statement on Form 10 (as amended) declared effective by Securities and Exchange Committee on November 3, 2017 for a further discussion of some of the risks and uncertainties relating to CONSOL Energy’s operations, business and results.

Source: CONSOL Energy Inc.

Exhibit 99.3

 

LOGO

Operations Summary

CONSOL Energy’s third quarter 2017 financial results were inline with the third quarter 2017 estimates provided in the information statement filed on Form 10, that became effective on November 3, 2017.

Pennsylvania (PA) Mining Operations Division:

The third quarter of 2017 was a challenging quarter for CONSOL Energy on the operational front, and it significantly impacted our ability to deliver normal production volumes at the Pennsylvania Mining Complex (PAMC). In the month of July, our production was limited by geological issues at the Enlow Fork mine, which we previously disclosed. On a positive note, our operational team was largely able to make up for the lost July production by delivering record production in August, as the PAMC achieved its highest-ever monthly coal production. However, this was followed by an unanticipated permit delay at one of our Bailey longwalls, which essentially reduced our productive capacity by 20% for the month of September. Despite all of these challenges, PAMC produced 6.1 million tons of coal during the third quarter, compared to 6.2 million tons in the year-ago quarter. We also sold 6.3 million tons of coal during the third quarter of 2017, compared to 6.0 million tons during the year-ago period.

On the pricing front, our average revenue per ton was mostly in line with the year-ago period, $44.16 per ton for the third quarter 2017, compared to $44.30 per ton for the year-ago period, as improved pricing for our export shipments was offset by lower pricing for our domestic shipments, and a smaller portion of our production was sold into the domestic market. Domestic realizations were impacted by lower demand due to milder summer weather and lower power prices in our domestic market areas versus the year-ago quarter, which reduced realizations under our netback contracts and caused us to ship a greater portion of our production into the export thermal market rather than the domestic thermal market. Export shipments accounted for approximately 33% of our total sales volume during the third quarter, and pricing for our export shipments, though much improved versus last year, still averaged below pricing for our domestic shipments.

Our total cost of coal sold increased to $197 million during the third quarter 2017, compared to $176 million during the year-ago period, driven primarily by one month of idle time at one Bailey longwall and by higher-than-expected costs at Enlow Fork. The average cost of coal sold in the quarter increased by 4.3% to $37.32 per ton, compared to $35.79 per ton in the year-ago quarter.

Other Division:

Other includes revenue and expenses from various corporate and diversified business activities that are not allocated to the PAMC division. The diversified business activities include coal terminal operations, closed and idle mine activities, selling, general and administrative activities, and income taxes, as well as various other non-operated activities, none of which are individually significant to the Company.

Our CONSOL Marine Terminal benefited from higher international demand during the current quarter. As such, throughput tons increased three times compared to the year-ago period, to 3.5 million tons for the third quarter 2017, compared to 1.1 million tons in the year-ago period. CONSOL Marine Terminal sales were $15 million for the third quarter 2017, compared to $5 million in the year-ago period, as a result of increased throughput tons. Operating costs at the CONSOL Marine Terminal increased modestly to $6 million dollars for the third quarter 2017, compared to $5 million for the year-ago period.


Selling, General and Administrative Costs:

Selling, General and Administrative costs increase in a period-to-period comparison to $21 million during the third quarter 2017, compared to $12 million during the year-ago period. The increase is primarily driven by an increases in long term incentive compensation recognized in relation to award modifications due to organizational restructuring, increases in portion of the general and administrative expenses allocated from CNX Resource Corporation, former Parent of the company and increase in short term incentive compensation paid to employees based on the results of operations archived at our mines.


CONSOL ENERGY INC.

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in Thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2017     2016     2017      2016  

Revenue and Other Income:

         

Coal Sales

   $ 279,245     $ 267,685     $ 899,400      $ 744,411  

Other Outside Sales

     15,065       4,549       42,806        20,316  

Freight Revenue

     21,803       9,392       51,847        33,949  

Miscellaneous Other Income

     19,713       13,569       52,508        49,702  

(Loss) Gain on Sale of Assets

     (513     194       13,024        4,099  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue and Other Income

     335,313       295,389       1,059,585        852,477  

Costs and Expenses:

         

Operating and Other Costs

     229,527       215,824       682,403        623,270  

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     46,653       49,850       124,914        127,826  

Freight Expense

     21,803       9,392       51,847        33,949  

Selling, General and Administrative Costs

     21,180       12,157       58,597        30,177  

Interest Expense

     3,862       3,481       11,828        9,978  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Costs and Expenses

     323,025       290,704       929,589        825,200  

Earnings Before Income Tax

     12,288       4,685       129,996        27,277  

Income Tax Expense

     3,770       4,436       22,787        4,243  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Income

     8,518       249       107,209        23,034  

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

     790       2,248       10,567        4,541  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. Shareholder

   $ 7,728     $ (1,999   $ 96,642      $ 18,493  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

CONSOL Energy’s management believes that each of these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information that enhances management’s, investors’ and prospective lenders’ ability to evaluate the Company’s operating results and ability to repay its obligations. However, these non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be used in isolation and should not be considered a substitute for any other performance measure determined in accordance with GAAP. Readers are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool, including that other companies may calculate similar non-GAAP financial measures differently than as defined in these materials, limiting their usefulness as a comparative tool. CONSOL Energy compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures. CONSOL Energy further compensates for the limitations of its use of non-GAAP financial measures by presenting comparable GAAP measures. Readers are encouraged to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures contained herein.

EBITDA is defined as earnings before deducting net interest expense (interest expense less interest income), income taxes and depreciation, depletion and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA after adjusting for the discrete items listed below.


Although EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, management believes that they are useful to an investor in evaluating the Company because they are widely used to evaluate a company’s operating performance. The Company excludes stock-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA because it does not believe it accurately reflects the actual operating expense incurred during the relevant period and may vary widely from period to period irrespective of operating results. Investors should not view these metrics as a substitute for measures of performance that are calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, because all companies do not calculate EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA uniformly, the presentation here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to financial net income is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2017      2017      2017      2016  
     PA Mining
Operations
Division
     Other      Total
Company
     Total
Company
 

Net Income

   $ 21,011      $ (12,493    $ 8,518      $ 249  

Plus:

           

Income Tax Expense

     —          3,770        3,770        4,436  

Interest Expense

     2,164        1,698        3,862        3,481  

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     41,638        5,015        46,653        49,850  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA

     64,813        (2,010      62,803        58,016  

Stock/Unit Based Compensation

     5,882        427        6,309        2,977  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 70,695      $ (1,583    $ 69,112      $ 60,993  

Less: EBITDA Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

     7,065        —          7,065        8,812  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA Attributable to CONSOL Energy Shareholder

   $ 63,630      $ (1,583    $ 62,047      $ 52,181  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 


CONSOL ENERGY INC.

COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     (Unaudited)         
     September 30,
2017
     December 31,
2016
 

ASSETS

     

Current Assets:

     

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 3,697      $ 13,311  

Trade Accounts Receivable

     100,992        95,707  

Other Receivables

     13,313        23,320  

Other Receivables - Related Party

     —          34  

Inventories

     52,004        50,161  

Prepaid Expenses

     21,859        17,601  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     191,865        200,134  

Property, Plant and Equipment:

     

Property, Plant and Equipment

     4,604,067        4,593,395  

Less—Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     2,508,143        2,413,125  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Property, Plant and Equipment—Net

     2,095,924        2,180,270  

Other Assets:

     

Deferred Tax Asset

     189,380        184,579  

Other Assets

     111,360        122,451  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Other Assets

     300,740        307,030  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 2,588,529      $ 2,687,434  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


CONSOL ENERGY INC.

COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS

Continued

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     (Unaudited)        
     September 30,
2017
    December 31,
2016
 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts Payable

   $ 90,245     $ 82,897  

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

     3,520       4,076  

Other Accrued Liabilities

     269,045       292,121  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     362,810       379,094  

Long-Term Debt:

    

Long-Term Debt

     289,602       301,827  

Capital Lease Obligations

     9,427       11,812  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Debt

     299,029       313,639  

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

    

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

     649,565       659,474  

Pneumoconiosis Benefits

     106,837       108,073  

Workers’ Compensation

     64,866       65,932  

Asset Retirement Obligations

     198,625       246,279  

Salary Retirement

     67,464       99,872  

Other

     42,367       14,947  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

     1,129,724       1,194,577  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     1,791,563       1,887,310  

Equity:

    

Parent Net Investment

     1,047,736       1,057,694  

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

     (390,174     (400,063
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Parent Net Investment and Other Comprehensive Loss

     657,562       657,631  

Noncontrolling Interest

     139,404       142,493  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY

     796,966       800,124  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 2,588,529     $ 2,687,434  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


CONSOL ENERGY INC.

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2017     2016     2017     2016  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

        

Net Income

   $ 8,518     $ 249     $ 107,209     $ 23,034  

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

        

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     46,653       49,850       124,914       127,826  

Loss (Gain) on Sale of Assets

     513       (194     (13,024     (4,099

Stock/Unit Based Compensation

     6,309       2,977       15,074       8,341  

Deferred Income Taxes

     6,969       (48,305     (4,801     6,820  

Changes in Operating Assets:

        

Accounts and Notes Receivable

     10,238       2,655       5,489       (5,254

Inventories

     8,282       (1,794     (1,843     2,444  

Prepaid Expenses

     (9,495     (5,792     (4,258     3,852  

Changes in Other Assets

     (6,058     5,422       4,567       (11,666

Changes in Operating Liabilities:

        

Accounts Payable

     24,741       20,097       8,341       1,851  

Other Operating Liabilities

     (14,348     5,754       (23,076     8,230  

Changes in Other Liabilities

     (13,289     42,813       (48,136     4,979  

Other

     (1,409     (2,880     1,195       (436
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     67,624       70,852       171,651       165,922  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

        

Capital Expenditures

     (27,781     (15,455     (51,010     (42,661

Proceeds from Sales of Assets

     936       441       17,921       5,026  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

     (26,845     (15,014     (33,089     (37,635
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

        

Payments on Miscellaneous Borrowings

     (930     (150     (2,920     (297

Net (Payments on) Proceeds from Revolver

     (2,000     10,000       (13,000     23,000  

Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest

     (5,468     (5,416     (16,403     (16,241

Parent Net Investment

     (35,222     (62,913     (114,844     (134,979

Tax Cost from Unit-Based Compensation

     (201     —         (1,009     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

     (43,821     (58,479     (148,176     (128,517
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Cash

     (3,042     (2,641     (9,614     (230

Cash at Beginning of Period

     6,739       9,050       13,311       6,639  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash at End of Period

   $ 3,697     $ 6,409     $ 3,697     $ 6,409